Events Listings

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- 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.< 

"HOLIDAY HOME TOUR," -- Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. Tour five beautifully decorated homes in the Danville and Alamo area; call or see website for more details. 

$25-$35.10 a.m.-4 p.m.(925) 788-1698, www.aauw-da.org.< 

"HOMETOWN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION," -- Dec. 4. A festive, community-based parade taking place along Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. 

5-7:30 p.m.www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us.< 

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.< 

BANKHEAD THEATER  

"Pacific Chamber Symphony presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 3, 8 p.m.  

$7-$39. www.pacificchambersymphony.org. 

"Valley Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker," Dec. 11 through Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 17, 18, 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19. This long-running production of the classic tale of "The Nutcracker'' also adds Taeko drummers and a large Chinese Dragon. $18-$33. (925) 243-0925, www.valleydancetheater.com. 

2400 First Street, Livermore. (925) 373-6800, www.livermoreperformingarts.org.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

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.< 

HERTZ HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY  

"University Symphony Orchestra," Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Works by Stravinsky. $5-$15.  

Bancroft Way and College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 642-4864, www.music.berkeley.edu.< 

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.< 

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE EAST BAY  

"Community Festival of Light," Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A fun, free day of holiday activities for the whole family.  

1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 848-0237, www.jcceastbay.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.< 

LANEY COLLEGE THEATER  

"Burning Libraries: Stories From The New Ellis Island," Dec. 3 through Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 and 7 p.m. Sun. A new play telling more than 30 real life stories of ordinary people from minority and immigrant communities in and around Oakland. $15-$25.  

900 Fallon St., Oakland. (510) 595-5500 X25.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"White Christmas," by Irving Berlin, 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," 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.< 

THE NEW PARISH  

No Age, Dec. 8, 10 p.m. $13-$15. 

579 18th St., Oakland. (510) 444-7474, www.thenewparish.com.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

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

The Judds, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $47.25-$75.75. 

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. 

"Oakland East Bay Symphony: Let Us Break Bread Together," Dec. 12, 4 p.m. With special guest Joan Baez. $12-$45.  

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

TOMMY T'S COMEDY AND STEAKHOUSE  

Jay Mohr, Dec. 10 through Dec. 12, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fri.; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $30-$40. 

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

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

45 Grave, Plan 9, Alaric, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. $10. 

Dick Dale, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. $20. 

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

YOSHI'S  

Charlie Hunter, Dec. 9 through Dec. 12, 8 and 10 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$24. 

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.<