April 20, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

ART
March 24 – May 20
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) will showcase “Driving by Braille,” a video by Kerry Loewen in the gallery’s First Street window.  “Driving by Braille” is part of the ICA’s installation series “Night Moves,” providing after-dark programming in the gallery’s front and rear windows, giving the ICA a nighttime presence while  animating the downtown cultural landscape. The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Admission to exhibitions is free.

DANCE
April 20 - 23
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “Les Sylphides” and “Slavonic and Hungarian Dances” with the World Premiere of “Moon Reflection on Crystal Spring” and a Special Guest Performance of “Strange Fruit” by Oscar Hawkins. All performances held at The San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Tickets are $22 - $74. For more information call the Box Office at 288-2800 or but online at www.balletsanjose.org

MUSIC
April 30 - Sunday
Third Annual Opera in the Park at Overfelt Gardens – Opera Sings Broadway and other show tunes: Join us for an exciting afternoon from 3 – 5 p.m. of Broadway songs and popular tunes reminiscent of the good old days. Featuring San Francisco Opera’s mezzo-soprano, Zheng Cao and special guests. Bring a hat, a chair, sunblock and your picnic basket and enjoy the beautiful sounds of professional opera singers as you sit under the shady trees. VIP seating and an up-close musical experience is available for a tax-deductible donation. For more information, please visit opera@chineseculturalgarden.org or call (408) 258-3231. Location is Overfelt Gardens’ Chinese Cultural Garden, 368 Educational Park Drive in San Jose.

Ongoing
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop, 6946 Almaden Expressway features live music with Arturo Ville every First, Third (and Fifth) Thursday; and Don Balistreri, solo guitar every second and fourth Thursday. All Thursday night performances are from 6 - 9 p.m. Every Sunday features The Steve Cannon Jazz Ensemble from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 323-9463, or visit www.unwined.com Check the website for Wine tasting and Wine Education class schedules.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
April 23 – Sunday
Salon Rache, 1875 South Bascom in Campbell’s Pruneyard is sponsoring a Cut-A-Thon fundraiser. All funds collected will go to support 18-month-old Gabriel who is battling cancer. All haircuts are $25 (regularly $50 - $70) and first 50 callers will receive a complimentary gift bag. In addition, all participants will be entered in a drawing to win $200 in Kerastase Paris products customized to their needs. Call 377-2255 to set up an appointment.

April 27 – 30
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose presents “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. Filled with magic, mayhem and flying carpet rides, audiences will be swept away with excitement by an award winning score written by the creators of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aida,” including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me". “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” is directed and choreographed by CMT artist-in-residence Shannon Self. Tickets are $15 adults, $12 children 12 and under. Special Target® Family Matinee performance Saturday, April 29 at noon, all tickets $7.25. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the CMTSJ web site at www.cmtsj.org or call 288-5437.

April 28 – Friday
American Musical Theatre of San Jose presents the ever-popular children’s literature character, Franklin, live on stage in “Franklin’s Class Concert.” Playing at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, this fun-filled production features all of Franklin’s woodland friends – Fox, Beaver, and Bear – as they prepare for their annual class concert. A treat for young and old, this all new production is full of singing, dancing and loads of laughter. Performance time is 7:30 p.m. Visit www.amtsj.org for more information.

April 29 - Saturday
“Ready, Set, Play" is the theme of the 17th Annual San José Children's Faire held to celebrate the "Month of the Young Child." The Children's Faire features over 50 activity booths sponsored by organizations and businesses with services and/or products for families with young children. Each booth offers a free, hands-on activity for children aged 2-12, as well as child development resources for parents and caregivers. Family entertainment, special attractions, exhibits, and food are also offered. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the annual "Month of the Young Child" Second Harvest Food Bank drive. Event hours are 11a.m. – 4 p.m.

April 29 – Saturday
The Santa Clara Kiwanis presents “Kids Fish Derby” for ages 3 – 12 years at the corner of El Camino and Lincoln – the pond by the City Offices. Come try your luck at this fully-supervised event. All rods and bait will be supplied. Special prizes awarded. Event hours are 6:30 – 11 a.m. Sponsored by the City of Santa Clara. All fishes not caught will be donated to Operation Share.

April 30 – Sunday
29th Annual Nikkei Matsuri (Japanese American Cultural Arts Festival) will features Japanese American foods, arts and crafts, performing arts on two stages and cultural art displays in the heart of San Jose Japantown. Jackson Street between Fourth and Sixth Streets. Event hours are 9:30a.m.-4 p.m., Free Admission. For more information visit www.nikkeimatsuri.org or call 241-0900.

