Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the winter solstice B9:
➤ Santa Claus, if you’re listening, all I want for Christmas — and millions of Americans are going to back me up on this one — is for you to bring back John Prine. And you’ll have the perfect opportunity to announce your gift to the world on Friday night at Felton Music Hall. That’s when Prine-aholics will be gathered at “A John Prine Christmas,” with perhaps Prine’s greatest fan, singer-songwriter Jenner Fox. The show is specifically a tribute to Prine’s 1993 Christmas-themed album, which included his take on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” as well as “Christmas in Prison” and “Silent Night All Day Long.” The title song, “A John Prine Christmas,” 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’mon, Santa, come on down and tell us what we want to hear. The first beer’s on me.
➤ So, it’s mid-December and you’re jonesing to see “The Nutcracker” live on stage. Well, aren’t 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.
➤ Or, you can take on “Nutcracker: Experience the Magic,” 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.
➤ Way back in 1978, the Santa Cruz rock band Snail 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’Neill and Ken Kraft, play live at Felton Music Hall on Saturday.
➤ For a few years now, the acrobats and artists of Flynn Creek Circus have made Capitola their holiday home. And they return this year with their new production titled “The Bridge,” 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 and running through Jan. 4.
➤ Yes, it’s Chanukah season, and the Jewish “festival of lights” gets a joyous welcome at Temple Beth El in Aptos. Friday evening’s “Chanukah Extravaganza” 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.
➤ There might be other places you can catch the Charles Dickens classic tale “A Christmas Carol” on stage. But in Santa Cruz, thanks to the performers of Santa Cruz Shakespeare, you can hear the eternal tale of Ebenezer Scrooge almost every day for the next week, including on Christmas Eve, at the Vets Hall downtown. How amazing would that be?
➤ The Maui-born singer Anuhea is known for her sweet, upbeat, island-reggae sound. On Thursday, she brings her chill vibe to town, in a show with a holiday theme. “All is Bright” comes to Moe’s Alley.
➤ It’s a special moment when you can visit Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz during the Christmas season and get transported by the joy of the holiday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Santa Cruz Chorale comes together for its annual holiday performance with a program of rarely performed masterworks. It’s a show that promises to reverberate in your heart well into the new year.
