November
Friday 11/26
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’
El Teatro Campeisno’s holiday production ‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’
runs Nov. 26 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.
November
Friday 11/26
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’
El Teatro Campeisno’s holiday production ‘La Virgen del Tepeyac’ runs Nov. 26 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.
MOSS LANDING
Thanksgiving Boat Cruise
Elkhorn Slough Safari will be offering a Thanksgiving boat cruise Nov. 26, at 11 a.m., and Nov. 27 and 28, at 9 a.m. The two-hour guided tours leave from Moss Landing Harbor and offer a chance to view sea otters, harbor seals and thousands of birds during their fall migration. Tickets are $32-24. Reservations are required. Call 633-5555 or visit www.elkhornslough.com.
Saturday 11/27
HOLLISTER
Lights On Celebration
The Hollister Downtown Association presents the 20th Annual Light On Celebration in downtown Hollister, Nov. 27, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This free event begins at 5 p.m. with a Merchants’ Open Houses, roaming carolers, costumed characters and other live entertainment. The parade of lights starts at 5:30 p.m., with more than 60 entries including Jaime the Elf and Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the parade, stay around to enjoy refreshments in many stores, photos with Santa and performances by local bands, dance troupes, bell ringers and more. For more information, visit www.downtownhollister.org or call 636-8406.
Dale’s Holiday Open Studio
Dale Yarmuth will host a holiday open studio, Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 4 and 5 from noon to 4 p.m., at 501 Chardonnay Way, in Hollister. Visitors can see some of his art work. There is a chance to purchase original paintings, note cards, gift certificates for painting classes or to commission a piece of artwork at holiday pricing. Yarmuth is a member of the Hollister Art League and the San Benito Arts Council. For more information, call 634-0821 or e-mail [email protected]. Samples of the artwork can be viewed at www.dale-yarmuth.artistwebsites.com.
AROMAS
Pottery studio open house
Local potter Jane Rekedal will host a fall studio open house Nov. 27 and 28, and Dec. 4 and 5, at 1560 Cannon Road, in Aromas. Visitors will find teapots shaped like apricots, specialty raku pots, pie plates and many decorative serving pieces. Visitors to the studio will see the kilns, wheels and workspace where Rekedal creates her wares. Her pottery is food safe and can be used in the microwave, oven and dishwasher. The studio will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both weekends, with the second weekend coinciding with the Aromas Hills Artisan Holiday Open Studio Tour. For more information, call 566-4576.
December
Wednesday 12/1
HOLLISTER
Sock Monkeys in the Wild
Sock Monkeys in the Wild opens at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., featuring 40 sock monkey paintings. The opening reception on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. will feature sock monkey making demonstrations, a sock monkey haiku contest, a sock monkey queen and king contest, a raffle for a quilt to benefit the YMCA of San Benito County, a Christmas tree and a reading by Grissom of her book “Monkey Made of Sockies.” Grissom will also make an appearance during the Lights On Parade Nov. 27. For more information, call 638-4928 or e-mail [email protected].
Oriana Chorale’s Christmas
Concert The Oriana Chorale will perform its Christmas concert, “Christmas Memories,” Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., at the San Juan Bautista Mission, in San Juan, with a matinee performance Dec. 5, at 3 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church, in Hollister. The concerts will include classic Christmas Songs, such as “Silver Bells,” “White Christmas” and more. The 25th Anniversary concert tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children 13 and under. Tickets are sold at Visions of Christmas, in San Juan Bautista, Mars Hill Coffee Shop and Postal Graphics, in Hollister, at the door or online at www.orianachorale.org. For more information, call Folene Henn at 636-1663 or visit www.orianachorale.org.
Winter Dance Concert
The Winter Dance Concert, “Dancing thought the Decades,” will be held Dec. 1-3 at 7 p.m. at San Benito High School in the auditorium. More than 200 students, who are involved in clubs and classes, will be performing 25 different acts that follow dance and music through the decades. Dance styles that include jazz, lyrical, swing, and hip hop. Also newer cultural styles such as samba, bellydance, and Bollywood will be performed as well. Presale prices are $5 for students with ASB and children under 12, $6 for students without ASB, and $8 for adults, and at the door prices are $10. Presale tickets are available at the SBHS student payment center.
