The much-anticipated school board byelection, Family Day fun, and entertainment offerings galore are among the happenings in New West in February 2024. Here’s a look at some of this month’s offering in New Westminster.
Saturday, Feb. 3
General Voting Day to fill the vacant trustee seat on the New Westminster board of education. Residents can vote between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at five polling stations in New Westminster:
- Queen Elizabeth Elementary School gym – 921 Salter St.
- Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School gym – 1714 Eighth Ave.
- Fraser River Middle School gym – 800 Queens Ave.
- Glenbrook Middle School gym – 701 Park Cres.
- Skwo:wech Elementary School gym – 331 Richmond St.
Renting 101, hosted by the New Westminster Public Library and the City of New Westminster, is a free presentation about the rights and obligations renters have under the law. Topics include: how to protect yourself; your rights and responsibilities; security deposits; illegal entry; repairs and evictions; when the city will get involved; and how renters can contact the bylaws department and the process that can be expected. Registration is required for this event, which is on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main branch of the library at 716 Sixth Ave. – and is also available online via Zoom.
Sunday, Feb. 4
The all-ages Family Sky Lantern Workshop is one of the Lunar New Year events being hosted by the City of New Westminster. Residents are invited to drop in and enjoy storytelling, decorate sky lanterns in a hands-on workshop and celebrate the Year of the Dragon. All supplies included. Presented in partnership with the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association. It’s happening on Sunday, Feb. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
Evictions, a free presentation presented by the New Westminster Public Library and the City of New Westminster, will talk about how and when landlords can evict renters. Topics include: the four types of evictions illegal lockouts; compensation for tenants if landlords evict with a two- and a four-month notice; right of first refusal; bad faith evictions; selling a property; physically evicting a tenant; and proper eviction templates from the Residential Tenancy Board. It’s on Sunday, Feb. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main branch of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. but it can also be attended via Zoom.
Thursday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 18
Bunny, Hannah Moscovitch’s acclaimed play, explores love, lust and social inhibitions. Produced by The Search Party, Bunny’s 2022 debut at The Cultch garnered eight Jessie nominations and four wins. Emma Slipp, who won for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Dramatic or Comedic Role, is returning to play the role of Sorrel. It’s coming to Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St., with a preview night on Thursday, Feb. 8 and opening night on Friday, Feb. 9, both at 7:30 p.m. The show continues with performances on Feb. 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10, 17 and 18. Tickets start at $36.50, and are available at ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050.
Thursday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 25
The Vagabond Players present Last Romance by Joe Dipietro at the Bernie Leggie Theatre in Queen’s Park. A synopsis states: “Just in time for Valentine's Day, this lovely story proves you are never too old to be struck by Cupid's arrow.” Performances are on Thursday to Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20 and available at vagabondplayers.ca/tickets or 604-521-0412.
Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10
New West Ska Punk Fest features two nights of “moon stomping, skanking and moshing” at Bully’s Studios Inc. Friday’s lineup includes Rude City Riot, Brasser, The Wavebirds and Bong Chow, while Saturday features Brehdren, Kownterpoint, S.K.A, Phonosonics and Like Bears. Tickets are $20 for one night or $30 for both. Bully's Studio is at 67 Sixth St
Saturday, Feb. 10
Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet brings this Canadian classic to life in a full-length ballet, featuring musical arrangements from Anne of Green Gables – The Musical. It’s on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. Tickets start at $35.
Saturday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 19
The City of New Westminster has three jam-packed days of activities planned in celebration of Family Day, which is on Monday Feb. 19. These free activities are intended to provide a fun opportunity for families to create, discover, get active and try something new. Registration is required for some events. Registration and information is available on the City of New Westminster’s website. Some of the long weekend’s offerings include:
- Saturday, Feb. 17: family skate, Zumba, stretch and strength
- Sunday, Feb. 18: family yoga, explore and craft your family tree, family magic extravaganza and “Family Team Quest for Electric Wire Maze
- Monday, Feb. 19: button-making workshop, family learn to skate, printmaking workshop, activities and nature crafts in the city’s greenhouse, an OpenLAB workshop, youth centre activities, indoor playland, an Indigenous Cree medicine bag activity, Discovery Playtime open house, a family dance, a family fun day, multisport activities and gymnastics
Celebrate the Strange is the theme of the Family Day events happening at Fraser River Discovery Centre, where attendees can “delight in the seemingly strange but infinitely interesting world of animal family dynamics.” The long weekend’s fun includes self-guided activities and facilitated activities (including storytime). Activities run Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Dr. (Regular admission rates in effect on Saturday and Sunday, but there’s free admission on Monday, Feb. 19). Admission and other info available at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org/family-fun
Thursday, Feb. 22 to Sunday, Feb. 25
Arts Club on Tour presents Made in Italy, a musical coming of age story set in the 1970s in Alberta. A synopsis states: “Meet Francesco Mantini, a second-generation Italian teen struggling to find his place in Jasper, Alberta. Inspired by pop culture icons Rocky Balboa and John Travolta, he reinvents himself as Frank Martin: crooner and ladies’ man. As buoyant and bubbly as a glass of prosecco, Made in Italy is a celebration of music, food, and family that’s so delightful you won’t fuhgeddaboudit.” It’s running at the Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St., with shows on Thursday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets at ticketsnw.ca.
Friday Feb. 23
Westside Swing Band is having its sixth live band social swing dance at the Sapperton Community Hall. It’s on Friday, Feb. 23 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 318 Keary St. Admission is $20.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Legends Show features tributes to Hank Williams (Zachary Stevenson), Johnny Cash (Lars Pluto), Roy Orbison (Jesse Arn), and Elvis Presley (Pete Paquette). It takes to the stage at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Info and tickets at www.masseytheatre.com.
Bevvies and Bites, a Rotary fundraiser for folks aged 19 and up, includes an assorted of beverages and bites. It’s on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Royal City Centre, 610 Sixth St. Tickets are $43.93.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Jazz Cats Social returns to Century House and features a night of hot jazz. Attendees can celebrate Black History Month with a beginner Lindy Hop lesson. Organizers say: “Originating in Harlem, NY during the big band era, the lesson is a fun and educational way to learn about the history of the dance.” You’re invited to dance, join the jazz jam or just sit back and enjoy the show. It’s on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Century House, 620 Eighth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the Lindy Hop lesson is at 7 p.m. and the jazz jam and social dancing run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $18 or $12 for Century House members.
A Renting for Newcomers presentation will discuss the rights and obligations renters have under the law. Representatives from TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre) will speak to the following topics: newcomer information on how to search for housing; applying for housing; tenancy agreements; roommates and occupancy situations; rental scams; credit checks; and services available to newcomers; and cost of renting in B.C. City of New Westminster bylaws staff will talk about situations when the city will get involved, how renters can contact bylaw and the process that can be expected. It’s on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main branch of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Avenue. It’s a free hybrid event (you can attend in person at the library or via Zoom) but registration is required.
Super Saturday – Runoff Race is part of a series of public programs for families at Fraser River Discovery Centre. As flooding becomes more frequent and unpredictable with climate change, how can we redesign our communities to keep people and places safe? Super Saturday is on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Dr. Info about Super Saturdays activities and admission rates www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
Tuesday, Feb 27
The Tom Keenlyside Quartet plays Time Out – A Night of Dave Brubeck. The quartet – featuring Paul Desmond on saxophone, Keenlyside ono piano, Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums – will perform the Bruebeck’s entire 1959 album, Time Out. This month’s Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil is on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St. Tickets are $20 and up.
