Local Arts

EXHIBITS Evergreen Cultural Centre: Gregg Simpson's Out of the Woods, until Dec. 10. Kovan Photo Club, Light on the Mind, Dec. 16 to Jan. 7; opening reception Dec. 18, 4 p.m. Place des Arts: Positively Petite and Christmas Boutique, until Dec. 17.

Join the Harmony women's vocal ensemble as they celebrate the sounds of Christmas Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at St. Laurence Anglican Church. The 10-voice group will present Need a Little Christmas? with special guests, the Inlet Jazz Band.

When the Vancouver Opera Orchestra strikes up the opening notes of Tchaikovsky's classic The Nutcracker , professional dancers will float on to the stage to tell this timeless Christmas story.

At a time when Kindles are on many Christmas wish lists, the Leigh Square Community Arts Village is celebrating the beauty of the book in its latest exhibit, the Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design.

'Realscapes' is how Coquitlam-based visual artist Ken Nash describes his acrylic paintings. On Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

EXHIBITS Evergreen Cultural Centre: Gregg Simpson's Out of the Woods, until Dec. 10 Place des Arts: Positively Petite and Christmas Boutique, until Dec. 17.

Japanese Taiko drumming, heritage baking and museum tours are on the program for this weekend's holiday celebration at Carré Heritage Square in Coquitlam. Light up the Square: A Lantern Affair runs on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

There's nothing easy about Béla Bartók's music. The 20th century Hungarian composer penned intense pieces for the piano, strings and symphony, using traditional folk songs from his native country for inspiration.

Catch an improv comedy show and help feed hungry families at the same time by checking out Table 23 Comedy's annual show Under the Christmas Tree.

We'd like to think that Christmas is a time of joy and family harmony, but let's be real - the holidays aren't always what they're cracked up to be.