Mechanics of Music + Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo

Issue #250

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - Mainly sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - What did the rain say to the umbrella? ☔️ 

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - Mechanics of Music + Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 28.2 2021 - Record low 9.0 2023

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

June 02, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

🚶‍♀️ Seniors Walk - BC Seniors Week – 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

👴👵 Seniors Week - Community Connections with Rabitats  3:00 PM to 5:30 PM

💃 Groove and Move  3:15 PM to 5:15 PM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak  Starts at 5:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic  7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football  at the Terminal Pub

June 03, 2025

👵 Seniors Week - Low-Impact Aquafit & Lounge  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

✏️ Sketch For Fun (50+ years)  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

💃 New West Moms Bellydance & Stretch  11:30 AM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form  5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎶 New West Community Choir  6:45 PM to 7:45 PM

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Brow of the Hill Residents' Association - 7:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West  7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

June 04, 2025

🤸 Gym Program  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play  11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🍽️ New West Fun-Loving Retirees Lunch  1:45 PM to 3:45 PM

👴 Seniors Week - THE GEEZERS  6:30 to 8:30 PM

👨 In-person Dark Horse Men’s Group Meeting  6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Georgie's Local   7:00 PM

🏃 Run Club   7:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+)  7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio  7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s  7:30 PM

📝 French 4 Everyone  8:00 PM

Get ready for an inspiring afternoon of music and community spirit at the Mechanics of Music Festival, a year-end celebration hosted by Mechanics of Music. This family-friendly event features a full lineup of student performances—both group sets and solo acts—as well as special appearances by the school's talented instructors.

From first-time performers to seasoned young musicians, this event highlights the dedication, growth, and creativity nurtured throughout the school year. With the city as its backdrop, the festival transforms downtown New Westminster into a lively hub of rhythm, harmony, and heartfelt applause.

🎵 Why You’ll Love It

  • 🌟 Live performances by music students of all ages

  • 🎸 Featured sets by instructors showcasing their artistry

  • 🎉 Family-friendly atmosphere perfect for a weekend outing

  • 🎧 Great vibes, inspiring stories, and community pride in every note

  • 🌳 Set in a scenic outdoor location for a relaxed and welcoming experience

Whether you're supporting a performer, discovering local talent, or just soaking up the sounds of summer, the Mechanics of Music Fest is the perfect way to celebrate creativity in the community.

💬 From the Organizers

“This event is all about recognizing the dedication our students have shown throughout the year. It’s their moment to shine and share their love of music with the people who matter most.”

📣 Don’t Miss It!

No tickets required — just bring your friends, family, a picnic blanket, and your love for live music. Help us cheer on the next generation of local musicians and enjoy an afternoon of connection and creativity.

For more details, visit the Mechanics of Music website.

The Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo (VRGE) is back at the Anvil Centre, and this year’s event promises more excitement than ever with an incredible lineup of guests, games, music, tournaments, and immersive experiences for fans of all ages.

Special guests for 2025 include returning fan favourites like YouTube retro gaming historian "The Immortal" John Hancock, gaming content creator Happy Console Gamer (Johnny Millennium), cultural commentator and Canadian YouTuber J.J. McCullough, and veteran video game journalist Victor Lucas, creator of The Electric Playground.

VRGE continues to celebrate local talent with The Fictionals improv group, Fandom Trivia, and 10 competitive gaming tournaments throughout the day. Families can look forward to meeting cheerful mascot characters from HappyLand and enjoying the always-anticipated costume contest.

On the music front, this year’s lineup—curated by Bonus Stage—is a sonic love letter to the golden age of gaming. Shane Steward, ROM-hack, Glitch Kibbitz, Ro Panuganti Prog XP, The Last Seahorse, and dannyBstyle will bring chiptunes and retro-inspired music to life on stage.

For tech nostalgia fans, VRGE welcomes back the Chilliwack Retro Computing Club, which will showcase a collection of vintage computers and gaming consoles. Attendees can engage directly with club members, who will also host a special panel including a live remote appearance by MindFlareRetro, a popular retro computing YouTuber.

With more vendors, panels, performers, and hands-on experiences than ever before, VRGE 2025 offers a full day of interactive fun, far beyond a traditional vendor hall. Whether you're there to compete, cosplay, collect, or just celebrate your passion, VRGE is ready to level up your weekend.

Tickets are available now online at vancouvergamingexpo.com or in person at Gamedeals Video Games.

Fans are encouraged to get involved by:

  • Clicking “attending” on the Facebook event page

  • Following @VanRetroGaming across all social media platforms

  • Joining the VRGE Discord to connect with the community and organizers

For those who want to contribute through panels, performances, or volunteering, organizers invite emails to [email protected].

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What did the rain say to the umbrella? ☔️

🧩 “You complete me!” 🌂 

Groan O' Meter

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