December
Friday 12/10
GILROY
Disney’s ‘Mulan’
Limelight Productions presents Disney’s
”
Mulan,
”
Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 12 at
4 p.m., with performances at the Gavilan College Theatre (Parking
Lot A), 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., in Gilroy. Tickets are $12 for
adults, $10 for children 12 and under or seniors 55 and over, or
$40 for a family pack of four tickets. Tickets are available at
West Coast Music and Dance FX, at www.showclix.com or by calling
635-0553 or 524-6667.
December
Friday 12/10
GILROY
Disney’s ‘Mulan’
Limelight Productions presents Disney’s “Mulan,” Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., with performances at the Gavilan College Theatre (Parking Lot A), 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., in Gilroy. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under or seniors 55 and over, or $40 for a family pack of four tickets. Tickets are available at West Coast Music and Dance FX, at www.showclix.com or by calling 635-0553 or 524-6667.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’
El Teatro Campeisno’s holiday production ‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’ runs through Dec. 19 at the Playhouse in San Juan Bautista, 705 Fourth St. This play dramatizes the four apparitions of Our Lady Of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, who took a message from the Virgin to the bishop to build a temple in her honor on Tepeyac hill. The play is largely in Spanish with some dialogue in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. It also includes librettos in English. The play is highlighted with vibrant music and Aztec dance. Tickets are $14 to $32. For more information, visit www.elteatrocampesino.com or call 623-2444.
19th Annual Images of the Virgin Exhibit
Galeria Tonantzin will be hosting the 19th Annual Images of the Virgin Exhibit now through Jan. 16, at 115 Third St. Each year the gallery offers a chance to exhibit images created by women artists that express the sacred female. This year’s exhibit was juried by Amalia Mesa-Baines and presented in conjunction with the Monterey Bay Women’s Caucus for Art. For more information, call 623-2783.
MONTEREY
‘Jingle Bells Holiday Burlesque Show’
The Paper Wing Theatre Co. presents “Jingle Bells Holiday Burlesque Show,” Friday and Saturdays, at 8 p.m., through Dec. 18. The show offers vintage-style burlesque with a modern twist such as dancing, comedy and singing. The show is suggested for mature audiences. Tickets are $15 for general admission, with presale tickets available. For more information, call 905-5684 or visit www.PaperWingTheatreCo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
‘A Taffeta Christmas’
MPC Theatre Company presents “A Taffeta Christmas,” through Dec. 19, at the Morgan Stock Stage at the Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., in Monterey. Tickets are $10-25. For more information, call 646-4213 or visit www.mpctheatre.com.
Saturday 12/11
Hollister
Victorian Christmas
The San Benito Historical Society presents A Victorian Christmas, an open house at the Wapple House Museum, 498 Fifth St., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature Victorian holiday displays and refreshments. A Victorian costume contest will be held at 3:30 p.m. An historic walking tour will precede the opening house for $8 a family or $5 per person. RSVPs are requested for the walking tour by calling 524-2292.
eWaste Recycling fundraiser
Sacred Heart Parish School is hosting an eWaste recycling fundraiser Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the school parking lot, 670 College St., in Hollister. Visitors can bring old TVs, computers, monitors and other electronic devices to donate. Funds will be used to help with technology in the classroom. For more information, call 637-4157.
Scouting for Food
Boys Scout, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts of San Benito County will host the annual “Scouting for Food” event Dec. 11. Residents can leave food donations by their front door by 9 a.m. Scouts will pick up the donations and the food will be donated to the Community Food Bank. Suggested donations include canned fruits and vegetables, soups and stews, tuna and peanut butter. Cans or plastic containers only will be accepted. The Scouts will also collect clean paper or plastic grocery bags. The bags will be used for food distribution. Leave them with a donation. For more information, call Jennifer Morcate at 638-9646 or e-mail mo*******@ya***.com.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
VFW Fundraiser Christmas party
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Leslie L. Garratt will host a Christmas party Dec. 11, with no-host cocktails at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and music and dancing at 7 p.m., at 58 Monterey St., in San Juan Bautista. The program will include local history and stories. Reservations are required with a donation of $16 per person by Dec. 10. Without reservations, guests may attend for $20. The event is open to the public and children are welcome. The menu includes chicken livers grilled in mushroom caps with bacon, shrimp cocktail, southern deviled eggs, roast goose stuffed with spiced apples and prunes, cranberry-glazed duck, honey-glazed ham, roast turkey, oyster dressing, giblet gravy, roast rosemary potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts with maple syrup and toasted almonds, spinach ring filled with creamed chestnuts, cranberries, sweet potatoes, beet leek and zucchini salad with radicchio and romaine, pecan pie, apple pie, fruitcake and pumpkin pie, with eggnog, apple cider and hot buttered rum to drink. For more information or for reservations, call 623-4320.
SAN JOSE
Renette Torres book signing
Hollister author Renette Torres has several book signing events lined up for her book, “Ya Wanna Watch? I’ll Let Ya!” They include the following events: Borders Books, at Oakridge Mall, in San Jose, on Dec. 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Steinbeck Museum, in Salinas, Dec. 11; Borders, in Sand City, Dec. 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and the Book Warehouse, 8555 San Ysidro Ave., in Gilroy, Dec. 24., at 1 p.m. Anyone who buys the book will receive a free watch. The book is $16.
MONTEREY
Multiple shows open at Monterey Museum
The Monterey Museum of Art has several shows open through January and February, including their annual “Miniatures” show, which will be on display at the Pacific Street location through Jan. 2. “MontereyNow: Beverly Rayner” will be up at the Pacific Street Location through March 6. At the La Mirada location, visits can see “In Process: Ingrid Calame,” “Miro, Matisse and Picasso:Celebration color and line,” “Cabaret Calaveras: Dia De Los Muertos Figures from Mexico” and “Hung Liu: Seven Poses.” The museum has locations at 559 Pacific St. and 720 Via Mirada. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for students and military and children under 12 are free. For more information, call 372-5477.
