Guess what — there are only two more weekends before Christmas. Make them count with fun family events, concerts and some local artisan shopping opportunities.
Friday, Dec. 11
FILM NIGHT
Follow American basketball player Kevin Sheppard as he heads to a new team — in Iran — in this Port Moody Film Society presentation at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.) at 7:30 p.m. In the documentary The Iran Job, Sheppard tries to separate sports from politics and, along the way, forms an unexpected alliance with three outspoken Iranian women. The season culminates alongside the broader political landscape in the beginnings of the Arab Spring. Visit www.pmfilm.ca for more info.
Saturday, Dec. 12
FIRE FUNDRAISER
As you prepare for the holidays keep in mind the 140 people who were affected by the Mountainview Co-op fire in October. Families, children and seniors were displaced by the fire and a Sir Frederick Banting middle school counsellor is holding a fundraiser today to help them re-stock their homes with bedding, towels and toiletries; gift cards are also gratefully accepted. Drop by the Glenayre community centre (492 Glencoe Dr., PoMo) with your donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Shop, learn and relax at the special Christmas Farmers Market at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be local vendors with loads of gift and stocking stuffer ideas and, at noon, Celia Chang from Port Moody Flowers will show you how to create a holiday centrepiece. Feeling beat? Join the mindfulness and stress relief workshop at 2 p.m.; register for either session at www.makebakegrow.com. Santa Claus will visit in the afternoon and there will be story times for the kids at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. courtesy of the Coquitlam Public Library. Tomorrow (Sunday), the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market is at the recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) with plenty of produce — and gift ideas — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GET CRAFTY
Head to the Evergreen Art Gallery (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for a festive family day from 1 to 4 p.m. Use brightly coloured pieces of paper and create a charming sun catcher to light up your home for the holidays. No pre-registration is required for the drop-in, by-donation event.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Coquitlam Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Reg Quiring, performs at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) in three shows this afternoon. The music starts with the juniors at noon, followed by the intermediates at 1:30 p.m. and the seniors at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10/$5 at the door.
TAO ART SHOW
Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Square, PoCo) presents Tao of Clay and Paper, a group exhibit by artists Jennifer Po, Tami S.H. Djuya, Elsie Lai, Chong Lee, Rainbow Chiu and Susanna Wong. See works of decorative and functional ceramic art, Chinese paintings and unique Islamic calligraphy, and enjoy the opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m.
GOT RHYTHM?
The Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble sure does, and the group of wind and percussion players will be firing it up for a foot-stomping good show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 8 p.m. The concert will be an energetic display of music from around the world that is sure to have audiences bopping along with them. Tickets are $20/$15 at evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
HOCKEY NIGHT
The Coquitlam Express are battling through a busy week, having played against Wenatchee and Surrey, and they’ll take on Surrey again tonight on home ice at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Puck drop is at 7 p.m. Visit www.coquitlamexpress.ca for more info.
SANTA SHIPS
Head to Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park this evening and catch the parade of boats that are all lit up for Christmas in the annual Santa’s Christmas Ships. There will be about 20 boats that will cruise the inlet, and will be visible from the pier at 7:30 p.m. Tri-City Rotaract will be on hand with hot chocolate by donation; the event is weather dependent.
SALSA PARTY
Enjoy a Christmas party, Latin-style, at the Hot Salsa Dance Zone’s last social of the season before its annual New Year’s Eve party. Join the dance lesson at 8 p.m. and keep the dance floor hopping until 12:30 a.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. Visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com for more info.
Sunday, Dec. 13
SANTA SKATE
Grab the family and your skates and head to the Port Moody arena (300 Ioco Rd.) for a Santa skate from 1 to 4:15 p.m. There will be hot chocolate and games on the ice; helmets with face cages are required for children 12 and under.
TAKE A BREATHER
Bow out of the holiday madness for an afternoon and let the Coastal Sound Music Academy soothe your spirit in Comfort & Joy, a concert of choral music designed to uplift and inspire, with guest harpist Gillian Skinner and singers of all ages at this family-friendly concert. There are shows at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre; tickets are available at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
