Thursday, Dec. 3
Music
Shari Ulrich Singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist from California shares the stage with her daughter Julia, and special guests Buckman Coe, Lydia Hol, Itamar Erez, and Wes Mackey. 8pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $24 at Red Cat, Rufus’ Guitars, Highlife, Prussin Music, and RogueFolk.bc.ca
Bell Witch Doom metal band out of Seattle, on tour in support of their latest release, Four Phantoms, with special guest Wrekmeister Harmonies. 8pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $10 at Red Cat, Zulu, Scrape, and TicketWeb.ca
Comedy
Mike Vecchione A semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, with appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and in his own half-hour special for Comedy Central, the NYC comic headlines with Pat Butscher, and Dino Archie. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com
Lux Uncensored Jesse Carroll and Lux Lounge bring you the best in local, professional, and international stand-up comedians, with a different headliner every week. 9pm at Lux Lounge. Tickets $5 at the door.
Theatre/Dance
Book of Love Celebrating its 30th season, Kokoro Dance presents this new, viscerally engaging work for four dancers featuring live music from the Standing Wave ensemble. 8pm at Roundhouse Performance Centre. Tickets at Kokoro.ca or 604-662-4966. Runs until Dec. 5.
How Much Are Those Feelings In The Window? Four characters from four different parts of the world, each desperately pursue their version of love, but at what cost? 8pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets $15 at BrownPaperTickets.com. Runs until Dec. 5.
Friday, Dec. 4
Music
Christmas Renaissance The city’s finest vocal ensembles sing the glorious voice-and-brass music of Gabrieli and Pinkham, Derek Healey, and a grand carol sing-a-long of traditional favourites featuring the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Pacifica Singers, Vancouver Youth Choir, and Vivian Chen on harp. 8pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets $20.50+ at Ticketmaster.ca. All ages show.
Night Birds High-octane surf-inspired punk rockers from New Jersey with special guests Angry Snowmans, The Jolts, The Tubuloids, and Frank Love. 9pm at The Hindenburg. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Scrape, Neptoon, and TicketFly.com or $20 at the door.
Redrick Sultan Experimental funk-jazz-prog rock from the local trio with special guests Random Dander, From Orbit, and Kin. 9pm at Railway Club. Tickets $10 at the door.
Authority Zero Arizona ska-punk band take the stage with special guests Versus The World, Shockload, and Eken Is Dead. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $18.50+ at Red Cat, Highlife, Neptoon, Scrape, Zulu, and TicketFly.com
All Hearts Come Home Andrew Allen is back with a Christmas spectacular featuring performances from Hudson Station, Cassie Dasilva. 6:30pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $20 at TicketScene.ca
Jojo Mason Country music singer-songwriter-musician plays tunes from his forthcoming album, with special guests Lanie McAuley, and Dani Elle. 7pm at Venue. Tickets $13 at TicketZone.com
Theatre/Dance
Trunk Puppet Show A show for all ages about what happens when you dare to unlatch the Big Box of Life, featuring trunk puppets, and the NOW Ensemble. 8pm at Renegade Theatre. Tickets at NowSociety.org. Runs until Dec. 5.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Music
Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party The annual holiday extravaganza features live performances from Monomyth, Renny Wilson, Energy Slime, Faith Healer, Fake Tears, Supermoon, and Uptights along with goodie bags full of gifts, and a super secret, limited edition Mint Records release you won’t find anywhere else! 9pm at The Astoria. Tickets $12 at Red Cat, Zulu, Horses Records, and BrownPaperTickets.com
Jazz Cartier Toronto-based rapper, aka Jaye Adams, hits the stage in support of his debut album Marauding in Paradise,a longlisted nominee for this year’s Polaris Music Prize. 7:30pm at Fortune Sound Club. Tickets $20+ at Highlife, Beatstreet, and LiveNation.com
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Chor Leoni, Vancouver’s premiere men’s choir, present their annual a cappella musical/theatrical production of the true story of the Christmas Truce in the words and songs of the men who lived it. 3pm & 8pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets $35+ at TicketsTonight.TicketForce.com. All ages show.
Comedy
Godfrey American comedian and actor with appearances in film, hosting FOX’s Bullseye, and a regular performer at Comedy Cellar in NYC hits the mic for a special feature show with an opening set from Jonathon Baum. 7pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets $24 at YukYuks.com
Theatre/Dance
Social Studies Examining Canadian values and cultural differences, this heart-warming comedy about a South Sudanese “Lost Boy” adopted by a Winnipeg family highlights the common desire to do good in the world. 1pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at FirehallArtsCentre.ca. Final performance.
