The 8th annual Culture Days — a national grassroots campaign celebrating the arts — kicks off Friday with three dozen events happening around the Tri-Cities. Go to culturedays.ca.
Fri., Sept. 29
SCAVENGERS
Kick off the weekend with two city-organized scavenger hunts. In Coquitlam, residents aged 16 and up can track down the 12 salmon sculptures as part of the Spot the Salmon contest. Starting at 9 a.m., entrants will receive scavenger hunt questions by email, which must be answered in full by Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. to qualify. The grand prize winner will get a $100 gift card to Coquitlam Centre, a $100 art pack from Opus Art Supplies and four all-day Compass ride passes. Register at coquitlam.ca/culturedays. And in Port Moody, the city starts its second annual trek today around the public art collection and historical sites for a chance for guests to win some city swag. Register at portmoody.ca.
MURAL TILES
Paint one of 720 tiles — for the Canada 150 Mosaic Mural project — with scenes of the city: waterfront, wildlife and history. The finished mural will be installed at the Port Moody rec complex. The painting takes place at the museum (2734 Murray St.) today from 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit portmoody.ca.
OOM PAH, SCHNITZELS
It’s the last weekend of the Port Moody Oktoberfest, happening on the tennis courts behind city hall (100 Newport Dr.). The event, which is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, will see partial donations for the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation. Get tickets at oktoberfest2017.ca.
Sat. Sept. 30
BYELECTION
Port Moody voters can cast their ballot for a city council candidate to replace Rick Glumac, who was elected as an NDP MLA in May. Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.); Heritage Mountain community centre (200 Panorama Pl.); and Glenayre community centre (492 Glencoe Dr.). For candidate profiles, visit tricitynews.com or portmoody.ca.
PULL WEEDS
The Friends of DeBoville Slough’s last invasive plant control work party of the year is from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the kiosk at the north side of the slough (corner of Cedar Drive and Victoria Drive, Coquitlam). Volunteers will work on controlling Japanese knotweed. Tools will be supplied but you may bring your own lopper or hand pruner. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather; use sunscreen if necessary and bring water. Email [email protected].
FIRST NATIONS
Help Squamish Nation carver James Harry as he plies the wood at the Noon Creek hatchery (behind Port Moody rec complex, 300 Ioco Rd.) for a Welcome Post, which is expected to be raised on National Aboriginal Day. He will be under the gazebo today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit noonscreek.org.
LIBRARY AGM
Friends of Coquitlam Public Library Society host their annual general meeting at 10:30 a.m. in the Coquitlam Public Library (575 Poirier St.). New members are welcome to attend and join the board and/or executive. Visit coqlibrary.ca.
CANADA 150
Celebrate Canada 150 with the unveiling of a legacy project in The Outlet (behind Port Coquitlam city hall) at 12:15 p.m. The 8 x 12’ mural — made up of 600 handpainted tiles — will be shown for the first time. The mural will be permanently displayed at The Outlet. And, from noon to 3 p.m., families can create art — using free supplies — with the Leigh Square staff. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.
ART 4 LIFE
Take the kids to the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.) from 1 to 3 p.m. as the venue launches its fourth edition of Art 4 Life, an exhibition that goes until Nov. 1. The art, science and literacy fun is courtesy of the Port Moody Rock and Gem Club, the Tri-Cities Literacy Committee and the Port Moody Public Library. Visit pomoarts.ca.
HE SHOOTS
Bundle up for the Coquitlam Express’ first home game of the season. The game against the Prince George Spruce Kings starts at 7 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). And the tailgate party and BBQ starts at 5:30 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
SALSA PARTY
DJ MIXXX is in the house at the Hot Salsa Dance Zone’s salsa and Latin dance party, in the rehearsal hall at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way). Take a merengue lesson at 8 p.m. then head to the dance floor until 12:30 a.m. Admission is $10. Take the Evergreen Extension to Lafarge Lake-Douglas. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sunday, Oct. 1
UKULELE
The Cutie Circle Ukulele Jamboree has an open jam at Pinetree community centre (1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your instrument or borrow one at the event to learn to play a song with the help of the Populele “smart” ukulele. Visit cutiecircle.com.
HATCHERY TOUR
Learn about native plants and their historic uses on a guided tour at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at the Mossom Creek hatchery and education centre (at the top of Mossom Creek Drive). Or spend an hour or two enjoying the forest and watercourse area, until 2 p.m. Visit mossomcreek.org.
RIVERVIEW WALK
Learn about the historic trees at Riverview Hospital during a free tour of the arboretum, led by the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society. Meet at 1 p.m. at the uphill entrance of the Henry Esson Young (HEY) building, off Kalmia Drive. Visit rhcs.org.
FAMILY DAY AT PDA
Family Day at PdA takes a Culture Days twist, starting with a tour of the three exhibitions including Illuminated Compulsion by Ross Hayduk, Info-diction by Barbara Pearson and Inspiration 45. The event at Place des Arts, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 1120 Brunette Ave., will see participants create mixed-media paintings — using newspaper and paints — with Pearson while faculty member Catherine Dumaine will also be on hand for a special fibre arts activity. Visitors can craft an owl-themed decoration using bottle caps and jar lids, design a sculptural lamp with industrial materials and customize a handmade fidget spinner. Visit placedesarts.ca.
HE SCORES
The Coquitlam Express play another home game this weekend, facing the Cowichan Capitals at 2 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. Bring your skates and helmet (or rent them from the facility) for a post-event spin with the team. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
RADIO DAYS
Step back in time with Expect Theatre as it performs the Venosta Radio Show from the 1920s, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.), courtesy of the Port Moody Heritage Society. Visit portmoodymuseum.org.
@jcleughTC
