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.

Avery Kuo, piano student, 6

Favorite music: “O Christmas Tree”

Why: “I like the music, and the tree makes me think of the Christmas gifts under the tree.”

Who’s in town

Singer, songwriter and pianist Vienna Teng performs a sold-out show at the Great American Music Hall, appearing with percussionist Alex Wong. The pair’s first studio collaboration, “Inland Territory,” was released last year. [8 p.m., 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]

Museums

Museum of the African Diaspora: Exhibitions include “Art/Object: Re-Contextualizing African Art,” “The Origins of the African Diaspora” and “Slavery Passages.” [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 685 Mission St., S.F.]

Museo ItaloAmericano: “Piedmont Industry: Photos of a Century of Work” is the featured exhibition. [Noon to 4 p.m., Building C, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]

Tours

Japanese Tea Garden: The tour, presented by San Francisco City Guides, explores the history and icons of the five-acre garden and the family that lived there. [1 p.m.; meet at entrance to Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, S.F.]

Life at sea: “Adventures at Sea,” a guided tour of the ship Balclutha, looks at the lives of 19th-century sailors, with a focus on the treacherous Cape Horn passage. [2:15 p.m., Hyde Street Pier, north end of Hyde Street, S.F.]

Literary events

Author birthdays: Event features readings from the works of favorite authors born in the month of December. Bring a three- to five-minute selection to share. [7 to 9 p.m., Bird and Beckett, 653 Chenery St., S.F.]

Colleges

Stanford Art Spaces: Works by Alice Beasley (textile art), James Su (painting, pastels) and John Sundstrom (paintings, charcoal drawings) are on view. [8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Paul G. Allen building, CIS, Stanford University, Stanford]

At the public library

Holiday movie: “Elf” (2003), starring Will Ferrell, screens at the library. [Noon, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

‘Toddler Tales and Playtime’: The program features stories, rhymes, songs, music and movement for children ages 18 months to 36 months. [10:30 a.m., West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox Way, S.F.]

Dining out

Ana Mandara: Chef Khai Duong’s highlighted appetizer is soft-shell crab with avocado, rice noodles and lettuce. It is wrapped in rice paper and dipped in lemon sauce. Today’s recommended entree is charcoal-grilled filet mignon, served with sticky rice cake, French beans, grilled pineapple and pine-nut sauce. [891 Beach St., S.F.; (415) 771-6800]

Local activities

Dickens story: American Conservatory Theater presents “A Christmas Carol,” its annual music-infused play based on Charles Dickens’ story about the transformation of mean miser Scrooge. [2 and 7 p.m., ACT, 415 Geary St., S.F.]

Pot shtickers: Kung Pao Kosher Comedy presents its annual “Jewish Comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant” show. Wendy Liebman is the headliner this year. [5 and 8:30 p.m., New Asia Restaurant, 772 Pacific Ave., S.F.]

Santa satire: Combined Artform presents David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries,” adapted by Joe Mantello. The stage comedy presents Christmas through the eyes of a Macy’s elf. [5 and 8 p.m., Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., S.F.]

Vast tango: “Forever Tango” is back. Luis Bravo’s stage show celebrates the art of tango with 12 dancers, a vocalist and an 11-piece orchestra. [8 p.m., Marines Memorial Theatre, 608 Sutter St., S.F.]

Azerbaijani music: Leading musicians from Azerbaijan, led by Siyavush Karimi, rector of Azerbaijan’s National Conservatory, perform a concert. [7:30 p.m., Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, S.F.; RSVP: azerbaijanrsvp@gmail.com]

Ogre’s tale: Things get ugly when an ogre shows up to rescue a feisty princess in “Shrek the Musical,” the play based on the animated film. Shows continue through Jan. 2 at the Orpheum Theatre. [2 and 8 p.m., 1192 Market St., S.F.]