THURSDAY, MAY 4
MAY THE FOURTH
Dress up in your favourite Star Wars costume and witness the Battle of the Artists, a fundraiser for the PoCo Arts Council. Hosted at the Cat and Fiddle Pub (1979 Brown Ave., Port Coquitlam), the competition starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought in advance or $5 at the door; space is limited to 300 people.
MORE: pocoarts.ca / pocoarts@gmail.com
STORYTELLER
Author Grant Lawrence stops in at Port Moody’s Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.) during a tour to promote his latest publication, Return to Solitude. He’ll talk about outlandish coastal characters from the past and present as Jay Malinowski (Bedouin Soundclash), Said the Whale and Susie Ungerleider (of Oh Susanna! fame) perform. The show runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $37.20.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
GOD OF CARNAGE
Stage 43’s final show of the season, God of Carnage, runs at 7:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), as well as May 4 to 6. Penned by Yasmina Reza, the play is a 2009 Tony Award winner about an altercation between two 11-year-old boys and their parents.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
FRIDAY, MAY 5
MAY DAYS 100
The tradition of May Days dates back 100 years in Port Coquitlam and, tonight at 7:30 p.m., the centennial festival officially kicks off with the May Days opening ceremony at the Jon Baillie Arena in the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.). Emceed by Kevin Lim, the gathering will include maypole dancing by local children and seniors, dance performances and the presentation of the 2023 May Day Royal Party.
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
ART SHOW
Join the Art Focus Artists Association for its spring show in The Outlet (east of Port Coquitlam City Hall) in Leigh Square. The opening reception is tonight while the exhibit runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 6 and 7.
PINT SEARCH
The Rotary Club of Port Moody returns with its fundraiser, the Search for the Perfect Pint, at Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr.). The tasting at 6 p.m. will have more than 20 craft breweries, snacks and live entertainment. Guests must be at least 19 years old.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
LEGION TUNES
Dance the night away with the band the Diggers at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 to 11 p.m. It also performs Saturday; membership is waived on that night.
MORE: rclegion263.ca
LIVE MUSIC
Los Duendes with DJ Euno perform at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SATURDAY, MAY 6
REPAIR IT
Don’t throw your broken appliances and electronics in the trash. Take them to the volunteers at the Repair Cafe where, for a donation, they will attempt to fix them. Organized by the City of Port Coquitlam and the Centennial Rotary Club, the event takes place in the Public Works Yard (1737 Broadway St., Port Coquitlam) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca
WRITERS FEST
Be surrounded by books and words the May Days Readers and Writers Festival, an event hosted by the Tri-City Wordsmiths from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.). Also marking its 10th year, the group will have a celebration that features panel discussions and writing workshops with authors Iona Whishaw, JJ Lee and Gisela Woldenga; slam poet Izzy Herbert; and local writers Farida Some, Colleen VanNiekirk and Bill Arnott. The festival is held with support from the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation. Meanwhile, stop by the Mabbett Hall in PCCC for a book fair and market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And, from 12 to 1 p.m., or 2 to 3 p.m., you can enter the Magic Writing Tent in the Michael Wright Art Gallery, in Leigh Square; pre-registration is required.
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
FISH FEST
The annual Fingerling Festival returns to the Port Moody Recreation Complex (100 Newport Dr.) and the Noons Creek Hatchery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by the Port Moody Ecological Society, the fest will see 40,000 young chum released into the creek. Environmental groups will have displays and the popular children’s entertainers Bobs and Lolo will be back with new songs.
MORE: noonscreek.org
YOUR MOVE
Sharpen your chess skills with new players at the Chess Club, held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Nancy Bennett Room at the Poirier branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (575 Poirier St., Coquitlam). All ages and skill levels are welcome; however, it’s recommended you have a basic knowledge of the game.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
JAZZ, GROOVE
Port Moody musicians Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper wrap up their inaugural Inlet Theatre Music Series season with a performance from the Vince Mai Quintet. The trumpet player has appeared on hundreds of recordings for TV, film, commercials and albums including with Tom Jones, Natalie Cole and The Temptations. Mai has also released six CDs. He’ll be at Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr.) at 7:30 p.m. with Miles Black on piano, Laurence Mollerup on bass, Daryl Jahnke on guitar and Bernie Arai on drums. Tickets are $33.57.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
SALSA NIGHT
Learn how to move to Latin beats with the Hot Salsa Dance Zone, which starts its beginners lesson at 8 p.m. and heats up the dance floor at 9 p.m. Tonight’s party is at the Port Coquitlam legion (2675 Shaughnessy St.). Admission is $15.
