SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2006

December 17, 2006  - Huntington Beach Cruise of Lights is a 45 to 50 minute boat cruise through the navigable channels and waterways of a residential community known as Huntington Harbour. Residents of this community comprised of five manmade islands (that's part of the City of Huntington Beach) deck their boats with boughs of holly and string colorful lights to reflect an annual event theme. In 2006, Cruise of Lights celebrates the season with "Music for All Ages." Annual attendees to an event that's existed nearly 50 years may recognize that most years the event has a musical theme to educate about the  tremendous effort by volunteers of the nonprofit Huntington Harbour Philharmonic to raise money for music programs in the schools. It's a delightful experience ideal for all ages. Note, ticket holders go to Huntington Harbour Mall, 16821 Algonquin, where they park for free and board a bus for a short 3 minute trip to the boat dock of Huntington Harbour Yacht Club where yachts depart for the cruise. Volunteers are on hand to direct you to your bus and boat.  Read more   Event Times: 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. Ticket Cost: $14.50; $8.50 age 2 -12; Call: 714-840-7542. Fax your order anytime to: (714) 840-7573.  www.cruiseoflights.org

December 17, 2006  Nutcracker Ballet (full version) - is a traditional Christmas performance  at Golden West College Mainstage Theater.  It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house. As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, lead by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. Time: 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Cost: $13/ general admission; $12/ students, seniors, kids 12 and under.  Golden West College Mainstage Theater.  Golden West College,  Location: 15744 Golden West Street, Huntington Beach, California 92647.  Call (714) 895-8150. www.gwctheater.com

December 17, 2006   Huntington Harbour Holiday Lights Gondola Cruises. See the houses twinkling and all aglow for the annual Cruise of Lights event in which the multi-million dollar homes in the 6 navigable channels (including Sunset) can be viewed only in a gondola. The gondoliers offer rides nightly through the holidays. Choose a Sunset Cruise till 6 p.m. or Holiday Lights cruise till midnight each night. The gondola ride is slower, more intimate and ideal for romance or family & friends. Expert gondoliers will guide you on a fabulous tour through channels and bays the larger yachts can't navigate. It's a 5 Diamond holiday activity (wear warm clothes, blankets provided).  Location: Peter's Landing and Marina, Huntington Beach (Pacific Coast Highway near Anderson). Offered each evening through New Years 2007.  Tickets /  Photos

December 17, 2006  Art Exhibit - Anderson Gallery features fine arts exhibits with a collection of watercolors, oils and sculptures and mixed media from renown artists Bill Anderson, Raul Anguiano, Henry Fukuhara, Howard Hitchcock, Milford Zornes and more. Time: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Location: 16812 Pacific Coast Highway (next to Captain Jack's Restaurant). Call: (562) 592-4393.  Photos

December 17, 2006  - Christmas in the Land of Oz - adapted by Ruth Perry from the books by L. Frank Baum December 15, 16 & 17. Huntington Beach Playhouse. Location: Huntington Beach Public Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Avenue , Huntington Beach, CA.

December 17, 2006 Band - The The Ron Eschete / Llew Matthews Quartet features Ron Eschete, Guitar; Llew Matthews, Piano; Ralph Penland, Drums. Cavallino Ristorante, 8052 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92646. Call (714) 536-6665.

December 17, 2006 Live entertainment - The Blues Buffet Band 5:00pm. Dinner menu and cocktails are served nightly. Age 21, valid ID required. $10 minimum order per person applies. Call for details about additional cover charge for select shows. Location: Martini Blues Supper Club, 5874 Edinger Avenue. Call: 714-840-2129 or Toll Free at (888)24-BLUES 25837. www.martiniblues.com   Photos

December 17, 2006 Live entertainment - Karaoke 8:00pm. Dinner menu and cocktails are served nightly. Age 21, valid ID required. $10 minimum order per person applies. Call for details about additional cover charge for select shows. Location: Martini Blues Supper Club, 5874 Edinger Avenue. Call: 714-840-2129 or Toll Free at (888)24-BLUES 25837. www.martiniblues.com  Photos

December 17, 2006   Newland House Holiday on the Hill - Newland House will be decorated in holiday splendor. The historic Newland House features a museum and docent led tours from local historians who provide information about the two-story Victorian home built in 1898. Location: Newland Center at Beach Boulevard and Adams Avenue, 19820 Beach Blvd.,   Huntington Beach  CA  92648. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Cost: $2; $1 child. Call: (714) 962-5777. Photos

December 17, 2006  Art Exhibit - MANufactured is a contemporary art exhibit featuring Cathy Breslaw, Amy Caterina, Maureen Shields and Tomoko Suzuki. Plastic, fiber and fabric are manufactured products that make for interesting creations when a group of creative artists paint and sculpt. Location: Huntington Beach Art Center. Cost: Free. Location: 538 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California 92648  Call: (714) 374-1650.

