Dec 18, 2025: Christmas With Chor Leoni aims for something profound

Hey there. This is the penultimate newsletter before your friends at the Straight go on a holiday break. Right now, though, I’m much too busy squinting at the weather app on my phone trying to see where it projects snowflakes instead of rain. Fun times. Hey, we could live somewhere where there is no chance for either rain or snow, though. Think about that. Wouldn’t you rather let the Canadian Roulette wheel fly? 

— Nathan
Editor-in-Chief

— FEATURE — 

Christmas With Chor Leoni composes itself

This year’s Christmas With Chor Leoni series will see six shows spread out over three days at the West End’s St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, with standards like “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night” intertwined with reimagined versions of modern works by the likes of Tori Amos and Sufjan Stevens. “Christmas concerts can be a bit frothy and a bit banal at times,” says artistic director Erick Lichte. “Or they can get very, very, very serious. We’re trying to vacillate and oscillate between those places.”

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

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When you purchase a subscription, you help our editorial team challenge traditional media narratives by highlighting intimate stories in the arts, culture, music, and beyond. Your membership helps us tell richer stories about Vancouver. 

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Explore our wide selection of treatment options, including signature experiences, that will help you feel your best. Locally-sourced, sustainable products will nourish the skin, stimulate the senses, and connect you to the beauty of the West Coast.

— CITY & CULTURE —

William Azaroff is building a mayoral campaign

When William Azaroff, the CEO of affordable housing nonprofit Brightside Community Homes Foundation, was first approached to run for mayor with OneCity, he said no. But the thought just wouldn’t quite go away. “It wasn’t on my radar, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Azaroff says. “I was telling the story to friends as sort of this funny anecdote, and they were all like, ‘Well, why’d you say ‘no’?’ And so I went from ‘no’ to ‘maybe’ and then went through a really good process with my wife to explore this.”

• Five takeaways from seeing the Vancouver Goldeneyes live.

• This holiday season, experience artistry, elegance, and wonder, as Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to captivate Vancouver. On stage Dec 18-21 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.*

• Let the voices of Chor Leoni soothe and delight you this holiday season with candlelit carols and fun for all at Christmas with Chor Leoni, Dec 18-20.*

• Watch the standout cinema of the year in the Best of 2025 series at the VIFF Centre, running from Dec 26–Jan 8. Find out more.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER VANCOUVER

Join the community of Caring Neighbours

Ready to support survivors, families, and unhoused youth in your neighbourhood? Join the community of Caring Neighbours with Family Services of Greater Vancouver! Now is the perfect time with a dollar-for-dollar match until December 31st your gift goes twice as far. Donate today.

— FOOD & DRINK —

Street Hawker Turbo launches second location in Cambie Village

This Friday, Street Hawker Turbo officially opens at 3424 Cambie Street, taking over the former Potluck space after the original restaurant closed earlier this year following a solid five-year run. The new spot feels like a full-circle moment: the team of Justin Cheung and Dominic Sai got its start in Cambie Village, and while the block has seen plenty of changes as of late, it’s reassuring to see familiar faces keeping the lights on in this corner of the neighbourhood.

• Osteria Otto brings Italian cooking and hi-fi listening bar vibes.

• Chanthy Yen goes all in on contemporary Cambodian cuisine with TOUK.

• Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to the West Coast with a striking double bill. Catch them Feb. 9 and 10 at The Centre in Vancouver.*

• VIFF+ Memberships make the perfect gift for any film fan, with discounted on tickets and free popcorn, it keeps giving all year long! Find out more.*

*sponsored listing

— MUSIC —

Hotel Mira delights a hometown crowd at the Vogue

The last stop on Hotel Mira’s massive North American tour for its album Pity Party was a familiar one: back home to the Vogue Theatre.

• Melody Mangler has quite the body of work.

• You Nearly Missed: SKABOOM! blowing up the Fox.

• Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria returns January 23 - February 8th, 2026 with tantalizing restaurant menus, and hotel room discounts as low as $129/night!*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

• Joe Keithley is still making noise 

• Grading the Quinn Hughes trade

• The North Shore has a new pickleball playground

• Five places to grab festive cocktails in Vancouver

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

DANCE: Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker continues its run as a cherished holiday favourite. (December 18-20 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre)

COMEDY: Jake Lambert is all smiles on his Sunshine Kid tour. (December 19 @ Rio Theatre)

MUSIC: Champions of Hope Vol. 7 features local acts like Computer moshing it up. (December 19 @ The Cobalt)

MUSIC: Bright: A Holiday Singalong Concert embraces the songs of the season for all ages. (December 19-21 @ Presentation House Theatre, North Vancouver)

LIVING: The Pleasant Fashion Pop Up brings local artists to Main Street. (December 20-21 @ The Pleasant)

LIVING: The Wedding Party brings its escape room magic to Vancouver. (December 20-28 @ Glowbal) 

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

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