{"id":91274,"date":"2025-12-12T04:46:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T04:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/91274\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T04:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T04:46:16","slug":"winter-choir-latin-dance-party-speed-dating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/91274\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter choir, Latin dance party, speed dating"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">We work for you \u2014 and we\u2019re matching your donation 1:1! Our journalists attend city council and school board meetings, follow tips and make the calls to keep you informed on the important issues in Berkeley. Will you chip in today?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Fourthstreetholidaylightson.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/>Fourth Street will host its annual Winter Holiday Fest and Craft Party on Dec. 13, featuring live music, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, and craft activities. Credit: Fourth Street Berkeley<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfb6 The New Century Chamber Orchestra and the San Francisco Girls Chorus presents \u201cIn Winter\u2019s Glow,\u201d a program featuring more than 10 musical pieces ranging from the Renaissance to present-day that reflect on the winter season. Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. 2345 Channing Way. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncco.org\/concert-season\/in-winters-glow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">$35-$80<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfb6 A family soul band from West Point, Mississippi, Annie &amp; The Caldwells are a powerhouse unit inspired by classic 1970s acts like The Gap Band, Chaka Khan, and Bootsy Collins, a sound they delivered with panache on the acclaimed 2025 Luaka Bop album \u201cCan\u2019t Lose (My Soul).\u201d Thursday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. The Freight.<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.thefreight.org\/15423\/15424-annie-caldwells-251211\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> $39-$44<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd41 Berkeley drummer Neil Sachs leads The Standards, a trio with bassist Harry Grey and pianist Michael Schuler that plays jazz standards from the late 1950s through the 1960s, and often invite guest sax and trumpet players to join in the swinging fun. Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Jupiter. FREE<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfb6 Featuring Juan Carlos Reynoso on bajo sexto, Charles De Castro on diatonic accordion and Patrick Morrison on bass, Carlos y Charlos are a Los Angeles combo that earned an avid following playing Norte\u00f1o classics at parties and social gatherings. Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. La Pe\u00f1a Cultural Center.<a href=\"https:\/\/tickets.nepantlarecords.com\/events\/nepantla\/1931175\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> $30.95<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa5 Kicking off with a screening of \u201cMary Poppins,\u201d Luna Dance &amp; Creativity\u2019s inaugural Family Dance Film Festival is a free all-day event featuring more than 20 classic and contemporary films exploring the disciplines of choreography and cinema. Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Luna Dance &amp; Creativity.<a href=\"https:\/\/lunadancecreativity.org\/family-dance-film-festival-2025\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> FREE (registration required)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf84\u00a0Alongside its weekend farmers market, downtown Berkeley will host a holiday bazaar at Civic Center Park with live music and caroling, gifts and goodies for sale, and free photos with Santa. Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitberkeley.com\/events\/holiday-bazaar-and-farmers-market\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf84 Presented by the North Shattuck Association, the pop-up, all-ages Joy Holiday Bazaar brings a welter of activities to the old Books Inc. space, with music, collage, crafting, sipping, shopping, snacking, cookie decorating by Masse\u2019s Books and readings with Friends of Berkeley Public Library. Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. Former Books Inc. space.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/joy-village-bazaar-1213-tickets-1962497966246\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> FREE (sign up encouraged)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd42 Rain or shine, the Kiln, Cork, and Keg street market hosted by three West Berkeley businesses will feature over 80 artists, food and drinks, and live music. Saturday, Dec. 13. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Camelia and Fourth Street. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRunOW-D1Y2\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf85 Fourth Street\u2019s Winter Holiday Fest and Craft Party will feature a wreath making workshop at Paraiso Plant Studio, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, live music, craft activities, and a stained glass garden. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Delaware and Fourth streets. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DR9Nlr5E5je\/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2764\ufe0f Need someone to kiss under the mistletoe? Join a speed dating event that aims to connect those who are in solidarity with Palestine and challenging systems of oppression worldwide. Dabke lessons will follow. All proceeds will go towards PalEire, an organization helping Gaza students evacuate to Ireland. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Starry Plough Pub. <a href=\"https:\/\/thestarryplough.com\/event\/love-in-the-time-of-intifada\/the-starry-plough-pub\/california\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">$25 suggested donation<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfe0 The Berkeley Art Center presents their latest exhibition, \u201c[Obstructed view of the house through the trees with the road visible on the left side in the foreground.] or black point reinterpretive site.