This week, gear up for the popular Car Free Day, a lineup of free open-air performances, and a whole lot of Barbenheimer water cooler chat.
For weather watchers: Clouds, sunshine and a chance of rain
If you have gotten used to the sun-splashed days, the week might bring in a surprise with a cloudy Monday, and the chance of a small amount of rain (~1 mm) on Tuesday.
As per Weather Network’s forecast, the temperatures would see a gradual increase from 22 C (feels like 24 C) on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by 23 C that feels like 25 C on Thursday and 26 C on Friday. While Saturday will see a mix of sun and clouds, Sunday will be mainly sunny and feel like 28 C.
For everyone: Community events
Poetry in the Park: You don’t always have to wait till the weekend to unwind. Head to the Queen's Park Bandshell this Wednesday, July 26, and watch poets Elee Kraljii Gardiner and Hari Alluri perform live on stage under the open sky. And if listening to others’ verses has you penning one, the event also offers a platform to share your works.
Free yoga at Farmers Market: This Thursday, July 27, bring a yoga mat to the New West Farmers Market. The weekly event which sees rows of vendors, food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities, will also be the spot where you spread your mat, take a deep breath and enjoy a free yoga session. Hosted by Yoga at the Quay, the class will start at 5:15 p.m at Tipperary Park.
Car Free Day: Parts of Columbia Street will turn into a "pedestrian’s paradise" with live music, dance offs, market vendors, food trucks and more. The free annual event presented by TransLink will have the section between fourth and eighth streets closed for a day of fun, starting at noon till 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 29.
For performance lovers: Outdoor music and a Shakespearean play
Queen's Park concert series: The summer concert series by Arts New West (formerly Arts Council of New Westminster) will feature the band Not Sisters this Thursday, July 27. Made up of vocalist Amanda Doucette and producer Tom Maguire, their music — described as “quirky-yet-catchy bedroom pop” — explores the journey of emotional self-discovery. The show starts at 7 p.m. and is free for all.
Shakespeare in the Park: Join the annual ode to the legendary playwright at this live theatre in the park. Shadows and Dreams Theatre Co., which has been organizing Shakespeare in the Park festival in New West for over 15 years now, is back with their version of As you Like it at the Queen’s Park Bandshell. The free shows are at 2 p.m., July 29 and 30, and Aug. 5 and 6.
Monday Music in the Park: Keep your Monday blues at bay with a lively concert at Queen’s Park (next to Centennial Lodge Totem Pole). As part of the Monday Music in the Park series, country singer Kelly Haigh and guitarist Jimmy Roy will be performing between 6 and 8 p.m. on Monday, July 24.
For arts lovers: Shows around town
Gallery at Queen's Park: Last few days to catch the Indigenous artist James Groening or Blue Sky’s solo exhibition Welcome to My Renaissance at the Gallery at Queen’s Park. For the Cree artist from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation, art is an avenue to explore “traditions, cultures and realities” of his community. And visitors can get a glimpse of it at the gallery that’s open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibition is on till Sunday, July 30.
Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery: Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass is an Indigenous collective that gives Indigenous artists a forum to showcase their artworks, connect and encourage one another. The collective’s ongoing group art show, Through Our Eyes, at the Anvil Centre’s fourth-floor gallery (777 Columbia St.) ends on Wednesday, July 26. The gallery is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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” — their works are part of the show, DUST, on till Sunday, 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 Sunday, 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.
Plaskett Gallery: Artist Melissa H.Clark’s rely heavily on trees as a muse. “Trees have always fascinated me through their texture, colour, growth and surprises within or on a tree,” as per the artist statement. Her works on paper and canvas are now part of the exhibition Where Planted, at the Plaskett Gallery at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) until Tuesday, July 25. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., during performances at the theatre and by appointment at 604-517-5900.
For city hall and school board watchers: Summer break
There are no scheduled city council meetings until Aug. 28 and no school board meetings until Sept. 26.
