December has arrived and the Holidays are in full swing, Hanukkah is upon us and Christmas is just around the corner. Along the way fill your entertainment stockings with this great line-up of picks of the week
East Van Panto – Wizard of Oz
photo: Emily Cooper
Wiz: Take off to see the Wizard as The Cultch and Theatre Replacement present East Van Panto: The Wizard of Oz at the York Theatre until January 6th.
Bands: Indie rock acts Yukon Blonde and The Zolas take to the stage at The Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday night.
Pride: Catch the follow up to Pride & Prejudice with Miss Bennet : Christmas at Pemberley at The Arts Club Granville Stage until December 30
Date: Until December 30, spend your date night watching Blind Date at The Arts Club Goldcorp Stage, each night is a unique show as a new audience member is the date in each show.
Life: Find out what happens when the bell rings as Gateway Theatre presents It’s a Wonderful Life, set to the music of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, running December 6 to 31st
Whimsy: This week the award winning duo, James & Jamesy’s O Christmas Tree visit Maple Ridge The ACT and Chilliwack Culture Centre with a Christmas cuppa brimming with holiday whimsy, cheer, and much more.
Improv: Vancouver Theatresports presents Merry Kiss-mas – an improvised holiday comedy, parodying all the inane clichés and funny, awkward moments you’d expect to see in a holiday TV special or film at Improv Centre until Christmas Eve
Lights: Light up your nights by visiting some of the Festival light displays around the city like; Van Dusen Festival Of Lights, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Canyon Lights, Glow Langley, and more
Bach: Early Music Vancouver presents Bach Collegium Japan, joined by acclaimed British soprano Joanne Lunn, performing the works of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, on December 9th at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC
Dance: Ballet BC presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Nutcracker at Queen Elizabeth Theatre for three days only, December 7,8 & 9
Pucks: On Saturday evening, the Vancouver Giants return to their old home at the Pacific Coliseum to host the Victoria Royals and the annual Teddy Bear Toss
Choir: The Vancouver Men’s Chorus annual Making Spirits Bright brings some festive holiday music to St Paul’s Anglican Church in the West End on Saturday and Sunday.
Gender: Pi Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of American playwright Taylor Mac’s Hir, exploring the dynamics of a family dealing with PTSD, gender politics & more, until Saturday December 8th, at Vancouver Civic Theatre’s Annex.
Pageant: Havana Theatre on Commercial Drive is the location of the Best Christmas Pageant Ever...or is it? Find out yourself December 6 – 16th.
Drama: Seven Tyrants Theatre presents John Patrick Stanley’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama Doubt : A Parable from November 23 – December 14
Mumbai: The acclaimed play Bombay Black, by Anosh Irani, features a poetic text, bold theatrical imagery and a gritty twist. returns to Vancouver with a run at The Firehall Arts Centre until December 15th.
Belle: Join your favourite characters as a tale as old as time, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, returns to the Arts Club Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, until January 6, 2019
Juniors: For a different take, it’s a tale as young as time when Children’s Theatre of Richmond presents Beauty and the Beast Jr at the Massey Theatre, December 7-8.
Symphony: Saturday night, Vancouver Bach Choir and Surrey City Orchestra join forces to present Handel’s Messiah at the Bell Centre in Surrey
Market: The Vancouver Christmas Market celebrates its 9th year as it returns to Jack Poole Plaza, until December 24, 2018
Puppet: There’s some marionette merriness as Ronnie Burkett’s Daisy Theatre presents Little Dickens, a take on the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, at The Cultch Historic Theatre until December 22nd.
Shopping: Tonight, Vancouver Foodster’s Holiday Market brings you tastes and tidbits from around town, then this weekend check out Got Craft! and Shiny Fuzzy Muddy, just some of the many Christmas Craft Markets happening around Metro Vancouver this weekend
Festival: Aurora Winter Festival, Canada’s Largest Winter Festival, brings a a skating rink, a tube park, light displays, Christmas Market, amusement rides, food gardens, and many more activities to Concord Pacific Place November 23 – December 30