World AIDS Day is Thursday, December 1st and will aim to raise awareness about HIV testing and a cure.
According to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (“CANFAR”): “A quarter of Canadians with HIV are not aware of their infection and young adults (aged 15-29) account for approximately 26 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV in Canada. Since the first World AIDS Day in 1988, people around the world have shown their commitment to finding a cure by ‘going red’ and wearing a red ribbon.”
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS has launched the “Treatment as Prevention” campaign that encourages individuals to get tested.
Local events for World AIDS Day include a free breakfast at the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation starting at 8:00am and the fourth annual Voices of Hope concert hosted by CBC’s Bill Richardson. The concert takes place at Christ Church Cathedral (Georgia and Burrard) at 7:00pm and admission is by donation.
Also, all four Whole Foods locations in Vancouver will be donating 5% of their net sales to AIDS Vancouver Grocery on December 1st.
BC Place Stadium in Vancouver (and the CN Tower in Toronto) will glow with red lights from 5:00pm on Thursday in honor of World AIDS Day.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is returning to the stage in Vancouver from February 8-12, 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The hit Broadway musical is a classic love story filled with witty characters, dazzling costumes, and creative sets. Not to mention it includes numbers from the Disney animated film such as “Be Our Guest”.
I took my niece to this production when The Arts Club did it back in 2008. She was eight at the time and really enjoyed the show, giggling at Cogsworth and Lumiere’s interactions the most.
The pre-sale for Beauty and the Beast starts today, November 30, 2011 at 10:00am and it will end December 4, 2011. Your code is: MIRROR.
I highly encourage all to consider theatre and the arts when planing your gift-giving this season. Your friends and loved ones will have a great night on the town in Vancouver and cherish the time spent together.
The Vancouver Christmas tree, that usually stands in front of the art gallery, will be at Jack Poole Plaza this year. The kick-off event and lighting of the tree will be December 9, 2011 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Photo credit:
Tripleman – From the Miss604 Flickr Pool
The lighting ceremony is free to attend and will feature a 50-foot tree, a performance from Aliqua, the Vancouver’s Children’s Choir, Christmas soloists and special guest appearances by the BC Lions, along with the Felions,and Bro Jake from Rock 101.
You can also support Aboriginal Mother Centre Society at the tree lighting by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for donation.
Follow @VanTreeLighting on Twitter for updates about the event and other holiday happenings around Vancouver. You can also catch the Surrey Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on December 3rd.
The Rio Theatre on Broadway (at Commercial) is screening favourite holiday films at midnight, every Friday in December.
December 2: Die Hard
December 9: Home Alone
December 16: The Nightmare Before Christmas
December 23: A Christmas Story
December 30: Goodfellas
Friday midnight screenings are $8. Those in costume for midnight screenings get $1 off admission so be on the lookout for Ralphie’s giant bunny suit or Jack Skellington.
Tonight you can also catch A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 3D at 7:00pm and 9:15pm for just $5.
The Rio has been in the news lately pushing for a change to the B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Act that prohibits movie theatres from getting a liquor license. Last week Vancouver–West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert announced his support of this move as well.
Follow @RioTheatre on Twitter for special event announcements and news from the theatre.
CBC Vancouver will host an open house and the CBC’s 25 annual Food Bank Day this Friday, December 2, 2011. Stop by the broadcast centre at 700 Hamilton for tours, live broadcasts, meet n’ greets with CBC personalities and more.
Tony Parsons, Gloria Macarenko, Rick Cluff and Stephen Quinn will be on hand as well as George Stroumboulopoulos and Hockey Night in Canada’s Scott Russell.
Public tours will begin at 8:00am and run until the 6:00pm news. A wave of local talent will be coming through including Richard Brodeur, Wally Buono, Hannah Georgas, Randy Bachman and 54/40.
Food Bank volunteers will be on site accepting donations for British Columbia’s food banks throughout the day. You can also donate online or at a local Vancity branch.
Follow @CBCVancouver and the tag #CBCOpenHouse on Twitter for news and updates. Check-in on Foursquare on Food Bank Day and get a free button in the CBC shop. Listen at 88.1FM or 690AM in Vancouver.
