Fall and winter highlights

Throughout the Season

Farmers’ Market
Local growers sell their produce and wares year-round at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market, on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at Second and Wall streets. 893-FARM.

Silver Dollar Swap Meet
All year-round every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 892-9205.

Winter Migratory Waterfowl Tour
Each year, from October to March, more than 150 species of birds, including bald eagles, mallards, mourning doves, red-tailed hawks and California gulls, migrate to Butte County. By following a self-guided tour provided by local chambers of commerce and wildlife groups, visitors can cover 100 miles of nature-filled preserves. There are also guided one-and-one-half-hour walks on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. leaving from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. 846-5176

Chico Museum
With interesting exhibits that change every few months, the museum is located on the corner of Second and Salem in Downtown Chico and is open Wed.–Sun. noon-4 p.m. 891-4336

October

Sweeney Todd
Through Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinees at the Chico Theater Co. Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a suspenseful musical thriller about an unjustly exiled barber who returns to London seeking revenge against the judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. 530 894-3282.

Arlo Guthrie
Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. at Laxson Auditorium. Presented by Chico Performances, Guthrie revisits Alice’s Restaurant with an anniversary tour, with son Abe and Gordon Titcomb. 898-6333 for tickets.

Halloween
Treat Street, the annual Downtown Trick or Treat: Oct. 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. Many downtown businesses will offer candy and goodies to children and their adult chaperones. 345-6500. Also on Oct. 31, Cal Skate hosts a Halloween Carnival from 3:30 to 8 p.m. with a costume contest, roller-skating, trick-or-treat booths and a haunted house; and Trick or Treating at Chico Mall from 4 to 6 p.m.

Book Family Farm Harvest Festival
Through Oct. 31, at Book Family Farm off Highway 99 just south of Chico. The Harvest Festival is a tradition for many Chico families who celebrate the harvest with horse-drawn wagon rides, the annual scarecrow competition, pumpkin picking, hay and corn mazes, animals, live music and more. 893-3 139.

November

Bidwell Park Centennial Exhibit
Nov. 1-Dec. 31, Wed.-Sun. 12- 4p.m. at the Chico Museum. The Bidwell Park Centennial Commitee presents the opening of 100 Years of Gratitude. 891-4336.

Nutcracker: Moscow Ballet
Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. Presented by Chico Performances at Laxson Auditorium, the Moscow Ballet returns the grand tradition of the Russian Nutcracker to Chico. 898-6333.

The Memory of Water
Nov. 3-20. The Blue Room Theater presents this comedy of three sisters trapped in a snow storm on the eve of their mother’s funeral, attempting to recall their childhoods. 895-3749.

Honey Run Covered Bridge Artisan’s Bazaar & Bake Sale
Nov. 5. Artisan, crafters and bakers gather for a fund-raiser to support the historic bridge. 342-0036 or 876-8483.

31st Annual Almond Bowl Run
Nov. 6. 10 a.m. The annual run begins at One-Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park and is non-competitive. Participate in the 3- and 6-mile runs, 3-mile walk or kids’ fun run/walk. Register early. 879-9000.

Comedy Pet Theatre
Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Family entertainment at Laxson Auditorium. See extraordinary feats performed by 14 cats, 12 dogs, 10 doves, and six white mice. 898-6333.

Ballet Hispanico: Nightclub
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. A three-part dance performance with the rhythms from late 1920s Buenos Aires brothels, social clubs in 1950s Spanish Harlem, and today, presented by Chico Performances. 898-6333.

American Beauty
Nov. 10- Dec. 10. Theatre on the Ridge presents a musical dramatization of the hopes of seven women as they compete for the Miss Delta Queen Pageant title. 877-57600.

Michael Cooper: Masked Marvels & Wondertales
Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. Michael Cooper returns with his entertaining one man show full of family fun. Paper maché masks enhance Cooper’s mime skills. 898-6333.

