Highlights

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 around 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. 16, the exhibit at the Chico Museum is the Hands on Science exhibit. This is great fun, especially for kids, who get to interact with the exhibits. The museum will open the Awakening from a California Dream exhibit on Dec. 6 and show it through the end of 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

Halloween activities:
All Chicoans love Halloween! Many downtown businesses will offer candy and goodies to children and their adult chaperons 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,
Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, 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.

November

Theatre on the Ridge
presents “Nuncrackers” for the month of November. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. 877-5760.

Antique Show at the Chico Mall.
Runs Nov. 3 and 4 all day at the Mall. 343-0706.

Open Studios Tour.
Presented by the Chico Arts Council, this event allows guests to tour the studios and view the creations of many local artists on Nov. 3 and 4. 895-8726.

National Shelter Open House.
The Butte Humane Society invites the community to tour the animal shelter and learn about animal issues in Chico and the world. Nov. 4 from noon to 4 p.m.

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. 879-7900.

Brad Mehlhau Trio.
Jazz at Laxson Auditorium. Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. 898-6333.

47th Annual Work Training Center Turkey Dinner.
This is a fund-raiser for the WTC, held Nov. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. 343-7994.

Missoula Children’s Theater.
Guest artist series continues at the State Theater in Oroville with a show by this nationally known traveling troupe. Shows are Nov. 10 at 1:30 and 5 p.m. 538-2401.

Veterans Day Parade.
Nov. 11 in downtown Oroville. Come see the parade and show your patriotic side. 534-9005.

Downtown Chico Christmas Preview.
Come see the store displays, sample hot cider and mingle with other holiday shoppers. 4-8 p.m. on Nov. 18. 345-6500.

Holiday Farmers’ Market in Oroville.
Features fresh winter vegetables, crafts, Christmas carolers and the arrival of Santa Claus. Nov. 23. 534-9005.

Holiday Boutique at Sally Dimas Art Gallery and Studio.
Shop for locally made trinkets. Nov. 23 and 24, all day. 345-3063.

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. Nov. 30, from 6-8 p.m. Downtown Park Plaza. 345-6500.

Fiesta Navidad.
Come see mariachi players perform traditional holiday music and dance. Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Laxson Auditorium.

27th Annual Christmas Fair at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
Open from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. 345-9652.

Holiday Concert at the Oroville State Theater.
Plays Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. 538-2401.

December

Classical America: The Road Trip.
Arrives in Chico on Dec. 1. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Laxson Auditorium. Includes performances by the university’s symphonic band, wind ensemble and brass quintet. 898-6333 Chico Dance Theatre Showcase. Nov. 30–Dec. 1, held at Harlen Adams Theatre at 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Dec. 2). This is the sixth anniversary of the performance that displays dance styles ranging from tap and jazz to ballet and belly dancing. 898-5791.

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. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. 898-6333.

Renowned fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross
plays Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Laxson Auditorium in Chico. 898-6333.

Bidwell Mansion Open House.
Dec. 9. Come see how Chico’s founders celebrated the holidays. 895-6144

Evening tours of Christmas at Bidwell Mansion.
Will be offered Dec. 13 and 14, and Dec. 20 and 21. 895-6144.

Riders in the Sky.
This group rides into Chico on Dec. 14. This is the group that is perhaps best known for its song “Woody’s Roundup,” from the film Toy Story 2. Expect lots of cowboy yodels, campy humor and cowboy tunes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Children’s Song and Story Hour.
Dec. 15 at Bidwell Mansion—free. 895-6144.

New Year’s Eve Gala.
Dec. 31. Ring in 2002 at the Bell Memorial Union’s new ballroom! Evening will feature live dance music, dinner and desserts, champagne, and even a champagne breakfast. Presented by the Department of Music. 898-6333.

January

The annual Snow Goose Festival
opens in Chico for Jan. 19 and 20. Call 891-5556.

Coppelia & the Village Dollmaker.
This ballet dances into Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium Jan. 25 and 26. The dancers of the Chico Community Ballet present the story of Coppelia, the doll that mysteriously comes to life. This three-act ballet has all the elements needed to make an interesting performance for all: a love story, magical life-size dolls, dance and a grand finale. Presented by Chico Performances. 898-6333.

Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal.
He sings at Laxson Auditorium on Jan. 28. Long recognized as one of Africa’s greatest singers, Maal and his band combine brisk Senegalese rhythms with traditional African acoustic instruments. Show starts at 7:30. 898-6333.

