April 19, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

April 20-21
The Almaden Adventures in the Arts hosts tribute to the music of Cole Porter. The production, titled “Well Did You Evah?” is being led by music director John Leslie and will be held at the Joint Venture Churches of Almaden Valley, 6581 Camden Ave. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. both nights. The show features popular tunes from Porter’s vast repertoire with song and dance numbers by members of the joint churches adult and children’s choirs. Reserve tickets by calling 268-0243. Prices are $15 for adults; $8 for students; and $5 for children.

THEATER

April 7 – 29
San Jose Stage Company presents “The White House Murder Case,” Jules Feiffer’s Obie Award-winning satire, directed by Ray Garrett. Debuting off-Broadway in 1970, this political satire still resonates with its strangely familiar story of a President engaged in an increasingly unpopular war. As he and his Cabinet try to put a positive spin on a poison gas attack gone wrong, not to mention a murder in the Oval Office, the situation careens out of control, with hilariously lethal results. Previews of “The White House Murder Case” begin at The Stage, 490 South First Street, San Jose, on April 4-5, at 7:30 p.m. and on April 6, at 8 p.m. The Gala Opening is on April 7; at 8 p.m. Performances continue Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through April 29, 2007.

April 20-29
Marquee Productions presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” the 2002 Tony award-winner for Best Musical, staged at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Directed & Choreographed by Kevin R. Hauge. Tickets: $28. For more information, call 408-288-5437 or visti www.marqueeproductions.org

April 20 – May 5
"Jake’s Women," Neil Simon’s popular comedy and one of his later works, is being presented by Center Stage Productions, at the San Jose Center for Spiritual Living, 1195 Clark St. in San Jose. Resident Director, Bryan Freeman is directing and local actor Matt Singer will star as Jake. "Jake’s Women" is a comic psychological look at the complications in modern relationships. Novelist Jake finds writing about life is easier than living it and further complicates his own life through his fantasy world of relationships with the women in his life. Flashbacks, fantasy, and “real time” incidents intertwine to produce hilarious results. Tickets are $15, $12 for senior citizens 65+, and $20 for the Champagne Opening Night Gala. For directions or to purchase tickets, please call our Box Office at 284-1828 x116.

DANCE

April 22 – Sunday
sjDANCEco presents their 5th Annual Dancin' Downtown event.  This free event takes place at the Circle of Palms in the Fairmont Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. in honor of "National Dance Week."   More than 30 dance groups will participate including special guest Moving Arts Dance. 

CHILDREN/FAMILY

March 30 – April 30
In celebration of the life of César Chávez, the Mexican Heritage Plaza will be hosting a month-long schedule of events - The César Chávez Festival de Bellas Artes . Coordinated with Chávez Family Vision of San José, these events will involve the active participation of Chávez family members, including César’s sister, Rita Chávez Medina.  She will Co-Chair the event with District 5 Councilmember Nora Campos and San José Mayor Chuck Reed. For additional information on the planned events, call 408 928 5563 or visit www.mhcviva.org

April 3 – 30
To celebrate National Poetry Month in April, the Campbell Public Library is having a Teen Poetry Contest. One Middle School and one High School winner will each receive a $25.00 cash prize. Beginning April 3, each student may submit up to three original poems (no longer than 30 lines). The deadline for entering is April 30. Entry forms will be available at either the Children's or the Adult Reference desks, or online at www.santaclaracountylib.org starting April 3.

April 19 - 20
Pioneer High School is holding its annual "Spring Show" featuring performances by the award winning Pioneer Dance Team, the intermediate and advanced dance classes, the Jazz Band (April 19 only), the Varsity Singers (April 20 only), and other talented groups.  Join us at 7 p.m. for an evening of dance, music, and fun for the entire family.  Tickets are $5 for advanced sales and $7 at the door.  We are located at 1290 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose.  Park in the back of the school and then go to the Main Gym.  For more information, contact Virginia Itani at 448-3050.

April 20 – May 5
The Tabard Theatre Company presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” a stage adaptation of the hugely popular story by Roald Dahl, at the historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose. Adding another personal experience to the evening, the audience will be invited during intermission to take a tasty trip through Tabard’s own Chocolate Factory. This will feature products from Charlie’s Cheesecakes, along with Golden Ticket cookies, chocolate bars and other scrumptious delights. EHC LifeBuilders is this production’s designated non-profit to receive a portion of the show’s concession proceeds. Tickets are $22 general, $10 for youth 17 and under. Senior/ adult student discounts are available. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call the Tabard Box Office, 679-2330 to purchase or visit http://www.tabardtheatre.org for more information.

April 21 – Saturday
The Friends of the Almaden Library will hold their spring book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Almaden Library Community Center, at 6445 Camden Ave. "Gently used" books, CDs, DVDs, videos and audio cassettes will be available at bargain prices. All proceeds from the sale are used to support the programs and services of the Almaden Branch Library.

