Live it up for the long weekend with some cool art exhibits, live music and scrumptious farmer's market food.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
SCI FI
Whet your sci fi appetite at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St.) in Port Moody, which is featuring a group show of futuristic artwork by Port Coquitlam's Apis Teicher. Also displaying their works are Nancie Green, Melissa Duncan, Kevin Chase, Rebecca Tsang, Natorra Ferguson, Carolyn Bruce and Lynne Fahnestalk, all showing their pieces ahead of VCON, Vancouver's science fiction, fantasy and games convention in October. Visit www.gallerybistroportmoody.com for more info.
LIVING COLOUR
Tonight is your only chance to catch Rebecca Karpus' first dance show, In Colour, at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) and, given her pedigree - she recently graduated from Capilano University's performing arts program and is on her way to a master's degree at SFU, while also teaching ballet at The danceLAB in Coquitlam - you won't want to miss it. In Colour tells the story of three dancers and their red, yellow and blue "personalities." Karpus' choreography explores the relationship between the colours - romantic/fiery red, sedate blue and cheerful yellow - while offering up stirring images. Tickets are $15, available at www.eventbrite.ca.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
FALL WALKERS
Join the Mundy Mudthudders as they lace up their sneakers for a fall season of walking the trails at Coquitlam's Mundy Park. Participants get to improve their fitness with fellow nature enthusiasts in a safe, friendly group. The Mudthudders meet at the park's western edge (near Como Lake Village, at the trailhead at the foot of Regan Avenue) weekly at 10:30 a.m. Email [email protected] for more information.
MARINE ART
Hate to say it, but with the long weekend weather forecast looking a bit soggy there isn't a better time to pop in to the Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Square, PoCo) to check out the expansive Retrospective of Diane Roy. On display are marine sculptures produced by Roy from 1980 to 2000, inspired by her love of mystical nature and her passion for environmental issues. Roy's pieces use thread, yarn, synthetic and recycled material, a mix of materials that lends itself to the intricately detailed works.
MUSIC IN THE SQUARE
Follow up your visit to Diane Roy's art exhibit with a free outdoor concert. From 2 to 4 p.m. country pop singer Payton Riley belts out playful tunes on par with Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, while emerging artist Gavin Kade uses his acoustic-folk-pop blend to tell stories through song and spoken word.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
MORE MARKET
Pick up late summer produce and plenty more at the weekly Coquitlam Farmers Market (in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot at 624 Poirier St.). This week, in addition to juicy tomatoes, peaches and more, there will be loads of delicious goodies to eat from a selection of food trucks including This Little Piggy, Wild Roots Juice Bistro and Rocky Point Ice Cream. Mandair Farms will be offering up pakoras while Handworks Coffee Studio and Kics Lemonade will quench your thirst. Be sure to enjoy the live entertainment from The Land of Deborah, a folk singer known for her feel-good tunes, and drop by the demo tent to see Christine Crosby showing how to pack healthy lunches for school (hopefully) and work come September. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; visit www.makebakegrow.com for more info.
MORE MUSIC
Bring your farmer's market goodies to Lions Park for the final installment of PoCo's Music in the Park series (if it's raining, the concert will be moved to Leigh Square). Today's performance, from 2 to 4 p.m., comes from the Gabriel Palatchi Band, with their fusion of Latin jazz, tango, klezmer, Cuban and funk music - so get ready to dance. The band's musicians hail from locations throughout North and South America and Europe and have received widespread acclaim, making them a great way to close out the summer.
MONDAY, SEPT. 1
SO LONG, SUMMER
This is usually the day when families soak up the very last day of summer fun before heading back to school. There's no telling whether kids will be donning backpacks come Tuesday morning, but no matter. Bust out the bikes, pull out the picnic gear and celebrate summer's end in style - outside with family, friends and plenty of good cheer.
