📫 Hot chocolate is always a good idea

Morning, Vancouver! The sun’s been making a guest appearance this week, and it’s been glorious. Perfect weather for an outdoor walk, followed by a warm drink (more on that in a second).

Without further ado, here’s what’s happening around town this week!

— Mariana

Events & Things To Do This Week:

*note: live music is denoted with a 🎤

Thursday, January 16th:

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Land of Winter. Join the VSO at the ANNEX on January 16 for an evening of captivating chamber orchestra works, including the VSO premiere of Zosha Di Castri’s Cortège, Michael Oesterle’s Annus Mirabilis, and Donnacha Dennehy’s mesmerizing Land of Winter. The performance begins at 7:30 pm.

Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks: Catch the action as the Canucks take on the Kings at Rogers Arena. Puck drops at 7:00 pm.

Snow Angel by David Lindsay-Abaire: Join St. Patrick Regional Secondary School’s Theatre Department for Snow Angel at the Historic Theatre, running January 16–18, 2025. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. This heartfelt play explores how a snowstorm and a mysterious visitor spark life-changing moments of friendship and self-discovery for a group of teens.

🎤 JD Rich and Anna Navarro Duo LIVE @ 2nd Floor Gastown | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

🎤 Early Show: Chen Baker: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm; GroundUp feat. Janelle Reid: 9:30 pm - 1:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Olaf De Shield: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Adam Thomas, 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

🎤 Human Unity/Lonely Funeral: 8:45 pm - 10:45 pm | @The Roxy Cabaret

Friday, January 17th:

UBC Winter Classic 2025: Join the excitement at UBC’s Winter Classic on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Thunderbird Arena. Doors open at 3:00 pm with Happy Hour until 5:30 pm. Catch the Women’s game at 4:00 pm and the Men’s game at 7:30 pm—all with one ticket.

Iliza Shlesinger: The Get Ready Tour: Catch one of today’s top stand-up comedians live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver on Friday, January 17, at 7:00 pm.

VSO Classical Afterworks: Schubert's Third Symphony: Kick off your weekend with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum. Enjoy an 80-minute concert featuring conductor and pianist Vanessa Benelli Mosell’s VSO debut. The performance begins at 6:30 pm.

Sequentia: Gregorius: Early Music Vancouver presents Gregorius, "The Holy Sinner", performed by Benjamin Bagby and the acclaimed medieval music ensemble Sequentia. Join them at the Vancouver Playhouse on Friday, January 17, at 7:30 pm, for an intimate and captivating journey into medieval music and storytelling.

🎤 Big Shoulders LIVE: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Tell Adeline: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm; Quickness: 10:00 pm - 2:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Bob Collins: 8:00 pm-11:00 pm | @ Dublin Crossing Vancouver

🎤 THE TICKET TAKERS with DANI BLACK and GOOD GOIN': 8:00 pm | @ Red Gate Arts Society

🎤 Adam Thomas: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Kyprios DJ Duo, 9:00 pm – 1:00 am | @ The Lobby Lounge

Saturday, January 18th:

🍫 Saturday’s forecast calls for chilly weather…Lucky for us, that’s the first day of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. From January 18th-February 14th, you’ll be able to sample all sorts of delicious hot chocolate varieties from vendors all over town (check out some of the flavours they’ve created).

The Hidden Web: Mycelial Networks and Forest Connections: Dive into the fascinating world of forest ecosystems from 10:30 AM to 12:00 pm at the Stanley Park Rose Garden. Explore the hidden connections between lichens, mycelial networks, and flying squirrels as they work together to sustain the forest.

Catch Flow, a stunning dialogue-free animated adventure about a black cat exploring a mystical, post-human flooded world alongside a crew of quirky animals, at the VIFF Centre. Showtimes are 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.

Orpheum Tours: Explore the iconic Orpheum Theatre on a 90-minute guided tour from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Discover its rich history, stunning architecture, and fascinating stories.

Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks: Head to Rogers Arena as the Canucks face off against the Oilers. Puck drops at 7:00 pm.

Times of Change: From Madrigals to Motets: Join Muzewest Concerts Society at the ANNEX at 7:30 pm, for an enchanting journey through the evolution of sacred music. Featuring members of the Vancouver Chamber Choir and moderated by Morna Edmundson, this performance highlights the stunning works of Palestrina, Monteverdi, Schütz, and Schein.

Candlelight: Coldplay X Imagine Dragons: Experience the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons under the warm glow of candlelight at Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church at 8:30 pm.

