Friday, May 8
BABY BLOCK PARTY
This free family event includes children's activities, food and a live performance by Dr. Strangelove as the wrap-up to CTV's Hope Starts Here week in support of BC Women's Hospital from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rocky Point Park (2800-block Murray Street).
HERITAGE WALK
Get a jump on this weekend's May Day events in PoCo with a Heritage Downtown Walk starting at 6 p.m. This free event is the first of the season and is hosted by local heritage expert Bryan Ness. Meet at the Heritage Centre at Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Sq., behind city hall). While you're there, drop by the first annual youth art exhibition in the Michael Wright Art Gallery, called Mindfulness in May: The Silence of Stigma. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare for more info.
MOVIE NIGHT
The Port Moody Film Society presents The Spectacular Now, a lovely indie flick that garnered 28 award nominations and 11 wins for everything from best film and screenplay to the special jury prize at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. It's at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., PoMo) at 7:30 p.m.
MUSIC & MORE
Take a trip down memory lane in the Patrick Street Productions presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein: Out of a Dream at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). This musical revue draws from every show written by the duo, including songs from Carousel, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, The King & I and more. The show runs until May 9, with a 4 p.m. matinee show Saturday. Visit www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Saturday, May 9
GET SHOPPING
Spring has sprung and that means spring cleaning has begun and for garage sale hunters it's a shopper's paradise starting at 9 a.m. for Port Moody's city-wide garage sale. Visit www.portmoody.ca to see a map of locations and tweet your most unusual item up for sale or your best find with #pomogaragesale.
SHOP 'N' SHRED
Get shopping at a one-day car-and-trunk sale and shred-it event at Rochester elementary (411 Schoolhouse St., Coquitlam). The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the shredding event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (tax receipts with a minimum $25 donation). All proceeds go to the school of your choice in School District 43.
MAY DAYS
The sun will be shining for Port Coquitlam's annual May Day Festival weekend, starting with a pancake breakfast at Leigh Square (7 to 11 a.m.) for $4/family, followed by the May Day Mile at Shaughnessy Street and Wilson Avenue (arrive by 9:45 a.m.). Be sure to stake out your spot for the Rotary May Day Parade, starting with the VPD Motorcycle Drill Squad at 10:35 a.m. and in the afternoon it's all aboard for the Historical Trolley Tours (12:30 to 4 pm.) with guides Bryan Ness and Karon Fuson and the post-parade block party at Leigh Square. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca.
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
Looking to learn some new moves? Get a free bachata lesson as part of the weekly Salsa & Latin Dance Nights at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, in the rehearsal room). This popular dance features catchy music paired with passionate dance steps from the Dominican Republic. The free lesson starts at 7:30 p.m. and the party gets going at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10
MOTHER'S DAY
We owe our moms a lot, so be sure to celebrate her in style today. In Port Moody the, Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) hosts its Mother's Day Tea (sittings at 10 and 11:30 a.m.) with live entertainment by Nigel Tucker, treats from Cobs Bread and a chance to tour the Heritage and Meditation Gardens. In PoCo, families can enjoy the Mother's Day Picnic at Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by the Kinsmen Club and featuring live entertainment and free children's activities.
MORE MAY DAY
The May Day festivities continue with the Countryside Kennels' Pet Contest, bike decorating and parade and crafts; get full details at www.portcoquitlam.ca. If you're in the mood for a few carnival rides, drop by the PoCo rec complex parking lot (2150 Wilson Ave.) for loads of rides and games starting at noon (also on Saturday).Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for a full line-up of event details.
TREE WALK
It's bound to be a wonderful day for a walk among the stunning tree collection at the Riverview Hospital grounds. Join the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society for a guided Mother's Day tree tour starting at 1 p.m. at the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young building. Visit www.rhcs.org for details.
@spayneTC
