Summertime, and the livin' is easy — or very, very busy, if you're so inclined.
Yes, summer officially starts this week (Wednesday, to be precise), and with it comes the usual array of seasonal fun that we all expect in New West. We've rounded up these highlights to get you started:
For weather watchers: Is 'Juneuary' back?
June has certainly been a bit of a mixed bag, weather-wise, and this week appears to be no exception. As of the writing of this post, it looks like the week will get off to a "Juneuary" start, with rain and cooler weather. Monday is looking at a high of 16 C and cloudy skies with showers, while Tuesday promises light rain and a high of 16 C again. After that, Wednesday calls for showers and Thursday for a mix of sun and clouds. But as we know, forecasts can change quickly at this time of year — so maybe keep the umbrella and the sunscreen both handy, just in case.
As we know from recent experience, we're also back in the time of year where wildfire smoke can play havoc with air quality with little warning. To keep abreast of the current situation, you can keep an eye on New West's air quality in real time at the Metro Vancouver Air Map site.
For everyone: Community events
- Evolution to Revolution: Love bicycles? You can take a fascinating journey back into the original "machine for freedom by self-propulsion," as an event write-up calls it, as presenter Gordon Hobbis from Cap's Bicycles shares his lifelong interest in pre-1900 bicycles, along with items from his own collection, in another presentation at Century House (620 Eighth St.). It ran last week, and it repeats this week on Monday, June 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It's free, but registration is required; find info and register online.
- New West Farmers Market: Everyone's favourite farmers market continues its season on Thursday, June 22 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.
- Community Bike Day: Turn out in Moody Park on Saturday, June 24 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to enjoy bike-related activities including a bike skills challenge, a Cap's Bicycle Shop Pedaling Zoo, a bike health check, information tables, and a bike and bike gear exchange. Find info online.
For performance lovers: Outdoor concerts and legendary tributes
- Queen's Park concert series: The bandshell once again plays host to a summer concert series, so you can enjoy live music in a serene treed setting. This Thursday, June 22, you can take in the sounds of the Royal City Concert Band from 7 to 8 p.m. It's free. On Sunday, June 25, you can enjoy the acoustic and electric violin sounds of Fiona Abigail D'Silva, a.k.a. curlsandviolins, from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Get Happy! Celebrating Judy Garland: Join New West's own film historian, Michael van den Bos, for this retrospective revue of the work of the legendary Judy Garland, in a film presentation on Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. in Studio 1B at Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces (the Massey Theatre complex at 735 Eighth Ave.) You can even enjoy special themed treats, including a Ruby Slipper cocktail. Tickets $18; buy online.
- ABBA Revisited: Mamma mia! Here's a fun one. Join in this tribute show celebrating the songs of the legendary Swedish superstars, on Friday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Massey Theatre. Tickets $48; buy online.
For art lovers: Check out New West galleries
- Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: Have you visited the exhibition of work by the Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass Indigenous artist collective? Through Our Eyes is on at the Anvil Centre's fourth-floor gallery (777 Columbia St.) until July 26.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: This is your last week to 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.
- New Media Gallery: You can check out the latest exhibition at the New Westminster New Media Gallery (Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.), ongoing until Aug. 13. DUST features installations by international artists providing immersive and experiential ways to think about dust and landscape.
For school board watchers: Final meeting of the year
This week brings the final school board meeting of the 2022-23 school year on Tuesday, June 20 at 7 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.
For city hall watchers: No meeting this week
If you're still in recovery from the marathon meeting night last week, then you may be relieved there's no council meeting set for this week. There is a public hearing set for next week — Monday, June 26 at 6 p.m., so save that date if you're so inclined. You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email Julie MacLellan.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
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