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Holiday Happenings

No-Wind Situation: Shakespeare Santa Cruz adds its own cheer to the holiday season with its second-annual production of 'The Wind in the Willows.' November 18 Cabrillo Chorale Cheryl Anderson conducts choral music for mixed voices. $4. Nov 18, 8pm. Cabrillo College Theatre, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831/479-6331). November 19 Peter Russell The scientist, visionary and author discusses his new book, Waking Up in Time. Nov 19, 7pm. Gateways, 1018 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/429-9600). November 21 Holiday Vespers The Santa Cruz Chorale presents its third annual performance of a Claudio Monteverdi baroque work. Nov 21, 8pm; Nov 22 at 4pm. $5-$14. SC Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz (831/427-8023). Santa Paws Take pictures of your pets with Santa Paws at this Monterey Bay Chapter for Canine Companions for Independence fundraising event. Nov 21-22, 10am-5pm. Also Dec 5-6. Cali-Feed Pet Supply, Soquel Ave and Hwy 1, Santa Cruz (831/462-4482). Santa's Shelves Craft Faire Over 40 crafters show crafts and gifts for the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand. Nov 21-22, 9am-4pm. Felton Fire Station, 131 Kirby St, Felton (831/335-4421). November 22 Chanukah Gift Fair The 11th annual fair features a variety of gift ideas for the Chanukah season. Nov 22, 9am-3pm. Temple Beth El Jewish Center, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd, Aptos (831/479-3444). Holiday Vespers See Nov 21. Santa Paws See Nov 21. November 27 La Virgen del Tepeyac El Teatro Campesino performs Luis Valdez's play about the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe that appeared to the Indian messenger Juan Diego in 1531. Nov 27-Dec 20. $17/$14/$8. Mission San Juan Baustista. (831/623-2444). Mountain Man Rendezvous Living history demonstrations of life in the Old West. Nov 27-29. Roaring Camp and Big Trees, Narrow Gauge Railroad, Felton (831/335-4484). Santa Sails In Old Saint Nick arrives in Santa Cruz on a 70-foot yacht. Nov 27, noon-1pm. Free. Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831/429-3477). SC Craft and Gift Festival Over 80 craft and gift merchants exhibit their wares, plus a visit from Santa Claus, entertainment and more. Nov 27-29, 10am-5pm. $4/$3. Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz (831/423-2053). The Snow Queen--It's a Dog's Life Northern Castle Theater for Children presents a holiday-themed production of the evildoings of the Snow Queen. Nov 27-Dec 23. $6/$5. Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz (831/427-5567). Tree Lighting Santa comes to town and the big tree is lit up at the annual holiday event. Nov 27, 7pm. Front St and Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. November 28 Mountain Man Rendezvous See Nov 27. November 29 Mountain Man Rendezvous See Nov 27. December 2 Robert Apatow The retired philosophy professor discusses the lost art of dialogue in his book The Spiritual Art of Dialogue. Dec 2, 7pm. Gateways, 1018 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/429-9600). December 3 Cabrillo College Orchestra Don Adkins conducts. $4. Dec 3, 8pm. Cabrillo College Theatre, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831/479-6331). Christmas Tree Lighting Dec 3, 4pm. Aptos Village Park, Aptos (831/688-1467). Wes Nisker The author discusses his new book, Buddha's Nature: A Practical Guide to Enlightenment Through Evolution. Dec 3, 7pm. Gateways, 1018 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/429-9600). December 4 Anabelle The little cow who wants to be one of Santa's reindeer--from the animated movie Anabelle's Wish--appears. Dec 4-5. Capitola Mall, 41st between Capitola and Clares, Capitola (831/476-9617). Holiday Jubilee Scotts Valley Performing Arts presents a family-oriented performance of holiday tunes from Hollywood and Broadway shows. Dec 4 at 7:30pm; Dec 5 at 1:30 and 7:30pm; Dec 6 at 1:30pm. Felton Community Hall, 6191 Hwy 9, Felton (831/438-SHOW). Jazz Singers & Combo The Cabrillo Jazz Singers and Jazz Combos perform a variety of jazz standards. $4. Cabrillo College Theatre, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831/479-6331). December 5 Children's International Fair A craft and food fair. Dec 5, noon-3pm. Free. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St, Santa Cruz (831/429-3663). Holiday Festival The seventh annual festival of fine arts features artwork, crafts and ceramics by local artists. Dec 5-6, 10am-5pm. Free. Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St, Soquel (831/475-2258). Holiday Parade The annual parade proceeds down Pacific Avenue from Laurel Street. Dec 5, 10am. Lighted Boat Parade The annual parade at the yacht. Dec 5, 5pm.Yacht Harbor, Santa Cruz. Pioneer Christmas Nostalgic train rides complete with carolers, a treasure hunt and decorations. Dec 5-6. Also Dec 12-13. Roaring Camp and Big Trees, Narrow Gauge Railroad, Felton (831/335-4484). December 6 Holiday Festival See Dec 5. Pioneer Christmas See Dec 5. December 7 The Wind in the Willows Shakespeare Santa Cruz presents its highly acclaimed holiday production (newly adapted), written by Kenneth Grahame and directed by James Gale. Dec 7-20. $10-$20. Performing Arts Theater, UCSC (831/459-2159). December 8 Mikela Tarlow The author discusses the evolution of how we think, feel and act. Dec 8, 7pm. Gateways, 1018 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/429-9600). December 10 Circle Round Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne Hill, the authors of Circle Round: Raising Children in the Goddess Tradition, discuss their book. Dec 10, 7pm. Gateways, 1018 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/429-9600). December 11 Fill the Bus Second Harvest Food Bank sponsors a holiday food drive--drop off food; they'll fill a Metro bus. Dec 11, 9:30am. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St, Santa Cruz (831/662-0487). Music for the Feast of Christmas An invigorating program of Christmas music. Dec 11-12, 8pm; Dec 13, 5pm. SC Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz (831/429-3778). December 12 Music for the Feast of Christmas See Dec 11. Pioneer Christmas See Dec 5. December 13 Music for the Feast of Christmas See Dec 11. December 14 Caroling Under the Stars Usher in the holidays with caroling and warm treats. Dec 14, 7pm. Free. Lighthouse Point, West Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz (831/429-3477). December 17 Caroling Under the Stars Usher in the holidays with caroling and warm treats. Dec 17, 7pm. Free. Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831/429-3477). December 19 The Nutcracker The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre presents the classic holiday tale, complete with all-new choreography. Dec 19 at 4:30 and 7:30pm; Dec 20 at 1 and 4:30pm. $7-$15. Cabrillo College Theatre, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831/479-6331). December 20 The Nutcracker See Dec 19. December 31 First Night The New Year's Eve extravaganza features performances, music, a parade and food in a drug- and alcohol-free setting. Dec 31, 3pm. Downtown Santa Cruz (831/425-7277). [ Santa Cruz | MetroActive Central | Archives ]