Things To Do In Vancouver This Weekend: Nov. 24, 2016

This is the weekend it begins! I suppose it’s close enough, because all the holiday themes and Christmas events are showing up and starting now, so get ready for a month of Santas, decorated trees, cookie eating and glittery stuff. Indulge your big warm heart out early – or catch something totally different – like a Turkish film festival, a scotch tasting, or live music.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Ongoing

Friday November 25

The Vancouver Opera: Hansel and Gretel
Where: Vancouver Playhouse
What: In an abridged version to appeal to younger audiences, the master artisans of Old Trout Puppet workshop have created an enchanting fairy-tale world of visual surprises.
Runs until: Saturday December 10, 2016

Enchant Christmas Light Maze
Where: Olympic Village
What: What may be the world’s largest Christmas light maze is made up of over 55,000 sq. ft. of illuminated sculptures arranged to create the an atmosphere of evening adventure. Along with the maze, Enchant features a market with over 40 local vendors, 12 food trucks and a licensed eating area where you can eat, drink, and get merry.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Vancouver Turkish Film Festival
Where: VanCity Theatre
What: An international platform for Turkish filmmakers to showcase their work, but also to bridge the cultural and artistic gap between Canada and Turkey by bringing together cineastes and cinephiles from both countries.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

Peak of Christmas
Where: Grouse Mountain
What: It’s mountaintop holiday time. Bring your family to Santa’s workshop and meet reindeer, or take a sleigh-ride through a mystical alpine forest. You can also experience the tranquil beauty of skating on an 8,000 square foot mountaintop ice skating pond, surrounded by snow-topped trees or wander through an outdoor holiday lights display.
Runs until: Monday January 2, 2016

Canyon Lights
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
What: The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights in the trees, over bridges, and in the little village. See the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet) go on a Snowy Owl Prowl, decorate gingerbread cookies and make your own Christmas card.
Runs until: Sunday January 8, 2016

The Day Before Christmas
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Alex is a perfectionist who is desperately holding fast to her Christmas traditions. While juggling family and work—and a movie star—she loses control of her holiday plans, and her home becomes a disaster zone. Can she save the turkey from the dog and salvage a broken-down tree? Find out in this infectious comedy.
Runs until: Saturday December 24, 2016

Versatile
Where: The Little Mountain Shop
What: Host to both established and emerging artists, designers and makers predominately from the Sea to Sky region. It will be an opportunity to see this vein of talent who are debuting in the city, as well as select established artists who will be presenting new collections.
Runs until: Sunday December 4, 2016 (weekends)

Disney on Ice
Where: Pacific Coliseum
What: The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the Disney Pixar Toy Story gang escape Sunnyside Daycare in their most daring adventure. Then, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozenas they learn that true love comes from within.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

July Talk
Where: The Commodore
What: Quirky darkish Canadian indie rock from Toronto.

Michael Occhipinti and the Sicilian Jazz Project
Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre
What: A mix of Sicilian folk material and elements of jazz, world music, funk, blues and reggae. The project is being hailed by critics as, “a masterpiece of cultural fusion.” The band will be joined by special guest artist, Italian singer-songwriter, Pilar.

East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood
Where: York Theatre
What: Little Red Riding Hood is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to her sweet little granny. Cheer Little Red along as she battles everything from bike thieves to distracted drivers to The Big Bad Wolf. Suitable for kids 5 and up.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Uncaped Crusaders: A Batlesque Tribute to Batman
Where: The Rio Theatre
What: Geekenders presents a nerdlesque, sexy, fun tribute to Batman.

Vancouver Hopscotch Festival
Where: Vancouver
What: A festival of scotch, whiskey, and beer.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

God is a Scottish Drag Queen
Where: Evergreen Cultural Centre (Coquitlam)
What: From critically acclaimed and award winning comedian Mike Delamont comes the hit one man show God Is A Scottish Drag Queen. God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes to skewer everything from Justin Bieber to the Pope in a night of laughter.

Emancipator
Where: Celebrities
What: Ambient music from Portland.

Tuns
Where: The Biltmore
What: A Canadian indie rock supergroup, consisting of Mike O’Neill of The Inbreds, Chris Murphy of Sloan and Matt Murphy of The Super Friendz.

