June 21, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER

June 8 – July 27
California Theatre Center (CTC) presents “They're Playing Our Song”. This Broadway hit musical by Neil Simon, Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager is based on the real-life relationship of songwriters Hamlisch and Sager. Composer Vernon who is in need of a new lyricist, meets kooky, incurable romantic Sonia, and they dislike each other at first sight. Clearly the match is not one made in heaven! The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain. Performances are June 7 (Preview), 8 (Opening), with various dates continuing through July 27. Matinees performances are also available. Single tickets are $18 – 25 each with season subscription, senior, and group discounts available. For tickets and more information, call the CTC Summer Rep Box Office at 408-720-0873, or visit us online at www.ctcinc.org.

DANCE

June 16 - July 31
Youth Dance Company Auditions: Ladies and gentlemen ages 7 to 25 with performance experience are requested to email their resume to DTIdance@sbcglobal.net and schedule an audition by July 31. Accepted members are given a Performance Season, Choreography Opportunities, Cultural Events and Travel. Teachers and Choreographers are from national and international dance companies. www.DTIdance.com

MUSIC

June 7 – 28
Metro’s Music in the Other Park concert series. Free outdoor concerts each Thursday at St. James Park (First and St. James streets in downtown. Show time is 5:30 p.m. Food and drink are available at the show. For more information, call 279-1775 or check www.sjdowntown.com for details.

June 16 – 24
Lyric Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore at the Montgomery Theater: H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy Operas, and the first big hit by Gilbert and Sullivan. The plot revolves around a middle-class naval captain's daughter who is in love with a lower-class foremast hand (a common sailor, well below officer rank), even though she is betrothed to the upper-class First Lord of the Admiralty, the government official in charge of the Royal Navy. As with most of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, a surprise twist changes everything dramatically near the end of the story. Admission is $12 - $30, for more information or to order tickets, call 986-1455 or visit www.lyrictheatre.org

June 29 – 30
Bethel Church of San Jose, 1201 South Winchester Blvd, presents “Celebrate America – The Land of the Free.” This free patriotic musical celebration features a 100-voice choir and full orchestra. General seating is available in the Bethel Church 2000 seat auditorium. Performance times are 8 p.m. on 6/29 and two performances on 6/30 – one at 3 p.m. and one at 7p.m. The doors open approximately one hour prior to each performance time. Each staging of “Celebrate America” will include a variety of music featuring the Voices of Bethel, Kingdom Kids Choir, Bethel Orchestra and multimedia. For more information, call 246-6790, or visit www.bethel.org & http://www.bethel.org/CelebrateAmerica2007.htm

CHILDREN/FAMILY

June 2 – November 17
The new Santa Teresa Farmers’ Market is opening at the Kaiser Permanente facility in San Jose at the corner of Santa Teresa Blvd and Camino Verde. It will run every Saturday from 9am to 1pm through November 17, so bring the whole family down for food and fun.

June 20 – August 29
Free Summertime Cinema in downtown: Cinema San Pedro free outdoor movies will be shown at dusk every Wednesday. Located between Santa Clara and St. John streets, the first screening is “Airplane!” Bring your chair, sit back and relax! For more information and movie schedules, call 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com

June 23 – 24
The Monart Art School of south San Jose will be hosting its annual Art Show at the Vineland Branch library. The public is invited to attend this free showing.

June 30
First Annual Chalk Art Festival at Willow Glen's Lincoln Glen Park: The festival, supported in part by a grant from San Jose, will be held at Lincoln Glen Park, just off Curtner and Radio behind the Senior Center, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Artists will be creating chalk art alongside neighborhood kids and families. Create art as a family or group of friends or individually. The chalk art festival is put on by Heart of Chaos, an artisan collective and the primary program of non profit Catalyst for Youth a public charity that also runs an art program and a garden program at Santa Clara County's Juvenile Hall. Catalyst for Youth/Heart of Chaos will provide the chalk and cash prizes will be awarded at the close of the event. Fun for all ages! See www.catalystforyouth.org for more information or email Heart of Chaos program director Anabella Pinon at apinon@gmail.com

June 30 – July 4
Independence Day Red, White & Cool BBQ: Come celebrate Independence Day Weekend at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park! In addition to our great Red, White & Cool Celebration, the Park will host a special Independence Day BBQ in the patriotically themed Events Plaza from Noon - 2:00pm. Guests are encouraged to obtain wristbands immediately upon entering the Park. For more information, call 840-7100 or visit www.gilroygardens.org.

