San Francisco Ballet Community Matinee: Make a note of this one. It’s the first of two, on Thursday, Jan. 31; 11:30 a.m.; second matinee is in March. Each is a 75-minute introduction to the art form and the world of professional dancing, including performances and demonstrations by students at the San Francisco Ballet School, as well as from the company, featuring excerpts from the 2013 season. Tickets are $9 — and going fast.
Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m., at La Peña Cultural Center, on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, Amiguitos de La Peña presents Eric Hart & Jaime Lee Currier performing classic songs for children, including sing-a-longs, finger plays, chants, Beatles hits, and rock’n roll. “An alternative to commercialized kids TV fare.” Adults, $6; children, $5. Call (510) 849-2568 for more information.
Jan. 13, 10 a.m., at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, across from Yerba Buena Center on Mission Street, Alison Faith Levy, aka “Sippy Alison,” founder of The Sippy Cups. Doing her beloved shtick for kids and adults alike. In connection with an exhibition paying tribute to Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983), author and illustrator of Whistle for Willie, Peter’s Chair and The Snowy Day, the first full-color picture book to feature an African American protagonist. The exhibition features more than 80 original works from sketches to final paintings.
January 26, at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, Robert Geary’s Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir presents its winter concert with works including, among others, Meredith Monk’s Things and a commissioned piece, The Land of Dreams, by Jonathan Goodwin. A note for those interested in auditioning for the Piedmont-East Bay Children’s Choir: The date is barely a month away, on Feb. 2, between 9:15-11:30 a.m. by appointment. To be held at the Piedmont Memorial Veteran’s Building. To schedule an audition, please call (510) 547-4441 or email [email protected].