Celtic music, whisky and haggis - it's as close to Glasgow as you're going to get in the Tri-Cities.

Coquitlam's Place des Arts will play host to a traditional celebration of Scottish poet Robbie Burns on Saturday, Jan. 19, complete with live music and a Scottish-themed dinner.

The menu features roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, "neeps" (carrot and turnip mash), green peas and green salad. A vegetarian option includes vegetable barley stew with herb dumplings and a side salad, while dessert delves into the great whisky tradition of Scotland with a whisky-soaked sponge cake topped with a dollop of sweet cream.

The haggis gets rolled out prior to the arrival of "Robbie Burns" himself, who will then give way to the sounds of Blackthorn, a Celtic band whose set will lean heavily on songs about Burns.

Whisky, wine or beer will also be available at the cash bar.

Tickets for the entire evening (concert and dinner), cost $35 for adults, and $33 for students and seniors. Admission for the concert only ranges in price between $13 and $15.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 604-664-1636, in person at 1120 Brunette Ave. in Coquitlam or online at www.placedesarts.ca.

SHOW TONIGHT IN POCO

Describing himself as a "musical handyman," Maple Ridge native Darren Exley will help kick off the 2013 edition of the weekly fundraising shows that benefit the Crossroads Hospice Society.

An eclectic musician who takes on the roles of singer, songwriter, band leader and producer, Exley will perform tonight (Friday, Jan. 11) at The Gathering Place in Port Coquitlam starting at 9 p.m.

The evening's entertainment, however, kicks off with an open mic session that runs from 7: 30 to 8: 45 p.m.

The show costs $5 at the door, and all proceeds go towards the society.

CENTRE HOSTS THREE EXHIBITS

Food-inspired tapestry, conversations through lines and unique outdoor scenery have taken centre stage as part of the three exhibitions at Coquitlam's Place des Arts that run until early February.

Housed in the Atrium Gallery, Edible Art is a collective exhibit created by two local groups specializing in tapestry: TAPIS (Tapestry Weavers from Vancouver Island) and TWIGs (Tapestry Weavers Interest Group). Each of the hand-woven tapestries in the show relates to a recipe, directly or indirectly, and illustrates group members' favourites.

Ellen Bang's collection of works, pulled together under the name Unruly Lines, mirrors the grids used to map our various urban communities. Found in the Mezzanine Gallery, Bang's paintings are not meant to convey specific messages, but rather an artistic marriage of lines, forms, colours and hues.

The six-member arts group known as the Passionate Outdoor Painters rounds out the month-long show, with its initial public display. Consisting of works by Jane Appleby, Sue Cowan, Randy Green, Sahar McCullough, Sally Turton and Alison White, the exhibit includes paintings of spots throughout the Lower Mainland.

Edible Art and Unruly Lines run until Feb. 2, while the Passionate Outdoor Painters' show will be on display until Feb. 23. For details, see www. placedesarts.ca.

PAINTINGS FOCUS ON NATURE

Rosa Chang is nothing, if not eclectic. A former elementary school fine arts teacher and a volunteer at SUCCESS in Coquitlam, Chang is the featured artist this month at the Port Moody Public Library.

Specializing in acrylic and watercolour paintings, Chang attained her master's degree in design, and has also taught industrial design at the university level. Since immigrating to Canada, she's been planning and implementing volunteer art classes for children through SUCCESS. The library is located at 100 Newport Dr.