DON’T YOU WISH YOU WERE A MAN AT CHRISTMAS?
Were you born a man in a woman’s body? As everyone knows, Christmas is the best time to confront issues of transgender identity, which is why Eastside Women’s Forum is proud to present a very special Network Breakfast titled: “Don’t You Wish You Were a Man at Christmas?” There shouldn’t be a dry eye in the house. 6:45 a.m. Nov. 27. 11200 S.E. Sixth St., 425-821-5006. BELLEVUE
VOICES OF CHRISTMAS
This theatrical experience allegedly involves music and merriment, not to mention multicultural musings and many moving moments. $24 ($10 for those under 25). Nov. 29-Dec. 24. 4711 California Ave. S.W., 206-938-0339. WEST SEATTLE
SINGLES HOLIDAY DANCE PARTY
From the skeeziest singles publication in the Northwest—the recent headline “From Ukraine, With Love” was accompanied by a photo of what appeared to be a mail-order bride—comes the Singles Holiday Dance Party. For those eligible hotties who cannot do the hustle, there will be a “free, interactive hustle dance lesson” before things get hot and heavy. $20/$25. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Hilton Conference Center, 176th Ave. S. and Pacific Highway S., 206-824-8900. DES MOINES
WORKSHOPS AT BAM
Make yourself useful this holiday season. Attend free workshops at Bellevue Art Museum and learn toy making and improvisational puppetry, two skills that never fail to save the day when Christmas and its fellow winter festivities draw near. Free. Nov. 30. BAM, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., 425-519-0770. BELLEVUE
FIELD OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
“Celebrate the magic of electric imagination” at Safeco Field, where “half a million lights and numerous light exhibits” will make things positively luminescent for you and your darling children. Crafts, music, and sundry “goodies” await you at the home of our perpetually lachrymose baseball team. $5 ($3 for children). 4-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun., runs Nov. 30-Dec. 29. 83 King Street, 206-346-4000. DOWNTOWN
WINTER WINDS IV
If you’re craving a holiday event whose name sounds like one of those soporific New Age albums, try this performance by Washington Wind Symphony that promises to be “delightful.” Dec. 1. 350 Kirkland Ave., 425-828-0422. KIRKLAND
GRAND HANUKKAH MENORAH LIGHTINGS
Those fun-loving swingers at Chabad-Lubavitch of Seattle have put together a touring ceremony for that most Jewish of gift-giving celebrations: Hanukkah. Eat latkes, dance to the music, and enjoy the festivities in a decidedly Semitic manner. Free. 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Westlake Center, Fourth Ave. and Pike St.; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Crossroads Shopping Center, 156th Ave. and N.E. 8th St. in Bellevue; and 5 p.m. Dec. 2, University Village, 4500 25th Ave. N.E. 206-527-1411. VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS
ARGOSY CHRISTMAS SHIP FESTIVAL
True to the first three letters of its name, Seattle is a sea-crazy town, and the Christmas season presents us with a special opportunity to enjoy “the largest holiday flotilla in the world.” $16-28. Dec. 1-23. Pier 55, Suite 201, 206-623-1445. www.argosycruises.com DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
O CHRISTMAS TREES
This annual event is the Westin’s rooty-tooty fund-raiser for the Providence Health System. You can take a good look at the many beautiful Christmas trees to be auctioned off at this year’s event for a mere fraction of the cost of actually attending. One of these amazing trees went for $30,000 last year! $5/$3. 7 p.m. Dec. 2. 1900 Fifth Ave., 206-938-2788. DOWNTOWN
GLORIA! A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS
The works of Palestrina, Poulenc, and Hammerschmidt are performed by the Seattle University choirs. Come bask in the glow of antiquity and pretty, pretty candlelight. $6/$14. 8 p.m. Dec. 6. 18th Ave. E. and E. Aloha St., 206-296-5372. CAPITOL HILL
SEATTLE SAMPLING ARTS & CRAFTS TOUR
More than 60 artists are participating in this show, which encompasses the entire city and promises to be heaven on earth for the arts ‘n’ crafts-inclined. Free. Dec. 6-8. Check www.seattlesampling.com for studio locations, or call 206-322-2049. VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS
HOLIDAY SHOW AT SEWARD PARK ART STUDIO
Smokin’ hot pottery fresh from the kiln can be yours at this show and sale. This co-op has been around for more than two decades, producing both “functional and sculptural pottery,” and includes more than 25 local ceramic artists—none of whom was involved in that dreadful scene from Ghost. $10. Dec. 6-24. 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., 206-722-6342. SEWARD PARK
PUMPKIN ICE CREAM SAMPLING
Pumpkin might be the most unexpected taste sensation ever invented. Think about it: We take an unsuspecting gourd, mash it into pie filling, and bake it in a golden crust. The more adventurous among us, of course, have radical new ideas about that old squash standby. If you’re into pumpkin ice cream, stop by Thriftway to participate in a pumpkin ice cream sampling. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7. Queen Anne Thriftway, 1908 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-284-2530. QUEEN ANNE; Admiral Thriftway, 2320 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-937-0551. WEST SEATTLE
HUTCH HOLIDAY GALA
Extravagant soir饳 are much less guilt-inducing when they’re for a good cause, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s annual holiday gala is no exception. Fight cancer, indulge magnificently—everybody wins. $400. 5 p.m. Dec. 7. Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, Pike St. and Sixth Ave., 206-667-6388. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
FAMILY DOG’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
This questionable event is brought to you by the dog-friendly people at Family Dog Training Center and will feature a canine “good citizen” test (does Fido vote regularly?) as well as “an hourlong dog behavior problem solving workshop.” Free. Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 7. 7034 S. 188th St., 425-291-9663. KENT
