December
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.
December
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.
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.
AROMAS
Holiday Tree Lighting
Aromas will officially open its town square with a holiday tree lighting Dec. 17, at 5 p.m. The Aromas Town Square will be opened at 5 p.m., followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. The Town Square is maintained by many community groups including the Aromas Hills Artisans, the Aromas Community Foundation and the Aromas Day Committee. The Aromas Town Square committee formed to transform a neglected rural park into the outdoor community center. Some of those who contributed to the project included Graniterock, C&N Builders, Barros Trucking, Holman Construction, Ann Breemer, DMB, Peninsula Custom Masonry, the Aromas/Wastsonville Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Aromas Town Square Committee. The town square is located at the corner of Carpenteria and Blohm.
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 12/18
HOLLISTER
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.
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.
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.
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, 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 12/19
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.
Moms Club Park Day
The Moms Club of Hollister is hosting a Park Day Dec. 21, at the Sunnyslope Elementary School playground, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public. Moms Club Hollister is the local chapter of MOMS Club International, a nonprofit organization. For more information, see the chapter website at http://sites.google.com/site/hollistermoms or e-mail ho***********@gm***.com.
January
Tuesday 1/4
HOLLISTER
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.
Saturday 1/8
MORGAN HILL
Coyote Creek Bird Walk
Jane Haley, who worked as a National Park Service docent for 20 years and is a volunteer at the Wildlife Educaiton and Rehabilitation Center, will lead a bird walk along Coyote Creek Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 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, contact WERC at 408-779-9372 or e-mail ed*******@we*****.org.
Saturday 1/15
NEWMAN
The Who Knew Revue performs
The Who Knew Revue, a folk-swing trio with an Afro-Puerto Rican folksinger, songwriter and actor, will perform at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., in New Man, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission or $15 for reserved seating. For more information, visit www.westsidetheatre.org, e-mail in**@we*************.org or call 209-862-4490.
Saturday 1/22
NEWMAN
Clan Dyken performs
Clan Dyken is a tribal-funk-eco-folk-rock-hippie-soul band that will be performing at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., in Newman, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. The band was formed by brothers Mark and Bear Dyken who have harmonized, toured, entertained and been activitists for more than two decades. Tickets are $12 for general admission. For more information, visit www.westsidetheatre.org, e-mail in**@we*************.org or call 209-862-4490.