MORE: hotsalsadancezone.com
LIVE MUSIC
Playlist performs cover tunes sat the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SUNDAY, MAY 7
FARM FRESH
The Coquitlam Farmers Market is now open in the parking lot of Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up some fresh farm fare, talk to the vendors and enjoy the music and children’s crafts. The POP (Power of Produce) Kids Program will also be running.
MORE: makebakegrow.com
HIKE FOR HOSPICE
Help raise money for the Tri-Cities-based Crossroads Hospice Society by taking a hike. Its annual fundraiser is from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave., Port Coquitlam).
MORE: crossroadshospice.org
VOLUNTEER JOB FAIR
If you’ve got spare time on your hands, head over to the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way) for the spring Volunteer Job Fair. The event by Volunteer Connections and the library runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and many community organizations will be on hand to talk about volunteering opportunities in the Tri-Cities.
MORE: volunteerconnections.ca
LAX ACTION
See the PoCo Saints Juniors face the Victoria Shamrocks in a match at 3:30 p.m. in the Jon Ballie Arena in the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.).
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
TUESDAY, MAY 9
HA HA
Comedians Wes Borg, Morgan Cranny, Rod Peter, Jr., and Mike Delamont mount a hilarious romp through The War of 1812. The show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) runs until May 13 in the studio theatre. Tickets are $45/$38/$16.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
LUNG CANCER
Learn about the importance of lung cancer screening in an online session by the Canadian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative at 6:30 p.m. Maya and Mika Sharma are studying biomedical sciences at the University of Guelph and are members of the Initiative.
REGISTER: coqlibrary.ca
SNAP SNAP
Meet amateur and professional photographers with the Pacific Digital Photography Club, at its 7:30 p.m. meeting at Port Moody Secondary (300 Albert St., Port Moody).
MORE: pdpc.ca
THURSDAY, MAY 11
POMOART
Three new exhibits open at PoMoArts (2425 St. Johns St., Port Moody): 360/5 by BOLDERartists; Base Bid by Natalie Robinson; and The Relationship Without Images by Rosamunde Bordo. The reception is from 6 to 8 p.m.; the artists will be in attendance and refreshments will be served.
MORE: pomoarts.ca
FRIDAY, MAY 12
IMAGININGS
Art students at Terry Fox Secondary open Imaginings V: A Collection of Port Coquitlam Student Artwork in the Michael Wright Art Gallery in Leigh Square. The reception with the students from Terry Fox and Riverside secondaries is from 6 to 8 p.m.
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
FILM NIGHT
The Port Moody Film Society rolls the Norwegian flick The Worst Person in the World in the Inlet Theatre at Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr.) at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 plus $5 for an annual society membership.
MORE: pmfilm.ca
LEGION TUNES
Dance the night away with the band the Whiskey Bent at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 to 11 p.m. It also performs Saturday; membership is waived on that night.
MORE: rclegion263.ca
LIVE MUSIC
The Pop Junkies and DJ Fady Main perform at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SATURDAY, MAY 13
BYE WEEDS
Help to control invasive plants like Japanese knotweed at a work party with the Friends of the Deboville Slough and the City of Coquitlam. The pull is from 9 a.m. to noon; dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking on the side of the dikes. Meet at the kiosk on the northern side of the Deboville Slough trailhead (4100 Cedar Dr., Coquitlam).
MORE: 778-230-1509
KIDS’ RACE
The PoCo Grand Prix isn’t happening in downtown Port Coquitlam this summer; however, the kids’ race is. The contest for kids ages three to 12 starts at 10 a.m. and is divided according to age group and distance. Participants need to have their own bike and helmet.
REGISTER: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
BIRDING WALK
Take the family for a walk with the Coquitlam Public Library, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and see the birds at Colony Farm Regional Park in South Coquitlam. Park interpretation specialists from Metro Vancouver will lead the birding watch, which is suitable for ages six and older.
REGISTER: coquitlam.libnet.info/event/8015372
PARADE DAY
The family of Port Coquitlam hero Terry Fox will marshal the 100th annual Rotary May Day Parade through downtown Port Coquitlam. The procession starts at 11 a.m. and will be emceed by Kevin Lim. Afterward, walk over to the Terry Fox Hometown Square (south of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre) for Party in the Square, running from noon to 10 p.m. Country music sensation JoJo Mason headlines the show at 8 p.m.
