The City of New Westminster invites you to the grand opening of Anvil Centre

New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster invites the public to join in celebrating the grand opening of Anvil Centre, New Westminster’s first conference and cultural facility. The event will take place on Sunday, September 14 from noon to 6pm at Columbia and Eighth Street and will feature facility tours, activities and a variety of New Westminster performers that will provide entertainment throughout the day.

Opening day entertainment includes the following:

INSIDE ANVIL CENTRE

1^st Floor
In the ballroom, there will be performances by a variety of performers that include poets, musicians, dancers, and a comedian. You can also visit Tourism New Westminster’s Visitor Centre and view the Bridal Room display.

2^nd Floor
New Westminster archivists will be available to answer questions about the City’s collection and archival services.

3^rd Floor
The New Westminster New Media Gallery has been transformed for the exciting inaugural exhibition. MUSICIRCUS brings together a small but extraordinary group of international artists who explore and deconstruct music in a world transformed by technology.  

The New Westminster Museum will have docents available to share information about pieces from our City’s collection in the Museum's permanent gallery. In Gallery Seven, a temporary gallery space, the public will have a chance to try their hand at life drawing costumed models facilitated by members of Heritage Life Drawing Society.

Hall of Famers from the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame will be on-site greeting visitors and welcoming them to their new home.

In the Oral History Room, families will be able to travel to the past with an all-ages storytime.

In the Heritage Program Room, Todd de Vries will demonstrate traditional First Nations weaving techniques in anticipation of the Museum's upcoming temporary exhibition, "Baskets for Barter".

The Community Art space, located on the outer wall of the theatre, will display works by local artists as part of its inaugural exhibition.  The exhibit will explore the sentiments behind the photograph Wait for Me Daddy and its upcoming monument unveiling. 

Theatre (3^rd & 4^th Floors)
Theatre programming for the day has been selected to highlight the acoustics in the room and create a fun, up close and personal introduction to some of New Westminster finest musical talent.  From original compositions, to musical theatre, classical pianists and Canadiana/folk favourites, guests will get a taste of what they might experience in the Anvil Centre Theatre in future concerts while hosts will explain other specialized features of the theatre which set it apart in the regional theatre mix.

4^th Floor
One cultural studio space will feature a large collaborative community drawing intended to act as a permanent legacy feature in the Anvil. Other spaces will provide samplings of workshops and cultural activities that can be expected as part of the Anvil’s ongoing operation. 

The Media Room will feature a construction display showing a video time lapse of Anvil Centre pre-construction to post-construction.

And don’t forget to visit the Dance Room, where various dance companies will be putting on performances for your entertainment.

OUTSIDE ANVIL CENTRE

Mainstage
See musical performances by several bands. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30pm.

Roving Performers
Look for these outdoor performers among the crowd and be sure to take a photo.

Outdoor Activities
Hitch Bot, the charismatic robot, will be making a visit to Anvil Centre. Using artificial intelligence and user interface design, including speech recognition, speech processing, and social media and Wikipedia APIs, hitchBOT has charmed its way through rides across Canada. For more information, visit hitchBOT’s website at www.hitchbot.me

The Stage New Westminster will host a photo booth with fun costumes to “Picture Yourself” at Anvil Centre.

The New Westminster Salmonbellies will have a travelling display and author and historian, Bruce MacDonald, will be on site with his Salmonbellies 125th Anniversary book.

The food area will feature local restaurants including Longtail Thai Kitchen, Pamola Bakery, Starbucks Coffee, The Hub Restaurant, Tre Galli Gelato, Truffles Fine Foods, and Wild Rice Restaurant.

Be sure to stop by and see New Westminster’s first conference facility!

A complete list of entertainment for the day can be found at www.newwestcity.ca

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Contacts:        
Ruby Campbell, Community Projects Coordinator
City of New Westminster
rcampbell@newwestcity.ca or 778-773-2956