‘The Christmas Spirit’ brings life and death to community theatre

The Scarborough Theatre brings “The Christmas Spirit” to the stage and with it, a theatrical encouragement to the public to spend quality time with their loved ones this holiday

By: Aliya Karimjee

A banner presenting cast members and an image of an ornament with the figure of the Grim Reaper inside.

A banner presenting the actors, the production and design team, the director and the producer of “The Christmas Spirit” production. (Courtesy of Scarborough Theatre Guild)

Santa’s coming down the chimney for his annual delivery, but this year’s present could be a deadly one. 

“The Christmas Spirit,” presented at the Scarborough Theatre Guild, encapsulates an off-beat, dark comedy directed by New York-based playwright Frederick Stroppel.

Screening from Dec. 12 - 17, this holiday play reminds the audience of one of the true meanings behind this time of year — being at home with loved ones. Julia Dowling, the focal point of the performance, intends to do just that when the Grim Reaper gives her one last day to live.

During this festive time of year, the story’s family members must try to be on their best behaviour. Gossip, chatter and bickering over disagreements is not an uncommon scene at the Christmas dinner table. But as the play’s plot unveils, so does the message of the vitality of loving and appreciating each other despite familial differences.

Play director Kevin Shaver describes the play as a wonderful story about family that acts as a reminder of the true essence of the Christmas spirit. He encourages everyone to enjoy every moment with family and loved ones.

“Like any other family, there’s always dynamics, but it’s about resolving those problems and dynamics,” Shaver said. “And I think Christmas is all about family, getting together, despite all the issues and problems.”

Family and community values are not just major themes within the play; they are equally present among the production cast and crew of “The Christmas Spirit.”

In a cast consisting solely of volunteers, all participating bodies are passionate about theatre despite coming from various backgrounds, such as teaching, funeral home directing and television production work.

According to cast member Mallory Holmes, the team became their little family through 10 extensive weeks of practice, three times a week for three hours each day.

Many audience members appreciate community theatre, especially when they’re able to spend time with family simultaneously. The feeling of a tight-knit community can be felt as soon as the audience enters the auditorium.

“I’ve been coming here for quite a long time, maybe about 10 years. I just like watching community theatre,” said Mary Gouch, an audience member.

Another spectator, Christina Hampton, had the pleasure of seeing this play as a birthday present from her sister.

A theatre set of a chair, a couch, a one-person sofa, a coffee table and a Christmas tree in a small home.

The family Christmas celebration set for “The Christmas Spirit” at the Scarborough Theatre Guild. (Courtesy of Scarborough Theatre Guild)

The crew welcomed the audience to further submerge themselves in the experience. At the end of the play, the audience had the opportunity to discuss the show with cast members over drinks and snacks included with admission.

Holmes, who plays the role of Melissa, newly-introduced as son Paul’s girlfriend at the Christmas celebration, said she appreciates the opportunity community theatre has given her.

“I work in television production now so that’s where most of my time is, but then I get to come here and play around,” said Holmes.

As a theatre graduate from York University and a practitioner in television production, Holmes said it has been a “jolly” theatrical experience being able to perform for other theatre-lovers.

“There are specific people in my life that I’ve lost. Seeing that happen right in front of my eyes — even though it’s on stage, and even though it’s acting — it feels real,” said Jarett.

As the holidays quickly approach, this play also acts as a reminder that familial love and affection is a privilege often taken for granted. While the holidays are a busy time for everyone, it’s important to take the time to turn to the neighbours who often get overlooked and under-loved. They deserve it more than most.

For anyone struggling with hard times, grieving a loved one or not making it home for the holidays, we wish you an extra special Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

CanCulture’s homemade holiday gift guide for everyone on your list

Five timeless treasures you can make yourself to show how much you care

By: Sabrina Scroppo

(Tatiana Terekhina/Pixabay)

My earliest memory of the holiday season is one of my mom dressed in a ruffled apron decorated in stains and hovering over our oven while notes of warm vanilla float through the air. With her face powdered with flour, we put together gift boxes of gingerbread cookies to drop on each doorstep in our neighbourhood. 

