Friday, Sept. 20
PRO-D DAY
Keep the kids busy during the first Pro-D Day of the new school year. The slide, rope swing, diving boards and WIBIT will be open during the Pro-D Plunge at the recently cleaned City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 604-927-4386. And, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., there’s a toonie skate at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Another toonie skate is at the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. Visit portcoquitlam.ca. Over at the Terry Fox Library, also in the new complex, there’ll be a free science week playground with robots, Magformers, Keva planks and Lego, from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit fvrl.bc.ca. Coquitlam Heritage will run tours of its new WWII exhibit at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) from 1 to 3 p.m. Visit coquitlamheritage.ca to register. Admission is $5. And, at the Port Coquitlam museum, kids can use paint, feathers, wood and pinecones in Creating Art with Nature, from 1 to 3 p.m. at PoCo Heritage (150-2248 McAllister Ave.). Admission is $5. Visit pocoheritage.org to buy tickets online.
OPEN MIC
Youth can jam with other young musicians at the city of Port Coquitlam’s Open Mic Night, held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Michael Wright Art Gallery at the Gathering Place in Leigh Square (next to PoCo city hall). No cost. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare or call 604-927-8442.
CRAFT BEER
Raise a glass to the Coquitlam Rotary at its inaugural fundraiser, Find the Perfect Pint, a craft beer tasting with more than 25 breweries participating. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Poirier Forum (618 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Visit eventbrite.ca for tickets.
THAT’S MAGIC
Illusionist Vitaly, a performer on Penn and Teller’s show, Fool Us, returns to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for his second show this week, at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Saturday, Sept. 21
BIG BROTHERS
Haul in two large bags of clothing, toys and household wares to IKEA Coquitlam (1000 Lougheed Hwy.) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and receive a coupon to shop at the store. Donations go to Big Brothers, a mentorship program for kids. Call 1-866-866-4532.
TRAIL CLEAN-UP
Grab some gloves and boots for a trail clean-up along the Coquitlam River as part of World Clean-up Day (Sept. 21) and BC Rivers Day (Sept. 22). The cleanse ties into the city of Port Coquitlam Rivers and Trails Festival on Sunday. Equipment and refreshments will be provided at Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Email [email protected].
OAKDALE UPDATE
The city of Coquitlam hosts a land-use designation update for Oakdale, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Coquitlam (located north of Burquitlam). Residents can see what concepts are on the table for future housing, transportation and parkland at an information session from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mediated Learning Academy (550 Thompson Ave., Coquitlam). An online survey is also via coquitlam.ca/oakdale.
BEYOU GIRL!
Music protege and social media influencer Victoria Anthony, 14, gives a free outdoor performance at Coquitlam Centre (northeast plaza by H&M, 2929 Barnet Hwy.) as ambassador of BeYou, a nation-wide campaign promoting self-esteem and self-confidence in girls ages 9 to 16. The BeYou party starts at noon with TEDx speaker and Miss World Canada Tara Teng. Family yoga, craft making, contests and a dance party follow until 3:30 p.m. when Anthony hits the stage for a 30-minute set. Visit beyougirl.ca/coquitlam/.
HISTORY FUN
Learn about Coquitlam’s history at the Coquitlam Heritage Society’s annual open house, held from noon to 3 p.m. at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave.). Francophone singers will perform at 1 p.m. while musicians will entertain at 2:15 p.m. with folk songs describing the gold rush, rum running and logging. No cost. Call 604-516-6151 or visit coquitlamheritage.ca.
PARK PARTY
A free picnic lunch and ukulele concert will be served up for the reopening of Brookmere Park (565 Austin Ave., Coquitlam), which recently underwent an update with new playground areas, trails and horticultural displays. The city celebration is from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit coquitlam.ca.
UNDER THE SEA
Support the Coquitlam-based ACCESS at its Under the Sea gala in the SKY hangar (18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows), from 6 to 11 p.m. The event will hear from Tri-City youth who’ve had life-changing experiences as a result of ACCESS’ efforts. Tickets are $95. Visit accessyouth.org.
IOCO CORN/MOVIE
Tuck into roasted corn, hot dogs, marshmallows and hot drinks for the Port Moody Heritage Society’s annual Ioco Ghost Town Day Festival, from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $12/$5. Save a seat by calling 604-939-1648 or email [email protected]. Guests can also catch the movie Night at the Museum at 7:30 p.m. on the Ioco Bowling Green. Visit portmoodymuseum.org.
HOME FOR HOCKEY
The Coquitlam Express return to home ice at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) for their regular season. They face off against Chilliwack at 7 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
DRAG SHOW
Comedian/actor Yumi Nagashima headlines Dragging Out the Summer, a Coquitlam Queens presentation featuring performers Jakyllyn Hyde and Flannery Pajamas of Coquitlam and other guests. The 19+ variety show starts at 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
SALSA NIGHT
Alberto Gonzalez and Teresa Szfler lead their weekly Salsa dance lessons and party in the rehearsal hall of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sunday, Sept. 22
MOTHER EARTH
Enjoy the nature of Port Coquitlam at its annual Rivers and Trails Festival, featuring activities, art and family fun at Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Musicians Ezra Kwizera and Etienne Siew will entertain and PoCo Heritage Trees volunteers will lead a walking tour. The celebration is sponsored by BC Hydro and Port Coquitlam Hunting and Fishing Club. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/festivals.
BLUES BRUNCH
Peter Tam is the guest musician at the Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centennial’s PoCo Blues Brunch, happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bennett Craft Kitchen (2099 Lougheed Hwy., Port Coquitlam). Tickets at $35/$15 support the Starfish Pack Program to help feed families in the city. Visit pocorotary.ca.
GHOST TOWN
The historic Ioco townsite, located at Ioco Road and 1st Avenue, will see its annual Ghost Town Days Festival return from noon to 4 p.m. Live music, pony rides, guided trolley tours and games abound. No cost. Visit portmoodymuseum.org.
EXPRESS GAME
It’s the second home game of the season for the Coquitlam Express, who battle Prince George at 3 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.). Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