Friday 12/3
CARMEL
Carmel holiday tree lighting
The city of Carmel invites residents to attend the annual Holiday Tree Lighting, held on Dec. 3 starting at 4:30 p.m. in Devendorf Park, located on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Junipero. There will be performances by the Carmel Middle School Choir and Junipero Serra School Kids. Refreshmentsxxxxxxxxxxx will be provided. The tree will be lit at 5:45 p.m. For more information, please contact 620-2020.
Saturday 12/4
HOLLISTER
San Benito Community Christmas Concert
There will be a San Benito Community Christmas Concert Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at the San Benito High School Auditorium. Admission is free. Donations from local businesses have made the concert possible. For more information, call Amy Oelrich at 207-2875.
‘A Christmas Musical’
Hollister United Methodist Church, Foursquare Abundant Life Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church present “A Christmas Musical.” The musical will be held Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., at the Hollister United Methodist Church, 521 Monterey St. The show is directed by Beverly Miller and John Gay. For more information, call Rochelle Flosi at 637-4240.
Veterans Holiday dinner
The Veterans Holiday Dinner will be Dec. 4, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Dress for the event is coat and tie or a uniform. The event is open to all veterans with proof of veterans status. Tickets are free to all veterans and there is a small charge for their guests. A maximum of 200 tickets will be available. RSVP to the VFW Post 9242 at 637-6015.
AROMAS
Holiday Open Studios
The Aromas Hills Artisans will hold a holiday open studio Dec. 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is a free, self-guided tour that allows visitors to explore the working spaces of the artists while finding special holiday gifts custom made for the event. Items include stained glass, gourd art, watercolors, beaded and silver jewelry, pottery and more. Free maps are available for download at www.aromashillsartisans.com. For more information, call Linda Bjornson at 726-1786.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
5th Annual Holiday in Lights Parade
The 5th Annual Holiday in Lights Parade starts at 5:30 p.m., at the San Juan School. The parade will continue from Nyland Drive, down Third Street to Tuahalami Street, up Second Street to Franklin Street and then back to Third Street. Santa will be on site to meet with children and take pictures. A Holiday Merchants Open House will take place during the event, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista. Nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals are invited to participate. For applications, call Andy Moore at 334-3130 or Donna Holmes at 623-1168 or e-mail [email protected]. The application deadline is Nov. 26.
Living History Days
The San Juan Bautista State Historic Park will host Living History Day Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Living History Day is hosted on the first Saturday of every month. Meet the characters of early California, including mountain men, Victorian ladies, soldiers and more. There will be craft and other demonstrations, as well as card games. Old-fashioned sodas will be for sale in the saloon for $2 each. The event is sponsored by the Plaza Historic Association. Admission is $3 for adults, children 16 and under are free. Free parking is available on city streets. For more information, call 637-4881.
SPRECKLES
Native American Christmas
The 7th Annual Native American Christmas Market will be held Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Spreckles Veterans Memorial Building, Fifth and Llano Ave., in Spreckles. Some items include sterling silver jewelry, beadwork, buffalo tallow lotions and soaps, books, paintings, posters, Native American CDs and more. There will be raffle and door prizes and children’s arts and crafts. Food will be sold to benefit 3 Rivers Indian Lodge in Manteca. Admission is $2. Children 12 and under are free. Parking is free. For more information, call K or J van Balen at 899-0717 or e-mail [email protected].
Sunday 12/5
SARATOGA
‘Pirates and Pinafores’
The San Jose Wind Symphony will continue its season Dec. 5, at 2 p.m., with “Pirates and Pinafores,” at the McAfee Center, 20300 Herriman Ave., in Saratoga. The show will include sons from “Pirates of Penzance,” “HMS Pinafore,” and “The Mikado.” Tickets are $5 for students, $15 for seniors and $20 for regular admission. For more information, call 408-927-7597 or visit www.sjws.org.
Thursday 12/9
MONTEREY
‘A Taffeta Christmas’
MPC Theatre Company presents “A Taffeta Christmas,” Dec. 9-19, 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.
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.
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.
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.