Flee Electric Company Theatre and Studio 58 present this darkly humorous tale blending theatre and live music about a destitute watchmaker down on his luck when into his life comes a singing flea. 7pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets at TicketsTonight.TicketForce.com. Runs until Dec. 6.
Madame Bovary An experimental stage adaptation of Gustave Flaubert’s 19th century French masterpiece from the students of Studio 58, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in a provocative exploration of love, and escapism. 8pm at Studio 58 Mainstage. Admission by donation. Runs until Dec. 6.
Nightmare Before the Nutcracker This gothic re-imagination is a sexy, unique twist on the beloved fable in an adults-only production weaving theatre, circus, burlesque, and live music with the infamous Nutcracker and Burton film characters. 8pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets at RioTheatreTickets.ca. Runs Dec 11 & 12, as well.
A Christmas Carol: On The Air A tale as old as time breathes new life as the beloved holiday story is transformed into a live 1940s radio show in this stage production from Peter Church. 8pm at Pacific Theatre. Tickets at PacificTheatre.org or at 604-731-5518.
Events
Toque Western Front’s annual craft fair and fundraiser is a curated annual event showcasing over 25 BC-based artists, designers, and artisans with proceeds supporting the year-round art and music programs at WF, one of Canada’s leading centres for contemporary art and new music. 11am-5pm at Western Front (303 East Eighth). Admission by donation. Runs until Dec. 6.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Music
Christmas with the Bach Choir Vancouver Bach Choir opens its 85th anniversary season with the treasured holiday concert, an afternoon of heartwarming classics and timeless seasonal works uniting the voices of VBC with the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus, Youth Choir and Sarabande. 2pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets at VancouverBachChoir.com
Comedy
If I Were You Offering up advice in areas they’re qualified to talk about, and also in areas they’re not, Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld host this live podcast presented by Just For Laughs. 7pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $20 at TicketFly.com
Theatre/Dance
James and the Giant Peach Back by popular demand, the family-friendly musical invites you to watch as James is shipped off to live with his wretched aunts, and all seems lost until he discovers a magical peach inhabited by fantastical creatures. 2pm at Waterfront Theatre. Tickets at Tickets.CarouselTheatre.ca. Runs until Jan. 3.
Events
Chanukah Party A family-friendly event featuring the Chanukah Food Fest, a treasure hunt and magic gathering, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and candle lighting complete with sing-a-long. 2-4:30pm at the Jewish Community Centre. JCCGV.com
Menorah Lighting Celebrate the first night of Chanukah, with the lighting of the tallest Menorah in Canada, the Silber Family Agam Menorah, with live entertainment. 5pm at Vancouver Art Gallery.
Make It! The Handmade Revolution Shop for one-of-a-kind handmade items from over 250 of Canada’s hottest urban artisans, designers, and crafters. There will be something for everyone from fashion and accessories, to art, and jewellery, to baby items, and home décor. 10am-5pm at the PNE Forum (2901 East Hastings). Tickets $7 at the door.
Monday, Dec. 7
Music
Health LA noise rock band, on their Death Magic tour in support of their latest release, Death Magic, with special guest Pictureplane. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Zulu, and TicketWeb.ca
Zane Singer-songwriter and former busker, brings Tim Watson on drums to play tunes from his forthcoming solo record. 9:30pm at Guilt & Co.
Comedy
Queer Prov Amy Lucille hosts this weekly laugh fest with improvisers Feral Rizvi, Dan Dumsha, Jamie Chrest, Alex Rowan, Michele Tolosa, and Aamir Khan. The best way to start your week, and don’t worry – you don’t have to identify as queer, you’ll still understand every word! 8pm at XY. No cover.
Theatre/Dance
Once Upon A Christmas Come join your favourite characters as four princesses, an iceman, and a superhero wait for the arrival of old Saint Nick, as they reminisce on holiday stories, and songs, recreating some old magic in a new way. 6:30pm at Studio 1398. Tickets at OnceUponAChristmas.BrownPaperTickets.com. Runs until Dec. 13.
