Zakk Sabbath plays the Commodore
By Steve Newton
MONDAY AND TUESDAY: 20th anniversary screenings at the Rio Theatre of writer-director-producer-star Tommy Wiseau’s godawful cult classic The Room. Wiseau’s costar in the film, Greg Sestero, will direct a live reading of the first edition of Wiseau’s original screenplay, lead a Q&A, and supply live commentary during the screening.
MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY: 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.
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the annual Festival of Lights features 15 acres of trees, plants, and pathways adorned with over one-million twinkling lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 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.
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: 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.
TUESDAY TO FRIDAY: 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.
TUESDAY TO FRIDAY: 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.
TUESDAY TO FRIDAY: Theatre Replacement presents playwrights Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana’s family show East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast, with music by Veda Hille, running until January 7 at the York Theatre.
WEDNESDAY: heavy-metal guitar hero Zakk Wylde leads his power trio Zakk Sabbath in a tribute to Black Sabbath at the Commodore Ballroom. SOLD OUT. Here’s my interview with Zakk Wylde from 1994.
Adventures in Pedal Steel at the Painted Ship
WEDNESDAY: Adventures in Pedal Steel features pedal-steel guitarist Scott Smith performing with guitarist Paul Pigat, bassist Jeremy Holmes, and drummer Liam MacDonald at the Painted Ship.
WEDNESDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of director Sidney Lumet’s 1978 musical-adventure The Wiz, which reimagines the classic 1900 children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with an African-American cast, including Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
WEDNESDAY: Four Bands for Four Bucks at the Fox Cabaret features affordable performances by local acts Rosemary Ginger, Hollow Twin, Washh, and Tess LeBlanc.
THURSDAY: the Secret Lantern Society presents the 30th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival at the Roundhouse Community Centre, featuring lanterns, fire, singing, dancing, music, and storytelling.
The VSO performs to Elf at the Orpheum
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: screenings at the Orpheum Theatre of the classic Will Ferrell Christmas comedy Elf, with the score performed live by the Vancouver Symphony.
FRIDAY: 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 on Friday are the Holy Cross All Stars Big Band and School of Rock.
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