December 7 edition: New paper? It's party time

Plus: The almost-forgotten history of Spences Bridge

Hey there. If you’re planning on making paper chains, painting a bookcase, or house-breaking a new puppy there’s a new edition of the Straight out today! And even better, it’s full of top-notch stories that you can appreciate before repurposing the pages for something else.

Find it in one of those handy little black boxes around town, or branches of the Vancouver Public Library.

A slim white person leans against a large fireplace, holding a glass of whisky, dressed as an elf. There are three large blocks of text. Header: The Georgia Straight. Title: Party time. Along the bottom: Mall elf confessions / Gift ideas / Sad songs for gen z

And if you’re in BC and don’t have a newsstand nearby, get in touch so we can look into it.

— V.
Associate Editor

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FEATURE

A tribute to the life of legendary Canadian eco-warrior David (Walrus) Garrick

A man hods a todder in one arm and raises he other fist. He looso be at a protest at the itersection of Chestnut and Creelman Streets.

Environmental justice activist David Garrick—aka Walrus Oakenbough—wrote for this very paper back in the 1970s, and was trying to save the planet far before it was cool. Historian Catherine Marie Gilbert looks back on his incredible life.

CITY & CULTURE

Spences Bridge: a relic of BC’s goldrush

A black-and-white photograph of a horse-drawn carriage infont of an old two-storey building.

The tiny town of Spences Bridge, about 60 kilometres from Merritt, stands as a crossroad of colonial and Indigenous history, writes journalist Lee Selleck.

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ARTS

The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show makes yuletide a drag

Two drag queens, one with red hair and one with dark hair, stand centre-stage surrounded by a ring of six dancers dressed as candy canes.

*sponsored listing

MUSIC

Rose City Band talks touring, jamming, and the melancholy of fall

Five men sit looking up at the camera

We catch up with frontman Erik “Ripley” Johnson ahead of the band’s second Vancouver show of 2023.

  • Horns up: Amon Amarth just announced a huge Vancouver show

  • And the Teskey Brothers come to town next June

  • Welsh indie pop musician Strawberry Guy brings his solo tour to Wise Hall this Sunday Dec 10th. Tickets are running low, get yours now!*

  • Come and join the Saint James Music Academy for an evening of Christmas Cheer on December 8!*

  • Get into the Christmas spirit, as the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir present “A Ringing, Swinging Christmas”. Friday, December 15 at 7:30pm at Centennial Theatre.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER IMPROV CENTRE

Back to the Holidays takes audiences on a joyous journey through time!

Like if Back to the Future and The Christmas Carol had an improv-kid child, The Improv Centre's Back to the Holidays will whisk you away to holidays past, present, and future to discover the true meaning of the holidays! Where will the show go? It’s up for the audience to decide!

FOOD & DRINK

The allure of Steve’s Smoked Meats

A hand with blue nail polish holds a large smoked meat sandwich.

The story of how one man and his smoker have taken to selling out farmers’ markets across the city.

SPONSORED BY CHOR LEONI MEN’S CHOIR

Celebrate the magic of the season at Christmas with Chor Leoni

Escape the holiday hustle and bustle at Vancouver’s beloved choral Yuletide tradition, Christmas with Chor Leoni, a joyful offering of Christmas favourites and hopeful winter harmonies. Let the soaring voices of Chor Leoni, accompanied by piano, harp, and violin, fill your heart with light and warmth on December 15, 16 & 18.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Make It Vancouver at PNE Forum | December 7 to 10 | 10am to 9pm 

It’s the 15th anniversary of Make It, with over 250 local crafters, makers, and artists. [$10.50]

Van Django’s Cool Yule at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James | December 7 | 8pm 

Van Django’s 11th annual Cool Yule show returns, along with their Ugly Sweater contest. [$28+]

Sinbad! at Metro Theatre | December 7 to Jan 1 | Various times 

A classic British panto following the story of swashbuckling Sinbad. [$40]

Early Music Vancouver presents Handel’s Messiah at the Orpheum | December 8 | 7:30pm

The Pacific Baroque Orchestra and Vancouver Chamber Choir join forces for Handel’s yuletide masterwork. [$20+]

Gastown Holiday Market at 1 Water Street | December 8 to 17 | All day

Check out the Gastown holiday pop-up market for artwork, crafts, and wares. [Free]

Tits and Tangles: Wig Styling with Jaymes Mansfield at Passion and Performance | December 10 | 12pm 

Calling all aspiring hair stylists, drag artists, and cosplayers: learn tips and tricks for wig work from one of the best in the business. [$50]

Vancouver Erhu Quartet at the Annex | December 10 | 3pm 

The quartet exploring the erhu (Chinese stringed instrument) with Western strings performs a world premiere of newly-commissioned Canadian compositions. [$19.99]

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our Events Listings.

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