If you’re celebrating the holidays this weekend, be sure to catch a ride with volunteers from Operation Red Nose Tri-Cities, who will be on-call from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The service is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, with all proceeds benefitting KidSport Tri-Cities. Phone 778-866-NOSE.
Friday, Dec. 7
THE FOX ROCKS
The radio station C-FOX 99.3 FM broadcasts from Coquitlam Centre mall (2929 Barnet Hwy., near Walmart) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of its 31st annual Santa Fox Food Drive for the Share food bank and Foodbanks BC. Last year’s campaign brought in $30,000 and 12,000 pounds of food. Visit cfox.com.
SOCIAL SENIORS
Louise Southwood plays at the Concerts in Care in The Club, a gathering place for people over 50 located at 101 Noons Creek Dr., Port Moody at 3 p.m.; a social follows. Call 604-492-2595.
MEET THE SOL-GEN
Port Coquitlam’s NDP MLA Mike Farnworth — B.C.’s minister of public safety, solicitor general and government house leader — welcomes constituents to his community office (107A-2748 Lougheed Hwy., PoCo) from 4 to 6 p.m. for an open house. Donations accepted to the Share food bank. Call 604-927-2088.
MP, MLA OPEN HOUSE
Fellow NDPer’s Fin Donnelly (MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam) and Selina Robinson (MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville) host a joint open house to mark the holiday season, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam). Non-perishable food items for the Share food bank will be accepted. RSVP at 604-933-2001.
pARTy@PdA!
Learn the basic techniques of wet felting from artist Catherine Dumaine, who is on faculty at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) during the venue’s next pARTy@PdA for adults. Participants will also receive a 10% discount on purchases at the Christmas Boutique. The event starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $26 per person, or $42 per couple. A cash bar will be open and appies will be served. Register via placedesarts.ca or call 604-664-1636.
HOCKEY NIGHT
Sport your Coquitlam Express jersey to root on the home team as it faces the Trail Smoke Eaters in the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St.) at 7 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.
LIGHTS AT LAFARGE
The city of Coquitlam’s Park Spark team hosts a carolling night at the TD Community Plaza in Coquitlam Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way) with students from Douglas College leading the sing-along from 6 to 8 p.m. Be sure to bundle up before circling the largest free outdoor light display in Metro Vancouver. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
Saturday, Dec. 8
SKATE SHOW
The Inlet Skating Club presents A Musical Gift, with shows at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). Admission is $15/$10. Visit inletskatingclub.com.
FARMERS FARE/FAIR
The Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) will be filled with jewlery, woodwork, beauty products, pottery, baked goods and spirits for the annual Christmas Farmers Market, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by the organizers of the Coquitlam Farmers Market. Carollers from Ranch Park and Roy Stibbs elementary schools as well as the Coastal Sound Music Academy will entertain. Kids can make an ornament at the craft station (no cost) and there will be cookie decorating (for $2) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. As well, kids can enjoy the princess visit and storytime with Out of the Rain Character Events, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. And, from 1 to 3 p.m., take part in the Paint Star Party workshop; register for that class via eventbrite.ca (cost is $20 per person). Admission to the market is free. Visit makebakegrow.com/christmas-farmers-market.
XMAS SHOPPING
Find unique handcrafted gifts at the 3rd annual Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair, happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at city hall (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody). Entertainment, food trucks and raffles will run through the day. Free admission and donations will be accepted for Share; all event proceeds will be given to the non-profit group, too. Visit pmcraftfair.weebly.com.
SANTA TRAIN
Ride the Santa Train (aka the West Coast Express), which leaves Port Coquitlam at 10:39 a.m., Coquitlam Central at 10:45 a.m. and Moody Centre at 10:50 a.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and ride for free. The train ticket is good for a 2-for-1 entry to the Vancouver Christmas Market. The Santa Train leaves the Waterfront station at 4 p.m. Visit translink.ca.
CRAM THE CRUISER
Coquitlam RCMP and volunteers will be stationed in the parking lot of the Westwood Real Canadian Superstore (3000 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the annual Cram the Cruiser, in aid of Share Family and Community Services. Bring non-perishable goods and stuff them into the police car. Call 604-945-1550.
