This weekend’s challenge: fit as many of these excellent events into your schedule as you possibly can.
Friday, March 4
FESTIVAL DU BOIS
Tons of live music, children’s events, art exhibits, workshops and even pancakes — what’s not to love about the French-filled Festival du Bois? Back for its 27th annual edition at Coquitlam’s Mackin Park the festival offers two days (and this evening) packed with family fun. Kick it off tonight at 7 p.m. with an opening concert at Place des Arts featuring Annette Campagne (pop/folk) and Raine Hamilton (singer/songwriter) and come back Saturday morning for the main stage, where entertainment runs from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday starts with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by a pancake breakfast, and the music runs from 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are also great events, including a hands-on street hockey jam with the Coquitlam Express, artisan kiosks, a Vancouver Aquarium Aquavan, theatre improv and much more. Visit www.festivaldubois.ca for details and tickets.
4000 MILES
The Arts Club on Tour swings through the Evergreen Cultural Centre with a performance starring Nicola Cavendish as Vera, whose life is suddenly turned upside down when her 21-year-old grandson arrives on her doorstep after cycling across the country with a bike and little else. These unlikely roommates, initially at odds, soon find their way to a comforting friendship — with an unexpected twist. 4000 Miles is on at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, and a 4 p.m. Saturday show. Tickets are $39/$30/$15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
Saturday, March 5
KIDSPORT
Looking for spring sports equipment? Look no further than the KidSport used equipment sale happening at Riverside secondary (2215 Reeve St., PoCo), where you’ll find bikes, hockey gear, lacrosse equipment and much, much more, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations can be made until March 4 at the PoCo and PoMo recreation centres, the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, Riverside secondary, Thriftopolis (2579 Lougheed Highway, PoCo) and Jim Pattison Hyundai (2385 Ottawa St., PoCo). Admission is by donation or an item for the food bank.
CURIOSITY FAIR
Kids who are into space, science, nature and all sorts of other cool stuff can check out the Curiosity Fair, presented by the Port Moody Public Library, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre. The drop-in, interactive event is open to all ages and includes groups like the 3D604 3D printing groups, Mossom Creek Hatchery, PoMo Rock and Gem Club and a series of 30-minute lectures and shows from Science World (electricity), Dr. Paul Tinari (3D printing), SFU Science Alive (fire and ice), TRIUMF (dark matter) and HR MacMillan Space Centre (astronomy). Get full details at www.portmoody.ca.
VERY IMPRESSIVE
Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Family Day offers up Impressive Impressions, in which the whole family can see Zebulon Zang’s exhibit no name creek and then take a piece of metal you can shape, emboss and craft into your own fridge magnet. Drop in (by donation) from 1 to 4 p.m.
GO DANCING
If you’ve ever wanted to put on your party shoes and learn to dance, the Latin way, tonight’s a good bet. The Hot Salsa Dance Zone kicks off tonight’s party with a cha-cha lesson at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, followed by a dance party featuring authentic Latin music until 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $10; visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com for more information.
Sunday, March 6
CREATIVE CAFE
Get into hands-on creative activities and discover the fascinating natural and cultural history of Minnekhada Regional Park at the Creative Café from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.minnekhada.ca.
BOO!
Sursaut Dance presents a magical, playful and very family friendly show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre featuring dance, mime, clown and circus vignettes. Kids can watch in wonder as Cyril and Penelope TopsyTurvy explore the stage and have plenty of fun. Tickets for the 2 p.m. show are $16/$12 at evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
OPENING RECEPTION
Check out two new shows at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo), running to April 3 with an opening reception today from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. On display are oils, acrylics, watercolours and more by Marie McGill, who has also exhibited throughout North America and in England, Japan, China and Greece. Don Portelance shows a collection of paintings, mixed media pieces, stone lithography and more, featuring a range of images in various styles and techniques.
COFFEE CONCERT
The Terry Fox Theatre gets fired up with the drama of Karen Flamenco’s Carmen in the latest Coffee Concert instalment. Set in 19th-century Seville the performance uses flamenco dance and orchestral melodies to tell the story of Don José, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier by the gypsy Carmen, and is later driven wild by jealousy when Carmen shifts her attentions to the bullfighter Escamillo. The concert runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12/$10/$6 (children 12 and under are free), available at 604-927-7529 or www.experienceit.ca.
TAKE A DIP
Wind up the weekend with a swim, or just a soak, at the Westminster Savings Free Swim at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex in Coquitlam, from 7 to 9 p.m.
