Categories... Special Events Concerts Stage Kid Stuff Outdoors Sports Farmers Market Lectures & Learning Art Openings Volunteering

MURDER IN THE HOUSE OF HORRORS is a murder mystery dinner presented by the Cayucos School Drama Department at 7 p.m. Dec. 4-6. Tickets are $25, $12.50 for students and children. Reservations required. Info: 995-3694.

THE MIRACLE WORKER, directed by bree valle, is performed by the Cuesta College Drama Department at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6 & 10-13 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 & 14 at the Interact Theater, SLO Campus. Info: 546-3108.

THE NUTCRACKER is presented by the North County Dance and Performing Arts Foundation and Class Act Dance at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 6, and at 1 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets are $18, $12 for kids. Info: 239-3668.

STILL WILD ABOUT HARRY features comedian Bob Thornley in a music and comedy holiday show for the whole family. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-20 at the Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., SLO. Tickets are $6, $4 for students and seniors. Info: 924-1011.

GOLDEN GALS HOLIDAY MYSTERY, presented by Murder in Mind Productions, is an interactive murder mystery dinner event Dec. 5-Jan. 25 at Spyglass Inn Restaurant, 2703 Spyglass Dr., Shell Beach. Shows are every Friday Dec. 5–Jan. 23 and every Sunday Dec. 14-Jan. 25. Tickets are $44.95, includes dinner, show, and service charge. Dress is casual and guests are welcome to dress as their favorite Golden Girls character. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Fridays and at 5 p.m. Sundays. Info: www.murderinmind.com or 489-3875.

WATER THEATRE is an outdoor play designed to build awareness and understanding of our community water resources and features musician Grady House, storyteller Steve Crouch, and mime artist Fran Dukehart. The performance is noon Dec. 6 in Mission Plaza, SLO. Free. Info: 543-2248.

THE SANTA MARIA IMPROV TEAM performs hilarious improvisational comedy at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Higher Groundz Coffee Shop, 2216 S. Bradley Rd., Santa Maria. Info: 474-8945.

SANTA MARIA SENIOR STRUTTERS perform at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Rd., Santa Maria. Info: 937-3025.

THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS, a children’s musical theatre production presented by Creative Dancin’, features more than 200 local kids in this holiday classic filled with song and dance. The performance is at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Cuesta College Auditorium, SLO Campus. Tickets are $12. Info: 772-3694.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT, a documentary play about the impact of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, is presented by the Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Department at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-13 in the Studio Theatre of the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Arroyo Grande. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Info: 489-9444.

THE NUTCRACKER is the annual performance presented by the Allan Hancock College Youth Ballet. Shows are at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 & 13, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Ethel Pope Auditorium, 901 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Tickets are $7-$13. Info: 922-8313. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 & 20 at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. Tickets are $12.50-$20. Info: 489-9444.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JUNIOR is a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” The show comes to life Dec. 12-21 at SLO Little Theatre, 888 Morro St., SLO. Tickets are $10-$14. Info: 786-2440.

“KRINGLE’S WINDOW” celebrates the holidays at 1660 N. McClelland in the Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s 45th season, through Dec. 13. Two young sisters whose parents are separating meet a mysterious friend who helps them discover the healing magic of the holiday season. Tickets cost $10. All shows start at 8 p.m. Info: 922-4442.

THE CRACKED NUT—A JAZZY NUTCRACKER is the 20th annual holiday musical production presented by Central Coast Dance and Performing Arts Studio of Los Osos. The show is at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Cuesta College Auditorium. Tickets are $10-$14. Info: 528-2077.

26TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER is presented by the Civic Ballet of SLO at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly. Tickets are $16-$38. Info: 756-2787.

A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION features gospel performances, Christmas carols, drama, poetry, dancing, and more beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Calvary Chapel, SLO. Info: 543-8516.

A HOLIDAY BASH FOR JEROME KERN is a celebration of the life and genius of one of America’s most unique composers. The original musical features performances of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and more. It is presented by Pewter Plough Playhouse through Dec. 31 at the theatre, Main and Sheffield streets, Cambria’s West Village. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 & 28. Tickets are $18, $16 for students and seniors. Info: www.pewterploughplayhouse.com or 927-3877.

CHRISTMAS IS…A MUSICAL MEMORY, a music and dance production created by Brad Carroll and Jeremy Mann, is staged by PCPA Theaterfest through Dec. 21 in the Marian Theatre, 800 S College, Santa Maria. Tickets are $7.50-$23. Info: 922-8313 or www.pcpa.org.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the classic story by Charles Dickens, is staged by The Great American Melodrama through Dec. 31 at the theatre on Hwy 1 in Oceano, 3 miles south of Pismo Beach. The show is followed by “The Three Little Pigs” and the “Holiday Vaudeville Revue.” Tickets are $15.50-$17.59. Info: 489-2499.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the classic story by Charles Dickens, is presented by Classic American Theatre through Dec. 31 at the theatre, 810 Eleventh St., Paso Robles. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15, $12 for children and seniors. Opening night gala and New Year’s Eve gala are $30, $15 for children and seniors. Door open one hour before performance so patrons can see the art exhibit, presented by the North County Artists Association, in the theatre’s lobby. Info: 238-3859.

FOOTLIGHTS

MALE DANCERS are wanted to complement the Central Coast Follies Dance Troupe. Info: 543-9452.

CENTRAL COAST FOLLIES offers experienced and wannabe dancers, singers, and other entertainers an opportunity to perform. It meets at 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays, at the Moose Lodge in Pismo Beach. Info: 543-9452.

PEWTER PLOUGH PLAYHOUSE seeks actors, directors, backstage volunteers, box office assistants, stage managers, light and sound techs, and publicity volunteers to join the fun and help put on plays at the theatre in Cambria. Info: 927-3877.

ACTING UNLIMITED offers acting classes for all ages and levels with emphasis on stage, film, commercials, and auditioning. Info: 489-1371.

ACTORS NEEDED to do comedy skits for a Baldspot Theatre cable show. Meetings are at 7 p.m. Thursdays in SLO. Info: Bruce, 434-2559.

SANTA MARIA IMPROV TEAM (S.M.I.T) welcomes anyone 18 and older to practice improvisational skits with them every Monday at 7 p.m. Info: Michael, 474-8945.

COMEDIANS and self-contained acts are needed for a weekly comedy club at 2880 Broad St., SLO. Meet at 10 a.m. every Saturday. Info: 543-0639.

VAUDEVILLE VARIETIES is casting a high energy master of ceremonies and self-contained variety acts for a monthly variety special. Meet at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., SLO. Info: 528-1410.

READERS THEATER GROUP meets at 6 p.m. every Thurs. at the Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., SLO, sponsored by Central Coast Players. No experience necessary. Info: 528-1410.

SHOWTIME A GO-GO is looking for entertainers. They meet every Monday at 6:30 p.m. to develop skills and perform in convalescent homes. Info: 481-7084 or 922-1777.

SLO FOLLIES, a group following the style of Ziegfeld Follies, is expanding. Dance ensemble entertains at birthday parties, social and civil organizations, and more. Info: Emily, 543-9452.

OPEN CALL to actors for roles in television. Experience is desired. Send postcard with name and address to Trade Barn, SLO, P.O. Box 14151, SLO, 93406.

EXPERIMENTAL THEATER GROUP is forming in SLO. Concentration on original skits and cable TV. Meets every Tues. at 7 p.m. Info: 528-1410.

SANTA MARIA THEATRE SPORTS invites beginning and advanced players to their improvisational comedy workshops Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. No experience needed. Cost is $2 per workshop. Info: Lisa, 934-4228.