Worth a Look

Held at Tressider Memorial Union, the event also includes holiday crafts and clothing for sale, as well as live performances and refreshments. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and admission is free. Call (650) 723-3542.

More information about the Menlo Park nonprofit is at www.workinghandinhand.org.

Seasonal sights

Holiday Stroll

The streets will be bustling with holiday activities tonight, which might not be so great if you're trying to drive, but should be enjoyable for those filled with pedestrian cheer.

Downtown Palo Alto's monthly First Friday Art Walk takes on a festive feel this month, with such regular activities as extended art gallery hours and live music supplemented with roast chestnuts for sale, holiday card printing activities, madrigals and other holiday events.

It all takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at various locations downtown. For more information, go to www.paloaltodowntown.com.

Art

Open studios

In a grateful gesture to the community for its support of their program, 24 artists from the Cubberley Artist Residency Program are opening their studios and offering free food and music from 3 to 6 p.m. this Sunday.

Artists, who include painters, photographers, sculptors and fiber and mixed-media artists, rent their studios from the city of Palo Alto after a jury process held every two years. They hail from eight countries and open their studios to the public every December and May.

The studios are at the northern end of the Cubberley Community Center complex at 4000 Middlefield Road, wings E, F and U. Call (650) 329-2366.

Holiday Show

It sure beats soap on a rope.

The folks at Gallery House are offering artistic gift ideas at their annual holiday show, which runs through Dec. 24 and includes such goodies as batiks, ornaments, cards, jewelry, paintings and glass items. All are original works by area artists.

The gallery's holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The gallery is at 320 California Ave. in Palo Alto. Call (650) 326-1668 or go to www.galleryhouse2.com.

'Face Value'

The eyes have it -- and the noses, mouths, and even the odd snout. It's all part of "Face Value," an exhibit of contemporary portraiture being shown through Jan. 15 at the Chelsea Art Gallery at 440 Kipling St. in Palo Alto.

The styles vary widely: some of the faces are nearly photographic-like, while others have an abstract, almost wild feel. Artists include Dean Marsh, Douglas McDougall and Chris May.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment. Call (650) 324-4450 or go to www.chelseaartgallery.com.

Small paintings

Good things come in small packages for the eight artists currently showing their work as part of "The Art of the Small Painting" at Stellar Somerset Gallery at 539 Bryant St. in Palo Alto. Littler sizes can allow artists to express themes and emotions in a more informal way, gallery officials say.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 30; gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (650) 328-6688 or go to www.stellarsomersetgallery.com.

Music

'Fireside Holiday Gala'

Selections from the movies "Polar Express," "Home Alone" and "White Christmas" mix and mingle with other seasonal tunes this Sunday at 3 p.m. as the Peninsula Pops Orchestra takes the stage for its annual holiday gig.

Special guests will be the Palo Alto-based Bay Bells hand bell ensemble, tenor Mark Adams from the Woodside Village Church, and narrator Ruth Spangenberg.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. The show takes place at the Spangenberg Theatre at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Call (650) 856-8432 or go to www.peninsulapops.org.

An evening of jazz

A jazz trio -- pianist Larry Dunlap, bassist Seward McCain and drummer Akira Tana -- will pay tribute to modern jazz pianist Bill Evans and composer and percussionist Earl Zindars this Saturday with an event titled "How My Heart Sings."

"The durable, cohesive association of Evans and Zindars gave rise to creative music of great passion you could almost touch," event organizer Herb Wong said.

Contralto Bobbe Norris will also sing at the 7:30 p.m. event, which takes place at the Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. Tickets are $35 general, $30 for members of the Palo Alto Jazz Alliance and $20 for students. Call (650) 345-9543.

Film

'Who Kidnapped My Vote?'

The latest documentary by Peninsula filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman will be the focus of the evening this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

The work-in-progress screening seeks public feedback on "Who Kidnapped My Vote?", which examines concerns about the 2004 presidential election and American voting in general. Those interviewed include poll workers, journalists and voters who felt disenfranchised.

There is a suggested donation of $25, and advance reservations are requested. RSVP to info@concentric.org or (650) 568-4340.

Dance

'The Homecoming'

What better ways to celebrate a new dance studio facility than with samba, tap dancing, ballet and hip hop?

These and other dance styles will be showcased 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in a program called "The Homecoming" at Smithwick Theater at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Nearly 100 dancers and specialty performers are expected, including prima ballerina Haleigh McConnell and modern dancer Erin McKevitt, whose performance will also incorporate spoken word.

The new 2,800-square-foot facility includes a sprung floor system, mirrors, barres and a new sound system, dance instructor Bubba Gong said.

Tickets are $20 general and $15 for Foothill students and children. Call (650) 949-7360.

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