Athree-day, coast-to-coast push of the arts and culture across Canada takes place this weekend, with dozens of free activities happening around the Tri-Cities.
Sponsored in part by Black Press, the parent company of The Tri-City News, the annual event in 700 communities across the country aims to get residents up and close with artists, historians, architects, curators and designers as they ply their craft.
"Culture Days is an opportunity to showcase the enormous talent and creativity that exists across our province. From street art to high art, pop culture to traditional culture, Culture Days is an opportunity for people to engage and interact with art and artists in a different way," said Rob Gloor, executive director of the Alliance for Arts and Culture and chairperson of the BC Culture Days task force.
In the Tri-Cities, TransLink has made it easy for participants on Saturday with free "culture shuttle" buses- between noon and 5 p.m. - connecting five arts hubs: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Place des Arts, Port Moody Arts Centre, Inlet Theatre and Leigh Square Community Arts Village. Here's a guide to what's going on around town on each day:
FRIDAY
Club Bel Age in Maillardville is opening the doors of its francophone centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
Librarians at Port Coquitlam's Terry Fox Library will read stories from around the world and sing songs from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Make a candle at Coquitlam's Mackin House Museum from 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and tour the historic building.
The Port Moody Station Museum hosts a scavenger hunt from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
At Glen Pine 50+ Pavilion in Coquitlam, see the member crafters, quilters, artists and hobbyists at work and enjoy the tunes.
The City Centre Branch of the Coquitlam Public Library has a film fest this weekend, starting with a screening of Captain America: The Winter Soldier at 5:30 p.m.
And at Leigh Square Community Arts Village in PoCo from 7 to 10 p.m., at least nine of the most successful acts to come to the Crossroads Hospice Coffeehouse in its 15-year history will entertain.
SATURDAY
Be part of a "rebellious read-a-thon" of banned books at the Port Moody Public Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out the bicycle-powered musical stage for the Burrard Inlet Fish Fest at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody. The event runs, which from noon to 6 p.m., includes performances by Ta'Kaiya Blaney, Joyelle Brandt, We Are Lazuli, Wil D. Salmon, Adam Bailie of LaBidos and Commaa Arellano Lopez.
"Robot" artist Lynne Taylor Fahnestalk will talk about her artwork at the Port Moody Arts Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Young Actors Project will host a one-minute movie at Port Moody's Inlet Theatre, with auditions beginning at noon. Filming starts at 1 p.m., editing at 2 p.m. and the big-screen presentation at 5 p.m.
In the meantime, take a tour of the backstage of the Inlet Theatre from noon to 5 p.m.
Animated short films, including several by Pixar, will be shown at the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Staff at Coquitlam's Mackin House will help you churn cream into butter - just like in the old days - from noon to 4 p.m.
At Leigh Square Community Arts Village in Port Coquitlam, from noon to 4 p.m., will be PoCo writer Nikki Hillman, a graduate of the Southbank Writing Program and The Writer's Studio. PoCo artist Colin Craig will lead participants through his new retrospective exhibit, titled A Silent Voice, while magician Alex Seaman, also from Port Coquitlam, will show his tricks. As well, bring an instrument and enjoy a musical improv jam led by Off the Grid.
PoCo Heritage will also have a display of the 100th anniversary of WWI.
And, wherever you are at 6 p.m., take a moment and snap a photo of the Tri-Cities. Email it to [email protected], with the subject title "6pm." The snapshots will be shared on pomoarts.ca.
SUNDAY
Meet Port Coquitlam visual artist Diane Moran at the Rivers and Trails Festival, which runs at Lions Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Peace Park from noon to 4 p.m.
The Australian music comedy-drama The Sapphires will be screened at the City Centre of the Coquitlam Public Library at 12:30 p.m., followed by Red Cliff, a Chinese epic war film, at 2:15 p.m.
Joanne Plourde will present French songs from "Voyageurs Canadiens" at Centre francophone de Maillardville from 1 to 3 p.m.
Art gallery tours and activities will take place during the September Family Day at Place des Arts from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Make miniature boats crafted from recycled corks with Jeff Wilson, who is exhibiting his collection By Land, Air and Sea, or join printmaker and PdA faculty member Saskia Jetten, who has work in the ArtFeats display. Admission is free; however, reservations are recommended by calling 604-664-1636.
A pre-show of the Venosta Variety Hour happens from 3 to 3:45 p.m at Port Moody city hall, with a show in the Inlet Theatre at 4 p.m.
