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.

Melanie Guther, Crowden School eighth-grader

Favorite music: “Holiday in Cambodia” by the Dead Kennedys

Why: “It makes me happy and puts me in the mood for holiday cheer.”

SOMETHING TO READ

The Complete Human Body

By Dr. Alice Roberts ($50)

Subtitled “The Definitive Visual Guide,” the large, comprehensive glossy volume with detailed graphics is an anatomy atlas that also covers how the body works, life cycles, and diseases and disorders.

LEND A HAND

San Francisco SPCA: Volunteers are needed to collect donations and answer questions about animals available for adoption in Macy’s windows. [8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Macy’s, Stockton and O’Farrell streets, S.F.; RSVP: (415) 554-3087 or www.sfspca.org]

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Sugarplum merry: The Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band presents “Dance-Along Nutcracker.” The wacky audience-participatory event has an “At Sea” theme this year. [11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F.]

Rabbit tale: ODC/Dance presents “The Velveteen Rabbit,” its annual holiday performance based on Margery Williams’ tale about a stuffed rabbit that becomes real. [2 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F.]

Holiday viewing: The Roxie Theater hosts “Drunk + Alone” a screening of “Home Alone,” plus holiday videos and food and drink. Bring a wrapped present for Santa and get in for $5. [4 p.m., 3117 16th St., S.F.]

Victorian fair: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair re-creates Victorian-era London. Look for lamp-lit shops, pubs, music halls, costumed actors and more. [11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City]

AROUND TOWN

Music

Folk and rock: Singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell presents music from “Hadestown,” her folk and rock opera inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. [8 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]

Mexican music: Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez presents a concert celebrating Mexico’s holiday traditions. [8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Literary events

Artist portraits: Judy Chicago, artist, feminist, educator and author, talks about her new book, “Frida Kahlo: Face to Face.” [4 to 6 p.m., Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F.]

Local history: Historian James R. Smith signs copies of “San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach: The Early Years,” a photographic book. [12:30 p.m., Crissy Field Warming Hut Bookstore and Cafe, Building 983, Presidio of S.F.]Gift sales

Postcard art sale: The Lab presents “Postcard Show 14,” a small-format art sale in which local artists demonstrate new ways to use the postcard theme. [1 to 6 p.m., The Lab, 2948 16th St., S.F.]

Handmade gifts: Bazaar Bizarre, a locally produced holiday gift fair, is back for its fourth year. The celebration includes handmade gifts, food, entertainers and book signings. [Noon to 6 p.m., Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]

City activities

Barbary Coasting: The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society hosts a “Barbary Coast Trail” history walk. The Portsmouth Square area is the place. [1 to 3 p.m.; meet at Portsmouth Square, Clay and Kearny streets, S.F.]

All aboard: The Conservatory of Flowers presents its “Garden Railway,” an exhibit that re-creates Golden Gate Park sites in miniature with recycled and repurposed materials and dwarf plants. [10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Golden Gate Park, S.F.]

GAME OF THE DAY

NFL

Seahawks at 49ers

• 1:05 p.m., Fox (KTVU, Ch. 2)
• The 49ers try to keep their slim playoff chances alive with a key NFC West contest against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

NFL: The Raiders hit the road to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars. [10 a.m., EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla., CBS (KPIX, Ch. 5)]

BRUNCH

Starbelly: Chef Adam Timney’s brunch menu includes egg dishes, breakfast items, sandwiches, salads and pizzas. Selections include chilaquiles with housemade chorizo, corn chips, chile sauce and cilantro, with house salad; French toast with bananas, maple walnuts and mascarpone. [10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3583 16th St., S.F.; (415) 252-7500]

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