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Festivals and fun abound in New Westminster in September

Events roundup: Recovery Day BC Festival, fundraisers and all sorts of activities happening in New West in September.
Theresa McManus
Theresa McManus
recovery-day-bc-1
The Recovery Day BC festival returns to Uptown New West in September. Photo by Recovery Day BC

To Monday, Sept. 2

Summer Discovery Days

Summer Discovery Days provides a variety of activities related to the various types of harvests provided in the Fraser River Basin through the different seasons. 

  • When: Saturday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Simulated cedar stripping and weaving is from 10 a.m. to noon and storytime is from 1 to 3 p.m.)
  • Where: Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Dr.
  • Details: Activities are included in admission to Fraser River Discovery Centre

Thursday, Sept. 5

New West Farmers Market

The New West Farmers Market features vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more.

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 5, 3 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: Tipperary Park, 315 Queens Ave. (next to New Westminster City Hall)
  • Details: Free

Saturday, Sept. 7

Recovery Day BC Festival

The annual Recovery Day BC street festival includes live entertainment, foods trucks, a kid’s zone, health information fair, artisans and vendors, and more. Performers include Merkules, Dreams (a Fleetwood Mac tribute band), R& B All Stars, A Night of Bowie, Dr Strangelove, DJ Chloe and Cake Walk.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 7, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street
  • Details: Free

PechaKucha New West

Ten speakers will share their passions at PechaKucha New West Volume 33, with each presenter speaking as they show 20 slides for 20 seconds. DJ Machinale of Social Medium will be spinning tunes when the doors open at 7 p.m. Presentations start at 8 p.m. but folks are encouraged to arrive early to socialize. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the concession.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.
  • Where: Sapperton Community Hall, 318 Keary St.
  • Details: Tickets are $10 plus Eventbrite service fees

Parkinson Super Walk

Parkinson Society British Columbia is hosting the Parkinson SuperWalk to raise funds for life-changing programs and services.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: Moody Park, 600 Eighth St.
  • Details: Information and registration are available online

Sunday, Sept. 8

Art Sundays

Acrylic Painting Workshop, facilitated by artist Gayatri Yelegaonkar. Art supplies are provided. 

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Studio Room 411, Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
  • Details: Free. No registration required but space is limited. 

Monday, Sept. 9

New Westminster and District Concert Band

The New Westminster and District Concert Band begins its season tonight, and invites musicians to make music with the concert band on Mondays from September to June (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) or with the jazz band (Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept. 10,

Uptown Swing

The Uptown Swing Collective is holding an open house that includes a crash course in swing dancing and a chance to meet the folks involved with the group. The collective promotes swing jazz music and the associated dances; it holds monthly social dances and weekly lessons for dancers and musicians.

  • When: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
  • Where: New Westminster Secondary School, 820 Sixth St. (In the dance studio – signs will lead the way).
  • Details: Free. Dress in whatever makes you comfortable. Wear clean shoes with non-marking soles; you can also dance in socks. No experience, partner or commitment needed.

Thursday, Sept. 12

New West Farmers Market

The New West Farmers Market features vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more.

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 12, 3 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: Tipperary Park, 315 Queens Ave. (next to New Westminster City Hall)
  • Details: Free

Saturday, Sept. 14

Community Bottle Drop

The Royal City Rotary Club hosts a monthly community bottle drop to raise money to support community projects. Community members can drop off rinsed bottles, cans, and refundable containers.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to noon
  • Where: 166 Sixth St. (across from city hall)
  • Details: Free

Sunday, Sept. 15

Terry Fox Run

The annual Terry Fox Run features a level, scenic route along the boardwalk, with participants covering as much ground as they choose up to 10 kilometres. No entry fee to participate in the run. Free food and drinks available for all participants. T-shirt sales also available.

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 15 – in-person registration begins at 9a.m. and the run/walk/ride/wheel starts at 10 a.m.
  • Where: River Market, 810 Quayside Dr.

Art Sundays

Artist talk with Fiona Tang, part of the Art Sundays’ free arts programming. Tang’s solo exhibition, Journey, is currently on display at The Gallery at Queen’s Park.

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Where: The Gallery at Queen’s Park
  • Details: Free. No registration required; everyone welcome.

