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.< 

"TELEGRAPH AVENUE HOLIDAY STREET FAIR," -- through Dec. 24. The event will feature festive lights, colorful decorations and a multicultural shopping atmosphere featuring more than 200 street artists, merchants, and community groups. 

Free.11 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19, 23 and 24.www.telegraphfair.com .< 

AURORA THEATRE COMPANY  

"Naughty & Nice: A Meg and Billy Christmas," Dec. 17 through Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17-18, 21-23, 28-30. The production mixes Great American Songbook standards with traditional and non-traditional holiday tunes. $23-$25.  

Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org.< 

BANKHEAD THEATER  

"Valley Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker," through Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 17, 18, 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19. $18-$33. (925) 243-0925, www.valleydancetheater.com. 

"A Chanticleer Christmas," Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. $12-$62. www.chanticleer.org. 

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

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"The Arabian Nights," through Dec. 30. Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman brings her adaptation of "The Arabian Nights'' back to Berkeley for the holidays. See website for complete listings of performance dates and times. $17.50-$73.  

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

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEK  

"A Christmas Carol," through Dec. 19. The Charles Dickens classic comes to life on stage. See website for complete performance details. $20.50-$41.  

Lesher Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-SHOW, www.centerrep.org.< 

CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER State-of-the-art facility unifying science education activities around astronomy. Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, indoor stargazing, outdoor telescope viewing and films. 

"Midnight Delight," Dec. 20, 9 p.m. Visitors can learn about all things Moon-- then watch the total lunar eclipse from Chabot's observation deck and through Chabot's telescopes. $6-$12.  

Center Admission: $14.95; $10.95 children 3-12; free children under 3; $3 discount for seniors and students. Telescope viewing only: free. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Also open on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. after June 29. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 336-7300, www.chabotspace.org.< 

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. < 

FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER  

"The Princess and The Pea," through Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 17-18; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 18-19. Pleasanton's Civic Arts Stage Company will present the classic tale live on stage. $6-$18.  

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

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE  

The Coverlettes, Dec. 23 and Dec. 24. $18.50-$19.50.  

Music starts at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761, www.freightandsalvage.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Whiskers!," through Dec. 20, 3:15 and 7:15 p.m. Sat.; 9:15 and 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. Mon, Wed., Fri. Caroline Altman's musical based on the children's favorite "The Velveteen Rabbit.'' $10-$15. (925) 943-7469. 

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

MCCONAGHY HOUSE The McConaghy Estate includes a 12-room farmhouse, tank house and carriage house. The home is furnished in the style of 1886, the date the house was built. The McConaghy House is one of the facilities of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The Hayward Area Historical Society maintains the house and provides volunteer tour guides who give public tours when the house is open. The last tour leaves at 3:30 p.m. 

"A Star Spangled Christmas," through Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. Every year the McConaghy House is transformed for the Christmas Holiday; this year the house will be decked out in patriotic ornaments and decorations. $3-$5.  

50 cents-$3; free children under age 6. Friday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. 18701 Hesperian Blvd.,, next to Kennedy Park,, Hayward. (510) 276-3010, (510) 581-0223, www.haywardareahistory.org.< 

OAKLAND ZOO The zoo includes a Children's Petting Zoo, the Skyride, a miniature train, a carousel, picnic grounds and a gift shop as well as the animals in site specific exhibits, which allow them to roam freely. Included are "The African Savanna,'' with its two huge mixed-animal aviaries and 11 African Savanna exhibits; the Mahali Pa Tembo (Place of the Elephant), with giraffes, chimpanzees and more than 330 other animals from around the world; "Simba Pori,'' Swahili for "Lion Country,'' a spacious 1.5-acre habitat offering both a savanna and woodland setting for African lions; "Footprints from the Past,'' an anthropology exhibit showcasing four million years of human evolution and an actual "footpath'' of the first hominids to emerge from the African savanna; "Sun Bear Exhibit,'' a stateof-the-art space the zoo has developed for its two sun bears; and Siamang Island, a state-of-the-art, barrier-free area that emulates the gibbons' native tropical rain forest habitat. Also see the Malayan Fruit Bats from the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Florida that are now roosting in trees at the zoo. In addition there are special exhibits and events monthly. "Valley Children's Zoo," ongoing. The three-acre attraction offers a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

"Endangered Species," ongoing. An exhibit of photographs about the most endangered animals on the Earth and what can be done to save them. At the Education Center. Open daily during zoo hours. ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Valley Children's Zoo," ongoing. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three-acre attraction will offer a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Free with regular Zoo admission.  

"Wildlife Theater," ongoing. Saturday, 11:45 a.m.; Sunday, 1:45 p.m. On Saturday mornings listen to a story and meet a live animal. On Sunday afternoon meet live animals and learn cool facts about them. Meet in the Lobby of the Zoo's Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education. Free with regular Zoo admission. (510) 632-9525, ext. 142. 

"Zoolights," through Jan. 1, 5:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 24-25. Enjoy a fantasyland of lights, giant toy soldiers, over-sized candy canes and more mixed with holiday music and treats. $4.50-$7.50.  

$7.50-11; free children under age 2; $6 parking fee. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. (510) 632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

"Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes," Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. $25-$99.  

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

PARAMOUNT THEATRE  

"Oakland Ballet Company: The Nutcracker," Dec. 23 through Dec. 26, 2 and 7 p.m. Thu.; 11 a.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sun. $15-$50. (510) 465-6400. 

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

TOMMY T'S COMEDY AND STEAKHOUSE  

Bill Bellamy, Dec. 17 through Dec. 19, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. 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 BODY & FENDER  

"Zanzibar Puppets: Cinderella," through Dec. 26, 2 and 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 22 fully costumed puppets bring the classic fairy tale to life with spectacular scenery and music. $12. (510) 891-1986, www.zanzibarpuppets.com 401 26th St., Oakland. < 

YOSHI'S  

Robben Ford & Renegade Creation, through Dec. 19, 8 and 10 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$26.  

Pharoah Sanders, Dec. 22 through Dec. 24, 8 and 10 p.m. $22-$30.  

Tower of Power, Dec. 26 through Dec. 29, 7 and 9 p.m. Sun.; 8 and 10 p.m. Mon.-Wed. $25-$45.  

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.<