Seems to be the season for artful arts-group fundraisers. The Vancouver Chamber Choir's Valentine's Day benefit sets the mood with Candles & Wine: held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's Pacific Ballroom, its theme is Latin amore, complete with guitars and Spanish serenades. Tickets are at 604-738-6822. Proceeds allow the choristers to tour to such places as Toronto for the annual Canadian Voices project on February 28 and 29; that's when a marathon concert celebrates this country's 50th year of professional singing. Look for a mini-version here in Vancouver on March 19, called Consortium, featuring the VCC with T.O.'s Elmer Iseler Singers at Ryerson United Church.

Striking a completely different tone the night before (February 13) at Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue), the Leaky Heaven Circus holds its Bleedin' Hearts Vaudeville Cabaret, which features local laugh-riots like Christine "Tiny" Taylor and Graham Clark, plus such eccentric delights as a conceptual drag queen, a sleeping poodle, and "strip-emceeing". The total 13 acts will cost you 13 bucks; doors open at 8 and the mayhem begins at 9.