Don't be "fooled" by the April showers, there's more than enough going on around the Tri-Cities this weekend to keep you entertained.
TODAY: Friday, April 1
ART MAPS
Vancouver textile artist Bettina Matzkuhn's solo exhibit Mappa opens today at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Matzkuhn combines cartography, fabric art and words in these 14 works to describe personal and imaginary journeys. She has been working with textiles for more than 30 years and has animated and directed three award-winning films using textiles for the National Film Board of Canada. She also writes professionally on the arts and is currently a sessional instructor at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Gallery hours are Monday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
GARAGE SALE
Eagle Ridge Manor residential care centre is holding a huge, weekend-long garage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting today and ending Sunday at the centre (475 Guildford Way, Port Moody). All of the money raised will go towards activities for Eagle Ridge Manor residents. For more information, call 604-469-3219.
TOYS COME TO LIFE
Kids of all ages are invited to bring their favourite toy - stuffed animals, dolls, Lego, action figures - to star in its own stop-motion animated YouTube video at Koko's Activity Centre (3210 St. Johns St., Port Moody). Costs for the drop-in workshops vary from $5 to $10 depending on the length of the video you want. The workshops run from 4 and 8 p.m. For more information call Koko's at 604-469-3357 or visit kokos.ca.
COQUITLAM CARNIVAL
The carnival is in town this weekend at Coquitlam Centre mall (2929 Barnet Hwy, Coquitlam, southwest parking lot). From noon until 10 p.m. today and Saturday, and noon until 8 p.m. Sunday (weather permitting), kids of all ages can enjoy the West Coast Amusements Carnival Midway. Admission to the fair is free but the rides and games are not. A six-ride ticket bundle is $13 including tax and is available at Coquitlam Centre's guest services department. For more information, call 604-464-1414 or visit westcoastamusements.ca.
KINDER READING
Help your pre-schooler get ready for kindergarten by building pre-reading skills and learning the alphabet with fun tips and activities at Port Moody Library (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody). This free drop-in event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to children ages three to six years with a parent or caregiver. For more information, call the library at 604-469-4577 or email askthelibrary@cityofportmoody.com.
Saturday, April 2
FAIR WELL
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the city of Port Moody is hosting a free Community Wellness Fair at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd., Port Moody). Bring the whole family for an afternoon of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, professional consultations and more. Presenters will offer fitness tips, healthy meal ideas, nutrition facts, environmentally friendly cleaning ideas, all-natural beauty products and even pet-health advice. More than 45 trade show exhibitors will be on hand to answer all of your traditional and alternative health questions. There will also be a kids zone with free entertainment. For more information, call 604-469-4556.
HARPING ON THE SEASONS
Place des Arts is hosting another in its series of faculty concerts given by PdA's expert instructors in its Leonore Peyton Salon (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). On Saturday, Harp for All Seasons features music old and new from around the world inspired by the four seasons, including a special Japanese ode to the season of the cherry blossom. Rebecca Blair is the featured harpist and she will be accompanied by other faculty members and guests. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.50 for adults, $11 for students and seniors and are available by phone at 604-664-1636 or in person at Place des Arts.
Sunday, April 3
FAMILY DAY
Family Day is here again at Place des Arts, with admission by donation to artist events in the gallery (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). Tour the current exhibitions by artists Joy Kirkwood and Rose Eysmond and drop in on artist talks and all-ages arts and crafts workshops with the artists. Learn to make 3D art on 2D surfaces with Kirkwood and stained-glass artwork with crayon and wax paper. Spaces fill up fast, so reserve your spot by calling 604-664-1636. For more information, visit placedesarts.ca.
RAH, RAH... RAW!
A certified sports nutritionist and raw food chef will extol the benefits of a vegan, raw food diet for improving athletic endurance and reducing recovery time at a Vancouver Raw Food School event in Coquitlam. The pros and cons of carbohydrates, fats and proteins will be discussed alongside tips on effective training, including what to eat before, during and after a workout to achieve optimum performance. Also, learn to make quick and easy raw energy bars, smoothies and delicious dinners. The workshop runs from 2 to 5 p.m. at a cost of $59 plus tax. For more information, including location, call 604-942-4407 or visit vancouverrawfoodschool.com.
INTRO TAROT 101
Join psychic Sharron Basanti for the first of a six-session tarot reading course at the Oasis Wellness Centre (upstairs at 1111 Austin Ave., Coquitlam). Bring your own Rider Tarot deck, available at Reflections Books (downstairs from Wellness Centre) and learn to do your own tarot reading and those of others. Cost for each Sunday session is $25 and there will be no class Easter Sunday. For more information, call 604-813-3564.
TENNIS INVITATIONAL
Coquitlam Tennis Club invites everyone out for free food, refreshments and casual tennis fun from 1 to 4 p.m. at its open house event at the courts (1240 Pipeline Rd., Coquitlam). Previous and prospective club members can find out more about this year's programs for adult, senior and junior members. For more information, email Ray Lebrun at publicity@coquitlamtennisclub.org.
EVERGREEN CIRCUS
Ontario's Motus O Dance Theatre presents Circus Terrifico, a comedic musical romp for all ages, at 2 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). When three circus performers miss their train, they use every trick in the book - and in their suitcases - to put on an impromptu show to raise money for new tickets. Inevitably, it works and the performers convince the train conductor to be their new ringmaster and together they arrive at the theatre just in time to present their magnificent "Circus Terrifico" - hilarious mini interpretations of their favourite ballets, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Tickets for the show are $18 or $14 for children and are available online at evergreenculturalcentre.ca or at the Evergreen box office. For more information, call 604-927-6555.
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