Hog Wild

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• Oxford
• William Shakespeare
• Susan Gundunas
• Margaret Davis

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Around this time of year in 1340, legend has it, an Oxford scholar on his way to midnight mass was confronted by a wild boar. Fearing for his life, he assaulted the angry pig with the only thing he had at hand — a metal-bound edition of Aristotle's works. He choked the beast to death and then served it at a celebratory dinner, its head displayed on the way to the dining hall while carolers sang. Traditions are born in strange ways. Tonight, San Francisco Renaissance Voices hails the pig in “Music for Twelfth Night — the Boar’s Head Festival.” The group sings while scenes from the Shakespeare play are performed. Susan Gundunas (Phantom of the Opera) delivers solo pieces from her show All the World’s a Stage. Margaret Davis of the Broceliande ensemble plays Celtic harp. Audience participation is encouraged during the Boar’s Head Carol, sung when the namesake is presented — in this case, a papier-mâché version. But don't worry, you can still pig out. Following the performance, dine on roast pork pie (there's a nonporcine option, this being the Bay Area) as well as King's Cake (also called Twelfth Night Cake, natch), and mulled cider.
Sat., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., 2011