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Critic's picks: Daniel Lapp; CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble; Wonderheads

Arts writer Mike Devlin picks his favourite upcoming events, including Daniel Lapp鈥檚 Home For Christmas at The Royal Theatre tonight.
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Daniel Lapp's Home For Christmas is on tonight at The Royal Theatre in Victoria. HANDOUT

DANIEL LAPP’S HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.

When: Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $18.50-$29 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or

Why: Daniel Lapp’s annual Christmas celebration has become hugely popular during its two decades of existence, and tonight’s installment — the second of two consecutive nights at the Royal Theatre celebrating its 20th anniversary — is very, very close to being sold out (at press time, only singles remain). That’s the bad news. The good news is that its popularity is well-earned. Those who planned early will witness 75 minutes of joy, with appearances by the sa国际传媒 Fiddle Orchestra, folk legend Valdy, and dozens (if not hundreds) of local performers on stage throughout the evening. Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.

CAPRICCIO VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave.

When: Saturday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $35 from eventbrite.ca; $15 for students, children (12 and under) free

Why: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas is a unique bit of branding by CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble, but the nuts-and-bolts of this event is seasonal songs and familiar favourites. Festive Brass (always busy at this time of year) is tapped to join this auditioned choir for adult voices, which will be put to the test Saturday during a presentation of Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy Christmas staple, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

A WONDERHEADS CHRISTMAS CAROL

Where: The Belfry, 1291 Gladstone Ave.

When: Thursday, Dec. 21, through Saturday, Dec. 23

Tickets: Sold out

Why: Tickets to the remaining four performances of A Wonderheads Christmas Carol are sold-out by the looks of things, so you may need a Christmas miracle if you’re hoping to catch the awe-inspiring production at The Belfry Theatre this week. Victoria co-creators Andrew Phoenix and Kate Braidwood have a major league hit on their hands, one which mixes theatrical clowning and silent cinema with Italian commedia dell’arte and Japanese Kabuki theatre. The results? Spectacular. Don’t waste more time on the Internet looking at pointless things; instead, put some effort into seeing if someone is selling a ticket they can’t use for the last week of shows. A Wonderheads Christmas Carol is absolutely worth the effort.

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