Thursday, Dec. 15
Music
Tower of Song Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»pays tribute to Leonard Cohen with performances from Adrian Glynn, Colleen Rennsion, No Sinner, Louise Burns, The Belle Game and others. 8pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets $12 at EventBrite.com
Roy Woods Canadian rapper and OVO Sound recording artist from Brampton, Ontario, hits the stage in support of Waking at Dawn on the Unlocked Tour. 8pm at The Imperial. SOLD OUT.
The First Oh Well The East Van Choir Collective put on their annual winter fundraiser show with exciting new arrangements of rock by Kurt Vile, Joni Mitchell, The Kinks, The Cars and more. 7pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Highlife, Zulu andÌýTicketFly.com
Pernell Reichert Alt-country rock from the local finger-pickin’, slide-playin’, razor-sharp folk artist, playing a solo show in Kitsilano. 8:30pm at The Wolf & Hound (3617 West Broadway). Admission is free.
Music For The Winter Solstice Music on Main presents its annual holiday concert, delighting audiences with an evening of song to illuminate even the darkest of nights, featuring Caroline Shaw, Veda Hille, Rachel Kiyo Iwassa and Adrian Verdejo. 8pm at Heritage Hall. Tickets $25+ athttp://MusicOnMain.caMusicOnMain.ca
Comedy
Pete Johannson Former Vancouverite who has starred in his own CBC comedy special as well as appearances on Just for Laughs and NBC’s Friday Night begins a three-night stand with opening sets from Ed Hill and Charlie Demers. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com
Theatre/Dance
The Critical Hit Show: Holiday Spectacular The live, smash-hit epic comedy returns for another round of medieval merriment in a special Dungeons and Dragons-themed event like no other. 7pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets $10 at RioTheatreTickets.ca
Friday, Dec. 16
Music
Keithmas VII: A Food Bank Fundrager Celebrate the birth of the almighty riff-master Keith Richards with performances from Bif Naked, Rich Hope, No Sinner, Pigby, The Rentalmen, La Chinga, Sister Morphine, The Orange Kyte and Greenback High. 7pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife, Neptoon and TicketWeb.ca
American Space Monkey Female-fronted five-piece noise-rock band hits the stage with special guests Truent, Vomitself, Ashes of Purgatory. 8pm at Pat’s Pub. Cover is $10.Ìý
Diemonds and Pigeon Park Toronto rockers co-headline with the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»classic- and modern-rock outfit. 7pm at The Roxy. Tickets $10 at MyShowPass.com or $13 at the door.
Chor Leoni Gorgeous choral works, fun twists on well-known favourites, and sing-along carols all wrapped up in the irresistible warmth and beauty of Chor Leoni’s sound. 4:30pm & 8pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church. Tickets $30+ at TicketForce.com. All ages show.Ìý
The Christmas Story Carols and readings of the season from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Chamber Choir, led by Kevin Zaresky with a cameo appearance from Fiona Blackburn and the BC Girls Choir. Tickets $29+ at Ticketmaster.ca
Tom Holliston Singer-songwriter-guitarist co-headlines with the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and the triumphant return of their storied duo, The Dalai Lamees. 7pm at WISE Hall Lounge. Admission is by donation.Ìý
Holiday Hustle BeatRoute Magazine’s annual Christmas party celebrates the holidays with the ultimate variety show, featuring No Sinner, Louise Burns, Tanglers and Leisure Club. 8pm at WISE Hall. Tickets $12 at MyShowPass.com or $15 at the door.Ìý
Emily Baran BC singer-songwriter returns to the East Van stage for an intimate performance with surprise special guests. 8pm at Cafe deux Soleils.Ìý
Abigail Williams American black-metal band from Phoenix by way of Olympia appear in support of The Accuser, with special guests Vacuus, Omnipotence and Craters. 8pm at Media Club. Tickets $10 at TuneStub.com
The Crowbots Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»shoegaze/garage/psych-rockers play an early show with special guests The Eleven Twelves. 7pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $10 at the door.Ìý
Little India Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»pop-rock, electronic band celebrate the release of their EP Neon Jungle with special guest Derrival. 7pm at Venue. Tickets $15 at Ticketmaster.ca
Comedy
Lori Gibbs A regular on CBC’s The Debaters, nominee for Best Standup Comic at this year’s Canadian Comedy Awards and star of her own Comedy Now! special, performs with opening sets from Greg Kettner and Alex Sparling. 8pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com
Theatre/Dance
Goh’s The Nutcracker Goh Ballet presents the holiday dance classic with principal dancers from the National Ballet of Canada and live music from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Opera Orchestra. 7:30pm at The Centre in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»for the Performing Arts. Tickets at GohNutcracker.com. Runs until Dec. 20.
