Virtual May Days 2020

May Days is going virtual!

This year’s online festivities replaced the iconic annual parade, Party in the Square and other events that draw thousands into downtown Port Coquitlam that were cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The online festivities kicked off on May 6, when performances by local artists and other activities were uploaded to this page and the City of Port Coquitlam website leading up to our LIVE online broadcast celebration.

Check out all of the incredible performances below!

May 6th – Choral Connections

Choral Connections is a non-profit, non-auditioned community choir for adults from 21 years of age which are a group of people in the community that have a passion for singing!
www.choralconnections.ca

May 7th – Silver Chord Choir & Golden Spike Can Can Dancers

The Silver Chord Choir is the community seniors’ choir in the City. It was started in 1968 as a fun way for seniors who enjoy singing to get together, make music and above all, have fun doing it. Now, over fifty years later, they have over fifty members, most of whom turn out to regular rehearsals and performances. Their members range from 50 to over 90 years old! silverchord.kulekats.com

The Golden Spike Can Can Dancers (GSCCD) is an energetic group of ladies who volunteer their time and energy into practicing and dancing to raise money for different charities and are sponsored by the Pleasantside Community Association.
www.goldenspikecancan.com/

May 8th – Silver Diamond Country Dancers & Lindbjerg Academy

The Silver Diamond Country Dancers are a Country Dance Team that loves to dance and have fun. A group of talented, energetic and very enthusiastic dancers. They dance, teach and entertain at most local parades, fundraisers & country events around the lower mainland.
www.dcd.squaredance.bc.ca

Lindbjerg Academy is a performing arts centre that is dedicated to teaching the art of musical theatre, dance, singing and acting. The academy is not only a centre where children learn the skills to perform, but also a place where those skills are applied and enjoyed.
lindbjergacademy.com

May 9th – LIVE Online Broadcast Celebration

On Saturday, May 9th, we went live from Leigh Square with the Giggle Dam’s Mark Friebe, Mayor Brad West, and May Day Task Force Chair Bob Lee, to introduce a lineup of safely, pre-recorded local music and performance acts, along with interesting May Days trivia and other interactive activities and surprises.

Watch the whole broadcast below, or scroll down to start with one of our incredible performers.

Paul Filek

Paul Filek is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Kamloops BC who’s released 3 albums since 2006 with producer Henry Small (formerly of the band Prism), and in 2012, a 5-song EP, Paper Planes and Spare Change, produced by Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, State Of Shock, The Dudes).
One thing that’s certain is that Paul’s confident, accomplished song writing are commercial in their appeal, as evidenced by his charting success on Canadian radio. His smooth and effortless, funky vocals and heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics are infectiously hard to deny. His feel-good songs fit perfectly on Top 40 radio, sandwiched between songs of similar style by Maroon 5 and Train.
paulfilek.com

Etienne Siew

Etienne Siew crafts his music from the beauty of the West Coast and the forests of B.C, where he often spends his time fishing, hiking or canoeing. His true-life experiences and imaginative tales are woven into songs that will guide you through the themes of love, loss and triumph over adversity, that he explores in his original work.
Whether he is performing in a soft seated theatre, a festival stage or a campfire, his blend of warm tones, dynamic melodies, and powerful vocals will speak to your heart and make you feel as though you are walking right beside him in his stories.
www.etiennesiew.com

Antoinette Libelt

Antoinette Libelt is a 25-year old singer, songwriter and guitar player, born and raised in White Rock, BC. This multi-talented artist has a smooth and powerful voice and expresses it beautifully through her thoughtful lyrics and hooky melodies.
www.vanhattanent.com/antoinette-libelt

Ben Cottrill

They say “Storytelling isn’t about the truth, it’s about what the truth should have been”.
For Ben Cottrill, a decade of performing on streets and stages across Canada has given him a story that defines his gritty Acoustic-Rock style and resonates with the west-coast romantic in everyone.
www.bencottrillmusic.com

Other May Days Festivities

‘What My Community Means to Me’ Art Project

Express what Port Coquitlam means to you! Download our template on May 6th here. Artwork can be submitted through our online form or the drop box at the Outlet in Leigh Square. submitted through an online form or the drop box at the Outlet in Leigh Square by June 15. Submissions will be shared through social media, become part of a large digital art piece, and will be maintained as a record of this unique period of the city’s history at the Port Coquitlam Heritage Museum.

Mother’s Day Card Online Workshop

Create a special pop-up Mother’s Day Card as part of our Wellness Wednesday series on May 6th. Go to portcoquitlam.ca/recreation for the online link to join.

PoCo Has Heart Street Banners

As an addition to the 2020 Community Street Banner project, we will unveil four new heart-themed banner designs selected from the hundreds of drawings residents have submitted to the city over the past month. Watch for the banners on the Coast Meridian Overpass in mid-June!

Flash Fiction Contest

The City of Port Coquitlam and Terry Fox Library are inviting residents to write a short adventure story (less than 750 words) that takes place in Port Coquitlam. Writer Kevin Spenst will be hosting a virtual writing workshop for teens on Friday, May 8 and for adults on Sunday, May 17. The contest will run May 4 to June 4. More details to follow.

Other Ways to Participate

In support of May Day traditions, the City of Port Coquitlam encourages all residents to support our downtown businesses and celebrate together by:

Shopping local and ordering from Port Coquitlam restaurants and pubs while watching the performances (check back for participating businesses); and

Hosting virtual viewing block parties by video conference to get to know their neighbours better and share some laughs, art, stories or even ideas about how to cope. More information on how to host a Virtual Block Party HERE.

Stay tuned to this page for more information about these events and activities.