It’s a holiday tradition for many families living in the Royal City and the surrounding area.
The New Westminster Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Academy of Dance will be presenting their 15th annual Christmas Nutcracker dance concert on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Massey Theatre. Promoter Tony Antonias promises it will be a “festive family affair, a treat for both your eyes and ears.”
The production, featuring Meghann McKinnon and Clay Koonar in the leading roles, will be conducted by Jin (Jack) Zhang.
The program includes performances like The Toy Shoppe and a Christmas reading by Russell Roberts. For tickets, visit www.nwso.ca.
Change of date
If you were planning on attending short story open mic night at the Renaissance Bookstore (43 Sixth St.), the date has been changed to tonight (Dec. 3), from 7 to 9 p.m. Feel free to read from your book, journal or essay. Beverages and snacks are available at the coffee bar. It’s hosted by Margo Prentice. Don’t forget to bring a friend!
A toe tappin’ good time
The biggest show of the season at Gateway Theatre is only two days away.
Dec. 5 marks the opening night of Crazy For You – The New Gershwin Musical. You’ll be tapping your feet to this high-octane production, set in New York during the 1930s.
Bachelor Bobby Child doesn’t enjoy his day job. He’d rather be living out his theatre career than working in the family bank. After he’s forced to foreclose on a property in the middle of nowhere, Bobby finds that his love of theatre and the love of his life are waiting for him in the most unlikely of places. In order to have both, he’ll have to pull a few tricks from his “theatrical back pocket.”
Songs to hum along to include I Got Rhythm and Nice Work If You Can Get It.
Some of the cast have local ties, with a few from New West, including Henry Beasley (Billy), Robin Sukorokoff (Everett Baker) and director Barbara Tomasic.
Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased by visiting www.gatewaytheatre.com or calling 604-270-1812.
Want to feel like a kid again?
For the second year in a row, New West resident Scott Walters plays Bert in the Mary Poppins musical at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Based on the stories of P.L. Travers, the production will feature unforgettable songs like A Spoonful of Sugar, Chim Chim Cher-ee and Supercali-fragilisticexpialidocious.
The tale of everyone’s favourite magical nanny will sweep you off your feet, as director Bill Millerd tries to combine the darker aspects of the book with the joyous elements of the Walt Disney film.
The show runs from Dec. 5 till Jan. 4, 2015. Tickets start at $29. Call the Arts Club box office at 604-687-1644 or visit artsclub.com.
Lego fun
Looking for a cool Christmas craft for you and the kids?
The River Market Food Hall is hosting a Lego ornament workshop on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
With the help of an instructor, the kiddies will get a chance to create whatever their hearts desire. And don’t worry, no “kragle” (Krazy Glue) will be used in the creation of these pieces.
The cost ($10) covers all Lego materials. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.eventbrite.ca. You can find more information at the River Market website, www.rivermarket.ca.
Seasonal spirit
Two powerhouse groups will converge at the Michael J. Fox Theatre Dec. 13 for Hearth and Fire.
The New Westminster-based British Columbia Girls Choir and the Band of the Fifteenth Field Artillery Regiment, RCA will present solo segments, with all 120 singers and instrumentalists combining for a grand finale that will feature a rendition of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, complete with narrators and costumed characters.
The performances are being conducted under the artistic direction of renowned vocalist Fiona Blackburn and conductor Capt. James Tempest.
You can get your tickets by calling 604-542-1698, via email ([email protected]), or at the door. All proceeds will support two non-profit societies affiliated with the choir and band. Concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
Poetry Wars
If you were planning on attending the Poetry Wars study group, note the date is now Dec. 13, from 4 until 6 p.m. (It had previously been publicized as Dec. 20.)
This is a chance for you to explore all kinds of literary pieces in a group environment. It’s hosted by Carol Shillibeer, and the meeting place is the Renaissance Bookstore, 43 Sixth St., downtown.
Do you have an item for the Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie MacLellan, [email protected]. You can also find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
