Events Listings

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. 

Free.11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyartisans.com.< 

"MAGICAL HOLIDAY EVENING," -- Nov. 19. Shops, restaurants and businesses in downtown Pleasanton usher in the holidays with festive decorations, lights, window displays, treats, carolers, bell ringers and more. See website for complete details. 

6-9 p.m.www.pleasantondowntown.net.< 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

Country Folk Art Show, Nov. 19 through Nov. 21, 5-9 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. A show featuring artisans from around the country. $7. www.countryfolkart.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.< 

ALEXANDER'S FINE ART  

"May The Force Be With You," Nov. 20, 1-4 p.m. Steve Sansweet, Director of Content Management and Head of Fan Relations at Lucasfilms, hosts the introduction of a new line of "Star Wars'' themed fine art. Activities include a "Star Wars'' costume contest. www.disneyartonmain.com. 

608 Main St., Pleasanton. www.alexandersfineart.com.< 

ARMANDO'S  

Mark Hummel & Friends, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. $10. 

707 Marina Vista Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-6985, www.armandosmartinez.com.< 

ASHKENAZ  

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Nov. 27, 9 p.m. $12-$15. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead," Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Tue. and Fri.; 7 p.m. Wed.; 2 and 8 p.m. Thu., Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Dec. 1. A deliciously silly world premiere for the holidays, written by Lemony Snicket, directed by Tony Taccone. $14.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY  

Bobby Flay, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. "Bobby Flay's Throwdown!: More Than 100 Recipes from Food Network's Ultimate Cooking Challenge.''  

1760 4th Street, Berkeley. (510) 525-7777, www.booksinc.net.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

"An Evening With Puzzle Master Will Shortz," Nov. 21, 7 p.m. The puzzle master and crossword editor for the New York Times discusses the history of crosswords and his passion for puzzles. $20-$36.  

"Mummenschanz: 3x11," Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. The world-renowned Swiss pantomime group performs a retrospective on the company's 33 years of original theater. $22-$52.  

Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.net.< 

CIVIC PARK, WALNUT CREEK  

"Walnut Creek On Ice," through Jan. 17. A special holiday time outdoor ice skating rink. See website for complete details. www.walnut-creek.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

CLAREMONT RESORT AND SPA  

"Holiday Open House," Nov. 23, 5-7 p.m. A tree lighting ceremony, a 10 foot tall gingerbread replica of the Claremont, carolers, and a visit from Santa are all on tap at this holiday kick off event.  

41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley. (510) 843-3000, (800) 551-7266, www.claremontresort.com.< 

FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER  

"Schumann Festival," Nov. 20, 2-8 p.m. Five events celebrating the music of Robert Schumann. $10-$32.  

Roger McGuinn, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. $12-$30. 

4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 931-4848, www.firehousearts.org.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Smiun Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet, 2010 Edition," Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat. Performance includes two new works by Amy Seiwert and Amy London, along with older favorites. $20-$62.  

"White Christmas," by Irving Berlin, Nov. 26 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 4. The Diablo Theatre Company presents the holiday classic, featuring songs such as "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.'' $20-$42. www.diablotheatrecompany.org. 

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

MERCURY 20 GALLERY  

Joseph Lease, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. "Broken World.'' $5.  

475 25th St., Oakland. (510) 701-4620, www.mercurytwenty.com.< 

OAKLAND EAST BAY SYMPHONY  

"Opening Weekend," Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Works by Narada Michael Walden and others; special guest Carlos Santana. $25-$70.  

$15-$67. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.oebs.org.< 

SMITH CENTER AT OHLONE COLLEGE  

"An Evening with Dr. Philip Zimbardo," Nov. 19, 7 p.m. A discussion with psychologist Philip Zimbardo, best known for his famous "Stanford Prison Experiment,'' which showed how everyday people can turn into sadistic monsters under certain conditions. $10  

43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 659-6031, www.smithcenterpresents.com.< 

TOMMY T'S COMEDY AND STEAKHOUSE  

Tommy Davidson, Nov. 24 and Nov. 26 through Nov. 24, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $20-$30. 

5104 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. (925) 227-1800, www.tommyts.com.< 

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

The Frail, Nov. 24, 9 p.m. $5. 

1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com.< 

YOSHI'S  

Ahmad Jamal, Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30. 

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<