This weekend offers up some “tour de force” theatre, a fun day of shopping, an election debate, hockey season kick-offs and a chance to eat pink pancakes for a good cause.
Friday, Oct. 2
TALL TALES
The Guy Mendilow Ensemble performs Tales from a Forgotten Kingdom at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 8 p.m. The musical collaborators perform in the Ladino tradition, from the romantic songs and stories carried by Sephardic Jews as they travelled from Spain to Greece and Turkey. Tickets are $17.50/$15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Saturday, Oct. 3
EAGLE EYE
You’ve seen them soaring high in the sky, and now you can get up close to the majestic eagle at the Backyard Bird Centre in Port Moody’s Newport Village. The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society will have a live eagle at the store and the public is welcome to visit it from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SHOPPING GALA
The Coquitlam chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star hosts its annual shopping gala from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Hall (2660 Shaughnessy St., PoCo). Peruse tables featuring cards, candles, kitchenware, jewelry, baking, beauty products, books for all ages and more. Admission is $7 and includes lunch of homemade soup, bun, dessert and tea or coffee, along with door prizes.
ART OPENING
Check out the new exhibit, 4 Women Show, at an opening reception at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The show features works by Ati Ahkami (sculpture), Shohre Shirazi (painting), Elham Sarvi (painting) and Leila Soltani (patina). Visit www.gallerybistroportmoody.com for info.
CANDIDATES’ DEBATE
Residents in both the Tri-Cities’ federal ridings can hear candidates debate the issues at a public meeting hosted by the Civic Association of Iranian Canadians from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Coquitlam Public Library’s city centre branch (1169 Pinetree Way). Confirmed attendees from the Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam riding are Sara Norman (NDP), Brad Nickason (Green) and Ron McKinnon (Liberal) and from the Port Moody-Coquitlam riding Marcus Madsen (Green) and Jesse Adcock (Liberal).
HOCKEY NIGHT
Catch the Vancouver NE Chiefs major midget hockey team as they open their season with a game against the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds at 3:30 p.m. at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Admission is free and there will be a pre-game ceremony to commemorate the team’s league championship last season. When the game wraps up don’t stray too far from the arena as the Coquitlam Express host a community barbecue at 6 p.m. to kick off their regular season; the team hits the ice at 7 p.m. for their home opener against Cowichan Valley. Visit www.coquitlamexpress.ca for more information.
GOT MERENGUE?
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move, Latin style, at the weekly salsa dance party at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Kick it off with a merengue lesson — a friendly introduction to Latin dancing — at 8 p.m. followed by the dance party from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Entrance is $10/$8 to the licensed event; no partner or experience required. Visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com for more information.
Sunday, Oct. 4
PULL TOGETHER
Help Mundy Park stay natural — and maybe even set a world record — at an invasive weed-pulling event from noon to 3 p.m. (and Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, meet at the Hillcrest gravel parking lot). Grab some sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate gear, a water bottle and any friends and family you can find to join you. There will be prizes, including for costumes, light snacks and gloves will be provided. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/badseed.
PINK PANCAKES
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue hosts its second annual Pink Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the Town Centre firehall (1300 Pinetree Way, minimum $5 donation). The pancakes will be pink and the department’s pink fire truck will also be on display as the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society cooks up funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (last year’s event raised $3,500); proceeds will be matched by Team Scotiabank at Coquitlam Centre. Attendees can win a $500 gift card from the mall. Parking is free in the north lot of Pinetree secondary school.
GHOST TOWN
From vintage cars to a bouncy castle, pony rides and a theatre troupe and, of course, plenty of homemade pie, the annual Ioco Ghost Town Day is not to be missed. The free family-friendly event features the Rebel Haunt Theatre group, artisan displays, kids’ activities, music and much more from noon to 4 p.m. at the former lawn bowling green (Ioco Road and First Avenue). Visit www.portmoodymuseum.org for more details.
