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Thursday, Dec. 22Ìý
Music
Blanche Norton All-Star Fundraiser A fundraiser for the longtime supporter of local musicians, 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 ; $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
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 season. 7:30pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. Tickets $10+ at
Comedy
Adam Pateman Actor, writer, editor and producer (with appearances on FOX’s Lucifer) performs a stand-up set with openers Jacob Samuel and Harris Anderson. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at
Theatre/Dance
The Day Before Christmas In this infectious comedy, 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 . Runs until Dec. 24.
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Friday, Dec. 23
Music
Drew Rouse Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»singer-songwriter-guitarist plays a night of rock and conscious soul music with his band. 8pm at Cafe Deux Soleils. All ages.Ìý
Closer Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»noise-rockers perform with special guests Utility Provider, the Connection, and Cloth. 8pm at Studio Records. Tickets $10 at or $12 at the door.Ìý
Brother Twang The unholy result of pure rock fury meeting aggressive country twang, this four-piece – led by George Skoupas and Jay Romany – plays an intimate show. 8pm at Dubh Linn Gate (1601 Main). No cover.Ìý
Christmas Belles The trio of vocalists Ashleigh Sommerville, Mandy Rushton and Karin Plato team up to celebrate the joy of jazz in a fun, festive, old-Hollywood-glamour type of affair. 8pm at Cottage Bistro. Cover $15.Ìý
Cheap & Fun
WISE Hall Night Flea A special-edition night-time flea market featuring everything from vinyl to old-fashioned tools, vintage gig posters to hand-crafted underpants. 5pm-10pm at WISE Hall. Admission $2.Ìý
The 4th Annual Rain Beers Craft brewers Strange Fellows, Parallel 49, Main Street, Hoyne and Phillips return with some tasty casks, $2 tasters and special guest DJs in a fundraiser to benefit those in need. 8pm at The Cobalt. Admission by toy/food/cash donation.
Events
The Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party The Now That’s Ugly Society – a tongue-in-cheek, not-for-profit society from Port Moody – throws its 15th annual shindig to raise funds in support of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. 8pm at Commodore Ballroom. Tickets $35 at
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Saturday, Dec. 24
Music
Gabriel Hasselbach Enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings as horn player Hasselbach invites a variety of musicians and vocalists to join in on the performance. 7pm at Ten Ten Tapas (1010 Beach Ave). Ìý
Theatre/Dance
Potted Potter A hilarious 70 minutes of theatre in which 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 . Final performance.
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. 1pm & 6pm at Granville Island Stage. Tickets at . Runs until Dec. 31.
Cheap & Fun
FlyOver Canada: Christmas Ride Canada’s ultimate flying ride transforms into a magical winter wonderland this holiday season, as guests fly over and into the North Pole to help Santa search for his missing elves. 9:30am-6pm at FlyOver Canada (Canada Place). Tickets at
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Sunday, Dec. 25
Cheap & Fun
Disney Chanukah on Ice Light the first Chanukah candles, enjoy donuts, dreidels, gelt and traditional Chanukah music while skating with Mickey and Minnie. 3pm-5pm at Hillcrest Community Centre. Tickets $5 at
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Monday, Dec. 26
Music
Petunia and the Vipers The swoonin’, swingin’, croonin’ Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»band continue their weekly residency performing everything from jazz to blues, French cabaret, Mexican folk and bluegrass. 7pm at WISE Hall. Admission by donation.Ìý
CONTACT The electronic winter music festival returns for a two-day affair, featuring performances from Flume, Zeds Dead, Gareth Emery, Big Wild, Drezo, Botnek, Grandtheft, Pusher and many others. 5pm at BC Place Stadium. Tickets $99+ at . All ages show.
ComedyÌý
Year in Review Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»TheatreSports League presents an improv-comedy show inspired by the stories that made the biggest headlines in 2016,Ìý from the demise of Brangelina to the US election, Kate and Will’s visit, climate change and bike lanes. 7:30pm at The Improv Centre. Tickets at . Runs until Dec. 31.Ìý
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Tuesday, Dec. 27
ComedyÌý
Improv X New Year The Fictionals present a comedic look back at 2016 with a review of the top movies, books, songs and newsmakers of the year, followed by a crafting of the perfect resolutions for 2017. 8pm at Cafe Deux Soleils. Tickets $7 at
Theatre/Dance
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. 7:30pm at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Tickets at Until Jan. 1.
Cheap & Fun
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Christmas MarketÌýThe treasured holiday tradition is back, but brighter and merrier in a new seaside location, with 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 atÌý. Runs until Dec. 31.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Theatre/Dance
Cabaret of Hope This benefit for a family in need features a series of six variety shows featuring Jay Brazeau, David C. Jones, Susie Sweetcheeks and others. 8pm at Havana Theatre. Admission by donation. Runs until Dec. 30.
Holy Mo! A Christmas Show! A reverently irreverent reimagining of the Nativity story, told with gusto and a questionable commitment to accuracy. Featuring Lucia Frangione, Anita Wittenberg and Jess Amy Shead. 8pm at Pacific Theatre. Tickets at . Runs until Dec. 31.
Cheap & Fun
Youth Poetry Slam This monthly event for young poets features a 12-poet competition followed by an open-mic format. 8pm at Cafe Deux Soleils. Tickets $4+ at the door.
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Thursday, Dec. 29
Music
New Swears Pop-punkers from Ottawa play in support of their new 7-inch vinyl release from Dine Alone Records, with special guests Mikey and His Shame. 8pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $10 at
Machinedrum Electronic-music renaissance man from North CarolinaÌý performs as part of the Way Home series featuring Strangeloop & Timeboy, with special guest Greazus. 9pm at Fortune Sound Club. Tickets $15 at
Aaron Grant In support of his forthcoming solo record, the singer-songwriter-guitarist performs an intimate set of covers and original material. 6pm at Dubh Linn Gate (1601 Main). No cover.
ComedyÌý
Darcy Michael A rising Canadian comedy performer with appearances on CTV’s Spun Out and star of his own stand-up special, Darcy Michael: One Skinny Bitch, begins a two-night stand with opening sets from Brad Dorion, Mark Nesbitt and Ivan Decker. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at
Theatre/Dance
East Van Panto: Little Red Riding HoodÌýLittle 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. 2pm & 7pm at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»East Cultural Centre. Tickets atÌý. Runs until Dec. 31.
