Events

Top Talent

Celebrating America’s culinary scene, Yosemite Chefs’ Holidays brings together 25 prominent chefs–from New York to Los Angeles–at the grand Ahwahnee Hotel. Get up close and personal with top talent including Peter Chastain, Prima Walnut Creek, Jimmy Bradley, The Red Cat New York, and David Bazirgan, Fifth Floor, San Francisco. DETAILS: January 8 - February 2, 2012, two and three night culinary packages available. For more information, go to yosemitepark.com/chefs.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy New Year!

LUNAR YEAR 4710 –
YEAR OF THE DRAGON

As the fifth of twelve animals in the Chinese horoscope, people born in the Year of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012) are considered the boldest members of the Chinese astrological family- imaginative, decisive, self-confident, curious, generous and romantic. On February 11, San Francisco celebrates the Chinese New Year with an illuminated parade featuring elaborate floats, lion dancers, marching bands, and a 250 foot long Golden Dragon. For more information, go to www.chineseparade.com.

Speaker Series

Three dynamic speakers are on tap at The Gardens at Heather Farm as part of a new lecture series. Best known for her work restoring Monet’s Gardens, Elizabeth Murray kicks off the series on January 26. Then on February 23, award-winning author, Amy Stewart, provides humorous insight into the strange world of bugs and plants. Then on March 22, Clare Cooper Marcus, professor emeritus at UC Berkeley, looks at how green space is restorative to the human spirit. To register for these lectures, go to gardenshf.org.

We love the ice!

Walnut Creek’s downtown ice rink is open through January 22! This year, the outdoor rink performed a perfect Double Axel, expanding its ice and covering it with a space-age tent. On January 14, Walnut Creek on Ice is hosting a gala at the rink with international skaters, local gold winners and celebs, cocktails and ice sculpting. For tickets, go to walnut-creek.com.

Walk with the Mayor

On February 11, take a “Magical History Tour” with the Mayor and explore the city’s rich history. Meet at 10 a.m. at the gazebo in downtown Civic Park. For more information, go to walnut-creek.org.

Space-Light-Structure

Modernist Margaret De Patta is credited with starting the American studio jewelry movement on the West Coast. The Oakland Museum of California presents a retrospective exhibition on the work of this famed Bay Area jeweler including pendants, rings and brooches designed by the artist over the course of her 35-year career. DETAILS: February 3-May 13, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, museumca.org.

Heels & Hearts

International bestselling author Kristine Carlson, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” leads the crusade against heart disease as the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women 2012 Ambassador. Join Carlson at a well-heeled event as San Franciscans step out in red stilettos and strut to bring attention to heart disease. DETAILS: February 14, 11 am-1pm, Union Square, San Francisco, heart.org.

Powerhouse Line-Up

World renowned journalist Gloria Steinem and celebrated local chef and author Alice Waters top the lineup as keynote speakers at the upcoming East Bay Women’s Conference. The annual all day conference, this year themed Voices, Views, and Forces for Change, blends speaker presentations; breakout sessions; exhibitor booths and networking. DETAILS: March 5, 8am-5pm, San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Drive, $175.00/person, includes breakfast, lunch and premium wine tasting. To register, go to walnut-creek.com.

BY SALLY HOGARTY

Laura Crime, romance and obsession come together for a suspenseful tale in Role Players Ensemble’s Laura. A hardboiled detective is seduced and haunted by the beautiful Laura as he tries to solve her murder. DETAILS: January 13 – February 4, The Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville, villagetheatreshows.com.

Frankie & Johnnie in the Clair de Lune The unlikely romance between two middle-aged “losers,” becomes a bittersweet comedy written by award-winning playwright Terrance McNally. Frankie and Johnnie in the Clair de Lune features popular Bay Area actor L. Peter Callender.
DETAILS: January 20 – February 5, Diablo Actors’ Ensemble Theatre, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek, diabloactors.com.

The award-winning Broadway Star of “Wicked,” David Burnham, brings his hit one-man show Mostly Broadway to the East Bay with songs from his celebrated musicals including “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Light in the Piazza.” DETAILS: January 21 at 8 pm, January 22 at 2 pm, Willows Theatre, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord, willowstheatre.org.

Arms and the Man

A soldier who prefers chocolates to bullets, a dashing hero who hides out in a young girl’s bedroom and two slightly befuddled parents fill the stage when Center Rep presents Arms and the Man, George Bernard Shaw’s charming tale of romance gone awry. DETAILS: January 27 – February 25, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, lesherartscenter.org.

Just in time to brighten up winter’s doldrums, The Light in the Piazza shines with the romantic wanderings of a young girl. This award-winning musical follows Clara’s passionate relationship with a young Italian, an affair her mother is determined to break up. DETAILS: January 30 – March 4, Willows Theatre Mainstage, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord, willowstheatre.org.

Legally Blonde

Based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, Bailey Hanks stars in Diablo Theatre Company’s singing and dancing musical production of the Broadway extravaganza, Legally Blonde, The Musical. DETAILS: February 10 – March 3, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, lesherartscenter.org.

Naresh Michael

Latin heartthrob Naresh Michael presents his Tango-influenced repertoire for a romantic Valentine’s Day in Esses Production, That’s Amore! DETAILS: February 14, 7:30 pm, Campbell Cabaret, 636 Ward Street, Martinez, willowstheatre.org.

Lisa Loomer’s offbeat comedy Distracted tells the story of 9-year-old Jesse whose teacher thinks he has ADD. In this relevant production, Loomer looks at the growing use of medication to control youth behavior. DETAILS: February 23 – March 17, Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette, townhalltheatre.com.

Academy Award-winning smash hit Toy Story 3 bursts out of the box and onto the ice with non-stop heroic action when Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3. DETAILS: February 29-March 4, Oracle Arena, Oakland, oracle.arena-tickets.org.

Bay Area Cabaret brings back jazz man John Pizzarelli to the Venetian Room with his acclaimed Duke Ellington tribute. Pizzarelli is also joined by his wife, Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey performing a portrait of their marriage in When Worlds Collide. DETAILS: February 26, Fairmont San Francisco, fairmont.com.