Way back when, John and I had a rock n’ roll podcast and I wrote for E! Online while I was trying to start up Miss604. These ventures led to me sitting down to interview Matt Layzell of The Matinée over at Roxy Burger almost ten years ago. The next summer, I was at a backyard barbecue and I chatted with Geoff Petrie about the t-shirt screen printing station our friend had setup for the occasion. At a spring festival that followed, Matt Rose and Peter Lemon took the time to meet all of my little nieces and nephews following a performance.
These guys are local roots rockers with a big sound, big dreams, and even bigger hearts, so I’m just going to tell you flat out: You Should Get The The Matinée’s New Album.
2) You should listen to the single Dancing on Your Grave. You’ll like it. You should also request it from your local radio station.
3) While you’re at it, you should also get their album We Swore We’d See the Sunrise and put on the anthemic tracks Young & Lazy and The Road. Then get Broken Arrows and put Call of the Wild on repeat. The lead single, Temper Temper hit #1 on the CBC Radio 3 national charts.
5) The Matts spent time writing songs in a rustic cabin on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. And the Sunshine Coast is awesome. They are, however, from Coquitlam. And Coquitlam is awesome too.
6) Last but certainly not least, get tickets to their shows and see them play live. You’ll have a whole lot of fun, I promise.
Follow The Matinee on Facebook and Twitter for far more information about the band and where they’ll be touring this season.
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by Guest AuthorDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Posted in Partnership with Explore Coquitlam. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Located on the edge of nature, it’s no surprise that Coquitlam is prime for mountain biking. Burke Mountain and Eagle Mountain are on our doorstep, offering a variety of trails and a West Coast style of riding: think tree roots, rocks and hand-built wooden features.
5 Reasons to Try Biking in Coquitlam
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or more of a Sunday afternoon cruiser, Coquitlam’s vast network of trails offers plenty of options for each riding style. So, where do you start?
1. Explore new terrain with a bike group
If the idea of heading out into the wilderness on your own sounds intimidating, the Tri-Cities Off Road Cycling Association (“Torca”) offers guided mountain bike rides twice monthly. Riding is free if you sign up as a member for $20/year.
“Coquitlam has a lot to offer riders of varying abilities,” says Ken Porter of Torca. “It has everything from road and flat trails to more technical tracks. It suits everyone from beginner to advanced riders – that’s what’s great about Coquitlam.”
If road biking is more your speed, Tri-Cities Cycling is “cheerfully accepting” new members. You are invited to try out a couple of rides with the club before deciding whether to join.
2. You can test your skills
Get off-road and test your abilities on some bike skills trails. One circuit located at Leigh Park (1254 Soball St) is great for younger riders, with bridges and obstacles to test your skills. Another one to try is the BMX Jump Park on the southeast side of Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station) – a competition-level BMX track that includes a primary and beginner circuit. Note: the circuits at Mundy Park are currently closed due to construction.
One circuit located at Leigh Park (1254 Soball St), is great for younger riders, with bridges and obstacles to test your skills. Another one to try is the BMX Jump Park on the southeast side of Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station) – a competition-level BMX track that includes a primary and beginner circuit.
3. It’s easy to get started
When it comes to mountain biking, start with a basic bike (borrow or rent) to see if you like the sport. Don’t forget your helmet and your map. If you’re interested in commuting on two wheels, you can also start with a basic bike.
“You hardly need anything to start riding,” advises Andrew Hartline of the Tri-Cities HUB. “An old mountain bike is fine to start commuting on, and it’s a good idea to get some lights right away. After that, you can work out what else you’ll need as you go.”
4. Great events
Torca 500 Trail Race and twice-monthly rides: Watch for details on the website for these April events.
Wheel 2 Heal 2017: This fundraising event for Eagle Ridge Hospital takes place May 6 at Town Centre Park (Lot E). Options include a 15 km trail ride, 40 km trail ride or a 100 km road ride.
MEC Vancouver Century Ride: A 50 km or 100 km ride on May 28 starting and ending at Pinetree Recreation Centre (near Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station).
Bike to Work Week: The Tri-Cities HUB is involved with this event, taking place May 29-June 4.
Take a Kid Mountain Biking: Mark your calendars for this free event that takes place each September at Mundy Park. Leaders teach the kids new skills and then take them on a guided ride through the park.
