Inside Vancouver

Top 5 Alternative and Weird Holiday Shows in Vancouver

by Remy Scalza in Entertainment on December 13, 2012

Ryan Beil in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The Santaland Diaries. Photo by David Cooper

With Christmas just days away, there’s no shortage of holiday shows and musicals in Vancouver, from performances of the classic Nutcracker to Christmas concerts with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and stagings of White Christmas.

But for holiday lovers seeking some alternative seasonal charms, Vancouver has plenty to offer, as well. Here’s a look at five less-than-traditional, slightly skewed Christmas shows gracing Vancouver stages this month:

The Christmas Carol Project: Take Dickens’ timeless holiday fable and set it to live blues, folk and Celtic music and you get the Christmas Carol Project. Who knew the Ghost of Christmas Past could boogie down? The Cultch; Dec. 16-18 Continue reading:
Top 5 Alternative and Weird Holiday Shows in Vancouver

Top 5 Holiday Light Displays in Vancouver for 2012

by Remy Scalza in Family Friendly on November 27, 2012

Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge

Now that we’ve made it through Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there’s nothing left to do but admit it: Holiday season is officially here.

Over the next month, expect to see the streets, parks and even ships of Vancouver come alive with millions of multicoloured lights in celebration of the season. Here are the top five holiday light displays around town:

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden: Every year, the stately botanical garden in the heart of Vancouver is decorated with thousands of strings of coloured lights. The centrepiece is a “dancing lights” display over Livingstone Lake, a choreographed light dance set to seasonal music that illuminates every half hour. Also on hand are roving elves and food vendors serving holiday treats. Dec. 7 – Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Christmas. Adult $14.25; Senior and Youth $10.50; Child $7.75.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge: The iconic, 137-metre suspension bridge is decked out with lights every December – forming a glittering string of pearls over the Capilano River. Walk across and step into an enchanted rainforest, bedazzled with hundreds of thousands of lights. There’s also a scavenger hunt, gingerbread cookie decorating, glass blowing demos and sing-along carols. Dec. 1 – Jan. 5, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Christmas. Adult $31.95; Child $12; $65 per family (2 adults and 2 kids). Continue reading:
Top 5 Holiday Light Displays in Vancouver for 2012

See Scuba Claus and Holiday Jellyfish at the Vancouver Aquarium, Nov 22

by Remy Scalza in Family Friendly on November 14, 2012

Photo credit: Screenshot from www.vanaqua.org

There’s snow on the North Shore mountains and a nip in the air. ‘Tis the season . . . for Scuba Claus.

The Vancouver Aquarium is bringing back its popular underwater Santa this year as part of Luminescence, perhaps the world’s only aquatic-themed holiday light show.

From Nov. 22 to Jan. 22, the aquarium will be transformed with displays dedicated to showing how sea creatures create and reflect light.

Apart from Scuba Claus (who’s not a sea creature but a diver in full Santa suit), the stars of the show are the aquarium’s resident electric eels. Their charges will be set to activate a stunning overhead display of 100 origami jellyfish – meticulously folded over the course of three months in collaboration with origami artist Joseph Wu. Known as Jelly Swarm, the display pulses with light and colour in time with the eels’ natural electrical charges.

Other exhibits throughout the aquarium illustrate the wonders of aquatic light in action. Continue reading:
See Scuba Claus and Holiday Jellyfish at the Vancouver Aquarium, Nov 22

Vancouver Holiday Craft Market Preview

by Remy Scalza in Events on November 6, 2012

Photo credit: Pip & Pin cowls, available at Make It!

‘Tis the season for crafts.

Over the next two months, Vancouver will be blessed with nearly a half-dozen holiday craft markets, from heavy hitter Circle Craft to more intimate indie affairs. In fact, with so many talented artisans from across the country and around the world converging on the city, you might be able to avoid holiday mall madness altogether this year. Wares on offer range from one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing and home accessories to bath and body products, artwork, ceramics and even holiday foods.

Here’s a quick preview of what’s in store:

Circle Craft Christmas Market, Nov. 7-11: The grandaddy of Vancouver holiday markets is back for its 39th year. More than 300 artisans will pack the Vancouver Convention Centre with jewelry, fashions, home decor, bath products and even seasonal foods. This year, Circle Craft will also host their inaugural fashion show featuring eco-friendly garments from 50 designers. Check out Taraneh’s blog post for more details.

Make It!, Nov. 8-11: The runaway favourite among hipster shoppers, Make It! combines arts and crafts with a uniquely club vibe. To get everyone into the holiday spirit, local musicians – including Alas, the Ocean and Elisa Thorn – serenade shoppers with live tunes, and alcohol is available for purchase. The market is held in the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive and is apparently “25 percent more awesome” this year owing to an expanded roster of vendors. Continue reading:
Vancouver Holiday Craft Market Preview

Top 5 Holiday Beers in British Columbia

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on December 9, 2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9817122@N05/4272380080/

When the weather outside is frightful, nothing’s better than a nice winter beer. Fortunately, craft breweries around BC have turned out a great crop of rich stouts, porters and ales for the holiday season.

Here are a few picks that should be available (with a little searching) around the Lower Mainland. This list is by no means exhaustive, and I’m sure that some great craft beers have been left off. If you’ve got some more seasonal favourites, please let us know. Continue reading:
Top 5 Holiday Beers in British Columbia