This weekend marks the halfway point in this thing called summer, so seize the moment and soak up all the Tri-Cities has to offer.
TODAY: Friday, July 27
TEEN SPIRIT
The first annual Port Moody Youth Arts Festival is underway, offering a diverse line-up of live music, films and performing and visual arts at city hall (100 Newport Dr.). Performances start at 6:45 p.m. tonight, and at 6:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday nights. For full details visit www.portmoody.ca for a link to festival's Facebook page.
MOVIE NIGHT
Here's what you need: a cosy blanket, some good people, maybe a few snacks. Gather it all up and head to Port Coquitlam's Gates Park (Reeve Street and Wilson Avenue) for some Cinema Under the Stars, featuring the Oscar-nominated (best visual effects) Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman. Sponsors G&F Financial will be on hand giving out prizes and popcorn. Movie starts at 9 p.m. sharp.
Saturday, July 28
CRUNCH TIME
He's been training for months, and now Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart is inviting everyone out to join him as he climbs the Coquitlam Crunch. So grab your hiking shoes and a bottle of water, and meet at the parking lot on Runnel Drive (between Falcon and Lansdowne Drive) at 8 a.m.
TO SPAIN, WITH LOVE
Take an imaginary vacation, transported by the sounds of Ivan Dimitrov playing a fiery mix of Brazilian, Argentinean, Cuban and Spanish guitar music, at the Leigh Square bandshell at 2 p.m. Stick around for Sheldon Witt, a singer/songwriter with a rich acoustic sound, playing until 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 29
LE CAR WASH
Pile your empty bottles into the back of your dirty car and take them both to the parking lot at Centennial secondary (Winslow Avenue near Poirier Street) and support Grade 8 students in the Maillard middle school French immersion program, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TO MARKET
Pop across the street from the car wash to the Coquitlam Farmers Market, where you can load up on the best of summer produce, gooey cheese, bread, fish, meat, flowers and much more. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Dogwood Pavilion (624 Poirier St.). Visit www.makebakegrow.com for more information.
MUSIC TO DANCE BY
Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) will be swinging this afternoon, when Apollo Votary hits the stage as part of Port Coquitlam's Music in the Park series. The six-piece band formed a few years ago, and just last summer released their debut CD, Jones Rising. Apollo Votary mixes all sorts of styles, with everything from Cuban funk to classical to blues and jazz thrown in, so be sure to wear your dancing shoes. Music in the Park runs from 2 to 4 p.m.
NOTHING BUT THE BLUES
In what promises to be a highlight of the 2012 Summer Sundays series at Rocky Point Park, the Netherlands' own Mr. Boogie Woogie (Eric-Jan Overbeek) will be wrapping up his North American tour with a Port Moody stop. Overbeek was voted the best European blues pianist, and will be backed up by local favourites the James Rogers Band in the show from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit www.summersundays.ca.
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