28 South Bay Accent
CALENDAR
COLIN BRENNAN
Menlowe Ballet, this theatrical hybrid brings
two of the world’s most heralded holiday classics
together on one stage. The show blends
the magic and wonder of a traditional Nutcracker
with the heartwarming message from
Frank Capra’s 1940’s film, “It’s a Wonderful
Life.” Menlo-Atherton Center for the
Arts, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, CA.
650/322-5311.
Il Divo. Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m. Il Divo is a multinational
classical group hailing from the
UK. Hear this quartet’s strength as they use
their remarkable ability to blend operatically
trained vocals and classical music with themes
of pop, bolero, folk, tango and Latin music.
Tickets $40-$94.50. City National Civic, 135
W. San Carlos St., San Jose. 408/792-4111.
Merit Scholars Holiday Concert. Dec. 15,
5 p.m. CSMA Merit Scholarship Student
Ensembles perform favorite selections to celebrate
the holidays in this popular annual
event. Join fellow community members to
celebrate local outstanding rising stars. This
show is recommended for ages 7 and up. Free.
Tateuchi Hall, Community School of Music
and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain
View. 650/917-6800.
Gregory Porter. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Twotime
Grammy winner Gregory Porter sings
the timeless songs of his greatest influence, Nat
“King” Cole, in fresh arrangements by fellow
Grammy winner Vince Mendoza that recreate
the orchestral setting of Porter’s latest Blue
Note album “Nat ‘King’ Cole & Me.” Accompanying
Porter will be conductor Mike Galisatus,
leading a swingin’ jazz orchestra of Bay
Area musicians. Tickets $32-$110. Stanford
Memorial Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford.
650/725-2787.
San Holo. Dec. 15, 8 p.m. The Dutch
DJ, musician, record producer and composer
from Zoetermeer gained international
recognition for his remix of Dr.
Dre’s “The Next Episode,” and he has released
music on several record labels. In 2017, he was
nominated at the Electronic Music Awards for
New Artist of the Year. Tickets $30-$35. City
National Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San
Jose. 408/792-4111.
Symphony Holiday Pops Concert – Golden
State Youth Orchestra. Dec. 16, 2:30
p.m. Whether exotic, passionate or refined,
dance is the inspiration for this jovial concert
featuring music from Mexico, Austria,
Russia, France and the United States.
The concert will also feature a special
toe-tapping performance by the GSYO
Percussion Ensemble. Jindong Cai conducts.
Tickets $15-$25. The California
Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose.
408/286-2600.
David Benoit: “Christmas
Tribute to Charlie Brown.”
Dec. 16, 5 p.m. More than 50
years after the animated special
first aired, piano maestro
David Benoit, who has been composer for
the new Peanuts TV specials for more than a
decade, pays tribute to Charlie Brown with his
Christmas originals alongside classics. Benoit
is joined by Vivace Children’s Choir of San
Jose. Tickets $54-$58. Montalvo Arts Center,
Carriage House Theatre, 15400 Montalvo
Road, Saratoga. 408/961-5858.
Schola Cantorum’s Annual Holiday Concert.
Dec. 16, 3 p.m. Join Schola Cantorum
and music director Gregory Wait for an
afternoon of music for the holidays arranged
by eminent British composer John Rutter.
Beloved by choral singers around the world,
Rutter’s tuneful and witty arrangements are
sure to be a delight. Tickets $19-$33. Main-
Stage, Mountain View Center for the Performing
Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.
650/903-6000.
Travis Scott with Trippie Redd, Gunna,
Sheck Wes. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.
The innovative rapper brings
his “Astroworld: Wish You Were
Here” tour to the South Bay, along
with some special guests. Trippie
Redd, Gunna and Sheck Wes will add
their own brands of lyrical swagger to
the mix. Trippie Redd is no surprise as a
choice for the tour, linked with Scott for their
platinum-certified song “Dark
Knight Dummo.” Tickets $29.95-$89.95.
Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland.
510/569-2121.
ZZ Top. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. “That Little Ol’
Band from Texas” lays claim to being the longest
running major rock band with original
personnel intact. This time around the Rock
n’ Roll Hall of Famers blend rock, blues and
boogie to kick off the new year. Tickets $65-
$110. City National Civic, 135 W. San Carlos
St., San Jose. 408/792-4111.
Pianist Neil Rutman. Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
Acclaimed concert pianist Neil Rutman presents
an evening of Debussy, Chopin, Gershwin
and Queen (yes, the rock band) at the
JCC. Rutman has distinguished himself as
a top prize winner at international competitions,
received numerous awards, and performed
in major concert venues around the
world. Tickets $25-$50. Addison-Penzak Jewish
Community Center Silicon Valley, 14855
Oka Road, Los Gatos. 408-357-7492.
Home Alone - Feature Film with the SF
Symphony. Dec. 19-21, times vary.
See the beloved holiday hit “Home
Alone” on the big screen like you
never have before, with John
Williams’ exuberant score
performed live by the San
Francisco Symphony and
unforgettable carols sung
live by three children’s choruses
in a special guest appearance at
Davies Symphony Hall. Tickets
$50-$165. Davies Symphony Hall,
201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.
415/864-6000.
Shen Yun Ballet. Dec. 19-29, times
vary. Portraying a land of heroes and
sages, dragons and phoenixes, emperors
and immortals, called “the Middle
Kingdom” and “the Land of the
Divine,” Shen Yun Ballet dancers bring
China’s history and folklore to life.
Tickets $80-$220. San Jose Center for
the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden
Blvd., San Jose. 408/286-2600.
Schola Cantorum’s 52nd Annual
Messiah Sing. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Come celebrate the holiday season in
grand Baroque style as the audience
raises its collective voice in Handel’s
timeless masterpiece. Conducted by
Gregory Wait in his final season as
music director, this is a sing-along
participatory performance. Tickets
$18-$26. MainStage, Mountain
View Center for the Performing
Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain
View. 650/903-6000.
Black Violin, Jan. 27,
Oshman Family JCC,
Palo Alto