December 05, 2003

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Palo Alto Online

Holiday spirit
A festive arts and entertainment season unfolds on the Peninsula

by Robyn Israel

Whether it's singing along to Handel's "Messiah," watching "The Nutcracker" or checking out Christmas creches, there is bound to be some holiday event that appeals to local residents. With a multitude of offerings along the midPeninsula, festive fun is just waiting to unfold.

To assist readers in planning their holiday outings, the Weekly has compiled a listing of dance shows, concerts and theater productions. It is meant to be comprehensive, but additional listings can be found in the Goings On section and in upcoming December issues.

Dance
Smuin Ballet/SF presents "The Christmas Ballet 2003" Dec. 3-7 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (MVCPA), 500 Castro St. In the opening act, dances are set to holiday anthems, ranging from traditional carols to sacred music to lively Russian Hanukkah songs. In Act II, 'The Cool Christmas," dancers let loose with everything from Benny Goodman to Bach, Eartha Kitt to klezmer. Each year, choreographer Michael Smuin makes changes to the program, adding new pieces so the performance contains a few surprises. Show times are Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.; Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $41-$50. For tickets call the MVCPA at (650) 903-6000. For additional information, please call (415) 495-2234 or visit www.smuinballet.org
Dance Connection presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. a Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. The Palo Alto-based studio will showcase 20 boys and 113 girls from local schools, plus 14 parents and one alum, Stanford freshman Carrie Edwards, who will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are $12 to $16 and will be on sale at the studio or at the door. For more information please call Dance Connection at (650) 852-0418 or visit www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com
Foothill Repertory Dance Company, under the direction of Bubba Gong, presents "Unplugged," its 18th annual winter dance showcase Dec. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Smithwick Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills. The production will showcase three new works by Gong, including "Granola Crunch Suite," an homage to the vocabulary of Bob Fosee and the technique of Jack Cole that combines ballet and lyrical and jazz dance in a Broadway-style up-tempo nine-minute medley; "Lose Yourself," a modern epic of good vs. evil set to the Academy Award-winning score from the film "8 Mile"; and "Hip Hop Finale," which features the entire company. Dancers will also perform Broadway works, including "Chicago" and "Hairspray," and a number of solo pieces will be part of the program. Tickets are $20 general and can be purchased by calling (650) 949-7360.
Western Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 12-14 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Choreographed by Alessandra di Pierro, with additional choreography by Mark Foehringer, the ballet features Peter Tchaikovsky's famed melodic score. Guest artists will include Jekyns Pelaez as the Cavalier and dancers Katherine Wells and Shannon Chain, who will alternate in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Gonzalo Espinoza will make a guest appearance in the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. Performances will take place on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 13 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 14 at 2 and 6 p.m. A party will take place following the Saturday matinee, and will be held in the lobby rotunda of the theater. Tickets are $22.50 adults; $18.50 for children 12 and under, students with ID and seniors. Tickets are $7 for the party on Dec. 13. Tickets may be obtained by calling the box office at (650) 903-6000 or tickets@mvcpa.com

For the family
Avenidas presents "A Winter Wonderland," a variety show modeled after a Victorian music hall. Performers will include local actors, with music by the Youth Symphony Woodwind Quartet, the Addison Elementary Noon Chorus and members of the Palo Alto High School Band, Tea and scones will be served. The show will take place on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. at Avenidas Senior Center, 450 Bryant St. in Palo Alto. Tickets are $5 non-members; $3 members. For more information please call (650) 326-5362.
The 16th annual Christmas Creche Exhibit will take place Dec. 6-10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. This year's highlights include "From Across the Oceans," featuring an extensive collection from Africa and Asia, crafted from more than 30 materials; "A World of Villages," displaying nativities as village scenes; "A Child's Walk Through Bethlehem," re-enacting Bethlehem when Jesus was born with demonstrations and hands-on activities. The Gunn High School Chamber Singers, under the direction of William Liberatore, will perform Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The Valparaiso Singers, under the direction of Judith Stewart, will perform Dec. 7 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be presented via satellite on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information please call (650) 493-2222 or visit www.christmascreche.org.
The West Bay Railroad Association presents its 2003 Christmas Show Dec. 12-14 at the Menlo Park Train Station (the former baggage/freight building) located near the intersection of Ravenswood Avenue and Merrill Street. On display will be many different models of passenger and freight trains that operated on American and European railroads during both the steam and diesel eras. The show will be open to the public on Dec. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 13 from 12 to 6 p.m.; Dec. 14 from 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Raffle tickets for a new train set will be on sale at the door. The drawing will be held at the end of the show on Dec. 14. For more information please call (650) 322-0685.

