September 13, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Sept. 8 – 23
Opera San José launches its 2007–2008 season with Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Eight performances are scheduled at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. As an extra treat, this production will be directed by Timothy Near, artistic director of San Jose Repertory Theatre. It will be her second directorial assignment for Opera San José—and first in a foreign language. This production is presented in Italian with English Supertitles. Conductors —Anthony Quartuccio, Joseph Marcheso. Stage director —Timothy Near. Tickets are $66, $78, and $88 (includes city facility usage fee) and may be purchased from Opera San José Box Office, 2149 Paragon Dr., San José, For more information, call 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org

Sept. 29 - 30
Symphony Silicon Valley presents An American Anthem at the California Theatre: The season opens with the world premiere of David Amram’s symphonic version of Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land, commissioned by the Guthrie Foundation. The program includes Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony and Janácek’s Sinfonietta, led by Maestro Polivnick in his sixth appearance on SSV’s podium. Admission is $24 - $72. For tickets and additional information, call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

ART

Sept. 14 – Dec. 31
San Francisco’s Metreon, located at 101 4th Street, hosts the North American debut of Da Vinci – an Exhibition of Genius, celebrating the man who invented the forerunner to the tank, camera, and automobile, engineered bridges and cities, documented the intricacies of the human body, in addition to painting the most famous piece of art in the world. This stunning, interactive and experiential exhibition has taken 10 years to create, and includes 3D animations illuminating the genius behind the famous Vitruvian Man and the Last Supper. Come see the most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever assembled on the greatest creative mind of the Italian Renaissance.  Admission fees are Adult $19.50, Seniors (62+), $17.50 and kids aged 4-12 years are $15.50. For ticket information, visit davincithegenius.com.

MUSIC

Sept. 21
If you missed the “Finding Mercury” performance at KFOG's music in the park last month be sure to catch them at Barnes & Noble in Almaden.  This must see live rock performance is scheduled for 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Almaden Expressway B&N location, 5353 Almaden Expressway in San Jose. For more information, call 979.0611 or visit barnesandnoble.com

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Sept. 14 – 16
Holy Family’s 28th Annual Parish Festival: this year’s festival, located at 4848 Pearl Avenue (behind Oakridge) will feature the Sage Band on Friday from 7-10 p.m., Mixx Band on Saturday from 7-10 p.m., and other live entertainment to be featured throughout the weekend. Free and open to the public, this community event will offer carnival rides for all ages, international food, beer, wine, margaritas, games for all ages, a silent auction, bingo, and cherry bells for everyone’s continued enjoyment. There will be two raffles, a 50/50 mega-raffle with a maximum prize up to $25,000, and a second raffle with 5 fantastic prizes. Raffle tickets are available at the parish office or at the festival. Event hours are: 9/14 from 6 – 11 p.m., 9/15 from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. and 9/16 from noon – 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.holyfamilysanjose.org or call 265-4040.

Sept. 16
The 14th Annual Chinese Moon Festival at Overfelt Gardens will be an afternoon of hands-on arts and crafts, storytelling, puppet shows, musical and cultural performances.  There will be a stunning array of fun family projects and entertainment - paper arts, folk arts, folk songs, children’s temple dancers, face painting, children’s poetry, music, Chinese tea and ancient poetry, star and moon gazing, Chinese yo-yo performance, emperor’s hats, Chinese chess, dragon crafts, lion dancers, lantern making, and much more. This event will bring the “child” out in everyone and is co-sponsored by the Chinese Moon Festival Committee, the Institute of Sino-American Studies, the city of San Jose’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the San José Public Library Educational Park Branch, and Independence High School Planetarium.  For more information, visit our website at: http://www.chineseculturalgarden.org.

Sept. 22
A Multi-Cultural Moon Festival: Bring your family to The Point, 3695 Rose Terrasse Circle, San Jose, to experience this special event from 7-9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Enjoy an enchanting multi-cultural evening with a variety of performances encompassing Music, Dance, Song and Door Prizes.  This family-oriented program offers fun and enjoyment for young and old alike! Get you free tickets on a first come, first served basis at The Point. Call 270-7646 for more information.   

Sept. 29
Happy Hollow and the History Park presents Family Movie Night: This event, held at the San JSoe Gioants Municiple stadium, 588 East Alma is free to the public on a “first come, first served” availability. The evening’s movie will be “E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial” shown on the Jumbotron screen. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the film starts at 7 p.m. The Giants BBQ will be open or bring your own picnic dinner. Bring your blankets – no chairs allowed in the outfield. No alcohol. In keeping with the “E.T. Phone Home” spirit, bring in your old cell phone for recycling and receive a Happy Hollow Park & Zoo admission pass and a History Park ice cream coupon in exchange! Limit one admission pass and ice cream coupon per person. For more information, 277-4193 or visit www.hhpz.org

CLASSES

Sept. 15
South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German Saturday Language School, offers German language instructions at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue. The school offers classes for pre-school through teenagers, as well as adult beginners, intermediate and advanced courses on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.,  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.

