Through Dec. 29, Gallery Saratoga, 14435-A Big Basin Way, is exhibiting its annual group holiday-themed show, which this year is titled "Dreams of December." The gallery's 28 member artists, most of whom hail from Saratoga, Los Gatos and neighboring cities, create oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic and gouache paintings as well as tree bark collages, ceramics, graphic art, photography, silk, art glass, jewelry and turned wood vessels. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 408.867.0458.

Aegis Gallery of Fine Art, just down the street at 14531 Big Basin Way, is also holding a group exhibit for the holidays. Titled "Illuminations," the show runs through Jan. 6. Aegis Gallery's 27 member artists, who hail from most of the same communities as Gallery Saratoga, work in mediums including watercolor, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, suminagashi, handmade paper, macramé, stained glass, photography, ceramics, porcelain and metal. Hours are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 408.867.0171 for additional information.


Eclectic concerts come to Montalvo

Montalvo has booked a variety of performers to open the 2003 portion of its Performing Arts Series. Among them is The Tokyo String Quartet on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. in the Carriage House Theatre. The quartet has played together for 30 years and has earned seven Grammy Award nominations. Joining them is American pianist Max Levinson.

On Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m., the same venue hosts Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos, who participated in the San Francisco Symphony's 1999 tour. The next day at 7:30 p.m., nature writer Barry Lopez will give an interactive presentation, also in the Carriage House Theatre. Lopez is the author of the award-winning Arctic Dreams.

Ticket prices vary per event. Proceeds go toward Montalvo's many nonprofit programs benefiting the community and the arts. Montalvo is located at 15400 Montalvo Road in Saratoga. To reserve tickets or for more information, call the Montalvo Box Office at 408.961.5858 or TicketMaster at 408.998.8497.