HOLIDAY GLEE CLUB
The Examiner asked The City’s songbirds and community chorus members to describe their favorite seasonal music and why it inspires them.
Karen Ames, Arts publicist
Favorite music: “Silver Bells,” sung by Bing Crosby and Carole Richards
Why: “Not only did the sophisticated city setting seem impossibly glamorous to a child of the suburbs, but I’ve always had an extremely low alto voice and I could really shine with the part that Bing Crosby sings so beautifully. I can sing it as written, without having to transpose the main lyric an octave lower.”
PERSON IN TOWN
Hasan Minhaj, a Los Angeles-based comedian who has appeared on “Chelsea Lately” and “The Wanda Sykes Show,” headlines a “Root of Comedy” evening at the Purple Onion. [8:30 p.m., 140 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
MUSEUMS
Asian Art Museum: Exhibitions include “Beyond Golden Clouds,” an exhibit containing 41 Japanese folding screens, dating from the 16th century to modern times. [10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 200 Larkin St., S.F.]
Cartoon Art Museum: Exhibitions include “Drawn From the Economist: The Editorial Art of KAL” and “Overture: Looney Tunes Behind the Scenes.” [11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 655 Mission St., S.F.]
TOURS
Women’s walk: Foot Tours presents “Go West, Young Woman,” a tour covering “10 wild women” who left their legacy on San Francisco, from Isadora Duncan to Lillie Coit. [1 p.m.; details/RSVP: www.foottours.com]
Castro district: S.F. City Guides hosts “Castro: Tales of the Village,” a walk exploring the evolution of the Castro-Eureka Valley neighborhood. [11 a.m.; meet at Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro and Market streets, S.F., under rainbow flag]
LITERARY
Release party: Event celebrates the solstice and the release of “Farm Together Now.” Guests include author-artist Amy Franceschini and photographer Anne Hamersky. [8 p.m., Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., S.F.]
COLLEGES
Book group: Fiction You Wish You Had Read book-discussion group meets. Bring a favorite book and let others know why you love it so much. [Noon, Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., S.F.]
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Art show: Drawings, watercolors and prints depicting life in San Francisco in the 19th and 20th centuries are on view in the exhibit “Thou Drawest All Things.” [9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Main Library, History Center, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Holiday sweets: Children can listen to holiday-themed stories and decorate gingerbread cookies during this seasonal session. [3:30 p.m., Ocean View Branch Library, 345 Randolph St., S.F.]
Holiday craft workshop: Children ages 4 and up can make last-minute gifts or other creative things during this session. [2 to 5 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Ave., S.F.]
DINING OUT
Nob Hill Grille: The pot pie is recommended from Heli Samaniego’s menu today. Sauteed chicken breast, pancetta, carrots, peas, onions and broccoli in a sherry cream sauce are served between puff pastry. Also look for a signature dish: baby back ribs served with bourbon chipotle barbecue sauce, homemade macaroni and cheese and sauteed chard. [969 Hyde St., S.F.; (415) 474-5985]
CITY
Classical music: Cellist Samsun van Loon and pianist Michael Tan perform works by Beethoven and Prokofiev. Noontime Concerts presents the program. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Bear essentials: The San Francisco Zoo marks the start of winter by treating polar bears Pike and Uulu to a “winter wonderland” in the form of 10 tons of snow blown into their exhibit. [10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1 Zoo Road, S.F.]
Musical play: SF Playhouse presents “Coraline,” David Greenspan and Stephen Merritt’s stage musical based on Neil Gaiman’s children’s book. [7 p.m., SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter St., S.F.]
Old-time seed swap: The Exploratorium holds its Solstice Seed Swap with artists and urban gardeners Bill Basquin, Johunna Grayson and Greta Snider. [3 to 7 p.m., Dearborn Community Garden, Dearborn and Bird streets, S.F.]
New Orleans sound: The Fat Tuesday Band, specializing in the funky vibe of New Orleans music, performs at Biscuits and Blues. [8 and 10 p.m., 401 Mason St., S.F.]
