February 10, 2006

CALENDAR

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

ART
January 17 – April 9
The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles presents Jean Ray Laury: A Life by Design. Opening reception with the artist will be held at the museum, 520 South First Street in San Jose, on January 22 from 2 – 4 p.m. General admission is $5, Seniors and students with ID $4, children under 13 are free. Admission to the museum is free on the first Thursday of each month. For additional information call 971-0323 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum,org.

February 11 – March 16
“BENT: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Scandinavian Art”: curated by Whitney Chadwick, at the Fine Arts Gallery, Fine Arts Bldg. SFSU campus. This cutting-edge international group show looks at the ways in which issues of gender and sexuality inform the work of four artists: Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Jesper Just, Annika Larsson and Annica Karlsson Rixon. Through photography, video and film, they draw from the rich media bank of images of masculinity and femininity circulated in advertising, film, historical art and popular culture. BENT is a project of the International Center for the Arts (ICA) at San Francisco State University. For more information call 415-338-6535, or visit www.sfsu.edu/~gallery . Admission is free.

MUSIC
February 11 – 26
Opera San Jose opens its first production of 2006 with Giacomo Puccini’s tender love story, La bohème, at the California Theatre at 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose. La bohème is a timeless look at youthful exuberance and selfless love, and remains one of the most treasured operas of all time. Based on Henri Murger’s memoir, Scènes de la vie de bohème, it is the story of a delicate young seamstress and a starry-eyed would-be poet—two impoverished and lonely people warmed by a brief caress of love. For performance information, call 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org Admission $65 - $300.

February 12 – Sunday
San Jose Wind Symphony presents “Love (A Musical Valentine)” performing at 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara High School Theater, 300 Benton Street in Santa Clara. SJWS is in the mood for romance!  Our valentine concert features selections from Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” Goldmark’s “Rustic Wedding Symphony,” Grieg’s “Heart Wounds,”. and Hanson’s “Romantic Symphony.”  Our soloist is lyric coloratura soprano Cheryl Blalock, a Bay Area favorite.  Be sure to bring your sweetheart — we have special gifts for the longest married and most-recently married couples!

February 18 – Saturday
Halik by Aegis: At the Civic Auditorium from 7 – 10 p.m. The popular chart-topping Filipino rock group Aegis opens their first U.S. Tour with guest artist Camile Velasco, America Idol Finalist, A2C & Manel. To purchase tickets or get additional information, call 808-393-7000 or visit www.alohamediacommunications. com Tickets are $25 - $75.

THEATER
January 20 – February 26
American Musical Theatre San Jose presents “The Lion King” at the Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown. Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s “The Lion King”. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images you’ll remember forever. Let your imagination run wild at the Tony® Award-winning Broadway sensation hailed as “a landmark event in entertainment” by Newsweek magazine. For tickets and additional information, call 1-888-455-SHOW or visit www.amtsj.org.

January 28 – February 26
San Jose Repertory Theatre presents Mark Harelik’s “The Immigrant,” the real-life story of Harelik’s paternal grandparents and their journey from Russia to Galveston, Texas in 1909. This production is directed by San Jose Rep’s John McCluggage. The San Jose Repertory Theatre is located at 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 367-7255.

February 8 – March 5
San Jose Stage Company, presents “Inherit The Wind,” directed by James Reese and performing at The Stage, 490 South First Street (at William St.) In a small Tennessee town, a young high school teacher is brought to trial for teaching from Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. For the prosecution, three-time Presidential candidate Matthew Harrison Brady (Kevin Blackton) agrees to represent the World’s Christian Fundamentalists Association and drive Darwin out of the classrooms. For the defense, Henry Drummond (Randall King) is hired by the Baltimore Herald. These two titans of the judicial system square off to decide the fate of the teacher, Bertram Cates, with historical ramifications that still affect the American educational system today. Join us as we celebrate this searing American classic’s 50th anniversary. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 408.283.7142 or online at www.sanjosestage.com.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
February 11 – March 12
Sunnyvale Community Players presents “Anne of Green Gables - The Musical”, at the Sunnyvale Community Theater, 550 East Remington Drive. This is the classic tale of an orphan girl who rises from destitution to happiness in the farm country entirely by virtue of her pluck and personality. Performances are on Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; and Sunday Matinees at 2:30. All tickets are $15. Information can be found on www.sunnyvaleplayers.org

February 18 - Saturday
Yu Gi Oh! Sneak Preview: At the Civic Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a trading card tournament for one of the most popular games, Yu Gi Oh. Players pay an entry fee and are given cards to play with and can play for a few hours or play all day. Winners get packs of the newest set of cards. From more information, visit www.cascadegames.com

February 22 - 26
Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” bringing Nemo’s underwater world to life at the HP Pavilion. Join Curious Nemo, his overprotective father, Marlin, and their pal Dory in a comical journey of friendship and fun. Featuring over 38 costumed skaters, spectatcular oversized props, including a 43-foot life-sized blue whale, and digital projection effects, this Disney On Ice presentation is one of the most innovative ice shows created. Directed by Disney On Ice veteran Patty Vincent, she is joined by Costume designer Scott Lane, and Choreographer Cindy Stuart. Tickets are $15 - $60, and can be purchased by call in 998-8497 or online at ticketmaster.com.