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays
FOR MOM
Do something different with mom before Mother’s Day on Sunday: Learn the art of tying knots and create a macramé piece at PoMoArts (2425 St. Johns St., Port Moody). Instructor Kathleen Green will lead the fibre arts class at 2 p.m. The cost is $59.91.
MORE: pomoarts.ca
GOLDEN PEARL
Relax to the sounds of traditional Chinese fold and chamber music at a recital at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The 7 p.m. concert with the Goldenpearl Ensemble — Zhimin Yu, Zhongxi Wu and Song Yun — will feature the Chinese guitar, windpipes and violin. Tickets are $21/$16.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
LES ECHOS
Les Echos du Pacifique, Greater Vancouver’s francophone choir since 1973 that’s based in Maillardville, marks 50 years with a concert at the St. Laurence Anglican Church (825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam). The show includes madrigals and Acadian folk songs.
MORE: brownpapertickets.com
SALSA NIGHT
Learn how to move to Latin beats with the Hot Salsa Dance Zone, which starts its beginners lesson at 8 p.m. and heats up the dance floor at 9 p.m. Tonight’s party is at the Port Coquitlam legion (2675 Shaughnessy St.). Admission is $15.
MORE: hotsalsadancezone.com
LIVE MUSIC
Heatseeker and DJ Euro perform at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SUNDAY, MAY 14
FARM FRESH
The Coquitlam Farmers Market is now open in the parking lot of Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up some fresh farm fare, talk to the vendors and enjoy the music and children’s crafts. The POP (Power of Produce) Kids Program will also be running.
MORE: makebakegrow.com
DOGWOOD DRAMA
A Murder Is Announced, a stage play based on the novel by Agatha Christie, will be told by the Dogwood Drama Club today, as well as May 15 and 16, at Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). Directed by Joanne Stables, the show starts at 1:30 p.m. Tickets at $10 are at the door or the pavilion gift shop.
MORE: 604-927-6098
NEW ORLEANS
Catch Creole banjoist/vocalist Don Vappie, described as “a living embodiment of 300 years of New Orleans music.” Vappie is the banjoist/guitarist in the Winton Marsalis jazz band at the Lincoln Centre in New York City. He’ll be accompanied by clarinetist David Horniblow, guitarist Dave Kelbie and bass player Tom Wheatley. Tickets are $35/$32/$16. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam).
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
ART OPENING
Be part of the opening reception for Transmissions, a new art exhibit in the Art Gallery at Evergreen (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), from 6 to 8 p.m. The textiles display by Jonathan Alfaro, Katherine Boyer, Roxanne Charles, Emily Hermant, Damla Tamer and Valérie d. Walker is up until July 23.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
THURSDAY, MAY 18
CULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
Have your say about the arts and culture scene in Port Coquitlam at its monthly roundtable discussion. The talk is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Michael Wright Art Gallery (200-2253 Leigh Sq., Port Coquitlam).
RSVP: arts@portcoquitlam.ca
FRIDAY, MAY 19
LEGION TUNES
Dance the night away with the band the Rhythm Street at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 to 11 p.m. It also performs Saturday; membership is waive on that night.
MORE: rclegion263.ca
LIVE MUSIC
March Hare performs tonight and tomorrow night at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SATURDAY, MAY 20
AVIAN RESEARCH
The Vancouver Avian Research Centre hosts its first open house of the season at the research and banding centre at Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam. Admission is $15; registration is required.
MORE: birdvancouver.com
COLOUR FEST
Celebrate the South Asian festivals of Holi and Vaisakhi at Colour Fest, a gathering at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Hosted by Diwali Fest, the festivities are from 5 to 8 p.m. and include musical and dance performances, a colour zone, art stations and food trucks. Tickets are up to $22.63.
MORE: eventbrite.ca
SUNDAY, MAY 21
FARM FRESH
The Coquitlam Farmers Market is now open in the parking lot of Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up some fresh farm fare, talk to the vendors and enjoy the music and children’s crafts. The POP (Power of Produce) Kids Program will also be running.
MORE: makebakegrow.com
MONDAY, MAY 22
ALOHA
Sail away with Cynthia Lin, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., and Ukulenny — better known as U3 — at their ukulele concert at 2 p.m. in the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). The trio will perform jazz and bossa nova hits, as well as classic Hawaiian tunes. A separate workshop will be held at 3:30 p.m. for ukulele musicians. The events are hosted by the Cutie Circle.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
FREE ART DEMO
Learn how to create art by watching a professional artist in action. The free demonstration is courtesy of the Art Focus Artists Association and runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in The Outlet (east of Port Coquitlam City Hall).
