Calendar
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OF NOTEAcoustic Music San Diego presents Lucy Kaplanski, Dec. 1; Issa, Dec. 6; Jim Kweskin and Geoff Maldaur, Dec. 15, all at 7:30. 4650 Mansfield St., Normal Heights, 619-303-8176; acousticmusicsandiego.com.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents the Coastal Communities Concert Band’s 13th annual holiday concert, Dec. 2 at 2. Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland, Dec. 1, 4-7. The First Wednesdays free performance spotlights Men of Worth: A Celtic Christmas, featuring Scottish and Irish music sung by James Keigher and Donnie MacDonald, Dec. 5 at 4 & 7. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800-988-4253; artcenter.org.
Camarada evokes the spirit of the holidays at Little Italy’s Patrick Moore Gallery, Dec. 1 at 7. 2400 Kettner Blvd., Ste. 103, 619-231-3702; camarada.org.
Gay Man’s Chorus of San Diego presents its “Bells & Brass” holiday concert, featuring a brass ensemble and handbell choir, Dec. 15 & 16, Sherwood Auditorium, 700 Pros pect St., La Jolla, 619-574-6273; gmcsd.com.
San Diego Festival Chorus gives its winter concert Dec. 9 at 3. College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Ave., 619-421-0813; sandiegofestivalchorus.org.
San Diego Folk Heritage presents folk legend Tom Paxton, Dec. 1 at 7:30. San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Mag dalena, Encinitas, 858-566-4040; sdfolkheritage.org.
Music at the San Diego Museum of Art: Jazz in the Park presents “Snowfall: The Music of December,” Dec. 5 at 5:30. SDMA and FM 94.9’s second collaborative event, Sights and Sounds, features SDMA’s exhibition “Animated Painting,” Dec. 13, 7-10:30. Copley Auditorium, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-232-793; sdmart.org.
DANCE
California Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker, Dec. 1 at 2:30 & 7, Dec. 2 at 1 & 5:30 at the Poway Center for Performing Arts (15498 Espola Rd., Poway, 858-560-6741), then at the Civc Theatre (Third Ave & B St., downtown San Diego, 619-570-1100) Dec. 15-23: Thur. & Fri. at 7, Sat. at 2 & 8, Sun. at 1 & 5:30. californiaballet.org.
City Ballet of San Diego’s 15th season features holiday favorite The Nutcracker, Dec. 7-9 & 14-16: Fri. at 7:30, Sat. at 2 & 7:30, Sun. at 2. Spreckles Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown, 858-272-8663; cityballet.org.
Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Nov. 28 & 29 at 7:30. Direct from Argentina comes Tango Buenos Aires, Nov. 30 at 8. Civic Theatre, Third Ave. & B St., down town, 619-570-1100; sdcivic.org.
Dancers from the Malashock Dance School and members of the Malashock Dance family present their work, including new choreography from John Malashock’s New Works Workshop, Dec. 14 & 15 at 8. Dance Place San Diego, 2650 Truxton Rd., Ste. 200, 619-260-1622; malashockdance.org.
ET CETERA
Good Glögg
Though Balboa Park’s beloved holiday festival has gone the way of corporate sponsorship, the December Nights highlights remain: free museum admissions, enticing traditional food and drink (love that glögg!) at the international cottages, carolers and the sense of well-being that comes from celebrating the holidays without snow or ice storms. Sponsor Barona’s involvement does add a unique cultural spin to the celebrations: The festival now features “My Ancestor’s Village,” a re-creation of a traditional Native American village honoring San Diego tribes——which means parents can consider the event entertaining and educational. Round out an evening of dinosaurs, fine art, trains and cultural enlightenment with a whirl on a carnival ride, and you’ve got a perfect night. Free museum admission Dec. 7 & 8, 5-9 p.m.; events Dec. 7, 5-10, & Dec. 8, noon-10. 619-239-0512; balboapark.org.
——AMY FINLEY
FILM
Imax films at the Fleet: Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure looks at long-ago underwater critters. Dinosaurs Alive! combines computer animation and live action. Coral Reef Adventure dives undersea for a colorful tour. Fridays at the Fleet offers a four-movie feature, starting at 6. Call for showtimes. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-238-1233; rhfleet.org.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents Metropolis, Fritz Lang’s classic, Dec. 13 at 7. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858-454-3541; mcasd.org.
San Diego Natural History Museum’s wide-screen theater shows the giant-screen film Ocean Oasis, spotlighting the rich seas of Baja. Ancient Qumran: A Virtual Reality Tour runs thru Dec. 31. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-255-0203; sdnhm.org.
