Enjoy a week of enchanting performances and mystical experiences in historic downtown New Westminster during The Magic Festival this Spring Break.
The Magic Festival in New West During Spring Break
“Our motto is bringing magic to the masses,” Shawn Farquhar of the acclaimed Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Experience told the New West Record ahead of last year’s fest. “We want everybody to be able to experience magic and wonder.”
Dates: March 24-29, 2025
Location: Stefanos, Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, and Hidden Wonders Showroom all in Downtown New Westminster.
Did Vancouver just have an earthquake? Yes! USGS, Earthquakes Canada, and Emergency BC have confirmed a M5.1 earthquake up the coast near Sechelt (earlier reports cited 4.7 or 4.8).
Update: According to Natural Resources Canada, the official magnitude of the quake ended up at 4.7.
The National Tsunami Warning Center has verified there is no Tsunami threat to BC. Drop, cover and hold if you feel shaking. Only call 9-1-1 if a life is at stake.
Earthquake Felt in Vancouver Epicentre Up the Coast
In Downtown Vancouver, where I am in the West End, I thought a big truck was turning into the alleyway but it was taking a really long time, but my desk shook a little too hard for it to be that. I remember an earthquake in 2002, when I was working in Mount Pleasant. It was a similar rolling rumble with that shake.
Emergency BC
Officials are monitoring and more information is coming.
There are no reports of damage at this time. Remember to Drop, Cover and Hold On if you feel the ground start to shake or receive an Earthquake Early Warning alert.
Recommended Actions
Stay calm and protect yourself
Stay calm. If you feel shaking, drop, cover and hold on.
Wait for the shaking to stop, then count to 60 before getting up
Put on protective shoes and clothing
Check for damage and hazards
Move carefully and check for unstable objects and other hazards above and around you
If you smell gas or rotten eggs, leave the building immediately. Call 9-1-1 or your gas company’s emergency phone number
Listen to instructions
Follow local instructions on the web, social media, radio and TV
Local officials will provide further instructions, if required
La Poursuite is the latest EP from Vancouver’s own Francophone Artist of the Year, Missy D, which will be available starting March 12th on your favourite streaming platform. If her 2022 EP Case Depart was the beginning, La Poursuite is the journey itself. The EP is a collection of songs for dreamers, movers, and those searching for meaning in an ever-changing world.
It’s a busy weekend in Vancouver with Rugby Sevens, Fan Expo, Black History Month, Heritage Week with many more interesting and engaging events around the city. Find the full list of fun things to do below:
Sign up to received a weekly email, typically on Thursday nights, containing our Top 10 event picks for the weekend, contest updates, and links to any community insights you may have missed during the week.
BC Heritage Week 2025 is here (from February 17 to 23, 2025) with a lineup of events hosted by culture and heritage organizations across the province. The theme this year is Pastimes in Past Times, inviting everyone to explore how historical leisure activities have shaped the cultural fabric of their communities.
“It’s a chance to reflect on how cultural heritage enriches all of our lives, beyond the communities they originate from,” says Britney Dack, Chair of Heritage BC. “Whether it’s the thrill of learning to play mahjong, practicing Ukrainian needle craft, or mastering the pronunciation of Indigenous languages, we all grow and become richer through shared experiences. This year’s theme, Pastimes of Past Times, allows organizations to showcase local traditions and invite the community to join in.”
