Fall and winter highlights

Throughout the Season

Farmers Market
Local growers sell their produce and wares year-round at the Chico Certified Farmers Market, on Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the parking lot at Second and Wall streets. 893-FARM.

Silver Dollar Swap Meet
All year-round every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 892-9205.

Winter Migratory Waterfowl Tour
Each year, from October to March, more than 150 species of birds, including bald eagles, mallards, mourning doves, red-tailed hawks and California gulls, migrate to Butte County. By following a self-guided tour provided by local chambers of commerce and wildlife groups, visitors can cover 100 miles of nature-filled preserves. There are also guided 11/2-hour walks on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. leaving from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. 846-7505.

Artist Lecture Series
Presented by the Chico Art Center, seven noted local artists will speak openly about their lives and work on the last Saturday of each month (except December). Each event will include a presentation, an interview moderated by Peter Bartczak and a question-and-answer session. Chico Art Center at 450 Orange St. Suggested donation of $5. 895-8726.

November

Another Day in Baghdad
Through Nov. 16. Written by a veteran of the war in Iraq, this piece will take you inside the hearts and minds of today’s soldiers as they face challenges not seen on the nightly news. Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

Run For Your Wife
Nov. 1-Dec.1. John Smith’s double life as a man married to two unsuspecting women unravels when this polygamist gets amnesia. “You’ll laugh until your sides hurt.” Theatre on the Ridge. www.totr.org. 877-5760.

First Impressions—Pride and Prejudice (the musical)
Nov. 9-18. The rocky courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitswillian Darcy is the focus of this musical adapted from Jane Austen’s beloved novel. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Christmas Boutique
Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. One-stop holiday shopping is the thought behind the second annual Chico Christmas Boutique, where you’ll find many local vendors to choose from. Chico Women’s Club at 592 E. Third St. 892-1306.

Annual Christmas Faire
Nov. 11-Dec. 2. Held at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, you’ll find fine arts, quality crafts, along with holiday entertainment, food and beverages, and Santa. General admission $3; seniors $1; children 12 and under free. 345-9652.

Open-Open Show
Nov. 15. Every business needs an open sign, but why let it be ordinary? This show invites artists to demonstrate their talents by creating unique “open” signs. Submissions accepted Nov. 8-14 ($5 per entry). Crux Artist Collective. www.cruxarts.com. 566-0176.

Farm City Celebration—Harvest Dinner & Dance
Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. Held at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Commercial Building, this benefit dinner includes no-host cocktails, a tri-tip dinner and dancing. $20 per ticket, or $150 for 10. Check out other events at www.farmcity.com. 891-5556 or 533-1473.

Santa Comes to Town
Nov. 17. It’s the day every little boy and girl waits for: Santa’s arrival. Don’t miss Mr. Claus as he heads to the Chico Mall at 7:30 p.m. Each child will receive a free gift.

Christmas Preview
Nov. 18, 4-8 p.m. Downtown merchants bring out holiday cheer to kick off the season. Experience the season’s sights, sounds and smells, plus a visit from Santa. 345-6500.

Resurrection: North State Symphony concert
Nov. 18, 2 p.m. at Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Don’t miss renowned Mezzo Soprano Elizabeth Madsen Bradford and a chorus from the Chico State choral department during the North State Symphony’s performance of Mahler’s prolific Second Symphony. University Box Office. 898-6333.

Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 29-Dec. 15. A young girl’s belief in Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas is at stake in a climactic courtroom session in this holiday classic. “Hilarious, tender and charming.” Chico Theater Company. www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

Holiday Burlesque Show and Seven Santas
Nov. 29-Dec. 22. What’s more festive than a holiday-themed burlesque show? The season gets a little hotter with this performance. Stick around and catch Seven Santas, which immediately follows the burlesque show on certain evenings. Ho-ho-ho. Chico Cabaret. www.chicocabaret.com. 895-0245.

The Crux Groove 2: Hip-Hop Battle
Nov. 30. A celebration of hip-hop culture, featuring lyrical mayhem from some of the best emcees in the area. Cash prize to the winner. Crux Artist Collective. www.cruxarts.com. 566-0176.

Cottage Artisans Holiday Show and Sale
Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Check out the work of local artists during this holiday show and sale. Chico Art Center at 450 Orange St. www.chicoartcenter.com. 895-8726.

December

Letter to Santa
Kids younger than 8 can write to Santa, then mail or bring their letter to the CARD office by Dec. 7. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and receive a reply from the North Pole. 895-4711.

CN&R Poetry Slam
Dec. 1. This event will feature the finalists in the spoken-word category of the Chico News & Review’s first-ever Poetry 99 contest. Winners will be crowned after the performances. Crux Artist Collective. www.cruxarts.com. 566-0176.

