La Chinga plays Keithmas XIV
By Steve Newton
FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Bob Clark’s 1974 Canadian slasher flick, Black Christmas, starring Olivia Hussey.
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 Parlour Panther on Friday and Laura Crema on Saturday.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of The Wrecking Crew director Denny Tedesco’s new documentary Immediate Family, about the team of 1970s session players composed of guitarists Danny Kortchmar and Waddy Wachtel, bassist Leland Sklar, and drummer Russ Kunkel. Kunkel will take part in Q&As following the screenings on Friday at 1:15 and 3:4o pm.
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.
East Van Panto runs at the York
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: 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: 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.
Elf: The Musical runs at the Stanley
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: 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.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: New York jazz band the Heavy Hitters–composed of pianist Mike LeDonne, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington–plays Frankie’s Jazz.
Robert Connely Farr plays Keithmas XIV
SATURDAY: the annual tribute to Keith Richards and fundraiser for the Vancouver Food Bank, Keithmas XIV, takes place at the Rickshaw Theatre, featuring performances by Rich Hope, Pointed Sticks, Art Bergmann, La Chinga, Colleen Rennison, Elliot C Way, Joe Rotundo, WAIT//LESS, Robert Connely Farr, and Janky Bungag. SOLD OUT.
SATURDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of the 1997 Japanese crime drama Hana-bi, written, directed, and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also stars in it.
SUNDAY: Vancouver comedian Graham Clark performs an evening of standup at Chill X Studio in Mount Pleasant.
SUNDAY: Santana Claus at the Rio Theatre is a live band burlesque tribute to the music of Santana, featuring performances by Burgundy Brixx, Tonya Kay, Carole Brunette, Ann Narky, Susie Sweetcheeks, Mz B Haven, Shaboobie Boobarella, Fionna Flauntit, Rainbow Rhodes and Luna Phoenix.
Peach Pit plays the Commodore
SUNDAY: the Kingfisher Bluez Chrismas Party at the Commodore Ballroom features performances by headliners Peach Pit, with all profits to Crisis Centre BC.
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