Thursday, Dec. 1
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
The City of Coquitlam’s annual light show around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way) is now open until the end of January. Take the family to see the spectacle that kicked off on Nov. 26.
MORE: coquitlam.ca/lightsatlafarge
HOLIDAY CLASSICS
Port Coquitlam bassist Jodi Proznick and vocalist Dawn Pemberton kick off the holidays with O Come All Ye Soulful, a concert at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) featuring trumpet player Chris Davis. With Noah Franche Nolan on piano, Nick Bracewell on drums and Dominic Conway on saxophone, they’ll cover holiday standards made famous by Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, John Legenda and Otis Redding. Tickets are $35/$32/$16. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Friday, Dec. 2
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Find unique handcrafted gifts at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam), the arts centre that has its Positively Petite miniature exhibition and sale on until Dec. 15, as well as its annual Holiday Artisan Shop on until Dec. 17. Admission is free.
MORE: placedesarts.ca
CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET
Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) will transform into a shopping extravaganza for two days for the Coquitlam Christmas Night Market. More than 40 vendors will be on site to sell handmade gifts, jewellery, clothing and food. It runs tonight from 5 to 9 p.m., and Dec. 3 from 4 to 9 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults (no charge for kids) with partial proceeds supporting B.C.’s Children’s Hospital. It is hosted by Betty Bakes.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
ICE HOCKEY
Cheer on the Coquitlam Express as they battle Langley at the Palace at Poirier: the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The puck drops at 7 p.m.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
Saturday, Dec. 3
CRAFT FAIR
Shop for gourmet foods, greeting cards, soaps, candles, photos, clothing and jewellery at the Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair inside Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody). The seventh annual fair will have more than 40 vendor tables. Admission is $3, or free if you bring a new unwrapped toy for the Port Moody Fire/Rescue toy drive. Admission also enters you into a draw for prizes. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE: portmoody.ca
REPAIR IT
The monthly Repair Café is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam public works yard (1737 Broadway St., Port Coquitlam). Bring your broken household items — i.e., bicycle, jewellery, woodworking goods, electronics and toys — for a free fix by volunteers with the Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centennial.
MORE: facebook.com/repaircafepoco/
POETRY READINGS
The Tri-City Wordsmiths will host an online poetry reading by Renée Sarojini Saklikar, as well as a writing workshop, starting at 2 p.m. She will read tree poems from a new anthology and talk about her own writing practice.
MORE: [email protected]
SALSA NIGHT
Alberto Gonzalez and Teresa Szefler with the Hot Salsa Dance Zone are at the Port Coquitlam Legion branch 133 (2675 Shaughnessy St.) for a Salsa and Latin Dance Night. The lesson is at 8 p.m. while the party ramps up at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
MORE: hotsalsadancezone.com
ICE HOCKEY
Cheer on the Coquitlam Express as they battle Surrey at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.). The puck drops at 7 p.m.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
PANTHER ACTION
Catch the Port Moody Panthers junior hockey team as it faces Langley at the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: portmoodypanthers.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Moving Mirror Productions stages a reading of the Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol, at Inlet Theatre (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr.). The show includes a performance by Quayside. Tickets are $27.54 via eventbrite.ca with partial proceeds supporting local food banks. Bring cash or a dry/canned food donation for a chance to win a door prize.
MORE: movingmirrorproductions.com/ eventbrite.ca
Sunday, Dec. 4
CLEAN THE WEEDS
Help the City of Port Moody remove invasive plants along the Shoreline Trial near Pigeon Cove from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the Shoreline Trail sign on the northern side of Murray Street. Wear closed-toe shoes or boots, as well as clothes that can get dirty, and bring a water bottle. Gloves, eye protection and tools will be provided to participants. Registration is required.
MORE: 604-469-4556
WINTER WONDERS
Santa makes an appearance at the Winter Wonders Community Celebration, happening from 1 to 5 p.m. at Heritage Square and Mackin House Museum (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). Make crafts, sip hot cocoa, listen to carols, take a story walk, enjoy a scavenger hunt and learn about seasonable foods from different cultures. The event is free; no registration is required.
MORE: coquitlamheritage.ca
ALICE IN THE WINTER
Join Theatrix as they explore Alice in Winter Wonderland in two shows at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam): at 4 p.m. and at 7 p.m. The audience will see Alice return from her adventures to discover many of the characters have followed her back, through the rabbit hole, to the City of Coquitlam. Tickets for the family-friendly production are $18/$12.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Monday, Dec. 5
CHRISTMAS TREASURES
PoMoArts (formerly the Port Moody Arts Centre, at 2425 St. Johns St.) has dozens of handmade gifts up for sale from local artists and artisans. The facility’s Winter Treasures Artisan Market and the Blackberry Christmas Marketplace are located in PoMoArts’ Canadian Pacific, Suncor and Ann Kitching galleries. Admission is free.
