Friday, April 1
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
It’s opening night for the 33rd annual Festival du Bois, a French-Canadian and world roots fete at Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) that runs all weekend. Cut a rug at the Friday night contra dance with The Sybaritic String Band with Maureen Collier and catch fiddler Jocelyn Pettit — plus Boris Favre (piano, vocals); Allan Dionne (accordion); and Lauri Lyster (percussion, vocals) — in concert. The live shows are free and no registration is required.
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
MEET THE ARTISTS
Tour the galleries at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) to see the new shows up until May 19: Extractions: Resources Through an Artistic Lens (various mediums curated by Coquitlam Heritage Society); Spontaneous Portrait Art (acrylics by Tadaomi Kawasaki); and A Watercolour Experience on Canvas and Fibre (watercolours and fibre by Donna Polos). The opening reception with the artists is from 7 to 9 p.m.
MORE: placedesarts.ca
Saturday, April 2
SHRED IT
Put your unwanted documents through the shredder — for a donation to the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation, which hosts its fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Canadian Tire (2125 Hawkins St., Port Coquitlam).
MORE: pocofoundation.com
GET IT FIXED
Don’t throw your broken appliance in the trash: Take it to the Repair Café, where volunteers will attempt to fix your item — at no cost. Run by the city and the Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centennial, the café runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the public works yard (1737 Broadway St., Port Coquitlam).
MORE: facebook.com/repaircafepoco
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
The northern end of Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) will be buzzing for the first full day of Festival du Bois. Shows start at noon and 12:30 p.m. in the Children’s Tent and on the Main Stage, respectively, while workshops will be held with performers across the street at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave.). The French gathering runs from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Online tickets are $20/$13/$8 (no cost for kids under five); the family entry is $50 for two adults and two children.
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
FAMILY FUN
The Art Gallery at Evergreen (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) has two Family Days this weekend, both from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Find inspiration in Angeline Simon’s art installation All that we carry, which is located at the Douglas-Lafarge Lake SkyTrain station, and create a personal collage using photos and found materials. The workshop is free; however, registration is required.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
IMAGINE GALA
Support the SHARE Family and Community Services at its signature fundraiser, Imagine, at a gala at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam). Sample treats from the culinary competition, dance to live music from Side One and place your bids on the digital silent auction and raffle, or buy 50–50 tickets for a chance to win the cash jackpot. The event is for adults only. Tickets are $150.
MORE: sharesociety.ca/imagine
YOUNG BEETHOVEN
Celebrated the (belated) 250th anniversary of the birth of German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven, with a recital at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Narrated by George Zukerman, the show at 8 p.m. includes chamber music that Beethoven wrote before the age of 30 and ends with his widely popular Septet, a semi-orchestral piece. Tickets are $35/$32/$15.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Sunday, April 3
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Start off your morning at Festival du Bois, which will hold a mass at 9 a.m. then a pancake breakfast (for a cost) at 10 a.m. at Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) to conclude the weekend festivities. Stay performances in the Children’s Tent, on the Main Stage and at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave.).
MORE: festivaldubois.ca
BYE BYE IVY
Help the Lower Mainland Green Team tackle the invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry from Rochester Park (1390 Rochester Ave., Coquitlam). From 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can pull weeds around the park. No experience is necessary. Wear boots and jackets; instruction, gloves, tools and refreshments will be provided. The event is in partnership with the City of Coquitlam.
MORE: https://www.meetup.com/The-Lower-Mainland-Green-Team/events/284566492/
FARMERS TIME
Support Metro Vancouver farmers and vendors at the weekly Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, happening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody).
MORE: makebakegrow.com
