Keithmas XIII is at the Rickshaw
By Steve Newton
FRIDAY: Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane performs at the Pacific Coliseum as part of the PNE Winter Fair, which includes holiday-themed food and beverages, an outdoor marketplace, live kids’ shows, and ice-skating in the Agrodome. If Cochrane doesn’t play “Life is a Highway” you should ask for your money back.
FRIDAY: the grand reopening of the Cobalt Hotel features performances by Vicious Cycles MC, Little Destroyer, Rempel and the Rousers, and DJ Your Man Flint. Welcome back Cobalt, you crusty old punk-rock hangout you!
FRIDAY: local blues-rock quartet Terminal Station–composed of singer-guitarist Scott Smith, keyboardist Darryl Havers, bassist Jeremy Holmes, and drummer Liam MacDonald–plays tunes from latest album Brotherhood at Burnaby’s Admiral Pub & Grill.
FRIDAY: local blues-rock quintet Incognito, featuring vocalist Nadine States and guitarist Rob Montgomery, plays Frankie’s Jazz Club. Anybody remember those Saturday blues jams down at the Yale?
Zappostrophe’ plays Zappa at the Fox
FRIDAY: eight-piece Vancouver band Zappostrophe’ performs the music of Frank Zappa at the Fox Cabaret. Remember: don’t eat the yellow snow.
FRIDAY: the Vancouver Warriors take on the Calgary Roughnecks in National Lacrosse League action at Rogers Arena.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Bard on the Beach’s Christopher Gaze hosts a program of carols and Christmas music sung by guest soloists and performed live by the Vancouver Symphony at the Orpheum Theatre.
FRIDAY AND SUNDAY: screenings at the Cinematheque of director Alain Resnais’ 1959 landmark of modernist cinema, Hiroshima mon amour.
Festival of Lights is at VanDusen Botanical Garden
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the City of Vancouver’s annual Festival of Lights is a winter wonderland featuring more than one million lights decorating 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden. Goes good with hot chocolate.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: Goh Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, with Tchaikovsky’s score performed by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain features visits with Santa in his workshop, light installation, sliding zone, and ice-skating on the 8,000-square-foot mountaintop skating pond.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Arts Umbrella Dance Company presents Mixed Nuts, a modern twist on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker featuring an assortment of dance styles, at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Shaun Verreault plays Blue Light Studios
SATURDAY: Shaun Verreault and Cobra Ramone perform at Blue Light Studios as part of the Blue Light Sessions., hosted by Todd Hancock of the Toddcast Podcast.
SATURDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the high-flying Winnipeg Jets in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena.
SATURDAY: comedian and ganja enthusiast Tyler Smith hosts The Dope Show–a comedy showcase in which comedians perform a sober set, take a short intermission to toke up, and get back on stage to perform under the influence–at the Fox Cabaret.
SATURDAY: John Hewer’s Hidden Charms presents Keithmas XIII, a Vancouver Food Bank benefit at the Rickshaw Theatre celebrating Keith Richards’ birthday with performances by Rich Hope, La Chinga, Just A Season, Barney Bentall, Spank Williams, Chance Lovett Music, Rempel & the Rousers, Bend Sinister, the Vicious Cycles MC, the Ramores, and emcee Aaron Chapman. SOLD OUT.
SUNDAY: the Kingfisher Bluez Christmas Party at the Rickshaw Theatre is a benefit for 1-800-SUICIDE/Crisis Centre BC, featuring performances by Peach Pit, Winona Forever, Babe Corner, young friend, Tim the Mute, Non La, Grade School, Cam Blake, Grimm, Flat Earth, Future Star, Leave Yourself Alone, Max Boonch, Tractor Beam, and World Image. In-person tickets SOLD OUT, but livestream tix still available.
SUNDAY: All-ages sing-along screening at the Rio Theatre of Robert Wise’s 1965 musical The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Costumes and audience participation encouraged.
SUNDAY: the Vancouver Symphony performs the score of the Oscar-nominated short children’s film The Snowman live at the Orpheum Theatre. SOLD OUT.
It’s a Wonderful Life screens at the VIFF Centre
SUNDAY: afternoon screening at the VIFF Centre of Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, with all proceeds to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.