I don't know about you, but it's not really Christmas for me until I've enjoyed at least one version of A Christmas Carol.
This newsroom has had many a spirited discussion about who was indeed the definitive screen Scrooge of all time (needless to say, Alastair Sim gets votes for the classic A Christmas Carol, but are always some die-hard supporters of Michael Caine for his turn as the quintessential skinflint in the delightful 1992 Muppet version).
And one of my own personal favourites was Patrick Stewart (yes, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, for you Star Trek: The Next Generation geeks out there) onstage in London in his own one-man version of the story way back in 1993.
But I digress.
The point of all of this is to let you know about a chance to catch yet another version of the classic story - this one onstage in New West.
Scrooge, a dramatic reading with music, is coming to the stage on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Queens Avenue United Church.
It stars David Adams and Duncan Ollerenshaw, with music led by maestro Sanders Whiting.
Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors, or $10 for children. You can buy them at the door, or buy ahead through www.queensavenue.org.
The church is at 529 Queens Ave., and you can park for free at city hall, just down the hill.
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For me, the season brings yet another Christmas must-do - and that's "attend a choir concert."
Actually, in my case, it's usually "sing in a choir concert," which I'll be doing once again this weekend as New West's own Amabilis Singers (with me in the alto ranks) take to the stage with Shaughnessy Heights United Church Sanctuary Choir.
Our concerts are Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave. in Burnaby, and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 West 33rd Ave. in Vancouver.
See www.amabilissingers.org for all the details, and check out a separate story on page xx.
Much to my delight, there's also another excellent choral offering for local audiences - and it's on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
That's when the acclaimed musica intima brings their Christmas story production to the stage at Knox Presbyterian Church, 403 East Columbia St.
The evening of stories and songs, described as a "Vinyl Café-inspired narrative," will feature work by such composers as Jonathan Quick, Don MacDonald and Richard Rodney Bennett.
Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $10 for students. Visit www.musicaintima.org.
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You're invited to check out a book signing this week - and perhaps pick up a unique Christmas gift while you're at it.
The authors of A Call to Nurse: Memories of Life On and Off Duty in a Hospital Training School 1901-1978 will be on hand at Black Bond Books in Royal City Centre on Friday, Dec. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m.
They're promising to be in uniform with artifacts used in days gone by.
You might remember the book from a story we ran in November of 2013. It was the brainchild of Elaine Olson, an alumna of the Royal Columbian Hospital School of Nursing, and it was brought to life by a committee that included Olson, Myrna Bloch, Marie Bensley, Pauline Dunn and Betty Archer.
The book features a different chapter for each decade the school as open, including stories, pictures and tokens from the times of the 2,500 students who passed through the school's doors.
To check out more about the book, see the feature story by my colleague Cayley Dobie here.
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Poetry lovers, here's another one to add to the weekend calendar.
The Poetic Justice reading series is continuing this Sunday, Dec. 14 in the back room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
This weekend will be hosted by Renee Saklikar, with poets Sonja Grgar, Franci Louann and Renee Saklikar. An open mike session will also be offered.
The following two Sundays, Dec. 21 and 28, will be all-open-mike sessions, special for the holidays - with Candice James hosting on Dec. 21 and Sho Wiley on Dec. 28.
All the sessions run from 3 to 5 p.m.
Check out www.poeticjustice.ca for all the details.
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Want to give a special Christmas gift?
Perhaps you or your business could consider sponsoring a fantastic artistic cause - in the form of the New Westminster Secondary School music department's upcoming musical production.
The school is staging Footloose: The Musical from Feb. 25 to 28, and they're seeking individuals and businesses for sponsorships and donations to help cover the more than $70,000 budget.
"We are keeping ticket prices affordable for the majority of families in New Westminster, so ticket sales alone will not generate enough profit to cover the costs," said Kelly Proznick, the fine and performing arts department head, in an email. "Our goal is to break even or make a profit that will help fund future productions for the youth of New Westminster."
Businesses can become an official sponsor for $300 or buy a program ad for $150, and individual sponsorships are also available.
Email [email protected] or see www.nwssmusic.com for more.
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Although it seems hard to believe, we're rapidly approaching the end of 2014 - which means it's time to start thinking about January already.
If you're an arts group looking for new members for the new year, drop me a line and let me know, and I can give you a mention in the Lively City or post your information in our online arts calendar.
Whether it's a choral group looking for singers, a painting group seeking new members, or a festival in need of volunteers, be sure to keep me apprised of your plans for 2015. I'm always interested in hearing from groups in our community about what they're up to - and our readers love to hear about you, too.
Drop me a line to [email protected].
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
