October 27, 2005

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC
October 28-30
Intricate Rhythm, Elegant Sound: Performing at the Montgomery Theater, a group of brave die-hards, who want to combat the erosion of the ancient art form and to preserve it from extinction, the Taipei Quyi Troupe, under the direction of Master Lin Wen-Pin, was formed to rekindle the audiences’ interest in the Chinese vocal music art form. Providing a new interpretation and introduction of vocal music, the program includes folk songs, poems, operas, quyi, and pop songs that are favorites of the young and old alike. With articulate explanation, virtuoso performance, and interaction with the audience, it’s aimed to let the audience experience once again the beauty of song and rhythm. Performance times are 3 – 5 p.m. and 8 – 10 p.m. Admission is $25 - $100. For more information, visit www.dimensionarts.org

October 29 – 30
Symphony Silicon Valley presents “American Originals” at the California Theatre. Conductors Paul Polivnick & Dennis Wilson featuring David Amram “Triple Concerto,” Duke Ellington “Black, Brown & Beige” and George Gershwin “An American In Paris.” Performance times are 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. For tickets and additional information, call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysanjose.org.

October 30 – Sunday
Gulf States Relief Concert: Join the South Bay Guitar Society and Mission Chamber Orchestra (MCO) as they team up with the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of recent hurricanes in the Gulf states.  A cast of local stars plus the San Jose Symphonic Choir will join MCO conducted by Emily Ray in performing this most unusual concert at the beautiful, new San Jose City Rotunda, 200 E. Santa Clara St. (at N. 5th St.) Classical, patriotic, and region-inspired selections will feature baritone Leroy Kromm, harpist Dan Levitan, flutist Leslie Zieren, guitarists Michael Bautista, Ben Zussman, Danny Yarritu, and the Dixie Bay Cats. The concert begins at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free. Donations will be accepted by the American Red Cross for hurricane victims. This program is offered in partnership with Artsopolis.com.

THEATER
October 15 – November 13
San Jose Rep’s 25th Anniversary Season continues with “The Tricky Part,” Martin Moran’s Obie Award-winning, one-man play about sexuality, spirituality, and the mystery of human experience. Written and performed by Moran and directed by Seth Barrish, The play is This run marks the play’s California premiere and only Bay Area engagement. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 367-7255.

October 20 – 30
The Tabard Theater Company presents “Smoke on the Mountain,” directed by Howard L. Miller, with music direction by Becky Dugan. Join the Sanders Family Singers as laughter rolls in like the morning fog in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina for a rousing time of bluegrass gospel music in a magnificent blend of story and song. They will delight you with some of the best old gospel tunes ever written, like “Church in the Wildwood”, “Wonderful Time Up There,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” The Tabard Theatre Company has designated the Children’s Storytime Area of the new Almaden Branch Library as the local non-profit organization to receive a portion of its concession proceeds for each production. All Performances are at Joint Venture Churches, 6581 Camden Avenue in San Jose. For tickets and additional information, call the Tabard Box Office at 679-2330.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
October 27 - 30
Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, the 31st U.S. National Taekwondo Championships will feature the best Taekwondo athletes in the country, including two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Steven Lopez, and his siblings, 2005 world champions Mark and Diana Lopez. The event will feature Olympic-type sparring competition in both the Elite Open division and the World Class Division, as well as competition in forms. For tickets and additional information, call 719-866-4632 or visit www.USA-Taekwondo.us

November 5 – Saturday
Take a guided, interpretive, tour from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. of the newly renovated Guadalupe River Park & Gardens trail system, new Visitor and Education Center, and points south. The tour will begin outside the Guadalupe Garden Center at 715 Spring Street and includes lunch provided by Lowry’s Irish Coffee House in the River Street Historic District and will continue on to Discovery Meadows where we will catch the light rail to head back towards Spring Street. The cost of the tour is $20.00 for Friends members and $25.00 for non-members which includes the tour, lunch and light rail tickets. Please bring a water bottle, sun protection and wear layered clothing and good walking shoes – we will be walking about 3 miles in total! For reservations and further information, visit www.grpg.org or call 408-298-7657.

November 5 - 6
San Jose Reptile Show: Parkside Hall will host a reptile show and sale that includes education about reptiles. Over 5,000 reptiles on display. Cages and supplies will be available. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $8. For more information, visit www.upscalereptiles.com.

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.

MISCELLANEOUS
October 29 – Saturday
Time Out for Women: This one-day women’s conference at the Civic Auditorium is designed to uplift and build self-esteem to those who attend. It also gives a person a chance to sit back, relax and be spiritually fed. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $38 per person. Call 866-832-8211 or visit www.deseretbook.com for more information.

October 29 – Saturday
Santa Teresa Catholic Church will be the host site for EHC LifeBuilders Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Rummage Sale will be held in the parking lot at 794 Calero Avenue in San Jose, near the Blossom Hill exit of Hwy 85.

All proceeds go to EHC LifeBuilders, the largest provider of shelter, housing opportunities and support services to people in crisis and those experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County.

November 5 – Saturday
To kick off National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, Humane Society Silicon Valley will hold a Pet Adoption Fair at Santana Row from 12-4 pm near Maggiano’s/Park Valencia. Cats, dogs and rabbits from the shelter will be available for adoption. All animals are vaccinated, microchipped and spayed/neutered and behavior tested.

November 7 – Monday
“Origin of the Universe” with Dr. Stephen W. Hawking: World renowned cosmologist and author of the best-selling book “A Brief History of Time”, Professor Stephen W. Hawking – at the forefront of research on both black holes and the origins of the universe – presents a rare public lecture on his current hypotheses at the Center for the Performing Arts. Lecture time is 8 p.m. Admission is $35 - $125. For tickets and additional information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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.