Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It\u2019s the winter solstice B9:<\/p>\n
\u27a4 Santa Claus, if you\u2019re listening, all I want for Christmas \u2014 and millions of Americans are going to back me up on this one \u2014 is for you to bring back John Prine. And you\u2019ll have the perfect opportunity to announce your gift to the world on Friday<\/a> night at Felton Music Hall. That\u2019s when Prine-aholics will be gathered at \u201cA John Prine Christmas,\u201d<\/strong> with perhaps Prine\u2019s greatest fan, singer-songwriter Jenner Fox<\/a>. The show is specifically a tribute to Prine\u2019s 1993 Christmas-themed album, which included his take on \u201cI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus\u201d as well as \u201cChristmas in Prison\u201d and \u201cSilent Night All Day Long.\u201d The title song, \u201cA John Prine Christmas,\u201d is a warm and humorous story-song with the great troubadour, who died in 2020, relating how he ate an entire Christmas tree ornament one year, thinking it was an apple. The show will also include a number of beloved Prine jewels. C\u2019mon, Santa, come on down and tell us what we want to hear. The first beer\u2019s on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 So, it\u2019s mid-December and you\u2019re jonesing to see \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d<\/strong> live on stage. Well, aren\u2019t you lucky to live in Santa Cruz County? You can certainly catch Santa Cruz Dance Theater and its annual presentation of the gorgeous holiday ballet at the Santa Cruz Civic. Celebrated professional dancer Lucien Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native, returns to his hometown to perform the title role. Four daytime performances Saturday and Sunday<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 Or, you can take on \u201cNutcracker: Experience the Magic,\u201d a separate production from the Santa Cruz City Ballet at the International Academy of Dance, this one live at the Crocker Theater on the campus of Cabrillo College. Also four daytime performances on Saturday and Sunday<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 Way back in 1978, the Santa Cruz rock band Snail<\/strong> took a shot at the big time with a self-titled album that has since become a cult classic. The band failed to hit Fleetwood Mac status, but Snail lives on in local music legend. For one night, anyway, you can get back to 1978 when Snail, featuring original members Bob O\u2019Neill and Ken Kraft, play live at Felton Music Hall on Saturday<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 For a few years now, the acrobats and artists of Flynn Creek Circus<\/strong> have made Capitola their holiday home. And they return this year with their new production titled \u201cThe Bridge,\u201d with an enchanting tale and lots of big stunts and acrobatic pyrotechnics. All under the makeshift big top in the parking lot of the Capitola Mall, beginning this weekend<\/a> and running through Jan. 4.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 Yes, it\u2019s Chanukah season, and the Jewish \u201cfestival of lights\u201d gets a joyous welcome at Temple Beth El in Aptos. Friday<\/a> evening\u2019s \u201cChanukah Extravaganza\u201d<\/strong> features a big dinner, with plenty of latkes and donuts, and later the Rock of Ages rock Shabbat service. Bring a menorah and a joyful spirit.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u27a4 There might be other places you can catch the Charles Dickens classic tale \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d on stage. But in Santa Cruz, thanks to the performers of Santa Cruz Shakespeare<\/strong>, you can hear the eternal tale of Ebenezer Scrooge almost every day<\/a> for the next week, including on Christmas Eve, at the Vets Hall downtown. How amazing would that be?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lookout.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Flynn-Creek-Circus-30.jpg?resize=780%2C497&ssl=1\")
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