Highlights: Chico’s fall and winter are full of fun

Throughout the Season

Farmers’ Market
Local growers sell their produce and wares year-round at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market, on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 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 from 9 a.m. to 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 one-and-one-half-hour walks on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. leaving from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. 846-5176

Chico Museum
Through Nov. 22, the exhibit at the Chico Museum commemorates the 100-year anniversary of Chico High School. A new exhibit will open in December and run through January. The museum is located on the corner of Second and Salem in Downtown Chico and is open Wed.–Sun. noon-4 p.m. 891-4336

October

Holiday Boutique at Sally Dimas Art Gallery and Studio. Shop for locally made trinkets. Oct. 9 through the holidays, all day. 345-3063.

For Halloween, many downtown businesses will offer candy and goodies to children and their adult chaperones for the annual Downtown Trick or Treat. Oct. 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. 345-6500. Also for Halloween, there will be a Haunted House and Pumpkin Land at the Gold Nugget Museum, a Halloween Carnival with a costume contest, roller-skating, trick or treat booths and a haunted house at Cal Skate; and Trick or Treating at Chico Mall.

Book Family Farm Harvest Festival, through Nov. 2, at Book Family Farm off Highway 99 just south of Chico. The Harvest Festival is a tradition for many Chico families, who celebrate the harvest with horse-drawn wagon rides, the annual scarecrow competition, pumpkin picking, hay and corn mazes, animal petting, live music and more. 893-3139.

November

Theatre on the Ridge presents the musical spoof Dames at Sea from Nov. 7 through Dec. 7. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. 877-5760.

Antique Show at the Chico Mall. Runs Nov. 2 and 3 all day at the Mall. 343-0706.

Open Studios Tour. Presented by the Chico Arts Council, this event allows guests to tour studios and view the creations of many local artists on Nov. 2 and 3. 895-8726.

Farmers’ Fair, Nov. 9 at the Chico Mall, co-sponsored by the Butte County Farm Bureau and featuring agricultural displays and a petting zoo. 343-0706.

Almond Bowl Run and Walk. Nov. 4 at One-Mile Recreation Area. The Chico Running Club organizes this fall tradition for hundreds of Chicoans, who turn out to run (or walk) 3- or 6-mile routes in Bidwell Park. 879-9000 or www.chicorunningclub.org

Gospel Music at Harlen Adams Theatre. Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. 898-6333. Free and Open to the public.

48th Annual Work Training Center Turkey Dinner and Raffle. This is a fund-raiser for the WTC, held Nov. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. 343-7994, ex. 125.

Downtown Chico Christmas Preview. Come see the store displays, sample hot cider and mingle with other holiday shoppers. 4-8 p.m. on Nov. 24. 345-6500.

Santa arrives at Chico Mall, Nov. 29. 343-0706.

December

Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Park Plaza. Come watch as Chico flips the switch on the dazzling lights decorating a 100-foot-plus live tree in the park. A great way to kick off Christmas. Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Downtown Park Plaza. 345-6500.

Chico Dance Theatre Showcase. Dec. 6, 7 and 8, held at Harlen Adams Theatre at 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Dec. 8). This is the seventh anniversary of the performance that displays dance styles ranging from tap and jazz to ballet and belly dancing. 898-6333.

Music of the Heart. The Chico State Band. December 7 at 7:30pm at Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333

28th Annual Christmas Fair at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Open from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9. 345-9652.

Bidwell Mansion Open House. Dec. 8. Come see how Chico’s founders celebrated the holidays. 895-6144

Glorious Sounds of the Holiday Season. Spreads holiday cheer to audiences in CSU, Chico’s Harlen Adams Theater. Performers include the 200-voice Choral Union, organist David Rothe and the Early Music Ensemble. Shows are Dec. 13 & 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. 898-6333.

Nutcracker. This group rides into Chico on Dec. 12-14 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 14 & 15 at 2pm. A memorable experience for the whole family. 898-6333.

Evening tours of Christmas at Bidwell Mansion. Will be offered Dec. 12-13, 19-20. 895-6144.

