thursday, dec. 6
The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)
Christmas will never be the same once you share the holiday with the inspired lunacy of the masters of condensing the classics – the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Since 1981, the company has delighted audiences throughout North America and England with their reduced versions of The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Bible , All the Great Books, The History of America, and even the World of Sports.
San Diego Repertory Theatre, Horton Plaza in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $38, 619-544-1000, sdrep.org
friday, dec. 7
John Williams
America’s foremost composer of popular film scores comes to Symphony Hall. John Williams wrote the music for Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Far and Away, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and more, all to be heard in this historic concert performed by the San Diego Symphony.
Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets from $40, 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
saturday, dec. 8
Dark/Bright
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents Dark/Bright which offers bright works of texture and musical color by Handel and Brahms set off against the darker hues and stirring passions of Arnold Schoenberg and Luigi Dallapiccola. Music director Steven Schick conducts the concert featuring orchestra and chorus.
Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive in La Jolla, 7:30 p.m., tickets $29, 858-534-4637, lajollasymphony.com
sunday, dec. 9
Divas
The San Diego Women’s Chorus presents Divas featuring music from your favorite divas through the last several decades. Selections include: “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler’s hit “From a Distance” by Julie Gold, “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan, and a salute to Aretha Franklin medley, “Queen of Soul.” Also included are some selections from some unlikely divas, like Des’ree and Elton John!
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street in San Diego, 3 p.m., tickets $16.52 pre-sale, $21.69 on-the-door, 619-291-3366, sdwc.org
monday, dec. 10
Let It Snow
A non-narrative holiday digital show, featuring seasonal sights and classic songs. Sit back, relax, and embrace the holiday spirit as you listen to seasonal tunes through the Heikoff Dome Theater’s amazing sound system. Everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Muppets will serenade you. On screen, you’ll follow swirling candy canes, a certain red-nosed reindeer and the jolly man himself on a fanciful journey through merry landscapes. Holiday songs and seasonal sights will make you feel merry.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, 5 p.m., gallery admission plus one Dome Theater show $15.75, 619-238-1233, rhfleet.org
tuesday, dec. 11
Strange Beauty
Explore the extraordinary world of Ruud van Empel in the artist’s first solo exhibition in an American museum. Created with a singular artistic vision, van Empel builds vibrant photomontages of fascinatingly fabricated realities. Strange Beauty features more than 40 of van Empel’s digitally enhanced pieces, displaying images of perfect beauty with mysterious and captivating undertones.
Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado in Balboa Park, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., gallery admission $8, 619-238-7559, mopa.org
wednesday, dec. 12
Skating by the Sea
The Del is celebrating the eighth anniversary of Skating by the Sea, a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn has been transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily.
Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado, three-hour sessions 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., adult three-hour session $25, 1-800-468-3533, hoteldel.com