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Saturday, Dec. 17
Music
Coastline Pilot Four-piece indie-rockers from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»co-headline with the Victoria post-hardcore band featuring special guests Jake Touzel Band. 7:30pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at the door.Ìý
Ezra Kwizera & Yvonne Kushe An evening of reggae, soul, soca, pop and R&B from the Ugandan musician co-headlining with the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»songstress. 8pm at Cafe deux Soleils. All ages show.Ìý
Dirty Mike and The Boys Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»rock, blues and funk band perform with special guests The Poolsharks and Anteater. 7:30pm at Red Room Ultra Bar. Tickets $10 at and $13 at the door.Ìý
Breaks Xmas Party Prizes for rocking out in ugly Christmas sweaters and donations of non-perishable food items encouraged, with DJs Slynk and Doprah Spinfree. 11pm at Red Room Ultra Bar. Tickets $20 at MyShowPass.com
The Best Revenge Garage-rockers from New West hit the stage with special guests Dried Out, Coyotee and Double Standards. Cover is $10.Ìý
Christmas Reprise XIV This cherished Christmastime performance evokes the true warmth and pure magic of the holiday season with the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Cantata Singers. 2pm at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Tickets $30 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Events
Subculture Metal Market It’s the anti-Christmas celebration with a host of local vendors, followed by performances from Lungflower, Opus Arise and Thousand Arrows. 2pm-7pm at Pat’s Pub, admission is free. Performances at 8pm, cover is $10.
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Sunday, Dec. 18
Music
Festive Cantatas J.S. Bach’s masterpiece Magnificat is performed by the Pacific Baroque Orchestra in a rare and delightful performance illuminating the Nativity story under the direction of Juno Award-winning director Alexander Weimann. 3pm at Chan Centre (UBC). Tickets $18 at Tickets.UBC.ca
Cool Yule with Van Django A Christmas variety show with a festive mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical elements and sing-alongs in the punchy, rhythmic gypsy style of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»band. 7pm at St. James Community Hall. Tickets $22 at Red Cat, Highlife, Rufus’ Guitars, Tapestry Music and RogueFolk.bc.ca
Hed PE Huntington Beach punk/hip-hop outfit perform with special guests Spread the Revenge and Wettworker. 7pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets $20 at TuneStub.com
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Violinist Mark Fewer is joined by oboe player Roger Cole in a performance of the violin concerti by the Italian composer. 8pm at Chan Centre (UBC). Tickets $26.75+ at Tickets.UBC.ca
Comedy
The Sunday ServiceÌýThe award-winningÌýimprovÌýcomedy troupe bring 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.
Events
The Big Elf Run Tour picturesque Stanley Park on a route for all ages and abilities as it dashes through winter forest trails, looping the seawall with hallmark views of the harbour passing water and hot chocolate stations before finishing at the Winter Wonderland Park for post-run family-friendly activities. 12pm at Lumberman’s Arch (Stanley Park). Tickets at EventBrite.ca
Monday, Dec. 19
Music
Uno Mas Soul-jazz flavour peppered with funk, hip-hop, reggae, drum & bass and Latin grooves from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»trio. Part of the S.I.N. Mondays series. 7pm at Guilt & Co. Admission is by donation.Ìý
Aesop Rock American hip-hop recording artist and producer from Portland, Oregon, plays tunes from The Impossible Kid with special guests Rob Sonic, DJ Zone and Homeboy Sandman. 8pm at Venue. SOLD OUT.
