Farmers' market, community garage sales, outdoor walks and Royal City Musical Theatre? It's definitely spring in New Westminster.
As we move into the second week of May, we've rounded up a list of happenings so you don't miss out on all the fun.
Some highlights:
For weather watchers: More spring weather ahead
Let's hope the forecast comes to pass as the Weather Network is projecting (as of the writing of this post), because it's looking like a pleasant, spring-like week in New West. Monday is expected to be mainly sunny, with a high of 17 C, while Tuesday and Wednesday call for a mix of sun and clouds with highs of 16 C and 17 C. It'll be cloudy with some sunny breaks on Thursday, with a high of 17 C, and Friday will see the temperature climb to 21 C — but with more cloud cover. So it looks like you may not need the umbrella and the Vessis this week (although I've probably just jinxed us all, so sorry about that).
For everyone: Community events
- New West Farmers Market: Don't miss the regular Thursday market on May 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Tipperary Park, next to city hall. You can find produce, prepared foods, food trucks, artisans, live music and more — get the vendor list and details at the New West Farmers Market website.
- Walk With the Mayor: Join Mayor Patrick Johnstone for a walk around Queen's Park as part of the WALK30 Challenge. You don't have to sign up ahead — just show up at Queen's Park Arena (51 Third Ave.) on Friday, May 12; meet in front for the 1 p.m. walk. The walk is about 2.9 km long, around the Millennium and Rainbow trails in the park, and it's accessible.
- Community garage sale: It was Massey-Victory Heights' turn last week; this weekend, it's Queen's Park. Travel around the neighbourhood on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to check out garage sale offerings. It's hosted by the Vallee McLennan Real Estate Team; find them on Facebook for the map of participating homes.
- Councillor Café: Join councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas for their final café session of the season, in the gallery at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.), on Wednesday, May 10 from 3 to 5 p.m.
For performance lovers: Music and theatre
- Crazy For You: Royal City Musical Theatre continues its run of the long-awaited, much-anticipated musical, packed full of Gershwin tunes and all kinds of talent. The musical is onstage until May 14. You can get a sneak peek in this interview with star Todd Talbot, or just go right ahead and book your tickets online.
- Maple Leaf Singers: Join the show chorus for its triumphant return to the stage at Anvil Theatre (777 Columbia St.) with two concerts: Saturday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m. The program features chart-topping hits from the 1960s to now. Get info and tickets online.
- Westside Swing Band Live: Enjoy big band-era jazz standards, rockabilly and jump blues classics from the 10-piece band (with dancing) from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Sapperton Community Hall, 318 Keary. St. Tickets $20; book or get more information at the Westside Swing Band website.
For art lovers: Take your pick of gallery exhibitions
- Plaskett Gallery: It's the final week for A Mysterious Attraction, featuring work by Pierre Leichner, Edzy Edzed and Bill Westwell, underway at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.). It winds up Tuesday, May 9 in the Plaskett and North Wing galleries.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: There's still plenty of time to catch Romance and Roses, an exhibition of work by Marney-Rose Edge, running until May 28 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.
- The Eternal Dance: Artists Clarissa Banos and Dan Santa Cruz Siglos "explore the space between the sun, the moon and the stars in the universe, and its vital role in the creation of life," as a gallery write-up says. They're showing 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.
For city hall watchers: Council meeting Monday
City council is back in action on Monday, May 8. There's a 3 p.m. council workshop looking at the city's parks and recreation comprehensive plan update, and then a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Among the items on the agenda: Anvil Centre operations, the city's approach to 2024 budget discussions, and council motions and notices of motion on a number of topics (Pattullo Bridge farewell, tree protection bylaw, police budget discussion for 2024 and more). You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: No meetings this week
If you're an education watcher, you have a couple of weeks off before the next regular SD40 board meeting on Tuesday, May 23. 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.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email Julie MacLellan.
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