Jolly Good Fun! A thrilling re-creation of Victorian London, complete with lively theatre, authentic dancing, and sumptuous feasting and shopping

Opens Saturday, November 21 and continues Saturdays & Sundays (Plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) Through December 20, 2015 from 10am – 7pm

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A beloved Bay Area holiday tradition, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party returns to San Francisco’s Cow Palace (2600 Geneva Ave.) on November 21 and continues five weekends through Sunday, December 20, 2015, including the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair magically transforms over three acres of exhibition halls into the marvelous rollicking world of Charles Dickens’ London. Lively calls of street vendors ring out above the crowd and mingle with the voices of holiday carolers; tempting aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air; enticing shops overflow with one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

Originally conceived and created by Ron & Phyllis Patterson, the fair is now produced by Kevin and Leslie Patterson and Red Barn Productions, with this next generation continuing the family tradition of theatrical excellence, historical authenticity, and environmental theater. And now the third generation of Pattersons, Kevin and Leslie’s sons Andrew and Michael, work together running Mr. Punch’s Pasta, Maclaren’s Cookies. and inventive games and rides at the Fair. A true family affair.

Come wander the lanes of Victorian London, as the glow of twilight settles upon the city, the scent of pine boughs and freshly baked scones floats in the air, and the music and sounds of holiday merrymaking accompany your stroll. From highborn royalty to denizens of the street, the Fair teems with over 700 colorful & iconic characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens and the pages of history.

“Our cast members are essentially the moving parts of our magical time machine,” says Kevin Patterson, who, with his wife Leslie Patterson, coproduces the Fair. “It will sweep you, heart and soul, into a tradition of lively historical celebration that brings laughter, dance and delight to all who enter its gates.”

Seven stages offer entertainments, ranging from the family-friendly to the decidedly daring. Proper ladies and gentlemen may choose to enjoy an opera gala, children’s shows, melodramas, and music and dance. The more raffish might prefer to carouse with can-can dancers and salty sailors, or join the bawdy chorus at the infamous Broadside Music Hall Revue.

 Bring your appetite when you visit The Great Dickens Christmas Fair – there is ever so much to eat and drink! Feast on delicious foods from the British Empire and beyond, from scrumptious savories to tempting handcrafted sweets.Then visit one of the five traditional pubs to enjoy draft ales, wine, and three champagne, or wrap your hands around a hot buttered rum, Irish coffee, or hot toddy. You can also enjoy a traditional English high tea with scones and finger sandwiches – anytime is teatime at the Dickens Fair.

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is also perfect for young people, offering special activities, games, and holiday entertainment opportunities. Younger guests will enjoy meeting Old Father Christmas; riding on a handpowered Adventure Carousel; cheering and jeering at Punch & Judy puppet shows; marveling at the Mother Goose Parade, and taking tea with Alice of Wonderland. As well, there’s the chance to meet characters from A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby – and even to encounter the great Charles Dickens himself. In addition, youngsters can create their very own Fairy

Houses, try their hands at being “printer’s devils” with an actual 1860’s printing press, learn to tie intricate knots, sing sea chanteys, have their hair French-braided, or create their own holiday gifts such as rolled beeswax candles and hand-painted ceramic ornaments.

Find the perfect holiday gift and revel in a wonderland of one-of-a-kind artisan treasures. Over 100 beautiful shops offer fine crafts, romantic clothing and accessories, ceramics, handsome drinkware, dazzling jewelry, toys and ornaments, antiquarian books, and more.

Adult patrons love to gather in the Bohemian absinthe bar for lively conversation, or at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House to join in the singing of rowdy favorites and watch high-kicking dancers take to the stage for the wicked “Can-Can Bijou.” 

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is directed and produced each year by the Patterson family, for more than three decades creators and producers of the world’s original Renaissance Faires at Black Point Forest in Marin County and in Southern California.

Ticketing and Other Pertinent Information: General Admission tickets (age 13 and up) are available at the Box Office for $25 for the first 3 weekends and $30 for the final 2 weekends; at $12 for Children ages 5-12; and wee ones under 5 are free. Tickets are fully transferable.

A Tip from Scrooge: Print-at-home discount tickets are available at www.dickensfair.com.

WHAT: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party

WHEN: Opens Saturday, November 21 and runs Saturdays and Sundays (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) through December 20, 2015, 10:00 am – 7 pm

WHERE: The Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco

PRICES: General Admission: $25.00/$30.00 at the door (final 2 weekends)

Children ages 5-12: $12.00 at the door

Online sales: $8.00 – $30.00

Children under 5: Free

Fair Season Pass: $90.00 adult

Group Rates available online for groups of 20-29

For groups of 30 or more, contact tickets@gggrouptickets.com or 415-668-0525

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:

Active Military: 1st & 2nd Weekends Free Admission:

Active Military personnel will receive FREE Admission on First and Second Weekends! (November 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 only; photo I.D. required)

The Scrooge Special (Twilight Ticket offer, available only at box office)

Adult Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $15.00

Child Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $8.00

A great excuse to visit the Dickens Fair for a second time and focus on shopping or take in a wonderful dinner and a lively show.