May 6 – Saturday
Holy Spirit School’s 6th Annual Auction Gala "Soto le Stelle Italiane-Under the Italian Stars” will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose at 6 p.m. Admission is $100 per person. For more information call 268-0794.

May 6 – 7
10th Annual A La Carte & Art, The Bay Area's bustling festival season officially kicks-off in Mountain View at this vibrant, open-air springtime celebration featuring live rhythm and blues, jazz, Motown, and rock 'n roll music, a juried arts and crafts show with 250 exhibitors offering their latest handcrafted wares, savory stroll-around food, premium wines and microbrews, a farmers' market with fresh seasonal produce, chefs' demonstrations, street performers, and the "Tons of Fun Zone" with amusements and games for kids. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. both days. Location is on Castro Street between Church and Evelyn in Mountain View. Call 650-964-3395 or visit www.miramarevents.com for more information.

CLASSES
Ongoing
Fine Art Classes will be held on Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the New Almaden Community Club, Bertram Rd (behind La Foret Restaurant). Instruction in oil, watercolor, pastel, and acrylic. All skill levels welcome. Go to www.galafineart.com or call 268-2990 for more information and materials lists.
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. 

MISCELLANEOUS
April 22 – Saturday
The National Kidney Foundation’s “SuperStride for Life” Walk comes to San Jose. The 5K self-paced walk will begin at 9 a.m. in St. James Park in downtown San Jose. This event features free refreshments, entertainment, goody bags and Walk T-Shirts. Walkers are asked to collect a minimum of $50 in pledges. Call the Walk Center at 415-543-3303 x109, or visit www.kidneynca.org to register.

April 22 – Saturday
The Original Rubber Stamp Convention: Originally called the Rubberama Stamp and Paper Arts Festival, this art rubber stamp convention features much more than fun rubber stamps. You will see many accessories such as stationery, stencils, beads and jewelry, memory scrapbooking supplies, embossing goods, stamp pads, markers, etc. Learn to create your own hand-made greeting cards, invitations, scrapbooks, and much more. Event hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm at Parkside Hall. Admission: $6, Children under 12 Free. For more information, visit www.astampinthehand.com

April 27 – Thursday
Residents of Almaden and other interested parties are invited to attend a special AVCA presentation -- a forum for the San Jose District Attorney Candidates and five Mayoral Candidates at 6:15 p.m. at the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Room, 5700 Almaden Expressway.   The four District Attorney Candidates will be asked questions submitted by the audience and the five mayoral candidates will answer pre-submitted questions for the remainder of the time.  The event is scheduled to end by 9:00 p.m.  For more information visit the AVCA web site at www.avca-sj.org.

April 29 – 30
Copa Coca-cola 2006 returns to San Jose: Some of the area’s best teen athletes will compete for the National Championship and a Chance to Represent the United States at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany when more than 700 of the best teen soccer players will compete in 48 teams for a chance to win the national title and a trip to Germany. Winners advance to the nationals in June to compete for all-expenses paid travel to Germany as U.S. representatives as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will take place at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex at 16345 Murphy Ave., Morgan Hill.  Teens interested in participating can call 1-800-557-6570 or visit the website at www.copa.coca-cola.com. This event is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of San Jose

April 30 – Sunday
Sherwood Inn Restaurant, 2988 Almaden Expressway (Corner of Foxworthy and Almaden Expressway) presents an afternoon of Jazz and Poetry - Reminiscent of San Francisco in the 1960’s. This gig runs from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. and includes poetry reading by published local poets (during the band's breaks). No cover charge, fantastic home-style cooking and great entertainment. Lead Singer is Nancy Williams (former guest of the famed NYC Apollo). For more information, call 266-2480.

May 5 - 7
San Jose Home and Garden Show: Themed “Come Home to the Best Times of Your Life,” this must-attend event will feature more than 400 industry leaders and special guest lecturers. Whether you own or rent, this event will showcase, demonstrate, cook up and share secrets that will put you on the path to comfortable, dream-worthy living spaces. Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, hours are May 5, 12 – 9 p.m., May 6, 10 a.m. -7 p.m., May 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.sanjosehomeshow.com. Admission is $10.

May 6 – Saturday
Come watch the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby with Jersey’s Cheesesteaks, 1781 Winchester Blvd. in Campbell!  There will be raffles, races, great food and just plain fun!  Donations will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Ongoing
Branham High School Class of 1976.  Our 30th Reunion is September 30 at Coyote Ranch.  We are looking for you and your high school friends.  Please email Pam Poor at pamela.schuur@comcast.net to get on the mailing list and visit www.geocities/branham76 for updates.

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.