I’m from the U.K. and like so many others I moved to San Diego because of the weather. But after fifteen winters I have begun to miss spending the holidays in a part of the world that is dark and snowy and cold. Twinkle lights seem to twinkle with just a little more magic in a landscape without palm trees and tank tops.
If you are hankering to find that big kid in you who wants to get into the holiday spirit or if you have actual children in your life, here are two art related options that you might consider to get yourself into a bleak mid-winter frame of mind.
Gingerbread mansions
If you’ve always wanted to build a gingerbread house then now is your chance to go wild with your crazy, mad icing skills. Find a few kids, friends, neighbors or seniors and get into the holiday spirit at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad for their Gingerbread Housemaking Classes.
Perfect for both the young and young at heart, participants will sip and nibble on holiday treats as Executive Pastry Chef Franck Riffaud leads an engaging step-by-step tutorial on the art of gingerbread modeling. From learning to create the perfect dough, to hand-coloring and adding artful details with icing and gum paste, each guest will decorate their own unique gingerbread house from start to finish. All confections made in class can be taken home for display – or for a special treat.
Advanced reservations are required as space is limited and classes are expected to fill up quickly. Remaining classes are scheduled for Dec. 10 and 17 from 2 – 4 p.m. $20 for adults and $15 for children. For reservations call 760-603-6800.
Santa Claus vs. the Martians
A Christmas-time tradition back in the U.K., when I was growing up, was when the whole family went to the local theater to see a pantomime. In case you are unfamiliar, a pantomime is a broad British farce involving many misunderstandings, comic characters, wonderful sets and at least one burly, unshaven man dressed as a woman – usually a character called Mrs. Twanky.
Here in the U.S. The Nutcracker seems to be a mainstay this time of year, although the Grinch seems to have cornered the market at The Old Globe.
This year, an alternative show could be Santa Claus vs. the Martians, a kitschy, tongue-in-cheek comedy based on a cult-classic, B-movie playing in La Jolla at the YMCA Firehouse. Staged by the San Diego Junior Theatre, (now in its 64th season) the production is a West Coast premiere. Recommended for ages 8 and older Santa Claus vs. the Martians has been called “Sillier than a series of boxes inside boxes where the smallest one is filled with outer-space killer-clowns.” Now who can resist that.
Dec. 2 -18. For more information go to juniortheatre.com.
