Had fun at the Fridays on the Front’s summer kickoff and the second annual On Your Block Multicultural Festival this weekend? Get ready for round two.
Besides the ‘ultimate street party’ Uptown Live 2023, the upcoming week is studded with a series of summer events that include poetry, art and music.
For weather watchers: A mix of sun and clouds
The forecast for the week includes a warm weather that goes no more than 26 C. While most part of the week will see a pleasant 22 C to 23 C, come Friday, the temperature spikes just a bit, to 26 C, and falls to 25 C and 24 C over the weekend, as reported on The Weather Network. The weekend brings more clouds, and higher precipitation. Overall, it's a week that has little drama and warrants a patio hangout.
For everyone: Community events
Uptown Live 2023: The annual gala event is back with a line-up of musicians, interactive events, a kids' zone and more. At the street party on Sixth Street and Fifth Avenue, you get to explore different genres of music spread out across three different stages, while also browsing artisan stalls and multicultural food options from noon till 8 p.m. Check out the Uptown Live website for the full schedule.
New West Farmers Market: Here’s where you can stock up on groceries while trying out a variety of lip-smacking bakery items, beverages and prepared foods — all while listening to a live concert. Besides featuring a selection of vendors, this week, the market, open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Thursday, July 13, will also host Naloxone Training with the New West Community Action Team at 4 p.m.
Run and Gun: Join the final day of Vancouver’s popular indie film-making festival at the Massey Theatre on Saturday, July 15. As part of the grand finale, you’ll get to watch the movies that made it to the semi-finals and finals out of as many as 150 entries this year, and also get to attend the awards show and the after-party. The event starts at 2.30 p.m and is priced at $29. Check out the Massey Theatre website for details.
For performance lovers: poetry and music
Monday Music in the Park: Set the tone for the rest of the week by attending a lively music concert. Monday Music in the Park series, presented by Northern Electric, a New West-based record label, and the Columbia Strip, an underground arts and culture magazine, is back for the third year now. On Monday, July 10, the festival will feature the boogie-woogie artist Mike Van Eyes and his crew of rockers at the Queen’s Park Centennial Lodge totem pole.
Poetry in the park: The 12th edition of the poetry reading festival, Poetry in the Park, launched last week, and is scheduled to continue till the end of August — turning the Queen’s Park bandshell into a stage for poetry performances every Wednesday between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. This coming Wednesday, July 12, poets Jane Munro and Jude Neale will perform at a session that'll be hosted by poet Nefertiti Morrison. Check out the details on the Royal City Literary Arts Society website.
Queen’s Park Concert: As you inch closer to the weekend, gear up for yet another free concert in the park as part of the Queen’s Park Concert Series presented by Arts New West. Guitarist and vocalist Francis Henson and drummer Anthony Cenerini of the rock band Big Fuzz will be performing live at the park on Thursday, July 13, at 7 p.m. More details on Arts New West website.
For art lovers: Exhibitions and artist talks
Gallery at Queen's Park: Indigenous artist Blue Sky/James Groening’s solo art show titled Welcome to My Renaissance features a body of works done in woodland style of art — a style that blends traditional stories with contemporary mediums. Learn more about this style, and the inspiration behind the artist’s works at a talk on Sunday, July 16, between 1 and 3 p.m. at the Gallery at Queen’s Park.
New Media Gallery: A total of four artists have come together to create art installations that present “extraordinary ways to think about dust and landscape.” The show is on till Aug. 13 at the New Westminster New Media Gallery (Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.).
New West Artists: The New West Artists group is back with a show at the I Heart New West community space at Columbia Square until July 30. The art space is open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For city hall watchers: A final meeting before summer break
Monday marks the final city council meeting before a six-week summer break. Any guesses on whether council members will be extra chatty before their summer break — or if they’ll be like kids on the last day of school and racing to get out of dodge?
The day gets started with a workshop at 4 p.m., where council will consider a pre-application review for a high-density, mixed-use development at 111 to 115 12th St., 118 11th St., and 1136 Queens Ave. Staff will be seeking council’s feedback on the proposal before receiving formal rezoning and official community plan amendment applications. The proposal, which includes towers ranging from 20 to 52 storeys, is proposing retail and ultra-light industrial space, office space and residential units.
Monday night’s meetings include a mixed bag of reports, including the city’s heat plan response to extreme heat in New West. Exemptions to the city’s construction noise bylaw, heritage revitalization agreements, parks and recreation fees, the school district’s 2023 – 2024 eligible school sites proposal, and endorsement of the city’s retail strategy are also on the agenda.
Council will also receive a preliminary report regarding a liquor store for 812 20th St. Because the next scheduled council meeting isn’t until Aug. 28, Mayor Patrick Johnstone will also proclaim Aug. 10 to 20 as Pride Week in New Westminster.
Delegations and a motion from council members (opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline project) are among the other items included on the night’s agenda.
