The trees are aflame with fall foliage so it’s a perfect weekend for a walk in the park and a peek at some pretty cool rocks and gems and spawning salmon and, to cap it off, some live jazz or an evening of fine wine sipping.
Friday, Oct. 23
JAZZ SHOW
Singer-songwriter and Port Moody native Deanna Wong brings a jazz/pop/soul combo to the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) stage in a concert with guitarist Guenter Schulz, percussionist Carlos Vallejo and opening act Francis Henson. Wong will perform classics like Dream a Little Dream to modern-day hits from Norah Jones, Fleetwood Mac, Adele and more. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. (set menu, $12) and the show at 7:30 p.m. ($12). Call 604-366-5159 or visit www.gallerybistroportmoody.com for info.
ALCHEMY NIGHT
Get a jump on Halloween at the Burke Beer House (2099 Lougheed Hwy., PoCo), where Alchemy Theatre, an innovative non-profit theatre group, will be getting the crowd into a spooky spirit from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be raffle prizes, a 50/50 draw, costume contest and more. Tickets are $20 and include a burger, fries and a drink, available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2259642. Contact [email protected] for more info.
Saturday, Oct. 24
WHAT A GEM
They sparkle, they shine, they even glow in the dark in this year’s Port Moody Rock & Gem Show, on at the Kyle Centre (125 Kyle St.) today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be all sorts of displays under the theme of Supernatural Stones, the Natural But Unusual Properties of Stones, including a new fluorescent display. Entry is by donation to the family-friendly event. Visit www.portmoodyrockclub.com for more information.
ART 4 LIFE
The Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.) throws open its doors for an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the current exhibit on display, join in a workshop, chat with the instructors and peek inside the studios. Visit www.pomoarts.ca.
POCO HERITAGE
Join the Burke Mountain Naturalists for a birdhouse-building workshop at the PoCo Heritage Museum & Archives (2249 McAllister Ave.). All you need are $5 and a hammer to enjoy a couple hours of crafting a chickadee-sized birdhouse. Space is limited for the workshop, which is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and up. Register at 604-927-8403 or [email protected].
HALLOWEEN HOWL
The Hyde Creek recreation centre (1379 Laurier Ave., PoCo) hosts a spook-tacular event for the whole family, including a spooky swim from 1 to 3 p.m., carnival games from 3 to 5 p.m. and a haunted house from 3 to 6 p.m. Be sure to wear your coolest costume; admission is $3 (carnival only), $1 (haunted house), $2 (spooky swim) or $5 for an all-access pass.
HARVEST FEST
Celebrate the autumnal bounty at Coquitlam’s Harvest Festival at the Inspiration Garden (corner of Guildford Way and Pipeline Road). There will be free gardening seminars, apple tastings, family activities and a chance to ask a gardener your own questions, from 2 to 5 p.m. Visit www.coquitlam.ca/garden for full schedule.
ROCK ON
Teens looking to check out some live music by their peers can take in the Youth Band Showcase at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., PoMo) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. (ages 13 and up). Just $5 at the door gets you in to see acts by Clavinova Nights, The Soothers, The Bird & The Lion, Smart Allek and more.
UNCORKED
Heritage Woods Secondary (1300 David Ave.) becomes a bacchanalian wonderland for the annual BC Uncorked Food & Wine Festival from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy samplings from 45 B.C. wineries and 11 restaurants and caterers — Cedar Creek Estate, Township 7, Kettle Valley Winery, The Boathouse, Orrange and more among them — hosted by wine expert John Gerum. The event is a great way to sip and savour for a good cause as funds raised benefit the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Tickets are $55 at bcuncorked.ca.
Sunday, Oct. 25
THEY’RE BACK
The salmon, that is. The city of Coquitlam and the Hoy/Scott Creek Watershed Society are welcoming the salmon home with kids’ activities, information presentations, spawning salmon viewing, music, children’s costume parade and storytelling, food concessions, prize fishing and much more. It all takes place at the Hoy Creek hatchery (Hoy Creek Park, behind City Centre Aquatic Complex at Pinetree/Guildford, park at city hall, Pinetree Community Centre or Douglas College) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SPOOKY SKATES
The Port Moody Arena (300 Ioco Rd.) gets ghoulish from 1 to 4:15 p.m. for a Halloween Skate with games, trick-or-treating, costumes, hot chocolate and more for the whole family (CSA helmets with face cage required for kids 12 and under, strollers are welcome for babies aged one and up, with a helmet). Entry is $3.50 per person. PoCo also hosts a Halloween skate at the recreation complex (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 1:15 to 3:45 p.m. — wear your costume and enjoy an afternoon of skating, games and crafts.
