Chinese food and Jewish humor
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy: This longrunning Bay Area tradition pairs two things most of us can’t live without — comedy and Chinese food. Bay Area comedian Lisa Geduldig has been lining up Jewish comedians to perform in a San Francisco Chinese restaurant during Christmastime for 25 years now (the idea was inspired by a time she was booked to perform at an Asian eatery). This year’s installment features comedians/actors Cathy Ladman, Wendy Liebman, Gary Gulman and Geduldig. The show, which even serves up Yiddish proverbs inside Chinese fortune cookies, will benefit charities serving area children’s groups, fire victims and Puerto Rican hurricane relief.
DETAILS >> 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday through Monday; New Asia Restaurant, San Francisco; early show includes dinner, late show includes cocktails and dim sum; $72 early show, $52 late show; www.koshercomedy.com.
“Mittens and Mistletoe”: The holidaythemed, family-friendly circus/cabaret/comedy show is back for its eighth year, with clowns, acrobats, singers and other entertainers.
DETAILS >> Friday through Dec. 28 (no show Christmas Day); Dance Mission Theatre, San Francisco; $20-$60; www.sweetcanproductions.com.
Dave Koz Christmas Tour: The smoothjazz
saxophonist has been headlining this annual trek for 20 years. This year’s lineup also features pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White and trumpeter Rick Braun. It lands at San Jose’s City National Civic tonight.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m.; $55-$95; sanjosetheaters.org.
Zainab Johnson: The actress and comedian’s stand-up show is built around anecdotes of her life — and having grown up in Harlem as one of 13 kids in a Muslim family, she has a lot of source material to work with. She’s developing a TV show with Wanda Sykes, and comes to San Jose Improv for a weekend run.
DETAILS >> Five shows tonight through Saturday; $20; sanjose.improv.com.
Blackalicious: The Northern California duo broke out in the 1990s as one of the progressive hip-hop acts emphasizing literate takes on spirituality and social issues. On Saturday, the Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel come to Yoshi’s in Oakland for a pair of holiday-themed shows. The floor will be open for dancing. DETAILS >> 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; $24-$29; 510-2389200,
www.yoshi’s.com.
Erik Jekabson: The talented El Cerrito trumpeter and composer, who released a well-regarded self-titled album this year, brings his quintet to Cafe Stritch in San Jose tonight.
DETAILS >> 8:30 p.m.; $5$10; www.cafestritch.com.
Earthquake: The comedian has won a sizable following with his knack for mixing cheeky jokes about sex, family and other matters with astute observations about politics and race. He’s back in the Bay Area for a weekend run at Tommy T’s in Pleasanton.
DETAILS >> 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday; $25-$35; 925-227-1800, tommyts. com.
California Symphony: The orchestra led by Donato Cabrera presents its annual holiday show, centerpieced by the Nathaniel Stookey/ Lemony Snicket collaboration “The Composer Is Dead.” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” and an audience sing-along round out the program.
DETAILS >> 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $42-$72, $20 kids/students; 925-943-7469; www. californiasymphony.org.
Olate Dogs: This team of stunt-performing rescue dogs captured the hearts of TV viewers across the country during their run on “America’s Got Talent” on Season 7. Now you can see them live at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater on Saturday. DETAILS >>
2 and 7 p.m.; $28-$72; 925-373-6800, lvpac.org.
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Rex Navarrete: The Bay Area comedian has been working a routine based on his Filipino-American heritage for years, winning fans among such funny guys as George Lopez and D.J. Hughley. He’s headlining this weekend at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday; $25; www.cobbscomedy.com.