March 20, 2008

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

March 22
Sing for the Children - Hat Cho Tuoi Tho: This fundraising concert event will be held at the California Theater in San Jose at 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit The International Children’s Assistance Network. For more information, visit www.ican2.org.

March 27 – 30
Symphony Silicon Valley presents Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the California Theater.
The Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale, directed by Elena Sharkova, joins the orchestra for a wonderful production of Johannes Brahms' Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor Choral. Tickets are $36 - $72. For more information, call 286-2600 x23 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

March 28 – 30
The South Bay Guitar Society presents its 4th Annual Guitar solo & ensemble Festival in the School of Music Building at SJSU. Offerings include studio recitals, lectures, exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and clinics – all without charge. There will also be master-classes and evening concerts for a modest admission. Over 60 registered recitalists will present in adjudicated recitals in both solo and ensemble format. Music styles heard in this festival will include classical, flamenco and jazz. For more information, visit www.sbgs.org

THEATER

March 29 – Apr. 6
Lyric Theatre presents “1776” at the Montgomery Theater: History tells of America's early leaders creating a bold and forthright Declaration of Independence in 1776. The real story of the Declaration is the basis for this entertaining musical, as the founding fathers are brought to life with all their personality, dilemmas, and family sacrifices in the turbulent years as America strives to separate from England as its own fledgling nation. Admission is $12 - $34. For more information, call 986-1455 or visit www.lyrictheatre.org

DANCE

March 22
The Flamenco Society of San Jose will host “Juerga” (Flamenco Jam Session) at the Hoover Theater beginning at 7 p.m. This event will feature various performers, including a cast of three great flamenco dancers. Our special guest direct from Miami; Adela. Joining the line up are Rubina Valenzuela, and Amanda, along with superbly talented supporting musicians. We encourage audience participation and always include aspiring students, as well as music and dance from other cultures. Admission is $14/General, $12/Students and Seniors.This promises to be a very special event that will take place at the new home for the society the Historic Hoover Theater in San Jose. Seating is limited so ticket purchases should be made soon. For advance purchase, call 510-792-8355.

March 27 - 30
Ballet San Jose celebrates renowned choreographer George Balanchine with three of his masterpieces presented at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. Works will include “Serenade,” “Theme and Variations,” and “The Four Temperaments.” Performance times are 8 p.m. on 3/27 – 29 and at 1:30 p.m. on 3/30. Tickets are $25 - $82 and may be purchased through the Box Office at 288-2800. For more information, or to buy tickets online, visit www.balletsanjose.org.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

March 16
Great America Theme Park set to open season with new attractions: New for 2008 - -FireFall, a thrill ride taking guests head-over-heels as they twist, turn and spin through both fire and water effects. Great America is the only place in Northern California to offer Nickelodeon® characters and the most rides, most water rides and most coasters. For more information, visit www.cagreatamerica.com.

March 22
Campbell Kiwanis Club presents the annual Campbell Eggstravaganza at the Campbell Community Center. Designed for children ages 2-12, this highly anticipated family fun event begins at 10:30 a.m. SHARP with a traditional egg and candy hunt on the Athletic Fields of the Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Avenue. Please bring a bag or basket for your child. Thousands of plastic colored eggs will be sprinkled throughout the lawn. Please be sure to arrive on time, as the eggs will go fast. Other festivities that morning, beginning at 9 a.m., will include face painting, finger nail painting, games, arts and crafts activities, a jump house, and pictures with the Eggstravaganza Bunny. Coffee and donuts will be sold to the dedicated bleary-eyes parents beginning at 7:30 a.m. This free event is open to the public. For more information, call 866-2769.

March 22
The 11th Annual Bunnies & Bonnets Parade and Old Fashioned Kids’ Fair return to downtown Campbell: The festivities begin at noon with marching bands, baton dancers, classic cars and more. It's a wonderful Campbell tradition the entire family can enjoy! The parade will start at the east end of Downtown, by the railroad tracks, and run along Campbell Avenue to Third Street, and will be held rain or shine. But that's only the start of all the fun - following the parade, around 1 p.m. an old fashioned fair for children will be held on South First Street between Campbell Avenue and Orchard City Drive. There will be live music and free games for all the kids

March 24
Audition sign ups for the California Youth Symphony has started for all CYS ensembles, encompassing eight programs for all symphonic instruments, from beginning to advanced levels, for musicians of high school age and younger. Registration deadline is March 24. Auditions will take place at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, on April 19 and April 26. Registration forms may be downloaded from the CYS website: www.cys.org and mailed in immediately, along with a check for $15 payable to “CYS.” Please check the website for audition requirements and to download forms, or contact the California Youth Symphony office by calling 650-325-6666.

