THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND If you want to get in shape for a sing-along Messiah, or if you just want to bask in the greatest seasonal music (apologies to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio), don’t miss the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s great work in Zellerbach Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. Conductor Nicholas McGegan first recorded The Messiah with the orchestra 20 years ago. According to the Los Angeles Times, it captures “the musical wonders of Handel’s score.” Tickets from $30 at the Cal Performances site.
RUBY ANNIVERSARY University Press Books is celebrating its 40th anniversary on Friday, Dec. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. with a special benefit reading, featuring C. S. Giscombe, Robert Hass, Lyn Hejinian, Brenda Hillman, Geoffrey G. O’Brien, and art by Vita Wells. Wells will talk about her installation in the bookstore, “Flights of Mind.” Food and drink will be served. Contemplating its impending fifth decade, UPB notes that “our mission is a complicated and occasionally perilous one, but as we look to the future, we have never been more grateful for our amazing local community.” Tickets $40 (student rates available) direct from University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way.
CRAFTS WITH YOUR KALE The Berkeley Farmers’ Market 22nd annual holiday crafts fair features local craftspeople and artisans selling a variety of handcrafted gifts, with continuous live music. Crafts include ceramics, fine art, jewelry, cards, clothes, tote bags, body products, toys, and more. The fair benefits the Ecology Center, and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Civic Center Park, adjacent to the farmers’ market. Music this Saturday includes bluegrass, choral music, children’s music, classical guitar and slide guitar blues. And there’s the usual organic produce from local California farms and hot lunch options.
UNDER THE HAMMER The Berkeley Art Studio’s holiday art auction will be on Friday, Dec. 13, from 4 p.m. The auction benefits the Alameda Food Bank and Oakland-based CoachArt. Pottery and other art works from the professional artists who teach at the Art Studio will be sold in both a silent auction (from 4 to 6 p.m.) and a live auction (with cocktails!) from 6 p.m. After the Friday night auction, the studio will have a pop-up shop at Anna Head Hall on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Anna Head Alumnae Hall, 2537 Haste St.
THESE TWO THINGS DON’T USUALLY GO TOGETHER At Lawrence Hall of Science on Saturday, Dec. 14, Dash Robotics founder Nick Kohut will be showing off his origami robots as part of the Meet the Maker series. Dash is a six-legged, super fast robot made from cardboard. Kids are welcome to come see how to make things that can run and scramble, just out of cardboard, plastic, and glue. Meet the Maker runs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Lawrence Hall of Science, 1 Centennial Dr.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Big Screen Berkeley: Last Days on Mars (12.10.13)
A life in clave: Josh Jones keeps the beat (12.12.13)
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your community happenings there too.
