December 03, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Holiday spirit

by Erin Pursell

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 concerts, plays and dance performances. 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 presents "The Christmas Ballet 2004" Dec. 1-5 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (MVCPA), 500 Castro St. Part of Smuin Ballet's 12th season, the performance will feature everything from dancing Christmas trees to swinging sock-hoppers. This year choreographer Michael Smuin adds new dances set to music by the Chieftains, Handel and others. Remaining show times are tonight at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20-$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. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. The Palo Alto-based studio will showcase 150 boys and girls ages 6-17 from local schools, along with parents who will play the adult roles.

Tickets are $12 to $16 and will be on sale at the studio or at the door. Group rates and reserved seating for 10 or more are $10. 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 "Home ," its 20th annual winter dance showcase, Dec. 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Smithwick Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills. The production will showcase the 50-member company performing a variety of original works, from Broadway to ballet, belly-dancing to Japanese opera, Chinese folk dance to Indian world dance. The performance will also feature works by guest artists: the Sequoia High School Dancers, Shapar Dancers of Los Altos, Chung Ngai Dancers of San Francisco, CCKINYON and the Breakers, and ballroom dance champions Federico Moreno and Dina Bistry.

Tickets are $20 general, children under age 10 are free and can be purchased at the door or by calling (650) 949-7360.
Western Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" Dec. 10-12 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 amidst sets created by Peter Crompton. Performances will take place Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 12 at 2 and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $22.50 adults; $18 for children 12 and under, students with ID and seniors. Tickets are $7 for "Nutcracker Sweet Tea," an event that will take place in the lobby rotunda following the Dec. 11 matinee, where attendees will have a chance to meet characters from the production. Tickets may be obtained by calling the box office at (650) 903-6000 or tickets@mvcpa.com.

FOR THE FAMILY
Avenidas will hold a candle-lighting and blessing ceremony on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m., and its Holiday Party Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Avenidas Senior Center, 450 Bryant St. in Palo Alto. The party will feature musical entertainment by Margie and Aldo Bin and the Dartmouth Dodecaphonics. For more information or to RSVP call (650) 326-5362.
The 17th annual Christmas Creche Exhibit will take place Dec. 4-8 from 12 to 9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. This year's highlights include a children's room featuring craft activities, nativity costumes, entertainment and creches, including a nativity scene constructed with legos; gallery talks daily at 1 p.m. to learn the stories behind the creches, an expanded display of creches from around the world and collection of nativities from Africa, and Americana and folk craft creches.

An organ recital will be held at 3 p.m. daily. The Gunn High School Chamber Singers, under the direction of William Liberatore, will perform Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Valparaiso Singers, under the direction of Judith Stewart, will perform Dec. 5 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be presented via satellite on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The Palo Alto High School Choir, under the direction of Michael Najar, will perform Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information please call (650) 493-2222 or visit www.christmascreche.org.
The Museum of American Heritage (MOAH) will hold its "Winter Wonderfest" on Dec. 4 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Frank Livermore Learning Center and adjacent areas. Kids of all ages will be able to enjoy puzzles, science demonstrations, train rides and refreshments.

Admission is $5 for MOAH members; $10 for non-members. New members who enroll at the event will receive 50 percent discounts on admission tickets and 25 percent discounts on gift shop purchases made during the event. For more information call the museum at (650) 321-1004 or visit www.moah.org.
The West Bay Railroad Association presents its 2004 Christmas Show Dec. 11-13 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. 11 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 12 from 12 to 6 p.m.; Dec. 13 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. 13. For more information please call (650) 322-0685.

MUSIC
The Aurora Singers will perform on Dec. 18 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 "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," 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.
Billy Defrank Center and the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus will present "Home for the Holidays," on Dec. 17 & 18 at 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. in Mountain View. Under the direction of Daniel Hughes, the performance will feature a mix of carols and holiday songs celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, along with a humorous one-act holiday-themed musical.

Tickets are $20 and may be obtained by calling the box office at (650) 903-6000 or tickets@mvcpa.com.
The California Bach Society and The Whole Noyse will present a holiday program on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at St. Patrick's Seminary, 320 Middlefield Road in Menlo Park. Joined by the Renaissance Wind Band, the program will feature "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland"; "Gelobet seist du"; "Puer natus in Bethlehem"; "Vom Himmel hoch"; and other traditional German carols. There will be a lecture 45 minutes before the performance.