🎤 Early Show: Paul Fább: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm; Best Night Ever: 10:00 pm - 2:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Castillo & The Enforcers: 8:00 pm @ The Wise

🎤 Rob Eller, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm; Rob Eller Duo, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm; DJ Wonjo, 10:00 pm – 1:00 am | @ The Lobby Lounge

Sunday, January 19th:

Paint in the Park: Winter Watercolours: Get creative with a cozy, beginner-friendly watercolour workshop in the serene setting of Stanley Park on from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This program will take place at the Stanley Park Pavilion, hosted by the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

All We Imagine As Light (Final Screening): Don’t miss the final screening of the Cannes Grand Prize-winning debut from Payal Kapadia at the Rio Theatre at 12:00 pm.

Paint Nite: Moonshine Mountains: Head to the Ventura Room at 2:00 pm for a fun paint-and-sip event! Create your own masterpiece with guidance from a skilled artist while enjoying cocktails and small plates from the Ventura Room’s menu.

Join The Rogue Folk Club and The Pacific Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society for a special double bill featuring Jackson Hollow and Allen Dobb at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James at 8:00 pm.

🎤 Billy & The Kid: 2:00 pm -4:00 pm @ Hero’s Welcome

🎤 Mark Branscombe with Atlin Morgan & Daniel Sinclair LIVE: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm | @ 2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: NEAVV: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; The Bradley McGillivray Blues Band:  9:00 pm - 12:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Mike Ledonne Groover Quartet: 8:00 pm | @ Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 Olaf De Shield, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Adam Thomas, 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Monday, January 20th:

Learn the art of traditional Italian sausage making on from 6:00–9:30 pm at Il Centro’s Trattoria. Guided by master sausage maker Luigi Bastone, participants will craft spicy and mild sausages from scratch, sample salami and seasoned pork loin, and take home their own creations.

English musician, DJ, record producer, and remixer Jamie xx brings his In Waves Tour to the Pacific Coliseum from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

🎤 Early Show: Richard Tichelman: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Lache Cercel:  9:00 pm - 12:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Dave Martone, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Paul Filek, 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

🎤 Nap Eyes, Frog Eyes, Energy Slime: 7:00 pm | @ Green Auto Body

Tuesday, January 21st:

Watch the Buffalo Sabres face off against the Vancouver Canucks starting at 7:00 pm.

Beetlejuice: Based on Tim Burton’s beloved film, this musical delivers fun and laughs. Watch it at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 7:30 pm.

Trivia Tuesday at Hero’s: Test your knowledge at 7:00 pm at Hero’s Welcome with free admission! Compete in teams of up to six for a chance to win prizes for the top three teams.

🎤 Early Show: Anna Navarro: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Just a Season: 9:00 pm - 12:00 am | @Guilt and Co

🎤 David Capper, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Adam Thomas, 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Wednesday, January 22nd:

The Cultch & DanceHouse Present: Duck Pond
Experience Swan Lake like never before—re-imagined as a circus spectacular.
January 22–25, 2025 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Matinee: January 25, 2025 | ⏰ 2:00 PM

Dine Out Vancouver Festival: January 22 - February 9th: Enjoy curated fixed-price menus at over 350 of Vancouver’s top restaurants and explore unique culinary events, from sea foraging adventures to dumpling feasts.

🎤 Bruce Coughlan LIVE: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm | @2nd Floor Gastown

🎤 Early Show: Niki Kennedy: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Petunia & the Vipers: 9:00 pm - 12:00 am | @ Guilt and Co

🎤 Fusion Duo, Ricky and Darren: 6:30 pm | @ Famosos Commercial Drive

🎤 Cory Weeds: 7:00 pm | @ Frankie’s Jazz Club

🎤 Rob Eller, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Jim Kwan, 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm | @ The Lobby Lounge

Other Fun Things to Do:

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small, stuffed toys, often animals or whimsical characters. We recently discovered a local crafter who creates adorable crochet items and even offers workshops and DIY kits. Check her out here!

New Business in Town:

If you have kids 12 and under, read on! Playsticity is a new indoor playspace (in Mt. Pleasant) designed by a former resource teacher. Opened in December, it offers supervised 2-hour sessions where kids can dive into imaginative play. It’s a great solution for date nights, running errands, or rainy weekends when everyone needs a break from being cooped up at home.

Have an amazing week,

Your friends at In the Loop Vancouver