Handel’s Messiah, Chor Leoni’s Angels Dance and more seasonal concert offerings in Vancouver

December 10, 2019
SC
ByShawn Conner
3 min read

Looking for some seasonal favourites, musically speaking? This month, we have festive concerts ranging from gypsy jazz to choral to folk-roots and indie-pop. Check out some of Vancouver’s December musical offerings below.

Van Django’s Cool Yule (Dec 13, St. James Hall, 3214 W 10th Ave.)—Local gypsy-jazz band Van Django presents their annual variety show, a mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical elements, and sing-alongs, plus a few surprises. Vocalist L.J. Mounteney joins the band, as in previous years. (Tickets: $28 at roguefolk.bc.ca and 604-736-3022)

A Sumner Brothers Christmas XIV (Dec. 13, WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St.)—Performers include an eclectic range of local roots, folk, rock, and pop musicians. Among them: Gillian Moranz, Jay Gavin &a The Tired Sunday Choir, Twin Bandit, and The Sumner Brothers w/ Kenton Loewen & James Meger. Plus: Polaroids with Drunk Santa! (Tickets: $12 at brownpapertickets.com)

Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe St.)—Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a cast of Canadian soloists join the Vancouver Bach Choir for this holiday tradition. (Tickets: starting at $20 at tickets.ubc.ca)

Christmas w/ Chor Leoni: Angels Dance (Dec. 21, 4 & 8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre)—Vancouver’s Chor Leoni Men’s Choir is joined by the emerging professional dancers from Arts Umbrella’s Performance Research Project. Two folk-inspired works form the centrepiece of the program, including Carols & Lullabies, which draws on the culture of the American Southwest, And Star in the East. The latter references Appalachian shape-note singing, accompanied by harp. The program also includes Franz Biebl’s radiant Ave Maria and Randall Thompson’s evocative setting of Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, a new work by Vancouver’s Ed Henderson, and a bluegrass Jingle Bells. The Arts Umbrella Dance Company will join Chor Leoni for three extended selections. (Tickets: $20-45/10 at ticketstonight.com)

L.J. Mounteney with Van Django.

The Kingfisher Bluez 12th Annual Christmas Party (Dec. 21, Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St.)—Featuring local indie-rock and pop bands including Peach Pit, Winona Forever, Sleepy Gonzalez, and Babe Corner, among others. All proceeds go to Crisis Centre B.C. (Tickets: $20 at eventbrite.ca)

L.J. Mounteney with Van Django.

Handel's Messiah
Chor Leoni
Vancouver concerts
seasonal concerts
December concerts
gypsy jazz
choral music
folk-roots
indie-pop
Vancouver music events