SPECIAL EVENTS

• October is Canadian Library Month; visit www.cla.ca/clm08 for more information.

• Philosopher’s Café discusses: Means of consumption today, from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Dogwood Pavilion (624 Poirier Street, Coquitlam). Check www.philosopherscafe.net or call 604-291-5215. Next discussion: Guilt and responsibility, Oct 20, 7 to 9 p.m. at The Gathering Place at Leigh Square.

• Last Joker on Deck, a stand-up comedy competition running at three venues around the Lower Mainland, allows local amateur comedians a chance to perform in front of a live audience. Competition is broken into six “first-round” events, in Vancouver, North Vancouver and at the Golden Spike Pub in Port Moody tonight, Oct. 8. Show starts at 7 p.m. featuring Shane Clark, David Malicki, Anton Glavas and Cliff Paul. Tickets are $10. Visit www.lastjokerondeck.com for more information.

• ArtFocus 14th annual Fall Art Show runs Oct. 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Outlet at Leigh Square. Opening reception is Oct. 10, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check www.myartclub.com or 604-941-2304.

• ArtsConnect’s ArtistCircle, connecting creative minds of all disciplines for support, inspiration and collaboration. All are welcome on Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the The Gathering Place at Leigh Square. Call 604-931-8255 or go to www.artsconnect.ca.

VolunteerFest- Community Volunteer Connections, featuring displays of community groups creating awareness of their activities and volunteer opportunities. Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Coquitlam Centre Mall. Visit: www.volunteerconnections.net

• Quilters’ Harvest, a quilt show, is presented by the Blue Mountain Quilters’ Guild Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Montgomery middle school (1900 Edgewood Ave.). Featuring a heritage quilt display, merchants’ mall and members boutique. Admission is $5. Check www.bluemountainquiltersguild.ca or 604-936-4778 for details.

• Second-annual Catch the Rhythm fundraising concert in support of the Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at Inlet Theatre in Port Moody. Call 604-469-1285.

• Poetry Planet Reading at the Port Moody Public Library, Oct.20 at 7 p.m. in the ParkLane room. Call: 604-936-2442.

• BC Country Music Association Hall of Fame Induction Show on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Terry Fox Theatre. Call 604-533-5088 or go to www.bccountry.com.

VISUAL ARTS

• Blackberry Gallery (at Port Moody Arts Centre): Oct. 2 to 26: Dr. Sedigheh Nouri - Fantastic Botanic, oils & acrylics; Don Hoskin/Des Wilson - The Art of Woodturning; Gigi Hoeller - On the Way Home, acrylics; ArtsConnect presents Alcuin Book Design award winners. Opening reception Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m. Call 604-931-2008 or see www.pomoartscentre.ca. In the Blackberry Gift Shop is Elizabeth Wallace, watercolours.

• Place des Arts: Running from Oct. 9 to Nov. 8: Pascal Pelletier’s Vanishing Buffalo; Jan Poynter’s Sea to Sky - The Vancouver Shoreline; and Laura Lee Coles’ Apparently in View - Blurred Realities. Opening receptions will be on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-927-8441 for more info or visit: www.placedesarts.ca.

• Evergreen Cultural Centre: Last chance to see Dawn: Sketches by the Group of Seven which record-breaking run ends Oct. 4. Next up is: We are rushing on and on and on, with works by Emily Carr, running Oct. 10 to Nov. 29. Opening Reception on Oct. 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m. More info at: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca

• Leigh Square Community Arts Village: Running Sept. 6 to Nov. 9: BodyWork - Ron Long, photography; Margaret Bateman, dolls; Dave Danchuk, power tool mastery.

• Port Moody Public Library (100 Newport Dr.): Display case - PoMo Rock and Gem Club. Wall display- By the Book. Call 604-469-4692 or see www.library.portmoody.ca.

• Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.): Sandra Ho Designs; local jewelry artisan.

• Port Coquitlam city hall (2580 Shaughnessy St.): ArtFocus artist: Chris Pearce. Call 604-941-2304 or visit www.artsconnect.ca.

• Coquitlam Public Library, Poirier Branch: Ray Thompson - wood carvings; Knotty Dotters - smocking; Ingrid Davitt - etched glass; Coquitlam Weavers’ Guild - weaving. Call 604-937-4140 or see www.library.coquitlam.bc.ca. For Children’s Summer Reading Programs call 604-937-4134.

