Events

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over, we can all start thinking and planning our December. What can we possibly do here in Hayward this holiday season? Plenty, let me tell you, starting with Chabot College and music.

My good friend and colleague, Jon Palacios, a musician extraordinaire, along with fellow faculty member Tim Harris, has come up with three great jazz concerts for you. If you want to get into the mood, go to the Performing Arts Center on the evening of Dec. 12, 13 or 18 for some great stuff. The guest artists are Alex Murzyn, Moreau Catholic High School (where Jon used to lead musicians), and Dave Otteson, respectively.

Call (510) 723-6600 for ticket information, since the price is right and the sounds are better.

Dec. 12, incidentally, marks the beginning of the Latino holiday season, as it was on this day in 1531 that La Virgen de Guadalupe appeared to now-canonized Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in northern Mexico City. Her birthday normally is celebrated with a mariachi Mass, a truly wonderful experience, especially at 5 in the morning.

That is also the day on which many people begin their preparations for Las Posadas (The Inns), which takes place from Dec. 16 to 24.

This is another great tradition, both solemn and happy. The eight days prior to the birth of El Niño Jesús (Jesus Christ) are recreated in many towns and urban neighborhoods throughout the Latin American world.

Townspeople gather 'round and go to a neighbor's house, accompanying children dressed as Joseph and Mary – she, at times and if feasible, riding on a donkey.

They ask for shelter in chorus, and are turned down, with more sung verses. Finally, at a preassigned home, they are let in by the hosts, and the festivities begin with food, drink, music, games and the ever-present piñata for the children.

Then, on Dec. 16. you can catch the last performance of La Posada at Chabot's Little Theater. It also is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 9 and 15, at the unbelievable price of a mere $5, or $20 per family.

The play, now a Chabot holiday tradition, was penned by former student José Cruz González and is directed by Linda Amayo. It is a very funny, one-hour semi-musical that looks into cross culturing, from Minnesota to Xateca, Mexico. Essentially, it is a zany love story interwoven with characters from both sides of the border attempting to understand each other.

The dad is great, especially when he pleads for help from above, but the macho is best and steals the show.

On a giving note, as it is that season, you may want to join educators at the 23rd Annual Holiday Luncheon put on by the Hayward Education Foundation at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at Centennial Hall. Now here is a worthy cause, as the proceeds directly benefit our children through grants to their teachers, so they can be innovative and have our kids excel at school. Visit www.haywardedfoundation.org for more information.

Another good opportunity for you to contribute to the education of our youth is the first annual Tamalada by the Chicano Latino Education Association of Chabot College, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Celia's. You already know that this is our tamal month, so we at Chabot came up with the idea of rewarding your taste buds with eight different types of tamales from various countries, with beans and rice, chips and sauce, good company, music, fun and a worthy cause, all for a mere donation of $25. Yes, we do have a candy-filled piñata. However, since owner Salvador López may not want a bunch of "old" kids wrecking his restaurant while whacking at a piñata, it will have to go home with someone. Will it be you?

You'll have plenty of time that day to eat with us, have some fun, help us raise funds for student scholarships, and then walk over to the Performing Arts Center for Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno and its Navidad (Christmas) en México at 8 p.m., for a fantabulous two-hour show. A plus is that it includes Las Posadas, since, traditionally, that opens the performance.

Theirs is at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. They offer student and senior discounts as they showcase the gaiety of Mexico's dances, music and song. Of note is that this is their 39th year at Chabot. Hey, is this the longest-running program in our city? Someone should investigate and recognize it.

The BFM and CLEA formed a partnership in 1990, in which we sponsor and they make a donation to us. Because of this, we have awarded more than $40,000 to needy Chabot students. How about that? Culture and community working toward education.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that there is nothing to do in our city. So let's run into each other, in our Heart of the Bay.

Thank you. 
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Hayward on!