It was a packed house at Century House for this year’s New Westminster’s Seniors Festival.
This year’s festival, which had a theme of the Creative Side of Aging, featured an ArtsToGo educational and interactive experience with Arts Council of New Westminster and keynote speaker, artist Robert Bateman. Local actress Colleen Winton was the MC at the event, which also included entertainment.
Shelly Schnee, program coordinator at Century House, said about 730 people attended the event, which was standing-room only for Bateman’s presentation. Lyle Povah with Drumming and Health, did a drumming workshop.
“What surprized me the most was my reaction to Drumming and Health with Lyle Povah. It was a most interesting and enjoyable presentation, with the audience taking an active part throughout the session,” said a statement to the Record from one of the seniors who attended the presentation. “Everyone was fully engaged and the time just flew by. What to me was most surprizing was my reaction afterwards; I felt energized and had a wonderful feeling of wellbeing, both physically and mentally. It's hard to convey completely the positive effect it had on me. Thank you for including this presentation in the program – for me it was the highlight of the day."
On the entertainment front, RazzMaJazz wrapped up the festival with a lively roam of the building – with everyone dancing to their New Orleans style of music.
The annual festival also included an information fair 34 community groups and businesses providing services, benefits and more to older adults.
