March 23, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC
March 25 - Saturday
El Camino Youth Symphony with David Kim at the California Theatre: The critically acclaimed Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony, directed by Dr. Camilla Kolchinsky, announces its 2005-2006 Season Annual Benefit Concert, featuring special guest artist, Mr. David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Kim will perform the Brahms Violin Concerto with the ECYS Symphony, continuing the ECYS tradition of offering students opportunities to perform with soloists of international stature. Performance time 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Admission $20 - $20 per person. For more information, 650-327-2611 or www.ecys.org

March 25 – April 2
The Lyric Theatre Group presents “Die Fledermans” at the Montgomery Theater: Johann Stranss, Jr.’s “Die Fledermans” gives us the memorable Champagne Song, The Watch Duet, Sing to Love, Czardas, The Laughing Song and many waltzes. A husband with a wandering eye, a maid who longs to be on stage, a virtuous wife trying to get rid of an old flame, and a friend who seeks retribution. Join us for the revenge of the Bat; fully staged with orchestra. Admission is $20.50 - $27 per person. For more information, call 408-986-1455 or www.Lyrictheatre.org

April 1 - 2
Symphony Silicon Valley presents “Nakamatsu Plays Grieg”at the California Theatre: Conductor William Boughton with Soloist Jon Nakamatsu featuring Beethoven “Egmont Overture”, Grieg “Piano Concerto”, Sibelius “Symphony #5.” Performance times are Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysanjose.org for more information.

Ongoing
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop, 6946 Almaden Expressway features live music with Arturo Ville every Thursday. Come and enjoy the classical and contemporary stylings of a local guitar virtuoso. Performances are from 6 - 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 323-9463, or visit www.unwined.com.

THEATER
March 18 – April 16
San Jose Repertory Theatre is pleased to present the Bay Area premiere of Rolin Jones’ comedy “The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow: An Instant Message with Excitable Music”, playing March 18 – April 16. Directed by Kim Rubenstein, This quirky techno-comedy centers on 22-year-old Jennifer Marcus, (Sue Jean Kim) a brilliant, yet obsessive-compulsive, agoraphobic woman and her quest to find her Chinese birth mother with the help of a robotic version of herself, dubbed Jenny Chow. This show is presented as a co-production with Portland Center Stage. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office,101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 367-7255.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
March 11 – April 8
West Valley Light Opera Association will open its second production of its 41st Season, “Once Upon A Mattress” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale in Saratoga with an 8 p.m., champagne gala performance. Weekend performances will continue through the second Saturday in April. Directed by Jeff M. Hicks, this musical is based Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Princess and the Pea.” For reservations and information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

March 18 – April 2
The Tabard Theatre presents “The Magicians Nephew” the prequel to “The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe” in C.S. Lewis’ beloved series “The Chronicles Of Narnia.” Follow young Digory and his friend Polly as magical rings transport them to enchanted Narnia and wicked Charn where they meet Aslan the great lion and Jadis the evil queen. Join them in this imaginative and highly theatrical dramatization of a literary classic. For ticket and performance information, visit www.tabardtheatre.org. All performances are staged at the Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Avenue in San Jose.

March 24 – 26 & 30 – April 2
Presentation High School presents Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” a play centered on rumors, witchcraft and mystery. The Crucible plays at the Valenzuela Theatre on the Presentation High School campus, 2281 Plummer Avenue in San Jose. Ticket prices are $15 adults and $10 students. For tickets and show times please go to www.pres-net.com or call 264-1664 ext. 2425.

March 25 – Saturday
The Banana Slug String Band will perform in concert at 5:00 p.m. at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden, 6581 Camden in San Jose. The Banana Slug String Band is a group of lovable musicians and educators from the coastal redwoods of Northern California. The Slugs are “Airy” Larry Graff, Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Solar” Steve Van Zandt and “Marine” Mark Nolan. This award-winning group is renowned for their creative incorporation of music, theater, puppetry, and audience participation into a fun-filled and entertaining learning experience appropriate for all ages. Advance tickets are $15 general, $8 students and $5 children ($20, $10 and $5 respectively at the door). Child care will be provided. For more information, call 268-0243.