Angry Jäger Ale Cask Night
Where: The Butcher & Bullock
What: The brewmasters at Russell Brewing has taken a cask of their seasonal Angry Scotch Ale and have fortified it with a full bottle of Jägermeister. The smoky, malt-forward dark ale meshes with the herbaceous sweetness of the Jägermeister for a big, big beer that’s guaranteed to chase the winter chills far away.

Saturday November 26

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Vancouver Christmas Market
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
What: A new location this year right on the harbor front. Get in there with a mix of traditional food and beverage, wood carvings and toys, knitted goods, nutcrackers, pottery and other crafty gifts. The kids (and maybe childish adults?) can make Christmas gifts and ride a Christmas carousel.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Christmas Queen 3: Bachelorette Edition
Where: The Improv Centre (Granville Island)
What: This episode of The Christmas Queen saga sees HRM (Her Royal Meanness) as the star of her own reality show. She insists that the finale be filmed and aired live on Christmas Eve and her poor, brow-beaten director Bob Matchit can’t talk her out of it. Not only will his Christmas be ruined but her plan is to ruin the Christmas of all her suitors.
Runs until: Friday December 23, 2016

The Living Ocean: Music Inspired by the Beauty, Power and Protection of the Sea
Where: The Annex (823 Seymour)
What: Erato is proud to partner with Living Oceans Society on this program of music inspired by the Sea. Living Oceans is a B.C. non-profit society working to ensure Healthy Oceans, Healthy Communities. Founded in the tiny fishing village of Sointula off Vancouver Islands northeast coast.

Daughter
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
What: Indie folk from England.

The Romantic Piano: Yemtsov Plays Rachmaninoff
Where: The Orpheum
What: Highly regarded young Australian pianist Alexey Yemtsov makes his VSO debut, performing one of the all-time favourites for piano and orchestra, Rachmaninoff’s towering Piano Concerto No. 3. Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5 was written for and debuted at a celebration of the composer’s fiftieth birthday, and is one of his most beautiful, though most conflicted, works. Estonian conductor Anu Tali makes her very first appearance in Vancouver.

Paper Lions
Where: The Biltmore
What: They were finalists in the John Lennon Songwriting competition, Winners of an Independent Music Award and winner of the Touring Artist of the Year by us Canadian Arts Presenters Association. They have represented Canada at the World Expo in Shanghai China performing with members of Cirque du Soleil and have performed for The Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall.

CAG Free Family Day
Where: Contemporary Art Gallery
What: Inspired by the Guillaume Leblon’s installation, create a series of plasticine sculptures using molds based on clothing and the body.

ZarYevka Ballet’s The Jabberwocky
Where: ArtStarts Gallery
What: Families are invited to free performances of ZarYevka Ballet’s The Jabberwocky, a narrated story ballet featuring giant puppets, colourful costumes and exciting professional dancing. Join Yukina as she ventures into the mysterious Tulgy Woods, learning some important lessons about friendship along the way. No registration necessary.

Candy Town
Where: Yaletown
What: Yaletown welcomes back downtown Vancouver’s sweetest winter festival. From visits with Santa and the Ice Queen, to Christmas arts and crafts, and of course lots of sweet treats, CandyTown is an event to ignite the festive spirit in all guests. There will be CandyTown themed cocktails (try the CandyCane martini at OPUS Bar), food trucks, and a gift market.

We Know Nothing About Art: A Comedy Show
Where: Hot Art Wet City
What: Do you love art? Does art confuse you? Have you ever though that art historians could just be making everything up on the spot? Join comedian Abdul Aziz and his friends Alicia Tobin, Katie Ellen Humphries, Levi McCachen , Alain Williams, and Ryan Gunther as they do their best to make sense of the world’s most treasured works of art, with little to no formal training in the field.

Youth Workshop: Clay for Kids
Where: Bill Reid Gallery, 1:00pm
What: Be inspired by the works of Judy Chartrand and create your own clay creations in the Gallery. For ages 6–12.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Where: Carousel Theatre
What: Good grief! A lively musical adaption that also features a live jazz trio. Join Charlie Brown on his quirky journey as he tries to direct the school Christmas pageant. With some help from his friends and a ragged little tree, Charlie Brown discovers the true meaning of the season.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Holly Bazaar
Where: South Granville Seniors Centre (1420 West 12th)
What: An annual holiday themed bazaar featuring an assortment of goods including books, antiques, collectibles, hand-made knitting and more. A soup & sandwich lunch will be served for $7.

Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express
Where: The Vogue
What: A unique variety show; a fundraiser in that each song is “sponsored” with a delightful (and often hilarious) introduction citing the sponsor’s business. The intro’s are done by Barney himself along with Matt Masters, and each of them perform a few songs along with the other cast members who also each perform, including Ridley Bent, Dustin Bentall, Kendel Carson, Kirby Barber, Wendy Bird, and the Gold Rush All Star band.

Sunday November 27

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JCC Jewish Book Festival
Where: Various locations
What: Five days packed with inspiring and entertaining literary events including unique meet-the-author opportunities, readings and panel discussions, the annual book club event, screen writing workshop, children’s and youth authors, wellness and food subjects, interdisciplinary and multi-media events and two onsite bookstores – new and used, open throughout the week.
Runs until: Thursday December 1, 2016

Wise Hall Flea
Where: The Wise Hall
What: Local crafts, makers, sellers, vintage things for sale, music, and food.

Sampradaya Dance Creations Presents: Pralaya
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre
What: An uncharted journey of Bharathanatyam and Balinese dance. This modern telling of a tale from the magnificent Indian epic, Mahabharata, portrays a dynastic conflict, earth-shattering chaos and finally, an abiding but tenuous calm. Tickets can be purchased in-person at Vancouver Tourism Visitor Centre.

Birds of a Feather: Seabird Spotlight
Where: Lost Lagoon Nature House, 9:00am
What: Spot surf scoters returning in the thousands to the ocean waters surrounding Stanley Park on a two-hour easy walking exploration to learn about bird identification and behaviour.

Vancouver Craft Cider Festival
Where: The Beaumont
What: Sample delicious ciders from across the province, pair with food, and learn the intricacies of making and enjoying cider with some of Vancouver’s best cider educators.

Ongoing

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Shed Yr Skin (ends this weekend)
Where: Hot Art Wet City
What: In Nomi Chi’s first solo exhibition, Shed yr skin features a new collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures primarily depicting chimeric, sometimes monsterous figures struggling with themselves or otherwise interacting with each other as well as other creatures inhabiting fictitious landscapes.
Runs until: Saturday November 26, 2016

Miss. Shakespeare (ends this weekend)
Where: Firehall Arts Centre
What: Book and lyrics written by Tracey Power and music co-written by Steve Charles, Miss Shakespeare is a story inspired by the Bard’s daughter, whose own creative aspirations come alive as she leads a group of women in something secret, subversive, and illegal: the staging of a play.
Runs until: Saturday November 26, 2016

Long Division (ends this weekend)
Where: Gateway Theatre (Richmond, BC)
What: A multimedia experience about the mathematics of human connection. Seven characters struggle to explain their tragic entanglement using the language of geometry and logic, but find that one emotional variable consistently remains unsolved.
Runs until: Saturday November 26, 2016

Brothel #9 (ends this weekend)
Where: The Cultch Culture Lab
What: Rekha arrives in Calcutta thinking she has come to work in a light-bulb factory. In actuality she has been sold to a pimp by her own brother-in-law. In this impossible situation Rekha manages to shape her own destiny and find inner liberty.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

Vancouver Turkish Film Festival (ends this weekend)
Where: VanCity Theatre
What: An international platform for Turkish filmmakers to showcase their work, but also to bridge the cultural and artistic gap between Canada and Turkey by bringing together cineastes and cinephiles from both countries.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

Disney on Ice (ends this weekend)
Where: Pacific Coliseum
What: The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the Disney Pixar Toy Story gang escape Sunnyside Daycare in their most daring adventure. Then, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozenas they learn that true love comes from within.
Runs until: Sunday November 27, 2016

Across The Top: The Quest for the Northwest Passage
Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum
What: This exhibit will transport you to the Arctic where you will learn about its environment and people; the many voyages of discovery; the search for John Franklin’s lost expedition (both historical and modern), and the ultimate discovery of HMS Erebus by Parks Canada.
Runs until: November 2016

Diwali Fest (ends this week)
Where: Various Locations
What: Diwali is known as the festival of lights, a spiritual festival celebrated every autumn. Its spiritual significance is that of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. The festival is committed to incorporating the inclusion of all cultures and communities with its theme of unity in diversity, uniting people from different cultures through celebratory events and allow South Asian art forms to evolve through other cultural influences, while at the same time influencing others.
Runs until: Wednesday November 30, 2016

