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H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
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December calendars are full for local arts groups, offering performances, exhibits, bazaars and other events by Rebecca Wallace
$14. Go to cityofpaloalto.org.
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There are “Nutcracker” performances aplenty on the Midpeninsula each winter. They include several at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts at 500 Castro St.: Pacific Ballet Academy on Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 1; and Western Ballet on Dec. 6 and 7. Also: Dance Connection of Palo Alto at Gunn High School’s Spangenberg Theatre at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto Dec. 6 through Dec. 8. “Nutcracker” times and ticket prices vary; go to mvcpa.com or danceconnectionpaloalto.com.
till making holiday plans? There are plenty of festivities to choose from in the coming weeks, whether you’re looking for choral music, the Sugar Plum Fairy, kids’ activities or artwork to give as gifts. Read on for a sampling of seasonal events in the Palo Alto area. Art and exhibits Youngsters ages 5 and up can develop their creativity by doing holiday-themed activities during the Palo Alto Art Center’s Holiday Family Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. The free event is at 1313 Newell Road. Go to cityofpaloalto.org/artcenter.
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At the 26th annual Christmas Crêche Exhibit at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Palo Alto, artists from around the globe offer up their own visions of one thing: the nativity scene. Media typically include glass, wood, ceramics and even straw. Marionette shows and musical performances will take place throughout the exhibit, which runs Dec. 7-11, noon to 9 p.m. The church is at 3865 Middlefield Road, and admission is free. A full schedule is at christmascreche.org.
Smuin Ballet also makes regular trips to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. The “XXMAS” program will be performed Dec. 11-15: Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8, and Sunday at 2. Tickets are $49-$65. Go to smuinballet.org. Music It’s all about tradition at “A Festival of Lessons and Car-
ols,” presented by Stanford’s Memorial Church Choir under the direction of Robert Huw Morgan. Admission is free, and the Memorial Church concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The next night, the Friends of Music at Stanford put on the yearly “Holiday Musicale” spotlighting music-department ensembles. Tickets are $15 general and $10 for seniors and students. Go to music.stanford.edu. The second week of December is also big for holiday music at MemChu. On Dec. 11, “A Chanticleer Christmas” features the San Francisco men’s chorus at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28-$56 ($10 for Stanford students); go to live.stanford.edu. The next day, the Stanford Baroque Soloists perform a free concert called “There were shepherds abiding in the fields ...” at 7:30. Go to music.stanford.edu. Dec. 13 brings the popular “Messiah Sing Along / Play Along,” at 7:30. Tickets are $15 general and $10 for students and seniors. Go to music.stanford.edu. N
BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND WINE SALE
15% Discount * Case
Mix or match on all imported & domestic win es *On purchase of 12 or more 750ml bottles. Limited to stock on-hand. In-store only. November 29 – December 1, 2013.
1.5 miles north of the Stanford Shopping Center
1540 El Camino Real Menlo Park ❖ 650.325.2806 www.beltramos.com
Many art galleries have holiday shows and sales in December, often with smaller works of art displayed as gift suggestions. To name two: Gallery House’s event is at 320 S. California Ave. in Palo Alto through Dec. 24, open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 to 3. Go to galleryhouse2.com. Portola Art Gallery has an “afterThanksgiving shopping event” on Nov. 29 and 30 and a group show focused on gift-worthy art during the month of December. The gallery is in the Allied Arts Guild at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. Go to portolaartgallery.com. Dance The Palo Alto Children’s Theatre presents a theatrical adaptation of “The Nutcracker,” adapted by June Walker Rogers, at the theater at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Performances are Dec. 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 2 p.m.; and Dec. 11 and 12 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-
&INE #RAFTS s (/,)$!93 &!)2 s ,OCAL !RTISTS December 6, 7, 8, 2013 Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10-5 Hoover House (aka “The Girl Scout House”) 1120 Hopkins, Palo Alto for information 650-625-1736 or TheArtifactory@aol.com ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ Ûi LiÀÊÓ ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 31