Friday, March 24
CARNIVAL RIDES
Take a spin on the Scrambler, Hurricane and ferris wheel with West Coast Amusements, a family-run company that returns to the parking lot of the Coquitlam Centre mall (2929 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam) this week. The family-friendly carnival includes rides and games, as well as Sno Kones, Hawaiian shaved ice and mini doughnuts.
MORE: westcoastamusements.com
SPRING HOME SHOW
Get some ideas about how to spruce up your home at the 2023 Tri-City Home Show, running from March 24 to 26 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The event runs on Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are eligible to win a $250 gift card to Home Depot. Admission and parking are free.
MORE: homeshowtime.com/spring-shows/tri-city-spring-home-show
LEGION DANCE
Sweet Max will perform at the Coquitlam branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam) tonight and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. Membership is waived on Saturday nights.
MORE: rclegion263.ca
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
Try out the Contra Dance with the Sybaritic String Band and caller Sherry Nevins for the launch of the 34th annual Festival du Bois. From 7 to 10 p.m., the French–Canadian fete will see Podorythmie & Devon et Louis Léger opening. Admission is free; however, registration is required.
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
HOCKEY NIGHT
The Coquitlam Express battles the Cowichan Valley Capitals on home ice at 7 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The BCHL players are back at the rink on March 26 for a 3 p.m. game against the Powell River Kings.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
COFFEEHOUSE
The 1543 Duo headlines the Crossroads Hospice Coffeehouse, held in the Mabbett Hall North room at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam). The fundraiser for the Crossroads Hospice Society will see Yvon Malenfant open at 7:30 p.m. followed by Jeff Richter at 7:45 p.m. and Don Kellet and Susan Vigneux at 8 p.m. The feature duo takes the stage at 8:40 p.m. Admission is $10.
MORE: facebook.com/CrossroadsHospiceCoffeehouse
SRI LANKA
Fusion music from the island country of Sri Lanka, south of India, will be performed by the native band Islanders. The Pocket Concert at the 7:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) features songs from Sri Lankans Clarence Wijewardena, Nanda Malini and Amarasiri Peiris, among others.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Saturday, March 25
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
Calling francophones and francophiles: The annual Festival du Bois returns to Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave. Coquitlam) this weekend with French-Canadian music to kick your heels up — and a lot of family fun. Today, from noon to 8 p.m., the Grand Chapiteau/Main Stage will feature performances from the Métis Jiggers (12 p.m.); Les Echos du Pacifique (1:15 p.m.); Genticorum (2:15 p.m.); Jocelyne Baribeau (3:30 p.m.); Forro do Cana (4:45 p.m.); Les Grands Hurleurs (6 p.m.); and Elage Diouf (7:15 p.m.) There will also be entertainment from noon to 3:45 p.m. in the Petit Chapiteau/Children’s Tent, as well as workshops from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the nearby Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave.) from Genticorum, the Métis Jiggers and Forro do Cana. General admission on Saturday and Sunday is $32/$22/$10 per day; the single-day family rate is $75 for two adults and two children (ages five to 12).
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
HAPPY 35TH
Up the hill in the Austin Heights neighbourhood of Coquitlam, Reflections Books Metaphysical Bookstore & Wellness Centre (1111D Austin Ave.) is marking its 35th anniversary with a sale and open house. Owner Melissa Webber took over the popular shop five years ago from her parents-in-law, Carole and Geoff Webber, who retired. Meet in-house practitioners for healing and wellness services and get discounts on products. Shoppers will get a free crystal with each purchase.
MORE: reflectionsbooks.ca
ROLL THE DICE
Join Evan and Alexandra Chan to play board games — and sip tea — aboard the historical Venosta rail car at the Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St., Port Moody). There are two sessions: noon to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m. Kids are welcome; no outside food or drinks are allowed. The cost is $10 per person with proceeds supporting the museum.
REGISTER: @boardgamesandtea (Facebook and TikTok); @boardgamesandtea604 (Instagram)
INDONESIAN PUPPETS
See the Paku Alaman Palace’s court musician Sutrisno Hartana bring his puppets to life in the rehearsal hall at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The Wayang Kulit show — a traditional form of puppet-shadow play found in Java and Bali — starts at 8:30 p.m. The hour-long event is family friendly.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Sunday, March 26
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
Keep the party spirit going at Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) for the last day of Festival du Bois. Today’s lineup starts with a mass at the Grand Chapiteau/Main Stage at 9 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast from 10 to 11 a.m. (extra cost, not included in admission). Five performers take the stage for the day: Jocelyne Baribeau (10:30 a.m.); Forro do Cana (11:45 a.m.); Les Grands Hurleurs (1 p.m.); Genticorum (2:15 p.m.); and Elage Diouf (3:30 p.m.). At the Petite Chapiteau/Children’s Tent, Seeka Sings kicks off the afternoon followed by Conte d’Afrique ave Mulungie, Madame Diva and Robin Layne. General admission is $32/$22/$10; the single-day family rate is $75 for two adults and two children (ages five to 12).
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
FARMERS ABOUND
Load up on seasonal fruits and vegetables at the weekly Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, happening in the parking lot next to the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And don’t forget your grocery bags.
MORE: makebakegrow.com
BOOK LAUNCH
Help the Asian Impact Society release its debut children’s book Mina’s Lunch: A Story About Food Culture and Belonging, at the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
BLUEGRASS MUSIC
Hear the Juno-nominated John Reischman and the Jaybirds interpret Appalachian old-time music in a concert at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 7:30 p.m. The “birds” include musicians Patrick Sauber, Trish Gagnon, Nick Hornbuckle and Greg Spatz. Tickets are $35/$32/$16.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
