On Dec. 4, the holiday sing-a-long in the Great Meadow from 1 to 1:45 p.m. continues the tradition for the 41st year. On Dec. 11, enjoy performances by the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, the Oakland Ballet and Scottish Dancers. The Dunsmuir Hellman estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court in Oakland, is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mansion is open on Fridays for tour groups only. For more information, or to purchase tickets for admissions, teas, parking, and mansion tours, or to schedule a Friday tour, call 925-866-9559 or visit www.dunsmuir-hellman.com.
Fred Windisch’s “The Natural Art” will play at the Pedro Point Firehouse, 1227 Danmann Avenue, Friday, May 30, Event scrapbook sticker --filofax stickers--planner stickers--ballet skirt also features “surfing” slideshow by local surf photographer Glen Hogerton, Doors open at 7 p.m, Film begins at 7:30 p.m, Advance tickets ($12) available at Eventbrite.com (search: Pacifica events), Tickets are also available at Pedro Point Sirens Coastal Inspired Gifts (235 Rockaway Beach Avenue), Tickets at the door are $15, Beverages and snacks will be available at the bar..
Needham-Wood describes his new piece as “a fusion between a balletic structure and an urban hip-hop aesthetic.” Set to music specially created for the piece by Ben Sollee, the movement is in turns lithe, percussive, and gut-busting. The Smuin dancers are consistently strong and approached this piece in rehearsal with their signature fearlessness and athleticism. Needham-Wood and composer Sollee are friends, having met in Louisville, K.Y., where Needham-Wood danced with Louisville Ballet. They collaborated long-distance on the structure of the piece, trading snippets of video and audio over the Internet, and have discussed the possibility of expanding “Maslow” into a video project some day. Sollee is a classical cellist, but his compositions are highly original and often infused with a folk feel. The score for Maslow has a certain quirkiness and a driving beat.
A Chanticleer Christmas, 8 p.m, Dec, 11, Stanford Memorial Church, $10-$54, 650-723-3811 or http://arts.stanford.edu/event/a-chanticleer-christmas/, Annual Messiah Sing & Play Along, 8 p.m, Dec, 14, Stanford Memorial Church, Free-$10, 650-723-3811 or http://arts.stanford.edu/event/messiah-sing-play-along/, Ragazzi Continuo, Songs of Wintertide, 8 p.m, Dec, 14, Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley, 4 p.m, Dec, 16, Christ Church Parish, 770 N, El Camino Real, San Mateo, 7 p.m, Dec, 22, Woodside Village Church, 3154 Woodside Road, Woodside, 4 p.m, Dec, 23, Bethany United Methodist Church, 1270 Sanchez St., San scrapbook sticker --filofax stickers--planner stickers--ballet skirt Francisco, $18 ($20 at the door), www.RagazziContinuo.org or 650-342-8785..
“These places provide a channel for expression. We need to put more resources into creating safe spaces for these people.”. Fields echoed the call of Oakland’s artists, urging the city not to act hastily and shut the warehouses and evict artists. “This has already been so tragic and such a huge loss. We have to make something good come out of it,” he said. “Don’t shut these spaces down. That is exactly the opposite of what needs to happen.”. THE LOBOT GALLERY, a sprawling Oakland warehouse arts institution, closed earlier this year after owners raised the rent to the point that artists could no longer afford it in their gentrifying neighborhood. Former LoBot residents issued an open letter to the community after the Ghost Ship fire.