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.< 

"BROADWAY PLAZA'S PARADE OF LIGHTS," -- Dec. 2. A holiday parade, along with caroling, live entertainment, tree lighting and more. See website for directions and complete details. 

6 p.m.www.walnut-creek.com.< 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Tri-Valley Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show," Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  

$1-$3. www.toyhavoc.com. 

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

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE  

"Brian Copeland's Not A Genuine Black Man," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Local awardwinning playwright and performer returns to perform his one man show about growing up in San Leandro. $50.  

1409 High St., Alameda. (510) 523-1553, www.altarena.org.< 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

"Christmas at Ardenwood," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style, with Christmas carols, live music, crafts and more. $5-$8; children three and under free.  

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.< 

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.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

"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.  

Takacs Quartet, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Concert takes place in Hertz Hall. $56.  

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. < 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BERKELEY  

"Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $35-$95. 

2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. (510) 848-3696, www.fccb.org.< 

JACK LONDON SQUARE  

"Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays," Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join in the family fun at this holiday kick off event, with the lighting of the 55 foot tall tree, decorated with thousands of energy efficient LED lights that make this tree truly "green.''  

free. Foot of Broadway, Oakland. (866) 295-9853, www.jacklondonsquare.com.< 

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. 

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

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

ORACLE ARENA  

Roger Waters, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $50-$400. 

7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (925) 685-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theoaklandarena.com.< 

PARAMOUNT THEATRE  

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. $10-$40. 

2025 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 465-6400, (415) 421-8497, www.paramounttheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.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.< 

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.<