Music
The Aurora Singers will perform on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E. Charleston Road in Palo Alto. The 60-voice ensemble, under the direction of Dawn Reyen, will present "Winter's Musical Journey," featuring Christmas, Chanukah and secular winter selections. The concert will include sing-along interludes and a reception. Suggested donations are $9 adults, $7 for students, seniors and kids. For more information please call (650) 321-4262.
The California Bach Society, under the direction of Warren Stewart, will perform Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 555 Waverley St. (at Hamilton Avenue), Palo Alto. Entitled "Francisco Guerrero: Christmas Vespers," the program will feature Guerrero's psalms and motets for the holiday season. The soloists will include Ruth Escher, Suzanne Elder Wallace, Mark Mueller and Hugh Davies. There will be a lecture 45 minutes before the performance. Tickets are $25 general; $18 seniors; $12 students. For more information please call (415) 262-0272 or visit www.calbach.org.
The California Youth Symphony presents its annual free Holiday Concert on Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the Smithwick Theater, located on the Foothill College campus, 12345 El Monte Road, in Los Altos Hills. Conducted by Leo Eylar, the California Youth Symphony and the CYS Associate Orchestra will perform a variety of instrumental and traditional holiday favorites, including Bizet's "L'Arlesienne Suites 1-2," Auber's "Bronze Horse Overture" and selections from Luigini's "Ballet Russe," Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz" and Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite." For more information please call (650) 325-666 or visit www.cys.org.
Chanticleer returns for their annual Christmas program on Dec. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Church. The Grammy Award-winning a capella ensemble, comprised of 12 singers, is under the direction of Joseph Jennings. The program will begin with Gregorian chant and sacred music from the Renaissance, followed by selections from such 20th century composers as Francis Poulenc, Jonathan Dove, John Tavener and Franz Biebl. The evening concludes with a medley of familiar Christmas carols. The show will be presented by Stanford Lively Arts. Tickets are $44 general admission. Half-price tickets are available for young people age 15 and under, and discounts are available for students. For tickets and more information, contact the Stanford Ticket Office at Tresidder Memorial Union, call 650-725-ARTS (2787), or go online to http://livelyarts.stanford.edu.
El Camino Youth Symphony presents its holiday concert on Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. The program features holiday selections, ECYS Concerto Competition winners and a special performance by the ECYS Percussion Ensemble. The program includes Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Three Wonders from Tsar Sultan," Dvorak's "Carnival Overture," Mendelssohn's "Wedding March from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Bizet's "Overture to the Carmen," and Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," among other holiday pieces. ECYS Concerto Competition winners for 2003, Brian Lee and Claire Han -- both violinists - will perform Sarasate's "Navarra." A third winner, Joojay Huyn, will perform Bach's "Piano Concerto in F minor, mvt. I." Tickets are $10.$5 and can be purchased at the door. For more information please call (650) 327-2611 or visit www.ecys.org.
The Klezmer Conservatory Band will perform on Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium. The band's music hints of Gypsy songs, Hebrew prayers, Mediterranean rhythms, early jazz, swing, tango and blues, conveying a joyful celebration of tradition and community. The band consists of woodwinds, brass, stringed instruments, percussion, and accordion, and the artists provide explanations of the songs, which are in Yiddish. The show will be presented by Stanford Lively Arts. Tickets are $44/$38/$30. Half-price tickets to both performances are available for young people age 15 and under, and discounts are available for students. For tickets and more information, contact the Stanford Ticket Office at Tresidder Memorial Union, call 650-725-ARTS (2787), or go online to http://livelyarts.stanford.edu
Magnificat will perform its holiday show on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave. (at Webster Street) in Palo Alto. Warren Stewart will direct this early-music ensemble of voices and instruments. The program, entitled "In Nativitatem Domini," will showcase motets and noels by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, one of the finest of French Baroque composers. A lecture will be held 45 minutes prior to the performance. Tickets are $25 general; $18 seniors; $12 students. For more information call (415) 979-4500 or visit www.magnificatsf.com.
The Menlo Park Chorus will perform on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Menlo Park Recreation Center, 701 Laurel St. in Menlo Park. Led by Music Director Michael Paul Gibson and accompanied by pianist Susan D. Williams, the chorus will present Christmas songs, while children visit Santa and participate in holiday craft-making. Tickets are $5 adults; $3 children 12 and under. For more information please visit www.bamusic.org/mpc
The Peninsula Pops Orchestra will perform "Pops for the Holidays!", a Very, Merry Not-at-All-Bah-Humbug Pops Christmas Show" on Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Spangenberg Theatre, located on the Gunn campus at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Share the magic of White Christmas, Chestnuts Roasting, the Grinch, Charlie Brown and maybe even a Sugarplum or two. State Assemblyman Joe Simitian will narrate "The Night Before Christmas," surrounded on stage by kids from the audience. Kim Venaas will conduct. Special holiday guests will include baritone Peter Vilkin and tenor Paul Plain. To purchase tickets online ($12, $10, $8) and for more information visit www.peninsulapops.org or call (650) 856-8432.
Peninsula Women's Chorus will perform on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at Saint Patrick's Seminary, 320 Middlefield Road in Menlo Park. The concert will be repeated on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. The eclectic program will feature Palestrina's "Magnificat" for treble voices, contemporary Baltic composer Einojuhani Rautavaara's stark "Suite" de Lorca and Zoltan Kodaly's "Fior Scoloriti." Special holiday selections will include Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata," David Conte's "Christmas Intrada" and a multilingual arrangement of "Silent Night." Tickets are $20 general; $15 seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased at the door or through the Stanford Ticket Office, (650) 725-ARTS. For more information please call (650) 327-3095 or visit www.pwchorus.org
Philharmonia Baroque will perform "A Bach Christmas" on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave. in Palo Alto. The early-music orchestra, under the direction of Nicholas McGegan, will showcase Bach's "Christmas Cantata Unser Mund sei voll Lachens," "Violin Concerto in A minor" and "Magnificat in E-flat major." Individual ticket prices are $29-$60 and are available by calling (415) 252-1288 or by visiting www.philharmonia.org.
Ragazzi Boys Chorus will perform "Songs of the Nativity and the Posada" on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 555 Waverly St. in Palo Alto. The concert will feature old Spanish carols and folk songs, Renaissance music by great Spanish composers and classic carols known throughout the Americas. The concert will also take place on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1835 Valota Road in Redwood City. Reserved tickets are $25 adults; $20 students and seniors; general tickets are $15 adults; $10 students and seniors. To order tickets, please call (650) 342-8785. For more information please visit www.ragazzi.org
The San Francisco Early Music Society will present music from Christmases past and present on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, All Saints' Episcopal Church, 555 Waverly St. in Palo Alto. Single tickets (general seating) are $25 general; $22 members/seniors. For more information please call (510) 528-1725 or visit www.sfems.org
Schola Cantorum will showcase holiday songs from the past 40 years on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave. in Palo Alto. Tickets are $19.75 adults; $16.25 students and seniors.
Schola Cantorum will present "Messiah Sing 2003" on Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Music Director Gregory Wait will lead the audience through the choruses and the solos of this Handel favorite, complete with chamber orchestra. This much-anticipated event which heralds the start of the holiday season sells out quickly. Tickets are $16 adults/seniors and $11 students/children. For more information about either event please call (650) 254-1700 or visit www.scholacantorum.org
Soli Deo Gloria with Orchestra Gloria will present "Rejoice! for Christmas," featuring Charpentier's "Messe de Minuit pour Noel, " on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. The mass will be performed with the original French carols interpolated between the mass movements. Also included on the program will be an array of Swedish, French, and English carols sung by the choir and an audience sing-along. Tickets are $20 general; $15 students and seniors; free for K-12 students. For more information please visit www.sdgloria.org or call (415) 982-7341.
The Stanford University Department of Music will present its annual "Sing- and Play-Along Messiah" on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Memorial Church. Orchestral parts will be provided and players are welcome to play as many of the selections as they like. Stephen Sano, Stanford's director of choral studies, will conduct. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 with student ID. Singers should bring their own score, or purchase one in front of the church prior to the concert. (Scores are usually around $8 each). For more information please visit http://music.stanford.edu