YOUNG MUSICIANS
Classical music students in the Coquitlam Youth Orchestra — under the leadership of Coquitlam violist Reg Quiring — play three shows at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam): the juniors at noon, the intermediate ensemble at 1:15 p.m. and the senior group at 2:45 p.m. Pianists Chengyan Shi (intermediates) and Mina McKenzie (seniors) are soloists. Tickets are available at the door. Visit coquitlamyouthorchestra.ca.
POCO POP-UP
Port Coquitlam shoppers can head over to the Shaughnessy Street pop-up park (next to the Giggle Dam) during the Christmas rush to watch entertainment, sip on free hot cocoa and snack on cookies — courtesy of the Business Improvement Association — and meet the newly elected city council. The event, taking place between 1 and 3 p.m., will also include holiday ornament and gingerbread decorating and prizes. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.
MYSTERY MASCOT HUNT
Find the hidden mascots at Lights at Lafarge — the largest free outdoor light display in Metro Vancouver — with the city of Coquitlam’s Park Spark crew. Meet at 6 p.m. at the TD Community Plaza (east side of Lafarge Lake, 1299 Pinetree Way) for the start of the hunt. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
JOYEUX NOEL
Les Echos du Pacifique, la chorale francophone de Maillardville, delivers a show at St. Laurence Anglican Church (825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam) at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15/$10. Visit lesechosdupacifique.info.
HAVANA, OOH NA-NA
It’s Cuban night at the Hot Salsa Dance Zone’s weekly session, featuring the sounds of DJ Kubanito who will also lead a Cuban rueda dance class for beginners at 8 p.m. The party gets underway at 9 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. in the rehearsal hall of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Admission is $10. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sun., Dec. 9
FARM PRODUCE
Take your fabric grocery bag to the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.) to load up on fresh greens, meat and more, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Students from Heritage Woods secondary in PoMo will serve pancakes to raise cash for their dry grad celebrations. Healing Paws Veterinary will also snap Christmas photos with your pet, until 1 p.m., with a donation to the BC SPCA. Kelly Kay entertains. Visit makebakegrow.com.
ALL ABOARD!
Climb on to the Venosta, a 1920s passenger rail car parked at the Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St.), for a Christmas tea with family and friends. There are three seatings today: 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $15/$10 (no cost for kids under 2). Save a spot by calling 604-939-1648 or email [email protected]. Cash only; pay at the door. Visit portmoodymuseum.org.
TCHAIKOVSKY, DUKE
Singers with the Coastal Sound Music Academy return to the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) for their annual Comfort & Joy concerts. The first — with the younger choirs — starts at 3 p.m. while the older choirs (featuring soul vocalist Dawn Pemberton) are on the stage at 7 p.m. Both shows include a performance by the Inlet Jazz Band, who will play a big band rendition of The Nutcracker Suite, arranged by the late band leader Duke Ellington. Call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
ARTSCONNECT
Be part of the ArtsConnect board as the Tri-City arts council heads into its 50th year. Learn about promoting artists and hosting arts and cultural events and activities in the region. The annual general meeting takes place at 1 p.m. at Samz Pub (2342 Elgin Ave., Port Coquitlam). Email [email protected].
SANTA SKATE
Lace up your skates and put on a helmet for twirl around the Port Moody recreation complex rink (300 Ioco Rd.) with Santa Claus, from 1 to 4:15 p.m. Admission is $3.50 ($2 for rentals) and includes hot cocoa. Visit portmoody.ca.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
The Dogwood Songsters at Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam) will get you into the holiday spirit with their concert, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $6. Donations are accepted for Share. Call 604-927-6098 or visit dogwood50plus.com.
REFLECTIONS
Reflections, the rebranded holiday festival at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) that used to be called A Lantern Affair, will include many multicultural activities for families in the venue and next door at Mackin House Museum, from 2 to 5 p.m. Stay tuned for artist-in-residence Molly Billows’ performance at 4:30 p.m. featuring Place des Arts students and short spoken-word poems created by more than 400 participants in Billows’ workshops. Free admission. No registration required. Visit placedesarts.ca.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Take a tour of Lights at Lafarge (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) and join in the city’s scavenger hunt from 6 to 8 p.m. for a chance to win a prize. Meet the Park Spark team at the TD Community Plaza (east side of lake). The display is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.
