March 15, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

March 16 & 18
The Santa Clara Chorale returns to the Santa Clara Mission on March 16 with “Songs of the Heart, Land, and Spirit,” showcasing Benjamin Britten’s classic and cherished work “Rejoice in the Lamb”. A repeat performance will take place at the Los Gatos Methodist Church on March 18 at 4 p.m. The program will also include lesser known but quality works by Parker, Churchill, and more, including additional works by Britten himself. Tickets ranges from $5 to $20 and can be purchased by phone at 369-1289, via the web at www.scc.org or at the door on the day of the shows.

March 17 – Saturday
The Celtic trio Golden Bough will perform a special St. Patrick’s Day concert of Irish music on traditional instruments, at 8 p.m. at the intimate Sunnyvale Theatre, located at the Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. General admission tickets are $25. Discount tickets for students and seniors are $20. For tickets, please phone the Sunnyvale Theatre Box Office at 733-6611. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. and two hours prior to shows.

March 24 – Saturday
Teatro Visión presents a celebration of Latinos in the arts and entertainment as part of San Jose’s 2007 Festival of Cultures. Join us at the California Theater, 345 South First Street, for three acts: Beginning at 8 p.m. there will be a panel discussion on the impact and challenges Latinos face in the realm of arts and entertainment, featuring a very special gathering of speakers. Following will be a performance by the international music group, “Son de Madera”, pioneers in the current Son Jarocho movement. Capping off the night will be “CC 22”: An “unplugged” performance with “Culture Clash” members Ricardo Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, performing excerpts of two decades of work as the most prominent Chicano/Latino performance group in the country. Tickets are $20, $30 and $50.

THEATER

March 17 – 18
Stanford Lively Arts’ presentation of the Aquila Theatre Company travels the road of Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous pilgrims in two performances of “The Canterbury Tales” at Stanford’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Performance times are 3/17 at 8 p.m. and on 3/18 at 2:30 p.m. Made up of both British and American artists, the Aquila Theatre Company incorporates the theatrical techniques of both cultures to produce innovative and universally accessible interpretations of classical dramas without diminishing their essence. Tickets are $44/$40 for adults. Half-price tickets are available for young people age 15 and under and discounts are available for students and groups. For tickets and more information about this and other Stanford Lively Arts performances, contact the Stanford Ticket Office, located at Tresidder Memorial Union, at 650-725-ARTS (2787), or visit Lively Arts online at http://livelyarts.stanford.edu.

March 24 – April 22
Get ready to eavesdrop on one of the most famous meetings in recent history.  Russell Lees’ uproarious story “Nixon’s Nixon” is about the imagined conversation of the secret meeting between President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger on the night before Nixon resigns his presidency. The Rep is thrilled to present this award-winning play on the 10th anniversary of its first appearance at the Rep in 1997.This staging is directed by Michael Butler, the Artistic Director of Center Rep in Walnut Creek. The San Jose Repertory Theatre is located in downtown San Jose at 101 Paseo de San Antonio. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 367-7255.

ART

February 6 – April 30
The new exhibit, "Lacey Beginnings--Vintage Christening Gowns and Accessories" will be featured at the Sunnyvale Lace Museum, 552 South Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale.  This free exhibit showcases lace-trimmed christening gowns and accessories including bibs, booties, mitts, jewelry, feeding cups, and blankets from the 1800's to the present.  Cultural traditions are often carried on through lace and the examples in the exhibit can be traced back to the turn of the century.  Christening gowns, made especially for the ceremony of baptism, usually became family heirlooms and were used generation after generation.  Traditionally white to represent purity and innocence, the same gowns were used by both boys and girls and richly decorated with embroidery or lace.  All ages will enjoy viewing this informative exhibit.Hours areTuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. parking is free.

