November 28, 2006 > Editor's pick for the holidays

by Mona Shah

Christmas holidays are fast approaching, and the kids will be out of school. All week. Not that you're complaining. It’s great. Really. Or it will be once you realize there are lots of things to do this holiday season. All of it is local and most of it is not even fattening! (Unless you count the Coldstone Creamery stops to help you get through the week).

There are several tree lighting and tree of angel ceremonies held in all five cities, please refer to our special tree lighting information box.

Here are details about some of the most popular movie, play and symphonic offerings:

Happy Feet (PG)
With voice work by Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman and Robin Williams, Happy Feet danced its way to the top of the box office.

Casino Royale (PG-13)
Introduces James Bond (Daniel Craig) before he holds his license to kill. Bond’s first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, MOLLAKA (Sebastien Foucan).

Santa Clause 3: The Escape Claus (G)
Third in the series of movies about a regular guy who turns into Santa Clause after killing St. Nick with his car.

Deck the Halls (PG)
This holiday comedy is centered around two neighbors in a small New England town who go to war when one of them decides to decorate his house with a so many Christmas lights that they are visible from space. The neighborhood is turned upside down as the families try to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Flushed Away (PG)
The story of an uptown rat that gets flushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, ending in the sewers of London, where he has to learn a whole new and different way of life.

Winter Wonderland
An Ancient Tale with a new twist. A dance concert for the whole family, produced by Nina Haft and Eric Kupers with the CSUEB dance faculty.
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1, 2 at 8 p.m.
Cal. State East Bay
Dance Studio (PE 140)
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward.
$5 general admission, $3 CSUEB students, $15 for a family.

A Christmas Carol
Based on the story by Charles Dickens and directed by A. Fajilan.
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
Cal. State East Bay
University Theatre
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward.
$7 general admission, $6 youth and seniors, $5 CSUEB students, $3 children and $16 for a family.

Fremont Symphony Orchestra and Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy’s Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet
Friday, December 1
7 p.m.
Saturday, December 2
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 3
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ohlone College, Smith Center
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 794-1659
www.fremontsymphony.org
Adults: $42, $37, children $20

Ballet Petit’s Nutcracker
Saturday, December 2
2:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 3
7 p.m.
Chabot College Theatre of Performing Arts
25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward
(510) 324-4988
www.balletpetit.com
Adults $18, children (3-12) and seniors $14
Group discounts available.

Holiday Delights – A Winter Concert with a Filipino Twist
Head to Fremont and join the 50-voice Ohlone College Community Chorale for this spectacular international holiday musical performance.
Sunday, December 3
8 p.m.
Centerville Presbyterian Church, 4360 Central Ave., Fremont
(510) 659-6031
www.smithcenterpresents.com

‘Twas the night before Christmas
Stage1 Community Theater is offering back-to-back evenings of music and dance for the whole family.
Friday and Saturday, December 22-23
Newark Memorial High School Theatre
39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark.
For ticket information, call (510) 791-0287.

Fully Committed
Sam, an out out-of-work actor, mans the reservation line at Manhattan's No. 1 restaurant. Callers will stop at nothing to land a reservation. Amid the barrage, Sam has his own needs to contend with. Troy Johnson plays all characters in this hilarious holiday comedy.
The show runs through Dec. 16
Broadway West Theatre Company
4000-B Bay St., Fremont.
For ticket information, call (510) 683-9218.

The Gifts of the Magi
The Gifts of the Magi is a musical celebrating two short stories by O. Henry, bringing together the unforgettable characters that filled both "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Cop and the Anthem."
Now through December 10
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m.
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
22311 N. Third Street, Hayward
(510) 881-6777

Ballet Folklorico "Christmas in Mexico"
Saturday, December 9 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 10 at 2 p.m.
Christmas in Mexico is a wonderful and unique experience. Celebrate Christmas in Mexico through song, dance and music.
Chabot College Performing Arts Center
25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward.

Mission Gold jazz Band
New Orleans style music
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday
Swiss park
5911 Mowry Ave, Newark.
(510) 793-6272

Milpitas Rainbow Singers
Showcases youth singing some of our favorite tunes.
Friday, December 8
7:30 p.m.
Milpitas Community Center
457 E.Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
Free

Ohlone Chamber Orchestra
The new Ohlone College Chamber Orchestra opens its fourth season under the direction of Larry Osborne. Concerts will be performed in collaboration with the Fremont Youth Symphony.
December 10, at 2 p.m.
Smith Center at Ohlone College
Jackson Theatre
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Tickets are $10 adults, $5 seniors and youth.
www.smithcenterpresents.com.

Ohlone Chamber Singers
The choir performs an eclectic array of literature extending back to the Renaissance and through the most contemporary idioms. Although the group sings literature from all periods their tendency is music from the late Romantic and Contemporary eras, and folk arrangements from around the world.
Saturday, December 16, 8 p.m. - Mission San Jose, Fremont
Sunday, December 17, 4 p.m. - Mission San Jose, Fremont (Christmas at the Mission)

Community Band
The Band has been under the direction of Steve Barnhill since 1997 and has enjoyed an exciting period of success. The Band has a wonderful blend of youth and experience and is an outstanding example of the benefits of a music education.
Tuesday, December 5, 8 p.m.
Smith Center at Ohlone College
Jackson Theatre
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Tickets are $10 adults, $5 seniors and youth.
www.smithcenterpresents.com.

The Newark Symphonic Winds, Annual Holiday Concert
This year the band will perform favorite seasonal selections and is sure to help you get in the proper spirit for the holidays. †The group is comprised of 40 + musicians ranging from student, Amateur, and Professional Musicians. Santa Claus may even stop by, so be sure to bring the entire family out to support this fabulous community event and hear some great music.
Saturday, December 9
Newark Memorial High School Theatre
39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark.
For ticket information, call (510) 791-0287.
$10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors, children under 6 are free, or pay a family price of $25. All admissions are donations and are tax deductible