MORE: artfocusartistsassociation.com
SNAP SNAP
Meet amateur and professional photographers with the Pacific Digital Photography Club, at its 7:30 p.m. meeting at Port Moody Secondary (300 Albert St., Port Moody).
MORE: pdpc.ca
FRIDAY, MAY 26
LITTLE MERMAID
Swim under the sea with Moving Mirror Productions, which opens its version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr., tonight at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr.). The show runs at 6:30 p.m., and May 27 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
MORE: movingmirrorproductions.com
POSITIVE SPACE
Join artist Cyd Eva and DJ Costa Besta for the next pARTy@PdA at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The abstract painting exploration through positive and negative spaces — while listening to South African house music — is aimed at encouraging self-expression, the duality of self, intuition and creation. Guests will leave with the canvas they’ve painted. The event at 7 p.m. is open to 19+. Tickets are $26 per person, or $42 for two people.
MORE: placedesarts.ca
LEGION TUNES
Dance the night away with the band Front Page at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 to 11 p.m. It also performs Saturday; membership is waive on that night.
MORE: rclegion263.ca
CROSSROADS COFFEE
It’s another double bill for the Crossroads Coffeehouse Concerts: Robert Ate and Likewise headline the indie–folk–roots show in the Mabbett Room at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.). The concert — a fundraiser for the Crossroads Hospice Society — starts at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: facebook.com/crossroadshospicecoffeehouse
LIVE MUSIC
Playlist and DJ Fady Main perform at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SATURDAY, MAY 27
COMMUNITY MARKET
More than 100 vendors will be at Terry Fox Secondary (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Low Entropy’s Tri-Cities Community Market. Shop for baked goods, food, drinks, clothing, soaps, candles, makeup, handmade wares, photos and art.
MORE: facebook.com/lowentropy1
BIG MACHINES
The City of Port Coquitlam opens its Public Works Yard to the community to show off its trucks, tractors and other heavy machinery used for engineering jobs. The show and shine is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the yard (1737 Broadway St.).
MORE: portcoquitlam.ca
BAT-A-THON
Cheer on the Coquitlam Little League as it hosts its first annual Bat-A-Thon fundraiser at Mackin Yard (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). Prizes will be awarded to the top teams and players.
MORE: batathon.coquitlamlittleleague.ca
BOARD GAMES
Challenge your friends and family — or new players — to a board game at the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way) from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is open to ages eight and older.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
CALLING ENGINEERS
Meet Alexander Sirotin, a principal software engineer at a Fintech start-up, in his series Talking with a Principal Engineer, at the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way) at 2 p.m. Sirotin wants to meet software engineers, engineering students or anyone interested in pursing a career in software engineering.
MORE: coqlibrary.ca
CHORAL CONNECTIONS
Through the Decades is the title of Choral Connections’ spring show, happening at 7 p.m. at Heritage Woods Secondary School (1300 David Ave., Port Moody). Directed by Ingrid Gay with Vincent Lo at the piano, the concert includes musical choral and vocal performances followed by dancing to the music of Double Image. Door prizes, a raffle and 50–50 draw will be held. Complimentary appetizers will be served and a non-alcoholic cash bar will be open. Tickets are $35/$20 (12 and under).
MORE: choralconnections.ca
MAGIC SHOW
Chris Funk brings his Redefining Wonder multimedia show to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 7:30 p.m. He’s appeared on America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion. Tickets are $35/$32/$16; the curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.
MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca
SALSA NIGHT
Learn how to move to Latin beats with the Hot Salsa Dance Zone, which starts its beginners lesson at 8 p.m. and heats up the dance floor at 9 p.m. Tonight’s party is at Site B Brewing (3012 Murray St., Port Moody). Admission is $15.
MORE: hotsalsadancezone.com
LIVE MUSIC
The Exchange and DJ Euno perform at the Asylum Sound Stage at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) at 9:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge; however, guests must be 19+.
MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com
SUNDAY, MAY 28
FARM FRESH
The Coquitlam Farmers Market is now open in the parking lot of Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up some fresh farm fare, talk to the vendors and enjoy the music and children’s crafts. The POP (Power of Produce) Kids Program will also be running.
MORE: makebakegrow.com
POLISH FEST
Enjoy the dancing, music and food at the annual B.C. Polish Festival, hosted by the Polonez Tri-City Polish Association of B.C. The festivities run all day at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam).
MORE: poloneztri-city.org