CLASSES
February 25 – Saturday
Learn to meditate! Free spiritual video seminar and meditation class to be held from 2 - 4 PM at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., Meeting Room 225 (second floor). Free convenient parking across from the library at 4th and San Fernando St. (take parking ticket to enter, no validation required). Beverage refreshments will be served. This event is a free service to the public and presented by the non-profit Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, San Jose Center. For more information, please contact: 603-5037. Come meet new friends and fellow meditators!

Ongoing
German Language Classes!. South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German-Language Saturday School, offers German language instructions at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue, CA 95125. The school offers pre-school/kindergarten through adult courses on Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00.  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. 

VOLUNTEERS
Ongoing
Those who long for the bucolic setting that was once the essence of Santa Clara Valley will find it at San José’s historic Emma Prusch Farm Park. The park is seeking energetic tour docents to teach elementary school children about farming and farm animals. If you enjoy playing with ranch animals, such as chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, you are encouraged to volunteer and help take care of them. There are many other volunteer opportunities in various park projects, including weeding, cleaning the barn, and gardening.  If interested, call 926-5555.

MISCELLANEOUS
January 19 – February 19
The cast of Corteo brings together over 50 artists from 13 different countries. Corteo explores the circus arts in a way that is brand new to Cirque du Soleil. Once again, the very limits of acrobatics are challenged as Daniele Finzi Pasca lends his unique touch to Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular performances.  Corteo redefines the springboard, the Korean frame and the tightwire, and presents acts that are as original as they are innovative. The desire to surprise and move audiences are a big part of the inspiration behind Corteo. Performance will be held at the Taylor Street Bridge (corner of Taylor Street & Highway 87). For tickets and show information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

February 14 - Tuesday
Adopt a Rose for Valentine’s Day: Are you looking for something special to give your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Look no further! Nothing says “I love you,” like a beautiful rose, an elegant package, and a special evening out. When you adopt a rose in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden for a donation of $50.00, Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens will place an engraved plaque in front of the rose with your personal inscription – for one full year. It’s a gift that will last much longer than a bouquet of cut flowers! A special gift card announcing your rose adoption will be elegantly packaged with a small box of chocolates from Schurra’s Candy Factory, gourmet popcorn from Hip Pop, and two tickets for a romantic ride on the Children’s Carousel at Arena Green. Present this package to your favorite person at a white wine and hors d’veuves reception the evening of February 14 at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, 451 South First Street in San Jose. ICA will be showing an exhibition featuring art made of, and about, human hair. The exhibit, “Hair Raising,” will be unusual and fun to see. For more information about adopting a rose for your Valentine, call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org

February 15 – Wednesday
The American Red Cross will be holding a Blood Drive at San Jose Apostles Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 5828 Santa Teresa Boulevard from 1 – 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call the Church Office at 225-0107 or go to www.BeADonor.com.

February 16 – Thursday
Who owns the water? Private water companies are being bought up by corporate giants—with varied impacts on communities in the U.S. and in South America. The Guadalupe Group of Sierra Club will view an award-winning film, “Thirst!”, on the subject at its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., in the Community Room of the Saratoga Library—on Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale Ave., in Saratoga. The Public is invited; refreshments are provided (bring your own cup to minimize paper/plastic waste). For more information, call Marj Ottenberg at 867-4576.

February 19 – Sunday
Modern Bridal Faire: At Parkside Hall from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Discover everything you’ll need to make your wedding day extra special. Spectacular exhibits from the Southbay’s finest caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, bridal gowns, and so much more. Shop and compare the very best in limousines, live music, invitations, men’s formalwear, honeymoon destinations and so much more. For more information, call 800-400-2099 or visit www.Modernbridal.com. Admission is $10.

February 19 – Sunday
The Cupertino Coin Club’s 2006 Coin Show will be held in Napredak Hall, 770 Montague Expressway in San Jose. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Admission is $2 for adults, attendees 17 and under are free. There will be over 35 coin dealers. You may buy, sell, or trade coins and other collectibles and numismatic items. There will be Free Coin Prize Drawings for children and exhibits for the whole family to enjoy. There is plenty of free parking.

February 28 – Tuesday
SVYAD Purim Basket Party Join the young adults division of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley at the Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos at 7pm as they make Purim baskets for needy seniors.  RSVP by Feb 24 to info@svyad.org.  Snacks will be provided.  A $5 donation is optional.  For more information, call 358-3033 or see www.svyad.org.  

Ongoing
Auditions- Easy Street Theatre Co is currently holding Auditions for the psychological thriller “The Haunting of Hill House”. Written by F. Andrew Leslie from the celebrated novel by Shirley Jackson. Auditions are now and ongoing thru end of Feb until cast. Needed are Male and female actors from 25-60 years old plus. Call for details: 345-7070.

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.