Comedy/Theater
Bus Barn Stage Company presents : "Inspecting Carol" through Dec. 20 at the Bus Barn Theatre, 97 Hillview Ave. in Los Altos. The play is written by Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Theatre Company. Regular show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 7 p.m. on Dec. 7; 8 p.m. on Dec. 14. A discussion will take place on Dec. 5. Individual tickets are $18-$28. For more information please call (650) 941-0551 or visit www.busbarn.org
"Chopshticks," an evening of Chinese food and comedy, will take place on Dec. 24 and 25 at Ming's Restaurant, 1700 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. Performers will include Eric Schwartz, Mike Capozzola and Robert Mac. A no-host bar will commence at 6:30 p.m., followed by a family-style dinner and the show. Tickets are $55. Tables of 10 will be reserved in advance; otherwise there will be open seating. For more information please e-mail chopshticks@hotmail.com
The Pear Avenue Theatre presents its holiday production, "The World Goes 'Round," through Dec. 14 at the Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 Pear Ave. in Mountain View. The production is a musical revue that celebrates the work of John Kander and Fred Ebb, creators of "Cabaret," "Chicago" and "The Kiss of the Spiderwoman." Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. (except Friday, Dec. 12, at 8:30 p.m.) Sunday performances will take place on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets for Friday and Saturday shows are $20/$15; $15/$10 for Thursday and Sunday shows. To purchase tickets by credit card online visit www.thepear.org. For more information please call (650) 254-1148 or visit www.thepear.org
TheatreWorks presents its holiday production, "The Fourth Wall," through Dec. 28 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Written by A.R. Gurney, the play tells the tale of a frazzled suburban woman. A preview performance will take place on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. The production will officially open on Dec. 6. Regular show times are Tuesdays (Dec. 9 and 16) at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m. (no performances Dec. 24 and 25); Saturdays at 8 p.m. ; additional 2 p.m. performances on Dec. 13, 20 and 27; Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m., additional 7 p.m. performance on Dec. 28. "Visual Voice" audio-described performances will be available Dec. 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$48; discounts available for youth, students, seniors, and members. For tickets and information, call (650) 903-6000 or visit theatreworks.org

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