SANTA CRUZ
Monarchs return to Natural Bridges
Monarch butterflies will make Natural Bridges State Park their temporary home through the end of January. The Monarch grove provides a home to more than 100,000 of the butterflies, who are drawn to the mild ocean air, the safety of the eucalyptus grove and the milkweed plants, the only plant a Monarch caterpillar eats. Free tours are available through the end of January. The park is located at 2531 West Cliff Dr., in Santa Cruz. For more information, visit www.santacruzstateparks.org. or call 423-4609.
Sunday 12/12
HOLLISTER
Sabbath Keepers Motorcylce Ministry Ride
The Sabbath Keepers Motorcycle Ministry is hosting a ride to end violence against Women and Children. The group will collect coats and toys to donate to Emmaus House, the only domestic violence shelter in San Benito, on Dec. 12. The ride will begin at SpeeDee Oil, 1699 Airline Hwy., in Hollister. Check-in time is 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The fee to enter the ride is a woman’s or child’s coat and a toy. Lunch may be purchased for $10 for singles or $15 for doubles. To volunteer or donate to Emmaus House directly, call 630-5899 or visit www.emmaushouse.net. For more information on the Ride to End Violence Against Women and Children, call Mindy Redondo of the Seventh-Day Adventist’s The Sabbath Keepers Motorcycle Ministry at 537-5052 or e-mail mi**********@gm***.com
Thursday 12/16
HOLLISTER
Santa visits the library
Santa Claus will visit the San Benito County Free Library Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 470 Fifth St., in Hollister. The event will include holiday crafts, stories, a free book for every child who attends and a visit with Santa. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for a picture. The program is made possible through contributions from Target and the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library. For more information, call 636-4107.
Friday 12/17
HOLLISTER
‘Arrest These Merry Gentlemen’
Hillside Christian Fellowship presents a Christmas musical caper for the whole family, “Arrest These Merry Gentlemen,” Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19, at 10:30 a.m., at 281 San Felipe Road. The production is subtle for all ages and is free. For more information, call 630-0800.
Saturday 12/18
HOLLISTER
Donald Elvis and the Hound Dogs benefit concert
Donald “Elvis” Prieto will be performing with his band, Donald Elvis and the Hound Dogs, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the Granada Theater, in Hollister. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at Victoria’s Mexican Restaurant, in Gilroy, the Office of Dr. Craig Nagareda, in Hollister or Postal Graphics in Hollister. To reserve seats, visit tunnelthrough.net/Donald-elvis. Proceeds benefit San Benito Stage Company and kidney transplant.
Toy drive
Mini Max & Tri-County Rebels Football & Cheer are sponsoring a toy drive for low income children Dec. 18, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Mini Max Storage, 2450 San Juan Road, in Hollister. The deadline to drop off toys is Dec. 16. There will be special performances, with super heroes and princesses passing out toys to children. Only children with a special ticket will receive a toy. Santa will also be there to take pictures with the public. For more information, please call Michelle Rodarte at 637-0368, 537-5440 or e-mail mi*****@st**********.biz.
‘After Death: Bardo, The Journey of 49 Days’
The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden will host a special presentation by Rev. Taijo Imanaka, a Shingon Buddhist priest, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m., at 920 Riverside Road, in Hollister. The lecture is titled, “After Death: Bardo, The Journey of 49 Days.” Refreshments will be served. For more information or for directions, call 637-6361.
GILROY
‘The Nutcracker’
San Benito Dance Academy presents “The Nutcracker” at the Gavilan College Theater, Dec. 18 and 19, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The traditional story of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker is brought t life with a cast of more than 130 dancers from San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey counties. Guest artists from Ballet San Jose, Karen Gabay and Rudy Candia, will join the cast in the “Land of Sweets” as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier. Mother Ginger will be brought to life for each performance by a guest, including Tim Foley, Al Guerra, Jerry Muenzer and Darren Thompson. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for children under 12 and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sanbenitodanceacademy.com, at the studio, 101 McCray St., or by calling 801-8100.
Sunday 12/19
HOLLISTER
Free Christmas concert and evening prayer
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will host Martha Hill Becker, a jazz singer known in the region for a free 45-minute Christmas concert, Dec. 19, at 11:30 a.m., at 720 Monterey St. Guests may bring a donation of a new, unwrapped toy. Later that evening, the church will host a Taize evening prayer at 6:30 p.m. The 45-minute service will allow visitors to sit in the candle-lit sanctuary while prayers are chanted, inspired by the ecumenical community of brothers in Taize, France.
Tuesday 12/21
HOLLISTER
Christmas Story Time
Julie Engelhardt will present a Christmas story time with Mrs. Claus at Mars Hill Coffeehouse. Children will listen to stories, sing Christmas carols, enjoy cookies and milk, and celebrate the season. The presentation is hosted by Mars Hill Coffeehouse and is sponsored by local businesses and individuals. The event is free to the public.
January
Tuesday 1/4
Gero Heine exhibit
Gero Heine, a multiple award-winning wildlife and nature photographer, will have photos on display at the Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, Jan 4-29. An artist reception will be held Jan 22, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitors have a chance to see Heine’s “Bison” image that will be on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Spring 2011.
Calendar items for events in and around San Benito County are accepted via e-mail to ca******@pi**********.com, fax to 637-8174 or at the Pinnacle office, 350 Sixth St., Ste. 102, in Hollister. Calendar items are run on a space available basis, and priority is given to events within San Benito County. The deadline for calendar items is Monday at noon for Friday publication.
