With all this warm-weather sunshine it's tempting to just kick back in the back yard, but this line-up of family fun activities offers plenty of reasons to explore the Tri-Cities this weekend.
TODAY: Friday, July 13
NIGHT MARKET
Okay, it's more like an early evening market. Stock up for a weekend of great eats by popping in to the Spirit Square farmers market (3000 Burlington Dr.) in Coquitlam, just behind city hall, from 3 to 7 p.m. Visit www.makebakegrow.com for more details.
FOREIGN FLICK
The Port Moody Film Society presents the 2009 Academy Award-winning film Departures at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.). The Japanese movie centres on an unemployed cellist who returns home to look for work - and face his past. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.pmfilm.ca.
STARRY NIGHT
Start the weekend with an outdoor movie date fit for the whole family, when the big screen gets set up in Port Coquitlam's Sun Valley Park (Lincoln Avenue at Hamilton Street) to play Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Bring a blanket, some snacks and settle in for a movie treat, starting at 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 14
MOSTLY MUSIC
PoCo's Leigh Square (2253 Leigh Sq., beside city hall) gets grooving this afternoon for Village Vibe, when country/blues performer Doug Rolling hits the bandshell stage at 2 p.m., followed by the local jazz sibling ensemble Sister Says. Bring a picnic and some friends, and you're set for a fine summer afternoon.
CLAY FOR YOU
The pottery series at The Outlet at Leigh Square (#1100-2253 Leigh Sq.) in downtown PoCo closes this weekend, so don't miss your last chance to see exceptional Korean-style pottery and stoneware, made here in the Tri-Cities. Pieces range from rustic buncheong (stoneware) to intricate celadon ware.
Sunday, July 15
GARDEN TOUR
Get ideas on how to spruce up your yard with the first annual Art in the Garden Tour. The event will give visitors a chance to peek into some of the Tri-Cities' loveliest gardens on this self-guided tour, and enjoy original art and live music as well. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Port Moody Arts Centre, Art Knapp in Port Coquitlam, Backyard Bird Centre in PoMo's Newport Village and PoMo's Thrifty Foods (Suter Brook). Visit www.pomoarts.ca. for details.
FIRE UP THE BARBIE
There will be salmon, burgers and Coquitlam firefighters grilling them at the Coquitlam Farmers Market today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dogwood Pavilion (624 Poirier St.) parking lot. The seventh annual event raises funds for the fire fighters' charitable society and for market activities. Port Hardy Seafood is supplying the sockeye salmon, and the always popular Gesundheit Bakery provides the German-style rolls. Fun for the kids includes a fishing pond and fire brigade, crafts and face painting, as well as entertainment from The Land of Deborah. Be sure to pick up some Mission and Okanagan cherries, too. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; visit www.makebakegrow.com for details.
WALK IN THE PARK
Beat the summer heat with a walk through Riverview Hospital's cool, leafy grounds. Folks from the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society host a guided tree walk starting at 1 p.m. from the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young Building. For a site map, visit www.rhcs.org or call 604-290-9910 for details.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Lions Park will be rocking to the sounds of Hilary Grist this afternoon, from 2 to 4 p.m. Grist is the most recent winner of Vancouver's prestigious Peak Performance Project, with a sound described as "torch folk" and "indie art-pop." All ages are welcome to the free show in Port Coquitlam. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for details.
SUMMER SUNDAY SHOW
Ready for a bit of R&B, funk, disco and pop? The So Tight Band will get Rocky Point Park visitors dancing in the sun at the PCT Summer Sunday concert in the park, starting at 2 p.m. The show is free and open to everyone, and be sure to bring your appetite as well to sample all the goodies from the new food carts. Visit www.summersundays.ca for details.
Please send Things-To-Do guide submissions to [email protected].
