June is just about bustin' out all over, and we're looking at another busy week in New West as we say goodbye to May.
If you've recovered from all the weekend excitement, then get your calendar ready for the week ahead.
Some highlights:
For weather watchers: Mainly sunny week ahead
The intense heat is temporarily behind us again, it seems, as the Weather Network's forecast for the week ahead calls for pretty consistent temperatures throughout the week: highs of 20 C on Monday, 18 C on Tuesday and 19 C on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It'll be mainly sunny most of that time, with a mix of sun and clouds on Tuesday just to mix it up a little. You shouldn't need to seek refuge from the heat, but don't forget your sunscreen, hat and water bottle anyway.
For everyone: Community events
- Go by Bike Week: HUB Cycling is hosting Go By Bike Week events in New West, so keep your eyes open for extra cyclists on the road — or get out your helmet and join them. Wednesday, May 31 will see a celebration outside New Westminster Secondary School from 3 to 5 p.m. You can enjoy free bike fixes, snacks and ice cream while learning more about the NWSS connector and other cycling facilities coming to New West — all to the backdrop of live music from the NWSS Jazz Quintet.
- New West Community Bike Ride: Trained HUB New Westminster volunteers will lead the next in a series of community bike rides, starting at Century House. This week's 10-km ride includes the New West Farmers Market, River Market and Grimston Park. It's on Thursday, June 1 and runs from 6 to 7 p.m. You can register online via Eventbrite.
- Century House Bazaar: The ever-popular bazaar returns to Century House on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a variety of arts, crafts and secondhand treasures for all. Admission is free, so check it out at 620 Eighth St.
- Sapperton Garage Sale: Yes, it's the east end's turn — check out the community garage and yard sale at locations around Sapperton between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.
- New to New West: If you're new to New West, check out a free intercultural festival and information fair at the Welcome Centre at New Westminster Secondary School, 820 Sixth St. It's on Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For performance lovers: Musical theatre
- Stagefest 2023: Join the young performers from The Stage Musical Theatre Academy for this year's youth theatre festival, which launches this week with Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach Jr. (June 1 to 3). Next week you can take in Disney's Aristocats Kids and Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical, both running June 8 to 10. You can find all the details and get tickets online.
For art lovers: Check out New West galleries
- Plaskett Gallery: Check out Hidden Fragments: Layers of Discovery, which continues until June 9 at the Plaskett Gallery at Massey Theatre (Eighth & Eight, 735 Eighth Ave.). It showcases six artists who share a similar process in creating mixed-media art. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., during performances at Massey Theatre, or by appointment at 604-517-5900.
- Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: Check out a new exhibition of work by the Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass Indigenous artist collective, Through Our Eyes, starting Monday, May 29, at the Anvil Centre's fourth-floor gallery (777 Columbia St.). Take note of a couple of upcoming special dates, too: a June 11 artist talk, and a June 14 opening reception.
- Gallery at Queen's Park: You can check out work by the up-and-coming artists of New Westminster Secondary School in their year-end exhibition, Tying It All Together, running May 31 to 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.
For city hall watchers: Council meeting Monday
After a bit of a lull, New Westminster city council holds a regular meeting again Monday, May 29 at 6 p.m. Among the issues on the agenda: ride hailing, rent bank funding, the Thirsty Duck patio, student housing at Douglas College, a proposed supportive housing project uptown, a motion on the police budget process and much more. You can find all the meeting details, agenda and information about attending at the City of New Westminster website.
For school board watchers: No meetings this week
If you're an education watcher, you have another week before the next regular School District 40 meetings on Tuesday, June 6. There's an education committee meeting at 5 p.m. and an operations meeting at 6:30 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.
Got a New Westminster happening you'd like to share? Email Julie MacLellan.
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