Handel’s Messiah, Chor Leoni’s Angels Dance and more seasonal concert offerings in Vancouver

L.J. Mounteney with Van Django.

Looking for some seasonal favourites, musically speaking? This month, we have festive concerts ranging from gypsy jazz to choral to folk-roots and indie-pop. Check out some of Vancouver’s December musical offerings below.

Van Django’s Cool Yule (Dec 13, St. James Hall, 3214 W 10th Ave.)—Local gypsy-jazz band Van Django presents their annual variety show, a mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical elements, and sing-alongs, plus a few surprises. Vocalist L.J. Mounteney joins the band, as in previous years. (Tickets: $28 at roguefolk.bc.ca and 604-736-3022)

A Sumner Brothers Christmas XIV (Dec. 13, WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St.)—Performers include an eclectic range of local roots, folk, rock, and pop musicians. Among them: Gillian Moranz, Jay Gavin &a The Tired Sunday Choir, Twin Bandit, and The Sumner Brothers w/ Kenton Loewen & James Meger. Plus: Polaroids with Drunk Santa! (Tickets: $12 at brownpapertickets.com )

Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St.)—Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a cast of Canadian soloists join the Vancouver Bach Choir for this holiday tradition. (Tickets: starting at $20 at tickets.ubc.ca)

Christmas w/ Chor Leoni: Angels Dance (Dec. 21, 4 & 8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre)—Vancouver’s Chor Leoni Men’s Choir is joined by the emerging professional dancers from Arts Umbrella’s Performance Research Project. Two folk-inspired works form the centrepiece of the program, including Carols & Lullabies, which draws on the culture of the American Southwest, And Star in the East. The latter references Appalachian shape-note singing, accompanied by harp. The program also includes Franz Biebl’s radiant Ave Maria and Randall Thompson’s evocative setting of Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, a new work by Vancouver’s Ed Henderson, and a bluegrass Jingle Bells. The Arts Umbrella Dance Company will join Chor Leoni for three extended selections. (Tickets: $20-45/10 at ticketstonight.com)

Chor Leoni.

The Kingfisher Bluez 12th Annual Christmas Party (Dec. 21, Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St.)—Featuring local indie-rock and pop bands including Peach Pit, Winona Forever, Sleepy Gonzalez, and Babe Corner, among others. All proceeds go to Crisis Centre B.C. (Tickets: $20 at eventbrite.ca)