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge
Nov. 10 through Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. In Chico Cabaret’s giddy parody of Charles Dickens classic, ghosts show up too early and Mrs. Bob Cratchit plans to jump off the London Bridge. 895-0245.

Farm City Celebration—Harvest Dinner & Dance
Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. Held at the Silver Dollar Fair Grounds Commercial Building, this benefit dinner includes cocktails, a tri-tip dinner and dancing. 891-6474.

Christmas Preview
Nov. 20, 4-8 p.m. Downtown merchants bring out holiday cheer to kick off the season. Experience the season’s sights, sound, and smells, plus a visit from Santa. 345-6500.

A Christmas Carol
Chico Theater Company, Nov. 25- Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinees. The Dickens classic presented as an updated family comedy by the Chico Theater Co. 894-3282.

December

Letter to Santa
Dec. 1-9, 1- 4 p.m. at CARD. Kids under 8 years old can write to Santa, then mail it or bring it to the CARD office. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and receive a reply from the North Pole. 895-4711.

Incorruptible
Dec. 1-18. Set in 1250 France, this Blue Room Theatre production focuses on monks in a financial bind. Ready to call it quits, a minstrel offers an unholy solution. 895-3749.

3rd Annual Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Auction
Dec. 2, 6:30-9 p.m. Join the Chico Community Shelter Partnership for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, dessert and live music at the Masonic Family Center. 891-9015.

Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m. This Chico tradition will continue despite the renovations of the Downtown Park Plaza. This year’s ceremony will be held in front of City Hall. 345-6500.

A Decade of Dance
Dec. 2-4, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. and Sun. 2 p.m. Chico Dance Theatre’s 10-year celebration will be held at Harlen Adams Theatre with a showcase of various styles of American music and dance. 898-6333.

Annual Christmas Fair
Dec. 2-4, at the Silver Dollar Fair Grounds. Crafts are highlighted. 345-9652.

Chico Icons
Dec. 2- Jan. 16, reception Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m. Group exhibition at Avenue 9 Gallery. 879-1821.

An Evening with Joan Baez
Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Social commentator from the 㥄s to today, Baez performs new music from her latest album at Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

Chistmas Faire
Dec. 9-11. The Chico Art Center Gallery hosts artwork and handmade crafts by multiple artists. 895-8726.

Glorious Sounds of the Season
Dec. 9-11, Sat. 7:30 p.m. and Sun. 2:00 p.m. This highly energetic and emotional production fit for the family features more than 200 singers, the Symphony Wind Ensemble, Jazz X-Press, and more at Harlen Adams Theatre. 898-6333.

Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 10, 8-10:50 a.m. Santa, Ms. Claus and the elves serve pancakes. Make crafts with the elves and get a small gift from Santa himself. 895-4711.

Christmas Open House
Dec. 11, 1- 4:15 p.m. Themed tours every 45 minutes. 895-6144.

Riders in the Sky: Christmas the Cowboy Way
Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. The award-winning Riders in the Sky fill Laxson Auditorium with classic cowboy songs, yodels, and plenty of humor. 898-6333.

Evening Christmas Tours of Bidwell Mansion
Dec. 21-23, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. A chance to see “John” and “Annie” in period dress. 895-6144.

January

Polar Bear Plunge
Jan.1, 1 p.m. Come swim or watch the polar bears at One Mile Area Sycamore Pool in Bidwell Park, weather permitting. 893-0545.

Quills
Jan. 12-29. The Blue Room Theatre presents this shocking comedy that explores love, art, and self-expression through the eyes of the Marquis de Sade. Violence, explicit language. 895-3789

The Music Man
Jan. 6- Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. matinees. Chico Theater Company’s presentation of the story of a salesman who plans to con folks in Iowa, saying he’ll set up a school band. Before he can leave with the cash, he falls in love and finds redemption. 894-3282.

Beguiled Again
Jan. 12- Feb. 11. Theatre on the Ridge presents a revue of nearly 50 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart songs. The clever juxtaposition of music is an emotional journey. 877-5760.

Peking Acrobats
Jan 18, 7:30 p.m. Returning for the seventh year, these elite gymnasts, cyclists, jugglers and tumblers seem to defy gravity and perform incomprehensible contortions with grace and athleticism. 898-6333.

Indigo Girls
Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. Skillful harmonies and flawless musicianship come to Laxson Auditorium. A little folk, a little soul, a little pop, the Indigo Girls are warm, open and honest, and their lyrics are too. 898-6333.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Jan. 26-29, 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun. matinees. Chico Community Ballet celebrates its 25th season with this comical tale of fairies, mismatched lovers, and trickery at Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

7th Annual Snow Goose Festival
Jan. 27-29. Bird watch in one of the most diverse wildlife corridors of the Sacramento Valley. Most events take place or begin at the Chico Masonic Family Center. 891-5559 x313.

February

Children of Uganda: Tour of the Light
Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. A chorus of 20 children, ages 8 to 18, is ambassadors of Uganda’s AIDS and war-related orphans. The tour stops at Laxson Auditorium to promote global awareness and fund fellow orphans Uganda. 898-6333.

John Cleese: Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot
Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. Best known for his comedy in Monty Python, A Fish Called Wanda, and TV appearances, Cleese now write film scripts, makes speeches and grow a decent tomato. 898-6333.

Assassins
Feb. 9-26. The Blue Room Theatre presents an American musical about the lives, loves and lunacy of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States. 895-3749

Hapa
Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Hawaiian pop combining Polynesian ballads of the sea and land backed by virtuoso guitar for a little acoustic folk/rock, Celtic and world influence, an unusual combination, at Laxson Auditorium. 909-6333.

An Evening with Garrison Keillor
Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Author, storyteller, performance artist, poet and comedian Keillor brings his nationally syndicated program A Prairie Home Companion to Laxson Auditorium. 898-6333.

Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing Trio
Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. Laxson will be jumping to one of America’s best known fiddles, a guitarist and bassist. The influences of the ‘30s jazz tunes are overt. 898-6333.

La Guitara
Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. The Ninth Annual International Guitar Festival at Laxson Auditorium is a celebration of women guitarists. Patty Larkin joins Mimi Fox and newcomer Kaki King. 898-6333.

The Nerd
Feb. 24- Mar. 18, 7:30 p.m. Chico Theater Company. 894-3282.

March

Bradley Fields
Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m. Chico Performances presents Bradley Field’s magic and illusion show to Laxson Auditorium. Slight-of-hand, mime, and quick wit quickly convince any skeptics. 898-6333.

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
Mar. 9-26. Set in 1846, The Blue Room Theatre an inspiring production depicting Thoreau’s imprisonment for failing to pay taxes in protest of an unjust war. 895-3749.

The Cemetery Club
Mar. 16- Apr. 18. The Theatre on the Ridge brings the story of three middle-aged widows, who meet monthly at the cemetery to honor their deceased husbands and consider finding new ones, to life. 877-5760.

Three Musketeers
Mar. 18, 7:30 p.m. A romantic, swashbuckling, coming-of-age adventure, this show follows d’Artagnan as he changes from country boy to daring hero. 898-6333.

Home Garden & Antique Show
Mar. 18-19, all-day event. View hundreds of home and garden displays, cooking demonstrations, an antique sale and more at this fund-raiser for Soroptimist International of Chico Club. 540-5664.

Macbeth
Mar. 19, 7:30 p.m. Combining swift action and Shakespearean poetry at Laxson Auditorium, this classic follows one man’s rash attempt at the crown. One evil dead leads to the next, unleashing madness. 898-6333.

Julliard String Quartet
Mar. 24, 7:30 p.m. The standard for string quartets for more than 50 years comes to Laxson Auditorium to play Beethoven, Scubert, Bartok, and more. 898-6333.

Casablanca
Mar. 25, 6-11 p.m. Support the Northern Valley Catholic Services with a night of silent auction, oral auction, no host bar, formal dinner, and a casino at the Bell Memorial Union. 345-1600.