European Union Film Festival (ends this week)
Where: The Cinematheque
What: The Cinematheque’s annual celebration of new cinema from the European Union is proudly presented with the Vancouver consulates and the Ottawa embassies of the member states of the European Union and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. This year’s festival showcases entries from 23 EU members.
Runs until: Wednesday November 30, 2016

JCC Jewish Book Festival
Where: Various locations
What: Five days packed with inspiring and entertaining literary events including unique meet-the-author opportunities, readings and panel discussions, the annual book club event, screen writing workshop, children’s and youth authors, wellness and food subjects, interdisciplinary and multi-media events and two onsite bookstores – new and used, open throughout the week.
Runs until: Thursday December 1, 2016

Fall for Arts (ends this week)
Where: Whistler, BC
What: Festivals, art shows, markets, movie nights, and arts events all over the city.
Runs until: December 2016

Versatile
Where: The Little Mountain Shop
What: Host to both established and emerging artists, designers and makers predominately from the Sea to Sky region. It will be an opportunity to see this vein of talent who are debuting in the city, as well as select established artists who will be presenting new collections.
Runs until: Sunday December 4, 2016 (weekends)

By William Shakespeare
Where: Studio 58
What: Shakespeare’s most experimental drama receives a modern spin in Kevin Bennett’s interpretation of this part love story, part war drama where passion and violence are inextricably linked. With the Trojan War raging, Shakespeare shows us a world in which lovers yearn to be true and warriors strive to be brave, but both inevitably fail, betrayed by human nature and time. Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.
Runs until: Sunday December 4, 2016

The Vancouver Opera: Hansel and Gretel
Where: Vancouver Playhouse
What: In an abridged version to appeal to younger audiences, the master artisans of Old Trout Puppet workshop have created an enchanting fairy-tale world of visual surprises.
Runs until: Saturday December 10, 2016

Christmas Queen 3: Bachelorette Edition
Where: The Improv Centre (Granville Island)
What: This episode of The Christmas Queen saga sees HRM (Her Royal Meanness) as the star of her own reality show. She insists that the finale be filmed and aired live on Christmas Eve and her poor, brow-beaten director Bob Matchit can’t talk her out of it. Not only will his Christmas be ruined but her plan is to ruin the Christmas of all her suitors.
Runs until: Friday December 23, 2016

The Day Before Christmas
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: Alex is a perfectionist who is desperately holding fast to her Christmas traditions. While juggling family and work—and a movie star—she loses control of her holiday plans, and her home becomes a disaster zone. Can she save the turkey from the dog and salvage a broken-down tree? Find out in this infectious comedy.
Runs until: Saturday December 24, 2016

Vancouver Christmas Market
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
What: A new location this year right on the harbor front. Get in there with a mix of traditional food and beverage, wood carvings and toys, knitted goods, nutcrackers, pottery and other crafty gifts. The kids (and maybe childish adults?) can make Christmas gifts and ride a Christmas carousel.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Enchant Christmas Light Maze
Where: Olympic Village
What: What may be the world’s largest Christmas light maze is made up of over 55,000 sq. ft. of illuminated sculptures arranged to create the an atmosphere of evening adventure. Along with the maze, Enchant features a market with over 40 local vendors, 12 food trucks and a licensed eating area where you can eat, drink, and get merry.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Avenue Q
Where: Arts Club Theatre
What: The musical story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate who arrives in New York City looking for love, a job, and his purpose in life. The only neighbourhood he can afford is the multicultural Avenue Q, where Sesame Street-esque puppets rub shoulders with humans. Part felt, part flesh, Avenue Q contains full puppet nudity and other vulgarities that will induce laughter.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Where: Carousel Theatre
What: Good grief! A lively musical adaption that also features a live jazz trio. Join Charlie Brown on his quirky journey as he tries to direct the school Christmas pageant. With some help from his friends and a ragged little tree, Charlie Brown discovers the true meaning of the season.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood
Where: York Theatre
What: Little Red Riding Hood is bombing down the Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket of goodies to her sweet little granny. Cheer Little Red along as she battles everything from bike thieves to distracted drivers to The Big Bad Wolf. Suitable for kids 5 and up.
Runs until: Saturday December 31, 2016

Untangled Figures by Guillaume Leblon
Where: Contemporary Art Gallery
What: Creating fictional landscapes or altering an existing space has long been Leblon’s favoured technique for fuelling uncertainty and doubt in order to undermine the stark purity and perfect finish of the museum.
Runs until: Sunday January 1, 2016

