Spirit Week comes to the heart of the
Tri-Cities this week, bringing with it
a flurry of arts and recreation events
across the region.
Friday, Feb. 11
CROSSROADS CALLING
Born in Hawaii, raised in Coquitlam,
Christina Alconcel plays her original folkrock
songs tonight as part of the Unplugged
benefit series for the Crossroads Hospice
Society at The Gathering Place (1100-2253
Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam). Alconcel
taught herself guitar just two years ago but
has already released a 12-song debut album,
Deal With It. Doors for the show open at 7
p.m. with an open mic from 7:30 to 8:45 before
Alconcel takes the stage at 9 p.m. Tickets are
$5 at the door and, as always, proceeds go to
the Crossroads Hospice Society.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY HOUR
Celebrate the New Year of the Rabbit with
a party from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Glen Pine
Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Court, Coquitlam).
The evening's entertainment will include
Chinese, Bhangra and Korean dances with
full costumes, karaoke and performances
from the Glen Pine Leisure Group. Happy
hour starts at 5:30, appetizers and refreshments
are served between 7 and 8 p.m. and
the entertainment begins at 7:30. Tickets
are $18 for 50-plus members and $23 for nonmembers.
For more information or to register,
contact Glen Pine at 604-927-6940.
Saturday, Feb. 12
BLACKBERRY ROOTS
ROOTS, an arts event celebrating the
International Year of the Forest, is a free invitation
to come and create a community forest
with Blackberry Artists' Society trading
cards at the Leigh Square Community Arts
Village (2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam).
From 2 to 4 p.m., this interactive exhibit
explores our personal and creative roots in
the natural world as both a source of life and
inspiration. For more information on the
Blackberry Artists' Society visit blackberrygiftshop.
ca.
CELEBRATE THE RABBIT
Chinese New Year celebrations continue
Saturday at Coquitlam's International
Education centre (1100 Winslow Ave.,
Coquitlam). This free event is open to the
whole community and will feature traditional
Chinese games and activities like ink
painting, calligraphy, paper-cutting, Chinese
chess, and performances of traditional
music, dance and martial arts. The party
kicks off at noon and goes to 4 p.m. For more
information call 604-716-5118.
WATCH THE WINTER GAMES
Watch the 2011 Canada Winter Games
live from Halifax at the Port Coquitlam
Recreation Complex (2150 Wilson Ave., Port
Coquitlam). Don your red gear and come
celebrate Canada's hockey birthday while
watching our athletes compete in the national
Games. For specific event times, call
the recreation centre at 604-927-7970.
A MUSICAL MELANGE
This year's annual Maillardville Jazz &
Blues Night will feature the Ethan Olliver
Quartet at 8 p.m. in the Leonore Peyton
Salon at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave.,
Coquitlam). The evening will also feature
a mouth-watering chocolate fondue in honour
of Valentine's Day. Tickets are $10 in
advance of $12 at the door. For more information,
visit maillardville.com or call 604-
515-7070.
HEART STRINGS
The third concert in the Chamber Music
Series features an evening of romantic
classical music and written words from
the Quiring Chamber Players and special
guests at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural
Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam).
Highlights from the program include works
by Gyorgy Ligeti, Arvo Part, Luciano Berio
and Maurice Ravel. Poems and words of love
and wisdom will be woven throughout the
performances, highlighting themes in the
evening's programme. Seats range from $20
to $38 and include a sparkling post-concert
reception in the lobby. Tickets are available
from the Evergreen box office, online at
evergreenculturalcentre.ca or by calling 604-
927-6555.
Sunday, Feb. 13
SPIRIT WEEK WOMEN'S CHOIR
Terry Fox Theatre is hosting a Sunday
Coffee Concert featuring the Felice Women's
Choir with director Hyun Jung Kim. The
show begins at 1:30 p.m. and will showcase
a varied repertoire of Valentines Day and
Spirit Week themed pieces. Guests on violin,
piano and cello will accompany the singers.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students,
children under 12 free, and are available at
12:30 p.m. at the Terry Fox box office.
HYDE CREEK HATCHERY
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn how salmon
are hatched and raised before being released
into the wild at the Hyde Creek Hatchery
and Education
Centre's Open House (3636 Coast Meridian
Rd., Port Coquitlam). This free event is
part of PoCo's Spirit Week celebration of
the community's involvement in the 2010
Olympics.
POOCH SMOOCHES
Make this Valentine's Day memorable
with a timeless photo with the one you love
most - your dog! Port Moody's Three Dog
Bakery (11-201 Morrissey Rd.) is offering
to take free "one-of-a-kind" photos of you
and your pup, but you must bring your own
camera. The event runs from noon to 2 p.m.
For more details call the store at 604-469-
DOGS(3647).
FREE SPIRIT SKATE
The Valentines/Spirit Skate is the premiere
Spirit Week event. From 12:45 to 4
p.m., all are welcome to free skate rentals
and admission to the Port Coquitlam
Recreation Complex (2150 Wilson Ave.).
Donations of Canadian Tire Money will be
accepted to benefit the Jumpstart program
for youth in sports. Don your red gear, stuff
the palms of your Vancouver 2010 mittens
with Canadian Tire cash and get down to the
recreation complex for some free fun and
treats.
Please send Things-To-Do guide submissions
to [email protected].
