Soak up the family fun this weekend, get into the Christmas spirit and get everyone active with this jam-packed line-up.
Friday, Nov. 28
CHRISTMAS TRUCE 1914
A hundred years ago young men in the midst of the First World War stopped fighting and spent Christmas with the enemy. Expect Theatre brings the soldiers' words to life in A Play for Voices at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at www.brownpapertickets.com. Pre-show dinner is at 7 p.m. (reserve at 604-937-0998).
HELLUVA PLAY
Get existential with Jean-Paul Sartre's post-modern play No Exit, a dark foray into the lives of three dead characters locked in a room with no windows, each one forced to live their own personal version of hell for eternity. Sounds fun, non? The NeverYouMind Productions play is at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., PoMo) until Nov. 30. Tickets are $30/$25 at www.neveryoumindproductions.com.
NEED A RIDE?
'Tis the season for Christmas and holiday parties. Get home safely from yours, or help others by volunteering for Operation Red Nose, which starts tonight and runs weekends before Christmas and on New Year's Eve in support of KidSport. Call 778-866-6673 for details.
Saturday, Nov. 29
GET ACTIVE
The Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) opens its doors for a day of family activities to celebrate Sports Day in Canada. Kick it off with an adults' boot camp, followed by a chance for little ones to shake it in the jungle gym and, for preschoolers, activities led by recreation staff. And be sure to stick around for the floor hockey game for adults, kids and youth. The event, from 9 to 11 a.m., is free with food bank donations.
DANCE FOR TOYS
Caydance Studios (1585 Broadway St., PoCo) hosts a holiday open house food and toy drive from 2 to 4 p.m. Check out free dance lessons, as well as gift ideas from local vendors, and bring a non-perishable food item or toy. For more ways to give to those less fortunate this Christmas, check www.tricitynews.com for a complete listing of ongoing campaigns.
MAKE LANTERNS
The days are short, and they are dark. Brighten things up a little with a made-by-you lantern, at Place Maillardville (1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam) from 2 to 4 p.m.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Sq., PoCo) kicks off the holiday season with 12 Days of Christmas, starting with Christmas at Leigh Square from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Families can make a festive art project, listen to holiday tunes, enjoy the lighting ceremony in the square, storytelling and check out some craft vendors. Drop by Heritage at Leigh Square for Santa pics, goodies and tree decorating.
PIANO CONCERT
Listen to some lovely music and raise money for BC Children's Hospital and a foundation that supports disabled people in Korea at a concert given by piano students of Kyunghee Choi at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, PoCo) at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
HARP ON
Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) teacher Rebecca Blair leads a holiday concert from the helm of her harp in Once Upon a Winter's Night with special guests. Hear holiday music from around the world, including Huron Carol (penned by Jean de Brebeuf in 1642), the Danish carol Lovely is the Dark Blue Sky, a Celtic tune called Christmas Eve as well as several French songs. Itching to start belting out a few tunes yourself? Have a go with sing-alongs including Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $15/$13 at 604-664-1636 or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/772189.
Sunday, Nov. 30
HUT HUT HUT
We hear there's a football game happening today...could it be the 102nd annual Grey Cup? If you're gathering with friends and family to watch the Ti-Cats versus Stamps from the comfort of your living room TV, kick-off is at 3 p.m. Now pass the chips!
FARMERS MARKET
Pick up winter goodies at the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, held weekly at the recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.makebakegrow.com for full details.
PET PICS
Get your pooch in a pic with the big man in red at Bosley's - Eagleridge Plaza (2565 Barnet Hwy., Coquitlam). Santa will be sitting for snaps with your furry friends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (photos must be picked up at event location one week later). All proceeds are donated to the Network for Animals Society, which provides assistance with spaying and neutering dogs and cats in the Lower Mainland. Visit www.network4animals.com for more info.
DOGWOOD DOES CHRISTMAS
The Dogwood Drama Club gets in the festive spirit with an original play called The Solstice Queen, by Richard Dixon. Heirless but hoping to retire, the Queen looks to her subjects for a potential successor - with surprising results. The play is at 1:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Pavilion (624 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Tickets are $5 at 604-927-6098.
