With summer heating up, so is the social calendar. There's plenty happening to keep the whole family entertained; all you have to do is get out and explore all the Tri-Cities has to offer.
Friday, Aug. 10
MAD SCIENCE
Kids will be wowed by some seriously cool chemistry at the Fire and Ice show at the Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam (2470 Mary Hill Rd.). Mad Science delves into everything from air pressure to dry ice in this hour of family fun, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the free event are available by calling 604-927-7996.
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS
Kick off the weekend with an Oscar-nominated movie, enjoyed under the starry sky in Port Coquitlam's Gates Park (Reeve Street at Wilson Avenue). Starring Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain and Viola Davis, The Help examines racial discrimination in the 1960s as Stone, playing an aspiring journalist, writes about the treatment of African-American household staff. Movie starts at 8:30 p.m.; in case of bad weather, check www.facebook.com/leighsquare.
Saturday, Aug. 11
ALS WALK
Do your part to support the ALS Society of BC at the second annual Tri-Cities Walk for ALS. The fun community event kicks off at 10 a.m. at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam's Town Centre Park, and the walk starts at 11 a.m. There will be live music, raffle prizes, a barbecue and plenty of kids' entertainment. Proceeds fund research and provide support for those living ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), a fatal neuromuscular disease. Visit www.walkforals.ca.
FISH FEST
Check out the amazing ecosystem at work in the Burrard Inlet Fish Fest, taking place at Rocky Point Park (2800 Murray St., Port Moody) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mixing arts, music and even a ceremonial canoe journey across the inlet, the Fish Fest offers fun throughout the day. Kids can also check out the HipHop Fish Zone, live painting and more. Visit www.fishfest.ca for more information.
VILLAGE VIBE
Head to the Leigh Square bandshell this afternoon to hear original music by two great performers. Jessica Davidson is just 15, but she's already been performing pop and blues music for four years; she's followed by Sharmaine & Luvena Kwong, a sister act that's been entertaining crowds for more than 15 years with their pop, country and rock music. Drop by between 2 and 4 p.m. for the free shows.
EAST AND WEST
A favourite Port Moody Film Society summer tradition is back this weekend - the annual indoor/outdoor double feature. This year's films are the uproarious comedies East is East, followed by West is West. Follow the Kahn family patriarch, a Pakistani immigrant in 1970s England, as he tries (and often fails) to get his children to live by strict Muslim codes in East is East (at 7:30 p.m. inside the Inlet Theatre, 200 Newport Dr.). Five years later the sequel has Mr. Kahn sending one of his "problem" children back to the old country to "set him straight" in West is West at 9:15 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheatre (bring a cushion or lawn chair). Visit www.pmfilm.ca.
SUPPORT KIDSPORT
If you have old sporting equipment that could be donated, bring it to Thrifty Foods in Coquitlam, where a giant shopping cart will be parked outside the store, starting today. Thrifty's is collecting second-hand gear for the annual KidSport sale coming up on Aug. 18; the organization raises money to subsidize sports registration fees for low-income families. Donations can also be dropped off at Tri-City recreation centres, Thriftopolis and at Centennial and Gleneagle secondary schools. Visit www.kidsporttricities.ca for details.
Sunday, Aug. 12
TREE WALK
Join the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society as they offer a free guided tree tour on the Riverview Hospital grounds' north end. The group leaves 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.
SUMMER SUNDAYS
Get your groove on at Rocky Point Park when the Vancouver funk party band Groove 'n' Tonic plays from 2 to 4 p.m. Their blend of high-octane R&B, funk and pop will have the park hopping, so be ready to bust out your best dance moves. At Port Coquitlam's Lions Park, the blues/rock/soul group No Sinner will be keeping crowds entertained from 2 to 4 p.m.
Please send Things-To-Do guide submissions to [email protected].
