February 1, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER

January 26 – February 10
Renegade Theater Experiment presents Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” at the historic Hoover Theater in San Jose. Penned by Shakespeare at just 26 years of age, “Titus Andronicus” is often thought of as his "Tarantino" play - -a youthful, populist gore-fest delighting in shock value. But it also remains a searing tragedy of the wages of sin. Join RTE for a startling modern-dress production of Shakespeare's darkest and goriest play as you have never seen it before! Tickets are $18.00 General Admission (Thursdays and Sundays) and $20.00 General Admission (Fridays and Saturdays). Students and teachers, seniors, and Theatre Bay Area members qualify for discount tickets ($13.00 Thu/Sun & $15.00 Fri/Sat) with valid ID. Tickets and season subscriptions are on sale at www.renegadetheatre.com.

January 27 – February 25
San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio in San Jose, presents Eugene O’Neil’s Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiographical masterpiece, “Long Day’s Journey into Night”. Directed by Jonathan Moscone, this poignant piece is considered one of the most enduring works of American Theater. Set in the hot summer of 1912, “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” follows The Tyrone family’s psychological journey into their pasts and personal demons as they battle themselves and each other over the course of the day. It is a story of heartache, love, regret and dreams. Tickets are $14 - $56. For more information on show times and availability, visit www.sjrep.com.

MUSIC

February 6 - Tuesday
Enjoy a free preview of Verdi’s Opera, “La traviata” at the San Jose Museum of Art. Preview time is 12 p.m. and will feature singers from Opera San Jose and a lecture by Larry Hancock. This event is sponsored by the San Jose Opera Guild and Opera San Jose. For more information, visit www.sjoperaguild.org or call 275-6199.

February 10 – Saturday
The Emerson String Quartet returns to Stanford Lively Arts for its highly anticipated annual appearance at Dinkelspiel Auditorium. The seven-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble will perform the complete “Rasumovsky” Quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven in a special performance that continues the close relationship that has endured for more than a quarter of a century between the quartet and Stanford Lively Arts. At 7 p.m. Stanford University Professor of Music Stephen Hinton will explore these works in a free and open pre-performance discussion. Performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50/$46. Half-price tickets are available for young people age 15 and under and discounts are available for students and groups. For tickets, call 650-725-ARTS (2787) or visit http://livelyarts.stanford.edu.

February 11 - Sunday
The San Jose Music Study Club is holding its annual Young Artist Award Auditions at De Anza College, Bldg. A. Rm. A-31 from 12 to 5:30 p.m. The most famous previous winner of this competition is San Jose’s own Jon Nakamatsu, who won this award in l987, and ten years later won the coveted Van Cliburn Piano Competition, and continues to perform all over the world. Auditions are open to Vocalists, Pianists, and Instrumentalists between the ages of 18 and 30. Applicants must live within the approximate area indicated by South: Monterey, North: Sacramento, East: Hwy 99, and West: Pacific Ocean. First, Second, and Third place winners will receive $1000, $800, and $600 respectively. Winners will present a concert at Le Petite Trianon in April. For more information and applications, contact Susan A, Zerweck, at 353-1769 or e-mail ralph_susan@juno.com

ART

February 4 - Sunday
The Art Exhibit “Manuel Valencia: California’s Native Son” opens to the public at History Park in San Jose. Manuel Valencia was one of the earliest of the California artists of note.  After the 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed his studio, Valencia moved his family from San Francisco to a home on Vine Street in San José. His passion for the spirit of the Californios is demonstrated in his work, which will open at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery inside the Pasetta House at History Park at Kelley Park in San José. This exhibit is on loan from the Hearst Gallery at St. Mary’s Collage in Moraga and contains over 25 paintings, as well as personal item lent by Valencia descendants Mary Lou Valencia Giller and Edwin Valencia, Jr. To learn more about Valencia’s life and art Curator Julie Armistead will lead a gallery tour at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the Leonard and David McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House in History Park.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

February 3 & 10
“Rumpelstiltskin” will play at the Sunnyvale Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 East Remington Drive, at 11 a.m. Tickets $11-12. Presented by California Theatre Center, Silicon Valley¹s own professional theatre for youth and families.  For tickets or more information, visit  www.ctcinc.org or call 245-2978.

February 6 & 13
Kindergarten Tours of Willow Glen Elementary, which achieved the coveted status of “California Distinguished School” in 2006 is holding tours of its kindergarten program. Tour hours are from 9 – 10 a.m. To register, contact the school office at 535-6265.

February 10 – Saturday
Get Ready to Relay! Join the fun at the Kick Off Rally and Open House in preparation for the 1st Annual Relay For Life of Almaden. Held at the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Avenue from 12 – 3 p.m., this event will offer attendees a sneak peak at the Relay experience, a chance to pick informative Relay For Life materials or sign up for a Relay team. Light refreshments will be served. Almaden’s inaugural Relay For Life event will be held at Leland High School on June 30 – July 1. Mark your calendars today! For more information call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/almaden

February 11 – Sunday
Marquee Productions announces auditions for “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Directed and Choreographed by Kevin R. Hauge and performing April 20 - 29, 2007 at the Montgomery Theater. Auditions are by appointment only, beginning at 1 p.m. Hopefuls should be prepared to sing and dance. Strong singers and dancers, character actors are sought for this benefit production. To make an appointment call: 288-5437 x 335
Callbacks are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 11 at 7pm (dance), Monday, Feb. 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.marqueeproductions.org. The Marquee Production is a benefit for Children's Musical Theater San Jose. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” marks the company's third production and will feature and all adult cast.

