Friday, Feb. 17
OL’ MAN RIVER
Catch actor Tayo Aluko at Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) tonight and Saturday in Call Mr. Robeson, a one-man show written by Aluko about the famed American singer, actor and athlete Paul Robeson who was persecuted for his radical politics and civil rights campaigning after the Second World War. Tickets are $33/$28/$15. Call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
OPEN MIC
Hear young musicians perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at Leigh Square Community Arts Village (beside Port Coquitlam city hall) as part of the Youth Music Project, which is supported by the Friends of Leigh Square Society. Or head over to Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., Port Moody) for its open mic night; doors open at 6:30 p.m. with performances starting at 7 p.m. Call 604-937-0998 or visit gallerybistroportmoody.com.
BLAME EVE!
Festival du Bois, the annual French-Canadian fete in Maillardville, opens an art show at 7 p.m. at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The painting and mixed media exhibit by Coquitlam resident Zeid Founouni is titled Blame Eve!: Migrations of the Female Soul, and runs until March 17 in the Atrium Gallery. Call 604-664-1636 or visit placedesarts.ca.
DIXIELAND JAZZ
Get your dance shoes on for the Creole Jazz Band’s tribute to the first jazz recording ever made. Its Mardi Gras concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the King of Life Lutheran Church (1198 Falcon Dr., Coquitlam) and proceeds will be donated to a Syrian refugee family supported by the church. Tickets at $11 are available at the door on show night or via creolejazzband.yapsody.com.
Saturday, Feb. 18
TRAIL RACE
Start the weekend with a 5- or 10-km trail race through Coquitlam’s Minnekhada regional park (4455 Oliver Rd.) from 9 a.m. to noon. Organized by MEC North Vancouver, the event is open to men and women. Parking is at Terry Fox secondary with a free shuttle bus for runners, starting at 7 a.m. Visit http://events.mec.ca to register. Email [email protected].
HERITAGE WALK
Learn about Maillardville’s past at a guided walking tour through the French-Canadian enclave in Coquitlam. The event, hosted by Coquitlam Heritage, starts at 1 p.m. at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave.). Registration is required and the tour is by donation. Tea and scones will be available afterward for $5. Call 604-51606151, visit coquitlamheritage.ca or email [email protected].
VOTE FOR $
Port Moody residents can vote on how their tax dollars are spent during a community grant application presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. at Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.). Audience members can cast one ballot in three funding categories during the participatory budgeting process. Visit portmoody.ca.
FANTASY FOLK
Continue the Valentine’s week with a 6:30 p.m. show at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) called Tales of Love: A Journey Through Time. The Celtic-Medieval music group Caelestra features the sounds of faculty member and soprano Lambroula Pappas, with Michelle Carlisle on flute, Britta Curkovic on harp and Sasha Levin on percussion. Call 604-664-1636 or visit brownpapertickets.com for tickets.
SALSA NIGHT
Get down and boogie to Latin sounds in the rehearsal hall at Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) as the Hot Salsa Dance Zone hosts its weekly dance from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Entry is $10 at the door and includes a salsa, bachata and merengue lesson with Alberto Gonzalez and Teresa Szefler. Call 604-725-4654 or 604-808-2311, or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
GIVE HER WINGS
The Tri-City News is a sponsor of the 7th annual Soroptimist Give Her Wings Gala, happening from 6:15 to 10 p.m. at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club (3251 Plateau Blvd., Coquitlam). Visit soroptimisttricities.org for tickets.
Sunday, Feb. 19
FRESH FOOD
Support Metro Vancouver growers and artisans at the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Moody rec complex (300 Ioco Rd.). Go to makebakegrow.com.
HERITAGE FUN
Hop on a 1982 BC Transit bus to tour the Queens Street Plaza, the Port Moody Station Museum, St. Johns Street and Douglas Street in Port Moody, when plenty of free activities will be happening in the plaza during BC Heritage Week from noon to 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Port Moody secondary students, the Golden Spike Can-Can Dancers, Squares Barbershop Quartet and the Satsuki-kai Japanese Dancers, along with an artist specializing in Chinese calligraphy. Visit portmoody.ca.
GYPSY MUSIC
Head over to the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam) at 2 p.m. to hear Blue Moon Marquee as part of the city’s 18th annual Sunday Coffee Concerts series. The performance by the duo — aka A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette (vocals, bass, and drums) — is not to be missed. Tickets at $13/$11/$7 (no charge for kids under 12) can be purchased by calling 604-927-7529 or visiting experienceit.ca.
