The Top 5 Things To Do This Week

We did get that snow we were promised, just in time for the holiday season. There are lots of Christmas festivities taking place around the city, so if you're celebrating the 25th you have a variety to choose from. It's almost time to make those New Year's resolutions that you vow you're going to keep this year, and here are some things to do in and around Vancouver as we near the end of 2008.

1 – Wednesday, December 24, 2008 – Christmas Eve Jazz Vespers

Vocalists Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan perform carols from around the world at 4 p.m. today at the St. Andrews-Wesley Church (1022 Nelson). The concert is a benefit for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the Benevolence Fund of St. Andrew's. The concert and parking are free, with offerings accepted. Get more information at standrewswesleychurch.bc.ca.

2 – Thursday, December 25, 2008 – Volunteer at Carnegie Center

Come meet new people and make a difference in your community. The Carnegie Community Centre is having a Christmas Dinner and four Boxing Day dinners. They need volunteers on Christmas Day to serve dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and on Boxing Day for one of three full seatings in two volunteer shifts: 2:30-5:30pm and 5:30-7:30pm. View the volunteer posting at govolunteer.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?_id=29&posting=9386.

3 – Friday, December 26, 2008 - King John's Christmas

Bring the family to see the Elwoodette Marionettes present this musical tale that sees Max and Robin Hood team up to save Santa and reform the mean King John. Inspired by the A.A. Milne poem, the show is presented by the Vagabond Players at the Bernie Legge Theatre, Queens Park, in New Westminster. Showtimes continue until the 28th at 2 p.m. Find out more at straight.com/timeout/search/event/18713.

4 – Saturday, December 27, 2008 - Common Faces

Come see the art of Rinat Baibekov during his Common Faces exhibition, which reveals and interprets the inter-relationships between people, animals, plants, philosophy, and myth. Common Faces is a retrospective showcasing 20 years and 4 different style periods, featuring original drawings and paingings from the late 80's, as well as more recent colour prints. Rinat is an international visual artist who lived in Canada from 1990 to 2000, and his work has appeared mostly in exhibitions in Montreal and Toronto. At the Gallery and Community Art Space (1 E. Hastings) until December 31.

5 – Sunday, December 28, 2008 - VSO presents Bugs Bunny on Broadway

Enjoy a unique blend of classic Warner Bros. cartoons on the large screen, with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra playing the soundtracks on stage. Cartoons like What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, Long-Haired Hare, a Corny Concerto, and many more cartoons will be featured at the Orpheum Theatre, today at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Monday, December 29 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $32 to $38 with some discounts available; find out more at vancouversymphony.ca.

6 – Monday, December 29, 2008 – Ballet BC's The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a holiday favourite and a beloved family tradition. See the tale of Masha and her Nutrcracker Prince, performed by the Moscow Classical Ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Showtimes are December 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., and the 29, 30 and 31 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.75 at ticketmaster.ca, and you can find out more at balletbc.com.

7 - Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - MiLan Metis Healing Art Project - MMHAP

MiLan Art Ltd. presents Evolved MMHAP Canadian Metis Art/Accessories at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Main Branch on 1025 Georgia Street. Focusing on Earth worship and healing rituals, the exhibit features a number of unique art pieces and accessories. Visit milanart.ca for more information.

8 - Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - Various Celebrations

How will you ring in the New Year? There will be the usual assortment of bars, clubs and restaurants to help you celebrate. If you've got the kids, stop by the New Year Family Celebrations at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company (1876 West 1st Ave.). The event features children entertainers Bobs and Lolo, face-painting, and the kids can make their own pizzas. Tickets are $9; find out more at rockymountainflatbread.ca.

For a more adult NY event, try New Year's At The Commodore (868 Granville). Dinner starts at 6 p.m., followed by a dance at 8:30 p.m. with local party band the Famous Players and DJ Paul the Wall. Tickets are $84.50/74.50 dinner/dance or $64.50/54.50 for the dance only at ticketmaster.ca. Dinner reservations must be confirmed by calling 604-739-4550.

Or, start 2009 with the NYE2009 Mardi Gras Party at the Royale Banquet Hall (2122 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver), which promises to be a wild party - find ticket prices and event info at clubzone.com.

9 - Thursday, January 1, 2009 - Crescent Rock Naturist Beach Polar Bare Plunge

It's 2009! We suspect many of you will be taking it easy today - hopefully you've got some time off to recover. If you really want to wake up, head out to the third annual Crescent Rock Naturist Beach Polar Bare Plunge for some New Years skinny dipping. Hot coffee and chocolate will be provided by South Surrey's Holy Smoke Coffee to warm you up after the swim. Anyone is welcome to join, but registered Polar Bare bathers are eligible for prizes. Admission is by donation, with a suggested amount of $10.00. All proceeds will be donated to the War Amps / Child Amps program. Registration starts at 11:30am.
Full details at skinnydipper.ca, or email questions to info@skinnydipper.ca.

10 - Friday, January 2, 2009 - Vancouver Giants Vs. Red Deer Rebels

Watch the Vancouver Giants take on the Red Deer Rebels Rebels in exciting Western Hockey League action at the Pacific Coliseum (Hastings Park, 100 N. Renfrew). The game starts at 7:30, and tickets are $18.50/16.50. Find more information at vancouvergiants.com; buy tickets at ticketmaster.ca.

11 - Saturday, January 3, 2009 - Winter Family Skate

Bring the whole family for a free winter skate at the West End Community Centre (870 Denman). The Canada Ice Dance Theatre will be there to provide instruction, entertainment, and refreshments. Get more information at canadaicedancetheatre.com.

12 - Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Festival of Lights

Tonight is the last chance you'll have to see the 1.4 million lights on display at VanDusen Gardens (5251 Oak St). Enjoy the Dancing Lights display featuring music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The display is open from 4:30 to 9 p.m.; find out more at vandusengarden.org, or buy tickets for $11/8/6 at ticketstonight.ca.

13 - Monday, January 5, 2009 - The House of the Ghosts

See the artwork of Marianne Nicolson, a member of the Dzawada’enuxw Tribe of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, at the Vancouver Art Gallery (). Nicolson will transform the Georgia Street façade of the Vancouver Art Gallery into a Northwest Coast ceremonial house from dusk to dawn every night, using high-powered lighting. Learn more about Nicolson and the exhibit at vanartgallery.bc.ca.