Get set for an outstanding summer weekend, one that’s packed with live music, kids’ nature events, a market party and more. Don’t forget to kick it all off with the inaugural PoCo Grand Prix!
Friday, July 15
POCO GRAND PRIX
Who needs the Tour de France when the PoCo Grand Prix will be right in our own ‘hood? The day is full of events, not the least of which is the chance to see amazing cyclists in action in downtown PoCo. The racing kicks off at 12:20 p.m.; register the little ones in the Norco Kids’ Race (4:15 p.m.) online or on race day if space is available. The pro races are at 4:45 and 6 p.m. There are loads of children’s activities and entertainers throughout the afternoon, and live music from 1 to 11 p.m. Get all the details and a map of road closures and bike race routes at http://www.pocograndprix.ca/.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Suter Brook’s summer music series gets fired up with live music in the community square. Enjoy drink specials and more on the Romer’s patio or bring a chair to the square for a free show, from 6 to 8 p.m.
ART OPENING
Join the artists at an opening reception for Landscape/Bodyscape at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Miguel Angel exhibits a rare collection of prints and drawings, a departure from his usual canvas works, while Katalina deploys textile techniques like embroidery and appliqué in her works. The reception also features flamenco and Latin jazz music by guitarist John Gilliat.
Saturday, July 16
CELEBRATE THE SEASHORE
Get up close with sea creatures at a free event at Belcarra Regional Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Watch barnacles eat with their feet, touch a Dungeness crab and get your face painted. Meet at the Belcarra picnic area. While you’re there, check out the public consultation info for Belcarra South, and have your say on how you’d like the park to change, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PAINT PARTY
Grab a brush and get painting — the bus, that is. Local indie rock band Shotgun has transformed a 1986 school bus into their tour-mobile for Canada-wide performances this summer, and they want the public to come out and make it truly unique. All ages and art abilities are welcome to get their hands messy in this fun collaborative project, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the PoMo Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.). Paint will be provided; snacks and drinks for purchase.
GET WOUND UP
Leigh Square’s Village Vibe series cranks up the energy with Wind-Up Birds, a group of PoCo musicians with a penchant for everything from jazz to indie rock and funk to pop. Whatever the style, this talented group will have you moving so be prepared to get your groovy dance moves on. Sherry Duggal, a professional dancer and spoken word artist, will also be performing at the event from 2 to 4 p.m.
BLUESMOKE
The Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) hosts Bluesmoke, a rhythm and blues band featuring Anmore and PoMo residents Jacob Schwartz (drums), Isaac Story (bass, vocals), Ian Weverink (guitar, vocals), Theo Story (guitar, vocals, organ) and Adam Kyle (saxophone) as they play a mix of Muddy Waters and Ray Charles-style covers and a collection of their original tunes as well. Tapas are served from 6:30 p.m. and the 7:30 p.m. show is by donation. Visit bluesmoke99.bandcamp.com for more info. Reserve tickets at 604-937-0998.
SO LOVELY
Get a delicious dinner on the grill and top notch Canadian folk music at Music on the Grill at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The folk/country harmony trio The Good Lovelies will play from a much-anticipated new album, Burn the Plan, and will be joined by Vancouver Island’s roots music “supergroup” Three Worlds, with award-winning guitarist Brad Prevedoros, multi-instrumentalist Greg Joy and Percussion master Niel Golden, blending eastern, Latin jazz, blues, flamenco and more. Tickets are $55 for dinner and concert or $35 for concert only, at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
STORIES UNDER THE STARS
Enjoy a family story time out in nature, complete with books about bats and other wildlife, then watch and count bats as they emerge at dusk. This Metro Vancouver event is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Colony Farm Regional Park. Register for the free event at www.regionalparkslink.ca.
Sunday, July 17
THE MARKET TURNS 20
The Coquitlam Farmers Market celebrates its 20th birthday with live entertainment, cake and even a giant photo, in which market visitors will gather into the shape of a giant 20. Get your shopping started when the market (624 Poirier St.) opens at 9 a.m. and enjoy events starting at 10 a.m. Following the cake cutting there’s a salmon barbecue care of the Coquitlam fire fighters. Visit www.makebakegrow.com.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Come back to Leigh Square for more music, this time featuring Chapter 11’s Bob Collins and Rob Sheridan. These two have been playing together for more than 25 years and the result is perfectly polished harmonies and musical arrangements ranging from pop to country, Celtic, folk and blues, from 2 to 4 p.m.
SUMMER SUNDAY
Bring the family to Rocky Point Park today for a free performance by Russell Marsland & The Chosen Few. Marsland is a Vancouver music scene veteran, having performed with the likes of the Allman Brothers, BB King, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Steppenwolf and more. He and his band, The Chosen Few, are at the park from 2 to 4 p.m.
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