Port Moody seems like a staid suburb now but, back in the old days, there were more quirky characters and strange going's on than you'd find on your typical TV reality show today.
There was John Murray Jr., the city's game warden who dined on pheasant before arresting the guy who shot it not to mention the hapless butcher who was shut in his meat locker by a thief.
Those stories will be brought to life during the Venosta Variety Hour, a show recreating the early days of radio.
"Back in the 1930s and '40s, they would have a live performance of things and it would be broadcast live on the radio," explained Jim Millar, Port Moody's station museum curator who helped to arrange the event.
Millar said the name Venosta in the show's marquee title is in reference to the 1921 sleeper car the museum has on site.
The variety show takes place this Sunday, Sept. 29 at Inlet Theatre in Port Moody and will feature Rebel Haunt Theatre performing skits of memorable occurrences from the old days in PoMo, said producer Sarah Dixon.
There will be "news" broadcasts of world events that would have occurred at the time, as well as performances from members of the community (such as Coun. Rick Glumac as John Murray Jr.) and the Dogwood Drama Club.
"It's in the style of the old-fashioned variety show, such as Bob Hope, and we're going to try to get the audience to singalong," Dixon said.
Funded through a grant from Heritage Canada, entry to the 4 p.m. show on Sunday, Sept. 29 is by donation.
The following week, Port Moody hosts Ioco Ghost Town Days at Ioco Road and 1st Avenue, from noon to 4 p.m.
