January 15, 2009

Calendar of local events

Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the 408 area code.

MUSIC

Jan. 15, 17 - 18
A Nakamutsu Premiere at the California Theater: Jon Nakamatsu will perform a piano concerto commissioned expressly for him and written by David Amram. The concert also includes Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 and Respighi’s Feste romane. Performance times are Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.; and Jan. 18 at 2:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, call the box office 286-2600 or go to www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

Smucker’s Stars on Ice “On the Edge” tour returns for its 23rd season at the HP Pavilion Jan 30 at 7:30 p.m.:This all-new production features Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen and as a special guest, 2008 World Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist Jeffrey Buttle. Cohen and Buttle will be joined by an outstanding cast of Olympic, World and National Champions. Show time is 7:30 p.m., and tickets for the Smucker’s Stars on Ice performance are on sale now and start at $25. They may be purchased at the HP Pavilion Box Office, by visiting www.starsonice.com, or by calling Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Bay Area (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS or (510) 625-TIXS. Group (10+) information is available by calling 408-999-5841. A Portion of the Smucker’s Stars On Ice Proceeds to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Photo: Courtesy Smucker’s Stars On Ice

Jan. 26 – Feb. 3
West Valley Masterworks Chorale Auditions: Experienced singers are encouraged to make audition appointments. Location is Room MU-11 in the Music Building (next to Theater), of West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga. Spring rehearsals begin Feb. 3, every Tuesday night from 6 - 9:10 p.m. The West Valley Masterworks Chorale will sing in Carnegie Hall Summer 2009.  There are openings in all voices, especially Tenor & Bass. For more information, go to www.westvalleychoirs.org   

DANCE

Jan. 13 - 15
The Divine Performing Arts ’ Chinese New Year Spectacular brings pageantry and splendor reminiscent of China’s golden age to Cupertino’s Flint Center . Graceful movements that are literally thousands of years old from the Zhou, Ming, Qing – even the ancient Shang dynasty of 1700 BC, have been painstakingly recreated by choreographer and leading dancer Vina Lee. Lee, A graduate of the Beijing Academy of Dance, and former principal artist with the Guangdong Dance Theatre, she has been trained since childhood in both classical ballet and ancient Chinese dance forms. From stately dances performed for Emperors, to witty and acrobatic tales of warrior lords, or gracious maidens descending from the heavens to bestow favors on humble mortals, each performance is presented with lavish attention to detail and tradition.

Jan. 25 & Mar. 15
Ballet San Jose Audition Tour For 2009-10 Season: Dennis Nahat, Artistic/Executive Director of Ballet San Jose, announces open auditions for the company’s 2009-10 season, which runs from Sept. ‘09 – May ‘10. Requirements; bring headshot, resume and dance photo if available. Women must wear light or skin color tights and bring pointe shoes.  Men must wear light color tights and bring ballet shoes.  All dancers should bring character shoes. Audition will include ballet class, pointe work and partnering. No pre-registration required.  Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to fill out the audition application and pay any fees. Location is 40 North First St, from 1 – 3 p.m. – phone 288-2820 for directions. Fee: $20 registration (Member of AGMA, fee is waived). For additional information, contact Les Reinhardt, Stage Manager – 408-288-2820 ext. 235 or PSM@balletsanjose.org. If you are unable to attend, send a DVD or VHS highlighting your work to: Les Reinhardt, Stage Manager Ballet San Jose, 40 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Jan. 29
The First Annual San Jose School Leaders’ Roundtable:”How to Avoid Overparenting and Its Impacts on Children. “ Parents today are more involved and engaged in the lives of their children than ever before. While academically-prepared, alarming indicators show our children are also among the least resilient, self-reliant, and/or independent. These unintended consequences follow when overly protective driven, and enabling parents allow their ambitions for their children to impair the natural progression of youthful misjudgments, anxieties, and – ultimately – independence. Learn firsthand from educators representing some of San Jose’s finest private and public schools how “overparenting” can lead to serious setbacks in a child’s adult life, and what our school leaders recommend as parents prepare their children to become successful adults. Participants in this open forum discussion include:Tim Brosnan, Principal, Archbishop Mitty High School; Liz Chamberlin, Principal, Leland High School; Ole Jorgenson, Head of School, Almaden Country School; Harry McKay, Head of School, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School; Mary Miller, Principal, Presentation High School; and Mary Beth Riley, Principal, Notre Dame High School. The School Leaders’ Roundtable will be hosted at Almaden Country School at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

