West Side Swing Band + Train Hopper Series

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌥️ New West Weather - Sun and Cloud

 Rain Riddle - What’s a raindrop’s favorite game?  

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

  🎀 Announcing Milestone Celebrations 🎁🎀 - New Feature Added - 😯 

  🗓️ New West Events - busy day

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - West Side Swing Band + Train Hopper Series

 😀 Viral Meme

 📰 Advertise with New West Spotlight - Buy One, Get One Free

Read New West Spotlight Online

Celebrate Life's Big Moments in the New West Spotlight!

Do you know a New Westminster resident (or a former long-time New West resident) celebrating an incredible milestone? Whether it’s a 90th (or more!) birthday or a 60th (or more!) anniversary, let’s honor them in style!

Nominate your loved ones or friends to be featured in our daily digital newsletter, the New West Spotlight, and share their joy with the entire community. It’s a wonderful way to make their milestone moment even more special!

Submit the details through our quick Google Form here, and we’ll include their celebration on their big day.

Let’s come together to celebrate the amazing people who make New West such a vibrant and cherished community. Start sharing those milestone stories today!

January 17, 2025

🍼 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

💰️ New Westminster Scavenger Hunt – 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New Westminster Area – 1:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍔 Between 2 Buns  – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

💃 Taylar Ball's Drop-In Class – 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – Doors open at 6:00 PM

🎶 The Company: An Original Dukebox Musical – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Sophie Buddle – 7:30 PM and 9:45 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Friday Nights at Notorious Grey Fox – 9:00 PM until Close

January 18, 2025

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

🍕 New West Craft – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📖 Ukrainian Storytime (all ages) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

💃 BWCV Pole Dance Class – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth – (For youth ages 13 - 18) 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

❓️ Who Am I? – 5:00 PM

🍽️ Poush Parbon Bengali Food Festival – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🧘 Step into Stillness: A Sound Healing Journey – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎭️ Sophie Buddle – 7:00 PM and 9:35 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

January 19, 2025

🎨 Art Sunday: Painting Workshop – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

🥗 Radical Fat Chats – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Sophie Buddle – 7:00 PM

🍽️ Dine Out at Cockney Fish and Chips – NWSS Dry Grad

 👯 Dance Season Kicks Off with Westside Swing Band’s High-Energy Social

Celebrate the start of 2025 with an unforgettable night of live music and dancing, hosted by the Westside Swing Band at Sapperton Community Hall in New Westminster. This dynamic 10-piece band, hailing from the heart of New West, is dedicated to getting dancers on their feet with vibrant swing sets featuring big band-era jazz standards, rockabilly classics, jump blues, and an eclectic mix of rock, blues, soul, and R&B.

Westside Swing Band is more than just a group of talented musicians—it’s a passion project born to keep the dance floor alive. Inspired by their vocalist’s love of swing dancing and backed by over 30 years of musical experience, the band’s performances are tailor-made for Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag enthusiasts. Their tunes span decades and genres, blending nostalgic favorites with contemporary crowd-pleasers.

The event, taking place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, welcomes dancers of all skill levels—no partner or prior experience is needed! A free beginner-friendly swing dance lesson kicks off the night at 7:45 PM, included with your ticket. Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the band will take the stage from 8:15 PM to 10:30 PM.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the door (cash only). Sapperton Community Hall, located at 318 Keary Street, is just a block from Sapperton Skytrain Station, with free parking available on Keary Street and limited spaces behind the hall.

For everyone’s safety, attendees are encouraged to stay home if they feel unwell. Masks are welcome but not required, and all guests are asked to respect others' comfort levels and personal choices.

Don’t miss this lively evening of swing music, dance, and community fun with Westside Swing Band—an event sure to get the dance floor hopping!

Purchase Tickets Now

 📚️ Celebrate the Train Hoppers Series Conclusion with New West Author Lena Gibson

Mark your calendars! On Sunday, April 7, 2025, award-winning author Lena Gibson invites readers to join her at Gino’s Restaurant (431 E. Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC) for the launch of Rebels and Saints: Catching Freedom. This much-anticipated book is the thrilling conclusion to her beloved Train Hoppers series, a post-apocalyptic saga exploring survival, corporate greed, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Known for her captivating storytelling, Lena Gibson creates immersive worlds where unforgettable characters navigate complex challenges. As an adult recently recognized with autism, Lena often draws from her own life experiences, weaving authenticity into her characters and their journeys.

Rebels and Saints: Catching Freedom continues the Train Hoppers tradition of exploring how one society’s discarded past becomes another’s salvation. With corporate control threatening the necessities of life, a courageous heroine rises to defend freedom and justice.

Fans of Lena’s work can purchase the Train Hoppers series, including the new release, on Amazon or find copies at the New Westminster Public Library ahead of the celebration.

The launch event will be an evening of camaraderie, storytelling, and celebration in Lena’s hometown of New Westminster. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering her books for the first time, this is your chance to meet the author, celebrate her latest release, and connect with fellow readers. All books are $25 (cash, credit, debit, or EMT)

Check out the Facebook Post here.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

 💧 What’s a raindrop’s favorite game? 🎲 

☔️ Drizzle and seek! 🌧️ 

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight in front of thousands of New West residents?

 Check out our options.

Not a business owner, but love a local business?

Tell us all about it - send an email to [email protected]