Housing is not just a place; it is a foundation for life, dignity, and community. The “Changing the Conversation” series explores the multifaceted challenges surrounding housing—from inflation and the job market to the rising costs of living, the scarcity of supportive housing, shelter beds, and public rehab facilities in the face of a growing overdose crisis. These issues are not just statistics; they are lived realities for many, including those who have worked their entire lives, only to find themselves reliant on food banks or services like the Union Gospel Mission, and for youth aging out of foster care, who face a harsh world that often leaves them neglected and forgotten.

This exhibit unfolds in two parts. The first offers a platform for the voices and visions of the youth from the Purpose Youth Hub. Here, they share their stories, dreams, and perspectives—because every young person deserves to be heard. The second part features a powerful collection of paintings, poetry, and photographs from public art installations by resident artist PJ Murashige Patten. Through his own lived experience and deep engagement with the community, Patten’s work captures the raw, unfiltered realities of housing insecurity, shedding light on the humanity often overlooked in the broader discourse.

Come play with the NWDB Concert and Jazz bands. Rehearsals are held in the Salvation Army, 325 6th St., New Westminster.

Membership Fee: 1 or both bands combined: $350, $200 for students. Family discount & payment plan available.

For more information email nwdbenquiries@gmail.com, indicating which ensemble you are interested in and the instrument(s) you play. 

For Tom, a strong jazz quartet is more than harmony, melody and rhythm. It’s about conversation, both light and intense, often happening all at once, notes played with heart and feeling, winding into the vapour. Each player has their own role to play, of course, but the fibre and sinew of the music is collective in nature, thriving on a mutual riff. When it’s happening the way it should, it is about the most exhilarating thing one can do. He loves it.

Their quartet (not his quartet) has played music together for thirty years or so. They are fast friends, and believe that music, both intensely personal and universal, is to be shared. They hope you enjoy their journey.

Tom Keenlyside, whose career has spanned five decades, has performed and recorded with a wide variety of international artists, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Natalie Cole, Aerosmith, Mel Torme, Van Halen, Diana Krall, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. He has earned a star on the BC Entertainment Hall Of Fame Walk.

Miles Black (piano) is one of Canada’s foremost pianists, and has performed and recorded with the best. Just ‍some ‍of ‍the ‍artists ‍and ‍acts ‍with ‍whom ‍Miles ‍has ‍worked ‍with ‍include ‍Mark ‍Murphy, ‍Lee ‍Konitz, ‍Slide ‍Hampton, ‍George ‍Coleman, ‍Scott ‍Hamilton, ‍Sheila ‍Jordan, ‍Chuck ‍Israels, ‍Dee ‍Daniels, ‍Paul ‍Horn, ‍Skywalk, ‍Max ‍Roach, ‍Harry ‍“Sweets” ‍Edison and ‍Maynard ‍Ferguson. He is featured on Keenlyside’s albums “Fortune Teller” and “A Night At The Espresso”.

Miles Hill (bass) is a consummate musician, who performs extensively with Van Morrison and Brazilian superstar Ivan Lins. His bass playing is constantly in demand, both in Canada and the USA, but also in Europe and South America. As a recording engineer, Miles was instrumental in mixing the music for the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Bernie Arai (drums) remains in demand as an accompanist and band member for many legendary musicians from across Canada and around the world, appearing in concert at numerous music festivals worldwide, and on CBC radio jazz shows. He works with many of the country’s finest musicians as a member of ensembles such as: the Brad Turner Trio, Bill Coon’s BC double quartet, The Hard Rubber Orchestra, Sharon Minemoto Quintet and JUNO nominated Altered Laws.