DANCE

March 17 - 18
The Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose (www.abhinaya.org) will present their Spring concert series at the Louis B. Meyer Theater at the University of Santa Clara. The two performances will be ‘Women- the Untold Story’ on 3/17, followed by ‘My Favorite Story’ and a student recital including more than 60 students performing on 3/18. Ticket prices are $25 General: $15 Students/Seniors: $10 and a Family of Four: $45 (2 Adults, 2 Children). To purchase tickets, call Abhinaya Dance Company at 983-0491 or email abhinaya_sj@yahoo.com

March 23 - Friday
Ballet San Jose will present a free Community Outreach program at 1:30 p.m. at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard in downtown San Jose. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this fun and informative one-hour presentation.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

March 9 – 18
Children’s Musical Theatre of San Jose presents “Evita ” at the Montgomery Theater March 9 - 18. Argentina’s controversial First Lady is the subject of this dynamic musical masterpiece written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Told through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences, Evita creates an arresting theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself. Admission is $16 - $19. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 288-KIDS or visit www.cmtsj.org

March 15 - 17
Castillero Middle School’s Advanced Drama presents their Spring Musical, “Music Man Jr.” Take a trip to River City, Iowa -- without leaving Almaden Valley -- for this comedic Americana musical based on a hit Broadway show. You’ll be humming the tunes and tapping your feet as you watch the footloose con man set out to fleece a small town community and ultimately learn a valuable lesson in moral responsibility from the town’s librarian. It’s fun for the whole family! Order your tickets now for the best seats! Show time is 7:30 p.m. for all performances. Admission: Adults $10 and children (12 and under) $6. Advanced ticket order forms may be picked up in the school office and the tickets will also be available at the door – or call 781-0607. All performances will be staged in Castillero’s new theater, 6384 Leyland Park Drive in San Jose.

March 15 - 17
Leigh High School’s Center Stage Theatre, 5210 Leigh Avenue, presents Disney’s rollicking musical, Beauty and the Beast. Set in a French provincial town, a young girl dreams of far-off adventures and a poignant Beast learns a life-altering lesson in selflessness. It is a story of dreams, loyalty, and redemption. Beginning February 19, tickets will go on sale as follows: 1 ticket in Reserved Seating for $12; 4 tickets in Reserved Seating for $40 (Party pack); or 1 ticket in general seating for $10. Sign up early for Reserved Seating. Box opens at 6:45 p.m.. House opens at 7 p.m. with the entertainment starting promptly at 7:30PM. Come early to enjoy delicious fare at our Café de Lune. For tickets & information, contact Stephanie Holt at 627-1575 or phone beautyatleigh@yahoo.com

March 16 – Friday
March 16, 2007 marks the 4th anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq. On this anniversary, Holy Spirit Parish will join with Christians across the US in a Vigil for Peace Prayer service. The Prayer Service will be held in Holy Spirit Church starting at 7:30pm. Holy Spirit Church is located at 1200 Redmond Avenue San Jose. All are Welcome. Please plan to join us.

March 21 - Wednesday
The Pruneyard’s Camera 7, 1875 South Bascom in Campbell presents its “Diaper Days” film program catering exclusively to moms, dads and their kids. The special screenings are twice a month and feature first-run films. Diaper Days screenings are the first and third Wednesday of each month. Bring your baby bjorns and infant carriers; changing tables and baby-safe lights and sound levels provided. Showings are at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets are only $6.75, with kids 4 and under admitted free.

March 24 – Saturday
The Branham Hills Little League Opening Day will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Ross Field complex on Ross Avenue off Branham Lane.  We will be having our fundraising Hit-A-Thon and serving fantastic food at our Snack Shack.  If anyone has questions regarding the league they can visit our website at www.eteamz.com/bh or call 792-0411.

CLASSES

Ongoing
Youth Science Institute is taking registrations now for their Summer Science Camps! Designed for children ages 3 ½ to 14, there are over 35 camps to choose from. Camps include Bugology, Mighty Forest, Science Sleuths and Wild Wonders, just to name a few. Children enjoy the wonders of science and the natural world with hands-on projects, experiments, crafts, hikes and games. Camp fees range from $130 to $205 per week. Camps start the week of June 18th and run through August 17th at each of YSI’s Science and Nature Centers, located at Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Sanborn Park in Saratoga and Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Scholarships are available at the YSI Centers in Alum Rock and Sanborn. Classes fill up quickly, so call 356-4945 today for more information or to register.

