Hastings (and the North Pole)
There are still Christmas-themed activities taking place across the city, including the North Pole Express, a half-hour stationary event based on the childrens Christmas story The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Hop aboard a vintage 1930s, fully renovated rail car at VIA Rails Pacific Central Station for a wondrous and magical lead-in to Christmas while experiencing a scene from the Polar Express. Once on board, children of all ages will enjoy a Christmas magic show by Matthew Johnson or David Wilson
Upon exiting, everyone receives a souvenir ticket reminding him or her to believe. Shows are every 30 minutes Dec. 20, 22 and 23. Proceeds from the North Pole Express support the National Railway Society: B.C. Chapter.
The Pacific Central VIA Station is located just east of the Main Street SkyTrain entrance. Tickets must be purchased in advance at VancouverNorthPoleExpress.com.
Downtown
UBC Alumni Affairs is partnering with Tourism Vancouvers 2013 Dine Out 麻豆传媒映画Festival, Wines of B.C. and UBCs Wine Research Centre to present The Grape Debate: Should B.C. have a signature wine varietal?
Tickets are on sale now for this moderated debate, which takes place Feb. 1 at the 麻豆传媒映画Public Library. The debate will feature some of the industrys best and brightest including winemaker Howard Soon, wine scribe Anthony Gismondi, sommeliers Kurtis Kolt and Michaela Morris and wine experts Sid Cross and David Scholdfield. A tasting of B.C. wines will follow the debate. For details and tickets visit alumni.ubc.ca/2012/events. For a full list of Dine Out events visit dineoutvancouver.com.
Kerrisdale
Auditions are open for Surfin Dudes, Bikini Babes, Hawaiian dancers and keen actors of all types and ages for a family comedy play set in Polynesia.
Director Angel Drummond is looking for the next Pond, thats Aimes Pond, a James Bond-type character, as well as many other principal roles. The Kerrisdale Community Centre will stage this original one-hour play with song and dance in April 2013. To arrange for an audition contact Drummond at [email protected] before Dec. 31.
Various locations
Auditions are also open for Varietys Got Talent 2013, B.C.s premier talent search for the next singing sensation.
VGT is open to singers between the ages of 13 to 29 who reside in B.C., though most of the events take place in Vancouver. Video auditions open Jan. 2, 2013 and will be accepted until Jan. 16 at varietysgottalent.ca. All auditions must be submitted online and videos will be judged by music producer Su Bailey and producers from Sam Feldman and Associates. Singers will then be short-listed and take part in semi-final events.
Finals take place Feb. 9 at the River Rock Casino. Winners of the talent competition will also appear on the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon on Global TV B.C. Feb. 16. For more information about auditions, visit variety.bc.ca/talent.htm.
Shaughnessy
The 麻豆传媒映画Volkssport club is hosting a non-competitive 5K/10K walk in the Shaughnessy area Saturday, Dec. 29. Free for new
participants. For more information contact Verni at 604-682-8390.
Citywide
Registration is open for the Scotiabank Bowl for Big Brothers Classic, which takes place March 1 to April 15 at bowling centres across the city and Lower Mainland.
More than 300 companies and 3,000 bowlers participate each year to raise pledges to support Big Brothers mentoring programs for at-risk children in their communities. This year the theme is Back to the 80s, which promises to be one totally tubular event. The goal this year is to raise more than $700,000.
Nows the time to recruit your fellow co-workers and friends into joining your team, raise pledges online or with a pledge book, and then enjoy two-hours of 80s-themed bowling at the alley of your choice.
Teams that register before Jan. 22 will be eligible to win a prize.
Want to participate but dont have a team? Contact the organizers at bowlforbigbrothers.com for more information.
Citywide
Are you a non-profit or community group hosting a New Years Eve party? Or a for-profit corporation or business hosting a party in support of a charity or community group? Drop me a line and Ill fit in as many free mentions as I can in this space.
Twitter.com/sthomas10