With the commercialization of the holidays, gift-giving is usually accompanied by big box store buy-one-get-one sales and expensive shiny gadgets. Who’s to say that the gesture of giving something homemade doesn’t mean more than a new perfume or a pair of shoes? 

Here’s a few DIY Christmas presents your friends and family are guaranteed to cherish and never forget.

Baked goods

There’s no going wrong with a care package of chewy snickerdoodles, cranberry orange shortbread bites or traditional holiday fruitcake. No matter your level of baking expertise, homemade treats are always served with a side of love. Bring back all the nostalgia from childhood traditions and present a platter of festive desserts to your co-worker, neighbour or favourite teacher.

(Vadym Petrochenko/Pixabay)

A self-care kit

The holiday season marks the end of a stressful month of deadlines, exams and last-minute tasks. Take the time to relieve your friends and classmates of that stress with a DIY self-care kit. 

You can personalize a box with their favourite candy, a book and a candle, with an added handwritten note to get them through the day. Including handmade spa day essentials like bath bombs or face masks are great additions to a gift everyone wants but won’t get themselves.

Handcrafted jewelry

Dedicating hours to a new skill is often rewarding, so sharing what you’ve learned is always a prize. As an affordable alternative to pricey diamonds, a handcrafted bracelet tailored to the person you are gifting makes a unique keepsake. You may choose to string colourful plastic or wooden beads through a thread in a random pattern or even assemble your loved one’s name in a bracelet. A different route could be to create friendship bracelets together using embroidery floss for some extra quality time during the holiday season. 

You can also scour Esty’s online shops to support small Canadian businesses and do a little extra good for artistic entrepreneurs this time of year.

Personalized family cookbook

Tucked away and hidden from kitchen messes is the collection of recipes my grade 6 class compiled for a Mother’s Day gift. As a relentless 12-year-old, I knew my mom’s mashed potatoes deserved the first page. 

A creative idea for the chef in your life is a handpicked assortment of recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. From your great aunt’s apple pie to your new friend's famous pizza, this unique cookbook won’t be one just anyone could find on a storefront shelf.

(Sinenkly/Pixabay)

Frame anything! 

The beauty of a homemade Christmas gift is that it can be personalized in every which way. Wrap a shiny red bow around a family portrait and you have the perfect balance between sentimental and practical. 

It is close to guaranteed that any grandparent’s heart will melt over a special scrapbook of memories. A collection of home videos or old collectibles will promise no dry eyes on Christmas morning.

Behind the counters of Toronto Christmas Market

By Pooja Rambaran

Employees share how the Toronto Christmas Market affects their work schedule

As soon as you step onto the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District, you're transported into the magic of the Toronto Christmas Market. 

From Nov. 14 to Dec. 22, the Distillery District is transformed into the Toronto Christmas Market an annual Christmas celebration, where food, sweet treats and gifts are displayed and sold.

Visitors walking around the Christmas Market in Toronto’s Distillery District. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Visitors walking around the Christmas Market in Toronto’s Distillery District. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Beneath the rows of lights that hang above the cobblestone streets, visitors buzz by the line of food booths and stores, clutching their hot chocolates and baked goods, as Christmas songs resonate through the air. 

But behind the magic are the many employees who face longer and busier hours during this month long Christmas extravaganza. 

“It’s definitely much more intense than during the rest of the year,” said Robbie Hatch, sales associate at Vom Fass, an oil and vinegar store at the market. 

Inside Vom Fass in Distillery District with Robbie Hatch standing behind the counter. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Inside Vom Fass in Distillery District with Robbie Hatch standing behind the counter. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

But while the energy is higher and there is more staff on duty, Hatch doesn’t see the sales you may expect at this busy time of the year. 

He notes that the Distillery District has become increasingly “Instagrammable”, with a large focus being placed on building it up as a whole experience for people to come, enjoy and take pictures. 

