Christmas Wassail & Bonfire Night, December 22

Carol Ships Sail Past Between 7 pm and 9 pm

From the first Christmas in West Vancouver to this season of the Dundarave Festival of Lights, bonfires have burned bright on our beaches to ward off the longest nights of the year and gather together our community in a spirit of friendship. These fires have deepened our sense of belonging, celebrating the life of our community as we face the winter together in this place of exceptional beauty. This night, crowned by a bonfire presented as it has for generations by the District of West Vancouver, is the ultimate night in the Festival's season. We turn our faces together to the sunset, knowing that darkness will not have the last word even as the nights grow longest because loving friendship endures and we stand together at Dundarave Beach to make sure no one is left out and alone in the cold. This is the moment to bring with you everyone you love for a loving Christmas that starts here, deep in a forest of trees shining, festive and bright on Dundarave Beach.

David Newberry

With his second solo album set for release early in 2012, David Newberry brings to the Festival Longhouse lean powerful lyrics, a courageous intensity and command second to none. Newberry's inspired songwriting brings, in the words of three-time Juno Award-winning artist David Francey, "exquisite insights into the human condition" rendered lovingly and set on an epic Canadian landscape.
"David's music is delivered with passion and intensity such as I have rarely experienced. Each song is like a masterpiece of concise writing, not one wasted word or thought. Each drives home the fact that I am listening to exquisite insights into the human condition. A brilliant blend of heart and mind that is all but missing in most of his contemporaries writing today. He is a brilliant poet and compelling performer. I will be in the audience again as often as I can. I think he is an outstanding writer. Simply outstanding."
-Three time Juno Award winner David Francey

Bodhi Jones

Fresh from his second tour of Western Canada, Bodhi Jones brings the warmth, heart and intimacy of his songwriting to the Festival Longhouse.

Over the past 6 years, Bodhi has recorded 5 EP’s and 3 full length albums, selling over 13,000 copies while performing on the streets of downtown Vancouver. In 2009 Bodhi was selected as Virgin Radio’s “BC Artist of the Month,” voted into The Peak Performance Project’s top 20, and named Vancouver’s best busker by the Georgia Straight. 2010 has brought even more exposure his way: Earning a second consecutive selection in The Peak Performance Project’s top 20. He’s also receiving airplay on 100.5 The Peak, CBC Radio One, CBC Radio 3, Virgin, The Shore, CITR, CJSF, with live performances and interviews on Shaw Cable’s Urban Rush, CTV’s Canada AM, Global’s Morning Show and CBC radio.

Blackthorn

Beautifully Celtic, Blackthorn returns to the Festival's Christmas Wassail and Bonfire Night to give voice to the heart of the season. The band's lush harmonies and musicianship have set families and neighbours dancing in the Festival Longhouse. They bring to us an unforgettably beautiful sound of Christmas.

Bowen Island Black Sheep & Tiddley Cove Morris

As the longest night of the year approaches, the Bowen Island Black Sheep and Tiddley Cove Morris dancers call us back to some of the most ancient traditions of the season. With music, dance, mummery plays and the blessing of the Festival's Wassail, the women and men of these brave Morris troupes call us back to the rich bonds of community and friendship.

Pacific Spirit Choir

Under the direction of Gerald van Wyck, the Pacific Spirit Choir brings to the Festival Longhouse the passionate performance of some of the greatest choral music of the Christmas season. With three European tours over the past six years, and a fourth set to start in May 2012, the Pacific Spirit Choir brings the sound of our community to life.

Coastline Quartet, Capilano University

Coastline brings to the Festival Longhouse the best of the North Shore's own world class jazz program at Capilano University.