Entertainment for the New Year
 Celebrate the new decade in style this year. Brett Dennen plays the Fox Theater on Dec. 31 - his first local headline since selling out two nights at the Fillmore. Cedric the Entertainer takes the stage at the Paramount Theatre for the Black Comedy Explosion. Celebrated jazz musician McCoy Tyner is at Yoshi's Jack London Square for several days over New Year's. Camino is one of Oakland's celebrated restaurants offering special multi-course meals. Making it an early night? Chabot Space & Science Center's balloon drop lets you celebrate midnight - at Greenwich Mean Time. Find our more at www.oaklandcvb.com.
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Cafe van Kleef 
The New York Times describes the vibe at Uptown's Cafe van Kleef as "Edwardian circus as imagined by Miss Havisham (if she grew up in the Haight Ashbury)." Located a few doors down from the Fox Oakland, the bar features live music from jazz, blues and contemporary artists, plus cabaret and burlesque performers. Famous for it's Greyhounds (fresh grapefruit juice and vodka) van Kleef's goal is to provide a cozy home to a wide range of artists, entrepreneurs, bohemians, politicians and urban professionals. For more information on additional popular Oakland nightspots, visit www.oaklandcvb.com.
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Taster Classes at The Crucible 
You too can play with fire. Best known for its captivating fire arts performances, The Crucible in West Oakland is a collaborative dedicated to fine and industrial arts education. While creating fire-spewing sculptures will take some practice, The Crucible now offers three-hour courses that give hands-on training in skills such as blacksmithing, welding, glass flaming and fusing, casting and jewelry making. Open to adults and children over 12, the affordable classes are perfect for the do-it-yourselfer or for a group of family and friends to take together. For dates of Taster Weekends and more information, visit www.thecrucible.org.
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Hotel Holiday Specials
Cut holiday stress by letting professionals pamper you - or your guests. Many Oakland hotels offer specials during the holidays. Hold a party at the Hilton Oakland Airport during the holiday season and book room nights for only $79. At the Claremont Resort, it's free parking, internet and fitness center access, plus three hours of childcare at the Kid's Club. To ring in 2010, The Claremont is offering a Dance Party, dinner and
overnight packages featuring The Sun King's, a Beatles cover band. The Oakland Marriott City Center is giving guests options such as gift cards and certificate for free stays in 2010. Visit www.oaklandcvb.com for more information on holiday specials.
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Baboon Cliffs at Oakland Zoo
 They may not look happy, but the Hamadryas Baboons are said to be enjoying their new digs at Oakland Zoo. The 8,100 square foot Baboon Cliffs Exhibit
includes a cascading waterfall, climbing structures, a spacious area
for the baboons to roam and a night house facility. In the wild, the baboons inherit semi-arid plains and rocky hill country in Ethiopia and
Somalia in Africa, and Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula.
Also new at the zoo, two new youngsters have joined the Oakland Zoo's camel herd - one blonde, one brunette. For more information visit www.oaklandzoo.org.
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Calendar
Looking for something to do this weekend, next month or later in the year? Check out the new and improved Calendar of Events. Follow us on Twitter to find out other favorites.
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Food & Drink 
The Food & Drink newsletter highlights Oakland's vibrant food scene, including restaurants, bars, cooking schools and recipes. Hungry? Sign up today at www.oaklandcvb. | |
