The Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra presents all four ensembles at an annual Christmas concert of carols and classical music on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall. Tickets are $20; children under 12 free. Tickets are at Strait Music in Sechelt, Laedeli in Gibsons or at www.sunshinecoastorchestra.ca.
The Pender Harbour Choir performs this Friday, Dec. 8, at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens (7 p.m.) and Dec. 10 (2 p.m.) at the School of Music in Madeira Park. Tickets for $20 are at EarthFair (Madeira Park) and Sechelt Visitor Centre.
Santa at Danceworks
Santa and his helpers will be making a special stop at the Dance Works Christmas Festival Fundraiser on Dec. 9 and 10. Photos with Santa are by donation. Santa will also be sharing a story time, reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. He arrives Dec. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Dec. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be a craft fair, kids’ pop-up shop, raffle and gift wrapping from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dance Works Academy, 923 Gibsons Way.
Steve Hinton
Bring your dancing shoes to Gibsons Legion for the Steve Hinton Band on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. for a Blues Dance Party. A fixture for years in the Vancouver blues community, Roberts Creek resident Steve Hinton is known for his smooth vocals and powerful harmonica playing. He is backed by top Coast musicians Al Alford, guitar, Sully Antonyk, bass, and Tim Rannard on drums.
Christmas with Katherine
The Sunshine Coast Jazz and Entertainment Society is excited to present a 2:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, Dec. 10 at St. Bart’s Church in Gibsons for Katherine Penfold, celebrating her new CD release, Keep Christmas With You. She’s sharing Christmas carols and more alongside Miles Black on piano and guitar, Jodi Proznick on bass and Joel Fountain on drums. Tickets are $20 and audience is invited to bring a pair of socks to the concert to be donated to the homeless shelter. Tickets are at Strait Music, WOW Gallery, www.share-there.com and at the door.
Their Finest
The SC Film Society presents Their Finest, a comedy/drama from the UK and Sweden (with subtitles) in Gibsons at the Heritage Playhouse on Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. A woman is recruited as a screenwriter to add a female perspective to British propaganda films during WWII. She spars with her witty counterpart and encounters a vain matinée idol who will play a role in their film. See www.scfs.ca for more. Late flash: a second screening in Gibsons has been added for Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Hand-Crafted
There is still time to shop for local hand-crafted gifts:
• Dec. 5 to 23 at A Festive Landing at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dec. 8 to 10 at John Henry’s Christmas Market, 4907 Pool Rd., Garden Bay, on Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Dec. 8 to 17 at the Holiday Market Faire at Gibsons Public Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Monday, Dec. 11).
• Dec. 9 and 10 at the Last Chance Christmas Market at Roberts Creek Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Go to it!
Fashion Show
On Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 6 p.m., enjoy a Festive Fashion Show of seasonal trends in fashions for adults and children, presented by retailers Swish and Peggy Sue’s at the Gibsons Public Market, with harp music by Maureen Bodie from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Young Artists
The current show at the Arts Centre opened Nov. 29. It’s the annual Young Artist Awards and Banner Project featuring work by artists aged five to 18, created outside of school. Their work is on display with entries for this year’s banner theme of By Land, By Air, By Sea, submitted by Sunshine Coast elementary schools. The show is up until Saturday, Dec. 16 when both projects will host receptions. The Banner Project Awards are at 12:30 p.m. in the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. At 2:30 p.m. that same day, the Young Artist Awards reception takes place.
Dickens Christmas
A Dickens Christmas returns to the Sechelt Library on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 11 and 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., complete with a reading of A Christmas Carol by local actor Richard Austin. Enjoy the enchanting music from three talented harp musicians, as well as carol singing with members of Arbutus Sounds. Dickens-inspired treats and refreshments will be served. Tickets are $2 at the Sechelt Library. All proceeds will go to the homeless shelter. If you wish, bring an item for the Food Bank.
Messiah Choir
Join the Coast Messiah Choir for two special performances of Handel’s Messiah, Part One. On Dec. 15, in addition to Messiah performed with string quartet and continuo, the choir will present O magnum mysterium, Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, and sing-along Christmas carols. On Dec. 23, they will host a sing-along Messiah with the Coast Messiah Orchestra. The concert is on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church, 5085 Davis Bay Rd. and the sing-along Messiah is on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at Sechelt Indian Band Hall, 5432 Xenichen Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance (at Sechelt Visitor Centre, Laedeli Gifts, or by calling 604-885-9015); $25 at the door. Dec. 23 only: Messiah scores can be pre-ordered for $15 at [email protected] or purchased for $20 at the door.
Arbutus Sounds
Arbutus Sounds Chorus presents A Winter Walk. “Let us take you on an imaginary walk through an old-fashioned Christmas village, with four-part a cappella carolling at each stop.” They perform on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 711 Park Road, Gibsons and on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden, 5941 Mason Road, West Sechelt. Admission is by donation.
