Events

Ali Gatie with Johnny Orlando
Fri., Nov 25 & Sat., Nov. 26, History, Toronto:
Mon., Dec. 12, MacEwan Hall, Calgary;
and Thurs., Dec. 15, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

Ali Gatie, the soulful and smooth-singing Iraqi-Canadian singer who blends R&B and pop, takes his heartfelt tunes on the road promoting his new album Who Hurt You? The also-very-soulful Johnny Orlando opens the shows.

AVATAR: The Way of Water
In theatres, 190 mins.
Fri., Dec. 16

Blockbuster Canadian director James Cameron has waited over 10 years to follow up his Utopia-in-peril, fantasy flick Avatar, and we think it will be worth the wait. Look for Cameron to take full advantage of advances in CGI technology as he updates his idyllic Pandora paradise and it’s blue-faced, flower-loving populace.

Blue Rodeo
Tue., Nov. 23 & Wed., Nov. 24, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver;
Sat., Dec. 3 & Sun., Dec. 4, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary

Beloved Canadian roots-rockers Blue Rodeo have never shied away from winter touring in this country. And their hit-packed shows, full of crowd-rousing singalongs, are guaranteed to warm even the coldest Canadian night. Jenn Grant opens.

Women Talking
In theatres, 104 mins.
Fri., Dec. 2

Canadian writer and director Sarah Polley’s remarkable Women Talking is our pick for best film at Toronto’s TIFF, and it’s certain to pick up a pile of Oscar nominations. Based on Miriam Toews’s novel, this story of a group of Mennonite women who decide what to do about the men in the community who have routinely sexually assaulted them is a revelation.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sun., Dec. 31 – Mon., Jan.1

As New Year’s Eve makes its way across the country’s many time zones, Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square remains the best free party in town. Vancouver’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration has a new location this year, at False Creek. And we’re hoping the fireworks are back at Calgary’s Husky Tower for Day One fun.