CLASSES

March 6 – Apr. 24
Almaden Valley Counseling Service presents “Cooperative Parenting and Divorce - How to Parent as a Team when you are No Longer a Couple” Almaden Valley Counseling Service is expanding their Parent Education program to include this vital course. Cooperative Parenting These classes are for parents who are either divorced or in the process of divorcing and focus on reducing parental conflict and address the factors that influence children’s post-divorce adjustment.. Courses are eight weeks from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m., fees are $145 and limited to one parent from a co-parenting family. Contact AVCS at 997-0200 / staff@avcounseling.org for more information.

March 22
“The Rise of Digital and the Decline of Print”, a one session class, will be taught by journalist Leigh Weimers at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of SJSU. For more information, visit www.osher.sjsu.edu or call 294-2734.

Ongoing
Clay classes for adults.  New handbuilding ceramics classes are forming now. These small, relaxing clay classes are held on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11 a.m. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. The classes are held in the artist's studio in Almaden. For more information or to register, call 679-0238. Space is limited to only 4 students for each class, so register today!

VOLUNTEER

Apr. 5
Volunteer for the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority’s “Weed Pull Day.” Help to beautify your city open spaces by donating a few hours of your time to rid our open space areas of invasive plants. Removal site is near Alum Rock Park in San Jose. Hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., lunch is included. For more information, email dneumann@openspaceauthority.org, or call 226-3175.

MISCELLANEOUS

March 1 – May 17
Spring Walking Series at Guadalupe River Park & Gardens: Start the New Year out right by registering for a structured walking series from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. with Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens. Step after step, you’ll become healthier through these group walks that will take place on the beautiful paved trails of the Guadalupe River Park. Whether you are an avid walker or new to a walking program, you will learn about proper equipment, walking technique, stretching and beneficial strength exercises for walkers while meeting others who enjoy walking. Fees are $50/members, $60/non-members. All participants must be 18 years or older. All classes will meet at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (408) 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more.

March 28 – 29
The Lace Museum, 552 South Murphy Ave, in Sunnyvale is hosting its semi-annual vintage lace sale. This event includes vintage linens--tablecloths, placemats, napkins, pillow cases, sheets, and bedspreads, vintage lace edging, antique lace edged handkerchiefs, jewelry, and many more items. Hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. with free parking.

March 31
Joint Venture Churches of Almaden presents “Enhancing Our Lives With Humor,” the light-hearted topic of Vivian Silva at the second in a series of free seminars dealing with “Care in Crisis.” Discussion begins at 7:30 p.m. at the church – 6581 Camden Ave. in San Jose. For additional information, call 268-0843.
Apr. 10

Wine Tasting and Live Band Dance for Single Professionals: Single professionals of all ages are invited to Number One Broadway, 102 S. Santa Cruz Ave in Los Gatos to meet new friends who appreciate fine wines and live music. Featured entertainment is “Sweet Lucy.” The cost is $30 at the door and includes all the wines you can taste, from boutique wineries, accompanied by appetizers to cleanse the palate, plus live entertainment. For more information, call 415/507-9962 or visit www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Ongoing
Our Annual Jewelry Extravaganza is coming in April! We need your tax-deductible jewelry donations now for another successful event. Proceeds support cancer research. American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 1103 Branham Lane, for more information, call 265-5535.

Humane Society Silicon Valley will stay open later to accommodate the public during the spring/summer months. Beginning on Monday, March 10, our Adoptions Program will be open from 11:30 a.m.- 8:30p.m. Monday
through Friday with the last appointment/walk in taken at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, we will be open from 10a.m.-7p.m. with the last weekend appointment/walk in taken at 6p.m.
MOMS Club of San Jose - Blossom Hill/Santa Teresa chapter: We are a playgroup that meets a few times per week for many fun, social activities. Our website is www.bayareamoms.org, Contact Victoria Meline for more information 888-5838.

The Almaden Valley Al-Anon Family Groups meet every Friday from 10to 11:45 a.m. and on Sundays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 1198 Redmond Avenue, San Jose. Al-Anon helps families and friends learn what they can do about excessive drinking, alcoholism and its effects on the entire family. Meetings do not require appointments. There is no charge for attendance. For more information, call 379-1051 or visit the web site at http://www.ncwsa.org/scvafg/

12-Step Christian Program - Celebrate Recovery! Program held every Monday night at 7 p.m. at Generations Foursquare Church, 133 Bernal Road in San Jose. For more information, call 504-7687 or visit celebraterecovery@generationsfoursquare.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.