December
Friday 12/16
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
‘Futzie Nutzle’ exhibit
Gene Oliver Gallery, 31 Washington St., San Juan Bautista, will host the Futzie Nutzle exhibit of the 21 California missions to life in oil and pastels with their own unique lighting and color. His work has been featured in galleries throughout the country and in several publications, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Rolling Stone Magazine. The exhibit will runs through Feb. 29 and is open Fridays and Saturdays.
‘La Pastorela’
El Teatro Campesino presents “La Pastorela: A Shepherd’s Play,” Friday through Sunday evenings at 8 p.m., now through Dec. 18 at the old Mission San Juan Bautista. Production is presented in Spanish with a libretto in English. Seating is limited. For tickets or more information visit www.elteatrocampesino.com; call the box office at 623-2444; or stop by the playhouse at 705 Fourth St., San Juan.
Cowboy Heritage art show
Southwest Roundup Studio Gallery, 106 Third St., San Juan Bautista, will be hosting Cowboy Heritage Art through Dec. 24. Original paintings and fine art giclee prints will be featured. Features include watercolors by Don Weller; Oils by J.N. Swanson; stone art by Susan von Borstel; acrylics by Shannon Lawlor; framed vintage Charles M. Russell and Jo Mora prints along with other fine western artists. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 623-1128.
HOLLISTER
Christmas Light Show
Two local Hollister homes are decorated with more than 70,000 lights in sync to 29 holiday songs, at 1340 and 1350 Mesa Drive. The show runs Friday and Saturdays, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Thursday and Sunday, from 6 to 9 p.m., through Dec. 31. Visitors can tune in to 88.7 to listen to the Christmas music while watching the display. A donation barrel will be set up for those who would like to donate canned goods to Emmaus House.
Menagerie of Artists Local and visiting artists will display pieces at the Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art, 727 San Benito St., starting this month. The gallery is open Thursday and Friday, from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 636-9100 or e-mail
ji*@bl******.com
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LOS GATOS
Festival of Lights
Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, presents the 13th annual “Festival of Lights,” Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. Drive through a magical park of holiday lights featuring the Fantasy Train, Motorcycle Santa, the Tunnel of Lights and more. Cost is $10 per car Nov. 25 through Dec. 8; $15 per car Dec. 9 through 31; $25 for vehicles with 10 to 25 guests or $50 for commercial buses. Tours are also available. For more information call 408-355-2201 or visit www.ParkHere.org.
SAN JOSE
Christmas in the Park
The 32nd year of “Christmas in the Park” is open at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez on Market Street, between San Fernando and San Carlos streets, in downtown San Jose Enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by San José schools, community groups and businesses. The event is open everyday, including Christmas, from 9 a.m. to midnight through Jan. 1, 2012. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.christmasinthepark.com.
MONTEREY
‘Avenue Q’
Paper Wing Theatre presents “Avenue Q,” on Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 16 through January on the Main Stage, 320 Hoffman Avenue in New Monterey. This puppet musical comedy is a spoof on Sesame Street and features mature topics and language. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $22 for students, seniors and military personnel; available at the door or online at www.PaperWingTheatreCo.com. For more information call 905-5684.
Friday 12/17
GILROY
CASA fundraiser
CASA of San Benito County will host a fundraiser at “Short Stack for a Tall Cause”at Applebee’s Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at 8200 Arroyo Circle, in Gilroy. Tickets are limited for the two-hour fundraiser. Tickets are $7 a person. For advanced tickets, call 637-4992. To RSVP, call Woody at 566-8355, Valerie at 801-4998 or Lori at 537-8999.
MORGAN HILL
Coyote Creek Bird Walk
A Coyote Creek Bird Walk will be led by docent Jane Haley Dec. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. along Coyote Creek, north of Morgan Hill. Participants will have an opportunity to observe migratory birds as well as discover an appreciation of local birds, their habitat and ecological importance. Due to the terrain, the walks are not recommended for young children. The programs are free, space is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register, call 408-779-9372 or e-mail
ed*******@we*****.org
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MONTEREY
Free holiday concert
The Monterey Bay Symphony will perform a free holiday concert for kids, families and friends Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., in downtown Monterey. The concert will feature a brass ensemble, military color guard, visits with Santa, a sing-along, candy canes and a performance by Dance Kids of Monterey County. For more information, visit www.montereysymphony.org.
Sunday 12/18
WATSONVILLE
Holiday concert
The Watsonville Community Band will hold “A Mrs. Claus Christmas,” Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 East Beach St., Watsonville.. Local Julie Engelhardt joins the band as Mrs. Claus for an unforgettable holiday music experience. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.watsonville-band.org.
Saturday 12/31
MONTEREY
A Young Professionals Venetian New Years
The Monterey County Young Professionals Group is hosting its first ever New Year’s Eve Ball, “Starry Night: A Venetian Ball,” at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey on Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Enjoy appetizers, drinks and dancing the night away in high style. Admission is $75 per person, or $125 for two in advance, and includes a Venetian-style mask, hors d’oeuvres and a glass of bubbly for a midnight toast. Event is open to ages 21 to 39; ID required. Formal dress is also required, Black Tie optional. Portola Hotel & Spa is offering discounts on rooms for the night. Please purchase tickets at http://mcypgnewyearseveball.eventbrite.com/. For more information, please visit www.mcypg.org or contact David Olsen at
da*********@le*****.com
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