“I think that’s affected a lot of the stores here in terms of sales, maybe negatively but definitely differently because you don’t have a lot of people necessarily coming in to buy Christmas gifts,” Hatch said.  

“I think what happens is you have people who hang out in the streets, they try out all the vendors and they don’t really pay too much attention to the stores.”

A glimpse of the Christmas tree at the Toronto Christmas Market. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

A glimpse of the Christmas tree at the Toronto Christmas Market. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

But the unmatched vibrancy and festivity keeps Hatch coming back to work seasonally, every Christmas.

“You have four or five [marriage] proposals a day right outside the Christmas tree. I’m probably in the background of so many selfies,” Hatch said. 

Over at the Tankhouse General boutique, sales associate Iyanna Croxen works two hours later around this time of the year. 

“It’s challenging if I’m working by myself and a lot of people come in at once, especially since we have two levels,” Croxen said. 

Inside Tankhouse General. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Inside Tankhouse General. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

But Croxen says helping people find the perfect gift for the holidays is the most rewarding part of it all. 

“We’re definitely getting more sales,” Croxen said. “The Christmas Market definitely brings in a lot more people during the week especially.”

On the other hand, Cassandra Vinckers, sales associate at the Tartistry bakery, experiences things a little differently compared to Hatch and Croxen.

Cassandra Vinckers standing behind the Tartistry booth. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Cassandra Vinckers standing behind the Tartistry booth. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Vinckers has come to work specifically for the Christmas Market to promote The Queensway-located bakery. 

“We sell about 4000 tarts a day from now [until] Christmas so that would make our sales go way up,” Vinckers said.

While the small booth can get crowded at times, Vinckers doesn’t experience much difference in workload. 

“It just gives me extra money for Christmas,” Vinckers explained.

Michelle Lehane, sales associates at Yummi Candles, has seen her workload and hours doubled but noticed a boost in sales as well.

As many people stop by the booth throughout the day, Lehane is able to generate publicity for the store. 

Michelle Lehane standing behind the Yummi Candles booth. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

Michelle Lehane standing behind the Yummi Candles booth. (CanCulture/Pooja Rambaran)

“It’s a long day when it comes to the market but it’s a lot of fun too, so you can’t go wrong,” Lehane said. 

However, Lehane explained that "[t]he weather is most challenging because one minute it could be fine, the next minute it could be freezing cold.”

Luckily, Lehane said the heaters and the Christmas spirit keep her going.

Lehane, Hatch, Vinckers and Croxen are just a few of the many employees who work long hours at the market to bring visitors a quality experience.

The Toronto Christmas Market encapsulates the essence of the holiday spirit in the form of food, decorations and the overall joyous, festive ambiance that it invokes. 

Canadian tennis champion Bianca Andreescu lights up Canada’s tallest Christmas tree

By Nuha Khan

It’s officially beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

This year, the Toronto Eaton Centre’s Christmas tree was lit up by professional tennis player and U.S Open Champion Bianca Andreescu, on Nov. 14. In the mall, hundreds of people gathered to witness the official kick off of the holiday season.

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Before the event began, staff members began preparing the stage as shoppers waited for Bianca Andreescu’s arrival and the 108-foot tree to be lit.

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Approximately two hours prior to the event, guests began searching for the perfect spot to view the tree and stage where Andreescu would stand.

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4Korners, the official DJ for the Toronto Raptors, blasted some holiday tunes such as Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and a remixed version of the classic “Last Christmas" by Wham! 

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The guest of honour made her first appearance on stage as the crowd pulled out their phones to capture it all. 

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Andreescu waves to the crowd after Santa Claus made a surprise appearance on stage. The tennis champion announced that Starbucks, the presenter of the ceremony, will be giving out free reusable holiday cups to the guests at the end of the evening. 

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At 6:30 p.m. the crowd begins to countdown the commencement of the Christmas tree lighting. 

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While the lighting commences, Andreescu greets a couple of fans in the audience and reaches out to sign posters and tennis balls.

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The Christmas tree shines at the conclusion of the 2019 lighting ceremony in the Eaton Centre.

All images were taken by Nuha Khan