Hello, long weekend, nice to see you again. There’s rain in store so skip the camping plans and stick around town, where there’s plenty of laughter, Latin moves and live music in store — not to mention that extra, blissful day off.
Friday, May 20
FREEBIE FITNESS
Kick off the long weekend with a Westminster Savings free swim at the City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 7 to 9 p.m. Follow that with a free skate at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.) from 2 to 3:15 p.m. (maximum 200 participants, wristbands distributed from 1:30 p.m.).
A BEAUTY
Gleneagle secondary pulls out all the stops for their production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at 7 p.m. The theatre class, a 70-strong group of Grade 11 and 12 students, have been working hard under professional actor, director and teacher Amy Clausen. Tickets are $14/$8 (kids under five are free) from students or at the school’s front office (1195 Lansdowne Dr., Coquitlam).
LAUGHTER YOGA
Namaste your way to a good laugh at the Inspiration Garden in Town Centre Park (Guildford Way/Pinetree Way) when it hosts the free Laughter Yoga Challenge from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Leave the Lulus at home; wear something silly and get ready to laugh ‘til it hurts.
KEEP LAUGHING
If you didn’t get enough guffaws at Laughter Yoga, be sure to hit up The Comic Strippers at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Think Magic Mike, but with a healthy dose of self-deprecating hilarity by some of Canada’s best improv comedians in a two-night stand tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35/$30/$15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
Saturday, May 21
GET WATERWISE
Did some of your plants shrivel up in last summer’s drought? Keep things green and healthy this time around with an info session on how to reduce water use at the Inspiration Garden (Town Centre Park) from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants will learn about drought-tolerant plants, proper watering techniques for your lawn and garden, mulching and more. Cost is $5; register at coquitlam.ca/signmeup or 604-927-4386 and quote barcode 558120.
LATIN DANCE
Get grooving at the salsa and Latin dance night at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Tonight’s event features DJ Aventura spinning spicy tunes and a bachata lesson to get the party started at 8 p.m. The dancing doesn’t stop there though, with the dance floor smoking until 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $10; visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com for more info.
Sunday, May 22
FARMERS MARKET
Check out the Coquitlam Farmers Market, now in full swing at the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot (624 Poirier St.). There’s a wide range of vendors at this weekly event, including delightful spring fruits and veggies, meats and seafood, crafters and artisans, beer and wine, prepared foods and more. Best to go hungry and nosh on food truck fare while you stock up on grocery goodies, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit www.makebakegrow.com.
