Mixed Nuts

December 14 to 16 at the Vancouver Playhouse

If you love dance and prefer your traditions with a twist, check out Arts Umbrella’s annual extravaganza, in which it deconstructs and reimagines The Nutcracker. Think everything from pointe shoes to hip-hop and ballroom, with as many surprises as your Christmas-morning stocking.

Good Tidings! A Good Noise Gospel Christmas

December 14 and 15 at Christ Church Cathedral, December 17 at St. John’s Shaughnessy Church

The 90-voice Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir celebrates its 15th season by welcoming jazz-blues singer Maureen Washington to its seasonal show. Prepare for rafter-shaking renditions of “O Holy Night”, “Joy to the World”, and the Staples Singers’ “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas.” Don’t plan to stay seated.

Music in the Morning

December 12 and 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Koerner Recital Hall at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and December 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral.

“Mesmerizing”, “moving”, and “impeccable” are just some of the words that pop up in reviews of Sarajevo-born, New York City–based pianist Pedja Muzijevic. He’s in town this week to give Vancouverites a taste of his versatility, virtuosity, and interpretive skills. Among the program’s highlights: three of Domenico Scarlatti’s colourful sonatas and Robert Schumann’s kaleidoscopic Carnaval. g