What child isn't captivated by The Nutcracker? There's Tchaikovsky's beautiful music setting the backdrop for a drama that includes the Snow Queen, the Waltz of the Flowers, the Sugar Plum Fairy and one little girl on the adventure of a lifetime.
If you haven't made your plans to see The Nutcracker yet, don't miss your chance this weekend.
The Royal City Youth Ballet is bringing its production back home to the Massey Theatre this weekend, with two Sunday shows - at 1 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m.
It's also onstage on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave. in Burnaby, at 7 p.m.
With a cast of more than 100 performers, the usual gorgeous costumes designed by Chris Sinosich, sets by Jean Claude Olivier and artistic direction by Dolores Kirkwood, it's bound to be a family-pleasing show for the holidays.
Tickets are being sold through the Massey ticket centre, tickets.masseytheatre.com, or call the box office at 604-521-5050.
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A special event in New Westminster this weekend celebrates a new book about Burnaby's homegrown music star Michael Bublé.
Bublé's longtime manager Beverly Delich has released Come Fly With Me: Michael Bublé's Rise to Stardom, a Memoir - a book written by Delich with Vancouver journalist Shelley Fralic.
The two authors will be holding a book signing at Black Bond Books in New Westminster's Royal City Centre this weekend. It's happening Saturday, Dec. 7 at noon.
The book traces the story of Delich, who, in 1993, discovered the then-unknown 18-year-old Bublé in a talent contest she was coordinating in Vancouver.
She went on the become his manager and moved with him to Toronto and then L.A. as he tried to break into the music business.
"Come Fly With Me is Beverly's vivid, behind-the-scenes story of the making of a modern-day superstar," a press release notes. "She recounts their journey together from early days when she and Bublé struggled to get bookings, to the giddiness of hobnobbing with musical royalty, to the pivotal and sometimes heartbreaking decisions that would ultimately take Bublé to the top and found Beverly on the sidelines."
Come Fly With Me is published by Douglas & McIntyre. For more about the book signing, call Black Bond Books at 604-528-6226 - or just stop by Royal City Centre at Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. It's free, and everyone is welcome.
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Looking for something unique for your Christmas shopping list?
The Arts Council of New Westminster is holding its Treasure Room once again, running at its gallery in Queen's Park until Dec. 23.
The Treasure Room features jewelry, raku, pottery, scarves, woven shawls, tree ornaments, Victorian-inspired decoration, books by local authors and more.
It's open 1 to 5 p.m. daily except Mondays.
Or you can book an evening of treasure hunting for you and your family and friends by calling the arts council at 604-525-3244.
The arts council gallery is in Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park.
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Calling all musical theatre performers.
The Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society is holding auditions for its spring production of H.M.S. Pinafore.
Auditions are being held Dec. 12, 15 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey, in the Arbour Room. Performers are asked to prepare one operetta or opera song and be prepared to cold read.
Men and women are needed for lead, supporting and chorus roles. Among them: Ralph Rackstraw, tenor lead, aged 20 to 45; Captain Coprcoran, lyric-baritone lead, aged 45 to 65; Josephine, soprano lead, aged 20 to 40; Mrs. Cripps (Little Buttercup), mezzo-soprano/alto lead, aged 40 to 60.
Find all the details online. To book an audition, email [email protected].
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send ideas from the arts and entertainment scene to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
