April 10, 2008

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

April 19 – May 4
Opera San Jose presents The Magic Fluteat the California Theater: Easily one of the most charming and fanciful operas of all time, W.A. Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (Die Zauberflöte). Of all of Mozart’s operas, this is the only one that never fell out of favor, from its premiere in 1791 to the present day. It is based on a fairy tale that contains all the necessary elements: a romance between a strong, handsome prince and a gentle heroine; a war between a wicked queen and a wise sorcerer; and plenty of comic situations. “The Magic Flute” is a delightful introduction to opera for youngsters. Admission is $65 - $85. For more information, 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org

THEATER

April 2 - 27
San Jose Stage Company, in conjunction with San Francisco-based Thick Description Theater Company, presents “Blade To The Heat.” Directed by Tony Kelly, this production combines boxing and music for a visually riveting drama. Previous co-productions with Thick Description include last season's “Gibraltar”, as well as “Uncle Vanya” and “Ghosts”. All performances held at The Stage, 490 South First Street in San Jose. Tickets are $20 - $40 and may be ordered by phone at 283-7142 or online at www.sanjosestage.com.

April 11 – May 6
Sunnyvale Community Players proudly presents: "Fame - the Musical", set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984). Bittersweet but ultimately inspiring, this production follows a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. The issues tackled - prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance – still resonate today. All performances are at the Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E. Remington Ave. Sunnyvale. Visit www.sunnyvaleplayers.org for more information. 

April 19 – May 10
Actors Theatre Center presents the musical production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Avenue in San Jose. Ticket prices are $23 – 25 and include an intermission snack. A Hoedown Buffet Dinner is also available. The 4/20 matinee and buffet is $40. Shows generally begin at 8 p.m. see website at www.theatrecenter.biz or call 985-5500 for further show times and other information.

ART

April 4 - 31
San Jose’s Mariana Barnes will be exhibiting her art at the Elizabeth Norton Gallery, 668 Ramona Street m(upstairs) in Palo Alto. The exhibition ‘Mosaic Movement’ offers a new way of painting which Mariana has developed after 20 years of experimenting with color and pattern. Exhibit dates are April 4 – 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Opening reception will be Friday, April 4 as part of the First Friday Palo Alto Art Walk. Reception hours are 6 – 9 p.m.. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.pacificartleague.org.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

April 12
Spring Native Plant Sale: See scores of native plants, seeds, and bulbs suitable for California gardens, and speak to experts about lawn alternatives such as native perennials, wildflowers, and grasses. Native plant books, posters, and note cards available for purchase with cash or check only. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hidden Villa Ranch, CNPS Nursery, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Parking is free. Bring boxes to carry your purchases home. For more information, visit www.cnps-scv.org, email cnps_scv@yahoo.com, or call 650-941-1068.

April 12
Roll up your sleeves and get ready for the 7th Annual Great American Pick-up. Join other council district 10 community members along with council member Nancy Pyle from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Pat Dando Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Center, 1180 Blossom Hill Rd. All are welcome to this litter removal event designed to make your community more attractive and enjoyable.

April 18
Name that Plane! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s, it’s…a Boeing 737! Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. as we discover flight and the physics behind it as we build and test our own paper airplanes. Discover a new hobby, plane spotting, as we watch the planes fly overhead into Mineta San Jose International Airport. Record your sightings in a spotting journal to take home and buy a spotting journal to help you identify planes today and everyday. Workshops fees are $10/mebers and $15/non-members. This workshop is for attendees aged 5 – 10 years, and will take place at the Visitor and Education Center,438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required. Call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to register and learn more. Parents need not be present during the workshop.

April 18 – 27
Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose presents “Ragtime” at the Montgomery Theater: “Ragtime” intertwines three distinct stories that poignantly illustrate history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate. This epic new musical is by the award-winning composer/lyricist team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once On This Island, Seussical). For more information, call-288-KIDS or visit www.cmtsj.org

Ongoing
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.