April 22 – Sunday
Century 21 Champion Fine Homes & Estates will be hosting a Family Fun Bowling Night from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at the Cambrian Lanes bowling alley in San Jose to raise funds for Jerry Book, a special young man in need of an Assistance K9 to assist him in day to day living. The $20 admission includes 2 1/2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, bowling ball and refreshments.  A $10 admission is a social ticket that does not include bowling.  Raffle tickets will also be sold for a  50/50 raffle drawing at the end of the event.  All proceeds go to Jerry Book and the Dogwish Foundation who trains the Assistance K9.  For further information, contact Margot Hessling at 445-4124.

April 22 – Sunday
Earth Day Fair - St. Julie Billiart Parish, 366 St. Julie Drive, San Jose. Hours are 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Information Booths, Children's Crafts, Continuous showing of “An Inconvenient Truth” 4 p.m. Keynote Speaker:  John Farley, NBC11 Chief Meteorologist-A Discussion on Global Warming 5 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner.  Adults $8, Children 12 and under $3.  All proceeds go towards the purchase of efficient energy sources for St. Julie's Church.

CLASSES

April 21 – Saturday
Come to a free lecture to learn how to rid your body of toxins and be a happier and livelier you! Hours are from 3 – 4 p.m. Lecture held at Silicon Valley Mission, 1140 Pedro Street in San Jose. For information or reservations call 971-7234.

Ongoing
"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. 

MISCELLANEOUS

April 20 – Friday
The Santa Clara County Division, of the California Retired Teachers Association, will meet for luncheon at the Three Flames restaurant, 1547 Meridian Avenue, at 11:30 a.m. Join us for good food, fellowship, and an informative talk by David Walrath, our Legislative Advocate. Call Roger Evans (294-8346) for reservations.

April 21 – Saturday
The University of California, Berkeley, is holding its annual open house -- Cal Day – from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This all-day event is open to everyone, including youngsters who want to see a giant T. rex skeleton, adults who want to explore campus museums, and sports fans wanting to cheer on the Bears. Campus tours via a motorized cable car will be offered throughout the day. The open house also will feature lectures about ground-breaking research, performances by the Cal Band, and much more, most of it free. A complete schedule of Cal Day activities will be online by April 1 at: http://calday.berkeley.edu/. For more information, call (510) 642-2294.

April 22 – Sunday
Come Hike with Sierra Singleaires. The group will meet at the Palo Alto Park and Ride, on Page Mill Road near 280, at 11:45 a.m. The hike will be at the Arastradero Preserve. This is free event. Call 493-7567 for information

April 26 – Thursday
Women and Money – Controlling Your Financial Future: Wouldn’t it be nice to learn how money really works? More importantly, would you like to learn how to make some of your hard-earned money work for you instead of you always having to work for it? World Financial Group is committed to helping women prepare, financially, for their future. If you need to develop a financial strategy, if changes in your life have taken you off your financial course, or if you just need to review your current financial conditions, don’t miss this very important educational seminar - 6:30 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception 7 – 8:30 p.m. Presentation. 3550 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 305, San Jose. Limited seating - call Lori Ellingson at 318-1943 to reserve your seat for this free event. For more information, visit loriellingson@sbcglobal.net.

April 28 – Saturday
Almaden Community Blood Drive – Sponsored by Margaret Guerrettaz of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. Event held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at PW Market, 6938 Almaden Expressway. Come and support Stanford Hospital. For appointments, call 621-1790. Walk-ins taken as available.

April 28 – Saturday
The San Jose Woman's Club annual Fashion Show will be held at the Clubhouse, 75 South Eleventh Street, beginning at 11 a.m. with hospitality, followed by the luncheon at noon, and the Fashion Show at 1 p.m. Couture is provided by Gloria's Fine Fashions, Inc..  Proceeds benefit three San Jose State University students. Two scholarships are for academic achievement, and the third for a promising voice student who will give a recital for the club in October.  Each receives $2500. Tickets may be purchased by calling Jeanice Owens at 294-8749.  Reservations should be received by April 24.  Donation is $35, which includes Valet Parking and Prizes.

April 28 – Saturday
San Jose Auditions for "Late Night with David Letterman's" "Stupid Pet and Human Tricks." CBS 5 Hosts event at the San Jose Home Show at the San Jose Convention Center. Hours are 1 – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.cbs5.com/contests. Free admission to the first 50 registrants.
Ongoing

May 1 - Tuesday
Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women- San Jose for women who have completed two full years from an accredited college or university. Applicants must reside in Milpitas, Campbell, San Jose, or Santa Clara, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants will need to show proof of enrollment in a four-year institution. Re-entry women are encouraged to apply if they have been out of college two or more years, and are returning as a junior. Grants are based on significance of academic goals; scholastic achievements; merits of the application; and an interview with the Local Scholarship Committee. Applications are now available online at www.aauwsanjose.org or by contacting Edie Kerr, Local Scholarship Chair, AAUW-San Jose, 40 Palomar Real, Campbell, CA 95008. Email is ekerr@strannik.com. The application deadline is May 1, 2007

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.