It's June — which means it's just about time to start panicking about the fact that you haven't made any summer plans for your child. Or is that just me?
Regardless, it's June! And that means we're in for sunshine, fun events and a busy month on all fronts. To help you get started, we've compiled this list of highlights for the week ahead:
For weather watchers: Heat ahead
Well, the hot weather seems to be moving in somewhat more slowly than originally anticipated, but as it stands at the time of writing, it looks like the summer-like weather will return with a vengeance this week. Right now, the Weather Network is forecasting a sunny Monday, with a high of 22 C that feels like 23 C. Come Tuesday, the mercury starts climbing, with a high of 25 C that feels like 27 C. Then there's Wednesday, with a projected high of 27 C that feels like 30 C. After that, it looks likely to drop a degree or two — but get ready now, and have your water bottle, sunscreen and fan handy.
For everyone: Community events
- New West Community Bike Ride: Trained HUB New Westminster volunteers will lead the next in a series of community bike rides, starting at Century House. This week's 12-km ride includes River Market and the waterfront esplanade. It's on Saturday, June 10 from 10 to 11 a.m. You can register online via Eventbrite.
- Spring carnival: Join in the fun at the École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School spring carnival, Friday June 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1714 Eighth Ave. Enjoy prizes, a dunk tank, face painting, bouncy castles, petting zoo, snacks, barbecue and more. Food and game tickets will be available for purchase on site.
- New West Farmers Market: Everyone's favourite farmers market continues its season on Thursday, June 8 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Tipperary Park, next to New Westminster City Hall. Take in food trucks, vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. Dogs are welcome. For a full vendor list, see the market website.
For performance lovers: Theatre and music
- Stagefest 2023: Join the young performers from The Stage Musical Theatre Academy as their youth theatre featival continues. You can take in Disney's Aristocats Kids and Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical, both running June 8 to 10. You can find all the details and get tickets online.
- Vagabond Players: New Westminster's favourite community theatre company is back onstage with its production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. It's playing at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park until June 24, with shows from Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Buy tickets online or call 604-521-0412.
- NWSS June Revue: New Westminster Secondary School's music department presents its June Revue, featuring concert bands, jazz bands, a mass choir and strings, at Massey Theatre on Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets $12; buy online.
- Quayside in Concert: Quayside Voices presents their first self-hosted show since 2019, on Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. in Studio 1B at Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces (735 Eighth Ave.). Tickets and information online.
- House concert: Enjoy music by pianist Nicola Davies and soprano Katrina Tamagi in the next house concert in Davies' series, on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Music Box, 630 Carnarvon St. Bring along potluck goodies (no alcohol, but you can bring your best non-alcoholic beer or cocktail). Tickets are pay what you can, with suggested donation of $25 by e-transfer or cash at the door. RSVP by email to save a spot.
For art lovers: Check out New West galleries
- Plaskett Gallery: Check out Hidden Fragments: Layers of Discovery, which continues until Friday, June 9 at the Plaskett Gallery at Massey Theatre (Eighth & Eight, 735 Eighth Ave.). It showcases six artists who share a similar process in creating mixed-media art. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., during performances at Massey Theatre, or by appointment at 604-517-5900.
- Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: Check out a new exhibition of work by the Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass Indigenous artist collective, Through Our Eyes, at the Anvil Centre's fourth-floor gallery (777 Columbia St.). Take note of a couple of upcoming special dates, too: a June 11 artist talk, and a June 14 opening reception.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: You can check out work by the up-and-coming artists of New Westminster Secondary School in their year-end exhibition, Tying It All Together, running until June 25. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.
For city hall watchers: No regular council meetings this week
There's no regularly scheduled council meeting this week, though there's a community heritage commission meeting on Wednesday, June 7 at 6 p.m. Mark your calendar for the next round of regular meetings on Monday, June 12. You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: Meetings Tuesday
Yes, it's school board time again. Tuesday, June 6 features an education committee meeting at 4:30 p.m. and an operations committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. 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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