Discounted early bird tickets are now on sale for Cuba Vibra! at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster.

See one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, heat up the stage with a night of pure celebration in an amazingly immersive performance. This award winning company fuses the energy of cha-cha, mambo, rumba, conga, and bolero together from 50 years of Cuban dance history, along with the passion of an eight piece band.

Cuba Vibra! in New Westminster

Where: The Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave, New Westminster)
When: March 8, 2019 at 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Tickets: Use code Havanatickets before December 31, 2018.

This show highlights in an attractive, colorful and dynamic way, a tour of Cuba, its roots, its dances and its music. The precise movement and the incalculable cadence will make the heart vibrate with rhythm and fill the soul.

Follow the Massey Theatre on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information about this one-day only show, and more programming in the new year.

Lights, bubbles, movements and sounds create a new illuminating, interactive experience during Sea of Lights at the Vancouver Aquarium, on now until January 6, 2019.

Sea of Lights at the Vancouver Aquarium

Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park (845 Avison Way)
When: Daily until January 6, 2019 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets: $38 (adults), $30 (senior 65+, student), $21 (child 4-12), free (child 3 and under)

Explore the sensations of the underwater world in Bubbles, by Tangible. Get playful as you surround yourself with bobbing bubbles, glimmering lights, and soothing sounds of the deep blue and let your imagination take you on a wondrous ocean dive in the Underwater Dolphin Gallery. Bubbles is the newest creation by the award-winning Vancouver-based design firm Tangible who, since 2006, has been creating public artworks and interactive light installations for audiences around the world. Canadian-born composer Adam Lastiwka created the soundscape for the installation.

More Holiday Happenings

Watch everyone’s favourite holiday guest – Scuba Claus – dive daily in the Strait of Georgia habitat until December 24th. Enjoy the wave of childlike wonder as you watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the 4-D theatre where this traditional tale comes alive with wondrous sights, sounds and sensations. Marvel at Vancouver’s most shocking holiday display as you stand in the glow of the Electric eel-powered Christmas tree in the Teck Connections Gallery. And delight in the magic of the season as you watch the enchanting jelly snow globe display in the Tropics Gallery.

The Vancouver Aquarium gift shop is also a great place to find ocean-themed gifts for all ages along with local art, t-shirts, toys, and more. Purchase presents that support the conservation of marine life, reduce single-use plastic consumption and ocean plastic pollution, and encourage sustainable seafood harvesting practices. Members get up to 20% off on-site purchases too!

Follow the Vancouver Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Nando’s on Davie and Howe, home of the legendary, Portuguese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, wants to spread some holiday cheer so they’ve partnered with me to offer up a Party Pack, or two!

Win a Nando’s Party Pack from Nando’s on Davie and Howe

A Nando’s Party Pack is perfect for 6 people (for your next game night or holiday get-together).

The Party Pack includes 2 whole chickens, 3 Nando’s size sides (like PERi-PERi Fries, Macho Peas, Spiced Rice, and more) and garlic bread.

The winners can pick up their gift certificates for Party Packs (value $61.50) at Nando’s at 828 Davie Street (at Howe) in Downtown Vancouver.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw a winner at 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 and another on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 12:00pm.

About Nando’s: Nando’s was hatched in South Africa in 1987 when Fernando Duarte invited his friend Robbie Brozin to a humble Portuguese eatery in the heart of Rosettenville, South Africa to try some mouth-watering PERi-PERi marinated and basted chicken. It wasn’t just the best chicken Robbie had ever tasted; it was love at first bite! The rest, as they say, is history.

Celebrate the 25th annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on December 21st in two Vancouver communities. Celebrate this free community event with a glowing constellation of lanterns shining in Yaletown and Chinatown.

25th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

A free family event, with some ticketed venues. Suggested donation of $5/person gratefully accepted.

Granville Island

The processions from Leg in Boot Square and Vanier Park begin at 6:00pm. The Granville Island procession leaves Triangle Square at 6:20pm. Activities take place in both Performance Works (Labyrinth of Light) and the False Creek Community Centre from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Following indoor activities, the final procession leaves False Creek Community Centre at 9:15pm and heads to the Fire Finale in Ron Basford Park at 9:30pm

Additional events: December 20 & 21, 2018 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm: Watch Secret Lantern Artist Yoko Tomita create a 25th Anniversary Sun Lantern to lead the procession on solstice night.

December 21, 2018 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm: Free Lantern Workshop. Turn a glass jar into your own unique lantern for the procession leaving from Triangle Square at 6:00pm.