June – August
Escape to another world right in San José as History San José and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo partner to offer low-cost access to two of San Jose’s most significant attractions---all inside Kelley Park. On the second Tuesday of June, July and August, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., combined admission to all of Kelley Park is only $1.00 per person--- which includes Happy Hollow Park & Zoo and History Park. While at Kelley Park you can also visit the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is free and open daily year round.   This summertime outing offers families a chance to combine animals, history and gardens, all in one place:  Kelley Park in San José. Regular parking fees still apply. For more information, call 287-2290 or visit www.historysanjose.org

July 4
The annual Spirit of America event is happening at Church on the Hill (500 Sands Avenue, San Jose, on Wednesday July 4th at 5p.m.  This is a family-friendly carnival-type environment with games, shopping, food, music, and a fireworks show at sundown. Parking and admission are free but we are asking for a $2 per person suggested donation.  This year, the event is being held in collaboration with Church on the Hill (http://www.churchonthehill.com) and the Beautiful Day Organization (http://www. ourbeautifulday.org).  For more information, contact info@churchonthehill.com or call 265-9000.

CLASSES

June 14 – July 19
Yoga in the Park- Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens presents this gentle introduction to yoga led by instructor Kristin Strellis. This course is designed to improve your flexibility, balance and relaxation. All necessary equipment will be provided for your use. Please dress in comfortable clothing and be ready to stretch and relax. This class will be taught outside on the grass. Sessions are held Thursdays from 6:15 – 7 p.m. Cost is $30 for GRPG members and $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and participants must be 18 years of age or older. All classes will begin at the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. For more information and to register, visit www.grpg.org, e-mail education@grpg.org, or call 408-298-7657.

June 23 – July 14
Strength Training on the Guadalupe River Park Trail - Learn safe muscle toning and strength building exercises using fitness bands and park features. Instructor Kristin Strellis welcomes all levels of fitness. You will be provided with a fitness band to keep. Session times are Saturdays from 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. The cost is $30 fro GRPG members and $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and participants must be 18 years of age or older. All classes will begin at the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. For more information and to register, visit www.grpg.org, e-mail education@grpg.org, or call 408-298-7657.

MISCELLANEOUS

June 23
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at the Divine Science Community Center, 1540 hicks Avenue, San Jose. This annual community gathering and fundraiser will include a group “Snake Dance” Music, Singing Crystal Bowls Meditation, Circle of Prayers and Blessings and refreshments. Friends and family are invited to this fun-filled evening. Opening ceremony and Medicine Wheel at 7 p.m. Event hours are 7 – 10 p.m. Donations requested. For more information, call 293-3838.

June 24
Join the Rosicrucian Order and friends for their annual Rosicrucian Day of Peace celebration held in the Rosicrucian Peace Garden, 1342 Naglee Avenue, San Jose. Julie Scott, Grand Master of the Rosicrucian Order in San Jose, will lead this year’s meditation ceremonies at 1:30 pm. This event is free to the public. The Day of Peace is recognized by Rosicrucians worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.rosicrucian.org .  

June 24
Classics & Hot Rods of Campbell hosts the 4th Annual Classics & Hot Rods car show from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge #2347, 1680 Martin Avenue in Santa Clara. The car show benefits Hospice of the Valley and honors the memory of the late Manny Costa and Jack Leopardi—long-time friends and avid car enthusiasts.  It’s a day of fun and entertainment for the general public, and admission is free. The car show will showcase over 90 custom, classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and hot rods, as well as a raffle, entertainment, refreshments, and an awards presentation. The car show will draw attention to hospice and grief support and raise needed funds for end-of-life care services and programs for adults and children facing life-limiting illnesses.

Ongoing
September 1
Saratoga High School Class of 1987 is having their 20th Reunion at the California Café in Los Gatos.  For more information on this and other activities planned for the weekend please contact Jeni Pickard at jpickard2@cox.net or visit the official website at http://shs87reunion.com/

September 15
Leland High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion - held at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Montgomery, 211 South First Street in San Jose. For hotel reservations call 1-866-823-0530. See www.classmates.com for more information, or contact Cynthia Bradley @ cwatt12@yahoo.com Other weekend activities also planned.

September 22
Leigh High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion.  It will be held at the Hyatt Santa Clara.  You can register online at www.nationalreunions.com or shanicrosby@msn.com.  Other weekend activities are planned.

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.