Thursday, Nov. 24
Music
James Vincent McMorrow Irish singer-songwriter on tour in support of his third studio album, We Move, with special guest Allan Rayman. 8pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $32.50 at Ticketmaster.ca
Raygun Cowboys Psychobilly rock ‘n’ roll band from Edmonton plays with hometown favourites Rick Hope & his Evil Doers. 8pm at WISE Hall. Tickets $15 at BPT.me
Van Damsel Kamloops-based alternative rock quartet play tunes from their self-titled debut album, with special guests Amistad and 45 Spacer. 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $12 at Red Cat, Neptoon and TicketFly.com
The Widdler and Thelem Two of dubstep’s greatest innovators team up for a fall tour featuring special guest Damage. 9pm at Red Room Ultra Bar. Tickets $12 at Beat Street, Puff Commercial Drive and MyShowPass.com
Theatre/Dance
Hansel & Gretel Lost in the woods and pursued by a witch, two children find themselves on a magical adventure using all their wits and trickery to avoid a terrible fate. Set against Engelbert Humperdinck’s dramatic score with astonishing puppets and playful surprises in this family-friendly treat. 7:30pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Tickets at VancouverOpera.ca. Runs until Dec. 11.
The Day Before Christmas Alex is a perfectionist who holds fast to her Christmas traditions. In the midst of juggling family, work, and a movie star, though, she loses control of her holiday plans and her home becomes a disaster in this infectious comedy sure to make the holidays bright. 7:30pm at Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 24.
Friday, Nov. 25
Music
Tuns Canada’s rock supergroup featuring Mike O’Neill of the Inbreds, Chris Murphy of Sloan and Matt Murphy of the Super Friendz plays tunes from their self-titled debut album, with special guest Jay Arner. 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at Red Cat and TicketFly.com
Michael Occhipinti & The Sicilian Project Seven-piece Sicilian jazz project brings an intriguing mix of jazz, folk, world music, funk, blues and reggae to the East Van stage with special guest Italian singer-songwriter Pilar. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets $30+ at TheCultch.com
Sure On This Shining Night Vancouver Peace Choir, under the direction of Brian Wismath, present a concert of holiday favourites and lesser-known choral gems in a program of works by Barber, Busto, Chatman, Gjeilo, Poston and more. 7:30pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Theatre/Dance
Miss Shakespeare The mad mind of Judith Shakespeare explodes in this sensational musical, a story inspired by the Bard’s daughter whose own creative aspirations come alive as she leads a group of women in the secret, subversive and illegal staging of a play. 8pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at FirehallArtsCentre.ca. Runs until Nov. 26.
Ghosts Helene Alving has spent her life suspended in an emotional void after the death of her husband. Determined to escape the ghosts of her past by telling her son the truth about his father, Helene learns he’s already inherited the legacy of Alving’s dissolute life. 8pm at Jericho Arts Centre. Tickets FormSite.com. Runs until Nov. 27.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Music
Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express Bentall hosts the 11th annual fundraising concert in support of Potluck Café Society, featuring Kirby Barber, Dustin Bentall, Ridley Bent, Kendel Carson, Leeroy Stagger and more. 6:30pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $39.95+ at TicketFly.com
Paper Lions Canadian indie rockers from Belfast, PEI play in support of their latest album, Full Colour, with special guests Highs and The Cut Losses. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $14 at TicketFly.com
Thee Oh Sees San Francisco garage rockers play tunes from their latest release, A Weird Exits, with special guest Alex Cameron. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $25 at Red Cat, Highlife and Zulu.
Mint Records’ Ridiculously Early Xmas Party Annual benefit show with proceeds benefitting Girls Rock Camp Vancouver, with performances from Jay Arner, Supermoon, Fake Tears, Aaron Read and Woolworm. 8:30pm at The Astoria. Tickets $10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
The Lonesome Town Painters An evening of beginner square dance with caller Paul Silveria and live music from Vancouver’s high-energy traditional bluegrass band. 8pm at WISE Hall. Tickets $10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Chez Nous Elektra Women’s Choir rings in the season with style with concert pianist Jane Coop, and the added treat of the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir, for beloved Christmas melodies and new seasonal compositions. 7:30pm at Ryerson United Church. Tickets $15+ at TicketForce.com. All ages show.
