With the city of Coquitlam’s 125th celebrations now in full swing, the arts and culture beat takes centre stage in 2016.
And there’ll be plenty to whet your appetite all year, with groups now on the go for the year-long parties.
Below, our top picks for shows in the first half of 2016:
JANUARY
• Charlene Scott directs a fun cast in Stage 43’s second comedy of the season, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The play runs at the Evergreen Cultural Centre from Jan. 14 to 16 and Jan. 20 to 23. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
• The exquisite JJ Lee will talk fashion — and push his memoir The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son and a Suit — at Place des Arts on Jan. 22 during the centre’s Salon Speaker Series. Visit placedesarts.ca.
• The extraordinary talent of Grade 12 art students from School District 43 will be on display as part of the annual Emerging Talent 19 exhibit that opens Jan. 24 in the art gallery at Evergreen. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
FEBRUARY
• Tempt your sweetie to try a new style of dance at Place des Arts on Valentine’s Day. Join salsa teacher Lauren Taylor for the social on Feb. 14 and snack on Cuban-inspired tapas. Visit brownpapertickets.com.
• Travel back in time with Coquitlam archivist Emily Lonie on Feb. 17 at city hall as she talks about the city’s 13 decades during BC Heritage Week. Her lecture is part of the Coquitlam 125th anniversary. Visit coquitlam125.ca.
• Canadian folk icons Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard return to the Evergreen Cultural Centre for a night of lovely music on Feb. 21. The two “old-timers” are pushing Contenders 3: Off the Floor. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
• The magical Ivan Sayers is back in the Tri-Cities to showcase his historical fashion collection and raise money for the Port Moody Heritage Society. His event is on Feb. 28 at Inlet Theatre in Port Moody. Call 604-939-1648.
• Children and teens who imagined what Coquitlam would look like in 125 years will see their artwork at the Coquitlam Public Library City Centre branch this month as part of the city’s 125th anniversary. The date for the grand opening has yet to be announced.
MARCH
• The award-winning actor Nicola Cavendish graces the Evergreen Cultural Centre from March 1 to 5 when the Arts Club on Tour arrives with 4000 Miles. Cavendish has already won rave reviews for her performance as Vera, a 91-year-old New Yorker who gets an unexpected visitor. Go to evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
• Catch classical pianist Sarah Hagen dazzle with jazz piano player Soren Bebe in her Musical Mornings series at Evergreen Cultural Centre on March 9. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
• Kick up your heels and fill your bellies at the 27th annual Festival du Bois at Mackin Park in Coquitlam. The French-Canadian fete is produced by the Société francophone de Maillardville from March 4 to 6 and includes great music from Le Bruit court dans la ville — featuring Quebecois legends Lisa Ornstein, Normand Miron, and André Marchand — as well as sounds from ReVeillons, MAZ, Sonerion, Danny Boudreau, Yoro Noukoussi, Gabriel Dubreuil, Raine Hamilton and Annette Campagne. Don’t forget the authentic cuisine including poutine and tourtiere. Visit festivaldubois.ca.
APRIL
• Renowned speakers will be the Evergreen Cultural Centre on April 16 to take part in the Coquitlam Heritage Society’s symposium, with the aim to help local cultural groups and residents tell the area’s stories. Visit coquitlamheritage.ca.
• It’s been a decade since Port Moody artist Kwi Am Choi died while hiking on Grouse Mountain and, on April 28, the Port Moody Arts Centre will open a retrospective of his work and of the work of two emerging students who won scholarships in his name last month. Visit pomoarts.ca.
MAY
• Treat your mom to a special tea on Mother’s Day on May 8 aboard a 1921 train car and tour the Port Moody Station Museum afterward. The fundraiser is hosted by the Port Moody Heritage Society. Visit portmoodymuseum.org.
• Don’t miss Roman Danylo and his wildly popular Comic Strippers act, for their Two-Night Stand at the Evergreen Cultural Centre on May 20 and 21. Get tickets early as these improv shows sell out fast. Visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
• Food photographers — and co-founders of Acorn Magazine — Joann Pai (@sliceofpai) and Tina Albrecht (@bittadesign) show us the secrets to snapping great pictures of meals, be it composition, lighting and styling, at Place des Arts on May 27. Their talk is part of the Salon Speakers Series. Visit placedesarts.ca.
JUNE
• Theatrix, the youth theatre group headed up by Deb Solberg, marks its 25th year with an original touring production of The Little Princess in the spring and Schoolhouse Rock in the summer. Visit theatrixyoutheatre.com.
• Support young dancers and musical theatre stars of tomorrow at the Caulfield School of Dance’s 27th annual year-end show at the Terry Fox Theatre. Tickets for the four performances from June 10 to 12 are available starting May 17. Visit caulfield.bc.ca.
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@jwarrenTC