MORE: pomoarts.ca
Wednesday, Dec. 7
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
Dress up in white dresses with blue satin sashes — or lederhosen — for Sincerely Susie’s sing along to the classic movie The Sound of Music. The show runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Tickets are $35.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Thursday, Dec. 8
FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT
The Disney movie Frozen is the thee for the Coquitlam Public Library’s family trivia night, which runs online from 7 to 8 p.m. The game night is for kids ages 12 and under, as well as their families. Registration is required.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
PYJAMAS, STORIES
Librarians from the Coquitlam Public Library swing by Mackin House Museum (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) for a family story time for kids — in their pyjamas! — ages three to eight years old. The event runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required.
MORE: coquitlamheritage.ca
Friday, Dec. 9
COUNTRY LADY
Nashville, Tenn., resident Lisa Brokop, a Canadian Country Music Award winner, delivers a Classic Country Christmas show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 7:30 p.m. — a follow-up to her successful run of Legendary Ladies of Country. Hear such tunes as “Oh Holy Night,” “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” and “Christmas Times A Comin’.” Tickets are $35/$32/$16.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
CHORALE MUSIC
Listen to Christmas tunes at the Coquitlam Chorale’s winter concerts this month at the Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship (1160 Lansdowne Dr., Coquitlam). Once Upon a December is tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. The 65-member adult choir is under the artistic direction of Justin Maller with Lorna Yeates at the piano. Tickets are $25/$20/$10.
MORE: coquitlamchorale.com
ICE HOCKEY
Cheer on the Coquitlam Express as they battle Victoria at the Palace at Poirier: the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The puck drops at 7 p.m.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
COFFEEHOUSE
All In Good Time is the name of the headliner for the Crossroads Coffeehouse, a fundraiser for the Crossroads Hospice Society in the Gathering Place at Leigh Square (next to Port Coquitlam City Hall). The open mic starts at 7:30 p.m. while the main act is on at 8:50 p.m. Admission is $5.
MORE: thecrossroadscoffeehouse.com
Saturday, Dec. 10
DOGWOOD DRAMA
Sue Davey is directing the show Hooked on Christmas Stories, a Dogwood Drama Club production that runs at 1:30 p.m. today, as well as on Dec. 13 and 14. Tickets are $10 at the gift shop in the 50-Plus centre (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam).
MORE: 604-931-5243
LYIN’ EYES
The Eagles tribute band Eagle Eyes will perform at 3:30 p.m. in the Inlet Theatre (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr.) as part of a fundraiser for the Summer Sundays concert series at Rocky Point Park. Tickets are $40.
MORE: summersundays.ca
12 DAYS OF XMAS
The Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble — better known as PSWE — plays at its home base at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for a Christmas concert, starting at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
PANTHER ACTION
Catch the Port Moody Panthers junior hockey team as it faces North Vancouver at the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: portmoodypanthers.com
Sunday, Dec. 11
ART SHOWS
It’s the last week to see two exhibits at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam): Stitched Together, a fibre art and mixed media show by Robin Fischer, Karen Johnson and Karlie Norrish McChesney, is in the Leonore Peyton Salon; and Industrial Remnants, also a mixed media display, hangs in the Mezzanine Gallery.
MORE: placedesarts.ca
WINTER WIND
The Port Coquitlam-based Choral Connections presents seasonal favourites in Blow Thou Winter Wind at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam) at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at the facility next to Terry Fox Secondary. Tickets are $25 via brownpapertickets.com.
