Dancing around the Tree of Lights

Another Christmas thing I'd come across in Berkeley, was the lighting of the tree ceremony.

This being Berkeley, this meant several things were, well, different from what would be expected elsewhere - although logical given some thought.

- The Great Christmas Tree of the City of Berkeley is 5 foot tall.

Yup. People had to do a bit of peering at the sidewalk to find the poor thing.
But, it meant a massive tree wasnt cut down to be displayed for a few weeks, it cost less to buy and the power to run the lights on the tree didnt waste a lot of energy.

Also, the tree could then be dragged INTO city hall to protect it from roaming vandals and the everpresent homeless folk.

But still, it looked kinda cheap.

I didnt take a picture.

- There was entertainment, of sorts.

An all female jazz band, who played a few sets of forgettable standards and a .. hmm.. lessee if I have this right..a Brazilian martial arts studio put on a demonstration, music and dance display.

Yah, I think Ive described it well.

Capoeira from the Capoeira Arts Cafe (*must not roll eyes, do not roll eyes*) has become a favorite of Berkeleyites, who reacted with joy at seeing this..

So, a few pix from the Berkeley Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Berekeley
























I took a lot of pictures of this chica. Her face has character.

















Thats not a fur boa by the way, thats pink fur trim on a denim jacket. Wild, Cat (which happens to be her name.)








It was pretty cool.

The highlight for me though was when the incoming new Mayor of Berkeley came, lit the tree (no sunglasses were needed, trust me on this) and danced goofily for a minute with the troupe like only a middle-aged white man can.

Later, the Mayor made news for having tossed a few thousand copies of the Cal-Berkeley student newspaper in a fit of rage over the paper's endorsement of his opponent.

This might or might not have made the news back east, but thats a story for another day.

I have pictures.