Discovery Passages Events

 DECEMBER 1st TO 7th

 Monday, December 1^st

• 2014 Artisans’ Market. For 6 weeks each year, the CR Art Gallery is transformed into a beautiful market featuring a wide variety of creative work from coastal and regional artists. You’ll find locally-crafted items of pottery, woodwork and knitwear to jewelry, glass and soap – not to mention spices, candles and decorations! Stop in this holiday season: Monday to Saturday, 10am- 5pm from November 13^th to December 24^th. 250-287-2261 
• The Museum’s second annual Festival of Trees continues with 20 gorgeous and uniquely themed trees displayed for all to enjoy. A running model train (set up by the North Island Railroaders), an exhibit of nostalgic toys and Ron Francis’ one-of-a-kind collection of hand-crafted wooden toys will complete the festive scene! 250-287-3103
• The public is invited to an open house reception being held at the Haig-Brown Heritage House from 1-3pm to welcome new Writer in Residence, David Carpenter. Call the Museum at 250-287-3103 for details. 
• Garden Lights & Santa’s Barn at Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens. Every night, from 5-9pm, between December 1^st and 26^th. Visit www.woodlandgardens.ca for more information on which weekends to see Santa or take a ‘Carol walk’ with Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble.
• 25^th Annual Downtown Angel Tree located in the lobby of the Coast Discovery Inn. Please take a tag from the tree and purchase a gift for the corresponding child in need. Unwrapped gifts are to be returned on or before December 7^th.
   

Tuesday, December 2^nd       

• The CR Festival of Films is wrapping up its season with “Whiplash”, 7pm at the Tidemark Theatre. Call 250-287-PINK for more information. Tickets available for $12. 
• International Cooking Classes at the Immigrant Welcome Centre (740 Robron Road) from 6-8pm. Learn 2-3 recipes per session! Meet the ‘Guest Chefs’ from each country, learn their personal stories and hear of their adventures in coming to Canada. Recipes and samples provided - $35. For more information contact Tamara at 250-830-0171. 
• The Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox presents “The Biggest Little Art Show in the Valley”, offering an art extravaganza of over 100 smaller pieces of original work priced at $175 or less! This Christmas Fundraiser will run until December 20^th. See Sunday for Meet & Greet Details!

Friday, December 5^th

• The Banff Centre presents the 2014/15 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour: the World’s Best Mountain Films. At the Tidemark, 7pm ($27); 250-287-PINK. 
• This winter the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS) 2015 Learn to Ski/Snowboard Winter Sports Festival runs from January 4^th – 8^th at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. To download an application visit www.visasweb.ca – all applications must be received by December 5^th. For more info contact Rose Kerr at 250-339-7035. 
• Coastal Black Christmas – visit www.coastalblack.ca to learn about all the festivities happening at 2186 Endall Road this month, including photos with Santa, live reindeer, a nativity scene, holiday games, Mrs. Clause’s Kitchen and other special features!

Saturday, December 6^th

• CR Singers’ 36^th Annual Christmas Concert, “Let Heaven & Nature Sing!” at the Tidemark Theatre with special guests La Isla Guitar Ensemble. This cantata brings together beautiful music, familiar Latin phrases, carols old and new, along with narration provided by well-known local actor and teacher, Brain Down. 7:30pm at the Tidemark, $18/$15; 250-287-PINK. 
• Share the spirit of the season with the Campbell River Children’s Choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Everything from Baroque to Bruno Mars; concert goers can choose attend at either 2:30pm or 7pm. Tickets are $20 (cash or chq), available at the Music Plant.“The Music of Christmas” at the Discovery Community Church, 7pm – everyone welcome! 
• FREE North Pole Skate (All Ages) at Strathcona Gardens, 1:30-4:30pm. Santa will be on site from 3-4pm and kids can get their picture taken and e-mailed to them before Christmas! Skate rentals are available. Call 250-287-9234 for more information. 
• Christmas Lego Day at the Museum from 1-2:30pm. Inspired Lego creations will be used to decorate the Lego Tree (part of the Museum’s ‘Festival of Trees’) and Lego master, Alexander Witcombe, will once again be offering a prize for the day! Cost is $5 (Parents are free), call 250-287-3103 to register. 
• FREE Family Swim (All Ages) at Strathcona Gardens from 12:30-4pm; 250-287-9234. 
• Campbell River’s 7^th annual Fair Trade Global Market at Timberline School Gym (1681 South Dogwood Street), 10am-4pm. This year, over 25 vendors will be participating, selling products from many different countries. Come enjoy the festive atmosphere and shop for unique, beautiful and meaningful gifts that give twice! For more information call Brenda at 250-287-8198. Admission by donation (suggested $2). 
• The annual Black Creek Christmas Craft Fair is on at the Black Creek Community Centre from 10am-3pm (2001 Black Creek Road). Kids’ activities will be offered so that parents can shop and the kitchen will be serving chili, cinnamon buns, soup and sandwiches. Call 250-337-5190 for more information. 
• ‘At The Table’ Food & Drink Series at Gowlland Harbour Resort with SouthEnd Farm & Vineyards. Contact 250-285-3572 for more information or visit www.gowllandharbour.com

Sunday, December 7^th

• Pier Street Christmas Craft Fair at the Maritime Heritage Centre returns for three Sundays in December, 10am-3:30pm, with over 60 different craft and food vendors! $1 admission (kids are FREE) www.pierstreet.com   
• The Rise of Empathy will be shown at Sybil Andrews Cottage (2131 South Island Hwy) from 1-4pm; a one-act play designed to encourage consultation. Some audience participation – contact Susan Black at 250-850-9115 for more information. 
• Meet & Greet the artists for Pearl Ellis Gallery’s “Biggest Little Art Show in the Valley” from 1-4pm at 1729 Comox Avenue. Visitors can expect to see quality pieces by local artists in all mediums. For more information contact Bob at 250-339-2822.

UPCOMING

December 13^th – Chestnuts & Carols at the Museum; 250-287-3103

December 13^th – Santa Swim (All Ages) at Strathcona Gardens; 250-287-9234

December 14^th – Christmas Family Fun Day @ Balance Equestrian Centre; 250-202-3105

December 18^th – An Intimate Evening with Frank Mills at the Tidemark Theatre

December 27^th – Holiday Puppets at the Museum; 250-287-3103

December 27^th – Christmas Bird Count PRACTICE event; 250-850-0884.