Arts Listings

As the holiday season advances, there’s still much to see and do, including that blowout of blowouts, New Year’s Eve. Here are a few of the highlights—and unusual sidelights—along the way, including just a few New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

Ongoing 

Oakland Ballet, The Nutcracker (Carlos Carvajal version; Michael Morgan conducting members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony), 11 a.m. Thursday (Christmas Eve), 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Paramount Theatre, Broadway at 19th, Oakland. $11.50-$50. 465-6400. oaklandballet.org. 

Smuin Christmas Ballet, through Dec. 27, at Yerba Buena Center, 700 Howard, San Francisco. $18-$55. (415) 556-5000. smuinballet.org. 

Aurora Theatre, The Coverlettes Cover Christmas (Girl Group holiday tribute by a trio of pop singers), 8 p.m. through Saturday, 7 p. m. Sunday at 2081 Addison St. $25-$28. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org. 

Berkeley Rep, Aurelia’s Oratorio (a play about circus performers, created and directed by Charlie Chaplin’s daughter, starring his granddaughter), through Jan. 24. $33-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org. 

The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth, by The Bubble Man, including 11 a.m. matinees, and Fun-derful Holidaze, with Unique Derrique & Friends (separate admission), both through Jan. 3 at The Marsh, 1062 Valencia, San Francisco; $7-$10-$50. 800-838-3006. themarsh.org. 

Wednesday, Dec. 23 

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Concert, noon, at 12th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. Free admission. 

Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 

Telegraph Ave. 26th Annual Holiday Street Fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Telegraph Avenue between Dwight and Bancroft. 234-1013. telegraphfair.com. 

Christmas Eve Jazz Concert, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Pt. Richmond. 236-0527. 

Gracie Coates Holiday Show, 10 p.m., Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. 

Saturday, Dec. 26 

David Grisman, 8 p.m., Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St. $32.50-$33.50. 644-2020. 

Sunday, Dec. 27 

Flamenco Family Festival, with Yaelisa and her students and other artists, 7 p.m. presented by Flamenco Open Stage at Ashkenaz, San Pablo Avenue. (see story). $10. 525-5054. ashkenaz.com. 

Monday, Dec. 28 

Poetry Express Annual Between the Holidays Erotic Poetry Night, 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

New Year’s Eve 

24th annual Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin, San Francisco; free with museum admission. $7-$17. 415-581-3500. asianart.org. 

Pacific Pinball Museum, “Party Like It’s 1965,” seventh anniversary party, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 1510 Webster, Alameda. $25 (80 pinball machines on free play, snacks, party toys, no host bar). 205-6959. pacificpinball.org. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, “Double Trouble” 8 p.m., First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Free. 

An Evening of Classic Jazz Singers, with Robin Gregory, Ed Reed & Anna de Leon, 8 and 10 p.m., at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Call for prices: 841-JAZZ. annasjazzisland.com. 

Balkan Bash, 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. $13-$20. 525-5054. ashkenaz.com. 

High Country with Dix Bruce & Jim Nunally, 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. $26.50-$27.50. 548-1761. freightandsalvage.org. 

Orquestra La Moderna Tradicion, 9:30 p.m. at La Peña. $25-$28. 849-2568. lapena.org. 

California Honeydrops, 9:30 p.m. at the Starry Plough. $15. 841-2082. starryploughpub.com. 

(And for that sobering post-Epiphany letdown: Laughter Against the Machine, comedians Kamau Bell, Hari Kondabolu and Nato Green, 8 p. m. Jan. 7-9, The New Parish, 579-18th St., Oakland. $10-$15 ($5 extra, bring a friend). TheNewParish.com.