BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for November 26 – December 2

John Mann, of Spirit of the West fame, narrates Blood Brothers

What to do in BC this week

See Santa in Burnaby – November 26

If your kids can’t wait for Christmas, then listen up: Santa is taking a time-out from the North Pole to treat them to a sneak preview on November 26. Jolly ol’ Saint Nick will be the star attraction at the ninth annual Edmonds Lions Club Santa Club Parade, a festive fundraiser that will see a flotilla of floats navigating along Edmonds Avenue in East Burnaby, beginning at 1 p.m. from Humphries and 
18th Avenue.


Bling on Portobello West Market – November 26-27

Holiday bling is the thing at Portobello West Fashion + Art Market. More than 20 top jewellery designers will be flogging their finest on November 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Creekside Community Centre in Vancouver’s Athlete’s Village. And just a tip, 
guys: jewellery is one of the easiest (and most appreciated) gifts to buy your better half! Admission is $2 
at the door.


Check out Chicks, Cheese & Christmas at Mandeville GardenWorks – November 29
Your yard probably contains more frost than flowers these days, but that doesn’t mean GardenWorks at Mandeville (4746 Marine Drive, Burnaby) has closed up shop till spring. On November 29, it will be the site of holiday hijinks in the form of Chicks, Cheese & Christmas, a free, fun-filled night that includes wine, snacks and prizes, along with a chance to check out a stellar selection of Christmas décor and gifts. Grab your galpals and swing by from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.


Go for a Giggle and a Wiggle – November 30

Where better than a place called The Penthouse (1019 Seymour St, Vancouver) to host a sassy, skin-baring burlesque bash? And on November 30, award-winning comic (and TVW columnist!) Patrick Maliha will be at the centre of it all as emcee of The Wiggle and Giggle Show, a risqué revue featuring stand-up comedy, vaudeville and some of the city’s best burlesque, courtesy of Melody Mangler, a tattooed fireball who has been called “the hottest girl in Vancouver.” Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $15 
at the door or online in advance.


Spread the Word at the Jewish Book Festival
 – November 26 – December 1
Don’t let the name fool you: the Cherie Smith JCCGV Jewish Book Festival is open to bookworms of all backgrounds. Held from November 26 to December 1, this multi-genre mash-up brings local and international authors, filmmakers and musicians to various Vancouver venues, including the Jewish Community Centre (950 W. 41st Ave), for everything from writing workshops and literary readings to cocktail parties and movie screenings.

Have a Girls Night Out in Victoria – December 1
The Victorian era might not have been too great for girls, but the Victoria area certainly is: On December 1, over 50 downtown businesses are banding together to host Girl’s Night Out, giving gals a perfect excuse to eat, drink and be merry. And if your favourite sport is shopping, you’re in luck ‘cause you’ll find discounts on everything from clothes, shoes and accessories to food, drinks and spa services.

Support RE*Generation with Bedoin Soundclash – December 1

Right now, 65,000 Canadian youth don’t have a place to call home. Sad stats, but what can you do about it? Here’s one idea: catch Bedouin Soundclash at Venue Nightclub (881 Granville St, Vancouver) on December 1. This benefit concert helps support RE*Generation, a Virgin Mobile initiative that creates opportunities for at-risk 
and homeless youth in Vancouver. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are 
$25 per person.


See the Patron Saint of Stanley Park – December 1-24
Talk about a Christmas treat! Most fairy tales are set in faraway lands, but The Patron Saint of Stanley Park takes place right here in our own backyard. Like Vancouver’s very own version of It’s a Wonderful Life, this festive fable casts Stanley Park as the backdrop for a tale about a mysterious vagabond who helps a struggling family rediscover the meaning of Christmas. Catch it from December 1 to 24 at the Revue Stage (1585 Johnston St, Granville Island, Vancouver).


Unwrap Christmas Early at the West Coast Christmas Show – December 2-4
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — especially if you’re anywhere near Tradex (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford) from December 2 to 4. That’s because it’s set to double as the North Pole for the fourth annual West Coast Christmas Show + Marketplace, where over 100 exhibitors will be unwrapping everything from food and décor to gifts and toys. And thanks to loads of festive seminars, you’ll find everything you need to summon up the seasonal spirit.


Catch John Mann in Blood Brothers – until December 31

What’s John Mann, lead singer of Spirit of the West, been up to lately? Narrating Blood Brothers, an award-winning British musical about twins separated at birth. The sibs grow up unaware of each other’s existence and lead drastically different lives — one of privilege, the other of poverty — but destiny draws them together when they fall for the same girl, leading a mother to reveal untold truths. Catch it until December 31 at the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver.


Brave the Waves at Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa – now
When winter winds start howling, British Columbians hibernate at home. Sounds cozy, sure, but it’s also a recipe for a case of cabin fever. Keep it at bay by braving the waves with the Taste of Open Water Rowing Package at Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa (45 Songhees Rd, Victoria). Starting from $375 per person, this seafaring fling includes a one-night stay, 90-minute rowing lesson, plus 
door-to-shore pick-up at the hotel’s private dock.


Go Tubing  – anytime
Long after the ski runs close for the day, adrenaline seekers are still going strong at the Coca-Cola Tube Park on Blackcomb Mountain. Take your pick of eight 304-metre paths, but be forewarned: they’re all paved with snow and ice to guarantee super-sonic acceleration. And if you swing by on a Sunday, check out the free Fire and Ice show at Skiers Plaza, where daredevils will leap through rings of fire under a shower of pyrotechnics.

Originally published in TVW. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.