December Calendar of Events for Tweens & Teens

For the latest information please visit us at Marinhood, The Ultimate Kids Events Round-Up In Marin And Beyond.

‘Tis the Season to go Ice Skating!

If you grew up in Marin you may remember the Raydine’s Ice Rink that used to occupy the space that is now Gold's Gym in Corte Madera. Now you may have to drive a bit, but there are still some skating rinks outside of Marin.

Just opened for the season is the Holiday Ice Rink at the Embarcadero in San Francisco at Justin Herman Plaza. Take the Larkspur Ferry and dine at one of the many restaurants at the Embarcadero or Ferry Building Marketplace. 

Not too far from this rink is the Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center (an indoor rink). If you feel like heading North, there’s the famous Snoopy Home Ice, The Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa. While you’re up there, visitSnoopy’s Gallery that showcases the chronology of the Peanuts comic strip.

Ring in the Holidays with a Dance Performance

Chances are if you have a child in Marin, you know someone who is in one of the many ballet and dance performances this month! See the schedule below for dates and times.

Get Cooking!

I remember how my mom “forced” me to take a cooking class when I was in the eighth grade and I ended up loving it. It even led to my first job as a pantry cook when I was 16!  Some of the cooking classes are more appropriate for older teens so please check the website or call the company for more details:

• Cavallo Point Cooking School, 601 Murray Circle, located at the lodge at the Golden Gate on the Sausalito side. 1-888-651-2003. Rated #1 Hotel Culinary School by Gayot.com, the Cavallo Point Cooking School is an intimate place to taste, create and explore. Filled with natural light and top-of-the line culinary equipment, the Cooking School offers an ever-changing roster of cooking classes and programs flavored by the bounty of organic offerings from the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Gingerbread Builders in Strawberry, next to Ideal Stationers. Open just for the holiday season, you can bring the kids and leave the mess behind! (415) 380-1731.
• ITK Culinary, 300 Turney St., Sausalito. (415) 331-8766. In The Kitchen (ITK) has classes for adults as well as children ages 4–14. This month they’re also featuring gingerbread house-making.  Click here to view the December schedule.
• Operation C.H.E.F. 1385 North Hamilton Parkway, Novato is a nutrition-based cooking camp for kids and teens. Operation C.H.E.F. was created to get kids more comfortable in the kitchen, and to educate them about healthful, sustainable foods. Click here to view info about their winter camp.

Exhibits

Play Land at the Conservatory of Flowers, SF now through April 15, 2012.

If your parents or grandparents grew up in or around San Francisco during the mid-1900s, they may have told you how they used to visit the Sutro baths and Play Land located near Ocean Beach. The Conservatory of SF presents a miniature replica of Play Land complete with sounds and memorabilia.

Art - Art & Film, 540 Alabama St, SF. On the first and third Saturday of each month (September through May 7), students tour downtown galleries and museums to take in the very latest in contemporary art before they are treated to a picnic lunch. After lunch we go see a new release film. Unless noted otherwise, we meet on the balcony outside Metreon overlooking Yerba Buena Park between 10:30 and 11 a.m. Come join us.

Sat 12/3 

Audition – Gleeful Live! The San Francisco Children’s Musical Theater will be holding auditions for youth (ages 5-17) to perform in “Gleeful Live!” The songs featured will be from the popular TV show, "Glee." The auditions will be held at the King George Hotel, 334 Mason St., S.F. Check the website for specific times.  If selected, there are registration and costume fees. The performances will be held at the Palace of Fine Arts in March.

Cooking Class – Chocolate Making at Cavallo Point, 1-4 p.m. 601 Murray Circle, Sausalito. Learn how to make chocolate with Michael Rechiuti. Classes $85 plus tax.

Jingle Jog (1-mile or 4-mile run). Start the holiday season right with a festive 1-mile or 4-mile run along with the scenic shores of the Strawberry Peninsula. Fun for all members of the family.  Registration required. 4-mile race $40, 1-mile race $25 to benefit Strawberry Point Elementary School in Mill Valley.

Dance – Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker, Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, Civic Center, San Rafael. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $32, Seniors and Students $20.

Dance – Just Dance Academy presents the Nutcracker plus jazz and hip-hop numbers performed by the junior and senior members of the Just Dance Academy and other members of the Just Dance Academy.  Showcase Theater, 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices: Adults $11, Seniors and Youth $9.

Sun 12/4

Audition - Gleeful Live! The San Francisco Children’s Musical Theater will be holding auditions for youth (ages 5-17) to perform in “Gleeful Live!” The songs featured will be from the popular TV show, "Glee." The auditions will be held at the King George Hotel, 334 Mason St., S.F. Check the website for specific times.  If selected, there are registration and costume fees. The performances will be held at the Palace of Fine Arts in March.

Dance – Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker, Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, Civic Center, San Rafael. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $32, Seniors and Students $20.

Fri 12/9

Performance – Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker, Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, San Rafael, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $39, Seniors and Youth (18 & Under) $24, Candy Cane Party $5 additional.

Sat 12/10 -

Performance - Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker, Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, San Rafael, 1pm and 5pm. Adults $39, Seniors and Youth (18 & Under) $24, Candy Cane Party $5 additional.

 Sun 12/11

Performance - Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker, Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, San Rafael, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $39, Seniors and Youth (18 & under) $24, Candy Cane Party $5 additional.

Sat 12/17

Peformance – Sophie and the Enchanted Toy Shop, Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Civic Center, San Rafael, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults: $35, seniors and students $25, Teddy Bear Tea Party $5 additional per person.

Do you know of an event or activity that tweens & teens would like? Please email your ideas to: Marjorie at marinhood4kids@gmail.com.