Tri-City artists, musicians, dancers and foodies are putting their heart out there for Culture Days this weekend.
And there’s a bevy of activities to fall in love with — for free! — all around Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. In fact, there’s so much going on, we’re only able to compile a summary of a few events. For complete guide, go to culturedays.ca.
FRIDAY
COQUITLAM
• Explore one of Coquitlam’s oldest homes, Mackin House, and learn about what fashions were trendy at the turn of the 20th century when Fraser Mills sawmill was booming. Best of all, you can win a prize if you finish a scavenger hunt. Organized by the Coquitlam Heritage Society, the event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1116 Brunette Ave. and repeats on Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m.
PORT COQUITLAM
• Get into a downward-facing dog at Rasa Flow Yoga (2569 Shaughnessy St.), which has free yoga sessions all weekend. Pre-register for a spot at rasaflowyoga.com.
PORT MOODY
• The Tri-Cities India Heritage Arts & Culture Society launches its weekend-long series with Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer at Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.). A pre-concert reception includes chai tea and gourmet snacks from 6 p.m. with an Indian classical music concert following.
• Kick back at Rocky Point Park (2800-block of Murray Street in Port Moody) for the Burrard Inlet Fishfest from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
COQUITLAM
• Have a giggle at the laughter yoga session with Purina Gosavi and Malaya Kapoor at the Inspiration Garden (corner of Pipeline Road and Guildford Way) at 11 a.m., hosted by the Tri-Cities India Heritage Arts & Culture Society. An hour later, the mic is open for the public to have a say. At 2:30 p.m., walk over to the Coquitlam Centre mall (2929 Barnet Hwy.) where the Shaman International Bollywood team will shake it out in centre court.
• Tour the art gallery at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from noon to 5 (or noon to 4 p.m. Sunday) to view the thought-provoking exhibit Seth: Dominion.
PORT COQUITLAM
• Many cultures will be represented at Leigh Square Community Arts Village (beside Port Coquitlam city hall) through dance, mask making and writing workshops from 1 to 5 p.m. Dancer Jessica Yue will show her Chinese heritage pride while PoCo teacher Sheela Anand will groove to the beat of her Bharatanatyam training in the style of Vazhuvoor. Musicians Karyn McLaurin and Paul Shuley — better known as KP Duty — will provide live entertainment and puppeteer Jennie Esdale of Green Fools Theatre will guide participants in building a mask. Bow carver Michael Mayr will lead a Haida art workshop and PoCo writer Nikki Hillman will use all types of text materials to create artist trading cards. Meanwhile, pick up a ukulele with the Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instrument Enthusiasts Circle (or CUTIE). Call the city of PoCo at 604-927-8400.
PORT MOODY
• The City of the Arts will have its inaugural Day of the Arts at city hall (100 Newport Dr.), a showcase designed to appeal to all senses. From noon to 5 p.m., stroll through the tents of the 10 visual artists, watch performances from musicians, dancers and theatre groups and taste treats from the Burrard Public House, Caffe Divano, Freshii and Mega Donair. Artist Sylvie Roussel-Janssens will help attendees decorate a fabric square that will be suspended on a large metal grid (the community art project is called It’s in the Wind) or tickle the ivories on the public piano. Visit portmoody.ca/culturedays.
• André Prevost will show his unique style of painting at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.) from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. His current exhibition Journeying with the Totems is being displayed at the facility this month along with work from Nancy Cramer, Paddi McGrath, Anna Milton, Marianne Phillips, Katherine Nielsen and Carlyn Yandle.
SUNDAY
COQUITLAM
• Tour the exhibits by drawer Jeannette Sirois and Port Coquitlam photographer Joseph Therrien — as well as the teachers and staff at Place des Arts — during Family Day at PdA: Culture Days Edition. The Maillardville hub (1120 Brunette Ave.) also has activities based on the displays: Portraiture (inspired by photos of staff and teachers); comic jams, an improvisational drawing style with comics and animation teacher Kenten Bowick; and large, black-and-white landscape painting. The event runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Register by calling 604-664-1636 or visiting brownpapertickets.com.
• Take part in a discussion about Senegal culture and traditions with native Rokia Kone, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Société francophone de Maillardville office (942b Brunette Ave.).
PORT MOODY
• The Ghost Girl of the Port Moody Station Museum is the title of the Venosta Variety Hour Radio Show play, hosted by the Port Moody Heritage Society. The production runs at 4 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.). Register for tickets at 604-939-1648.
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