MORE: choralconnections.ca
COOL YULE
Singers with the Coastal Sound Music Academy honour the holiday spirit with shows at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way) at 4 p.m. — with kids, junior and children’s choirs — and at 7:30 p.m. — with De Coro, youth and children’s choirs.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Wednesday, Dec. 14
HOLMES SWEET HOLMES
Director Mandy Tulloch brings Holmes for the Holidays to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) until Dec. 17. The play tells the tale of William Gillette, a Broadway star who has invited his fellow castmates to his castle for the weekend. It features Rob Hartley as William Gilette, Deborah Blak of Martha Gilette, Mike Blackstock as Felix Geisel, Olympia Tomasta as Madge Geisel, Bradeon Grover Sunnes as Simon Bright, Snezhana Bykova as Angie Wheeler, Helen Volkow as Insp. Goring and Kristen Woodrow as Daria Chase. Tickets are $25/$20/$15.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
ICE HOCKEY
Cheer on the Coquitlam Express as they battle Alberni Valley at the Palace at Poirier: the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The puck drops at 7 p.m.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
Thursday, Dec. 15
EFFECTIVE RESUMES
Learn how to write a sharp resume that will get you noticed for a job interview. The career prep workshop is a virtual lesson delivered by the Coquitlam Public Library and the WorkBC Centre. It runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
POCO ART
Four solo art shows are up at four Port Coquitlam civic facilities until Jan. 10, 2023: Coastal Sentinels, a collection of paintings by Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki, is on the walls in the Michael Wright Art Gallery in Leigh Square (next to Port Coquitlam City Hall); Footprints and other Worm Signals, a series by Pierre Leichner about poor soil fertility, is in The Outlet gallery in Leigh Square; God’s People are Beautiful by Coban Chen is placed in the city hall gallery while Resurgence by Enda Bardell is in the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.).
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare
ENGLISH EXAM
If you’re studying for the CELPIP and CAEL language test, join the Coquitlam Public Library staff for a free online session about the exams. A speaker from Prometric will talk about study strategies, test structure and resources available.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
Friday, Dec. 16
FESTIVE FELTING
Make some felted ornaments and gifts for the holidays at the Festive Felting pARTy@PdA — or Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The workshop at 7 p.m. will see participants using wet felting techniques to make decorations and potholders. Tickets are $26 per person, or $42 for two people. The event is for adults only.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
GOSPEL MUSIC
The Marcus Mosely Ensemble performs gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, folk and blues tunes as part of the Inlet Theatre Music Series. The show at the Inlet Theatre (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr.) is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $31 via eventbrite.
MORE: portmoodymusic.com
Saturday, Dec. 17
SEE THE LIGHT
Families can learn about Diwali, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and winter solstice at Celebration of Light, held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mackin House Museum (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The first hour-long session starts at 11 a.m.; the second at 1:30 p.m. Seasonal crafts and treats will be available. Registration is required.
MORE: coquitlamheritage.ca
CHECKMATE
Drop in to the Poirier branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (575 Poirier St.) for a chess match. All ages and abilities are welcome to play from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
ICE HOCKEY
Cheer on the Coquitlam Express as they battle Surrey at the Palace at Poirier: the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The puck drops at 7 p.m.
MORE: coquitlamexpress.ca
PANTHER ACTION
Catch the Port Moody Panthers junior hockey team as it faces Delta at the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: portmoodypanthers.com
Sunday, Dec. 18
CP HOLIDAY TRAIN
The CP Holiday Train ends its cross-country journey tonight, stopping in Port Moody (behind the Port Moody Recreation Complex, 300 Ioco Rd.) at 4:45 p.m. for a half-hour show at 5 p.m. with rising country star MacKenzie Porter and Virginia to Vegas — aka Derik Baker, an indie–pop singer–songwriter. Their trip ends in Port Coquitlam at 6:15 p.m. at the West Coast Express station (Kingsway Avenue) with a concert from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. The 24th annual ride is raising money and non-perishable donations for the SHARE food bank.
MORE: cpr.ca/en/holiday-train/canada
Monday, Dec. 19
THE NUTCRACKER
Ballet Victoria returns to Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way) for four shows to tell the classic tale The Nutcracker, but with a modern twist. The Gift is an updated family version of the ballet production that follows Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score. The company of 12 dancers is under the direction of Paul Destrooper. Tickets are $35/$32/$16.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Wednesday, Dec. 21
COOKIE DECORATING
Kids ages five and up can bring a parent to Mackin House Museum (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) to decorate sugar cookies for the holidays, listen to songs and sip hot cocoa by the fireplace. There are two seasons: noon to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required.
MORE: coquitlamheritage.ca
Saturday, Dec. 31
NOON YEAR’S EVE
Join the librarians at the Port Moody Public Library (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody) as they count down to the 12 (p.m.) to mark the “noon year.” The family-friendly celebration will have photo booths, craftmaking and a dance party. Arrive by 11:30 a.m.
MORE: calendar.portmoodylibrary.ca
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Coquitlam residents Reg Quiring (viola) and Rosemary O’Connor (piano) are back for the 14th year with their QuiRing in the New Year at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The pair will perform with special guests to toast in 2023 with classical music. Tickets are $35/$32/$16.