December 17, 2006  Menorah Lighting Ceremony hosted by Michele's Jewish Corner & complimentary Goodies to follow for participants from Michele 714 -891-1955 for info. Location: 7561 Center Avenue #49, Huntington Beach, California. Doors open around 6 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Phone: 714-647-7107.  www.oldworld.ws

December 17, 2006  Golden West College Swap Meet in the Golden West College parking lot includes New & Used Items, Fresh Produce, Records, Music Memorabilia, Antiques & Collectibles and much more! Cost: Free Parking and Free Admission. Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call: (714) 898-7927 for 24-hour information. Location: 15744 Golden West Street, Huntington Beach, California 92647.

December 17, 2006 Pete's Bottomless Bloody Mary Sunday Brunch entertainment includes live band or duo - Pete's Sunset Grille. Time:10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations: (714) 845-4775. Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Location: 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA

December 17, 2006  Snowflakes light the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street through the New Year 2007. Artificial snowflakes strewn with twinkling lights line the downtown Huntington Beach street, continuing on the Huntington Beach Pier, the icon that vacation travelers and local residents recognize as the symbol of Huntington Beach. Time: Sunset to dawn, daily. Photos

December 17, 2006 Band - New Breed & DJ Shy at Hurricanes Bar & Grill, 200 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA Call: (714) 374-0500. 21+, ID. 32 beers on tap plus thousands of cocktail creations, including signature 26 oz. Hurricanes Twister. w spectacular ocean/sunset patio overlooking the heart of Main Street USA. Happy Hour 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. M-Sat; Sunday 7-10 p.m. & M-W 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.  Photos

December 17, 2006 Time: 4 to 6 p.m. Menorah Lighting at Old World Village. Location: Location: 7561 Center Avenue, Huntington Beach, California.  www.oldworld.ws   Photos

December 17, 2006 Football - NFL at Tumbleweeds Bar & Saloon where food is served till Midnight every day! Pool, darts, Monday Night Football Specials and meal deals. 21094 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, California (714) 960-3776

December 17, 2006   Live Music - Say When Duo. Pete Mallory's at the Hyatt hotel is all about live entertainment!  Say When at Pete Mallory Sunset Grille Sunday Bottomless Bloody Mary Brunch is a Surf City favorite. Join Pete and his crew every Sunday for Pete's Bottomless Bloody Mary Brunch! Pete features a coastal fusion of all you can eat grub along with all you can drink Bloody Mary's that YOU build at your own table. Live entertainment by "Say When" sets the mood for kicking back, drinking, eating and enjoying the ocean view! JUST GO BOTTOMLESS! Pete has put together all of his favorite recipes from his many surf destinations, that have included (but may not be served when you go, call to obtain the current menu) Peel n' Eat Shrimp, Bay Scallop Ceviche, Beer Can Chicken, Omelete and Waffle stations, Lots of Great Desserts, Famous Bottomless Bloody Mary's, Live Beach Band. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Location: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Call: (714) 845-4775.  Photos
 

Nearby

December 17, 2006  Nutcracker Ballet with St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre - Enjoy the delightful holiday classic complete with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dashing prince, as the internationally acclaimed St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre makes its debut at The Center. This traditional Russian production features a company of brilliant dancers, glorious sets and costumes and the Pacific Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s magical score. It’s the don’t-miss family event of the season! Orange County Performing Arts Center Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, California 92626 Show Times: 2 p.m. Ticket sales and information are available over the phone daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., at (714) 556-2787

December 17, 2006 Nutcracker Ballet - Laguna Ballet Celebrates 21st Anniversary Performance of The Nutcracker. Laguna Ballet  continues the tradition with the 21st annual Nutcracker performance at the Laguna Artists’ Theatre at Laguna Beach High School. Over 75 Orange County students come together each year, under the direction of Artistic Director Shery Gilbert, to present this full length Nutcracker. The lead role of Clara will be performed by Shelby Peterson & Emory O’Steen, the Sugar Plum Fairy will be performed by Lauren Eggertsen. Special guest artist, Anton Pankevich , from Pacific Northwest Ballet, will perform as the Cavalier. Matinee 2:00 pm; Evening: 6:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for children/Seniors and $17 for adults. Tickets can be purchased by contacting 949-855-0331, wwww.LagunaNutcracker.com

December 17, 2006  Band - The New Cars with their Road Rage Tour at House of Blues. 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA.  Call: (714) 778-BLUE.  www.hob.com or ticketmaster.com