"Hands On Clay" classes in Almaden is accepting students for Summer 2007. Come create unique pieces that will surely impress your family and friends! The fee for these small classes (4 students) includes instructions, materials, use of tools, and kiln firings. The adult classes are held on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. For information or to register call 679-0238 or e-mail avidehzworld@yahoo.com. 

FIFTY PLUS

February 1 – April 14
A free tax preparation program is available to assist seniors (ages 50-plus) and lower income clients with tax returns. Tax Aide volunteers will answer basic tax issues and assist clients with tax preparation. This year, all taxpayers regardless of income, can request a one-time telephone tax refund and receive an extra $30 - $60 on their return. This service is offered by the City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Office on Aging/Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in conjunction with American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To schedule an appointment or to find out more information about the program, please contact the RSVP Volunteer Tax-Aide Program at the Office on Aging at 979-7906. Participating locations include: The Almaden Senior Center, 6445 Camden Avenue in San Jose – every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 1 – 4 p.m.

Ongoing
Attention recently retired or semi retired men! Sons in retirement (SIRS) meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Elks Club, 444 West Alma in San Jose for lunch. Join us for good food, great speakers and the chance to meet new friends. SIRS has many activities including bowling, golf computer clubs. SIRS has no initiation fees or dues. If you are interested come to one of the Branch 94 luncheons or call Ron Bianco at 267-0386

The San Jose Widow/Widowers Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month for lunch at the Cup & Saucer Restaurant, 1375 Blossom Hill Road in Princeton Plaza. They also meet for breakfast every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at Goodies Coffee Shop on the corner of Bascom and Apricot in Campbell. Call 408-275-6178 or 408-292-3406 for information.

AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151 meets the third Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in room Q-80, Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave for informative and fun programs.  Visitors from all communities are welcome. Call 378-6996

VOLUNTEERS

March 24 – Saturday
Volunteer with Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to remove invasive plants. Project hours are 10 a.m. -3 p.m.  Lunch included. Email mchamberlin@openspaceauthority.org or call (408) 362-9569 for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS

March 16 – Friday
The Santa Clara County Division, of the California Retired Teachers Association, will meet at 1 p.m. at Leininger Center in Kelley Park, 1300 Senter Road, San José. All retired educators are welcome. Come and enjoy great music performed by the award winning Santa Teresa High School Jazz Band.

March 17 – Saturday
Leland High School ’s Booster and Parents clubs have announced the 22nd Annual Blue and Gold Auction “Emerald Isle Gala’  which will take place at the downtown Marriott Hotel in downtown San Jose. The Blue and Gold auction is the premier annual fund-raiser for Leland High School and raises funds for Leland's Booster and Parent Clubs which are used to support the school's academic and athletic programs. For more information, visit our website www.lelandblueandgold.com 

March 17 – Saturday
Huge Rummage Sale to Benefit EHC Life Builders. Hours are 9 a.m. -3 p.m. rain or shine, at Santa Theresa Catholic Church, 794 Calero Drive in San Jose. Santa Theresa Parish teens and community will host a rummage sale to benefit EHC LifeBuilders. Shoppers will find bargains on house wares, small appliances, electronics, seasonal items, and toys. Lots of great bargains! Proceeds benefit EHC LifeBuilders, the largest provider of shelter, housing opportunities and support services to people in crisis and those experiencing homelessness in the county. See www.ehclifebuilders.org

March 21 - 22
Carolyn See, author of seven novels, including “Golden Days” and “There Will Never Be Another You,” will be featured in three events in the Major Authors Series presented by the SJSU Center for Literary Arts: On 3/21, See will visit Mt. Pleasant High School, 1750 So. White Road, San Jose.at 3:15 p.m. On 3/22 there will be a noon Conversation with the Author followed by public Q&A at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (event co-sponsor), 4th St.and San Fernando, Rooms 225-229. The day concludes with a 7:30 p.m. Reading and book signing. All events are free and open to the public.

