Whatever winter holiday you might honor or tradition you might practice, December is a month where we mark another cycle around the sun and celebrate it through art and cultural practices.
Integral to our ceremonies, our rituals and our family gatherings — music, dance, theater, crafts and poetry are what we share. These are our offerings to each other. Whether your stories are told through intimate family folktales, stunning visual imagery or grand performances, this is the season for spinning magic.
In the spirit of the season, I invite you to explore some celebrations which might be less familiar to you and perhaps can inspire new traditions. Here are a few ideas.
Children’s Discovery Museum’s Menorahs and Miracles is a popular Hanukkah celebration for the whole family on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can share your own culture or discover the traditions of Hanukkah with friends and neighbors in this partnership event with Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos. Make celebratory candles, watch a storytime in Hebrew, Russian and English and enjoy songs performed by Yavneh Day School students. Go on a miracle scavenger hunt and savor a traditional Hanukkah treat.
Local students of Vivace Youth Chorus will perform with the singers of Resounding Achord and musicians of Nova Vista Symphony for a special holiday performance of “Befana: A Christmas Fable” by Kirke Mechem. This unique performance will also feature works by Fauré, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tchaikovsky and a stunning finale with a newly-orchestrated version of David Maddux’s “Christmas Goes Classical.” This unique collaborative concert will be on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at The Church of the Accession in Saratoga.
For more than 35 years the Flamenco Society of San Jose has presented flamenco in traditional and modern form to the Bay Area with local, national and international artists. Their holiday season Flamenco Fiesta is headlined by Koko de la Isla troupe, guitarist Alberto Marques and a spectacular line up of other dancers and singers, along with their own dance academy. The performance will be at San Jose’s Historic Hoover Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
You can support local artisans and find gifts for family and friends at San Jose Made’s second annual San Jose Winter Wonder Market at South Hall in downtown San Jose on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15. This is a fun, festive event featuring more than 250 makers, artists, designers, bakers, culinary minds and creative small businesses. You can do last minute winter holiday shopping, find an end of the year special treat for yourself or just browse with family and friends.
Every year, Fiesta Navideña attracts thousands of people from all over San Jose. Friends and families of all ages enjoy live performances, dance to music, share tamales, drink atole, see mariachi and celebrate the unique traditions of East San Jose. Highlights of this event also include a Christmas tree lighting, a vendor market with local businesses, arts and crafts activity booths and special performances. On Saturday, Dec. 14 the doors will open at 5 p.m. and the event will include headliner Grupo Bella, lively folkloric dance by Los Lupeños de San Jose and a captivating theatrical performance by Teatro Alebrijes.
Of course, there is much more to do and so many more cultural activities to find in Santa Clara County. Many more December celebrations can be found at Visit San Jose’s calendar and in other towns throughout our region. Share, celebrate, and enjoy this season. These are the experiences that bring us all together and rejuvenate our spirits for the coming year.
Alexandra Urbanowski is CEO of SV Creates, the state and county designated arts service organization and local arts agency for Santa Clara County. She serves on the leadership committee for the California Coalition of County Art Agencies and as a board member at the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Her columns appear every first Wednesday of the month. Contact Alexandra at [email protected].
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