“Kids-Free Sunday” November 29

Children (5-12 years old) will receive FREE admission on “Kids Free Sunday” (November 29 only. Children under five are always free!) Your children will love Fairy Crafts, Punch & Judy Puppet Shows, a hand-powered carousel, and all the wonderful delights.

Parking available for $12 (charged by the Cow Palace).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, call (800) 510-1558 x 114 or visit www.dickensfair.com.

 

 

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch is proud to present the free 11th Annual Local Artist Collection featuring up to 35 local artists at the Lynn House Gallery from November 21st – December 12th. The Local Artist Collection exhibit is a diverse, non-themed mixed media exhibit of artworks featuring paintings, photographs and more. In its 11th year, the show is a local favorite and provides the community an opportunity to view and purchase local art during the holiday season.

The exhibit opens with a free artist reception on Saturday November 21st from 2-4 PM. The exhibit will continue through December 12th from 1-4 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 PM.

Participating artists at press time are: Adele Boyer, Gloria Cannon, Prudence Capelle, Constance Chevalier, Trudy Couch, Sherry S. Cummings, Dianne Curtain, Becky Decierto, Michele Eakin, Lisa Fulmer, Easy Gonzales, Robert Lee Haycock, Johnny Mac, Stanley Morgan, Mary Negrete, Julia Offord, Beverly Prather, Audrey Richards, Ken Tomlin, Beverly C. Turner, Julia Starr, Joel Summerhill and Sara Watson.

The Lynn House Gallery is located at 809 West First Street, in downtown Antioch and exhibits are always free to the public. For more information, visit http://art4antioch.org/Local-Artist-Collection.asp, email Diane@art4antioch.org or contact Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897.

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch (ACFA) exhibit at Antioch’s Umpqua Bank features six artists in the upcoming November/December Exhibit. The bank is a perfect venue for local artists to showcase their work, which changes every two months through the end of 2015.

November-December featured artists are: Andre’ Salvador, Danny Grace, Jerome Gibson, MJ Coleman, Paul Schorr and Rosalinda Grejsen.

Umpqua Bank is located at 3700 Lone Tree Way and is open Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, excluding bank holidays.

ACFA is currently seeking artists for the ongoing exhibit. Exhibits beginning in 2016 will change every three months. If you are interested in participating, please email Diane@Art4Antioch.org or call Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897.

For more information visit www.art4antioch.org or call Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897.

Too Old For The Chorus But Not Too Old To Be A Star

Presented byThe Vagabond Players

Sunday, November 15 – 2:00 pm

Tickets: Adults: $15 Seniors (62 & Over): $13 Youth (Under 18): $10

GENERAL SEATING

A musical revue by Marie Cain Mark Winkler & Shelly Markham about men and women who find themselves suddenly 50! A lively musical revue with lyrics that rival Cole Porter and Noel Coward.

Dorothy in Wonderland

Presented by El Campanil Children’s Theatre

Friday, November 20 – 7:30 pm

Saturday, November 21 – 2:00 pm

Tickets: Adults: $12 Seniors (62 & Over): $10 Youth (Under 18): $8

GENERAL SEATING

The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this fantastically fun romp, cleverly and carefully adapted from the works of L. Frank Baum and Lewis Carroll. Dorothy Gale has made her way to the end of the Yellow Brick Road, and the wonderful Wizard of Oz is just about to help her get back home to Kansas. But before she can hop into the wizard’s balloon, another whirlwind appears over the Emerald City, sweeping Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion away to Wonderland.

Tribute To The Music of John Denver

Starring Jim Curry

Sunday, November 22 – 3:00 pm

Adults: $27 Seniors: (62 & Over): $25 Youth: (under 18): Free with Paid Adult

RESERVED SEATING

BOX OFFICE AND CONVENIENCE FEES

NOTICE: ONLY ORCHESTRA SEATS ARE ON THE GROUND LEVEL. ALL OTHERS REQUIRE ACCESS BY STAIRS

Tickets May Be Purchased in Advance: At the Ticket Office 604 W. Second Street (Next Door To The Theatre) Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 1 hour before showtime or by phone: (925) 757-9500 or online.

Convenience Fees:

When You Buy… At The Box Office: No Fees

By Phone: $2.00 Per Order

Online: $1.50 Per Ticket

Email Tickets: No Charge

Will Call: No Charge

Mail Tickets: $ 2.00 Per Order

For more information visit www.elcampaniltheatre.com.