Free summer concerts, block parties and a multicultural festival — here are five ways to spend this coming weekend in New West
Thursday, July 6
New Drag, Who Dis?
New West’s Moodswing Bar and Coffee will transform into a performance stage once every month — thanks to a new show called “New Drag, Who Dis?,” launched by drag performer miss.juicEEE. The 19-plus event aims to offer a platform for new and emerging drag artists. “As a QBIPOC I hope to make a space for other 2SLGBTQIA+ and QBIPOC where they can feel seen, supported and uplifted regardless of experience …” as miss.juicEEE said in the event description. The first of the monthly performance series launches this weekend. Tickets are priced between $10 and $15 online, or $20 at the door.
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: Moodswing Bar and Coffee
Details: Eventbrite
Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9
Queen’s Park Arts Festival
This year’s Queen’s Park Arts Festival line-up has a diverse mix of performances — find out how New West vocal band Quayside Voices create the sound of drums and bass using their voice; swing by the Royal City Swing performance before heading to a live concert by the Vancouver-based roots band Headlong Hearts. The series also includes an interactive accordion act by Bellow and Sing, a Bollywood dance workshop by dancer Melinda Fernandes and a performance by a 25-member band, the Kara-Kata Afrobeat group.
When: 7 p.m. on July 6 and 7, 12 p.m. till evening on July 8 and 9
Where: Queen’s Park Bandshell
Details: Check out the schedule on Arts New West website
Friday, July 7
Fridays on Front
Dive into almost every weekend this summer with a wild party in New West’s downtown area. A total of six Fridays, starting July 7 and extending all summer to August 25, will see a series of block parties — each celebrating different themes including East Asia, pride and Bollywood among others. The free family-friendly event will include live entertainment and music, activities for kids, an artisan market by New West Craft, food trucks and food vendors, and alcoholic beverages courtesy Steel & Oak Brewery and Pacific Breeze Winery.
When: Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Front Street
Details: Downtown New West website
Saturday, July 8
On Your Block Multicultural Festival
Block your Saturday for the annual On Your Block Multicultural Festival that returns to Tipperary Park this weekend. The multicultural event “where everyone belongs” will see live entertainment in three different stages — main stage, market stage and beer garden stage — and feature more than 50 local vendors, a host of food trucks, arts and crafts activities, live painting and more. The event is an extension of founder Efe Fruci’s not-for-profit initiative called Odihi that supports BIPOC girls and women, and aims to foster “unity, collaboration and togetherness.”
When: 1 to 9 p.m.
Where: Tipperary Park
Details: On Your Block festival website
Storytime and Origami
How the simple art of making sushi can teach a monumental lesson on intentions — let your kids (aged four years and above) find out all about it from the book reading of The Perfect Sushi by children’s book author and scientist Emily Satoko. After the free storytime session that’ll expose the kids to Japanese culture, let your little ones try their hand at origami at a workshop led by artist Yuki Anthony — all as part of the same event.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Kinder Books, 101-810 Quayside Dr.
Details: Kinder Books website