SPORTS, RUNS & WALKS
The San Diego Chargers play the Detroit Lions, Dec. 16 at 1:15; Denver Broncos, Dec. 24 at 5. Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., Mission Valley, 877-242-7437; chargers.com.
The Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk for Arthritis benefits the Arthritis Foundation and includes a doggie costume contest and a kids’ fun run, Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. Event starts in Balboa Park, west end of Presidents Way. 858-492-9248; arthritis-sandiego.org.
The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at 6 on Dec. 20 in Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., Mission Valley, 877-242-7437; poinsettiabowl.net.
The Bumble Bee Foods 5K Run at the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade begins the nationally televised parade and daylong festivities for the Holiday Bowl, Dec. 27 at 9:45 a.m. 858-268-1250; kozenterprises.com.
The 30th edition of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl kicks off Dec. 27 at 5 in Qualcomm Stadium. The game features the runner-up from the Pacific 10 Conference against the third selection from the Big 12 Conference. 619-283-5808; pacificlifeholidaybowl.com.
FAMILY
Toddlers take over in Baby Loves Disco, transforming a popular downtown nightclub into a childproof disco, featuring live deejay entertainment and bubble machines, instruments, books and puzzles, healthy snacks and lots of dancing, Dec 9, 2-5. Aubergine, 500 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619-232-8100; babylovesdisco.com.
Marionette and puppet shows presented by the Balboa Park Puppet Guild include “The Merry Christmas Show,” Nov. 28–Dec. 2; December Nights Free Evening, Dec. 7 & 8 at 6, 7 & 8; “Cinderella,” Dec. 12-16; “Magical Musical Holiday,” Dec. 19-23; “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Dec. 26-30, Unless otherwise noted, shows are Wed.-Fri. at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 1, Sat. & Sun. at 11 a.m., 1 & 2:30. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre (near the Air & Space Museum), Balboa Park, 619-544-9203; balboaparkpuppets.com.
The Birch Aquarium’s “Wonders of Water” exhibit lets patrons of all ages explore the wet stuff with three outdoor water-play stations. “Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge” educates about global warming. “The Art of Deception” exposes the secrets of camouflage. Open daily 9-5. At Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858-534-FISH (3474); aquarium.ucsd.edu.
At the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: “So Watt! An Illuminating Look at Energy” takes a peek at power. “Listen Here! Making Sense of Sound” speaks to the science behind sound, thru June 1. “Origins in Space,” a photographic display, demonstrates the role scientific discoveries play in our everyday lives. “Try Science” lets patrons learn more about such topics as space exploration and dinosaurs. Interactive “Heart Flight” educates the public about the human heart. “Gallery of Illusions and Perceptions” shows how your mind and body work together——and sometimes against each other——to make sense of the world around you. “Do-Undo” explores symmetry in time. “Aging for All Ages” discusses the process of aging. “Kid City” lets youngsters 6 and under experience the wonders of the everyday working world. “The Sky To night” planetarium show is the first Wed. of the month at 7. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-238-1233; rhfleet.org.
Pacific Children’s Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, Dec. 7 & 15 at 7; Dec. 8 at 4, Dec. 9, 15 & 16 at 2. Mission Hills United Church of Christ, 4070 Jackdaw St., 619-920-2838; pacificchildrenstheatre.org.
Family fun at the San Diego Natural History Museum: Wacky Science Sundays with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus, at 12:15 and 2:15, explore creatures and hands-on science. 619-232-3821, ext. 8; sdnhm.org/frizzle. Nature, Mommy and Me, a story time for budding naturalists, tells tales every second Thur. at 11. San Diego Plant Family Forum offers classes about local flora and fauna, every Tues., 6:30-8:30. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-255-0203; sdnhm.org.
SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration returns, with Clyde and Seamore’s Night Before Christmas sea lion and otter show and Shamu’s Holiday Night killer whale shows, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9 & 15–31. On Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 26–31, the celebration includes strolling musicians and “holiday” animals, such as a reindeer, penguins, arctic foxes and more. Meet St. Nick during Breakfast with Shamu and Santa, Dec. 1–2, 8–9 & 15–23. 500 Sea World Dr, 800-25-SHAMU (74268); seaworldsandiego.com.
Join the Westgate Hotel for an afternoon tea followed by storytelling and a visit from Santa Claus, Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 & 21-24, 2:30-5. Le Grand Café, 1055 Second Ave, downtown, 619-557-1818. westgatehotel.com.
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