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BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for December 1-7

This week in BC: Enjoy The Pirates of Penzance, White Christmas: The Musical, the Rogers Santa Claus Parade, and more

By Anna Dupas /

White Christmas: The Musical — Until Dec. 23

In rain-soaked Vancouver, we rarely get to see a white Christmas. Unless, of course, you’re talking about White Christmas: The Musical, which is back by popular demand at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville, Vancouver). Held until December 23, this critically acclaimed show has racked up full-house runs for three consecutive seasons, thanks to a stellar cast, Irving Berlin’s timeless tunes and a story one reviewer called “as warm and sweet as rum and eggnog.” Tickets are $29 to $85 online or by phone at 604-687-1644.



It’s a Wonderful Life — Until Dec. 29

It’s a wonderful life? Maybe so. But one thing’s for sure: it’s definitely a wonderful play. Back for a fifth season, It’s a Wonderful Life is as much a Christmas tradition as gingerbread cookies and candy canes — and every bit as sweet. And rest assured, a supremely talented troupe of actors (including Bob Frazer as George Bailey and Bernard Cuffling as Clarence Oddbody) do ample justice to this Frank Capra classic. See it until December 29 at the Granville Island Stage, with tickets available online or by phone at 604-687-1644.



Dear Santa Claus, Go F*** Yourself Tour — Dec. 1

Saying so long to Sunnyvale, Trailer Park Boys Ricky, Julian and Bubbles have hit the road on an all-new national tour. And this time, they’re not alone — Mr. Lahey and Randy are tagging along for the ride in all their drunken glory at Boulevard Casino’s Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam on December 1. It’s all part of the Boys’ latest cross-country venture, the Dear Santa Claus, Go F*** Yourself Tour, starting at 8 p.m. Buy tickets online for $49.50 and $59.50, excluding service charges, or at 1-855-985-5000.



Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park — Dec. 1 to Jan. 5

’Tis the season, alright — for grey days, frigid nights and the flu. If that’s left you feeling S.A.D. (as in, seasonal affective disorder), you’ll cheer up quick at Canyon Lights, an alpine escapade that brings a holiday thrill to the winter chill. From December 1 to January 5, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be aglow with thousands of twinkling lights, setting the seasonal stage for costumed carollers, kid-friendly scavenger hunts and gingerbread-cookie decorating. And new this year: Catch a free shuttle to the site from Canada Place.



Credit: Vancouver Opera

The Pirates of Penzance — Dec. 1-9

Queen Elizabeth Theatre sets the stage for a swashbuckling satire when Gilbert & Sullivan’s uproarious production of The Pirates of Penzance drops anchor in Vancouver for six performances only, from December 1 to 9. Local legend Christopher Gaze — best known as Mr. Bard on the Beach — directs this colourful spectacle starring internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Judith Forst and featuring regional rejigs to both song and script to tickle Vancouver audiences. Buy tickets online or by phone at 604-683-0222.



Credit: Flickr / miss604

Christmas Culinary Tour — Dec. 1 to Jan. 6

Buying your BFF another pair of pajamas for Christmas? Oh joy. Why not think outside the traditional ribbon-tied box this year and gift-wrap a culinary experience instead? No assembly required, except outside the Pan Pacific Starbucks for the Christmas Culinary Tour, a two-hour trek led by a guide gussied up as Gassy Jack, the legendary founder of Gastown. And better bring a big appetite, because you’ll stop at nine neighbourhood eateries for an array of seasonal snacks, both sweet and savoury. The $39-per-person tour runs December 1 to January 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.



Credit: Flickr / RickChung.com

Rogers Santa Claus Parade — Dec. 2

Isn’t Santa supposed to be hard at work in the North Pole right now? Seems even St. Nick can be a slacker ’cause he’s taking time out to be the star attraction at the ninth annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade on December 2. But before you stake out a spot for the 1 p.m. procession, swing by the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery for some family-style fun and live entertainment starting at 10:30 a.m. And don’t forget to bring a donation for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank!



The Wizard of Oz — Dec. 7 to Jan. 6

After playing to sold-out houses last holiday season, The Wizard of Oz once again invites audiences to follow the Yellow Brick Road when the magical musical returns to North Vancouver’s Waterfront Theatre from December 7 to January 6. You’ll enjoy an in-person replay of all your favourite movie moments, along with tunes ranging from “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to “The Merry Old Land of Oz.” Admission is $29, with discounts for seniors and students, by calling 604-669-3410.



Credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts: Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Sense: A Rosewood Spa

Winter chill can rough up your skin, so why not squeeze in some pre-emptive pampering at Sense: A Rosewood Spa? And now’s a great time to do it because B.C. residents will receive a 15 per cent discount on services until December 31. One to try? The Winter Warm Up, a new offering that quenches thirsty skin with an organic scrub, cappuccino-honey and moor-mud body mask, scalp therapy, pressure-point face massage and an antioxidant-rich body massage. Book this treatment, priced at $200 for 80 minutes and $250 for 110 minutes, by calling 604-682-5566.



Credit: Welbert Choi

Forage – The Listel Hotel

“This is the restaurant I have dreamed of since starting my career as a chef,” says Chris Whittaker, owner of Vancouver’s newest dining spot: forage (1300 Robson St). Casual, comfortable and affordable, the Listel Hotel-located eatery celebrates all things B.C. with locally focused, farm-to-table fare that’s been called both “innovative and unpretentious.” And, really, who could expect anything less from an award-winning executive chef who’s known for his culinary creativity? Swing by for breakfast, dinner or weekend brunch, or call 604-684-8461 for more details.


Originally published in TVW. For daily programming updates and on-screen Entertainment news, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.