This weekend promises plenty of ways to get into Culture Days and the local arts scene, and offers the best combination of fall and beer: Oktoberfest. Cheers!
Friday, Sept. 30
GOOD ART HUNTING
Celebrate Culture Days by playing detective and sniffing out Port Moody’s public art locations. Just register (www.portmoody.ca/culturedays), grab a map, walk around the city to locate PoMo’s 40-plus pieces of public art and enter to win a prize. For more chances to win dress up in costume, take a selfie with an art piece and tweet it with #pomoscavenger and @PoMoCulture tags.
RISE ‘N’ SHINE
The Evergreen Cultural Centre presents an original theatre production in celebration of Coquitlam’s 125th birthday. Coquitlam Rises! boasts local young performers in a cross-cultural production, featuring singing, dancing and even martial arts to tell the story of Coquitlam’s history. Performances run Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
THEY WALK AMONG US
Writers, that is. And you can hear from them directly at Writers in our Midst #5 at PoMo’s Gallery Bistro for creative inspiration. Dinner ($12) is at 6:30 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-937-0998 to reserve. Come back Saturday for the opening reception of an exhibit by Brazilians Maysa Pettes (fine art painter) and her daughter, Ana Isméria P. Velludo (photographer), 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
JUST SAY CHEERS
Grab (thirsty) friends and family and head to the tennis courts behind PoMo city hall for a few brews — and loads of good times — at Oktoberfest. Sip on authentic Oktoberfest beer from Germany, along with PoMo’s own local craft brews, and enjoy Bavarian-style food and music until Oct. 2. Admission to the general area, where food, drinks and vendors are located, is by donation; access to the 19+ tent with live music is $20 or $50/full festival pass. Proceeds go to Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation and PoMo Curling Club. Visit www.oktoberfest2016.ca for full details.
Saturday, Oct. 1
TACKLE INVASIVES
Join the Lower Mainland Green Team as they rid the forest from invasive plants such as English ivy, English holly, periwinkle and lamium from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. along PoMo’s Shoreline Trail. You’ll be improving the ecosystem while working as part of a team, earning volunteer hours and, best of all, meeting new people. No experience necessary; tools, gloves and refreshments are provided. Contact [email protected].
POCO ARTS DAY
Culture Days come alive in PoCo at an open house packed with activities and exhibitions from noon to 3 p.m. at Leigh Square. There’s Diwali Fest, with performances, henna and Rangoli art activities; an art exhibit by Brendan O’Leary, featuring rarely seen photos of the Eagle Festival in western Mongolia; presentation of the community banner project as well as several more art displays. All events and activities are free.
VINTAGE TUNES
Got a hankering for some old-time music? Check out Soda Crackers at the Gallery Bistro in Port Moody; they’ll be playing a selection of old-fashioned country, bluesy jazz and roots ‘n’ rhythm to keep your toes tapping. Dinner ($13) at 7 p.m., concert ($12) at 8 p.m. Call 604-937-0998.
Sunday, Oct. 2
CREATIVE CAFE
Join Bosun Bill (Bill Marshal) and his musician friends playing songs of the sea at the monthly Creative Café at the Minnekhada Lodge from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.minnekhada.ca for more info.
GHOST TOWN DAY
Learn about the history of the Ioco townsite at the 15th annual Ioco Ghost Town Day and enjoy loads of kids’ activities, entertainment, historical trolley tours, hands-on art fun, food trucks and the crowd favourite, the pie contest. Festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Ioco Road and 1st Avenue.