Tickets are $25 general; $18 seniors; $10 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. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Smithwick Theatre, 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 pieces by Prokofiev, Grieg and Gounod. For more information please call (650) 325-666 or visit www.cys.org.
Cantabile Choral Guild presents "The Seasons of Christmas" on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton (at Webster) in Palo Alto. Directed by Sanford Dole, the 80-voice adult choir will tell the story of Christ's birth in stages, beginning with season of Advent. Music from the Renaissance through modern times will be presented.

Tickets are $25 general, $20 senior, $6 students. For more information call (650) 424-1410 or visit www.cantabile.org.
Cantor Arts Center presents its "Holiday Musicale" on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The event will feature holiday treats and music from around the world, including performances by Stanford Chamber Chorale, conducted by Stephen M. Sano; Stanford Mendicants, a men's a capella group; and Castilleja Chorus, conducted by Patricia Pietrzyk and accompanied by pianist Vera Shamis.

Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for adult members of the Center, $5 for children 3 to 18 years old; free for children 2 years old and younger. Space is limited, so tickets should be purchased in advance. For more information call (650) 723-3482 or visit www.stanford.edu/dept.ccva.
Chanticleer returns for their annual Christmas program on Dec. 14 and 15 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. Presented by Stanford Lively Arts, the program will feature sacred songs, spirituals and carols.

Tickets are $44 general admission; $22 Stanford students. 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.
San Francisco Choral Artists (SFCA) will present "What Sweeter Musick?" Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. The 24-voice professional chamber ensemble is directed by Magen Solomon, and will perform the singers' favorite music from SFCA's first 20 years, including works by Barber, Britten, Howells, Kverno, Leighton, Nixon, Poulenc, Tallis, and local composers Herb Bielawa, David Conte, Paul Crabtree and Jerry Mueller.

Tickets are $22 general, $17 seniors and students, $12 for groups of six or more. For more information call (415) 979-5779 or visit www.sfca.org.
The Community School of Music and Arts' (CSMA) Heritage Bank of Commerce Family Concert Series will present The White Noyse on Dec. 19 at 2 and 4 p.m. The concert will feature Renaissance holiday music. The location is CSMA at Finn Center Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View. Admission is free, but seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to concerts. For more information please call (650) 650-917-6800, ext. 335 or visit www.arts4all.org/tickets.
El Camino Youth Symphony (ECYS) presents its holiday concert on Dec. 19 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 performance by the ECYS Percussion Ensemble, featuring special guest Michael Spiro.

The program includes Anderson's "Christmas Festival," Rossini's "La Gazza Ladra," Tchaikovsky's "Waltz from Sleeping Beauty," Dvorak's "Slavonic Dance No. 8," Sarasate's "Introduction and Tarantella," Haydn's "Cello Concerto in C Major, Mvt. I" and Weber's "Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor." Tickets are $10 adults; $5 students and seniors and can be purchased at the door. For more information please call (650) 327-2611 or visit www.ecys.org.
Foothill Symphonic Winds will perform its winter concert on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cubberley Community Center Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Under the direction of David B. Adams, the concert will feature the music of Elgar, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Copland and Howard Hansen. Tickets are $8 adults; $5 seniors and students. For more information visit www.foothill.edu or call (650) 949-7360.
Fortnightly Music Club will present its holiday concert on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road in Palo Alto. The program will include "The Twelve Horns of Christmas," featuring holiday music for 12 French horns, with some special arrangements by Arthur Barnes. Works by J.S. Bach, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Max Reger and Richard Strauss will also be featured. Admission is free. For more information please visit www.fortnighlymusicclub.org.
Gryphon Carolers will perform their holiday concert on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at Stanford University's Dinkelspiel Auditorium. The repertoire will feature Christmas and holiday songs and instrumentals, ranging from traditional and contemporary takes on Celtic music to modern jazz vocal arrangements set in Brazilian and Latin styles. Original songs and compositions will also be performed

Also on the bill: The Gryphon All-Stars, an instrumental group comprised of Carol McComb on guitar and percussion, Ed Johnson on piano and guitar, cellist Kris Yenney, bassist Preston Carter, violinist Anita Gruenwald and Heather Winkle on piano, flute and penny whistles. The group performs both with the Carolers and as a separate band during the concert.

