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WEEKEND EVENTS: Ugly sweater skate & a dash

Weekend listings for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, Dec. 6 to 8, 2019.
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The annual Ugly Sweater Dash starts Saturday morning from The Parkside Brewery in Port Moody.

Friday, Dec. 6

THE FOX ROCKS
Join Coquitlam resident Jeff O’Neil and his CFOX 99.3FM crew at Coquitlam Centre (2929 Barnet Hwy., northeast plaza by H&M) for the radio station’s 32nd annual Santa Fox food drive in aid of Share Family and Community Services. Between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., bring a non-perishable food or cash donation to help the Tri-City charity and Food Banks BC. Visit cfox.com.

POIRIER XMAS
It’s the 39th year of the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair and more than 100 artisans will be at the Poirier Forum (618 Poirier St., Coquitlam) this weekend to offer a unique Christmas shopping experience. Sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, the fair runs tonight from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4/$2 (no cost for kids 12 and under). Weekend passes are available. Call 604-842-4619 or visit coquitlamcrafts.com.

MEET THE MLA
B.C.’s solicitor general — and the NDP MLA for Port Coquitlam — invites constituents to a Christmas open house from 4 to 6 p.m. at his office (107A-2748 Lougheed Hwy., Port Coquitlam). Items for the Share food bank will be accepted. Call 604-927-2088.

PARK LIGHTS
Douglas College students will host a craft station at the TD Community Plaza in Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of the city of Coquitlam’s annual Lights at Lafarge, the largest free outdoor winter lights show in the Lower Mainland. Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.

ANDREW ALLEN
Award-winning singer-songwriter Andrew Allen whips up the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) with a special Christmas concert at 7 p.m. featuring the Blakeburn Singers from Blakeburn elementary, under the direction of educator Diana Clark. Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

EXPRESS GOALS
The BCHL Express face off on home ice against Trail at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) at 7 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca for tickets and more team information.

FELT IT
Create Christmas gifts and ornaments with wet felt at Place des Arts’ festive felting pARTy@PdA (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The event at 7 p.m. includes materials, appies and a beverage. The cost is $26 per person or $42 for two people. Ticket holders get 10% off at the Christmas Boutique. Call 604-664-1636 or visit brownpapertickets.com.

UGLY SWEATER
Youth can sport their ugliest sweaters during a spin on the ice at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) between 10:15 and 11:15 p.m. The drop-in skate costs $3 and includes rentals. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.

RED NOSE
Get a ride home from the pub or a party — in your own vehicle — from volunteers with Operation Red Nose. Ride donations go to KidSport Tri-Cities, a charity that pays for sporting registrations for families in financial need. Supported by ICBC, Coquitlam RCMP, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver and Coquitlam Centre as well as local eateries, the service also runs tonight and Dec. 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 31. Call 778-866-6673 for a lift between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. To volunteer with the campaign, visit operationrednosetricities.com to download an application form.

 

 

Saturday, Dec. 7

TREE CLASS
Talk to arborists with the city of Coquitlam and learn about trees at Mountain View Park (751 Smith Ave., Coquitlam) during the Growing Community Roots Information Day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A limited number of seedlings and potted trees will be given to Coquitlam residents to plant in their yards. Visit coquitlam.ca.

SANTA, PANCAKES
Dig into some pancakes, enjoy the entertainment and snap a selfie with Santa at a breakfast held at Place Maillardville community centre (1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The event is with the Coquitlam Kinsmen. Entry is $5. To save a spot, visit placemaillardville.ca.

SCHOOL SANTA
Start the morning at Cape Horn elementary (155 Finnigan St., Coquitlam) where the school will host its annual breakfast with Santa and a Christmas market from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is $5. Call 604–526-4428.

FIXED IT
If you’ve got a broken appliance, busted up bike or wacky gadget, bring it to the city of Port Coquitlam’s eighth repair café of the year. The workshop takes place at the Port Coquitlam works yard (1737 Broadway St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are also needed (call 604-927-5254 or email repaircafe@portcoquitlam.ca to lend a hand). No cost for repairs. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.

