Around the bay in December 2008

Published: December, 2008 

17th Annual Candlelight Christmas Concert

The beautiful acoustics of the Basilica will enhance the sounds of the internationally renowned choir, the resident community choir of Mission Dolores. Under the direction of conductor Jerome Lenk, the concert will feature John Rutter’s Gloria, Medieval chants, and carols from Russia, Venezuela and the Philippines. Mission Dolores Basilica is adjacent to Mission San Francisco de Asis, one of the twenty-one California Missions established by Father Junipero Serra in the 18th century, and the oldest building in San Francisco. Tickets are $25 reserved, $18 premium general and $15 general admission, and are available at Mission Dolores, by calling (415) 621-8203 or by visiting www.missiondolores.org.

A Celebration of Chocolate 

Chocolatier Blue is hosting A Celebration of Chocolate: The First Annual Chocolatier Blue Chocolate Festival on Sunday, December 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Chocolatier Blue parking lot. This tasty event will showcase premium-quality chocolate truffles, drinks and desserts offered from outdoor tables, and there will be live musical entertainment. All Festival edibles will be prepared by Christopher Blue, the chef/owner of Chocolatier Blue and a protégé of renowned chef Charlie Trotter. Chocolatier Blue creations begin with Amedei chocolate from Tuscany, Italy, recognized as being among the world’s best dark chocolates.  Blue is the only chocolatier in the United States working with Amedei.  Another noteworthy Chocolatier Blue ingredient is Five Star brand organic butter which has the highest fat content of any butter in the world.  Only about a dozen chefs worldwide are able to purchase this butter.  Cooking techniques such as sous vide, grilling, and roasting are used to make the fillings for Chocolatier Blue truffles, which contain no artificial flavors, extracts, compounds, preservatives, or pre-made purees. Chocolatier Blue is located at 1964 University Avenue in Berkeley. The cost of admission will be $15 with tickets sold at the door. Additional information can be obtained by calling (510) 805-8800 or by visiting the Chocolatier Blue Web site at www.chocolatierblue.com.

The 26th annual Davies Hall concert, entitled Stars of Wonder will be held on Tuesday, December 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Davies Syphony Hall. Three hundred voices from ages 6 to 18 will ring out in a program featuring organ, chamber orchestra, the Sonos Handbell Ensemble and harp in the world premiere of Christmas Morn by Eleanor Daley, plus works by Pergolesi, Mendelssohn, Holst, Pavel Chesnokov, Joan Szymko, Ko Matsushita, Adolph Adam and others as well as an audience-wide sing-along of favorite traditional carols. The three-time Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus is recognized as one of the world’s most respected vocal ensembles. Its level of training, performance, quality, range, passion and leadership in commissioning music for treble voices are lauded by musicians, critics and audiences. Ticket prices range fro $20-$50. For more information contact Naho Yoshida at (415) 863-1752 or visit www.sfgirlschorus.org.

Judd’s Hill Winery is hosting its second annual Hanukkah Hootenanny on Sunday, December 7 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the winery, 2332 Silverado Trail in Napa. The event will be a lively celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah focusing on the winery’s limited production of award-winning wines. There will be entertainment by Meshugga Beach Party, who play traditional Jewish folk songs in an instrumental ‘surf music’ style. There will be, in Judd Finkelstein’s words, a latke bar unlike any other, with normal accoutrements such as sour cream and applesauce and other exciting toppings created by Pat Burke, the winery’s award-winning chef and national BBQ champion. All are welcome to join the festivities. The event is free for Judd’s Hill Wine Club members and $40/person for non-Wine Club members. There is no charge to join The Wine Club. To sign up, visit www.juddshill.com. People can join The Club on the day of the event and receive the preferential Club price. To purchase tickets for The Hootenanny, call the winery at (707) 255-2332. All of Judd’s Hill’s current release wines will be available as well as library selections. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped (in the box) toy with a value of $10 or more which will benefit Toys for Tots. Guests can also bring cans of non-perishable food, which will be donated to Napa Food Bank, or lightly worn shoes, which will be donated to Soles For Souls.