September Mourning The transmedia dark culture project of Emily Lazar and Marc Silvestri navigates the world of the living and of the dead with special guests 2 Shadows and Ozawar. 7pm at Red Room Ultra Bar. Tickets $15 at TuneStub.com
Petunia and the Vipers The swoonin’, swingin’, croonin’ Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»band continue their weekly residency performing everything from jazz to blues, French cabaret and Mexican folk and bluegrass. 7pm at WISE Hall. Admission is by donation.Ìý
Theatre/Dance
Avenue Q: The Musical Irreverently witty and outright uproarious, this musical tells the story of a bright-eyed college graduate who arrives in New York City looking for love, a job and his purpose in life in the only neighbourhood he can afford, where puppets rub shoulders with humans in this part-felt, part-flesh production. 7:30pm at Granville Island Stage. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 31.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Music
Neurosis Oakland post-metal band plays tunes from Fires Within Fires with special guests Yob and Sumac. 7pm at Venue. Tickets $40 at ElectroStub.com
Ding Dong! Musica Intima performs popular, grumpy and humourous seasonal tunes in this blues, jazz and folk-inspired show accompanied by Sharon Minemoto on piano, Darren Radtke on bass and Nino DiPasquale on drums. 8pm at ANZA Club. Tickets $20 at EventBrite.ca
Theatre/Dance
Christmas Presence Join an eclectic gathering of musicians and actors for a night of music, stories, poems and readings for the holiday season, with a rotating line-up featuring the likes of Ron Reed, Carolyn Arends, The Tourist Company and a host of others. 8pm at Pacific Theatre. Tickets at PacificTheatre.org. Runs until Dec. 21.
Potted Potter A hilarious 70 minutes of theatre where all seven of the Harry Potter books are condensed into one Oliver-nominated performance guaranteed to make you roar with laughter – even if you don’t know the difference between a horcrux and a Hufflepuff. 2:30pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets at TicketFly.com. Runs until Dec. 24.
Mary Poppins Watch Mary fly over the rooftops of London and feel like a kid again in this family musical featuring all the unforgettable songs from the popular film, live on stage. 1:30pm & 7:30pm at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Tickets at ArtsClub.com Until Jan. 1.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Music
Jen Hodge Allstars Strap on your dancing shows and get your swing on for a night of jazzy goodness with the Vancouver-based upright bassist as she leads a rotating cast of musicians through this weekly performance of high-energy traditional jazz. 9:30pm at Guilt & Co. Admission is by donation.Ìý
Funk The Halls Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»electronic duo the Funk Hunters are back for their annual two-night holiday show featuring Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na and special guests Dirty Radio and Russ Liquid. 8pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $30 at Ticketmaster.ca
Theatre/Dance
Improv Against Humanity: HO HO HOliday Special Saddle up the reindeer, jump in the sleigh and come on down to help The Fictionals celebrate the Christmas season as they help Santa with his naughty list, perform hilarious comedy and crown the new Most Horrible Person in Vancouver. 8pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets $10 at TheFictionals.comÌý
Cabaret of Hope A series of six variety shows featuring Jay Brazeau, David C. Jones, Susie Sweetcheeks and others. A benefit for a family in need during the season of hope and renewal. 8pm at Havana Theatre. Admission is by donation. Runs until Dec. 30.
Events
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Christmas MarketÌýThe 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 atÌýVancouverChristmasMarket.com. Runs until Dec. 31.
Thursdsay, Dec. 22
Music
Blanche Norton All-Star Fundraiser A fundraiser for the local musician, featuring performances from Petunia and the Vipers, Big Top, Myrtle Family Band, Geoff Berner, Al Mader and Black Gardenia. 7:30pm at WISE Hall. Tickets $20 at BrownPaperTickets.com and $25 at the door. Ìý
Funk the Halls Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»electronic duo the Funk Hunters are back for their annual two-night holiday show featuring Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na and special guests Pigeon Hole and Russ Liquid. 8pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $30 at Ticketmaster.ca
Sweet Soul Gospel Christmas Checo Tohomaso and the dynamic gospel choir mix the sounds of soul, gospel, R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, calypso and reggae to celebrate the Christmas season in a toe-tapping, foot-stomping, singing, dancing and hand-clapping good time. 7:30pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. Tickets $10+ at www.VOCSoulGospelChoir.com Ìý
Comedy
Adam Pateman Actor, writer, editor and producer with appearances on FOX’s Lucifer performs a stand-up set with Jacob Samuel and Harris Anderson. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com
Theatre/Dance
The Day Before ChristmasÌýIn this infectious comedy that’s sure to make the holidays bright, Alex is a perfectionist who holds fast to her Christmas traditions, but in the midst of juggling family, work, and a movie star, she loses control of her holiday plans and her home becomes a disaster. 8pm at Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 24.
