Vancouver’s largest outdoor carolling competition is returning to Gastown for its 2nd year! Yule Duel brings together Vancouver’s top choirs and some of the city’s most notable personalities to fundraise for May’s Place which provides much-needed compassionate end-of-life care to vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside.
Yule Duel in Gastown
Under the canopy of fairy lights and on the cobblestoned streets, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood will host over 20 fantastic carolling choirs who, through the gift of music, will surely touch your heart.
Where: Along Water Street in Vancouver’s vibrant Gastown
When: Thursday, December 1 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Water Street will be transformed into an open air wonderland, filled with holiday cheer, a live marching percussion band and over 20 entertaining musical performances by some of Vancouver’s most notable choirs. There will be a main stage, judges and plenty of live music, all led by our host, the inimitable, Fred Lee. Yule Duel is a fundraising event for May’s Place which provides compassionate end-of-life care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Yule Duel is the only live outdoor carolling event of its kind in BC!
Everyone will have the opportunity to give, knowing that they will receive much more in return. It’s Carolling for a Cause.
This rare event is expected to draw thousands to Gastown to enjoy holiday and Christmas music from a diverse mix of choirs. Each group will be raising funds and competing for a chance to take home the Yule Duel trophy. Choirs will be setup along Water Street, performing a selection of holiday songs to entertain the crowd. Once the judges have made their rounds, the festive spirit will shift to the main stage as teams compete in a final sing-off.
Everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite choir by buying a button for $5 and casting a vote. Near 8:00pm, the panel of celebrity judges will select their favourite choirs from those with the most votes. The top two choirs will then ‘duel’ it out on stage.
I am proud to be a judge at this unique event alongside John Fluevog, Fluevog Shoes; Morna Edmondson, Elektra Women’s Choir; Mike Forrester, Coastal Jazz; and Vision Councilor, Heather Deal.
Participating Choirs
Saint James Music Academy Choir, the Lions Gate Chorus, and Vancouver Pops Choir are among the wide range of top level choirs you will see and hear.
“All donations received will be given to May’s Place, which provides compassionate end-of-life care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” said Michele Sutherland, Manager of Hospice Services at May’s Place. “We’re so grateful for the generous support this event received last year, raising more than $38,000 to support our charity. We can’t wait to see what this year brings!”
Connect on social media, via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook leading up to and during #YuleDuel.
Miss604 is a proud sponsor of Yule Duel supporting May’s Place
A Vancouver tradition for over 40 years, Christmas at Hycroft is coming up this month, where you can explore and shop through three decorated floors of this beautiful and historic Edwardian mansion. Inside you’ll find a variety of boutiques, crafters and over 30 local artisans. Outside in the courtyard, find live entertainment, more vendors, and the Emelle’s Catering Trailer.
Christmas at Hycroft
Where: Hycroft Manor (1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver)
When: November 17-20, 2016 open daily 11:00am to 9:00pm (Sunday until 6:00pm)
Tickets: Admission is $15 (including tax) for adults. Children 13 years and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are only available at the front gates.
Where else will you find an Artisan Village, a Kitchen Creations corner in a Coach House, a Terrace Bistro, and an authentic Speakeasy?
Located in Hycroft’s magnificent Ballroom, over 30 local Artisans display their talents to ensure you’ll find loads of original, personal gifts that will help you check off names from your Christmas list. Along the main floor of the manor, the Foyer, Drawing Room, Living Room, Oak Room, Green Solarium, Terrace Bistro, Library, Dining Room and Blue Solarium will all be beautifully decorated and themed for the season.
In the handsome Oak Room (formerly General McRae’s Billiard Room) you’ll find the Christmas Shoppe run by the University Women’s Club Vancouver, purveyors of Christmas ornaments, wreaths, lights and stockings. The Green Solarium will showcase “Not Just A Yarn”: The Knitting Salon of the University Women’s Club Vancouver where you’ll find a wonderful, sometimes whimsical assortment of beautiful hand-knitted one-of-a-kind products.
You can relax in the Drawing Room in front of the large ornate fireplace and enjoy your stay over any number of talented entertainers, from Solo pianists to large Choirs to Bell Ringers, to Jazz to Jokers.
