Most students in School District 43 have the day off today — for redesigned curriculum training for teachers — and many shoppers will be heading to the stores to find Black Friday discounts. Either way, it’ll likely be another wet weekend so try to keep dry and warm at the many events happening around the region.
Friday, Nov. 24
XMAS SHOPPING
Look for unique, handcrafted Christmas gifts at the annual Christmas in Leigh Square weekend, which starts today with a Winter Artisan Market in the village (beside Port Coquitlam city hall) at noon and runs until 8 p.m. Admission is free. Visit pocochristmasfair.com.
HOMETOWN HERO
It’s the last weekend for the touring exhibit Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada, at PoCo Heritage (2248 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam). The display, which closes Nov. 29, is organized by the Canadian Museum of History in partnership with the Terry Fox Centre. Visit pocoheritage.org.
NEW MUSIC
Terry Fox secondary’s Rock School teacher — and Juno-award winner — Steve Sainas is at the St. James Well Pub (248 Newport Dr., Port Moody) at 8:30 p.m., courtesy of Musos Entertainment, to play covers and original songs from his new CD, Simple As This. Visit saintjameswell.com.
Saturday, Nov. 25
MORE AT LEIGH
The city of Port Coquitlam has a full day of activities at Leigh Square Community Arts Village (beside city hall) as part of its Christmas kick off. From 9 to 11 a.m., tuck into a pancake breakfast served up by the 4th PoCo Scouts. The Winter Artisan Market continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while a street hockey game — for all ages and skill levels — will happen from 1 to 4:30 p.m. (bring your stick and protective gear). Santa will pose for snaps from noon to 4 p.m. at The Outlet (cash donation to PoCo Heritage) while, at 3 p.m., is the holiday storytime, also in The Outlet (courtesy of Terry Fox Library). Finally, at 4:45 p.m., the bandshell and city hall will be lit. Food trucks will be on site and live music will run all afternoon. Meanwhile, PoCo Heritage will also launch its Christmas Tree Festival, which runs until Dec. 31. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/christmas.
LIGHT THE LAKE
The city of Coquitlam hosts its annual Lights at Lafarge festivities, with family fun at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. The switch to the thousands of lights around the Town Centre Park lake will be turned on at 5:20 p.m. Non-perishable donations will be accepted for the Share food bank via Envision Financial’s Full Cupboard Program. Parking is available on site or take the Evergreen Extension to Lafarge Lake-Douglas. Visit coquitlam.ca/lights. The nightly light display will be on until Jan. 21, 2018.
HOSPICE TREASURES
Support the Crossroads Hospice Society at its 24th annual Treasures of Christmas gala, at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam). Tickets for the fundraiser at $125 — or $1,250 for a table of 10 — can be purchased by calling 604-554-0542. Visit treasuresofchristmas.ca.
BACK AT BISTRO
The gypsy blues band Blue Moon Marquee — aka A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette (vocals/bass/drums) — returns to Port Moody’s Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St.) for an evening show. To save a seat, call 604-937-0998 or visit gallerybistroportmoody.com.
PANTHERS ACTION
Cheer on the players of the Port Moody Panthers junior hockey team as they take on the Mission City Outlaws at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) at 7:45 p.m. Visit pjhl.net.
VAMANOS CHICOS
Get your dancing shoes on for the Salsa and Latin night in the rehearsal hall at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). A lesson with Alberto and Teresa starts at 8 p.m. while the party continues about an hour later, until 12:30 a.m. Parking is free or take the Evergreen Extension to Lafarge Lake-Douglas. Admission is $10 at the door. Singles and couples are welcome. Call 604-725-4654 or visit hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sun, Nov. 26
GET YOUR GREENS
The Port Moody Winter Farmers’ Market has vendors selling their wares inside and outside the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit makebakegrow.com.
HAVE A LAUGH
The Dogwood Drama Club presents Tea and Arsenic, a comedy directed by Sue Davey that runs at 1:30 p.m. at Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). Tickets at $5 can be bought in the gift shop or call 604-927-6098.
LIGHT THE WAY
Miniature art and lantern making is the focus of Family Day at PdA, happening at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Take part in the drop-in workshops: create a Canadian flag collage in honour of Canada 150; make a mini-framed artwork that doubles as a fridge magnet; and build a penguin-themed cork ornament or key chain. And don’t forget to make a lantern for the Dec. 3 A Lantern Affair, a multicultural celebration of light. Admission is free but registration is requested by calling 604-664-1636 or visiting brownpapertickets.com.
GOLD RUSH
A Port Moody author Yvonne Harris launches her eighth publication at Pasta Polo Restaurant (2754 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam), from 2 to 4 p.m. Redemption: A Story of the Oregon Trail and the Fraser River Gold Rush (Dragon Hill) is a historical fiction she’s worked on for a decade. Visit yvonneharris.com.
YOUTH TALENT
The top four — and audience favourite — winners from the past five years of the Youth Talent Search BC contest will vie for the title of all-star champion at a show in the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody). Tickets are $20 via ytsbcallstars.brownpapertickets.com. Visit youthtalentsearchbc.com.
