This week’s top entertainment is big on coffee, concerts and kid sports for adults
By Joshua Tehee
Cirque Dreams Holidaze comes to the Saroyan Theatre Dec. 19 and 20.
CIRQUE DREAMS
Much of the entertainment space this week is taken up by “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Fans (hardcore and otherwise) will likely see it twice. At least.
For those looking to wait out the crowds (or squeeze in some fun before, after or between multiple screenings) here are seven other things to look out for Dec. 15-21.
Slow Hollows
This Los Angeles indie-rock quartet is super buzzworthy, right now, for those who care about being early with such discoveries. The band is led by Austin Feinstein, an 18-year-old who has done work with Frank Ocean (“Blonde”) and Tyler the Creator (“Cherry Bomb”). Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Strummer’s, 833 E. Fern Ave. $12. All ages. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com
The Iron Maidens. The band bills itself as the only female Iron Maiden tribute. ALEX SOLCA
Iron Maidens
Iron Maiden ushered in a second British invasion in the 1980s. It was so metal. After 40 years, the band remains one of the most iconic rock acts in the world, which the band traverses in its own jumbo jet. Iron Maidens is the appropriately named tribute band, led by Bruce Chickinson (pun surely intended). Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. $29-$39. 559-485-9050, towertheatrefresno.com
Fresno’s Fleet Feet Sports kicks off a series of coffee-fueled fun runs Dec. 18. DREAMSTIME/TNS TNS
Coffee Run
You can hashtag this one, #willrunforcoffee. The first in a series of four coffee-fueled fun runs organized by Fleet Feet Sports. Each two- to four-mile run features a stop at a local coffee shop, including Kuppa Joy (Clovis and Fresno), Hi-Top Coffee and Revue. Advanced sign-ups are encouraged. Details: 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Kuppa Joy Coffee House, 518 Clovis Ave. Free. 559-433-6750, www.fleetfeetfresno.com
Nate Butler has been doing his annual Christmas singalong for more than a quarter century. NATE BUTLER
Nate Butler’s Mmm-Mmm Christmas
At some point, every holiday singalong devolves into a kind of group humming. Everyone know the choruses, but from there things get hazy. Here, Nate Butler leads his 26th annual singalong, with lyrics projected overhead, to offset the humming. There will also be screenings of classic Christmas television (Charlie Brown, the Grinch and the like) and ornament-making (material provided) for the tree. Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Fulton 55, 875 E. Divisadero Ave. $3-$4. 559-412-7400, www.fulton55.com
Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company hosts its annual Rush Day beer release, Saturday Dec. 19. TIOGA-SEQUOIA
Rush Day
Santa Rosa has Pliny the Younger, a once-a-year beer release that causes major freakout. Fresno has Rush Day, when Tioga-Sequoia unveils the latest batch of its signature Rush Hour Breakfast Stout. This year, Lanna Coffee Co., Valpariso Cafe and Roastery and Component Coffee Lab each created a special coffee roast that was cold-pressed into the brewery’s chocolate milk stout. Drinkers will vote their favorite variant for mass distribution next year. Details: 11 a.m. Saturday. Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden, 745 Fulton St. Free. 559-486-2337, tiogasequoia.com
Valley Social Sports hosts a kickball league in downtown Fresno. VALLEY SOCIAL SPORTS
Sport speed dating
For those looking to relive the youthful days playing kickball, dodgeball or Frisbee, Valley Social Sports offers “speed date” versions of all three. Players will compete in teams of 10, rotating through a quick game of each, plus beer pong (not for kids at all) and cornhole. For those who fall in love, Valley Social Sports will run kickball and ultimate Frisbee leagues next year. Details: 11 a.m. Sunday. Granite Park, 3978 N. Cedar Ave. $10 donation. www.valleysocialsports.com
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
This is the festive pick for the week. It is the holidays, done Cirque-style, in a two-hour mega production that includes acrobats, illusions, singing and dancing. Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Saroyan Theatre, 730 M St. $29-$69. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com