• Fri, Nov 20
• Pirates of Penzance
• at Ballet San Jose
• (8pm)
• Theater

Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved operetta explodes onto the ballet stage with swashbuckling pirates and damsels in distress. Daryl Gray's extravaganza is packed with a Broadway-style score with all the fantasy and romance this wonderful story has to offer. Loads of action and heaps of fun for the entire family.

• Thu, Nov 19
• The Seafarer
• at San Jose Stage Company
• (8pm)
• Theater

This year's season at the San Jose Stage Company contained all angles of the spectrum, from freaky to fun. It represents the evolution of these past 26 years. This season closes out with The Seafarer By Conor McPherson—a Christmas Eve card game opens the door to a supernatural end that will leave you breathless.

• Fri, Nov 20
• The Shitkickers
• at The Blank Club
• (9pm)
• Music

Raw, powerful and vulgar, the rip-roaring extravaganza that is the Shitkickers spawned out of a three-piece sideshow act built for entertaining the crowd in-between sets by more, well, credible bands. But it wasn't long before the 'Kickers fiery brand of cow-punk bluegrass earned the group a reputation as one of the South Bay's finest entertainers.

• Fri, Nov 20
• Save the Scene Benefit Show
• at Saratoga Community Center
• (6pm)
• Music

PinUp Productions has hit on a novel idea—an emergency relief party for the South Bay rock scene, featuring "10 For 10"—that is, a line-up of 10 bands for 10 bucks. This is the first such show, featuring an impressive array of bands that will be familiar to scenesters. Three of them, headlining, Park Lane, Undergone, and Picture Me Broken, were finalists in Battle of the Bands.

• Fri, Nov 20
• Explosion Sauce
• at Britannia Arms Cupertino
• (9pm)
• Music

Definite contender for a band-name makeover, since "Explosion Sauce" is reminiscent of the burrito with the extra-hot salsa and its tragic consequences the next day. But that's neither here nor there, since Explosion Sauce is a ska punk band who've mastered the anthem. These are the kind of songs that rally the troops, sending fists in the air in defiance of the system.

• Fri, Nov 20
• Whiskey Avengers
• at Voodoo Lounge
• (9pm)
• Music

It's hard not to lose count of which wave of ska is currently making a comeback. Third? No, that was in the 90s. Fourth. Yeah, that's it. But Whiskey Avengers aren't your average ska band. They incorporate different genres into their music. Sure, you can skank your butt off while they play. But the subtle nuances of Irish drinking music, hip hop and reggae pop up throughout the songs.

• Fri-Sun, Nov 20-22
• Yuletide At Montalvo
• at Montalvo Arts Center
• (10am-1pm)
• Arts & Crafts

The Montalvo Service Group invites you to celebrate Yuletide at the historic Villa Montalvo. This year they've added a variety of vendors featuring jewelry, holiday and home décor along with the Gourmet Alley. Once again, author Sharon O'Connor will be signing her terrific Menus and Music recipe/CD collections on Friday and Saturday.

• Sat, Nov 21
• Downtown Ice
• at Circle of Palms
• (1pm)
• Family

Skate with Shark's mascot Sharkie for an hour under the palms on Saturday November 21st at Downtown Ice, the South Bay's largest seasonal outdoor skating rink. The rink opens on November 20th and will close on January 18th. Hours of operation vary, but there is no time limit, so you can skate from open to close if you so chose.

• Sat, Nov 21
• High Like Five
• at Nickel City
• (9pm)
• Music

High Like Five's new album is called The Melody That Makes A Difference. Well, it's half right. The band is definitely melodic. In fact, every song is without any deviation. Does that make them a horrible band? Not necessarily. It means they have what it takes to write poppy music that should have come with a stick of bubble gum.

• Sat, Nov 21
• A Christmas Story
• at San Jose Repertory Theatre
• (8pm)
• Theater

The San Jose Repertory Theatre brings one of the most popular and beloved Christmas stories to life this holiday season. A Christmas Story, adapted for the stage from the Jean Shepherd tale, shows you Christmas through the eyes of Ralphie Parker, a young boy whose sole wish for Christmas is to receive a Red Ryder BB gun.