Christmas cheer all around town.| Photo courtesy of GoToVan.
The Christmas season is in the air as we close in on December. Time to get your holiday shopping done at the many Christmas markets throughout the city. As always, there are film fests, live performances, technology lectures, holiday markets and many other events and festivals happening around town. Here are few to check out and add to your calendar!
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European Union Film Festival
Nov. 18–30
The Cinematheque, Vancouver
Come on down to the Cinematheque Theatre to experience the cinematic offerings from 23 European Union countries during the 19th Annual EU Film Festival. Catch a Romanian thriller about the perils of tabloid journalism, a Finnish film chronicling the stories of the remote Sami community or a Slovenian budding love story between two women from different worlds coming together by chance. From documentary to drama, comedy and historical, there’s plenty to see. For showtimes and movie information, check out their website.
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Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment
Nov. 23–27
Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver
Take the kids to the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE to catch your favourite Disney characters on ice. This family-friendly show will recreate scenes and short stories from four Disney and Pixar films: Cars, Frozen, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid. See Lighting McQueen and the Cars cast speed across the ice or watch the daring great escape from the Sunnyside Daycare of Buzz, Woody and the rest of the toys. For tickets and further information, check out their website!
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Candytown
Nov. 26, 12–7 p.m.
Yaletown, Vancouver
Take the kids to check out Yaletown on November 26 to see Candytown: an outdoor winter market featuring live music, horse carriage rides, ice carving demonstrations, candy making and a visit from Santa and the Ice Queen. Enjoy some holiday treats while you get your holiday shopping done, with unique and themed gifts.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
The Waterfront Theatre, Vancouver
Good grief! The Waterfront Theatre is putting on their musical adaptation of Charles M. Schulz’s holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, to get you into the Christmas spirit. Join Charlie Brown as he tries to organize a school pageant, but in the process learns the true meaning of the season. Featuring Andrew Cownden as Charlie Brown and Allan Zinyk as Snoopy, this play will be sure to delight the family. For showtimes and further information, check out their website.
Enjoy the festivities at the Vancouver Christmas market.| Photo by Frank Fujimoto.
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Vancouver Christmas Market
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver
www.vancouverchristmasmarket.
The Seventh Annual Vancouver Christmas Market will be held at Jack Poole Plaza for all of December. Take a holiday photograph, decorate your home with the unique arts and crafts on sale and listen to live performances! For the kids, meet Santa, go on a scavenger hunt and ride Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel. For the adults, don’t forget to down some holiday Glühwein!
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VAMSO: Peter and the Wolf and The Bells
Nov. 27, 2 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver
www.vancouveracademyofmusic.
The Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra (VAMSO) presents two 20th Century Russian compositions: Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s The Bells. Peter and the Wolf tells the tale of a young boy who outwits his gnarly foe. The enchanting classic will come to life with music by young VAMSO artists coupled with a splendid performance by the Goh Ballet. Next, the orchestra will share the stage with the Vancouver Bach Choir in Rachmaninoff’s resplendent score for Edgar Allan Poe’s The Bells. Poe’s illustrious verses will ring out anew as the mass ensemble evokes the rich tones and timbres that paint this vivid masterpiece. For tickets and more information, check out their website.
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Jewish Book Festival
Nov. 27–Dec. 1
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver
Join some of the Jewish community’s prominent and emerging writers at the Jewish Book Festival as they read from their latest works. Events include literary presentations, readings, lectures and workshops for audiences of all ages. Be sure to catch the opening night gala with existential psychiatrist Dr. Irvin D. Yalom as he presents his latest book, Creatures of a Day and Other Tales of Psychotherapy.
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The International Race for a Quantum Computer
Nov. 30, 7 p.m.
SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver
With technology getting more compact and the space between silicon transistors getting smaller, many technologists are seeing the limits of transistor-based computing. As a result, some technologists believe the way forward is building computers that operate at the quantum level. Quantum computers, they argue, will lead to a tremendous advance in computational power and, possibly, self-aware artificial intelligence. Join materials science professor Stephanie Simmons as she discusses the possible next generation of technological advance and the race to create a working prototype.
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Poly-Alligga Night: The China Philharmonic
Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, University of British Columbia
The China Philharmonic Orchestra will be coming to UBC on November 30 to perform three musical compositions: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Zheng Lu and Ma Hong-yeh’s Good News from Beijing and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World. Featuring 11 year old pianist Serena Wang and conductor Maestro Long Yu, the orchestra has performed at many venues throughout the world, and was named one of the world’s most inspiring orchestras by Gramophone online. For tickets and further information, check out their website.
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Twilight Between the Worlds
Nov. 26, 7 p.m.
Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
Join guest scholar and storyteller Simcha Raphael and the Or Shalom Synagogue as they explore the Jewish folk perspective on the meaning of life and death with traditional Jewish tales of ghosts, wandering spirits and reincarnating souls at the Mountain View Cemetery on November 26. Admission is free, but seating is limited. To register and for more information, check out their website.
