April 27, 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.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose presents Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas’ international percussion sensation “STOMP” to the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Using everything but traditional percussion instruments, STOMP brings the music on with trashcans, plastic bags, plungers, boots, and hubcaps. This one-week limited engagement shows from May 2 – 7. Tickets are $46 - $73 per person. To purchase tickets, call 1-888-455-7496 or 453-7108 or visit www.amtsj.org. Photo: Junichi Takahashi

April 28 - 29
Artists Debbie Arambula, Sonya Paz, Carolyn Larsen and Jodi Lewis will lend their unique talents to a collaborative work benefiting the San Jose Museum of Art at the “Bejeweled Jewelry Show, Silent Auction and Art Sale & Live Painting” fundraising event. During this event, each artist will be painting a section of the outside of the Museum in their own distinctive style, offering the public a chance to see art in the making. Hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.

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.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
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 27 – May 6
Pioneer High School Drama presents “Guys and Dolls,” at PHS’s new Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 general, $6 students and seniors. For performance dates, to purchase tickets, and additional information, visit www.pionneerhigh.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Curtain is 7:30 p.m., box office opens at 6:45 p.m.

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
Pioneer High School Chamber Choir and Castillero Middle School Stage Band will perform in concert at 3:00 p.m. at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden in San Jose. The award-winning Castillero Stage/Jazz Band will perform first, with the Pioneer Chamber Choir taking the stage after intermission. The Chamber Choir will offer a varied program of jazz, spirituals, and traditional choir numbers. Mr. Joseph DeMar directs the Castillero Stage/Jazz Band and Mr. Jeremy Harris directs the Pioneer High School Chamber Choir. Tickets reserved in advance are $15 (general), $8 (students 7th grade and higher), $5 (children 6th grade and lower). A “family pack,” is $40.00. Unreserved tickets at the door will be, respectively, $20.00; $15.00; $5.00. Call 268-0243 for reservation and more information. Childcare will be provided at no additional charge.

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 29 – Saturday
Calling all expectant mothers! The "Road to Motherhood Tour" is a traveling educational program for expectant parents that will visit Babies "R" Us, 865 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Key features of the tour include the use of remarkable footage that combines sophisticated computer animation with state-of-the art ultrasound technology, live daily presentations on parenting topics and gift bags and product samples, all to help parents and family members prepare for the arrival of a child. The “Road to Motherhood Tour” is sponsored by Babies “R” Us in partnership with “Babytalk Magazine,” Carter’s and Motherhood Maternity.

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 5 – 14
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose presents its Mainstage production of “Phantom.” Based upon the book by Author Kopit with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, this production will stage at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. “Phantom” is the mesmerizing tale of tainted love and self-sacrifice and features memorable tunes such as "Home", "Melodie de Paris" and "Who Could Have Dreamed Up You". This production of “Phantom” also marks the grand finale for one of CMT’s most treasured guest directors, John McCluggage. McCluggage is to become artistic director of New Hampshire's Seacoast Repertory Theatre. For tickets or additional information call 288-5437 or visit www.cmtsj.org. Admission:$11 - $15

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 - Saturday
Beginning Bird Walk: Grab your binoculars and walking shoes for an early morning bird walk from 8 – 10 a.m. in the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens. Hawks, kestrels, egrets and woodpeckers are just some of the feathered varieties we may see along the way. The leader, Janna Pauser, has been birding for about 7 years, is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and monitors 45 nest boxes for the Bluebird Recovery Program with her husband. Please bring your own binoculars. The walk will meet and start at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Space is limited, so sign up today by contacting the Education Coordinator at education@grpg.org or 298-7657. Please visit www.grpg.org for more information. Fee is $3.00/members, $5.00/non-members.

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.

MISCELLANEOUS
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 3 – Wednesday
Gore Vidal, American literary icon of the past half century and the 2006 Martha Heasley Cox Lecturer, will make a rare San Jose appearance for the Center for Literary Arts and the Associated Students at San Jose State University at 7:30 p.m. in SJSU University Theatre. For more information call 924-4600 or visit www.litart.org. Admission is free.

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.

May 8 - Monday
Unique Lives & Experiences presents “Maya Angelou” at the Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. Angelou has been hailed as one of the greatest speakers of our time. This three-time Grammy winning poet, playwright, producer and author is so compelling that months later you will still remember her words. Event time is 7:30 p.m. Call 877-882-8124 or visit www.eventsunlimited.org for more information. Admission is $132 - $252.

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.