• Terry Fox Library (2470 Mary Hill Rd., PoCo): Derek Walmsley - West Coast Nature Scenes, photography: 604-927-7999.

• Citysoup.ca Innovation Centre: art by Tri-City artists. Call 604-927-3690.

• Form and Forum Sculpture Company (90-2710 Lougheed Hwy.): Group show, various media. Visit www.formandforum.ca or 604-464-0248.

• Lone Cypress Gallery and Bistro – local and regional artists’ paintings, limited edition prints, mouth blown glass, unique gifts, www.lonecypressgallery.com or 604-937-0998.

• Electronic Avenue Gallery & Studios at 3115 Murray St., Port Moody. Call 778-227-8480.

• Inlet Wellness Gallery (2320 Clarke St.): ongoing group show with various artists. Check www.inletwellnessgallery.com or 604-939-1059.

• Scotiabank (2501 St. Johns St.): Gigi Hoeller’s Acrylics- On the Way Home. Call 604-931-2008.

FILM

• Port Moody Film Society presents Cosi (Australian, rated R) Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre.

MUSIC

• The Crossroads Hospice Coffeehouse at the Gathering Place at Leigh Square, with Kindred Spirits Vocal Ensemble (classical to Broadway) on Oct. 10 and Chapter Eleven- Rob Sheridan and Bob Collins (Rock/Country) on Oct. 24. Check www.crossroadshospice.bc.ca.

• Singing the Icons, featuring Pat Milino, Neil Tarantino and Insieme singing Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andrea Bocelli and more on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre. Call 604-931-2008.

• Off the Grid - Improvised Music Series returns Oct. 14 and 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gathering Place at Leigh Square. Check www.portcoquitlam.ca/arts or 604-789-3456.

• Westcoast Harmony Chorus’ “Sneak Peek” Concert at the Terry Fox Theatre Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. Go to: www.terryfoxtheatre.com.

• Rebecca Blair: Tales from the Celtic Harp at the Place Des Arts Faculty Concert on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-664-1636 or visit: www.placedesarts.ca.

• One Heart (country/southern gospel) in concert to raise money for the Light of the World Ministries’ orphanage in Gonaives, Haiti, on Oct. 18 at Coquitlam Christian Centre (2665 Runnel Dr., Coquitlam), with guest Pastor St. Clair St. Laurent from Haiti. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Call 604-462-8196 for ticket sales or reservations or concerts@lightoftheworldministries.net.

• Join the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble and enjoy The Wind Music of Adam Gorb at the Evergreen Cultural Centre on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. For info visit www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or call 604-927-6555.

• Maxx James: Live In Concert. Neil Young tribute, original rock and southern blues band. Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Inlet Theatre. Check out: www.maxxjames.com.

• Registration is open for all ages and levels at the Burke Mountain Music Academy for lessons in piano, theory and woodwinds in classical and jazz styles. Limited scholarship spaces are available for low-income families. Call Gabriole for an interview at 604-464-8180.

THEATRE

• Improv Workouts by Table 23 runs Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Secondary Storey Theatre (#201- 2550 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam). Info at: www.secondstoreytheatre.com.

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show by the Theatrix Youtheatre Society will run, for mature audiences, Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam. Information at: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or call 604-927-6555.

DANCE

Motus O Dance Theatre: Variations In Love, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. and East of the Sun, West of the Moon (with Wesbild Family Series) Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. For more information call 604-927-6555 or go to www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

• Belly-dancing is being offered at Glen Pine Pavilion Mondays, Sept. 29 to Nov. 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. FEe is $56 for members or $64 for non-members. Register (barcode #261141) at the front desk or at 604-927-6940.

DANCE

Motus O Dance Theatre: Variations In Love, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. and East of the Sun, West of the Moon (with Wesbild Family Series) Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. For more information call 604-927-6555 or go to www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

• Belly-dancing is being offered at Glen Pine Pavilion Mondays, Sept. 29 to Nov. 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. FEe is $56 for members or $64 for non-members. Register (barcode #261141) at the front desk or at 604-927-6940.

CHORAL

• If you love singing join us Monday mornings 10 a.m. to noon at Dogwood Pavilion. Contact Anita at 604-936-6070 for info.

• Coastal Sound Boychoir welcomes boys aged six to 10 for singing and music excellence, stage performance skills and friendships. Weekly rehearsals are Tuesdays, September to June, 5 at 6:30 p.m. at 3550 Wellington St., Port Coquitlam. Check www.coastalsoundmusic.com or 604-469-5973.