CLASSES

April16 – June 18
Los Gatos recreation Center offers Tai Chi Chuan classes: Sessions meet every Wednesday at 11:30-12:30 p.m. for Beginners. Location is ,the Los Gatos Recreation Center 123 E. Main Street, Room B. Fees are $85 for 10 classes or $13 per class for drop-ins. For more information, call Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department at 354-8700, x221 or x225, or visit www.lgsrecreation.org.

April 17
Learn more about SBA Resources for the small business owner: This free workshop at the Campbell Library will show you how the Small Business Administration and its resource partners can help you with loans and business management skills. Discussion hours are 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and free to the public. Please call the library to reserve your space today at 866-1991.

Ongoing
Children's Drawing & Painting Classes - art classes for children 7-12 years old are offered in Nelly Rouhani's house in Almaden. Classes are on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. with a maximum 4:1 child to teacher ratio. Children will learn about the fundamentals of drawing and paint using various media. Tuition is $100 per month, and includes all required materials. A snack will be provided. For more information, call 607-7588 or email niloufarafshin@sbcglobal.net.

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!

FIFTY-PLUS

April 9
Argentine Tango Classes at the Willow Glen Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue. Spice up your life with tango! This new 6-week class session welcomes both singles and couples and will teach the fundamentals of Argentine Tango. Classes are Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8 p.m., the cost is $55 for San Jose residents. Wear smooth-soled shoes (non-grip) and come prepared to have fun. This course is offered through the city of San Jose. For more information call 448-6400.

April 19
Senior Seminar: This specialized seminar will featuring a panel of cross-industry experts discussing issues important to you. Topics will include Retirement Planning, Senior Living Options, Reverse Mortgages and information on Prop. 60 & 90 tax relief, as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist and Medicare representative. Location is the Old Almaden Winery, 5730 Chambertin Drive in San Jose. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon. Reservations are suggested. RSVP to either Margaret Guerrettaz at 621-1790, or Barbara Money at 888-5252.

MISCELLANEOUS

April 12
Ranch Rummage Sale and Open House at Cevalo Riding Academy: Come hunt for bargains and meet the horses at Cevalo's Ranch Rummage Sale. A wide variety of items will be available, from household goods to horse-themed items. Proceeds will go towards supporting our school horses into their retirement. Gates open at 9 a.m., no early birds please.

April 12
San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP’s 56th Annual Freedom & Friendship Gala: Eight individuals and four organizations will be honored and awarded at this event. These prestigious awards are given to individuals who have been nominated and selected for demonstrating a superior commitment and support advocacy to our community. Event time is 6 p.m. at Parkside Hall. For more information, call 295-3394 or www.sanjosenaacp.org . Admission: $130 - $175

April 16
The Hospice Foundation of America’s 15th annual teleconference, live-via satellite, “Living With Grief®: Children and Adolescents” is scheduled from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley, this nationally recognized educational program has been instrumental in educating health care professionals and families on issues affecting end-of-life care. 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

April 19
Rescued Cockers for adoption at Petco, 886 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose. Hours are 11 a.m. -3 p.m. Fee of $400 includes: spay/neuter, rabies, bordatella, DHLPP (5 in 1) shots and a microchip. Pet ages are 2-5 yrs. No pups. Dogs were saved from deaths in Southern CA shelters. For more information, call 835-4264 or (760) 891-0282, or visit http://adoptcockers.blogspot.com. This event is sponsored by DPS for Homeless Tails and Shelter Cocker Rescue, both of Romoland, CA.
This spring, show some more skin!  Attend our Spring Seminar at 10:30 a.m. at Clarity Medical Spa.  Find out about the latest treatments on laser hair removal as well as cellulite/fat reduction.  Come for refreshments, raffle prices, a presentation about revolutionary treatments and seminar discounts! 20% percent off any laser hair removal package and 20 percent off any cellulite & fat reduction package.  RSVP required. Call 270-3877 to reserve your space or visit www.claritymedicalspa.com
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.


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.