Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 8 to 10

Krystle Dos Santos performs at Liven UP–Coal Harbour

By Steve Newton

FRIDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of the 1997 Japanese crime drama Hana-bi, written, directed, and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also stars in it.

FRIDAY: Charlie Demers hosts East Van Laugh Riot at the Rio Theatre, featuring standup comedy by Alannah Brittany and Citizen Hurricane.

FRIDAY: the B3 Kings–composed of Hammond B3 player Chris Gestrin, guitarist Bill Coon, tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds, and vocalist-drummer Denzal Sinclaire–plays two shows at Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

American Psycho screens at the Rio

FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Mary Harron’s gory 2000 black comedy American Psycho, starring Christian Bale as a New York investment banking executive who goes on a killing spree. “Ya like Huey Lewis & the News?”

FRIDAY: under the direction of Alexander Weimann, the Vancouver Chamber Choir joins forces with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra to present Handel’s Messiah at the Orpheum Theatre.

FRIDAY: Pennsylvania punk-rock quartet the Menzingers play the Harbour Event & Convention Centre, with guests Microwave, Cloud Nothings, and Rodeo Boys.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Liven UP–Coal Harbour is a free, family-friendly event that will see lighting installations, artists, musicians, and storytellers along a walk from Canada Place to Cardero Park. Musical performers include the School of Rock on Friday and the Krystle Dos Santos Trio on Saturday.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Richard Fell’s stop-motion animated comedy Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the sequel to the hit 2000 film Chicken Run.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Vancouver Men’s Chorus presents its annual Christmas concert, Making Spirits Bright, at the Vancouver Playhouse.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the annual Festival of Lights features 15 acres of trees, plants, and pathways adorned with over one-million twinkling lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: Bright Nights in Stanley Park is a family-oriented fundraiser for the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund that features rides on the Christmas train, holiday lights display, live entertainment, food trucks, refreshments, and photos with Santa. Please note: tickets for the popular Stanley Park Christmas Train are completely SOLD OUT.

Denyse Thomasos exhibit at the VAG

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the work of late Trinidadian-Canadian artist Denyse Thomasos is featured in the career retrospective Denyse Thomasos: just beyond, running until March of 2024 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Arts Club Theatre Company presents Elf: The Musical, based on the 2003 Christmas comedy film Elf and starring Andrew McNee as Buddy the Elf. Running until December 31 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: Theatre Replacement presents playwrights Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana’s family show East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast, with music by Veda Hille, at the York Theatre.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: Cirque du Soleil presents its production of Kooza, a 125-minute acrobatics/circus show exploring themes of fear, identity, recognition, and power. Running until December 31 under the Big Top at Concord Pacific Place.

Dan Mangan plays the Vogue

SATURDAY: Vancouver indie-folk singer-songwriter Dan Mangan performs tunes from his latest album Being Somewhere at the Vogue Theatre.

SATURDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the Carolina Hurricanes in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena.

SATURDAY: Vancouver-based Pink Floyd tribute band Crazy Diamonds plays the Hollywood Theatre.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: in From the Soul, Chorus Studio’s four choirs–YVR Pop Choir, B-Roll, Pacific Soul, and Spotlight–perform at the Cultch Historic Theatre, with proceeds to the BC Crisis Center.

Run for Palestine at English Bay

SUNDAY: Vancouver first-ever Run for Palestine is a 10km walk/run at English Bay to raise funds for the children of Palestine impacted by war, displacement, and injury. SOLD OUT.

If you’re a concert promoter, arts organization, music store, or just somebody wanting to support my work, I’m looking for an exclusive sponsor of my twice-weekly Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver blogs. If interested, please contact me at steve@earofnewt.com.

Leave a Reply