Cheap & Fun
Festival of Lights VanDusen Botanical Garden lights up the night with their annual holiday festival where thousands of twinkling lights decorate the gardens turning it into a magical winter wonderland, fun for the whole family with holiday treats and photos with Santa. 4:30pm at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Tickets at VanDusenGarden.org. Runs until Dec. 31.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Music
Nashville Pussy American hard rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, mix punk, rock, southern metal and psychobilly, with special guest In The Whale. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $20+ at Red Cat, Highlife, Neptoon, Zulu, and RickshawTheatre.com
Half Moon Run Montreal indie rockers play tunes from their latest release, Sun Leads Me On, with special guest Folly The Hunter. 8pm at The Imperial. Tickets $20 at Red Cat and Ticketmaster.ca
Red Fir Solo project of Vancouver singer-songwriter-musician Jordan Mitchell; a lo-fi indie folk sound both acoustic and rockin’. 8pm at Railway Club. Tickets $6 at the door.
Sarah Jane Scouten Bowen Island-raised singer-songwriter and her country band, The Honky Tonk Wingman play tunes from their hit record The Cape as well as new material from their forthcoming vinyl EP. 8pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $20 at Red Cat, Highlife, Rufus’ Guitar Shop, Prussin Music, and RogueFolk.bc.ca
Comedy
Bianca Del Rio’s Rolodex of Hate Comedy Special Winner of Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bianca brings an evening of stories, and life experiences transformed into outrageous comedy fodder as she travels through her Rolodex, spewing hate along the way in this production sold out worldwide. 7pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $20+ at TicketFly.com
Theatre/Dance
Gastown Cabaret – Decemberland An homage to the cabaret style of the ‘20s, the monthly variety show of performance art in its glorious diversity is back with a holiday edition featuring belly-dancing, burlesque, boylesque, a lip sync battle, donut eating competition and a surprise musical guest! 8pm at Guilt & Co. Admission by suggested donation of $10 with proceeds directly to the artists.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Music
K-OS Canadian rapper-singer-songwriter-record producer returns to the stage in support of his latest release Can’t Fly Without Gravity, with special guest Saul Williams. 8pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $27.50 at Ticketmaster.ca and LiveNation.com
Twenty One Pilots Electro-pop duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun out of Columbus, Ohio play a re-scheduled show in support of their second album, Blurryface. 6:30pm at Vogue Theatre. All ages show.
Jayne Trimble and Brother Bob Irish folk musician co-headlines with the Sumner Brothers band member for an intimate evening of traditional song. 9pm at Skinny Fat Jack’s. Tickets $10 at the door.
Theatre/Dance
Christmas Queen 2 – You Better Watch Out The Christmas Queen saga continues as the larger-than-life, blue-haired lady drops in on ol’ Santa at the North Pole to create a little chaos before the big day. 7:30pm at the Improv Centre on Granville Island. Tickets at VTSL.com. Runs until Dec. 20.
Peter And The Starcatcher The story of the celebrated character traces his journey from lonely orphan to beloved boy hero, on an adventure taking him aboard the decks of the Neverland ship. 1:30pm & 7:30pm at Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 27.
Ebeneezer – A Christmas Ghost Story The holiday classic get a dark and twisted rewrite with an entertaining new musical score in a vividly re-imagined story celebrating the grim and macabre aspects of the original. 8pm at Jericho Arts Centre. Tickets at TicketsTonight.TicketForce.com. Runs until Jan. 2.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Music
Frazey Ford Singer-songwriter returns home to Vancouver in support of her latest release Indian Ocean. 8pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $23 at Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife, and TicketWeb.ca. All ages show.
L.A. Witch Reverb-soaked punked-out rock from the LA trio with special guests FEELS and Eric Campbell & The Dirt. 8pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $10 at Red Cat, Zulu, and TicketWeb.ca
Wolvhammer Black metal death rock from the midwest in support of their third full-length album Clawing Into Black Sun, with special guests Firecult, Seer, and Nostrum. 7pm at Media Club. Tickets at the door.
The Lonesome Town Painters An evening of high energy traditional bluegrass from Vancouver’s best, with lonesome harmonies and melodic instrumentation paying homage to the genre’s pioneers. 9pm at Skinny Fat Jack’s. Tickets $10 at the door only.
Comedy
Dan Quinn A natural storyteller who has turned tales from his life into an international headlining act brings his honest but edgy, relatable comedy to a hometown stage with opening sets from Julie Kim and Kwasi Thomas.8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com
Theatre/Dance
A Christmas Story The classic holiday favourite gets a musical spin on the tale familiar to anyone who has ever been a kid. For nine-year-old Ralphie, only an Official Red Ryder BB gun will do under the tree, and this Canadian premiere is a holiday gift for the whole family. 7:30pm at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 27.