Advance tickets are $18 for adults; $12 for seniors, children under 13 and students. They are available at the Stanford Ticket Office, located at Tressider Memorial Union. Call 650-725-ARTS (2787) or visit Gryphon Stringed Instruments, 211 Lambert Ave. (corner of Lambert & Park) in Palo Alto. Tickets at the door will be $20 for adults; $14 for seniors, children under 13 and students.
Magnificat will perform its holiday show on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 555 Waverly St. in Palo Alto. "Christmas Vespers" will feature a collaboration between Magnificat and San Francisco Early Music Society . The two companies will reconstruct an ebullient vespers service composed by Giovanni Rovetta. A lecture will be held 45 minutes prior to the performance.

Tickets are $25 general; $22 for SFEMS members and seniors; $12 students. For more information call (415) 979-4500 or visit www.magnificatsf.com.
The Menlo Park Chorus will perform "And the Glory" on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave. (at Laurel St.) in Menlo Park. Led by Music Director Michael Paul Gibson and accompanied by members of the Silicon Valley Symphony, the chorus will perform popular and secular songs of the season, "Magnificat" by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and a sing-a-long Messiah.

Tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 youth. For more information please visit www.bamusic.org/mpc.
New Century Chamber Orchestra will perform on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. The Grammy-nominated orchestra features a 17-member string roster with guest artists.

"Holiday Baroque" will feature J.S. Bach's "Air from Orchestral Suite #3," "Concerto Grosso for Two Oboes" and "Bassoon and Strings"; Vivaldi's "Concerto for Two Cellos" and "Concerto for Four Cellos"; Handel's "Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 2"; Albinoni's "Concerto Op. 9 No. 2 for Oboe" and Charpentier's "Noel Pour Les Instruments."

Tickets are $39/$28/$18; half-price for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cityboxoffice.com or by calling (415) 392-4400. For more information call (415) 357-1111 or visit www.ncco.org.
The Peninsula Pops Orchestra will present its "Pops Fireside Holiday Special!," a Ring-and-Sing Christmas show, on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at Spangenberg Theatre, located on the Gunn campus at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Share the magic of the Grinch, Charlie Brown , the Canadian Brass and Bing Crosby. The performance will also feature special arrangements by the Bay Bells Handbell choir, the Brio Vocal Ensemble, the Peninsulaires barbershop quartet and a surprise guest narrating "The Night Before Christmas," surrounded on stage by kids from the audience. Kim Venaas will conduct.

For more information or to purchase tickets online ($15 adults, $12 seniors, $8 students) and visit www.peninsulapops.org or call (650) 856-8432.
Peninsula Women's Chorus will perform on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. at Saint Patrick's Seminary, 320 Middlefield Road in Menlo Park. The eclectic program will feature two works from the chorus' latest CD, "Earthtones," including Hildegard von Bingen's "O viridissima virga" and Ramona Luengen's "Celebremus."

Also featured will be Gustav Holst's "Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda" with harp accompaniment, the music of two composers new to PWC, including Rebecca Clarke's "Ave Maria" and Charles Griffin's "3 Meditations for Women's Chorus." The world premiere of San Francisco composer David Conte's version of "The Snow Lay on the Ground" will also be presented.

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.
Ragazzi Boys Chorus will present "Glorious Sounds of Christmas" Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park. The concert will celebrate the holiday season with festive music from all parts of the world. Works will include Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," sung in old English and accompanied by harpist Dan Levitan. Special guest mezzo-soprano Elspeth Franks will sing excerpts from Rupert Lang's new "Magnificat" and audience members will join the chorus in singing holiday carols.

Reserved tickets are $25; 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.
Schola Cantorum will present "Winter Imprints" on Dec. 11 at First Congregational Church, 2323 Euclid Ave. (near Roosevelt) in Redwood City. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The program will feature harpist Dan Levitan and mezzo soprano Wendy Hillhouse. The audience will join in favorite carols.

Tickets are $22 general, $18 seniors and students, and are available from the Schola Cantorum office. For tickets or more information please call (650) 254-1700 or e-mail info@scholacantorum.org.
Schola Cantorum will present "Messiah Sing 2004" on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. in Mountain View. 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 sells out quickly. Tickets are $18 adults/seniors and $13 students/children. For more information please call (650) 254-1700 or visit www.scholacantorum.org.
Soli Deo Gloria will perform "The Christmas Story" on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. The concert will feature music by Hugo Distler, eclectic carols from many countries and a traditional holiday sing-along. Allen H. Simon will conduct with tenor soloist Brian Staufenbiel.

