and musician—will tell the story
of the Chinese in America from
1849 to the present through
songs and stories. Charlie has
been involved in Chinese-American
studies since 1970; in 1989
he received a Community Scholar
certificate for his work. Tickets
$15. Oshman Family JCC-Schultz
Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian
Way, Palo Alto. 650/223-8649.
JANUARY
Martin Rees: Prospects for
Humanity. Jan. 15, 7 p.m. According
to world-renowned scientist and
Astronomer Royal Martin Rees,
humanity has reached a critical moment, and
there is no plan B for Earth. With our world
changing at a rapid pace, Rees explains why
the future of humanity is bound to the future
of science. Oshman Family JCC-Schultz Cultural
Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto.
650/223-8649.
Azati Sehatti. Jan. 17, 7 p.m. Family nurse
practitioner, nutritional consultant and health
educator Azati Sehatti discusses her critical
guides “The Inner Control Is the True Control:
Making Lasting Lifestyle Changes” and
“The Inner Control Is the True Control Workbook.”
Her books teach readers how to make
lasting lifestyle and behavioral changes. Free.
Books Inc., 317 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/428-1234.
Bob Poole, National Geographic Filmmaker:
Nature Roars Back. Jan. 23, 7:30
p.m. Experience an epic African wildlife park
through the eyes of Emmy Award-winning
natural-history cinematographer, Bob Poole.
The National Geographic Filmmaker’s childhood
in East Africa imbued him with a fierce
curiosity that illuminates the stunning wildlife
focused visuals he creates. Ticket prices
vary. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de
San Antonio, San Jose. 408/924-8501.
An Evening with Paul J. Steinhardt.
Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. “The Second Kind
of Impossible” is the story of Steinhardt’s
35-year-long quest to challenge
conventional wisdom. His discoveries
chart a new direction in science, not
only changing our ideas about patterns
and matter, but also revealing new truths
about the processes that shaped our solar
system. Tickets $10-$18. Oshman Family
JCC-Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921
Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 650/223-8649.
Kids’ Stuff
DECEMBER
The Elves and the Shoemaker. Dec. 7-8,
times vary. Elves have a long, proud tradition
36 South Bay Accent
of helping humankind. When two Elves
are sent to help a poor shoemaker, can they
turn his luck around? Presented by Peninsula
Youth Theatre, this world premiere adaptation
of the classic folk tale is 45 minutes long and
appropriate for all ages. Ticket prices vary. SecondStage,
Mountain View Center for the Performing
Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/903-6000.
Dance-Along Nutcracker. Dec. 8-9, times
vary. The annual production of this San Francisco
tradition gets families out of their seats
and on their feet. Join the San Francisco Lesbian/
Gay Freedom Band as they
marry Tchaikovsky’s famous
“Nutcracker Suite” with J.K.
Rowling’s wizarding world. Be
prepared to shake your own rump
when the “Dance Along” signs
lights up. Tickets $25-$45. Yerba
Buena Gardens Center for the
Arts, 701 Mission St., San Francisco.
415-978-2700.
Santastic! Santa’s Fantastic Musical
Revue. Dec. 8-23, times vary.
Talented youth performers tackle
Motown, big band and rock ’n’
roll versions of “Rudolph The
Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty
the Snowman,” “Deck the
Halls” and more in this 45-minute one-act
musical. Following each performance, the cast
will lead activities including a meet-and-greet
with Santa and his elves, holiday card-making,
cookie decorating and more. 3Below Theaters
& Lounge, 288 So. Second St., San Jose.
408/404-7711.
Mommy & Me & Daddies Too Kids Club.
Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Get into the holiday
spirit with and join other families for a
morning of holiday entertainment with Andy
Z & The Magical Elves, photos with Santa
Claus, holiday planting, special themed arts
and crafts and more. Bring a new or gently
used coat to donate to One Warm Coat. Park
Valencia, San Jose. 408/551-4611.
Peppa Pig Live! Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Popular
family show “Peppa Pig” returns to the City
National Civic in an all-new, action-packed
live show featuring your favorite characters as
life-size puppets and costumed characters. Join
Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and
more in an all-singing, all-dancing adventure
full of songs, games and surprises. Tickets $35-
$59.50. City National Civic, 135 W. San Carlos
St., San Jose. 408/792-4111.
Snow Queen. Dec. 14, 7 p.m., and Dec. 15,
2 p.m. When the Snow Queen’s spell captures
a young boy, his best friend sets out
on a quest to save him. A journey filled
with whimsy and intrigue, dancing
icicles and a magical flower garden
unfolds onstage as the Bayer Ballet
Company tells the story through
movement. Ages 3 and above. Tickets
$30-$50. MainStage, Mountain
View Center for the Performing
Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/903-6000.
Free City. Dec. 15, 5 p.m., and Dec.
16, 1 p.m. Set in the middle ages, this
play is entertaining for ages 5 years
old and above. The City of Free Artisans
is conquered by the wicked Duke
CALENDAR
Paula Poundstone, Dec. 31, The
Nourse Theater, San Francisco
Villalobos Brothers, Jan. 31,
Hammer Theatre Center, San Jose