October 6, 2005

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC
October 16 – Saturday
El Camino Youth Symphony at the California Theatre: Following their acclaimed performances this summer at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and Dvorak Hall in Prague, the award-winning El Camino Youth Symphony launches its 2005-2006 Season at the California Theatre with a performance from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Hindemith’s Symphonic metamorphosis of themes by Carl Mara von Weber and solo performances by ECYS Concerto Competition winners Timothy Yu for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, mvt.1.and Kenric Tam for Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2, mvt.1. For tickets and additional information, call 650-327-2611 or visit www.ecys.org.

October 16 - Saturday
Santa Clara University Faculty Recital: Piano professor and Music Department Chair Hans Boepple will be performing an evening of classical piano works at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Selections will include Bach’s “Italian Concerto”, Schubert’s “Piano Sonata in A minor”, Brahms’ “Four Piano Pieces”, Op. 119, and Samuel Barber’s “Nocturne” and “Piano Sonata”.

Tickets: $12 General, $10 Seniors 60+ and SCU Faculty/Staff, $5 Students For tickets or more information, contact the Center of Performing Arts Box Office at 554-4015, or stop by (located in the Mayer Theatre building) during business hours Tuesday-Friday, 2pm-6pm and beginning one hour prior to performances.

DANCE
October 6 – 9
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “Phaedra & Firebird” at the Center for the Performing Arts. The season kicks off in high gear with the World Premiere of a new setting of “Firebird” from Dennis Nahat. Danced to a groundbreaking score by Igor Stravinsky, this Russian fairy tale tells of Prince Ivan who captures the mysterious Firebird. To gain her release, the Firebird gives Ivan a feather, with the promise of her magic intercession if he should ever need it. Flemming Flindt’s “Phaedra” is based on the play “Hippolytus” by Euripides, and tells the tale of a queen whose lust for her stepson leads to his murder and her suicide, set to a commissioned score by Philip Glass. Phaedra explores the sexual intrigue and deception in the court of Athens, and the role the gods play in the lives of those mortals who think they are in control. For tickets and performance information, call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org.

THEATER
September 21 – October 16
San Jose Stage Company, 490 South First Street, presents “Tenders in the Fog.” Using influences from Beckett to banshees to Bach, local playwright Trevor Allen spins the mystery of the fishing boat Trinity, presumed lost at sea off the foggy San Francisco coast. An ageless shanachie serves as the guide for this Celtic-flavored ghost story of three generations of Irish-American crab fishermen—fathers and sons each named James Bailey—haunted by their stormy pasts. Are the Bailey men tormented by reflections of the women they’ve loved and lost or being lured by ancient Sirens to a watery grave?

October 11 - 23
American Musical Theatre San Jose Presents “Little Women” at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown. Join the remarkable March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy – as one of America’s most beloved books soars to the stage in Little Women – The Musical. Starring Maureen McGovern direct from Broadway, this dazzling new musical, based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless tale about the power of family, friendship and romance, is capturing the hearts of a new generation and captivating audiences of all ages! For tickets and information, call 453-7108 or visit www.amtsj.org. Grand Opening is September 24 at 8 p.m. For additional show times and tickets, visit www.sanjosestage.com.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
September 30 – January 6, 2006
“Game On: The History and Culture of Videogames.” Explore the history, culture and future of video games at this temporary exhibit. “Game On” is a highly interactive exhibit that examines the exploding video game industry from the game design process and beyond. Come experience the past forty years of electronic gaming, and reflect on where the industry will go next. “Game On” was organized by the Barbican Art Gallery London in collaboration with the National Museums of Scotland. “Game On” will be at The Tech through January 6, 2006.

