Local Arts

EMPIRE ESPLANADE 6 New Year's Eve (PG) - Fri 6: 40, 9: 40; Sat-Tue 12: 35, 3: 50, 6: 40, 9: 40; Wed 1: 05, 4: 05, 6: 50, 10: 10 p.m.

BLACK Powder Toys, (BPT) have been invited to play the 20th Anniversary Grand Finale Concert for The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Poland on Jan. 8, 2012.

North Shore Chorus collaborating on Mozart and Messiah program

GALLERIES The Bakehouse in Edgemont Village: 1050 Queens Rd., North Vancouver. Art Exhibit: Work created by the kids at 4Cats Arts Studio will be on display until Jan. 11. Bellevue Gallery: 2475 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver.

- Harbourside Nights 2 at The Eagles Club, 170 W 3rd Street, North Vancouver, Saturday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m. Artist showcase and live recording session. No cover charge. For more information visit www.maximummusicgroup.com.

- The Black Keys: El Camino (Nonesuch Records) Rating: 9 (out of 10) The Black Keys have long been known for their fuzzedout garage band sound. They've experimented and distorted their songs while maintaining a full speed ahead approach.

-Shame. Co-written and directed by Steve McQueen. Starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan.

Sting, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Thursday, Dec. 8. As I step into the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to see Stings Back to Bass show, I feel as though I have just entered an airport.

IF you could measure such a thing, it seems likely that Seattle has a higher ratio of lights, Santas and cheer per square foot than most cities do. This is a town that loves to get its tinsel on.

ON television and in movie theatres, the Holiday Season is a time filled with classic Christmas specials, romantic comedies and other heartwarming family fare. For the action-loving gentleman, it can be a dark, dark time.