Ifona Bciki. Editer Spice up the Holidays friend of mine hates Christmas. This year, she and her husband are, to quote her, 'escaping the inevitable madness of the season' by spending the holiday's in Hawaii. "When we get back, it'll be all over and we'll be relaxed instead of frazzled." I, on the other hand, can't imagine not being home for the holidays and 1 make the most of the festive season. I avoid consumer burn-out by shopping locally for my gifts; friends and family look forward to see what treasures 1 unearth at the myriad of craft fairs that North Vancouver is famous for (see page 1819). And there's no need to fall in a rut of watching the same old holidays when. The Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre has lots to offer, from choral to jazz to medieval. M y personal favourite - W i n t e r H a r p returns w i t h t w o performances this season on December 12 at 1 at 7:30 pm. Winter Harp is a candlelight concert of words and music celebrating winter and the Christmas season. Dozens of candles light the stage as musicians in medieval attire play harps, flutes, drums, bells and an assortment of rare 12th century instruments. Hand drums, tambourines and temple bells provide the back drop for both traditional and well-loved carols. The group's focus is the unique and hauntingly beautiful integration of the world's three oldest instruments - harps, flutes and percussion - with rare medieval instruments, poetry and song. This performance features poet A Alan Woodland, Celtic harpist and singer L o r i Pappajohn, medieval instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala, percussionist Lauri Lyster and f l u t i s t Kenichi Ueda. Why not give tickets for live concert performances for a unique and memorable gift? Go to www.capcollege. bc.ca/theatre for tickets or more information. Holiday Gifts P . 18-19 - Ouane M u m n E s c a p e f r o m the holidays? N o t a chance! I'm going to make the most of this opportunity to celebrate friends, family and the prospect of new adventures in the New Year. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from everyone at Arts Alive! visit our totems ... and over 80 s h o p s and services including Sears and Wal-mart 2 November|December Capilano Mall capilanomall.com 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver