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A Winter’s Dance returns to the Robson & Bute Plaza.

December Highlights

WINTER’S DANCE ON ROBSON

Saturdays December 7, 14 & 21
6 to 8 p.m.
Robson @ Bute Plaza
Free

Winter’s Dance returns this holiday season, featuring a whimsical urban ballet mix of live dance performances and interactive light installations inspired by Tchaikovsky classics, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Taking centre stage at Bute Robson Plaza will be performances by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker, the Bluebird and the Little Swans. 

Enjoy the spectacle as Small Stage dancers transform Bute Robson Plaza into a “Snowflake Winter Wonderland” and create an innovative public space experience using large projections, virtual reality, a mash-up musical score with a truly unique lighting design by Dotdot Productions and works by dancer-choreographers Alexandra Clancy, Lisa Rose Metz, Ana C. Sosa, and Greer Whillans.

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
The Vancouver Men’s Chorus

December 7, 11, 12 & 13 at 8 p.m.
Matinees Dec 7, 8 & 14 at 3 p.m.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church (1130 Jervis)
Admission: $45 to $90
Tickets

Evergreen plants and red holly berries, gifts of gold, and fluffy blankets of pure white snow: despite the dark of winter, the holidays are full of gorgeous colours that evoke a special festive feeling. And whether you celebrate the Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, each holiday adds a different hue to our diverse culture. Join the Vancouver Men’s Chorus as they celebrate the many colours of Christmas and let them add some sparkle to your winter!

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John Stetch is at Roedde House December 8.

ROEDDE HOUSE CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES

Sunday, December 8
4 to 5 p.m.
Roedde House Museum (1415 Barclay)
$15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors
604-684-7040

The Classical Concert Series presents piano great John Stetch to the Classical Series for the first time. This legendary and multi-award-winning Canadian performer fuses classical technique with jazz imagination. His Christmas-themed performance, Winter Wonderland, is a must-see, so be sure to purchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment..

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The West End’s Joyful Voice Community Choir is at St. Paul’s December 9 & 10.

SNOW & MISTLETOE HOLIDAY CONCERT
Joyful Voice Community Choir

Monday & Tuesday, December 9 & 10
7:30 p.m.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church (1130 Jervis)
By Donation

The West End’s favourite community choir presents an evening of seasonal songs. Their repertoire includes traditional, contemporary, folk, pop, and more.

Formerly a program of the Vancouver School Board’s Continuing Education Division, the Joyful Voice Community Choir is now an independent non-profit society. Membership in the choir is open. There are no auditions, and you do not need prior choral experience. The focus is on having fun and enjoying the journey. The music just happens!

ROEDDE HOUSE JAZZ SERIES

Thursday, December 12
7 to 9 p.m.
Roedde House Museum (1415 Barclay)
$15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors.
604-684-7040

The Roedde House Museum’s monthly jazz series December presentation features Juno-nominated jazz vocalist Karin Plato with Juno-nominated and Grammy award winning mandolin player John Reischman and guitarist John Miller.

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Bernard Cuffling and Judy Ginn Walchuck will share some written word memories in “Quills Don’t Tweet” at PAL Studio Theatre, December 15.

QUILLS DON’T TWEET

Sunday, December 15
PAL Studio Theatre
Doors at 1 p.m.
$32
604. 363.5734

“Quills Don't Tweet” is an afternoon of memories, nostalgia and the art of the written word. Words written between ordinary folks. War letters, love letters, historic letters and of course letters to Santa Claus! It is a night without technology. Join celebrated Vancouver veteran actor Bernard Cuffling and his special guests Anna Hagan, Doug Cameron, Alen Dominguez, Judy Ginn Walchuck and Marlee Walchuk for a holiday celebration and share the beauty of the written word, music and song. Admission includes festive pastries and a beverage.

Once A Week, Every Week …

MUSICAL MORNINGS

Wednesdays
10 to 11 a.m.
Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay)
Free

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast” according to 17th century poet William Congreve, and few musical styles do so as completely as classical guitar. Starting on Wednesday November 6, come to Barclay Manor to enjoy a repertoire of classical guitar played by Cuneyt Tirmandi. Cuneyt studied classical guitar at the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary and under renowned Argentinian guitarist Analia Rego in Buenos Aires. Wednesday’s Musical Mornings will now soothe your soul and calm your mind.

LIVE AT THE PARK PUB

Every Friday
8:30 p.m. to 12 midnight
The Park Pub at English Bay (1755 Davie)
No cover charge

The Park Pub at English Bay, located in the Sands Best Western Hotel on Davie, takes a break from their sports bar motif (NFL Sundays, Football Mondays and Thursdays) to present an evening of live music every Friday. Check here for the December lineup.

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Brad Shigeta will perform for Jazz Vespers December 1).

JAZZ VESPERS

Every Sunday
4 to 5 p.m.
St. Andew’s-Wesley United Church Salons (1018 Nelson)
By Donation

Every Sunday afternoon the folks at the historic St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church at Burrard and Nelson present the finest jazz musicians in the Lower Mainland in an afternoon performance where jazz meets, and dances, with the spirit. The December lineup includes: trombonist Brad Shigeta (Dec. 1); an Old Tyme Family Christmas (Dec. 15); We Three Queens (Dec. 22); and Marlin Ramazzini with New Year’s Salsa (Dec. 29). Check here for updates and further details.

JAZZ ON THE BAY

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday the Sylvia Hotel (1154 Gilford) presents an evening of live jazz in their lounge overlooking English Bay.

The lineup for December includes:

Wednesdays (8 - 10 p.m.): pop and jazz with Blue Bird Day (Dec. 4); vintage sould with Full Spin (Dec. 11); jazz and R&B with Lulu & her Men (Dec. 18). No performance December 25 — Merry Christmas!

Thursdays (8 - 10 p.m.): contemporary jazz with Allegro Duo (Dec. 5); acoustic blues with Jim Foster (Dec. 12); jazz standards with Midnight Blue (Dec. 19); and blues and jazz with Emily Best (Dec. 26).

Sundays (7 - 9 p.m.): jazz and vintage pop with Angela Verbrugge (Dec. 1); classic harmonies with The Hot Mammas (Dec. 8); jazz with Linda Villarreal (Dec. 15); the jazz duo Ryler & Kaylar (Dec. 22); and folk rock and roots with the Rusty Cree Boys (Dec. 29).

NEW YEAR’S EVE! … Tuesday, December 31 sees the New Year in with the Weaver/Werth Band.

SAMBA FUSION

Fridays & Saturdays at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse (1122 Denman). Samba Fusion is a Vancouver-based Dance Company, whose roots are based in Brazilian Samba, fused with numerous dance styles, music and rhythms. This Multicultural Dance Group performs several styles of dance fusion including: Brazilian Samba, Forró, Samba Reggae, Afro- Brazilian, Hip Hop, African, Polynesian and Burlesque.