Programs Planned for Holiday ArtWalk

Ventura City Hall, local cafes and public galleries will throw open their doors Saturday evening for the annual Holiday ArtWalk.

Presented by the Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs, the ArtWalk offers patrons a peek at art in both expected and unexpected places while enjoying music, tree-trimming and a visit from Santa Claus. This year’s ArtWalk, from 5 to 9 p.m., will focus on the performing arts.

Art galleries, participating downtown businesses and coffeehouses are displaying temporary exhibits. Walkers can wend their way through the exhibits at their own pace.

Some Ventura artists will open their studios to give viewers a glimpse of their works in progress.

Various programs will be held at City Hall, 501 Poli St., beginning at 5 p.m. with a reading by local poet Gauvin of “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Moore. Gauvin will continue with poetry readings throughout the evening.

Then at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., the Young Dance Ensemble will perform “Somewhere in Time.” And at 6 and 7 p.m., Consortina will strum harp music in the City Hall atrium.

At 6:30 p.m. and again at 8 p.m., Alphabet Soup, a marionette group, will perform “A Christmas Merry,” a children’s story about the excitement of Christmas. For marionette fans, there will be a puppet-making workshop from 7 to 8.

At the Livery on Palm Street, ArtWalk patrons can hear “Sounds from the Earth,” a performance of Native American flutes and drums and mime performances. The Kenny Cotter Band will perform at the Ventura County Museum of History. Other street musicians will stroll through the downtown.

The Third Floor Gallery in City Hall will hold a closing reception for the group show by the Buenaventura Art Assn. and Studio 83. Special arts and crafts items will be sold as gifts. The Ventura Early Music Ensemble, a 16th-century recorder group, will play during the reception.

At the corner of Santa Clara and California streets, children can work with artists to make Christmas ornaments, and hang them on a community Christmas tree. The MacKinnon Scottish Highland Dancers will kick up their heels to the bagpipes at 6 p.m.

Free shuttle buses with two routes will be available for the evening to ferry walkers to spots farther from the center of downtown.

Maps and descriptions of events, as well as bus schedules can be picked up at participating downtown businesses.

For more information call 658-4726.