\u201d The installation is an immersive, life-sized recreation of a 19th-century Victorian \u201cperiod room\u201d \u2014 which functioned to display wealthy families\u2019 exotic and opulent treasures. Opening reception is on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 3-5 p.m. Exhibition runs from Dec. 13-March 29. 1275 Walnut St. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyartcenter.org\/black-point-reinterpretive\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u26a2 With a new home in Oakland, the Bay Area Lesbian Archives presents an evening of music, stories, and community with Nancy Vogl, Suzanne Shanbaum, Woody Simmons, and others to raise funds supporting its historical work. Learn about the future of the Archives and the new generation taking the helm. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. La Pe\u00f1a Cultural Center.<a href=\"https:\/\/lapena.org\/event\/nancy-vogl-and-friends\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> $20-$30<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfb6 Pacific Edge Voices and recently appointed music director Nicolas Dosman celebrate the holiday season with a program of choral music including Schubert\u2019s \u201cMagnificat,\u201d Rosephanye Powell\u2019s gospel-inflected \u201cStill I Rise,\u201d traditional carols (with audience participation) and a chamber ensemble of instrumentalists. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. First Church of Christ Scientist.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificedgevoices.org\/concerts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> $15-$50<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\uddfb\ud83c\uddea The Latin holiday dance party Gaita y Guaracha features an opening set of Venezuelan gaitas (holiday dance music), guaracha, and salsa by Bulul\u00fa, a dynamic combo led by Maracaibo-born percussionist Lali Mejia, followed by DJ Mike V spinning a set full of surprises. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Ashkenaz.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashkenaz.com\/full-calendar#\/events\/155743\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> \u200b$35-$45<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf3f The Berkeley Herbal Center will have a Winter Wellness and Craft Fair, selling herbal body care, teas, jewelry, and other gifts. Reiki, bodywork, tarot readings, and complimentary seasonal soup will be offered. Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1250 Addison St, Ste G. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyherbalcenter.org\/product\/winter-wellness-craft-fair-2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf81 The One World Folk Art Market will have textiles, figurines, jewelry, nichos (small, Latin American display boxes featuring patron saints or other important figures), Christmas ornaments, and more handmade art available for sale. Music will be performed by Ballet Folklorico and \u201cCoraz\u00f3n y Raiz\u201d performing Son Jarocho (traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico). Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hillside Club. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/one-world-folk-art-market-tickets-1970553902769\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa8 Bay Area artist Janelle Blarg will host her first open studio event, featuring a vintage sale, custom hand-drawn portraits by her, and free hand-drawn maps of her favorite holiday lights across Berkeley and El Cerrito (while supplies last). Sunday, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 2470 Fifth St. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRvpK1wEV-y\/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FREE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfbb An unusual world jazz combo featuring the formidable frontline of saxophonist Doug Pet and Swiss-born violinist Mich\u00e8lle Walther, the Alchemist Quintet focuses on original pieces that draw on a global array of styles and idioms. Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. The Back Room.<a href=\"https:\/\/backroommusic.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> $25<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f\u00a0See more things to do\u00a0in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/oaklandside.org\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Oakland<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/richmondside.org\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Richmond<\/a>.\u00a0And check out our big list of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyside.org\/2025\/10\/14\/things-to-do-berkeley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">affordable things to do<\/a>\u00a0anytime in Berkeley.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s an event you\u2019d like us to consider for this roundup, email us at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyside.org\/2025\/12\/11\/mailto:the-scene@berkeleyside.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the-scene@berkeleyside.org<\/a>. If there\u2019s an event that you\u2019d like to promote on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkeleyside.org\/events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">events page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 We have a small favor to ask.<\/p>\n<p>We work for you to provide free and independent journalism covering the stories that matter most in Berkeley. And we rely on readers like you to make our work possible. That\u2019s why we\u2019re asking you to contribute to our year-end membership campaign today, and right now we\u2019re matching your donation 1:1!<\/p>\n<p>Your support will enable us to continue doing the work for you and our community to provide the reporting Berkeley needs. So, what do you say, will you join us in doing the work?<\/p>\n<p class=\"gform_required_legend\">&#8220;*&#8221; indicates required fields<\/p>\n<p>\t<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We work for you \u2014 and we\u2019re matching your donation 1:1! Our journalists attend city council and school&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":91275,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[7971,2465,2466,143,145,144],"class_list":{"0":"post-91274","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-oakland","8":"tag-around-berkeley","9":"tag-home-highlight","10":"tag-home-lead","11":"tag-oakland","12":"tag-oakland-headlines","13":"tag-oakland-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}