Musical Arts of Santa Cruz presents the Santa Cruz Chorale and the brass ensemble the Antiquarian Funks in Christmas with the Chorale, under the direction of Christian Grube. In keeping with its popular Christmas concerts of the last several years, the Chorale offers a program of music from the fourteenth century to the present, which celebrates—in the midst of winter darkness—the coming of light. Joined by Santa Cruz’s legendary brass ensemble, The Antiquarian Funks, the Chorale will perform works by Praetorious, Gabrieli, Sweelinck and others, presenting different settings of beloved hymn tunes (European and American) and of traditional texts and well-known carols. The Anitquarian Funks is a musical group specializing in authentic musical performances of rarely heard works from the Renaissance and Early Baroque periods. Based in Santa Cruz, The Antiquarian Funks were founded in 1971 by Head Funk William G. Mathews, and have been performing ever since in a wide variety of combinations and venues. The Funks perform with reproductions of original antique instruments. Friday, December 19 at 8:00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians on East Lake Avenue in Watsonville.  Tickets are available from Chorale members and at the door for all concerts. Info: www.santacruzchorale.org

The Cayuga Vault welcomes two musicians at the forefront of spiritual music, Tina Malia & Shimshai, in celebration of the Winter Solstice and the changing of the seasons. Friday, December 19 at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm at the Cayuga Vault in Santa Cruz. Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. Tina Malia’s luxurious voice and enchanting presence is creating a stir from coast to coast and across the world. Her original music touches the listener with elevating lyrics and deep, earthy rhythms. Trained as a classical pianist and vocalist, and inspired by her roots in American folk and soul music, she has also been widely influenced by music from around the world. Her music marries the timelessness of all these styles with a new flair all her own. She has been compared to such legendary female artists as Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLaughlin, and Loreena McKennitt. Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folklore songs of South America, or performing his original works of divine inspiration, Shimshai’s music invokes a sentiment of ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth, described by many as possessing the voice of an angel, Shimshai is gifted with the innate ability to deliver his message flawlessly in several languages; most profoundly the universal language of Love and Oneness.

Mary Mc Laughlin presents a concert of glorious Christmas music in Irish Gaelic, featuring original choral interpretations sung by her Cór Ainglí (Choir of Angels) with guests Libby Mc Laren and the "Winterberry Carollers" from Oakland, Steve Coulter on harp, and Theo Paige on bodhrán and fiddle. The concert will begin with a performance from the Cór Ainglí (all in Irish Gaelic), followed by the Winterberry Carollers (who sing predominantly in English) and finally the two choirs will come together with a performance in Irish Gaelic featuring the two choir directors (Libby Mc Laren and Mary Mc Laughlin) as the soloists. December 19 at 8:00 PM at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz. Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com (800) 838-3006), info at www.marymclaughlin.com

ODC Dance of San Francisco presents The Velveteen Rabbit, the first holiday show offered by the World Theater at California State University Monterey Bay. It will be presented three times –at 7:30 pm on December 19 and at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm on December 20. A musical based on Margery Williams’ 1922 children's tale of the same name, "The Velveteen Rabbit" is already a long-standing holiday tradition in the San Francisco Bay Area, with this marking its 22nd year at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. It's about a boy who neglects his new toy, a stuffed rabbit. It stays in its box, hoping one day to have a chance to come out to play. As the story progresses, the boy grows to love the rabbit, and in the end, a magical transformation takes place. The production features colorful costumes and sets, energetic dancing and an enchanting musical score by British composer Benjamin Britten. Tickets are available at the World Theater box office at (831) 582-4580 or online at csumb.edu/worldtheater.

Cabrillo College’s chamber choir, Cantiamo!, conducted by Cheryl Anderson, presents their 18th annual "Concert for a Winter's Eve." Cantiamo! will perform in the Carmel Mission Basilica on December 19. The program repeats at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz on December 20. Both concerts start at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through the Cabrillo Box Office, 831-479-6331, and online at www.cantiamo.org.

The Camerata Singers present a concert “Comfort & Joy” performing Christmas carols, old and new. Familiar favorites will include Ding, dong! merrily on high; Deck the Halls and a new setting of Jingle Bells. Older classics will include Coventry Carol and In dulci jubilo. They’ll also sing several carols from the Alfred Burt carols-delightful chestnuts of the season. An enchanting arrangement of O come, o come, Emmanuel by Jonathan Rathbone and several new carols by Stephen Chatman will round out the program. These concerts will feature the Camerata Singers and organist Tiffany Truett. Concerts are Friday, December 19 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas at 8:00 pm; Saturday, December 20 at the Carmel Mission at 8:30 pm and Sunday, December 21 at Mission San Antonio in south Monterey County at 3:00 pm. Tickets and information: 831-642-2701, or www.Camerata-singers.org. Tickets at the following locations: Carmel: Pilgrim’s Way; Monterey: The Book Haven; Pacific Grove: Bookmark; Salinas: Zeph’s One-Stop.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents their annual Home for the Holidays concert which is inclusive of the traditions of many faiths, paying tribute to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and Ramadan holidays. The performance is on Saturday, December 20 at 7:00 pm at First Congregational Church in Santa Cruz. Tickets are available at the Diversity Center (831-435-5422) and at the door. www.fccsantacruz.org (“Extravagant Welcome”)

Community Music School presents the 5th Annual Santa Cruz Harp Festival, an exquisite festival of harps for the Winter Solstice. Performing this year are Jennifer Cass and Audrey Lee on classical pedal harp, Cathleen O’Connell on Celtic wire-strung harp, Jesse Autumn on double-strung harp, Shelley Phillips playing folk harp and Chinese flute, and special guest Barry Phillips on cello. The Community Music School Harp Orchestra, an ensemble of harpists of all ages playing music from Celtic, Scandinavian, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian traditions on harps of all kinds, will also perform. The Harp Orchestra enjoys several weeks of free classes/rehearsals to prepare for the Festival. Students from the harp orchestra will offer an instrument “petting zoo” at intermission for audience members who would like to see the harps up close. Jesse Autumn's new CD "Uisce (Water)" -- world music performed on double harp -- will be released at the concert. Sunday, December 21 at 2:00 PM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 515 Frederick St, Santa Cruz. Donations gratefully accepted to benefit the Community Music School of Santa Cruz. More info (831-426-9155) or visit http://www.communitymusicschool.org

Coming up:
Kuumbwa Jazz presents the Pharaoh Sanders Quartet. After all, the immediacy of artistic discovery is gone in an instant. And while we often settle for something more tangible, there’s no substitute for being there. To be sure, saxophonist Pharoah Sanders has graced loads of memorable recordings; but his chirps, honks, trills and stirring undertones deserve to be savored in a live setting. With William Henderson, Nat Reeves and Joe Farnsworth at the piano, bass and drums, respectively. Monday, January 5, 7:00 & 9:00pm at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. Tickets at Logos Books and Records and www.kuumbwajazz.org