CLASSES
Ongoing
Starting in April, beginner Italian Classes will be offered on Monday mornings at Holy Cross Parish, 580 East Jackson Street in San Jose, CA 95112-2736. For more information or to register please call 646-0232.
German Language Classes!. South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German-Language Saturday School, offers German language instructions at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue, CA 95125. The school offers pre-school/kindergarten through adult courses on Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00.  For more information visit our website www.sbds.org or call 266 5100. Please note that no information is available weekdays at the school location. 

FIFTY PLUS
Ongoing
AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

VOLUNTEERS
March 28, April 8 & 11
Vision Literacy needs tutor volunteers to help adults build their literacy skills. Tutor volunteer opportunities exist in community literacy, family literacy, substance abuse treatment programs and correctional facilities. Call 262-1349 or email info@visionliteracy.org to register for one of these tutor volunteer orientation dates or get more information on this program

Ongoing
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, www.wcsv.org, seeks center volunteers and home care volunteers to care for injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We also need volunteers to help with educational outreach, database/office management, landscaping, facilities planning, event planning, graphic design, board work, and fundraising. The Wildlife Center, located in San Jose, has an active and enthusiastic corps of volunteers committed to welcoming and training new supporters.  Join us in helping local wildlife, one animal at a time. Email Patricia Abreu at volunteer@wcsv.org or call (408) 929-WILD (9453) for orientation dates.

MISCELLANEOUS
March 24 - 25
Junior League of San Jose presents “La Dolce Vita” the 14th Biennial Fashion Show and Fundraising event held in the Imperial Ballroom—San Jose Fairmont Hotel. Support our community while previewing the hottest Spring fashions. Featured designers include: MaxMara, Azadeh, Macy’s Valley Fair, Jessica McClintock and Tiffany & Co. Attendees will have a chance to win valuable prizes including a Vespa, a Sonoma Valley Wine Getaway, landscape design, a spa experience, a romantic getaway and much more. One lucky person will win a gorgeous diamond, in a setting of their choice, in the Grand Prize drawing. March 24 Fashion Show and Luncheon 11 a.m.; March 25 Fashion Show and Bellini Brunch 11 a.m., March 25th Fashion Show and Evening Gala 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.jlsj.org, call the Junior League of San Jose at 264-3402 or email us at fashionshow@jlsj.org. Ticket prices vary depending on event.

March 25 – Saturday
The 3rd Annual Fur Ball benefiting the Humane Society of Silicon Valley will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 2050 Gateway Place in San Jose. Tickets are $150 Per Person (or $1,500 for table of ten) To purchase tickets or for additional information, please call 727-3383 x879 or email bvitcosky@hssv.org RSVP by 03/10/06 Cocktail Attire Faux Fur and Costumes Encouraged (Two-Legged Guests Only)

March 25 – 26
The 13th annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative March and Festival will begin with a pre-rally at the Mexican Heritage Plaza on Saturday at 10 a.m. The March follows at 11 a.m., and will conclude at the Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez in downtown San Jose. Festival to follow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Festival hours at the Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Chavez Family Vision, Inc. in partnership with the Mexican Heritage Corporation. For more information call 923-3854, 453-1270, or visit www.chavezfv.org/www.mhcviva. org.

March 25 & 29
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop presents “California Dreamin’” on March 25. A tasting of 10 great California wines from 2 - 5:30 p.m. The cost is $20. On March 29, Unwined will feature Donati Family Vineyards from 6 - 8 p.m. The cost is $15. Unwined is located at 6946 Almaden Expressway in San Jose. Call 323-9463 or visit www.unwinedshop.com for more information.

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.