In 2018, Matt Rose moved to the Coquitlam neighbourhood of Ranch Park with his young family.
But when COVID-19 hit, the guitarist with the rock band The Matinée wasn’t able to socialize like other British Columbians so when the pandemic was over two years later, he threw a block party at his home.
He applied for a block party grant from the city the next year and attracted of his 200 neighbours.
Last September, Rose partnered with his friend, Tri-City realtor Jordan Macnab, for sponsorship, closed off a street, built a stage for a live band, set up bouncy castles and drew about 1,000 residents.
Now, the duo are mounting a public party for Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at Port Moody’s Site B.
And the ticketed celebration will have the same fun, community-building spirit as their block parties.
Like their past gathering, Love Affair will feature the Ranch Park Wranglers — an ensemble made up of:
- Rose, Geoff Petrie and Peter Lemon (The Matinée)
- Darren Savard (Dallas Smith)
- Savard’s wife Carly McKillip (One More Girl)
- McKillip’s father, Tom, a record producer
- Rose’s father-in-law Tony Fera, a guitarist
- Stu Macdonald, a bass player
- Rose’s sisters-in-law Courtenay and Stephanie Fera (Fera)
“It’s a killer line-up that plays great songs to dance to,” Rose told the Tri-City News on Feb. 6.
Still, before the band plays at Love Affair at 8 p.m., Rose and Macnab, and their spouses, have some activities lined up.
At 7 p.m., Alberto Gonzalez and Teresa Szefler of Salsa Dance Zone in Coquitlam will offer a lesson in Salsa dancing for couples to cut a rug to the Latin beats, and there will be a Dating Game with a bachelotte posing questions to three bachelors hidden behind the screen.
At 10:30 p.m., the lights will dim for a dance with Vancouver artist DJ Kemo (Rascalz, Vanguards).
The $50 entry fee also includes food from Prosciutto & Pine, and a cash bar will be open for the night.
Rose said the Valentine’s Day party isn’t just for couples; singles are also welcome to join the fun.
And proceeds from Love Affair will go to their next block party in the Ranch Park neighbourhood.
For tickets to Love Affair on Friday, Feb. 14, organized by Macrose Entertainment, visit Eventbrite.ca.
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