Photo by Jan Gates

Yaletown

A procession leaves The Gathering Place (609 Helmcken St) at 6:00pm and heads to the Roundhouse. Note: The traditional processions from the Aquatic Centre or Cooper’s Park no longer take place. Following a last-minute lantern-making workshop at the Roundhouse 6:00pm to 8:00pm, a family lantern procession heads into David Lam Park 8:00pm-8:30pm.

The Roundhouse hosts indoor activities 6:00pm to 10:00pm and then the Fire Finale takes place on the Roundhouse Turntable at 9:30pm.

Volunteers especially needed for all four Solstice sites on Granville Island (False Creek Community Centre, Performance Works, Ocean Art Works and Ron Basford Park). Help with last-minute lantern making and other workshops (some outdoors), decorating and venue set-up, our labyrinth, outdoor fire procession, or as an Entrance Guardian, concession volunteer, and more. Register here to volunteer.

Follow the Secret Lantern Society on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.

It’s the season to be jolly, and Coquitlam knows how to put on a show that’s merry and bright. From festive lights to unique Christmas shopping opportunities, here are 7 ways to get wrapped up in the festive season.

Festive Activities in Coquitlam in December

1. Lights at Lafarge

Explore Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor lights display, featuring hundreds of thousands of lights in multiple themed zones. Lights at Lafarge grows bigger each year, attracting viewers from throughout the region. Hop off at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station to walk the 1 km path around Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park. Watch for elfin creatures in the trees, swans illuminating the water and tulip lights lighting up your path. All this, and many surprises!

2. Visit Santa and do some shopping

In town for the lights display? A short walk away is Coquitlam Centre, where Santa is taking wish lists. The mall has nearly 200 stores and is located right at Lincoln SkyTrain station. Other highlights for kids within City Centre include Mastermind Toys and Chapters Indigo in Pinetree Village. Also nearby is Henderson Mall, which has some specialty shops and a food court with offerings from around the globe.

3. The Nutcracker

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without this much-loved ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score. Presented by Ballet Victoria, take in this performance at Evergreen Cultural Centre on December 19 or December 20, 2018. Find ticket info here »

4. Go ice skating

Lace up to make some fond memories on the ice. You’ll find public skating at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, as well as many fun upcoming events including Skate with Santa on Sunday, December 16, 2018. Read Coquitlam’s Recreation Guide for further details.

5. Cosmic Clay Pots

Got crafty kids? Head to Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Art Gallery on Saturday, December 15, 2018 to take part in a free, drop-in art project from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. As part of Westminster Savings Family Day, children can find inspiration in the gallery exhibition before painting their cosmic scenes onto terracotta pots. Paint, splatter and sponge an artistic creation that can be given away as a gift.

6. Great gift ideas

Purchase locally crafted works of art at Place des Arts’ Christmas Boutique. You’ll find everything from handcrafted ornaments and decorations to artful gifts that hold year-round appeal. The boutique runs until December 22, 2018.

7. Catch a hockey game

Get your hockey fix! Why not cheer on the Coquitlam Express at an upcoming game at Coquitlam’s Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex? It will get the pulses racing – at a fraction of the cost of Canucks tickets.

Don’t forget about the Lights at Lafarge photo contest! Tag your photos with #ExploreCoquitlam AND @Miss604 online and you could win a Coquitlam prize pack!.

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of Lights at Lafarge

Follow Visit Coquitlam on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or read Coquitlam’s Travel & Experience Guide for the latest happenings.

Stanley Park Brewing has launched a new seasonal beer, Layer Up, a Dark American Wheat Ale with a unique flavour combination of fig, raspberry, orange and ginger.

The new Layer Up brew was inspired by a recent trip to Nashville at the World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competition in the world. The Stanley Park Brewing team tasted a Italian olive cake with FROG (fig, raspberry, orange and ginger) jam for dessert and decided to find a way to bring these flavours to life through beer.

Layer Up represents the colder winter months and encourages people to embrace the season. It’s refreshing taste comes from its flavour profile from Southern USA and is a layered beer – at first, you can smell the raspberry, taste the orange and fig and its ends with a refreshing taste of ginger. Layer Up is dry hopped with Amarillo with a 5.2% alc./volume and and 18 IBU.

It’s the latest addition to Stanley Park Brewing regular beer line-up including Daytrip (Lager), 1897 Amber (Amber Ale), Windstorm (West Coast Pale Ale), Trail Hopper IPA (India Pale Ale) and Noble Pilsner (European Style Lager). Layer Up is now available to purchase and can be found in your favourite pubs and restaurants across BC and Alberta.

Win a Prize Pack

I have a Stanley Park Brewing Layer Up prize pack to give away that includes: Two 6-packs of Layer Up, a TenTree Backpack, a sweatshirt, t-shirt, toque, card deck, and glassware. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

Follow Stanley Park Brewing on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more info.

Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 19+. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 13, 2018.