Top events this weekend in Coquitlam, November 13 to 15

Three Coquitlam arts venues and one city pavilion offer five public events between Friday November 13 and Sunday November 15. Two of the Friday evening events are free, the Saturday afternoon is free with registration, and two evening shows this weekend are ticketed. The weekend also includes a holiday market that spans both days.

Friday, November 13

Glen Pine Winter Market

The City of Coquitlam runs the Glen Pine Winter Market at Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court, on Friday November 13 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and again on Saturday November 14 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is free both days. No registration is needed.

The market features local artisans selling handmade gifts, festive decor, and original crafts. The City describes it as a holiday shopping event. The City asks visitors to bring reusable shopping bags. Paid street parking is available near the pavilion. Glen Pine Pavilion is close to both Lafarge Lake-Douglas and Coquitlam Central SkyTrain stations on the Evergreen Extension (Millennium Line), so the market is reachable without a car. Event details are on the City of Coquitlam's events calendar at coquitlam.ca.

November Exhibition Opening Reception at Place des Arts

Place des Arts at 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, holds a free opening reception Friday November 13 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Three exhibitions open that night. Positively Petite is the venue's 37th annual miniature show. Flora, Fauna, and the Changing Year is new work by artist Ming Bin Huang. The Print and The Thread is new work by artist Sivan Baron. All three shows run through December 17.

Visitors can meet the artists in person, attend student music performances during the evening, and purchase works from the miniature show on a first-come, first-served basis. A cash bar is available. The Holiday Artisan Shop also opens that night and runs from November 12 through December 17; it carries handcrafted housewares, accessories, skincare, and home decor from local makers. No registration is required for the opening reception. Place des Arts can be reached at 604.664.1636 or at placedesarts.ca.

Brandon Isaak and the Saints of Swing

Yukon-born blues musician Brandon Isaak performs his album release concert at Evergreen Arts, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, on Friday November 13. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm, running until 9:30 pm. Opening act Natalie Faith performs before the main set.

Evergreen Arts describes Isaak's music as roots and blues drawing on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, with what the venue calls "thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics" and an emphasis on audience connection over technical complexity. Tickets are $50 for adults, $46 for seniors, and $19 for students. They are available through the Evergreen Arts box office at 604.927.6555, open Monday through Saturday from 12 to 5 pm, or online through the venue's ticket site at evergreenarts.ca.

Saturday, November 14

Family Days at the Gallery at Evergreen Arts

Evergreen Arts runs Family Days on Saturday November 14 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at its gallery space, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. Admission is free. The program is for all ages. It includes a guided family-friendly tour of the current gallery exhibition, followed by a hands-on workshop led by a professional artist. Participants make artwork inspired by what they saw on the tour and take it home at the end.

Registration is required. Two time slots are available: 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Register online through the Evergreen Arts website at evergreenarts.ca, or call 604.927.6555. Programming is supported by Century Group.

Bandish Mehfil Series: An Evening of Raga, Kharabat, and Ghazal Traditions

Afghan vocalist and composer Aqil Sharifi performs Saturday November 14 at 8:00 pm at Evergreen Arts, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. The show runs until 9:45 pm. Sharifi is based in Vancouver and trained in the Kharabat tradition of Kabul, one of the classical music traditions of Afghanistan. He performs raga, Kharabat, and Persian ghazal with violinist Varun Nair and tabla player Hriday Buddhdev.

Evergreen Arts describes the performance as a co-presentation by The Bandish Network and Nina Buddhdev. The venue says the show is offered as a phone-free sitting, meaning phones should stay away during the performance. All tickets are $33. They are available through the Evergreen Arts box office at 604.927.6555 or the venue's online ticket site at evergreenarts.ca.

Getting around this weekend

Glen Pine Pavilion at 1200 Glen Pine Court is close to Lafarge Lake-Douglas and Coquitlam Central stations on the Evergreen Extension. Evergreen Arts at 1205 Pinetree Way is also close to Coquitlam Central station. Place des Arts at 1120 Brunette Avenue is in the Maillardville area and is accessible by bus from Coquitlam Central. No transit service disruptions affecting Coquitlam SkyTrain stations were published by TransLink for this weekend.

Before you go

Check each organizer's own page on the day of the event, because times and details can change. For City of Coquitlam events including the Glen Pine Winter Market, visit coquitlam.ca. For Place des Arts events, visit placedesarts.ca. For Evergreen Arts events including the Brandon Isaak concert, Family Days, and the Bandish Mehfil performance, visit evergreenarts.ca or call the box office at 604.927.6555, Monday through Saturday, 12 to 5 pm.