• Varna Chamber Choir welcomes new members to Sunday rehearsals at Douglas College in New Westminster, 7 to 9 p.m. Contact 604-294-1212 or nataliesong@hotmail.com.

• Tenors and basses (16 and up) wanted for the Douglas College Community Choir. Practices are Wednesdays, 6:45-8:45 p.m. at the New Westminster campus. Call Alison Nixon at 604-947-0120 to audition.

• Vancouver Italian Folk Chorus is accepting new members. Everyone welcome. Info: Fortuna, 604-299-3414 or Elena, 604-298-2006.

• Beacon Unitarian Choir, 604-945-3746 or visit www.BeaconUnitarian.org.

• Dogwood Songsters perform at care homes every week, new members welcome, 604-936-6070.

• The Harbour Chine singers are available to perform at care homes and hospitals in the Tri-Cities and New Westminster. Looking for new members. Rehearsals on Sundays. Call 604-936-2690.

• Tri-City Gospel Choir wants new members. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at the Hoy Creek Co-op (2905 Glen Dr.). Call 604-468-8581.

• Coquitlam Chorale is seeking male tenor and base voices to join mixed voice choir. Call 604-941-5905.

BANDS

• The Hilltop Ringers Handbell Chorus is accepting a limited number of new members. All ages welcome, some understanding of music is helpful but not necessary. Meetings are Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St.), info: 604-931-2008.

• Community band needs musicians; men and women welcome, for Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call Don at 604-946-8130.

• Port Coquitlam Community Band meets Wednesday evenings at Archbishop Carney regional high school, 1335 Dominion Ave., PoCo. New members/all levels welcome, info: dsmaxwell@hotmail.com or 604-785-9672.

• Port Moody Community Band and the Community String Orchestra welcomes new members of all ages who play violin, viola, cello and bass to the orchestra, and wind instruments to the band. No auditions, reasonable level of ability required. Rehearsals at Port Moody secondary, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Gord Hembruff 604-939-6656 or e-mail ghembruff@sd43.bc.ca.

CALL FOR TALENT

• The Sasamat Outdoor Centre in Port Moody is looking for entertainers for its adult lunch/dinner programs. Please send an e-mail, with a link to a website or myspace address, to linda@sasamat.org or call 604-939-2268.

• Arts Angels Publishing, Chemainus, is looking for 12 short stories and four poems for a book of fiction to be published in spring 2009. Vancouver island artist Clare Carver will provide cover art. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2008. No entry fee, with $100 for best story and $50 for second. Go to www.elizahemingway.com or artsangels@shaw.ca for more info.

• Tri-City libraries are seeking artists to display their work: Terry Fox Library (604-927-7999) and Coquitlam Library (604-937-4140 ext. 234).

• Coastal Sound Music Academy is seeking new members of all ages, no experience necessary. Choral instruction is offered at seven levels from pre-school to adult. Visit www.coastalsoundmusic.com for details.

MEETINGS

• ArtFocus meets the second and fourth Wednesdays each month, September to June, 7 p.m. at The Outlet at Leigh Square. Plenty of parking. New members welcome. Call 604-941-2304.

• Shoreline Writers’ Group meets the third Sunday of each month, 1-4 p.m. at Port Moody Arts Centre. Call 604-936-7506.

• PoMo Public Library book club meets the first Wednesday of each month, 1-3 p.m. in the ParkLane room in PoMo city hall. Call 604-469-4575.

• Inlet Play Readers meet every second Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m in the Parklane Room at the Port Moody Public Library. Call 604-469-2187 or visit cityofthearts.ca.

• The Suite E Lifedrawing Group meets Tuesdays in the Joseph Howe Room, Poirier Centre, 7-10 p.m. Check www.myartclub.com/suite.e for model schedule. Call Myda at 604-469-1911.

VENUES AND TICKETS

• Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), info: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.

• Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam), info: www.placedesarts.ca or 604-664-1636.

• Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody), info: www.cityofthearts.ca or 604-931-2008.

• Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. Johns St., Port Moody), info: www.portmoodyartscentre.ca or 604-931-2008.

• Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam), info: www.terryfoxtheatre.com or 604-941-5401.

• Leigh Square Community Arts Village, The Gathering Place and The Outlet (2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam), info: www.portcoquitlam.ca or 604-927-8400.