Holiday Favorites
Dec. 1-2. Come and listen to about 80 local singers ring in the holiday season with choral music. You’ll hear your favorite Christmas songs, plus the stories of how and why they were composed. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Babes in Toyland
Dec. 6-16. Expect some trouble in Toyland as the Young Company and adult actors join together for a new twist on this holiday classic. Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec.7, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy carolers, cider, cookies and St. Nick during this Chico tradition at the Downtown City Plaza. 345-6500.

Erotic Art Show
Dec. 7. Sponsored by the Associated Students Women’s Center, this open-entry art exhibition offers a positive expression of sexuality across all mediums. Held at Crux Artist Collective. www.cruxarts.com. 566-0176.

Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 8, 8-11 a.m. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a pancake breakfast. The elves will help make crafts with children, who will receive small gifts at this sell-out event. CARD Community Center; $5 per person. Pre-register at 895-4707.

Bidwell Mansion Christmas Open House
Dec. 9, 1-4 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and music in Chico’s most famous home during this free event. Reservations necessary. 895-6144.

Evening Christmas Tours of Bidwell Mansion
Dec. 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 6:30 p.m. Evening tours offer adults a special opportunity to browse the decorated mansion while enjoying the evening ambiance. Advanced tickets ($5) required. 895-6144.

The Nutcracker
Dec. 14-16. Co-presented by Northern California Ballet, this captivating performance will tell the classic story of a young German girl and her dream of a nutcracker prince and a mouse king. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Cinderella: Chico Community Ballet
Dec. 15-16, 2 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Beautiful music, colorful sets and detailed costumes help talented area ballet dancers bring the classic fairy tale to life. 898-6333.

January

Oklahoma!
Jan. 11-Feb. 16. The high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys in turn-of-the-century Indian territory provides the background for this classic love story filled with memorable musical numbers. Chico Theater Company. www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

john and jen
Jan. 17-Feb. 2. This beautifully scored contemporary musical examines the complex relationship between a woman, her brother and her son, with both male parts played by the same actor. “Intelligent, witty and absorbing.” Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

Paradise Symphony Concert 2
Jan. 20. The Paradise Symphony Orchestra takes on “America the Beautiful,” by Carmen Dragon; “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein; “Comedians Gallop,” by Dmitiri Kabalevsky and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Peking Acrobats
Jan 22, 7:30 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. These elite gymnasts, cyclists, jugglers and tumblers seem to defy gravity and perform incomprehensible contortions with grace and athleticism. 898-6333.

Ninth annual Snow Goose Festival
Jan. 25-27. Bird watch in one of the most diverse wildlife corridors of the Sacramento Valley. Most events take place or begin at the Chico Masonic Family Center. www.snowgoosefestival.org. 345-1865.

February

Valley Contractors Exchange Crab Feed
Feb. 1, 6 p.m., at the Chico Masonic Center. The 11th annual event includes all-you-can-eat crab, music and dancing. 343-1981.

Yellow Show
Feb. 1. Held at the Crux Artist Collective, this open-entry art show has one simple rule: the use of the color yellow. Submissions accepted Jan. 24-31 ($5 per entry). www.cruxarts.com. 566-0176.

Ten Tenors
Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Australia’s hottest musical export, the Ten Tenors deliver a dynamic mix of vocals, ranging from high-tone opera to jazz to modern and classic pop. 898-6333.

Garrison Keillor
Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Back by popular demand, master storyteller and host of A Prairie Home Companion will delight his audience with his News from Lake Wobegone. 898-6333.

California Nut Festival
Feb. 16-23. Various events celebrating Chico’s almond industry during the most beautiful time of year. www.thecalifornianutfestival.org. 892-1525.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Grammy-nominated swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy returns to Chico with its high-energy modern version of ‘40s and ‘50s swing. 898-6333.

Jekyll and Hyde
Feb. 22-March 2. Theater-goers will be delighted by this musical’s romantic pop score, depicting the pulse-pounding battle between good and evil. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

March

Celtic Fiddle Festival
March 13, 7:30 p.m. Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. Master fiddlers Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaitre and Andre Brunet create an evening of musical thrills and fun stories. This international trio will play solo and collaborative sets. 898-6333.

Blue Surge
March 13-30. A couple of small-town cops collide with two young prostitutes in this absorbing drama in which Pulitzer Prize-finalist playwright Rebecca Gilman examines how the past affects our destiny. Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
March 14-April 19. The biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable set to an engaging variety of musical styles, including country western, rock ‘n’ roll and pop. Chico Theater Company. www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

In the Mood—Swing Dance Musical
March 15. The jazzy music of the 1940s comes to life through the String of Pearls big band orchestra and the In the Mood singers and dancers. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Paradise Symphony Concert 3
March 16. The concert will include “Les Preludes,” Franz Liszt; “Scherezade” and “Procession of the Nobles,” Rimsky-Korsakov and others. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.

Oliver
March 28-April 6. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist, Butte College presents the acclaimed musical, Oliver. Paradise Performing Arts Center. www.paradiseperformingarts.com. 872-8454.