Settling Scores Choralation A Cappella presents an evening of choral repertoire featuring selections from Pentatonix, The Beach Boys, Anton Bruckner, Taylor Swift, Muse and more. 7:45pm at St. James Community Hall. Entrance by donation with proceeds to benefit St. James Music Academy.
Comedy
Scott Dumas In his first year of comedy, the Alberta native showcased for Just For Laughs five times in six different countries. Now a frequent headliner and regular on XM radio with opening sets from Amber Harper-Young and Jared Borland. 7pm & 9:30pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets at YukYuks.com
Theatre/Dance
Shakespeare After Dark A highbrow fusion of Shakespeare served with a side of improvisational mischief as the cast takes your suggestions and works around an utterly punch-drunk cast member creating a side-splitting, raucous and interactive performance. 10:30pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets at EventBrite.ca
A Charlie Brown Christmas The cherished holiday classic comes to the stage in a lively, family-friendly musical adaptation with a live jazz trio as Charlie Brown attempts to direct the school Christmas pageant. 2pm at Waterfront Theatre. Tickets at CarouselTheatre.ca. Runs until Dec. 31.
Cheap & Fun
Candytown The holiday festival is back for its annual celebration, transforming Mainland Street into a winter wonderland with lights, candy canes, costumed characters, a specialty market for unique gifts and holiday treats and street performers with live music. 12pm-7pm at Yaletown Mainland Street. Admission is free.
Sunday, Nov. 27
Comedy
The Sunday Service The award-winning improv comedy troupe brings their high energy commitment to comedy with a little slapstick shtick, carrying the audience through a kaleidoscopic trip where scenes barrel into tangents and stories smash together creating comedy gold. 9pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets $7 at the door.
Theatre/Dance
Kitty Nights Fall Showcase A show full of brand new numbers with 10 different performances of innovative burlesque featuring local favourites, and guests from Victoria and Calgary including comedy singing sensation Shirley Gnome. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $10 at KittyNights.com or at the door.
Brothel #9 Rekha arrives in Calcutta to work in a light-bulb factory, but in actuality she has been sold to a pimp by her brother-in-law. Faced with an impossible situation, she manages to shape her own destiny and find inner liberty. 2pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at TheCultch.com. Final performance.
Events
Vancouver Christmas Market The treasured holiday tradition is back, but brighter and merrier in a new seaside location, with delicious classic German food and culture, live entertainment and a special kids area with Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel. 11am-9pm at Jack Poole Plaza. Tickets at VancouverChristmasMarket.com. Runs until Dec. 31.
Cheap & Fun
The Flea Bags Come shop everything from LPs to old-fashioned tools, vintage gig posters to hand crafted underpants at this East Van marketplace of cheap treasures from chill vendors – they way a flea market should be. 11am at WISE Hall. Admission is free.
Monday, Nov. 28
Music
Sonata Arctica Finnish metal power band appear in support of their ninth studio album, The Ninth Hour, with special guests Leave’s Eyes and Omnium Gatherium. 7pm at Venue. Tickets $35 at EnterTheVault.com
An Evening of Jazz Canadian bassist-singer-composer Brandi Disterheft is joined on stage by the iconic Harold Mabern and Joe Farnsworth for a hometown show in support of her latest release, Blue Canvas. 7:30pm at Tom Lee Music Hall. Tickets $20 at the door.
The Romantic Piano Australian pianist Alexey Yemtsov makes his VSO debut, performing the all-time piano and orchestra favourite Piano Concerto No. 3 under the direction of Estonian conductor Anu Tali. 8pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets at VancouverSymphony.ca
Comedy
Stacked Comedy The funniest up-and-coming and professional comedians throughout Canada take the stage, this week with headliner David Heti and opening sets from Kody Audette, Ed Konyha, Harris Anderson and a handful of others. 8:30pm at Yagger’s Kitsilano. Cover is $5.
Queer Prov Don’t let the queer deter you – you don’t have to identify to get it! This not-for-profit society dedicated to creating a queer community that creates, supports, enjoys and teaches improv theatre unites every weekwith a new theme and a rotating cast of characters. 8pm at XY (1216 Bute).
