Thursday, Dec 21
Karaoke Christmas Lights
One of the best choices to charm the pants off a holiday date. Join the Vancouver Trolley Company and sing your favourite holiday carols while visiting Vancouver’s most spectacular light displays. Upon pick up, guests will sing their way past the city lights of downtown before arriving at Bright Nights at Stanley Park, then continue on to the VanDusen Botanical Garden, followed by a glide by St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope. All this, and helping out the Firefighters’ Burn Fund as well.
6–9:30pm. Canada Place entrance, 999 Canada Place. Tickets $45 online and tour runs every night until Friday, Dec 29.
Statements
Jo Duree performs a show about overcoming obstacles and facing personal truths head on. Warning: this show contains potentially unsettling material.
10–11:30pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover if any, TBA. More info on Facebook.
Bratpack
The trashy girls we all know and love are about to rock your world again just days before Santa comes a calling. This is one of the biggest nights in the Village, so come on in and see why. Plus, tunes by hunky DJ Nick Bertossi is reason enough to get your night going.
11:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $6. facebook.com/junctionvan
Friday, Dec 22
Pumpjack Unwrapped
Not one package under your tree is ever going to give you more pleasure, or wet dreams, than the ones you see in the shower tonight. PJs brings you its holiday strip down of shower men and go-go boys, so that thoughts of turkey will be replaced by thick Bavarian smokies. Grab a drink and get your spot nice and close to the shower stall and maybe you will get a special show all to yourself.
9pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. Cover $5 after 9pm. facebook.com/thepumpjackpub
Hustla Ho Ho
Three hoes, a sweaty dance floor, lots of shots, and a holiday return of your favourite East Van party, popping up in the West End. Sounds like the perfect winter warm-up. Our little round Peach is going to be a mommy — and you thought that was just extra pizza under the gown — so join her along with Karmella Barr, Celestial Seasons and DJ G-Luv for one special night of holigay magic. All proceeds tonight benefit Zee Zee Theatre so get on your dancing shoes and show your support.
10pm–2am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St Cover $9. Info on Facebook.
No Fun Radio Holidaze Fundraiser
Matt Troy must spend every waking, and probably sleeping, moment thinking up events to please everyone. Tonight is the start of the first annual Holidaze Fundraiser, where the proceeds go to supporting the day-to-day operations of the No Fun Radio Station, whose mission is to broadcast unique music, art and culture from our local neighbourhoods. Featuring Nina Mendoza, Syd Woz, DJ Dee and others, this promises to be the start of something big.
11pm–4am. Vancouver Art & Leisure, 494 Railway St. Tickets $12 on Facebook.
Saturday, Dec 23
The Drag Show & Dinner: Christmas Edition
It looks like the snow will be gone, so get out to the burbs and see Mz Adrien’s annual Christmas show and dinner, where everyone is treated like family home for the holidays. Featuring Raye Sunshine, Vonda Dupont, Robin Loveless and the queen herself Mz. Adrien, you will have so much fun you’d better book a room close by. Drag, dancing, door prizes and more, plus the show takes place on a 32-foot runway — very Vegas.
Dinner 6–7:30pm, show 8:30pm. The Stage in Mission, 32998 1st Ave, Mission. Tickets $30 advance from The Stage in Mission or $40 at the door. More info on Facebook.
DJ Carolina Debut
DJ Carolina, who has worked with some of Rio’s best DJs and producers, including 1181’s own resident DJ Rafael Calvente, moves to Saturday nights at 1181 to heat up the dance floor.
10pm–3am. 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. More info on Facebook.
Absolut’ly Dragulous
One of, if not the, most popular shows on the weekend. Carlotta Gurl brings you a night of drag, live numbers, contests and so much more. This close to Christmas, you know she will be in top Santa Baby form. You can’t miss her: Carlotta is the one with the mistletoe above her taint. Who’s a brave boy? Always packed and always fun, so bring your holiday visitors for a show they will never forget — or see on the Prairies.
10pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5. facebook.com/junctionvan
Christmas Queen Drag Race Finale
What happens when two queens come together? Either a very messy situation, or a lot of racy, outrageous hilarity and wicked wit. Vancouver Theatre Sports League’s own Christmas queen joins forces with guest co-host Conni Smudge. The lace gloves come off as these two grande dames put contestants through their paces in a series of improv challenges with the help of audience suggestions, culminating in the bejewelling of the next drag diva. Tonight is your last chance to see it all live and, in Conni’s case, vivid Technicolor.
11:15pm. The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St. Tickets $22.50 from Vancouver Theatresports.
Sunday, Dec 24
Sunday Service
In from out of town for the holidays and just don’t know where to do your Sunday worship? Have I got a place for you: totally non-denominational, no preachy sermon, no collection plate and you won’t be eating any stale wafer. Just come in, get your towel and fall to your knees and all will be forgiven, repeatedly. No confessional required.
4–8pm. Steamworks Baths, 123 W Pender St. $15 locker rate.
Silent & Tight
T’was the night before Christmas and Del Stamp and Alma Bitches were dreaming of getting laid — or is that paid? Join hostess Alma Bitches for not one but two drag shows on Christmas Eve. DJ Del Stamp provides the soundtrack and the sass — which in DJ talk means no requests!
10pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $3. More info on Facebook.
Candlelight Service
For a service of a more traditional type, this event has trumpet, choir, carols, candlelight and reflection. One of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the West End can be an amazing place to ring in Christmas Day no matter your faith.
11pm–12am. St Andrew’s Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St. Info on Facebook.
Monday, Dec 25
Dick Safari
Two of the hardest working people in the West End have given up their Christmas for us poor folks left in town and I, for one, say thank you. Trust me, it is not for the money — they just can’t go one Monday Dick Safari night without seeing amateur cock. Please join me tonight and show our appreciation for them, as well as the Junction. Just don’t kiss Alma; you never know where those lips have been. (We all know where Del’s lips have been!)
11:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5. facebook.com/junctionvan
Tuesday, Dec 26
Pajama Karaoke Boxing Day
There doesn’t seem to be any mention of what to do if you sleep naked, but if you are cute I’ll let you slip inside my onesie. After all the craziness, just get together and relax. And really, wear your onesies, your big flannel PJs, or even your housecoat and hang out. Hosted by Colby Jones and yes, there will be karaoke.
9:30pm–2am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. More info on Facebook.
Wednesday, Dec 27
Ice Skating
Time to work off some of those holiday goodies, so get a group together and head over to the outdoor skating rink at Robson Square for a good old fashioned skating party. Come and celebrate winter in style with free skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s a magical place to enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.
9am–9pm Sunday to Thursday. 9am—11pm Friday and Saturday. Robson Square, 800 Robson St. Skating is free and skates can be rented. More info and hours from Robson Square.
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