Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Among Holiday Events at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

It's holiday time at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and the roster of entertainment options is as culturally diverse and varied as the people the Center serves. As an integral part of Sonoma County's community and a premiere performing arts venue in the Bay Area, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa) features a wide range of holiday choices for everyone. At holiday time, tradition is frequently the theme. This year the Center presents seasonal favorites as well as introducing several new holiday events. Tickets and information for all Center shows are available through Wells Fargo Center for the Arts online at wellsfargocenterarts.org, by calling 707-546-3600, or in person at the ticket office at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa (open daily, noon to 6pm).

Holiday time kicks off Tuesday, December 3 at 8 p.m. with America's favorite celebration of the season for 25 years, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, making its first appearance in Santa Rosa. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller, "the number one Christmas artist in history," along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.

Tickets are $75 and $55 and are available for purchase now.

Then on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m., for the seventh consecutive year, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts highlights the multi-cultural aspects and diversity of Sonoma County's community with its presentation of Posada Navideña, featuring traditional Mexican folkloric dance and music. Part of the Rodney Strong Vineyards Dance Series, this replication of the authentic Posada celebrations in Mexico, is performed by dancers and musicians from Sacramento's renowned Compañia Mazatlán Bellas Artes portraying the "Pastorella" (pilgrimage) made by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Christ.

Tickets for the Posada are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The ticket price includes family-friendly arts and crafts starting one hour prior to the show, a post-show Posada celebration that includes food, music, and the traditional Posada procession.

Given that Wells Fargo Center for the Arts was originally built as the home of the Santa Rosa Symphony, there is no more beloved tradition than having this community treasure return to play music for Center audiences. On Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m., Symphony Pops: A Very Merry Holiday Pops will be the second in the 2013-2014 Symphony Pops series, which is enjoying its 9th season at the Center. This uplifting concert, conducted by Symphony Pops conductor Michael Berkowitz, features holiday music from traditional to swing to rock. The Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus joins the orchestra for special arrangements of "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Sleigh Ride," "O Holy Night," "Jingle Bells Forever," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies," an audience sing-along, and much more.

Tickets are $75, $56, $45, and $32.

The holiday spirit at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts continues throughout December with Roustabout Theatre's White Christmas (December 13 - 15 and 21-22), Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with special guests Oleta Adams, Jonathan Butler, and Keiko Matsui (Tuesday, December 17), Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker (December 18 & 19), The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Rocks 10th Anniversary Tour! (Thursday, December 26) in a swingin' holiday concert and many other events.

Additional shows throughout the month at the Center feature "living legend" Willie Nelson & Family (Friday, December 13), popular comedian George Lopez (Saturday, December 7) and the 8th Annual Chris-Mix acoustic evening featuring Matt Nathanson presented by Mix 104.9. (Thursday, December 12).

Tickets and information for all Center shows are available through Wells Fargo Center for the Arts online at wellsfargocenterarts.org, by calling 707-546-3600, or in person at the ticket office at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa (open daily, noon to 6pm).

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