Tuesday, Nov. 29
Music
Enchanting China: An Orchestral Extravaganza Direct from Bejing, the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra presents the Canadian premiere of this enriching celebration featuring over 70 musicians, singers and dancers in an ebullient and diverse program. 8pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca
Theatre/Dance
12 Minutes Max: Studio Showing Dance artists Linda Hayes, Molly McDermott and Marissa Wong give an informal studio showing of works they’ve developed with curators Jo Leslie and Chick Snipper. 6pm at Scotiabank Dance Theatre. Admission is free.
Basic Training The true story of Kahlil Ashanti’s hilarious experience as a member of a military entertainment troupe comes to the stage with 23 unforgettable characters, to guide the audience through the incredible true tale of survival and forgiveness in the face of violence and hatred. 8pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets at KahlilAshanti.com. Runs until Dec. 3.
Troilus and Cressida Shakespeare’s more obscure production comes to life on the Studio 58 stage, to tell the story of the Trojan prince who falls for the daughter of a Trojan priest who has defected to the Greek side. 8pm at Studio 58 (Langara College). Tickets at TicketForce.com. Runs until Dec. 4.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Music
Joyce DiDonato Vancouver Recital Society presents the American mezzo-soprano in concert with the Il Pomo d’Oro Orchestra. 7pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets $25 at VanRecital.com
CRX American rockers from LA play tunes from their latest release, New Skin, with special guests Dead Heavens and Streets of Laredo. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at TicketWeb.ca
Theatre/Dance
Creeps An evening of savage wit and uncompromising truth-telling in this award-winning dark comedy, centred around four men at work in a sheltered workshop doing mundane work who rebel against the way they’ve been treated. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at TheCultch.com. Runs until Dec. 10.
East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood Little Red is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to granny battling everything from bike thieves to distracted drivers to the Big Bad Wolf. 7pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at TheCultch.com. Runs until Dec. 31.
Events
How to Make Fire Cider Flu season is upon us so come learn how to make and use herbal remedies for common colds and flus: how to pick appropriate herbs and how to prepare infusions. And, make some fire cider to take home! 6:30pm-8:30pm at Homestead Junction. Tickets $40 at HomesteadJunction.ca
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Music
Joyce DiDonato Vancouver Recital Society presents the American mezzo-soprano in concert with the Il Pomo d’Oro Orchestra. 7pm at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets $25 at VanRecital.com
CRX American rockers from LA play tunes from their latest release, New Skin, with special guests Dead Heavens and Streets of Laredo. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at TicketWeb.ca
Theatre/Dance
Creeps An evening of savage wit and uncompromising truth-telling in this award-winning dark comedy, centred around four men at work in a sheltered workshop doing mundane work who rebel against the way they’ve been treated. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at TheCultch.com. Runs until Dec. 10.
East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood Little Red is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to granny battling everything from bike thieves to distracted drivers to the Big Bad Wolf. 7pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at TheCultch.com. Runs until Dec. 31.
Events
How to Make Fire Cider Flu season is upon us so come learn how to make and use herbal remedies for common colds and flus: how to pick appropriate herbs and how to prepare infusions. And, make some fire cider to take home! 6:30pm-8:30pm at Homestead Junction. Tickets $40 at HomesteadJunction.ca
Thursday, Dec. 1
Music
The Japanese House Singer-songwriter Amber Bain from London, England, appears in support of her EP, Swim Against The Tide,with special guests The Big Moon. 8pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $14 at Red Cat and TicketWeb.ca
The Revelers Lafayette, Louisiana, supergroup bring their unique style of Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and Americana to the Rogue Folk stage, with members of the Red Stick Ramblers and The Pine Leaf Boys. 8pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $32 at Red Cat, Rufus’ Guitar Shop, Tapestry Music, Highlife and Arts-People.com
Yuel Duel 2016 Choirs from across the Lower Mainland sing Christmas carols loud and proud from the sidewalks of Gastown as the best in show go head to head in a series of sing-offs on the main stage, with proceeds benefitting May’s Place. 5:30pm on Water Street.
The Balconies Toronto-based alt-pop band brings their undeniable energy and artistic stage presence to the stage in support of Rhonda, with special guests The Living and The Benton Roark Band. 8pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $10 at Red Cat, Highlife, Zulu and TicketFly.com
Comedy
Beth Stelling Stand-up comedian, writer and actress from LA who Time Out Magazine called a Comic to Watch this year, with two comedy albums under her belt and a gig writing on the HBO series Crashing,performs with opening sets from Gavin Matts and Kevin Banner. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com