Peking Acrobats.
They swing into Chico on Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. This will be the Peking Acrobats’ third visit here in as many years. The performances by this elite group of gymnasts, cyclists, tumblers and jugglers have left Chico audiences spellbound in all previous performances. Great entertainment for the whole family. 898-6333.

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 fifth 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. For Paradise show: 872-8454. For Chico show: 898-6333.

Words of Schweitzer, Music of Bach.
This multi-media presentation features the words of theologian, philosopher, musicologist, medical missionary and Novel laureate Albert Schweitzer being narrated over the beloved organ music of Bach. Organist David Rothe will perform the music. Also includes a slide presentation of more than 200 slides illustrating Schweitzer’s life and work. Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. in Harlen Adams Theater. 898-6333.

MacHomer: The Simpsons Do MacBeth.
Feb. 5 at Laxson Auditorium. This one-man performance features TV’s favorite dysfunctional family in a hilarious performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Starring Homer as MacBeth, Marge as Lady MacBeth and 20 other Simpson characters, the show is hysterical and fun to watch. Writer/performer Rick Miller uses more than 300 slides to perform the show, and switches between characters and voices with breathtaking deftness. 898-6333.

Mandolin wizard Sam Bush
plays new-grass music Feb. 9 at Laxson Auditorium. During his 20-year career, Bush has headlined at the Telluride, Strawberry and California World Music Festivals. He’s also played with Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and Bela Fleck. 898-6333.

The DaVinci Quartet.
Plays Feb. 12 at Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall. This will be the quartet’s second Chico performance in as many years. The four women will play Shostakovich in Chico. 898-6333.

Mele Hula.
Feb. 14. This troupe celebrates Hawaiian heritage with Charles Kaupu, a master Hawaiian chanter and storyteller, guitarist Barry Flanagan, vocalist Amy Hanaialii Guilliom and hula dancers. Evening includes an optional romantic dinner at Selvester’s. 898-6333.

Activating the Medium.
Chico State is hosting this, the fifth-annual Activating the Medium festival. A tour of critically acclaimed artists from around the world performs and present “sound art.” Performance is at the Wismer Theater. Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Philadanco: Messages from the Heart.
This renowned modern dance troupe will focus on expanding the influence of women in modern dance. Performance is Feb. 19 at 7:30 in Laxson Auditorium.

Melody of China.
Feb. 22. This is a group of some of the best students from one of the finest music conservatories in China. Take a fascinating trek through a rich cultural heritage as they play traditional Chinese music with unique, traditional instruments. Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

WOFA!
Plays in Chico on Feb. 26 at 7:30. Straight from the streets of Africa comes this nonstop explosion of drumming, dancing, and chanting. The 10 performers in this ensemble blend ancient rituals with contemporary African performance, all in colorful native costume. 898-6333.

March

The first annual Maestro Roger Torrison International Piano Competition
kicks off in Chico on March 1 and 2 at Laxson Auditorium with pianists from all over the country playing 30-minute programs from memory, competing for a $10,000 grand prize—making this one of the richest piano competitions in the country. 898-6333.

The king’singers.
This a cappella men’s choir performs on March 3, singing everything from Elizabethan love songs to Beach Boys melodies. Come see them at Laxson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. 898-6333.

The Debussy Trio.
Plays at Laxson Auditorium on March 7. This chamber music group has been together since 1987 and is devoted to performing American music.

Mahalia.
This rousing musical opens in Laxson Auditorium on March 12, telling the story of legendary singer Mahalia Jackson, a friend and mentor of Martin Luther King, Jr. 898-6333.

The Gyuto Monks.
Chant at Laxson Auditorium on March 15. Listening to these monks is like eavesdropping on a sacred prayer ceremony. Each monk sings chords that combine two or three simultaneous tones. 898-6333.

Celtic Fiddle Festival.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 16 with some of the finest fiddlers in the world—Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, and Christian Lemaitre—at the Celtic Fiddle Festival. Also available are tickets for a traditional Irish dinner at Selvester’s. 898-6333.

Halua Hula Ka No’eau.
Learn about the ancient art of hula from this traditional Hawaiian troupe on March 22. Far from being the grass-skirted, come-hither, swing and sway of tourist fancy, the hula is an ancient Hawaiian ritual combining dance, music, mime, and poetry. Based on traditional teachings, the performances combine drums and chants for an evening of authentic Hawaiian culture. 898-6333.