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This week in BC: See Santa run, catch a musical Seuss and supercharge your Christmas spirit with lights, a parade and shopping!
Seussical the Musical returns to the Waterfront Theatre in Vancouver this December
Enjoy the Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge – December 3 – January 2 One way to ensure the holidays are merry and bright? By checking out Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver). This winter wonderland, open from December 3 until January 2, treats guests to the ultimate seasonal celebration, including live Christmas music, gingerbread cookie-decorating and glass-ornament blowing, all amidst millions of twinkling lights threaded across the suspension bridge and throughout the surrounding rainforest. Proceeds from admission — priced at $15 for adults, $5 for kids or a special $35 family rate, will be donated to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund. For further information, call 604-985-7474.
Do the Santa Shuffle Fun Run – December 4 Seems even Santa needs to lace up his runners sometimes to work off the season’s festive feasts. So you can expect him to be front and centre on December 4 for the 5K Santa Shuffle Fun Run, a family-oriented fundraiser that benefits the Salvation Army. As Charles Dickens once famously said, “It’s at Christmas time that want is most keenly felt,” so rest assured your donations will help put a turkey on the table and presents under the tree for B.C.’s neediest families. And if 5K sounds too exhausting? You can always opt for the 1K Elf Walk, instead, starting at 10 a.m. from Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. For more information, call the Running Room at 604-684-9771.
Shop Portobello West – December 4-5 Check out the Portobello West holiday market on December 4 and 5 at Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell St., Vancouver) to browse the works of over 100 local designers and artists selling everything from clothing to jewellery to home décor, from noon to 6 p.m. Go to portobellowest.com for more details.
Ride the Polar Express – December 4-5 A $22 ticket buys you a golden opportunity to hobnob with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, while enjoying all sorts of festive fun and tasty treats aboard the third annual Polar Express, the only rail ride of its kind in Canada. Departing from the West Coast Railway Heritage Park (39645 Government Road, Squamish), this one-hour journey steams out of the station on December 4 and 5 at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., creating a rolling romper room for Christmas-crazy kids. Admission is $22 per adult, with $3 discounts for children aged two to 12. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 604-898-9336.
See Seussical The Musical – December 4 – January 1 The Cat is back! Carousel Theatre’s hit production Seussical The Musical returns to the Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St., Granville Island) from December 4 to January 1. The Jessie Award-winning show brings the classic tales of Dr. Seuss to life in a toe-tapping story that spans a spectrum of musical styles while boasting a cast of characters ranging from Horton the Elephant to The Cat in the Hat himself. Tickets are priced at $29 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors and children, and can be purchased by calling 604-669-3410.
Check out Dance Allsorts – December 5 “All sorts of dance for all sorts of people” is how Dance Allsorts, Vancouver’s most eclectic dance series, describes its artistic aim. And they don’t disappoint, either, with a December 5 performance by the Lorita Leung Dance Company being a case in point. The acclaimed company will be on their toes in this special celebration at Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver) that displays a wide repertoire of Chinese dance styles, plus the youthful vibrancy of the Little Panda Children’s Performing Group. Tickets for the one-hour show are available at the door and online at newworks.ca.
Bring a Donation to the Rogers Santa Claus Parade – December 5 If every one of the estimated 300,000 spectators at the seventh annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade brought a cash or non-perishable food donation for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, far fewer families would go hungry this holiday season. But before you stake out a spot for the 1 p.m. parade on December 5, swing by the Coast Capital Christmas Square (Georgia and Howe streets) for some family fun and live music starting at 11 a.m. The parade, featuring more than 60 marching bands, choristers, festive floats and community groups, starts from West Georgia and Broughton then marches down Howe all the way to Davie.
Celebrate Christmas Creole Style – December 7 Want to spice up the holiday season? One way to go is eggnog and gingerbread, of course, but if you really want to get daring, why not indulge in a Creole Christmas? Taking place on December 7 at Kay Meek Centre (1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver), it delivers a night of Christmas hits, Creole style, from New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who’ll also pay homage to fellow hometowners like Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Bunk Johnson. Belly up for these Big Easy beats starting at 8 p.m., with tickets available in advance from $26 by calling 604-913-3634.
Pay Tribute to the Beatles – December 8 This December 8 marks 30 years to the day since John Lennon was gunned down in New York City. So it’s only appropriate, perhaps, that the night also marks the premiere of Revolver, the self-described “world’s best Beatles tribute” band at the Vogue Theatre (918 Granville St., Vancouver). Performing over 40 hit songs, the rockers recapture the euphoric energy of The Beatles’ repertoire, following their musical journey from their suit-wearing Ed Sullivan days to their shaggy-haired psychedelic era. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $30 and are available at the box office or by phone at 604-569-1144.
Swing by the Shadbolt Centre – December 9 Instead of kicking back this Thursday night to watch the usual primetime television lineup, why not bring the kids to Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby) for its 15th Annual Seasonal Celebration? They’ll love the free family-style festivities that salute the season with live music and dance, art activities, roving performers and an appearance by Bobs & LoLo. Even better, you can help fill the coffers of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau by donating a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped child’s toy. Swing by this seasonal shindig on December 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with further details at 604-291-6864.
Take the Elevator Home to the Moda Hotel – until December 28 ’Tis the season of cocktail parties, dinners and get-togethers galore. But don’t let Vancouver’s strict new drinking and driving laws put a damper on your fabulous fetes. Just check out the “Take the Elevator Home” promotion at Moda Hotel (900 Seymour St., Vancouver) for a perfect solution to celebrating the holiday season safely. Simply tumble — or stumble, as the case may be — into your chic guest room post-party and snuggle into a comfy bed and linens for $99, exclusive of taxes and based on double occupancy. This promotion is valid until December 28, subject to availability. To reserve, call 604-683-4251.
Shop the Joe Average Print Sale – until January 10 There’s nothing mediocre about Vancouver painter, pop icon and AIDS activist Joe Average. So if you want to add some urban edge to your space, consider checking out the Joe Average Print Sale, offering a 30 per cent discount off his bold, vibrant pieces until January 10.
Head to Tigh-Na-Mara – This Christmas If the thought of spending the holidays at home this year inspires more ho-hum than ho-ho-ho, then you might want to hightail it to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort (1155 Resort Drive) in Parksville. There, you’ll enjoy horse drawn hayrides, warm cider and traditional holiday dinners – with no cooking required! Surrounded by 22-acres of forest and three kilometers of sandy beaches, no wonder it’s considered “the natural choice” for outdoor enthusiasts. Can’t swing an overnighter? You can always buy a gift certificate for the Grotto Spa or the robe-attire-only Treetop Tapas and Grill. To book, call 1-800-663-7373.
Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.