This weekend brings with it a mixed weather bag, along with music from rootsy blues to Dr. Seuss to, well, frogs. Enjoy it all, and more, between the great garage sale shopping that's also on the roster.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22
FROG SONG
Learn about frogs and other amphibians, and sing along with the croaking frog chorus, at Minnekhada Regional Park in this Metro Vancouver event from 7 to 9 p.m. Suitable for kids aged five and up. Cost is $4.25/child/youth/senior, $8/adult. Registration required at www.metrovancouveronline.org or 604-432-6359 using barcode 6480.
ROOTS FEST
The Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) kicks off its Spring Roots Fest, a series of Friday shows honouring great blues, western and roots music, with Murfitt & Main tonight. This duo will have you swinging to lively bluegrass, country and western swing (visit www.murfittandmain.com for clips) from 7:30 p.m. (tickets $12) Come at 6:30 p.m. for set menu dinner (tickets $12). Call 604-937-0998 to book tickets; visit www.gallerybistroportmoody.com for more info.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
SHOPPERS ALERT
Ready, set, go! It's the annual city-wide garage sale in Port Moody and there are more than 75 homes participating. Check out the city's website at www.portmoody.ca to see a map of all the listings, and plan your bargain-hunting route accordingly. Sellers can let others know about their interesting treasures up for grabs by posting pics with the #pomogaragesale tag, and buyers can use it to brag about their best finds. Sales start at 9 a.m. Looking for more shopping? Hit the Vanier Centre Encompass (1600 King Albert Ave., Coquitlam) garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where there will also be a barbecue and students to watch kids on the playground. Port Coquitlam is also hosting its city-wide garage sale, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/garagesale for a listing of participating homes.
FOOD FOR ALL
Need groceries this weekend? Drop by the Thrifty Foods at Austin Station in Coquitlam; it's the store's final weekend before closing Monday (soon to be replaced with a Save-On-Foods) and they're marking the occasion by hosting one last food drive for the Share food bank. There will also be a hot dog/hamburger barbecue. Food and/or funds can be donated today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RELEASE THE FISH
Springtime means it's time to send the salmon on their way. Join the Hyde Creek Watershed Society from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the annual release of thousands of salmon fry (18-month-old coho, to be exact) into the creek — the first leg of a long journey for the wee sprites. Drop in at the education centre, check out the exhibits and try some crafts, and be sure to grab a barbecued hot dog as well. The education centre and hatchery are at 3636 Coast Meridian Rd., PoCo; park at the recreation centre at 1379 Laurier Ave. and walk along the PoCo trail. Visit www.hydecreek.org for full details.
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL
Students of Broadway Bound Performing Arts Studio hit the Inlet Theatre stage (100 Newport Dr., PoMo), bringing to life beloved Dr. Seuss characters from The Cat in the Hat to Lazy Mayzie and more. Shows are at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $22/$18 at 604-464-2800 or www.broadwayboundstudio.ca.
HISTORY PANEL
Are you a history buff, or a budding author who could benefit from a chat with a published writer? The Port Moody Public Library hosts a history author panel from 2 to 4 p.m. today in which a group of local writers will discuss their fiction and non-fiction titles, share research and publishing tips and answer questions in a relaxed setting. Panelists include Ralph Drew, David Burnell, Stephen Carter, Larry Jacobsen and W. Ruth Kozak, who will discuss time periods ranging from Alexander the Great to the confederate south and, more locally, the intriguing past of Indian Arm and B.C.'s interior. Registration is requested for the free event at 604-469-4577.
SUNDAY, APRIL 24
DAFFODIL DASH
Go for a walk, a run or a mini dash at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, and raise money for cancer research at the same time. The Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Dash offers a 1km walk, 5km run and 100m mini dash for kids; the event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.cancer.ca/daffodildash/portmoody for more information.
SOUP UP SOME GOODNESS
Get chopping and chatting in a kitchen party of a different sort at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Soup Sisters & Broth Brothers host the soup-making event to cook up some hearty and delicious soups for Joy's Place women's shelter. Participants enjoy an evening of camaraderie and a sit-down supper of soup, salad, bread and wine. Register in advance at www.soupsisters.org/tricities.php or email [email protected].
