Spring is now officially here, so it's time to get out and about and enjoy the best the Royal City has to offer. We're continuing with our popular feature - our staff's Top 5 (Or More) Things To Do This Weekend. We have some great offerings for this weekend in New Westminster.
1 Get into burlesque at New Westminster's historic Columbia Theatre on Saturday, March 24. Beatles Burlesque, presented by Burnaby-born guitarist Blue Morris is coming to the theatre following two sold-out shows in Vancouver. The show will feature some of Vancouver's top burlesque performers, including Miss Fitt, Calamity Kate, Connie Lingus, Miss Kiss, Miss Via Rose and Violet Femme.
Doors open at 7: 30 p.m., with showtime at 8: 30 p.m. The Columbia is at 530 Columbia St. For more info on the show, check out www.beatlesburlesque.ca. Tickets are $25, available through www.brown papertickets.com.
2 Get celebrating at Bosley's Pet Food Plus at Columbia Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 for the store's first anniversary party.
All two-and fourlegged friends are invited to enjoy activities such as dog agility demos, door prizes, pet food sampling and a fundraising barbecue from noon to 2 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the New Westminster Animal Shelter. For more info, call 604-522-5280 or go to www.bosleys. com.
3 Get ecstatic for the last weekend of The Very Ecstasy of Love, the latest production by the departments of theatre and stagecraft and event technology, at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, Douglas College, 4100-700 Royal Ave., This production borrows from a lost play of the Bard's, but at the same time adapts it to make it a story that's uniquely West Coast. Tickets $12 regular, $8 seniors/students are available through the Massey Theatre at 604-521-5050.
4 Get entering This is My City, a contest put on by Tourism New Westminster and The Record newspaper. Tell us what you love about New Westminster in 100 words or less and include a photo of your experience, and you could win a prize package valued at more than $750. The top stories will be published in a special section of the paper and the official New Westminster Visitors' Guide. Deadline is March 31. Go to www. royalcityrecord.com to post your story, video and/or photos.
5 Get viewing What To Do Next, a four-person visual art exhibition that focuses on why artists choose to create what they do.
The exhibit is on the second floor of The River Market, 810 Quayside Dr. and runs until April 21. The opening reception is Friday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Featured artists are Judith Copland, Norm Coridor, Rob Fee and Irene LaCharité.
For more information, check out the website at www.newwestartists.com.
Email your Top 5 ideas to calendar@royalcityrecord. com or send them to alau@ royalcityrecord.com. You can also check out our full arts and events calendar listings on our website's homepage at www.royalcityrecord.com.