Buckle up because it's a whirlwind weekend packed with spooky fun, dancing, haunted house hunting, salmon spotting and much more.
TODAY: Friday, Oct. 17
TAKE A DIP
Grab your trunks, cap and goggles - Coquitlam's City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way) hosts a free swim, courtesy of Westminster Savings, from 7 to 9 p.m.
MYSTERY AND MORE
The Port Moody Public Library (100 Newport Dr.) is the scene of murder and missing jewels this weekend, kicking off with a murder mystery tonight at 7 p.m. Amateur detectives can sleuth out who poisoned John Doe on the Port Moody Express train, with prizes awarded to those who solve the case. Participants (teens and adults) can register at 604-469-4577. On Saturday check out a scavenger hunt with a jewel heist mystery that the whole family can help solve. Pick up your package at PMPL; participants have 24 hours to find the loot. Get full details at www.library.portmoody.ca.
CLASS ACT
Douglas College goes back in time, all the way back to the 1920s, for the annual A Class Act student fundraiser. Students from the school's Hospitality Management and Marketing program will be serving up Prohibition-era cocktails like the Mary Pickford and Bourbon Cobbler, as well as wine, beer, appetizers and chocolate, while guests enjoy live jazz and a chance to bid on live and silent auction prizes. Tickets are $75 each, available at www.douglascollege.ca/foundation or 604-777-6176.
HAUNTED HOUSES
It's a spooky site at 443 Draycott St. in Coquitlam, where Vickie Ayers has decorated her house with family-friendly ghouls and goblins (Oct. 17 to 31, 6:30 to 9 p.m. nightly). And at 1838 Haversley Ave. (also Coquitlam), David Ciarniello has set up a super scare scene better suited to older teens and adults (Oct. 17 to 31, 7 to 10 p.m. nightly). Both are raising funds for Variety - The Children's Charity.
Saturday, Oct. 18
MOVIE MORNING
Cineplex celebrates its fourth annual National Community Day, inviting families to enjoy a morning a free movies and $2 snacks and drinks. The Coquitlam theatre (170 Schoolhouse St.) opens at 8:30 a.m. with the first movies starting at 9 a.m. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Kids will get a mini Rafiki friend chain bracelet, and proceeds raised benefit Free the Children. Visit www.cineplex.com/communityday for movie show times.
FREE SKATE
Westminster Savings hosts a free skate (with free skate and helmet rentals) at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Wristbands will be given out starting at 1:30 p.m. up to a maximum of 200 participants.
WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
Billed as a night of inspiration from the likes of Pia Shandel, CTV News anchor Tamara Taggart and columnist/astrologer Georgia Nichols, the Tri-City Women's Heart and Soul Conference promises exhibitors, wine and cheese, speakers and, most importantly, fun. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., PoMo). Tickets are $35, available at www.tricitywomensconference.com.
DISCO FEVER
Time to don the white bellbottoms, gold lamé and feather up your hair, because at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) the glitter ball will be spinning. Transforming itself into New York's Studio 54 circa 1977 from 6 to 10 p.m., Place des Arts will be grooving to raise funds for access to arts education for low-income families, offer more performance opportunities for youth and more. Tickets are $60/$90 (VIP champagne reception, exclusive entertainment and more), available at www.placedesarts.ca or 604-664-1636.
SALSA MOVES
Limber up, folks, and get to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for the Salsa & Latin Dance Night hosted by Hot Salsa Dance Zone (running tonight and every Saturday until Dec. 4). Running from 7:30 p.m. to midnight there will be a free lesson and plenty of cha-cha-cha-ing. Visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com/events for more information.
Sunday, Oct. 19
ART 4 LIFE
The Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.) hosts an opening reception for its Art 4 Life exhibit, featuring various artists in its Canadian Pacific & 3D Gallery, as well as its Monster in Me show by Joyelle Brandt in the Suncor Gallery. The reception runs form 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.pomoarts.ca for more info.
WELCOME HOME, SALMON
Welcome the salmon home with the Hoy/Scott Creek Watershed Society at Hoy Creek Park (2979 Princess Cres., Coquitlam) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family event at the hatchery features live entertainment and loads of fishy activities for kids to enjoy and, of course, a chance to see salmon spawning in action. Visit www.coquitlam.ca for more information.
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