October 7 – 8
The Santa Clara Aquamaids’ latest water show, “Spirit of the Stage,” will be performed again at The International Swim Center, 2625 Patricia Drive in Santa Clara at 8 p.m. In the production, a young girl learns the secrets and spirit of success through Broadway music medleys performed by Olympic and national champion synchronized swimmers.  The story, spectacular floating sets and costumes will delight children and impress even the most seasoned theater enthusiast. For ticket information, call 510-226-1173

October 8 – Saturday
The 10th Annual Pumpkins in the Park, produced by Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, will be held at Discovery Meadows, near the Children’s Discovery Museum, from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This celebration of the environment and the fall harvest season will feature seasonal displays, Food and beverages booths, children’s activities, including pumpkin decorating, and entertainment provided by the Banana Slug String Band, Andy Z, Zun Zun and many more. Admission is free. For more information call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org

October 8 – Saturday
4th Annual MaxGames Video Game Tournament: Practice your quick reaction times and flex your fingers for the Tech Museum’s 4th Annual Maxgames. See if you have what it takes to compete tournament-style on consoles for cool prizes and a chance to play in the finals on The Tech’s Giant Domed Screen. Proceeds support The Tech’s Annual Fund for Education.

October 15 – 16
Oktoberfest returns to downtown Campbell In the grand tradition of the great biergartens of Bavaria, downtown Campbell will once again be filled with the sounds of oompah-pah bands, strolling accordion players, the smell of bratwurst and of course, kegs of Spatan beer. Hours are 10 – 6 on Saturday and 10 – 5 on Sunday, so grab the lederhosen and head for downtown!

CLASSES
Ongoing:
Italian courses in Downtown San Jose: Italian Language courses will be offered at Holy Cross Parish, 580 East Jackson St. in San Jose. Beginner’s class meets on Mondays, 9-11a.m. the fee is $144 for 12 classes.

Intermediate class meets on Fridays, 9-11 a.m. the fee is also $144 for 12 classes. Advanced class meets on Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. the fee is $172 for 12 classes. Call 646-0232 for registration and additional information.

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 pre-school/kindergarten through adult courses on Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00, starting September 17. 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.

Fall Art Classes for Kids: The ArtHouse offers Fall fine art classes for kids ages 2-15. Classes include Little Picasso’s, a parent participation class, Masterpiece, which combines art history with  hands-on experiences, Drawing and Painting Techniques and Guest Artist Workshop where kids get the oportunity to work with a new artist each week. ArtHouse Kids, 1043 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose. For more information, visit www.arthousekids.com or call 975-9987.

FIFTY PLUS
October 6 - November 10
San Jose State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering a course entitled “The Portuguese in the Santa Clara Valley.”  This course is held on Thursdays from 1 - 3 p.m. and will meet in the University’s Professional Development Center, 2160 Lundy Avenue. The fee is $75 per person. Parking is free.  The Osher Institute is a program for people age 50 years and over.

Ongoing:
AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Happy Hollow Corporation, San Jose seeks Board members for Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, a respected and treasured San Jose entertainment attraction! Come share your expertise with other outstanding community members working on exciting upgrades at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo! For more information call Tammy Turnipseed at 277-3643.

Do you enjoy reading and helping others? Consider a richly rewarding volunteer opportunity as a Tutor in the adult literacy program - Partners in Reading. Sign up now for the September 15th orientation and training on September 17th and 24th. Fourteen hours of training, instructional materials, & on-going support are all provided free. No experience necessary. Required commitment of two hours per week for six months. Call the San José Public Library at 808-2361.

MISCELLANEOUS
October 8 - Saturday
AIF Fall Benefit Gala – “Bowties & Bangles” The San José McEnery Convention Center is the site of the much anticipated Annual American Indian Foundation Fall Benefit Gala Bowties & Bangles, An Evening of Rhythm, Rhapsody & Color from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black Tie or Indian Formal Attire. This spectacular entertainment extravaganza will featureThe Whirling Dervish Gregangelo & his mesmerizing Velocity Circus Troupe as well as emerging Indian Artist Raghava’s “Anthropomorphism – When Paintings Dance”. For more information, visit www.aifoundation.org.

October 9 – Sunday
San Jose Christian Alliance Church Missions Conference will hold a celebration worship service at Parkside Hall from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.sjcac.org.

Ongoing
Silver Creek High Class of 1985 Reunion: October 15, 2005 at the Hilton San Jose and Towers, 300 Almaden Blvd. Contact Michelle (Madden) Corbo at zc2mom@comcast.net or Erin (Maloney) Johnson at johnson@datapathway.com for more information.


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.