Thursday, Sept. 19

New West Farmers Market

The New West Farmers Market features vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more.

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 19, 3 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: Tipperary Park, 315 Queens Ave. (next to New Westminster City Hall)
  • Details: Free

Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 6

Mauritius

The Vagabond Players present Mauritius, a dark comedy centered around a 22-year-old woman who’s lived a sheltered life caring for her abusive mother who’s just passed away after a long illness. Warning: Contains mature content and coarse language. Mauritius is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. 

  • ​When: Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 6
  • Where: Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park
  • Details: Tickets available online or at 604-521-0412

Saturday, Sept. 21

KidSport New West Fall Classic

 The KidSport New West Fall Classic is a charity hockey game in support of KidSport New Westminster, featuring teams from New Westminster’s police and fire departments. In addition to two hours of hockey action, the event includes a variety of food trucks, a display of emergency vehicles, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw, first intermission on-ice action featuring players from the New West Minor Hockey Association and more. If you’d like to volunteer at the event, email [email protected].

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 4 to 10 p.m.
  • Where: Queen’s Park Arena
  • Details: Tickets are $10 each (exclusive of fees) and can be purchased online

Thursday, Sept. 26

All That Bob Fosse!

Classic film scholar and movie musical maven Michael Van Den Bos provides an entertaining evening looking at Bob Fosse, including his early movie appearances, his choreography for classic film musicals and television work, and his years directing musical films, including the Oscar-winning Cabaret and Fosse’s own semi-autobiographical All That Jazz. He’ll also highlight Gwen Verdon, Fosse’s wife, muse and dancer extraordinaire. Fosse is considered a key figure in 20th Century American dance.

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Where: Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces in the Massey Theatre complex, Studio 1B, 735 Eighth Ave.
  • Details: Tickets are $21 for students, $24 for seniors and $27 For adults (plus service charges) and are available online

New West Farmers Market

The New West Farmers Market features vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more.

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 26, 3 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: Tipperary Park, 315 Queens Ave. (next to New Westminster City Hall)
  • Details: Free

Saturday, Sept. 28

New West Comic Fest

New West Comic Fest features 50 tables with a mix of comic creators, comic traders and comics-related posters, stickers and more.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Where: Sapperton Community Hall, 318 Keary St.
  • Details: Admission is $5

Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance

Massey Theatre will be transformed into an ethereal courtyard, immersing audiences into the timeless and ancient forms of Indian Classical music and dance for the 13th Annual Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance. Some of the finest Canadian and Indian artists will showcase their talents at this festival. Performers – who will perform exquisite and traditional numbers in their respective art forms – include Western Canadian Music Award nominees Cassius Khan and Amika Kushwaha, Prajakta Potnis Trehan, Juno nominee Pt Salil Bhatt, and others.

Ukrainian New West Fest

The first Ukrainian New West Fest includes: games and activities (including arts and craft workshops, a treasure hunt, Ukrainian trivia); a photobooth with traditional Ukrainian costumes; a children’s play area that includes game and trampolines, face painting and a storytelling corner; Ukrainian meals (in dedicated tents with regional diversity cuisines); a fair highlighting Ukraine’s regional; live music; a beer garden featuring local craft beer; and a Children's Festival featuring performances by younger Ukrainian community members. It also includes hands-on workshops in traditional arts such as pysanka (egg decorating), vinok (flower crown) making, and regional embroidery techniques. The day culminates in a live music concert celebrating Ukraine's heritage, followed by an evening of regional snacks and drinks.

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 to 10 p.m.
  • Where: Holy Eucharist Cathedral, 501 Fourth Ave.
  • Details: Everyone welcome. No registration or tickets required. All donations are welcome.

Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29

RiverFest

Fraser River Discovery Centre hosts the 22nd RiverFest in celebration of World Rivers Day and BC Rivers Day.

Saturday’s lineup include a full day of fun for the whole family, including: the Family Fun Zone inside the FRDC (free admission); live music; the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade; and an exhibitor expo with an artisan market.

Sunday’s lineup includes activities at the FRDC (free admission) and guided walks in different locations along the river (New Westminster, Richmond, and Burnaby).

Monday, Sept. 30

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The New Westminster Museum will be open on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to provide the community with an opportunity to engage with its featured exhibition, Downstream Where the Waters Mix.

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