Children’s Song and Story Hour. Dec. 14 at Bidwell Mansion 2-3 p.m.—free. 895-6144.

Fiesta Navidad. Come see mariachi players perform traditional holiday music and dance. Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

January

Sports Card show, Jan. 11-12, at Chico Mall. 343-0706.

The annual Snow Goose Festival takes place in mid- or late-January at the Chico Masonic Family Center. Call 891-5556.

Peking Acrobats. This group of acrobats, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers perform at Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium Jan. 29 at 7:30pm. 898-6333.

West African Guitarist Habib Koité & Bamada. Koité sings at Laxson Auditorium with his group Bamada on Jan. 23. Critically acclaimed and succesful, the music features sounds that have deep roots in the traditional style of the Malian griots. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. 898-6333.

Missoula Children’s Theater. Guest artist series continues at the State Theater in Oroville with a show by this nationally known traveling troupe who will be performing Jack and the Beanstalk. Shows are Jan. 25 at 1:30 and 5 p.m. 538-2401.

February

International Guitar Festival. Feb. 1 at the Paradise Performing Arts Center and Feb. 2 at Laxson Auditorium. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. The sixth annual guitar festival, a benefit for KCHO/KPFR radio, features the ever-popular guitar poet and impresario Brian Gore, along with Brazilian guitar player Paulo Bellinati and American guitar composer Andrew York. Features solo performances as well as collaborations. 898-6333

Arts & Crafts Show, Feb. 6-9, at Chico Mall. 343-0706.

Daniel Heifetz & The Classical Band performs Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m., at Laxson Auditorium. The work is performed in an interesting interpretation by incorporating wit, charm and audience participation, and is a great introduction to classical music. 898-6333.

Music of Norway, Russia and Germany. Plays Feb. 9 at Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall, 2 p.m. 898-6333.

Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by taking your sweetheart to Broadway! The show consists of four Broadway performers who masterfully interpret beautiful sonds by one of the most popular living musical composers. Evening includes an optional romantic dinner at Selvester’s. 898-6333.

Shawn Colvin. Multi-Grammy winner Shawn Colvin has taken the category of singer/songwriter to new heights. Feb. 15 at Laxson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Music from Yuko Hayashi. A special concert, Hayashi is the chair of the Organ Department of the New England Conservatory. Performance is Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. in Harlen Adams Theatre. 898-6333.

The Festive. Feb. 22 at 7:30pm, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. The third concert of the North State Symphony’s 2002-2003 season. Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

Bimbetta plays in Chico on Feb. 26 at 7:30. Described as “a blend of cabaret, comedia dell’arte and MTV Unplugged,” the group is made of three sopranos, one harpsichordist and one cellist making 17th century baroque music fun. 898-6333.

Kathy Mattea. Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Laxson Auditorium. Country music inspired by folk, bluegrass, gospel and Celtic music. 898-6333.

March

Hiestand Memorial Concert. March 1 at 7:30 p.m., Harlen Adams Theatre. Alumni band with special guests David Rothe and the Las Plumas High School Band. 898-6333.

The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Minimalist Drama around an intriguing parable told by Bertold Brecht focusing on a land dispute. March 4-8 at 7:30 p.m., March 8 at 2 p.m. Laxson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. 898-6333.

Bireli Lagrene & The Gipsy Project. Highlights the unique style of the jazz of Django Reinhardt. March 5 at 7:30 p.m., Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

Terry Gross, NPR Host of Fresh Air. Find out who Terry Gross is and why and how she does what she does. Fresh Air is aired locally on KCHO and KFPR. March 6 at 7:30 p.m., Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

Lifestyles Expo, March 8, at Chico Mall with soap opera star. 343-0706

Lazer Vaudeville. A combination of high tech laser magic and the traditional arts of vaudeville create an original theater production. March 9 at 7:30 p.m., Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This comedic production, performed by the Aquila Theatre Company of London, is one of Shakespeare’s best known plays. March 23, 7:30 p.m. at Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.