Hot Picks 11.30.23

Thursday, Nov. 30

Jolly Good Time

Photos with Santa? Check. A station to write letters to Santa? Also check. (Santa, as we all know, likes to have a written record of which gifts to give to the kids that have been nice.) There will also be hot cocoa and candy canes in the mix, and if that’s not enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, this event at the Salinas Sports Complex includes the 6pm lighting of a 20-foot tall Christmas tree, but no one’s counting if it’s a few feet more or less. Luna Creciente performs folklórico dance at 5:40pm and 6:20pm. It’s officially time to usher in the Christmas season with this first-ever Country Christmas extravaganza. Ho, ho, ho. [DS]

5-7pm Thursday, Nov. 30. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 775-3100, carodeo.com.

Thursday, Nov. 30-Friday, Dec. 1

One of a Kind

Buying one-of-a-kind, original artwork is an attractive proposition, but it can be an expensive one too. There’s an exception, though – buying work from young, emerging artists needn’t break the bank, and it has the benefit of (potentially) helping to launch a new career. The MPC jewelry, ceramic and printmaking departments are celebrating the advent of the season with a holiday art sale. It’s an opportunity to see the creativity of students and faculty up close and in person, meet the artists behind the work and perhaps purchase a one-of-a-kind piece for someone on your holiday list. (Or, you know, for yourself – that’s acceptable too.) [TCL]

5-7:30pm Thursday, Nov. 30 and 11am-6pm Friday, Dec. 1. Monterey Peninsula College, creative arts section, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free to enter. 646-4000, mpc.edu/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/37781/20.

Friday, Dec. 1

Call And Response

“Ourselves We Sing: A Call and Response with Walt Whitman” is a series of speaking events that accompany a fine art exhibition in Pacific Grove Public Library. It started in October with poets Daniel Summerhill, Georgina Marie Guardato and Robert Gomez as the first three guests. There are still three more events to come, with California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick (Dec. 1), followed by a Dec. 15 event with actress Malinda DeRouen and youth poet laureate Mahi Shah, and a final reception on Jan. 5. The series was designed to start a conversation – a call and response to Whitman’s writings – seeking deeper understanding of the legendary 19th-century American poet as well as ourselves. The exhibit represents artists’ responses to Whitman. [AP]

5:30-7pm Friday, Dec. 1. Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-5760, pacificgrovelibrary.org.

Story Time

Sharing colloquial scenes from everyday life in America, Felipe Esparza, a Mexican-born standup comedian, will make you laugh with stories about dates, law enforcement and encounters with other Latinos whose families have been here longer than his. He plays around with Mexican stereotypes, speaks Spanglish and refers to brands that are staples in Mexican and Mexican-American households. Esparza gained momentum after winning NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2010. He has three standup specials on Netflix and HBO. He also has a podcast called What’s Up Fool? in which he interviews all kinds of people – from an unknown person on the street to well-known celebrities. Esparza also appears regularly on Superstore and The Eric Andre Show. [CJ]

8pm Friday, Dec 1. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $29-$69. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.

Friday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 2

Have a Ball-et

San Francisco’s Smuin Contemporary Ballet is no stranger to these parts as a regular performer at Sunset Center. Per tradition, the company is taking its annual holiday show, The Christmas Ballet, on the road across the region this season, and will be back on the local stage this week. The show is billed as “a little ballet, a little Broadway, and a whole lot of Smuin,” and will include holiday traditionals (“Joy to the World”), pop mainstays (“Santa Baby”) and plenty more to get you in the festive mood. Bring the whole family and kick off the most wonderful time of the year in style. [RM]

7:30pm Friday, Dec. 1 and 2pm Saturday, Dec. 2. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel. $75-$100. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

Friday, Dec. 1 – Monday, Dec. 11

In the Ring

There’s a reason kids get excited when they hear the phrase “the circus is coming to town!” And let’s admit, there are many teens and adults equally giddy at the news – although they’re better able to hide the eager anticipation. After all, who wouldn’t be thrilled by daring tightrope walkers, high-flying trapeze acts, equestrian showmanship that defies the laws of balance, clowns that are fun rather than scary and every other bit of entertainment packed under the big top? Well, we’re here to tell you the circus is coming to town. Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus is a one-ring show that traces its roots back to 1842 – a true Old World traveling circus. The family feel remains in its intimate, 500-seat tent, where everyone has an up-close experience… just watch out for the clowns; they tend to involve audience members in their acts. Yet it’s not small in terms of performance. These are acrobats that keep audiences riveted and then bring them to their feet. [DF]

6pm Friday, Dec. 1, Monday-Friday, Dec. 4-8, Monday, Dec. 11; 1pm-4pm-7pm. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, 9-10. Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. $14.99-$44.99; free/children ages 3 and under; family packages available. (941) 870-7444, zoppecircustickets.com.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Brown King Story

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) was one of the first Black composers and performers to gain recognition in the U.S., and Musikiwest celebrates her legacy at this holiday concert, featuring the Christmas cantata “Ballad of The Brown King.” Expect a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment. The vocal soloists are Leberta Loral, soprano; Aisha Campbell, alto; Kalil Wilson, tenor; and Bryan Dyer, bass. The musicians are Tammy Hall, Nancy Zhou, Daniel Dastoo, Jonathan Vinocour, Michelle Djokic, Molly Langr and Antonio Escobedo. The 1954 ballad was written in honor of the African king Balthazar, one of the Three Magi who came with gifts to a newly-born baby Jesus. All three have been described as dark-skinned in legends and artistic representations since the Middle Ages. As far as Musikiwest knows, “Ballad of The Brown King” has never been previously performed in California – here’s a chance to hear history come alive. [AP]

7-9pm Sunday, Dec. 3. SandBox, 440 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. $40; $25/students, military. sandboxsandcity.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Hope for the Holidays

The holiday season can be a time of gathering – and it can also be a time of acute grief as families remember those who are not there. Whatever your particular challenges at the holiday season might be, this reflective program offers approaches to healing through movement and meditation to generate a sense of inner calm. Experts share ideas for how to manage feelings around grief and loss, and the event includes a therapeutic music session and arts-and-crafts activities. Learn strategies to honor memories and your feelings while also participating in this celebratory season. [SR]

4:30-5:30pm Tuesday, Dec. 5. El Gabilan Library, 1400 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 333-9023, Jissellad@ci.salinas.ca.us, hospicegiving.org/workshops.

HOT PICKS by Tajha Chappellet-Lanier, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Rey Mashayekhi, Agata Popęda, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz.