Is spring finally springing? What with some nice weather in the forecast and the opening of Royal City Musical Theatre's Crazy For You after three long years, there's all kinds of reason for optimism in New West this week.
Some highlights:
For weather watchers: Spring temperatures at last
Don't celebrate too early, just in case things change, but the forecast finally calls for some genuinely spring-like weather in New West this week. We'll start the week a bit cool and cloudy — with the chance of a shower Monday with a high of 13 C, cloud with showers on Tuesday with a high of 13 C, and mainly cloudy weather Wednesday with a high of 14 C. But, as the Weather Network sees it, things may start to change for the better on Thursday, when we'll see a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 18 C. Friday is looking at mainly sunny weather and a high of 21 C.
Break out those spring clothes; you may finally need them.
For performance lovers: RCMT returns to Massey
- Crazy For You: It's here at last! The Royal City Musical Theatre production that was about to open in 2020 when COVID hit is finally onstage at the Massey starting Thursday, April 27, with official opening night on Saturday. You can get a sneak peek in this interview with star Todd Talbot, or just go right ahead and book your tickets online.
- Laughter on the 23rd Floor: There's still a little more time to catch the Vagabond Players' run of Neil Simon's comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor. It's on at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park until April 29. Get tickets and information online.
For art lovers: Take your pick of gallery exhibitions
- The Eternal Dance: Artists Clarissa Banos and Dan Santa Cruz Siglos display their work in an exhibition at the Anvil Centre's Community Art Gallery, running until May 24. Stop in to the gallery on the third floor at Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) to check it out. It's free and open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Curl Mapped: Don't miss an artist talk and the official opening of the new public art installation at Anvil Centre, Curl Mapped, which tackles Black history in the settlement of New West. It's part of the Capture Photography Festival. The opening is Thursday, April 27 from 5 to 7 p.m., with festivities in person and on Zoom.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: Experience Vladimir Kolosov's Travel Into Subconscious, running until Sunday, April 30 at the Arts Council of New Westminster gallery in Centennial Lodge. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free, but donations are always accepted. You can find all the details at the gallery website.
- I Heart New West: Don't forget to stop by the New West Artists' exhibition at the I Heart New West space in Columbia Square (Unit 103-7810th St.). The exhibition is on until Sunday, April 30.
- Plaskett Gallery: Stop in to the gallery at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) for A Mysterious Attraction, featuring work by Pierre Leichner, Edzy Edzed and Bill Westwell. It runs until May 9 in the Plaskett and North Wing galleries.
- New Media Gallery: If you haven't yet been down to the New Media Gallery (third floor at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.), the fascinating aBIOTIC exhibition continues until the end of the month. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening openings on Thursdays until 8 p.m.
For the word nerds: Write On! contest
Writers, start your laptops (or your pens): The Royal City Literary Arts Society has extended the deadline for its annual Write On! contest, which gives you a chance to win cash prizes for your best poetry, fiction and non-fiction. You have until midnight on May 1 to enter. Get all the details at the RCLAS website.
For city hall watchers: Council meeting Monday
Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, April 24. There's a public hearing at 6 p.m. about a proposed 10-unit townhouse development at Eighth Avenue and First Street, and a regular council meeting follows at 6:30 p.m. On the agenda: an update on train whistle cessation, the Queen's Park farm master plan, liquor licensing for Salmonbellies games, and a notice of motion regarding farewell tributes for the old Pattullo Bridge, among other items. You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: Board meeting Tuesday
The SD40 board meets on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m., with all things budget on the agenda. You can hear presentations from stakeholder groups (the district parent advisory council, unions, the principals and vice-prinicpals' group, Student Voice at NWSS, and the Indigenous education committee). The board will also receive an update about from the district's parent and community budget survey. You can attend in person at the board office (811 Ontario St.) or online via Zoom. You can find links and agenda packages at the SD40 website.
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