It's a creepy crawly weekend full of spooktacular fun and Halloween happenings, with some great arts and entertainment thrown in for good measure.
FRIDAY, OCT. 26
HAUNTED HOWLAWE'EN
Poirier Community Centre (630 Poirier St.) hosts a spooktacular family event aimed at preschoolers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They'll get to do creepy arts and crafts and enjoy a ghoulicious hot dog dinner. All family members attending must register at www.coquitlam.ca or by calling 604-927-4FUN. Cost is $6/adult and $5/child.
VAMPROV
The Second Storey Theatre troupe is getting in on the Halloween fun with Vamprov, a vampires versus humans improv show, on Friday and Saturday night. The kid-friendly Halloween show will lead the audience through stories, songs and games, and attendees are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest with prizes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the performance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12/$10 (or get two-for-one entry if you also bring a friend in costume), available at www.secondstoreytheatre.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 27
VARIETY TEEN
Coquitlam's 16-year-old Claudia Eberle was born with a weak immune system and has struggled all her life with health setbacks. Now she wants to help the many other kids whose courage and positive outlook inspired Eberle at the hospital by hosting a garage sale for Variety - The Children's Charity at her home (1458 Avondale St., Coquitlam) today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.variety.bc.ca for more info about the charity.
GREEN TEAM
Join the Lower Mainland Green Team at Mundy Park today, from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., as the group pulls out invasive plants and replaces them with native species. Everyone is welcome to dress for Halloween for this rain or shine event. Meet at th ecorner of Haversley Avenue and Hickey Street.
LOW KNOLL
Get a big gulp of fresh air during a Metro Vancouver hike through Minnekhada Regional Park, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can revel in the rainforest and explore quiet marshes in this moderate hike. Register at 604-432-6359; fee is $3.25/$5.50.
ROCK ON
Curious about exotic rocks, ancient fossils, unique gems and sparkling crystals? Then head to ROCKtoberfest, the Port Moody Rock & Gem Club's annual show, happening today at tomorrow at the Kyle Centre (125 Kyle St., PoMo) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items are on display and for sale, with loads of activities and demonstrations like the rocksmash. Visit www.portmoodyrockclub.com for more details.
HAUNTED YOUTH SWIM
Swim through the eerily silent waters of the City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way), but look out for what lurks in the darkness below at the Haunted Youth Swim taking place tonight from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $2 with a valid student ID card.
SUNDAY, OCT. 28
BIKE TO WORK
Spend a bit of time polishing your bicycle, pumping up the tires and greasing the chain so that tomorrow, when the Peak FM's Autumn Bike to Work Week kicks off, you'll be ready to pedal your way to the office. For more information and tips on how to inspire your workmates to do the same - and for a chance to win a free bike - visit www.thepeak.fm.
HALLOWEEN HOWL
Port Moody hosts a Halloween Howl Skate at the recreation centre (300 Ioco Rd.) complete with prizes, hot chocolate and games, from 1 to 4:15 p.m. Call the skate shop at 604-469-4555 for more info.
CREEPY COQUITLAM
It's an afternoon of Halloween family fun at the City Centre Aquatic Complex (1210 Pinetree Way), where there will be games, contests and spooky surprises from 1 to 5 p.m. (regular drop-in admission fee) and, at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.) the haunting continues from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Spookapalooza Swim & Skate, where there will be contests, face painting and a spooky swim. Admission is $2.95/person (free skate rental with food bank donation).
SLIGHTLY SPOOKY
Music teacher and children's entertainer Mr. I (Yurgen Ilaender) leads the Halloween fun for kids aged two and up at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave.) from 2 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $7, available at 604-664-1636 or at www.placedesarts.ca.
ARTIST SHOW
See the artistic side of your teachers at the Artists. Teaching. Artists. show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way). The biannual non-juried display, which opens Saturday, includes works from about 38 active and retired SD43 teachers, staff and administrators, including a principal, a special needs instructor and a student teacher. Everyone is welcome at the opening reception today from 4 to 6 p.m.
PIANO ART
Stick around at Evergreen for David Scheel: Art of the Pianist-Composer at 7:30 p.m. The Australian native and award-winning pianist is well known for mixing up Bach and Mozart with quirky stories, opera, pop and even on-the-spot requests from the crowd. Tickets are $30/$25/$15 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