Peak of Christmas
Where: Grouse Mountain
What: It’s mountaintop holiday time. Bring your family to Santa’s workshop and meet reindeer, or take a sleigh-ride through a mystical alpine forest. You can also experience the tranquil beauty of skating on an 8,000 square foot mountaintop ice skating pond, surrounded by snow-topped trees or wander through an outdoor holiday lights display.
Runs until: Monday January 2, 2016

Canyon Lights
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
What: The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest and canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights in the trees, over bridges, and in the little village. See the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet) go on a Snowy Owl Prowl, decorate gingerbread cookies and make your own Christmas card.
Runs until: Sunday January 8, 2016

All Together Now: Vancouver Collectors and Their Worlds
Where: The Museum of Vancouver
What: 20 beautiful, rare, and unconventional collections, with something for everyone including corsets, prosthetics, pinball machines, taxidermy, toys, and much more. In this exhibition both collector and collected are objects of study, interaction, and delight.
Runs until: Sunday January 8, 2016

White, Steel, Slice, Mask
Where: Contemporary Art Gallery
What: Working together for over a decade, the duo’s interdisciplinary practice typically instigates community-based models of participation in order to re-imagine a material record of the present. They investigate tactics of cultural representation while utilizing the methods of anthropology to examine various forms of collecting, interpretation and display.
Runs until: Sunday January 8, 2016

Walker Evans: Depth of Field
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: The American photographer Walker Evans (1903–1975) is among the most influential artists of the 20th century. Covering the full arc of his career, Walker Evans: Depth of Field presents the most comprehensive look at Evans’ work ever mounted in Canada.
Runs until: January 22, 2017

Alexine McLeod
Where: Monte Clark Gallery
What: The artist presents wall-mounted abstract compositions that combine everyday materials including plastic, fabric, found objects, and light.
Runs until: January 30, 2016

In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: The Sepik River of Papua New Guinea is one of the largest river systems in the world, extraordinarily beautiful, but seldom visited. It is here that the Iatmul people, who live along its banks, have created internationally renowned works of art primarily inspired by stories of the majestic crocodile as the primordial creator. This unique exhibition will showcase the most comprehensive collection of contemporary Sepik art in North America for the first time. In addition to highlighting the exquisite carvings of Papua New Guinea’s latmul people, the exhibition will delve into their economic, cultural, and spiritual connections to the river system, drawing urgent attention to the logging and mining operations that pose environmental threats to the region.
Runs until: January 31, 2017

Juxtapoz x Superflat
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
What: A manifesto for new creative practices that can no longer be adequately described by the traditional categories of art and production. Presenting the work of more than 30 artists from Japan, China, Korea, Europe and the United States this remarkable exhibition offers a unique insight into contemporary art and its place in cultural life.
Runs until: February 5, 2016

As Heavy as a Feather
Where: Centre A
What: Indigenous Taiwanese artist Chang En Man is having her first exhibition in North America. Chang’s practice is characterized by a dynamic interplay between story, tradition, and the struggles of indigenous peoples in the face of ongoing experiences of colonization.
Runs until: February 11, 2016

Judy Chartrand, What a Wonderful World
Where: The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
What: Her beautiful and provocative work presents her own personal history and insights into life in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and commentary on racism and post–colonial relations between Indigenous and non–Indigenous cultures.
Runs until: February 19, 2016

Layers of Influence
Where: UBC Museum of Anthropology
What: This stunning exhibition will explore clothing’s inherent evidence of human ingenuity, creativity and skill, drawing from MOA’s textile collection — the largest collection in Western Canada — to display a global range of materials, production techniques and adornments across different cultures and time frames.
Runs until: April 9, 2017

Nat Bailey Stadium Winter Farmers Market
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
What: Don’t fret the summers Farmers markets packing up – winter is here, and you can still shop local for fresh produce, preserves, baked goods, and crafts.
Runs until: April 22, 2017

Hastings Park Farmers Market
Where: Hastings Park (near the PNE)
What: The Hastings Park Farmers Market features a great selection of local produce; nursery items, fish, meat & dairy; artisan prepared foods, baking and treats; local crafts, and of course, food trucks.
Runs until: April 30, 2017

What are you up to this weekend? Tell me and the rest of Vancouver in the comments below or tweet me directly at @lextacular