5. Trails are accessible by transit
Thanks to SkyTrain’s Evergreen Extension, you can now zip from downtown Vancouver to Coquitlam’s forested trails in no time. Load up your bike and pick your destination.
Many of Coquitlam’s trails – including those at Hoy Creek and Coquitlam River – are easy to reach by SkyTrain, and are generally flat and accessible for all levels.
Preschoolers will love the flat, paved, 1.2-kilometre circuit around Lafarge Lake (at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station), whereas older children on mountain bikes might prefer Mundy Park or Riverview Forest terrain.
Adults in search of adventure can reach the base of both Burke and Eagle Mountain trail networks although be prepared for a 15-minute uphill ride from the bus stop.
Photo by Francisco Gatchalian
Getting there and around
Plan your route ahead of time by using TransLink’s Trip Planner. Also, take note that some time restrictions might apply involving loading your bike on SkyTrain. Check on TranLink’s website.
Pick up your copy of the Coquitlam 2017 Travel & Adventure Guide at any City facility, or read it online, and share your photos online using #explorecoquitlam.
BC’s largest Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, returns to the Surrey City Hall Plaza on April 22nd. This year’s festival headliner is JUNO nominated artist Shawn Hook.
Surrey Party for the Planet
Where: The Plaza at City Hall (13450 104th Avenue, Surrey) Admission This is a free event. No tickets are required! When: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 10:00am to 7:00pm
Over 20,000 people are expected to participate in the day’s festivities that will include environmental themed activities and craft stations. Explore the Canada 150 zone, make a smoothie with bike power, recycle old lightbulbs, visit Science World on the Road, conquer the rock climbing wall, play ball hockey, make crafts, and visit the KPU digital photo booth. Food trucks will be on site to keep you fuelled up throughout the day.
Performance Schedule
Main Stage Schedule
Outside in Surrey City Hall Plaza Time / Performer
11:00am The Purple Pirate
12:00pm Dance Collective
1:15pm Will Stroet
2:00pm Mayor & Council Ceremony
2:30pm Adam Robert Thomas
3:15pm Kutapira
4:00pm Willa
5:00pm Virginia To Vegas
6:00pm Shawn Hook
Canada 150 Stage Schedule
Outside in Surrey City Hall Plaza Time / Performer
12:40pm BC Lions
1:30pm BC Lions Autograph Signing
2:40pm Harrison Lee
3:40pm Josh Bogert
4:40pm Sam The Astronaut
5:40pm Ben Dunnill
YVR Global Stage Schedule
Inside Council Chambers
Ground Floor of Surrey City Hall Time / Performer
12:00pm Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey Demo
12:30pm Purple Pirate
1:00pm Urban Safari Rescue Animal Demo
2:30pm Ben Dunnill
3:15pm Science World Demo
3:55pm Harrison Lee
4:00pm Will Stroet
Library Schedule
Inside Surrey City Centre Library Time / Performer
11:00am Storytime
12:00pm Earth Day Storytime
1:15pm Science World Demo
2:00pm Storytime
2:30pm Anna Mathewson
3:00pm Will Stroet
Follow the Surrey Events team on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Hardline Productions presents the world premiere of its historical drama Redpatch, March 29 to April 9, 2017 at Presentation House Theatre and April 12 to 16, 2017 at Studio 16.
Hardline Productions Presents Redpatch
Photo of Raes Calvert by David Cooper
Opening on the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, this moving production follows the story of a young Métis volunteer soldier from the Nuu-chah-nulth nation of Vancouver Island deployed to fight in the First World War.
Set in Canada and the battlefields of France, Redpatch traces the journey of this young soldier as he endures trench warfare and discrimination as a result of his Indigenous heritage.
The performance promises to instil deeper understanding of the contributions First Nations soldiers and communities made in World War I.
To ensure the story was faithfully told, Raes Calvert and Sean Harris Oliver spent as many hours in libraries as they did travelling out to remote First Nations communities, including Nootka Island, which their fictional protagonist calls home.
Win Tickets
I have a four pack of tickets to give away to see Redpatch on opening night, April 12th, at 8:00pm at Studio 16. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:
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Follow Hardline Productions on Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Sunday, April 9, 2017.