FEED THE HUNGRY
Port Moody’s Thrifty Foods in Suter Brook Village accepts non-perishable goods for the Share food bank drive, today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit sharesociety.ca.

UGLY DASH
Support the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation while wearing your ugliest threads in the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Dash, a 5-km walk/run starting at 10 a.m. from The Parkside Brewery (2731 Murray St., Port Moody). Registration is $40/$20 (or $5 for kids, no toque) via nowthatsugly.com.

SANTA TRAIN
Hop on the West Coast Express’ annual Santa Train, leaving the Port Coquitlam station 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 for a free ride. Guests will also get a 2-for-1 voucher for the Vancouver Christmas Market. The next Santa Train to Vancouver’s Waterfront station is on Dec. 14. Call 604-488-8906.

CYO STRINGS
Hear the Coquitlam Youth Orchestra ring in the holidays with three concerts at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) this afternoon: the juniors at noon, the intermediates at 1:15 p.m and the senior class at 2:45 p.m. Buy tickets via cyobc.ca.

MYSTERY WRITING
Author Sam Wiebe talks mystery writing, character and dialogue with the Tri-City Wordsmiths at their monthly meeting, held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Terry Fox Library (2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam). Admission is free but registration is required by calling 604-927-7999. Visit tri-citywordsmiths.ca.

LET IT GO
Dress up the kids as Elsa, Anna, Olaf or Kristoff for the city of Coquitlam’s Lights at Lafarge activity: Frozen Night. The event with the Park Spark team runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet at the warming tent at the TD Community Plaza in Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Visit coquitlam.ca/parkspark.

CHANTEZ
Les Échos du Pacifique presents a concert called Chantons Noel — with tunes in English, French and Latin — at St. Laurence Anglican Church (825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam) from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $15/$10 (no cost for kids). Visit lesechosdupacifique.info.

WIND MUSIC
David Branter leads the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble at its home base, the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), with a show titled Christmas Time Around the World. The 45-member band will play French noels and English carols as well as Hanukkah songs and Russian Christmas music composed by Jutras, Buckley, Nestico and Reed, among others. Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

SPICY CUBAN
Move your hips with Carlos and Sarah Reyes at their Cuban Salsa lesson at 8 p.m. in the rehearsal hall of the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). And, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the Hot Salsa Dance Zone will turn up the heat on the dance floor. Admission is $10. Visit hotsalsadancezone.com.

 

 

Sunday, Dec. 8

TRAIN TEA
Climb aboard an 1921 train car at the Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) for a special Christmas tea and treats. One-hour seatings are at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. The cost is $15/$10. Email info@portmoodymuseum.org to book a time or call 604-939-1648.

FA-LA-LA-LA-LA
A Little Bit of Christmas, A Little Bit of Starshine is the name of the Dogwood Songsters’ Christmas Concert, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam). Tickets at $7 can be bought at the gift shop or call 604-464-5890.

REFLECTIONS
Cultural diversity is the theme for the annual Reflections celebration at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) and next door at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The free all-ages party, aimed at connecting different ethnic groups in the city, includes lantern making, story telling, music and history-based activities starting at 2 p.m. Visit placedesarts.ca.

SEASONAL SONGS
Artistic director Ingrid Gay leads the Port Coquitlam-based Choral Connections in a concert at 2 p.m. at the Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam). For tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com.

COMFORT AND JOY
The Coastal Sound Music Academy has two concerts today with its choirs: 3 p.m., featuring Con Brio, Con Vita, Boychoir, Con Bella and the children’s choir; and at 7 p.m., featuring DeCoro, the youth choir and children’s choir. A Touch of Brass is the guest for both shows. Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

HOCKEY NIGHT
Support the Coquitlam Express players at a home game at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) when they face Wenatchee at 7:15 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.