CLASSES

February 6, 13, 20 & 27
Caring for Mom and Dad? – Don’t go it Alone - If you are helping your aging parent(s) retain their quality of life by offering physical, financial and mental support, you owe it to yourself to maintain the stability and balance of your own life. Process Therapy Institute of Los Gatos and Belmont Village Senior Living of San Jose are offering a new evening support group for adult children who are responsible for the day-to-day health and safety of their aging parents.  Learn to balance this new role and face the challenges with Mary Serrano, wife, mother, daughter, and MFT trainee – Don’t go it alone. All sessions are held at Belmont Village Senior Living, 500 South Winchester Blvd. in San Jose from 7 – 9 p.m. Light refreshments are served. For specific questions contact Mary Serrano at Process Therapy Institute of Los Gatos, 358-2218 ext. 447 or mary@processes.org. RSVPs are suggested as space is limited; 984-4767

February 10 – Saturday
Nothing says home gardening like a scrumptious tomato! Now you can learn the secrets to growing the same tasty heirloom beauties featured in many upscale markets. Join Cynthia Geske of Love Apple Farm for “Growing Heirloom Tomatoes” as she details the differences between heirlooms and hybrids, discusses variety selection, climatic conditions, growing dates, soil prep, planting techniques, staking, fertilization, disease control, and seed-saving. Speaking of seeds- everyone will get some to plant, along with a basic starter kit. This program will take place at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Class time is 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. the fee is $25 for members/$30 non-members. For more information and to sign up for this event please visit www.grpg.org , email education@grpg.org or call 298-7657.

MISCELLANEOUS

February 3 – Saturday
“Six Degrees of Celebration,” the 16th Annual Gala Benefit for the Children’s Musical Theater of San Jose will be held at Villa Ragusa, 35 S. Second Street in Campbell from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets include live performance, dinner, and dancing to the music of Silicon Valley Houserockers, plus both silent and live auctions. Individual tickets are $150, Table sponsorships are $2,000 Black tie optional. For tickets call the Event Line at 288-5437 or email events@cmtsj.org.

February 3 – Saturday
Leigh High School Crab Fest 2007. Come on out to the Longhorn “Crab Shack” and help support the LHS Instrumental Music Program. Hours are 6 – 9 p.m. in the Leigh Cafeteria, 5210 Leigh Avenue, San Jose. Just $37.50 buys you all the fresh cracked Dungeness crab you can eat, or our mouth-watering 7 herb roasted chicken. Admission includes live jazz entertainment, a silent auction, door prizes and raffle. For more information, contact Eric or Jorey at 266-4670.

February 3 – Saturday
The National League of American Pen Women Santa Clara County Branch will sponsor their annual Celebrity Luncheon honoring women in art, letters and music. This year’s theme is “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and the honorees are Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar, Norlyn Wade, Juliana Richmond, Lynn Bowen Walker, Carmen Rutlen, Ariel Smart, Anita Graves and Mary Linduska. The event will feature music, art and comedy by members as well as a buffet lunch catered by Elegant Events Catering, silent auction and raffle and a parade of hats. Proceeds raised will benefit the Pen Women’s annual scholarship awards for local high school seniors. The event will be held at First Congregational Church, 1980 Hamilton Ave. San Jose. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by Monday, January 29, 2007. Call 238-2340 and email haugends@sbcglobal.net for more information.

February 3 – 4
The Santa Clara Convention Center hosts The February Wedding Faire. This is the largest Wedding Faire hosted at the SCCC. This event features 150 booths, fashion shows and wedding workshops. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 50,000 square feet of everything the bride-to-be needs to plan the perfect wedding. This one-stop resource should not be missed. Admission is $10 at the door or $8 in advance at www.wedding-faire.com

February 6 – Tuesday
The San Jose Woman's Club's meeting will feature Pamela Anderson Brule', president of Anderson Brule' Architects. Anderson Brule’ collaborated with the San Jose Public Library staff and the community to achieve a vision of spaces and experiences that transformed the traditional library into one that responds to today's diverse and sophisticated users. The event begins at 11:30a.m. with a social hour, then luncheon ($20) followed by the presentation by Mrs. Brule'. The San Jose Woman's Club historical clubhouse is the locale, at 75 South Eleventh Street.  Make reservations by calling 269-2395. This special event is open to the public.

February 10 – Saturday
Pioneer High School is holding its 12th annual Big Band Dessert Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the new Performing Arts Center (PAC).  This fundraiser event is for adults who will enjoy an evening of big band music performed by the Pioneer Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Ken Roberts, Band Director.  Participants can dance or just listen to big band era music in a beautiful ballroom setting, enjoy delicious finger food and desserts, and bid for great silent auction items.  Tickets are $20 each and available for advance purchase.  All proceeds benefit Pioneer's music/drama booster club.  Contact Virginia Itani (448-3050) for more information. 

February 10 – Saturday
Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Stop by the Princeton Plaza and find that unique, one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone of any age. Jewelry (fine/old handmade/collectible), Gift baskets, antiques, arts, crafts, health, and more will be on sale. Live Entertainment!

Ongoing
The Almaden Valley Women’s Club is currently in need of and recruiting volunteers. The AVWC is a nonprofit organization established in 1965. Through our annual Almaden Art & Wine Festival, we donate 100% of proceeds back to the community in the form of grants to local schools, scholarships to high school seniors in the 95120 area, The Assistance League of San Jose, clothes for the homeless, as well as many other local charities. AVWC holds seven regular meetings, the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. There are no meetings in July or August. Members are required to attend 5 general meetings. Membership dues are nominal and assistance is available if needed. For more information, call Mia Burnham at 839-6071 or email Mia at burnhamfamily@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at WWW.ALMADENARTWINEFESTIVAL.COM.

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.