Follow Christmas at Hycroft on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
The very popular Circle Craft Christmas Market returns this month to kick off the holiday season in style with hundreds of gifts, decorations, snacks, and seasonal inspirations.
Circle Craft Christmas Market
- Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West
- When: November 9 to November 13, 2016
Wednesday to Friday, 10:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm
- Tickets: Purchase online before November 9th to receive a $2 discount.
Generations of locals and visitors have attended and enjoyed a Market where they come face to face with fine BC and Canadian artisans and their work: wood-turners, glassblowers, sculptors and potters, clothing and jewellery designers, toy-makers, and many more. Browse through over 300 exhibitors!
Since 1973, Circle Craft Co-operative has presented a Christmas Market, Originally in the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, “The Cultch”, then moved under the sails at Canada Place, and currently in the Vancouver Convention Centre West location. The success of this inaugural event has resulted in 42 Markets to date, Generations of Vancouverites and visitors have attended, enjoying a Market where they come face to face with fine BC and Canadian artisans and their work: wood-turners, glassblowers, sculptors and potters, clothing and jewellery designers, toy-makers, and many more.
Win Tickets to the Circle Craft Christmas Market
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the Circle Craft Christmas Market, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Follow Circle Craft on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about the co-op, their space on Granville Island and of course the Christmas market.
Update The winner is @Xirconium!
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment is coming to Vancouver this month. This action-packed ice spectacular showcases beloved characters from Disney•Pixar’s Cars, Toy Story 3, Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Frozen!
Disney On Ice Presents Worlds of Enchantment
- Where: Pacific Coliseum at the PNE (2901 E Hastings, Vancouver)
- When: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 7:00pm
Thursday, November 24, 2016 at 7:00pm
Friday, November 25, 2016 at 7:00pm
Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 11:30am & 3:30pm & 7:00pm
Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 11:30am & 3:30pm & 7:00pm
- Tickets are on sale now with VIP and floor-level seat options available. Purchase online through TicketLeader, visit the PNE box office, or call (604) 252-3700.
Thrill to high-speed stunts and high-octane fun, as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney•Pixar’s Cars race across the ice. Dive into adventure with Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, as she explores her undersea kingdom. The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the Disney•Pixar Toy Story gang escape Sunnyside Daycare in a daring adventure to get back to Andy’s room. Plus, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love comes from within.
Get warmed up for the show right in your seats with exclusive dance moves taught by the mouse that started it all during Mickey’s Dance-Along Pre-Show Party, as the Disney On Ice skating athletes remind everyone that getting active can help you be your best! Then you’ll be ready to enter a dazzling world of Disney magic to see some of your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life inDisney On IcepresentsWorlds of Enchantment, with dazzling skating, special effects and timeless characters certain to create a lifetime of memories.
For more information, follow Disney on Ice on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and use tag #WorldsOfEnchantment.
Nominations are now open for the 34th annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. Recognizing local women for their contributions to their workplace, industry, and community, the awards will be handed out at a ceremony in May of 2017.
Nominations Open
You can nominate an individual or a workplace in the following categories: Arts, Culture & Design; Business & the Professions; Community Building; Education, Training & Development; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability; Health, Wellness & Active Living; Non-Profit & Public Service; Technology and Science Research; and Young Woman of Distinction.
Nominations for the 2017 Women of Distinction Awards are now open and will close on Friday, January 20, 2017.
Women of Distinction Awards
YWCA Metro Vancouver is proud to host the nationally-recognized 34th annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in support of their 50 programs and services. Funds raised from the event help women, children, youth and families at turning points in their lives. The Awards is a chance to pay tribute to our community’s outstanding women and organizations and to support much-needed programs and services crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty.
The 2017 awards ceremony will take place Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Group tables are available for booking now with individual tickets going on sale on Monday, February 6, 2017.
Follow the YWCA of Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information along with the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards @YWVanWODA on Twitter.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is dedicated to achieving women’s equality. Their mission is to touch lives and build better futures for women and their families through advocacy and integrated services that foster economic independence, wellness and equal opportunities.
