Arts & Events
Don't Miss This in the Holidays
With Thanksgiving and Black Friday fading into oblivion— the Lord be praised — life may now return to normal so that we can give full attention to the many seasonal events lined up for our holiday pleasure:
What better way than to celebrate our very own Frederica von Stade, Alameda's beloved opera star, who will be honored at a special performance at Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness St., S.F. this Sat., Dec. 3rd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 - $100, but well worth such a happy occasion.
"The Great Charles Dicken's Christmas Fair" with playhouses and winding lanes of Victorian London — through Dec. 18. Cow Palace Exhibition Hall. (800) 510-1558.
Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios (more than 100 artists and galleries will be open to the public through Dec. 18). berkeleyartisans.com for information.
"The Christmas Ballet" This Smuin Ballet Extravaganza draws from holiday traditions around the world. Through Dec. 24. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Center Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469.
"The Soldier's Tale," based on Igor Stravinsky's 1918 musical. Through Dec. 18. Aurora Theatre, Berkeley. (510) 843-4822.
"A Christmas Carol", by Charles Dickens (the best Christmas Carol Ever). A.C.T., S. F., (415) 749-2228.
"On the Air" (broadcasting from Pier 29), starring Geoff Hoyle and Duffy Bishop. Teatro Zinzanni. (415 ) 438-2668.
"Dazzling Holiday Lights", Free events, near Peet's Coffee, Fourth Street. Through Dec. 18, 12 - 4 p.m. Live music.
Handel's Messiah, Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra, Sat. 10, 7 p.m. Zellerbach Hall (510) 642-9988.
"Let Us Break Bread Together", Oakland Symphony, Michael Morgan, Director and guest appearance by Joan Baez. Sun. Dec. 11, 4 p.m. Paramount Theatre.
(800) 745-3000,
Pacific BoyChoirs, "Annual Harmonies of the Season", featuring Benjamin Britten's glorious ceremony of choirs. Sat. Dec. 10. First Congregational Church in Berkeley.
www. pacificboy.org.
America's Children's Holiday Parade, Sat. Dec. 3., 2 p.m. Downtown Oakland. www.kblx.com.
"Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays." Dec. 2nd, 5 - 7 p.m.
"The Wild Bride", presented by Kneehigh Theatre, Berkeley Rep. (510) 647-2949.
"Holiday Jazz & Wine Stroll," Dec. 9, 5 - 9 p.m. rockridgedistrict.com.
Eduardo Fernandez, guitar. Sat. Dec. 10th, 8 p.m; Marine's Memorial Theatre, S.F., (415) 392-2545.
"The Glass Menagerie", Tennessee William's Centennial Year. Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley. Through Dec. 18. (415) 388-5208.
Christian Zacharias, piano. Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. Herbst Theatre, S.F. (415) 392-2545.
Temescal Holiday Labyrinth, Telegraph Avenue at 49th St., Dec. 4, noon to 9 p.m Rain date Dec. 18th.
"Kwanzaa," Oakland City Center, Dec. 14, Noon - 1 p.m.
O.k., friends — surely you'll find one or two of the above events a good way to start off the holidays!
