Celebrate many cultural traditions by lighting up the night.| Photo by Bruce McPherson.
The holiday season is here and the city’s festive atmosphere is in full swing. Check out the many (warm and indoor!) live theatre performances happening this month, as well as the numerous festivals, fairs, exhibits and celebrations happening around town. Have an amazing holiday season and a great New Year’s Eve everyone – see you in 2017!
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Chang En Man: As Heavy as a Feather
Nov. 12–Feb. 11, 2017
Centre A, Vancouver
Until February 11, Centre A is
hosting As Heavy as a Feather, an exhibit by Taiwanese media artist Chang En Man, which examines settler-indigenous relationships and draws parallels to the similar struggles and experiences the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and Canada face with their respective governments. The exhibit is divided into two parts. One section looks at the indigenous Taiwanese struggle against large-scale capitalist projects, which threatens traditional ways of life. The other section examines how the relationship between First Nations and the Canadian government can be used as a fruitful model to create dialogue and productive co-existence. For more information, check out their website.
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A different take on an old tale.| Photo by Emily Cooper.
Little Red Riding Hood
Various dates between Nov. 23–Dec. 31
York Theatre, Vancouver
Take the children to York Theatre to see the adventures of Little Red Riding Hood as she bikes down Adanac bike trail to deliver a basket full of goodies to her sweet little granny. Along the way she’ll meet a variety of characters such as bikes thieves, distracted drivers and The Big Bad Wolf. Writer-comedian Mark Chavez infuses a local take on the classic tale by poking fun at Vancouver’s many eccentric quirks and characteristics. For showtimes and further information, visit their website.
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Children
Nov. 24–Jan. 22, 2017
New Media Gallery, New Westminster
The New Media Gallery is hosting a multi-channel video exhibition, featuring six children from six different countries, questioning and deconstructing the social structures and cultural institutions of the world around them. In this exhibit, these children critically and humourously ponder existential questions, reveal absurdities and deficiencies in society, and imagine new possibilities in constructing the human condition. For more information about the children and the exhibit, check out the website.
Young children question the world around them.| Photo courtesy of Candice Brietz.
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Ancient Poetry, Today’s Life!
Dec. 1–28
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
The Vancouver Chinese Garden will be hosting Ancient Poetry, Today’s Life!, an exhibit that explores the experience and artistic work of Jia Tsu Thompson, a Chinese woman born in China who refused to accept social inequality, and the resulting impact of her commitment to social activism. In her later career, she turned to calligraphy as a way to express her life’s experiences fighting sexism and racism through the ancient art form, expressing a message of life, love and learning. Catch the opening reception to the exhibit on Sat. Dec. 10, 2–4:30 p.m.
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Bah! Humbug!
Dec. 8–17
Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, Vancouver
Catch Juno-award winning musician Jim Byrnes’ portrayal of Charles Dickens’ classic miser-misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Woodwards. Featuring a variety of local professional and DTES community actors, this adaptation of A Christmas Carol takes place in modern day Vancouver, drawing parallels to Dickens’ original Victorian London setting and Vancouver’s downtrodden Downtown Eastside. For tickets and further information, please visit their website.
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Alice in Wonderland
Dec. 8–18
Studio 1398, Vancouver
Step through the looking glass at Studio 1398 on Granville Island where they will present Eva Le Gallienne and Florida Friebus’ adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland this December. Join Alice on her adventures through Wonderland where she meets Humpty Dumpty, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts! For showtimes, cast details and further information, visit their website.
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Yalda Watermelon and Pomegranate Festival
Dec. 16
North Vancouver City Library, 3rd Floor Program Room
Adults are invited to get together, learn about and celebrate this unique ancient Persian festival, Yalda Night, a night full of joy and happiness. Shab-e Yalda, or “Yalda night” celebrates the longest and darkest night of the year. Join in from 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m. to learn more about Yalda at an exhibition table. A reception will follow in the 3rd floor program room until 8:30 p.m. All are welcome. No registration required.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
Dec. 21, 6 p.m.
Various neighbourhoods in Vancouver
The Winter Solstice Lantern Festival returns for the 23rd time to honour the city’s many cultural traditions celebrating the cosmic dance of the sun, the earth and the moon. The festival will illuminate the darkest night of the year with lanterns, singing, dancing, music, art and much more at a variety of neighbourhoods including Yaletown, Chinatown and Granville Island. Further activities will be revealed as the night approaches. For updates, check out their website.
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NYE Vancouver
Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.
Canada Place
Say goodbye to 2016 in style at Canada Place. This family-friendly event will feature plenty of concerts, exhibitions, food and live entertainment. There will be two fireworks shows, one at 9 p.m. for the children who need to go to bed early and another at midnight to usher in 2017, Canada’s 150th anniversary. For further information and event details, check out their website.
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Murder on the Menu
Dec. 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library, Terry Salman Branch
Join Crime Writers of Canada authors at the Vancouver Public Library to talk about all things criminal over tea and cookies. Featuring a discussion of mystery fiction and readings from the writers’ latest crime novels, mix and mingle with some of Canada’s passionate mystery and crime writers and learn about some of the latest literary trends in their field. For more information, check out their website.
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Together: Stories About the Impact of Global Development
Jan. 3, 2017, 7–8:30 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library, Kitsilano Branch
Aga Khan Foundation Canada features lectures and discussions from individuals who are at the forefront of global development and change. Join the foundation at the Vancouver Public Library as they host storyteller Zarah Esmail, executive director of the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, who will be sharing stories of her experiences overseas in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and Africa. For more information, contact the Vancouver Public Library or visit the Aga Khan Foundation’s website.
