CALENDAR
Tickets $24.99–$49.99. Park opens at 10 a.m.
daily, closing times vary. Paramount’s Great
America, Great America Parkway, Santa Clara.
408/988-1776.
First Night Monterey. Dec. 31, 3 p.m. to
midnight. First Night Monterey is a familyfriendly
community celebration of the arts on
New Year’s Eve. The event features nine hours
of visual and performing arts and music ranging
from reggae to classical at a variety of locations
in Monterey. Tickets $12–$24. Historic
downtown Monterey. 831/373-4778.
Giant Gingerbread House. Through Jan.
2. Explore the wonder of a two-story giant
house made of thousands of gingerbread
bricks and more than a ton of icing and candy
in the lobby of the Fairmont San Francisco
hotel. This delectable domicile will delight
visitors and create sweet memories. Free. Fairmont
Hotel, 950 Mason St., San Francisco.
415/772-5000.
JANUARY
Silicon Valley Auto Show. Jan. 4–7, 10
a.m. to 10 p.m., Jan. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Banish the post-holiday blues and race to
check out the latest hot rods, luxury rides,
hybrids and exotic four-wheel vehicles. Test
drives are encouraged, so get set to fulfill
your need for speed. Tickets $8–$11. San
Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 W.
San Carlos St., San Jose. 408/437-7557.
SF Sketchfest. Jan. 11–29, times vary.
Kick off the new year with a laugh
at the 16th annual San Francisco
comedy festival. The Sketchfest
features a diverse lineup
of stand-up comedians performing
at a variety of ven-
20 South Bay Accent
from the years 1941–1953. Ticket prices vary.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., San Francisco.
Whalefest Monterey. Jan. 27–28, 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. This eighth annual event celebrates the
migration of the gray whales and benefits several
local and national marine organizations.
Enjoy lectures, films, live music, theatrical
performances, kids’ activities and interactive
educational displays. Free. Old Fisherman’s
Wharf, 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey.
831/238-0777.
Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show. Jan.
28–29, times vary. This all-breed dog show
features a fashion show, agility demonstrations
and beautiful breeds in action. Join the pack of
canine enthusiasts, from professional breeders
and handlers to casual dog lovers. Ticket $15–
$42. Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly
City. 415/404-4111.
Music & Dance
DECEMBER
Stanford Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 1–2,
7:30 p.m. The Stanford Symphony Orchestra
welcomes its new conductor, Paul Phillips,
and opens its 2017–18 season with
music from France and Russia, along with a
work by acclaimed Finnish composer Kaija
Saariaho, a Helsinki native who has lived
in Paris since 1982. Her tone poem,
“Ciel d’hiver (“Winter Sky”),”
beautifully complements Debussy’s
“La Mer.” Tickets $15–$25. Bing
Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St.,
Stanford. 650/724-2464.
Western Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
Dec. 1–3, times
vary. Western
Ballet’s “The
Nutcracker”
is a holiday
tradition filled with
delight and fun for the
whole family. Join Clara,
Fritz and their friends as
they celebrate the festive season
with the magic of Drosselmeyer,
toys that come alive
and Clara’s enchanting visit to
the Kingdom of Sweets. Tickets
$28–$33. Mountain View
Center for the Performing Arts,
500 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/903-6000.
Betty Buckley. Dec. 1–2, 8 p.m. In an
award-winning career that has encompassed
TV, film, stage and concert work
around the globe, Buckley is best known as
the quintessential musical theater actress
with her legendary performances in
BOTTOM: PETER RIGUAD
ues around the city. Ticket prices vary. Various
locations, San Francisco.
Big Sur Foragers Festival. Jan. 13–15, times
vary. Indulge in a weekend-long celebration
featuring a cornucopia of wild foods, wine
tastings, entertainment, expert-led foraging
forays and a friendly chef competition with
celebrity judges. Ticket prices vary. Various
locations, Big Sur.
Schumann’s Cello Concerto with Lynn
Harrell. Jan 20–21, times vary. Lynn Harrell
returns to play one of the most beautiful
concertos ever written for his instrument. The
orchestra will set the stage with another work
by Schumann, a musical portrait by one of the
quintessential Romantic heroes, dreamed up by
Lord Byron. Tickets $45–$90. California Theatre,
345 S. First St., San Jose. 408/286-2600.
Noir City: The San Francisco Film Noir
Festival. Jan. 26–Feb. 4, times vary. Billed as
10 thrilling days of “art,
madness and murder,”
Noir City’s flagship
film festival returns to
its home at San Francisco’s
Castro Theatre
for its 16th edition. The
2018 film festival will
focus on films noir
Art by Those Who’ve Served,
through Feb. 4, Triton Museum of
Art, Santa Clara
Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends: New
Worlds, Dec. 2, Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto