Holiday Events At Montalvo

For Immediate Release Nov. 9, 2008

Contact: Becki Gervin 408.961.5814 [email protected]

Holiday Events at Montalvo This November and December, enjoy shopping, wreath-making, poetry and more SARATOGA, Calif. – The holidays are a magical time at Montalvo Arts Center, with a number of exciting, holiday related events for adults and children this November and December. Kicking off with the Montalvo Service Group’s annual Yuletide celebration later this month, Montalvo also brings back a popular wreathmaking class, a Family Performing Arts Series event, and ends with Christmas poetry and song by Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Nils Peterson and the Symphony Silicon Valley Singers. All events are on sale now* and open to the public. Yuletide at Montalvo: Marketplace Nov. 20, 22, 22, 10 am – 1 pm, Historic Villa Free admission This year's Marketplace features: • • • • • •

Gourmet Alley, with many handmade goodies and hand-picked kitchen specialties Exciting new group vendors specializing in jewelry, paintings, photography, cutlery, wearable art and much more Festive Christmas decor with four very special Christmas trees including a Teddy Bear Tree and Members' Tree Vendor and donation drawings for Gourmet Dinner at the Villa Cookbook author Sharon O'Connor will sign her recipe/CD collections Menus and Music Free tastings! Hot mulled wine, chai, holiday dips, scones, pecan pie, and more

Yuletide at Montalvo: Cocktail Party Nov. 20, 6 pm, Historic Villa $60 This year's Cocktail Party features: • • • •

Wine and lavish buffet by Pat Smith's Extravaganza Fabulous desserts The Almaden Trio playing arrangements of light jazz, classical and Americana music The Marketplace will be open

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Order your tickets by phone or email: 408.961.5823 or [email protected]. Yuletide at Montalvo: Champagne High Tea Nov. 21 and 22, 6 pm, Historic Villa $45

*Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office: 408.961.5858. Tickets for the Yuletide Cocktail Party and Champagne High Tea can only be purchased by calling: 408.961.5823 or emailing: [email protected]

Patrons will enjoy an elegant afternoon in the beautifully decorated historic Villa at the annual Champagne High Tea. Along with tea and champagne, they will dine on mouth-watering tea sandwiches and delectable desserts. Also, the Marketplace will be open for guests to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Tickets for the cocktail party must be purchased in advance. Order your tickets by phone or email: 408.961.5823 or [email protected]. Art & Wine: Succulent Wreaths Dec. 5, 1 pm, Art Barn Studio $75; Members $65 Inspired by Montalvo's historic cactus garden and back by popular demand, this workshop teaches students how to create and care for a living wreath made of succulent plants. Succulents are renowned not only for their hardiness, but also for their variation in color, texture and form. Such qualities make the plants ideal for living wreaths that can be enjoyed year-round. Instructors will demonstrate how to assemble a wreath and discuss their long-term care. Wine and cheese will be offered throughout the afternoon as each student is assisted in making his or her own wreath to take home and enjoy for the holidays and beyond. Must be 21 or over. Family Performing Arts Series: The Elves & The Shoemaker: PLUS ART! Dec. 13, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House Theatre $20 adult/$10 children; Members $16 adult/$8 children Laugh when two merry elves arrive at a small village in the Black Forest to discover a poor shoemaker and his wife who clearly need assistance. Their cleverness saves the shoemaker from a bleak and unhappy holiday in this CTC classic, adored by both children and adults all over the world. New! PLUS ART! Workshop Dec. 13, 12 pm – 5 pm, Side Veranda $15 (Available in advance through the Montalvo Box Office or drop-in day of performance.) Guests can make something special at this holiday themed drop-in art workshop. The Elves and the Shoemaker are all sure to agree: Guest who bring in a pair of gently used or new shoes to donate and receive a 1/2-off coupon for the February 13 PLUS ART! tree painting and planting. Shoes will be donated to Sacred Heart Community Service’s Clothes Closet. For This Day: A Christmas Suite of Poetry and Song Dec. 13, 7 pm, Historic Villa $15; Members $10 Celebrate the season with Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Nils Peterson in this evening of poetry and song! Performing with the Silicon Valley Symphony Singers, conducted by Elena Sharkova, Peterson brings to life poems by Walt Kelly, T.S. Eliot and his own suite of poems, For This Day. A holiday reception follows the program.

About Montalvo Arts Center Montalvo Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that fosters community engagement through the creation and presentation of multidisciplinary art. By uniting the broadest possible audiences with a global community of artists, Montalvo expands the role of arts and culture as an essential community resource. Montalvo’s programming includes: an annual theme-based arts program; music and performance; education and public programs; new media and visual arts; and the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency. Located in the Saratoga foothills in the midst of Silicon Valley, Montalvo Arts Center occupies a Mediterranean-style villa on 175 stunning acres, which Senator

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James Phelan left to the people of California for the encouragement of promising students in the areas of art, music, literature and architecture. In January 2005, the organization changed its name from "Villa Montalvo" to "Montalvo Arts Center" to better communicate its mission to increasing local, national and international audiences. Montalvo celebrates its centennial in 2012. For more information about Montalvo Arts Center, call 408.961.5800 or visit www.montalvoarts.org. ###

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