Jan. 31
St. Timothy’s Lutheran School of San Jose will host an Open House for prospective families and students from 9 a.m. to noon. This WASC accredited school is noted for its strong spiritual and academic programs. Serving a pre-school through grade 5 population, parents, students, and alumni give the school high marks. Class sizes are small, ensuring strong and consistent student-teacher interaction. A rigorous academic curriculum, supported by strong Christian foundations, prepares the children for success and leadership in advanced grades at both public and private middle and high schools. Come and see for yourself what distinguishes St. Timothy’s from other local schools. Contact Gayle Renken, Principal, for more details, or visit the Open House at 5100 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124. Phone: 408-265-0244. www.stlcsj.org/school 

CLASSES

Jan.
The Almaden Valley Counseling Service announces its Winter Session of STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting). This 7-week positive parenting class is for the parents of preschool, school age, and teenage children. All classes will be held from 7:15 to 9:15 pm. School Age class will be held on Monday nights starting Jan. 26, Teenage class will be held on Wednesday nights starting Jan. 28th, and Preschool Age class will be held on Thursday nights starting Jan. 29th. The cost is $110 for one parent or $165 for a couple. Contact AVCS at: (408) 997-0200 / staff@avcounseling.org. Visit our website for registration form: www.avcounseling.org. Location: 6529 Crown Blvd., Suite D, San Jose, CA 95120

Ongoing
Ceramics Classes in Almaden...Ever wished you could make a ceramics piece of your own from start to finish to show off to family and friends? Hands On Clay classes for adults is now accepting new students. These small classes are held on Wednesday mornings 9-10:30 a.m., and Thursday evenings 7-8:30 p.m. in the artist’s studio in Almaden. The materials, kiln firings, use of tools and glazes are included, so just come on down! All levels are welcome. For more information call 679-0238.

FIFTY-PLUS

SeniorNet registration has already taken place and the following courses have openings: E-Mail using Vista Mail, Basic Word Processing, Quicken, Managing Your Files, Intro to Google,Digital Video Editing, Taking & Editing Pictures, Windows XP and Internet & E-mail. Classes begin the week of January 12. For more information call Don House (408) 268-1703.

Welcome Wagon Chapter #3: Women’s Social Group with activities that include Golf, Tennis, Hiking, Bridge, Canasta, Pinochle, Luncheons, Movies, Antiques, Book Club, etc. For more information, please email Gail:  gailmagg@aol.com, or call Veronika (408) 559-3734

VOLUNTEERS

Jan. 20
American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation at 6 p.m. Tour the San Jose Donor Center at 2731 N. First Street and learn about the different ways to help: greet, inform and thank our community’s blood donors or post flyers at key locations. To learn more, contact Tami at 408-577-2006 or wethernt@usa.redcross.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

Jan. 17
The South Bay Scottish Society will hold their 15th annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh Dance at 6 p.m. at the Mountain View Masonic Temple, 890 Church (corner of Franklin) in Mountain View.  The evening includes a Scottish dinner, poetry, entertainment, dancing, and toasts to Robert Burns.  The cost is $32 for members and $38 for non-members.  Reservations required.  For information call 408-554-9711 or 650-941-0214, or visit us online at www.southbayscots.org.

Jan. 27
At this month’s meeting, the Civil War Round Table of the South Bay will hear Charles Sweeney discuss the many aspects of slavery during the Civil War period.  What a difference 150 years has made! Discussion begins at 7:15 p.m, Come earlier if you will order dinner at Holder’s Country Inn, 998 South De Anza blvd( also called Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road).  A close cross street is Highway 85.  Check our web site, sbcwrt.org, for more CW information.  Talk about history and receive our newsletter before deciding to join our round table.  Contact Bill Noyes at 408 374-1541 for more information.

Ongoing
Call for Artists: Tapestry Arts, San Jose’s oldest and largest downtown arts festival, is now accepting applications for its 34th annual arts festival. This outdoor event will be held over Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7, 2009. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2009. Artists can submit applications in one of two ways: by mail or online. Application fees are $15 for Santa Clara County residents and $20 for nonresidents. Entry forms are available by calling 408 494 3590 or at www.tapestryarts.org.


HAVE AN ITEM FOR OUR CALENDAR?
We are seeking calendar items pertaining to the south bay communities we cover in our seven monthly community newspapers: Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Campbell, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Willow Glen, Fifty Plus, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by email or fax several weeks before the event. Send an email to candy@timesmediainc.com or fax to Candy Richter at 494-7078. Photos should be sent digitally as jpegs or mailed to Calendar, Times Newspapers, 1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107, San Jose, CA 95122. Due to the large volume of items received calendar requests left on voice mail cannot be used. Space is limited.