Ongoing
Create something totally original! Hands On Clay classes in Almaden is now accepting students for its newly added Tuesday classes. These small, relaxing classes for adults are held on evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. For more information, or to receive registration forms call 679-0238. Space is limited...register today!
Art for Children and Youth - Children can explore the pleasures of drawing and paint in a home environment. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and from 5 - 6:30 p.m. starting on Sept. 17. Space is limited, as there will only be four students per class; so sign up early! Class materials and a light snack will be provided. For more info, call Nelly at 997-0027.

FIFTY PLUS

Sept. 18
Catholic Charities' Day Break Adult Day Support Center will host an Open House/Caregiver Resource Faire for families of Dependent Seniors living in Santa Clara County on from 1-3 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East San Jose. For more information, please call Amy Carlson at 325-5237.

Ongoing 
The UC Santa Cruz Extension at 10420 Bubb Road in Cupertino hosts over 35 classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in subjects including photography, history, current events, memoir writing, Islamic studies and more. The first class, "Introduction to Digital Photography", begins on September 8th. Some classes are for one day. Others meet weekly or bi-weekly. Tuition is charged. For specific information, call Brendan Rawson at (408) 861-3876 or visit our web site at www.ucsc-extension.edu/olli
AARP Willow Glen - Chapter 5193. Meetings are held every fourth Monday of the month, 1 – 3 p.m. There will be speakers on senior issues and refreshments are served. Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. For more information call 448-6400.

MISCELLANEOUS

Sept. 14
The Santa Clara County Division, of the California Retired Teachers Association, will meet at 1 p.m, at Leininger Center in Kelley Park, 1300 Senter Road, San José. Join us for our annual new member reception. A short one-act comedy will be presented by the Santa Clara Players.

Sept. 15
“Marking Milestones, Sharing Strengths,” is the program theme of the American Association of University Women, San Jose Branch, annual Fall Meeting, held from 10-12:30 pm, at First Congregational Church, corner of Hamilton and Leigh Avenues. The public is invited to browse displays of local, state and international projects, and enjoy a free brunch prepared by members. AAUW is open to holders of Associate, Baccalaureate, or advanced degrees from an accredited college or university. For more information contact Diane Trombetta at 294-2430.

Sept. 15
Meridian Square Semi Annual Bazaar: Located at the corner of Branham and Meridian by Petco, this event will offer antique appraisals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for more information, visit wwwalphazetaevents.com or call 716-6913.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 20
Exclusive eWomenNetwork "Accelerated Networking" Lunch Event: Maggiano’s at Santana Row. 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Craig Harrison, Expressions of Excellence, Berkely , CA “When Networking isn’t Working for You and 9 Mistakes to Avoid” $53/guests; late registration, beginning 9/15; $63 all registrants. For more information, Kristy Rogers 288-8484, or kristyrogers@ewomennetwork.com San Jose businesswomen are owners, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs who are committed to supporting and transacting business with women. At this event we will maximize our networking efforts by giving first and then asking for what we need to grow our businesses. We value business relationships and interaction. We will have extended networking time to get to know each other.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 22 – 23
The Eight Annual Holistic Arts fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Divine Science Community Center, 1540 Hicks Ave. in San Jose. This event is a great opportunity to discover today’s leading trends in the visionary arts, holistic health, human potential, spiritual and psychic awareness, and future alternatives. Over 20 experts will speak on holistic subjects, including Crowman, shaman and vision quest leader. Other highlights include the UFO Panel, the Holistic Music Concert, Yoga for your Eyes workshop, Drumming and sharing circle, Dowsing class, and the Crystal Bowl Equinox Meditation ceremony. Over 50 exhibitors will offer products and services covering the full range of today's holistic alternatives. For more information, call 448-6276 or visit our web site at http://www.california.com/~eameece/haf.htm.

Sept. 29
Pioneer High School Education Foundation E-waste Recycling: The Education Foundation is holding its fall e-waste recycling event from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Pioneer High School,1290 Blossom Hill Road. Proceeds from the event benefit students and teachers of PHS. Just drive in, drop off, and we'll unload items for you. We will accept televisions, monitors, computers, laptops, stereo/radio, printers, telephones, cell phones, ink cartridges, fax machines, DVD/VCR players, and cameras. For more information, visit www.pioneerhigh.org or email foundation@pioneerhigh.org

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.