Soak up whatever sunshine you can, and remember to turn out the lights Saturday night.
Friday, March 18
REFUGEE FUNDRAISERS
Enjoy a burger and a beer — and support a great cause — at a fundraising event with guest speakers at the Burke Beer House to support Syrian refugees coming to the Tri-City area. Tickets are $27.11, available at the door or www.eventbrite.com. Looking for more ways to help? The Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) presents Leo Bae Plays Jazz Piano to benefit a refugee family sponsored by the Beacon Unitarian Church. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $12 each at 604-937-0998.
LOCAL BLUES
Join Maple Ridge crooner Caden Knudson as he performs old-time American blues and folk songs, as well as eastern Canadian classics, at the Crossroads Hospice Coffeehouse at the Gathering Place at Leigh Square (2253 Leigh Square, PoCo) from 7 to 10 p.m.
SWIM IN
Take the plunge at the City Centre Aquatic Complex at the Westminster Savings free swim, from 7 to 9 p.m. Prefer to skate? There are two freebie sessions tomorrow at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 19
EARLY EASTER BUNNY
Get the family into the Easter spirit with games, crafts, face painting, scavenger hunt and more at the Glen Pine Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Court, Coquitlam) from 10 a.m. to noon (rain or shine). Adult participation is required and the cost is $10 per child.
EARTH HOUR
Join communities around the world in powering down for Earth Hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics and turn up your family’s energy conservation awareness — and be inspired to continue the shift all year long. Visit www.changeclimatechange.org for more info.
Sunday, March 20
TREE TOUR
Spring is in the air and the flowers are slowly emerging, so there’s no better time to take in the sweeping views of the magnificent trees at Riverview Hospital. From swelling leaf buds to carpets of crocuses, celebrate the steady awakening of nature at the start of the 24th tree tour season. The guided tree walk is hosted by the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society from 1 to 3 p.m., starting from the Henry Esson Young building. Visit www.rhcs.org or call 604-290-9910 for more information.
COFFEE CONCERT CALZADA
Close out the Sunday Coffee Concert Series in style when the outstanding Rumba Calzada hits the Terry Fox Theatre stage. This crowd favourite has shelves full of awards, and with good reason; their energetic mix of Latin, salsa and Afro-Cuban rhythms never fails to get audiences grooving. The show runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12/$10/$6 (kids 12 and under are free), available at 604-927-7529 or www.experienceit.ca.
ART FUSION
The Polonez Tri-City Polish Association welcomes everyone to an opening reception for its third annual Art Fusion exhibition at the PoMo Inlet Theatre at 5 p.m. The exhibit features work by 23 artists of Polish heritage, as well as a competition under the theme “When I think of Canada.” Young artist Basia Wabik, a graduate of the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, gives a talk on the creative process beginning at 4:15 p.m. The exhibit runs to March 23.
SOUP’S ON
Join the Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers as they make batches of soup for Joy’s Place women’s shelter, at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., PoMo) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Advance registration is required at www.soupsisters.org/tricities.php or [email protected].