March 22 – Thursday
Hospice of the Valley will host Hospice Foundation of America’s 14th annual teleconference, live-via satellite, “Living With Grief: Before and After the Death” from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in San Jose. Frank Sesno, an Emmy-award winning journalist and special correspondent with CNN, will moderate the live-televised program which features a nationally recognized, multidisciplinary panel of experts who will explore the most current theoretical perspectives on loss and grief as experienced by persons throughout a life-limiting illness and by survivors after the death. Immediately following the satellite broadcast, a local community panel of experts will convene to provide a local perspective. General admission is $20 per person which includes the program, lunch and local panel discussion. For an additional fee, three Continuing Education credits (3 CEU’s) are available for health care providers and professionals through Hospice Foundation of America. RSVP to Hospice of the Valley at 559-5600 and for teleconference info, visit www.hospicevalley.org

March 23 – Friday
Presentation High School in Willow Glen announces its 41st Annual Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show, “On Location” held at the Santa Clara Marriott - California Ballroom. Featured on the runway will be members of Presentation High School’s Class of 2007, faculty, parents, board members, alumnae, and senior boys from area high schools. They will be modeling the latest fashions from top name area retailers. The luncheon show begins at 11:30 a.m. and tickets are $85.00 per person. Dinner festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $150.00 per person, which include dancing to the sounds provided by King Raffi. For additional information, please contact the Presentation High School Development Office at 408-264-5110, x 2428 or visit the school's website, www.pres-net.com. Last year’s Fashion Show contributed $122,000 to the school’s scholarship fund.

March 24 – Saturday
The leading singles organizations of the Bay Area are co-sponsoring The Singles Charity Ball, from 8 p.m. - midnight, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, Elizabethan Ballroom, 335 Powell St., San Francisco. 100% of the donations will go directly to the Sight Project of The Seva Foundation, located in Berkeley. The Seva Foundation specializes in curing blindness by performing low-cost cataract eye surgeries in the poorer countries of the world, such as India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, and East Africa. Eye surgeries in the USA typically cost thousands of dollars, but are now being performed for only $50 in the Third World, due to innovations created by Seva. More information is available at www.Seva.org.

March 24 – 25
The Junior League of San Jose hosts its bi-annual Rummage Sale, “The Greatest Garage Sale on Earth” at Pavilion Building located in the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Hours are 3/24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on 3/25 from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon. Shop for over 33,000 square feet of great bargains including children’s toys, furniture, clothing, electronics, women’s and men’s clothing, sporting goods and much more. Attend the Community Health Fair on 3/24 from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon. Admission is free. Cash, Visa and Mastercard accepted. ATM available on site. Parking is $8. For more information, call 264-3402 or visit www.jlsj.org.

March 25 - Sunday
The Society for California Archaeology presents Archaeology Public Day. Immerse yourself in exciting activities and museum displays for all ages to learn about the diversity of California's cultures and their past. Free admission. Presented for the Society for California Archaeology's annual meeting by the Archaeological Research Facility (UC-Berkeley) and the Presidio Archaeology Lab (Presidio Trust) Event hours are 2 – 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel Conference Center, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose. For more information, visit http://www.scahome.org

Ongoing
May 19 - Saturday
The James Lick High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at A.P. Stumps in San Jose. All details at jameslick1987.myevent.com or contact Lori at 408-568-1329.

Artists Sought for Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival: The Almaden Valley Women’s Club Festival is seeking fine artists to display and sell their art at the 31st annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival. The festival is scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2007 at Almaden Lake Park in San Jose. This is a world-class, juried fine art event. Last year over 20,000 people attended this premier festival and over 40 artists were represented. If you are interested in showing your handmade original art or crafts, visit the festival website for guidelines and an application, http://www.almadenwine.com/artists.htm or email art@almadenwine.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.