July 28, 2005

NEWS BRIEFS

Tabard Theatre seeks actors to audition for ‘Smoke on the Mountain’

Tabard Theatre is seeking actors/singers who play instruments (but this is not required) for the upcoming performance of “Smoke on the Mountain.”

Since its premiere in 1988, “Smoke on the Mountain” has become the second most produced musical in regional theatres (after “Pump Boys and Dinettes”), proving that a Broadway run is not required for theatre success. It is described as a rousing musical comedy about a family of gospel singers that bring a little family feudin’ along with keeping the faith in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church somewhere in the North Carolina hills, 1938.

Auditions will be held July 30 and 31 by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, call (408) 979-0231 or visit www.tabardtheatre.org.

Harley extends a helping hand

To commemorate Harley-Davidson’s 25th anniversary as a national sponsor for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, San Jose Harley-Davidson will be selling special Harley and MDA wristbands to benefit the MDA.

San Jose Harley-Davidson will offer orange wristbands to customers who make a donation to the MDA. Additionally, customers who come in for a test ride on a Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle during the “Demo Days for MDA” promotion can also receive a Harley-Davidson collector’s edition wristband.

The wristbands will be available throughout the summer while supplies last.

“We’re proud to participate in this latest fund-raiser for the MDA. We hope to continue to raise money and support the programs and services until a cure is found and no child or adult suffers from neuromuscular disease,” says Brian P Cardozo of San Jose Harley-Davidson.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bracelet will go to support the life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease and the MDA summer camps.

In 2004, MDA-funded research made several breakthroughs including news that the gene for a specific protein can preserve strength and prolong life in mice that have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). That protein is now being tested in people with ALS.

Since 1980, Harley has raised over $50 million for the MDA through its family of dealers, customers, suppliers and employees as a national sponsor.

For more information or to support Demo Days for MDA, visit San Jose Harley-Davidson at 1551 Parkmoor Ave in San Jose or call (408) 998-1464.

Be a part of the inaugural season of the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale

Experienced and skilled singers are needed for the inaugural season of the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale.

Highlights of the SSV Chorale’s first season will include two performances at the California Theatre—a Holiday Concert with San Jose Brass and Mozart’s Requiem with Symphony Silicon Valley and Maestro George Cleve—as well as other concerts and engagements. Singers must demonstrate substantial vocal training, advanced sight-singing skills and musicianship as well as willingness and availability to commit to rehearsal schedule and concert engagements.

Auditions for all voice parts will be held on Saturday, Aug.13 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Please call Artistic Director Elena Sharkova at (408) 924-4645 or e-mail at her sharkova@email.sjsu.edu for more information and to schedule an audition. Audition slots are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These are volunteer positions.

Caltrain and VTA buses are off to the races July 30 and 31

Race fans can leave the driving to the professionals and take Caltrain and VTA buses to the San Jose Grand Prix on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.

VTA is providing free light rail shuttle service from San Jose Diridon Station to the Children’s Discovery Museum Station, just steps away from the race entrances on Woz Way and East San Carlos Street.

In addition to its regular service, Caltrain will provide two special limited-stop trains.

The open-wheel race in downtown San Jose will feature some of the profession’s most talented drivers racing at nearly 200 miles per hour and offer activities for race fans of all ages.

On July 30, special trains will leave San Francisco at 7:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., arriving at the San Jose Diridon station at 8:55 a.m. and 9:55 a.m., respectively. Northbound, special trains will leave the San Jose Diridon station at 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., and arrive in San Francisco 70 minutes later.

On July 31, special trains will leave San Francisco at 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. and arrive at the Diridon station at 10:55 a.m. and 11:55 a.m., respectively. Northbound trains will leave San Jose at 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

The special trains will stop at nine Caltrain stations: San Bruno, Millbrae, San Mateo, Hillsdale, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara.

Caltrain is a Proof-of-Payment system, requiring all passengers to have valid fare media before boarding the train. Caltrain sells tickets through machines at all stations.

Passengers may purchase one-way, day pass, or 10-ride tickets. The 10-ride ticket is a great bargain for families and groups of friends heading to the race because one ticket may be used by all members of the traveling party, providing they don’t exceed the 10-ride limit. Passengers are required to validate all 10-ride tickets before boarding.

Monthly pass holders ride free through all zones on weekends. For additional schedule and fare information, call Caltrain at (1-800) 660-4287 or visit www.caltrain.com. People with hearing impairments may call (650) 508-6448 (TTY only).