Tickets are $25 general; $20 students and seniors; free for K-12 students. Group rates available, discount for advance orders. For more information please visit call (415) 982-7341 or visit www.sdgloria.org.
The Stanford University Department of Music presents "Lessons and Carols" on Dec. 3-4 at 8 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Church. Conducted by Gregory Wait, the service will feature traditional and contemporary holiday music, including works by Kirke Mechem and Brian Holmes. Admission is free. For more information please visit http://music.stanford.edu.
The Stanford University Department of Music presents "Friends of Music Holiday Musicale" on Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Church. The performance features a selection of holiday favorites performed by the music department's students and faculty, including the Chamber Chorale, the Chamber Strings, the Early Music Singers and others. Tickets are $10 general, $5 students. For more information please visit http://music.stanford.edu.
The Stanford University Department of Music will present its annual "Sing- and Play-Along Messiah" on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. at Stanford's 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 "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" through Dec. 18 at the Bus Barn Theatre, 97 Hillview Ave. in Los Altos. Written by Tom Mula, the story opens in hell, where Jacob Marley is burdened as Scrooge's business partner. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. on Dec. 5; Sunday evening at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12.

Individual tickets are $25 Thursday through Saturday, $22 on Sunday. Discussion night (Dec. 3) will include a questions-and-answer session with the actors and staff after the show. For more information please call (650) 941-0551 or visit www.busbarn.org.
"Chopshticks," an evening of Chinese food and comedy, will take place Dec. 24-26 at Ming's Restaurant, 1700 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. Performers will include Brian Malow and Eddie Brill. A no-host bar will commence at 6:30 p.m., followed by a family-style dinner and the show.

Tickets are $60. Tables of 10 can be reserved in advance; otherwise there will be open seating. A singles tables is available and reservations are required. The show is for 16 years and over. For more information please e-mail chopshticks@hotmail.com or call (650) 947-1280.
The Pear Avenue Theatre presents its holiday production, Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream," through Dec. 19 at the Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 Pear Ave. in Mountain View. Co-directors Michael Spector and Diane Tasca have re-envisioned "Midsummer" in a mid-winter setting, just in time for the holidays. Show times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10-$20. To purchase tickets by credit card online visit www.thepear.org. For more information please call (650) 254-1148 or visit www.thepear.org.
Peninsula Youth Theatre's "Stories on Stage" presents "Merry Christmas, Strega Nona" Dec. 17 at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. in Mountain View. Tickets are $6 for Dec. 17 and $7 for Dec. 18. Tickets may be obtained by calling the box office at (650) 903-6000 or tickets@mvcpa.com.
TheatreWorks presents its holiday musical production, "Striking 12," through Jan. 2 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. A new version of Hans Christian Anderson's classic, "The Little Match Girl," the production is created and performed by alternative rock trio GrooveLily, featuring a mixture of theater and live pop-rock. A preview performance will take place on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. The production will officially open on Dec. 4. Regular show times are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m. (no performances Dec. 24-26 and 28); Saturdays at 8 p.m. (additional 2 p.m. performances Dec. 11 and 18); Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. (2 p.m. only on Jan. 2). "Visual Voice" audio-described performances will be available Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 at 8 p.m., and Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20-$50; discounts available for youth, students, seniors, and members. For tickets and information, call (650) 903-6000 or visit theatreworks.org.

CRAFTS
The Artifactory Cooperative will hold a holiday fair on Dec. 3, 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hoover House (aka "The Girl Scout House), 1120 Hopkins St. in Palo Alto. The event will feature fine crafts from local artists. For more information call (650) 625-1736 or visit The Artifactory@aol.com.
The Society of Local Artists (SOLA) , a program of Silicon Valley Visual Arts, will hold a Holiday Art Sale Dec. 3-5 at the Avenidas Senior Center in Palo Alto, 450 Bryant St. in Palo Alto. The three-day sale features works by local artisans, including paintings, pastels, photography, wearable art, ceramics, jewelry, glass and sculpture. Prices range from $5 to $2,500. Ten percent of every purchase will benefit the Open Studios for Schools pilot program at the 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto. Ten percent will support Avenidas. Admission is free. For more information visit www.svlocalartists.org.

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