There is more to do in San Antonio during the holiday season than watching the same old Christmas specials.

"People travel hundreds of miles to San Antonio because of the richness of the cultural heritage," said Charles Jarrell, the special projects officer for the City of San Antonio's Office of Cultural Affairs.

"Somehow or other, people who live here forget to travel inside the Loop. They'll travel hundreds of miles to other cities to experience things they could experience here," Jarrell continued. "We want to encourage people to be a tourist in their own town."

Plenty of activities are here at Palo Alto College and in the greater community. The following offerings can make your holiday even brighter.

The Palo Alto College Jazz Ensemble will perform Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the Student Center from noon until 1 p.m.

In addition, their Fall Concert will be in the Performing Arts Building, room 100A, on Dec. 2, from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Ann Turner, the Theater instructor at Palo Alto, encourages everyone to attend the final for Acting I and II on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. The students will perform duets and group scenes from various plays.

"It's a nice ending to the finals, to just come and relax and enjoy some talent," said Turner. Anyone who is interested in showing off his or her acting ability is welcomed to participate. Call Turner at 921-5334.

Palo Alto's Mariachi Palomino will perform Las Posadas at the River Walk on Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. This performance includes the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph searching for shelter on the night of Christ's birth. The procession starts at La Mansion del Rio Hotel and will make its way to the Arneson River Theater. Admission is free. Call 224-6163.

Try one of the several theaters in San Antonio during the holiday break. The Majestic Theatre will present two Broadway shows during the holiday season. "Tuna Christmas" will play from Dec. 7 through the 12. This play consists of two cast members, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams, who play all 22 citizens in the fictional Texas town, Tuna. Tickets range from $22 to $33.

"Fame - The Musical" will run from Jan. 11 through the 16. This musical is filled with dance routines and songs that tell the story of growing up and reaching adulthood. Tickets range from $42 to $54. Call 226-3333 for more details.

The Carver Cultural Center will feature "Crick Crack" on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. It is a 45-minute show that consists of Black folk tales from Africa and Haiti done with traditional Haitian stories. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 207-7211 if you have any questions.

If you would like to see something the kids will enjoy, try the Magik Children's Theatre. They will show "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" from Nov. 26 through Dec. 18. This play was inspired by an eight-year-old girl who wrote to the editor of the New York Sun asking if there was a Santa Claus.

Magik is also showing "Christmas in Blueville," which will run from Nov. 18 through Dec. 22. This play is the story of a blue Martian who arrives on earth to steal the holiday spirit and take it home with him. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children and $2 for children under two. Call 227-2751 for more information.

Another play that may put you in the Christmas mood is "Las Nuevas Tamaleras" presented by Jump-Start Performance Co. It is the story of a first-generation, Spanish-speaking spirit and her bilingual sidekick who supervise three contemporary bilingual women making tamales for the first time. This show will play from Nov. 27 through Dec. 12. Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Call 223-2009 for more details.

While you're at Jump-Start, stop by the Blue Star Art Space to take a look at art work by the Drawing II and III classes from Palo Alto College. Photographs, sculptures, drawings, paintings and more will be included in their exhibit. Alba De Leon, the drawing instructor in charge of this exhibit, said that these classes are ready to present their work beyond the classroom setting.

"The space at Blue Star gives them the opportunity to see how people are going to react to their work, and it provides them with a larger audience," said De Leon.

Carlos Aguilar, a freshman Art major, plans on working with demon heads and other subjects that are usually considered risqué. "I don't do it on purpose, because I do what I like. People find it controversial most of the time," said Aguilar.

The display opens on Dec. 3 and will remain up for two weeks. Blue Star presents other exhibitions and hosts opening receptions on the first Friday of every month. Blue Star is free to the public, but a $2 donation is suggested. For more information, call 227-6960.

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will present several activities for the holiday season. Hecho A Mano, a fine arts and crafts market, will take place Dec. 2 through Dec. 5. Admission is $20 for the opening gala and $1 for Dec. 3 and 4. Admission is free on Dec. 5. Call 271-0379 for more details.

The 17th Annual Regency Jazz Band's Holiday Saxophones, a battle of the saxophones, will take place at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on Dec. 11 and 12. Admission is $10 per person. Call 271-3151 for more details.

The Guadalupe is also presenting Fiesta Navidad, a recital of traditional Mexican dance. This event will take place Dec. 10 and admission is $5 per person. Call 271-3151 for more information.

Several interesting exhibits can be found at museums all around San Antonio. The Witte Museum will display "Clothes of the Century" on Dec. 10 and it will run through March 2000. This exhibit includes styles from the turn of the century, the Roaring 1920s, the 1940s, the 1960s, the 1980s, and future fashions. It is an exhibit that proves how fashion reflects the changing times.

While at the Witte, don't miss the "Holiday Lights," opening Dec. 4. It is a holiday tradition that brings a festive look throughout the museum. Another presentation at the Witte is "Plug In and Play Music," a demonstration of the latest high-tech instruments. "Plug In..." will take place for one day only on Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. Admission is $5.95 for adults, $3.95 for children, and children under three years of age are free. Call 357-1900 for other events.

The San Antonio Museum of Art is hosting "Gold of the Nomads: Scythian Treasures from the Ancient Ukraine" now until Jan. 30. It is a collection of gold objects from the Scythian warriors of the Ukraine. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students. Call 978-8100 for information on other exhibits.

The Institute of Texan Cultures presents "Texas Ranch and Rodeo Women," which opens Jan. 11 and remains up until Mar. 19 in the photo gallery. This exhibit documents the rugged lifestyles and the pioneer spirit of the legendary women from the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame with photographs and artifacts. It is free to the public, but an admission of $4 for adults and $2 for children is required for the exhibition floor. Call 428-2300 for more information.

If you have relatives or friends coming to visit for the holidays, you can enjoy some free entertainment while at the airport. The Ninth Annual Holiday Music Festival, consisting of 70 choirs and musical groups from area schools and churches, will take place at the San Antonio International Airport from Dec. 3 through the 12. Call 207-3546 for more information.

Enjoy the harmonious sounds of holiday carols along the River Walk from Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. Numerous choral groups will sing your favorite Christmas songs during the "Holiday Boat Caroling." Also, take a look at the arts and crafts work of the "River Walk Holiday Arts Fair" from Dec. 3 through the 5. Both events are free to the public. Call 227-4262 if you have any questions.

You may also want to try an evening with the San Antonio Symphony. From Dec. 10 through the 12 they will perform Handel's "Messiah" at the Empire Theatre. The Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble joins the San Antonio Symphony by singing songs such as the "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Glory to God." Call the administrative office at 554-1000 for other shows and ticket prices.

If you missed the Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet's presentation of "The Nutcracker" you can still catch another. The Texas Ballet Concerto will present "The Nutcracker" at the Lila Cockroll Theatre from Dec. 17 through the 19. Ticket prices range from $15 to $28. Call the Texas Ballet Concerto at 349-1459 or Ticketmaster at 224-9600 for show times and ticket information.

These are just a few of the many cultural activities in San Antonio. You can find more to do on the holiday calendar at www.sanantoniocvb.com. San Antonio has much to offer to anyone willing to take advantage of the opportunities.

"There's a lot of cultural activities," said De Leon. "You have to decide which is most interesting to you."

The problem might be that there is more to see and do than time. Enjoy!