Dreary days of February got you down? Cheer up — spring is just around the corner and there’s loads of great events and activities happening around town this weekend.
Friday, Feb. 19
PRO-D DAY PLUNGE
Get your kids to dive into a fun afternoon at the pool on their day off from school. The Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex in Coquitlam hosts a plunge from 1 to 3 p.m. with games, contests, prizes and more. Regular admission rates apply. Tonight, the whole family can enjoy a Westminster Savings free swim at the City Centre Aquatic Complex, from 7 to 9 p.m.
LIGHT SCULPTURE SHOW
Join artist Sylvie Roussel-Janssens at the opening of her exhibition of light sculptures at Place des Arts in Coquitlam. The pieces are inspired by bilingual words and other works. The reception runs tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. and the show is on until March 12. Visit www.placedesarts.ca or facebook.com/sylvielightsculpture for more information.
HOCKEY WEEKEND
The Coquitlam Express are on home ice this weekend, taking on the Chilliwack Chiefs tonight and the Langley Rivermen on Saturday night. Both games are at Coquitlam’s Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, with puck drop at 7 p.m. Visit www.coquitlamexpress.ca for more information.
Saturday, Feb. 20
LEIGH OPEN HOUSE
It’s time for Port Coquitlam’s Leigh Square to shine in Where Friends Meet: A Gathering of the Arts in the Village, an open house hosted by the Friends of Leigh Square Society to show PoCo residents what their Arts Village is all about. The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and features music, literary readings, visual art, dance demonstrations, art discussions and an exploration and discovery room, as well as refreshments. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for full details.
CELEBRATE BERT FLINN
Do you know the story behind Port Moody’s Bert Flinn park? It was formed in 1999 as part of a referendum and today is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and families alike, but you’ll learn plenty more when Port Moody unveils a stone marker at the park entrance as part of its Heritage Week celebrations today from 1 to 2 p.m. The ceremony will be rain or shine, and everyone is welcome to stay for refreshments afterwards.
FREE SKATE
Go for a glide at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) at a Westminster Savings free skate, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Skate and helmet rentals are also free, but there’s a 200-person maximum so be sure to arrive early; wristbands are given out starting at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 21
KIDS’ SWAP MEET
With kids comes gear, and lot of it. Stock up on toys, clothes, books and all manner of baby-related equipment at a kids’ swap meet at the Poirier community centre (630 Poirier St.), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.
FLAG LOWERING
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 119 hosts a flag-lowering ceremony and cenotaph blessing at 1 p.m. today. The cenotaph will be going into storage before construction begins on the new Legion and housing development at 2513 Clarke St. in Port Moody.
HERITAGE HAPPENINGS
Cap off a great week of heritage celebrations in Port Moody with an afternoon of events at the Station Museum from noon to 4 p.m., including tours of the McKnight Centennial Trench (and a peek at a new project in the works), a First World War photo presentation and re-enactment at 1 p.m. and more. Visit portmoodymuseum.org. There’s also an old-style tea party from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St.); visit www.gallerybistroportmoody.com for info.
COFFEE CONCERT
Take in the sweet sounds of the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir at the next Sunday Coffee Concert at the Terry Fox Theatre. The 130-member choir is known for their energetic, soulful performances that unite diverse audiences with a message of love, joy, peace and hope. Styles range from soul and gospel to R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, calypso, reggae and more. Tickets for the 2 p.m. show are $12/$10/$6 (kids 12 and under are free), available at 604-927-7529 or www.experienceit.ca.
FOLK LEGENDS
Singing songs of the mountains and the sea, and all that makes the west coast great, Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard will be at the Evergreen Cultural Centre for a 7:30 p.m. show. Valdy and Fjellgaard will perform songs from their latest album, including the hit song Contenders, as well as the folk favourites that have inspired audiences in more than three decades of touring. Tickets are $35/$30/$15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
