April 26, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

April 21 – May 6
Opera San José presents Puccini’s breathtaking blockbuster, “Madame Butterfly”. Eight performances are scheduled at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. For many, Madame Butterfly is the most beloved opera in the repertoire, a masterpiece propelled by the tragedy that befalls a beautiful, delicate teenager. A bride at 15, single mother at 16, dead at 18, young Cio-Cio-San is crushed by ignorance and selfishness. Loyal, obedient, and utterly faithful, she never waivers in her devotion to her husband, even when it is clear to all others that he has deserted her.

April 28 & May 5
Auditions for the California Youth Symphony will soon take place, and there are still openings for horn, bassoon, bass, harp, trumpet, and trombone players. Although the official registration deadline has passed, players of these instruments are encouraged to contact CYS and schedule an audition appointment. Auditions for membership in the 2007 – 2008 California Youth Symphony will take place at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, on April 28 and May 5. Horn, bassoon, bass, harp, trumpet, and trombone players who would like to audition may telephone Jim Hogan or Ching Ying Pang at 650-325-6666. Interested young musicians may also visit the CYS website: http://www.cys.org.

April 29 – Sunday
Composers at the Capital Club: The focus is on composers at this 6 p.m. benefit dinner and silent auction for the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. Chamberjazz and tangos by Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco. This event will include an audience-driven multi-composer new work to be written on the spot! Tickets must be purchased ahead. $100.   Phone 295-4416 or email sjco@sbcglobal.net.

May 6 – Sunday
Almaden Hills Spring Choir Concert The thirty-member choir performs "Anthem After Anthem," ranging from traditional spirituals to Mozart works in Latin.  Several songs will be accompanied by trumpet, piano, or organ.  Stirring solo selections will be played on the church's new Allen Organ to show it at its best.  A reception follows.  Program begins at 3 p.m. A donation of $10 for tickets may be made at the door.  Almaden Hills United Methodist Church, 1200 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. For more information, call 269-2345.

DANCE

April 26 – 29
Ballet San Jose traces 4,000 years of Chinese history and mythology in “Middle Kingdom - Ancient China” at The Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose.  Be witness to some of the world's great inventions...paper, printing, the compass and gunpowder.  Watch the Zodiac come to life.  This production is choreographed by Dennis Nahat with Yong Yao of Chinese Performing Artists of America (CPAA).  The sets and costumes, designed by Ching Shyu, were built in China.  Guest artists from CPAA join the Ballet San Jose dancers. Commissioned score by Phil Young. Tickets are $25-$78. To purchase tickets or for additional information, call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org.

THEATER

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.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

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 28
The City of San José and San José Public Library celebrate the Month of the Young Child by hosting the 19th Annual San José Children's Faire "Watch Me Grow!" Children and their families will have the opportunity to join in free activities, enjoy live entertainment and find out about community programs for young children. Admission is free. 10:00am-3:00pm Saturday, April 28, at Discovery Meadow in front of the Children's Discovery Museum,
off Woz Way in downtown San José

WHO: San José Public Library, Early Care & Education Unit

WHY: The goal of this event is three-fold: to celebrate
the remarkable stages of development of young children,
to recognize programs and organizations that support young
children and their families, and to provide resources to parents.

May 5 – Saturday
Big Spring gently used Book Sale, sponsored by the Vineland Library Friends of the Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose.  Books, hard cover and paper back, and media, all for children and adults, will be available.  9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  All proceeds go to benefit library programs and activities!

Ongoing
Summer is the time for California Theatre Center’s exciting and educational Summer Theatre Conservatory Program. Based in Sunnyvale, California Theatre Center (CTC) has offered its hands-on theatre Conservatories for ages 8 and up for over twenty years. By popular demand CTC now offers 2-week-long, half-day/ morning Junior Conservatories for ages 6-8. Registrations are currently being accepted at 245-2979. CTC’s regular Summer Conservatory is a three-week-long intensive workshop for young people ages 8 and up (must turn 8 by July 1, 2007) who are interested in developing and improving theatre skills. Conservatory students will work directly under the supervision of professional CTC company members to produce and act in their own production, culminating in public performances at the end of their Conservatory session. Conservatories are held from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm five days a week at a number of locations throughout the South Bay including San Jose, Sunnyvale, Saratoga and Los Altos. For more information about CTC Summer Conservatory dates and locations visit our web site at www.ctcinc.org. To register your child, call 408-245-2979.

CLASSES

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. 

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
Attention recently retired or semi retired men! Sons in retirement (SIRS) meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Elks Club, 444 West Alma in San Jose for lunch. Join us for good food, great speakers and the chance to meet new friends. SIRS has many activities including bowling, golf computer clubs. SIRS has no initiation fees or dues. If you are interested come to one of the Branch 94 luncheons or call Ron Bianco at 267-0386

MISCELLANEOUS

April 27 – Friday
“The Last Comic Standing” and “Comedy Central” star Paul Varghese LIVE at EVC’s Montgomery Hall. Presented by the Aspire Program and the President’s office this one-night-only show is sure to be a sell out (some explicit language) so purchase you tickets now by calling Vivian Yabumoto at 270-6227. Cost is $4 per person. Opening Comedian: Michael Bettencourt.

April 28 – Saturday
Cryy Out Christian Family (CCF) Community Resource Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3167 Senter Road, across from Andrew Hill High School. Activities include Resource Information , Workshops (College Prep, first time home buyer etc.), Entertainment and Free refreshments. This event is free to the public and all are welcome.

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.

May 5 - Saturday
The offices of San Jose Councilmember Nancy Pyle will be hosting the 2nd Annual District 10 Budget and Neighborhood Forum from 10 a.m. to noon at the Almaden Winery Community Center, 5370 Chambertin Drive in San Jose. This annual forum offers District 10 residents a chance to weigh-in on the budget process. Attendance will receive a brief overview of the budget process and the City Manager’s proposal by Deputy City Manager, Mark Linder. Following this presentation, Strong Neighborhoods Manager Laura Lam and District 10 Chief of Staff Leland Wilcox will lead a discussion and priority setting session with the forum attendees, allowing participants to highlight their concerns and areas of importance in the proposed budget.

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

May 19 - Saturday
The James Lick High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at A.P. Stumps in San Jose. All details at jameslick1987.myevent.com or contact Lori at 408-568-1329.

The South Bay Astrological Society meets at 1 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month at the Divine Science Community Center,

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.