Seeking That Don't-Miss Annual Holiday Event...
Hi community - we have been trying out annual winter special events for some years now without finding one that "sticks" for all of us as our annual holiday marquee event. (We are non-religious people who celebrate Christmas.) Kids are now 6 & 8. We have been to a Nutcracker ballet, Dickens Fair, Albany High madrigal dinner... that kind of thing all appeals, but just doesn't land with one or more of the 4 of us. Price is less of a consideration than value - for 2016, I'm thinking about the Oakland Revels, the new Cirque du Soleil in SF (although DH would probably faint at the cost), the Gay Men's Chorus holiday concert... any reviews for these events with small(er) kids? Other events I'm overlooking? Happy to drive an hour from the E.Bay. Thank you!
Parent Replies
The Revels are great - we go every year. It's in a beautiful space - the Scottish Rite temple in Oakland, and the performances are always different and always top-notch. A lot of kids are involved so if your kids have an interest in performing this could be an inspiration for them. The subject matter is usually a blend of Christmas traditions and something non-traditional - pagan festivals, historical practices from outside Europe, etc.
There's an intimate circus show called "Cirque de Boheme" in Sonoma at Cornerstone, with a new holiday production called "Somewhere".
I've been to their other small sweet shows. Great fun. Great setting. Kids and adults equally enjoyed it.
Dates are November 25th, 26th, and 27th.
December 3rd and 4th, 10th and 11th, 17th and 18th.
(Shows daily at 3,pm and 5pm ** Except on Saturday December 3, the shows will be at 11am and 1pm** and Sunday November 27th, the shows will be at 1pm and 3pm**)
Check it out at:
http://cirquedeboheme2016.brownpapertickets.com
If you haven't checked out the Revels you should give it a try. Might make a long evening for little squirmy kids but there's always some genuine magic in the program for just about everyone, with an audience participation "dance" in the middle that is wild and crazy and brings the crowd together nicely. For serious music lovers there is always a ton of great singing and some expert instrumental flourishes.
Hope you try it out-
Jean in Albany
The San Francisco Girls Chorus has an annual holiday concert at Davies Symphony Hall. It's really fun, very festive, and has sing-alongs and lots of kids in the audience. I've never been to the Gay Men's Chorus holiday concert but I've heard it's really great too.
My family and I enjoy the Revels. We didn't start going until my daughter was 9 or so, but she's always loved ritual and performing arts, so the Revels were a good fit. I think it would depend on your kids' personal taste, and is certainly worth a try:
http://californiarevels.org/.
(If I may go slightly off-topic, the Revels theme this year is Dylan Thomas's Wales. I visited the Thomas Center and his childhood home in Swansea earlier this year; it was easy to imagine how happy that childhood was.)
How about bringing them to Snow Day in the Gourmet Ghetto? Free! Bring boots and mittens to play in the snow, visit with the Snow Queen, pony rides, holiday craft vendors, free kid's DIY art projects. Rose to Vine on Shattuck, Dec. 4, 10AM-3PM.
Why not keep the tradition of trying new things? The Bay Area arts scene has so much to offer, the tradition could simply be getting out to see what's out there at this time of year.
I recommend the California Revels in Oakland! Every year, Revels is where the spirit of the holidays and our shared Humanity comes to life for our family, children and adults alike. It is the source of our sense of holiday meaning, beauty and magic. My 16 and 18 year olds have attended every year since birth and wouldn't miss it. Revels is a re-enactment of a mideval village Solstice/ Christmas celebration in song, dance, story, and ritual. The music, singing, dance, stories and sets are beautiful and exquisitely done, and express a broad range of human emotion, from funny to deeply heartfelt. The audience is invited to participate in some singing and the Lord of the Dance which makes for a warm and inclusive community experience. Every year a different cultural theme is chosen (Irish, Russian, Italian, Bavarian, Appalachian, etc.), reflected in the music, costumes, dance etc. I believe this year the theme is Welsh but regardless, it will be deeply meaningful and exquisitely beautiful. Please join us. Welcome Yule!