It's been a long haul, but we've finally made it to the first long weekend since Christmas, which happens to be packed with loads of family-friendly activities.
Friday, Feb. 6
MEET THE WRITER
Leigh Square Community Arts Village's new artist-in-residence Nicole Hillman welcomes the public for a meet-and-greet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in to today's writing workshop and have your writing become part of a community art project. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare.
GET SPINNING
Feel like you're just spinning your wheels? Well keep it up, and support a great cause, at the Spin Party at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). There will be great music, a variety of instructors and a whole lot of sweaty people on bikes, with proceeds going to BC Children's Hospital. Register in advance at 604-469-4556 to reserve a bike; time slots are at 5:30 (55003) or 7 p.m. (55004) with a minimum $15 donation.
Saturday, Feb. 7
RETRO TECH
Travel back in time and relive the magic of vinyl, rotary phones, Nintendo and Atari at the Port Moody Public Library's Retro Tech Petting Zoo. Check out all sorts of old gadgets - and see some futuristic high-tech items, too - as well as demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ARTS OPEN HOUSE
Head to the Port Moody Arts Centre's (2425 St. Johns St.) free annual open house for some creative fun for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be hands-on activities and art projects, and a chance to meet some of the Arts Centre's 42 instructors and guest artists.
ROMAN IMPROV GAMES
Be part of a live studio audience for a comedy show taping at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) complete with lights, camera, action - and plenty of laughs. Roman Danylo, star of CTV's Comedy Inc., and David Milchard from Convos With My 2 Year Old team up for a new comedy web series and TV pilot that pits improvisors against each other in a battle fit for comedy gladiators. Tickets are $35/$30/$15, available at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
Sunday, Feb. 8
FAMILY DAY FUN
Coquitlam hosts a day of arts and crafts, sports activities, face painting and entertainment for the whole family (activities are geared to kids aged three to seven years old) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glen Pine Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Court). Visit www.coquitlam.ca to register. Feel like taking a dip? Grab the kids and check out the Family Day Swim, complete with games, prizes and more from 1 to 3 p.m. at City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way) or Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.).
CHINESE FOLKLORE
Celebrate Family Day and Chinese Lunar New Year at the same time at the first ever Tri-Cities Inter-Cultural Spring Fair - A Taste of Chinese Folklore in the gym at Pinetree secondary (1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The event, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., will offer multicultural performing arts, family-oriented fun and games and food.
COFFEE CONCERT
Be inspired and uplifted at the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir performance today as part of PoCo's 16th annual Sunday Coffee Concert Series at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate) at 2 p.m. The 130-member choir serves up energetic performances - often for crowds of more than 1,000 - so this is your chance to see a powerful show in a more intimate setting. Songs include soul, gospel, R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, calypso, reggae and more. Tickets are $12/$10/$6 at www.experienceit.ca.
Monday, Feb. 9
MORE FAMILY FUN
Keep the long weekend fun going at Port Coquitlam's Family Day celebrations at the Hyde Creek recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave.). There's a free swim from 1 to 5 p.m. and Families Do Gym-A-Zoo - a free drop-in gym playtime and an arts playroom - from 1 to 3 p.m. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/familyday for more information.
FREE SKATE
Port Moody hosts a Family Day skate with free admission (limited rentals for $2) from noon to 4 p.m., complete with a bouncy castle, refreshments, face painting and an art and magic show at the PoMo rec complex arena (300 Ioco Rd.). Got kids who dig trains? The Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) is Working on the Railroad, where everyone can enjoy a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate, entertainment, story time and a silent film on the 1921 Venosta rail car. You'll even get to put your name on a rail plate and hammer it into the train track. Cost is $10 per family (cash only).
