March 24, 2006

CALENDAR

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

ART
March 24 – May 20
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) will showcase “Driving by Braille,” a video by Kerry Loewen in the gallery’s First Street window.  “Driving by Braille” is part of the ICA’s installation series “Night Moves,” providing after-dark programming in the gallery’s front and rear windows, giving the ICA a nighttime presence while  animating the downtown cultural landscape. The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Admission to exhibitions is free.

THEATER
March 18 – April 16
San Jose Repertory Theatre is pleased to present the Bay Area premiere of Rolin Jones’ comedy “The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow: An Instant Message with Excitable Music”, directed by Kim Rubenstein, This quirky techno-comedy centers on 22-year-old Jennifer Marcus, (Sue Jean Kim) a brilliant, yet obsessive-compulsive, agoraphobic woman and her quest to find her Chinese birth mother with the help of a robotic version of herself, dubbed Jenny Chow. This show is presented as a co-production with Portland Center Stage. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office,101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 367-7255.

March 28 – April 9
American Musical Theatre of San Jose presents “Gypsy,” at The Center for the Performing Arts in downtown, showing from March 28 – April 9. One of the most beloved musicals of all time, “Gypsy” is loosely based on the autobiography of world-renowned striptease star Gypsy Rose Lee. The story centers on the fascinating character of “Mama Rose,” the ultimate stage mother living vicariously through her daughters, as she drives them from behind the scenes to be a success in the fading world of vaudeville. This locally-mounted production is directed by Tim Bair and choreographed by Broadway veteran Troy Rintala. Tickets are $46 - $73. For tickets and additional information, call 453-7108, or visit www.amtsj.org.

MUSIC
March 25 – April 2
The Lyric Theatre Group presents “Die Fledermans” at the Montgomery Theater: Johann Stranss, Jr.’s “Die Fledermans” gives us the memorable Champagne Song, The Watch Duet, Sing to Love, Czardas, The Laughing Song and many waltzes. A husband with a wandering eye, a maid who longs to be on stage, a virtuous wife trying to get rid of an old flame, and a friend who seeks retribution. Join us for the revenge of the Bat; fully staged with orchestra. Admission is $20.50 - $27 per person. For more information, call 408-986-1455 or www.Lyrictheatre.org

April 1 - 2
Symphony Silicon Valley presents “Nakamatsu Plays Grieg”at the California Theatre: Conductor William Boughton with Soloist Jon Nakamatsu featuring Beethoven “Egmont Overture”, Grieg “Piano Concerto”, Sibelius “Symphony #5.” Performance times are Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysanjose.org for more information.

April 9 – Sunday
The choirs of Almaden Hills United Methodist Church and Grace Lutheran Church of Palo Alto, with members of the Russian Chamber Orchestra will be in concert at Almaden Hills UMC, 1200 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose.  Tickets are $10 and up.  Featured music includes Schubert’s Mass in G, an organ concerto and the haunting adagio from Beethoven’s fifth Piano Concerto.  The 60 voices will be accompanied by a twelve-piece orchestra and a portative pipe organ.  All proceeds of the concert will benefit the music program of the church.

April 9 – Sunday
San Jose Chamber Orchestra presents Henry Mollicone Birthday Concert with Barbara Day Turner conducting. Vocal and orchestral works by Henry Mollicone with sopranos Erie Mills and Maria Spacagna, tenor Brian Staufenbiel saxophonist William Trimble and Anthony Quartuccio on accordion Henry Mollicone at the piano. Performance begins at 7 p.m. with a pre-concert chat at 6:30 p.m. at Le Petit Trianon, 72 North 5th Street in San Jose. Tickets are $20 - $40. Call 295-4416 or visit www.sjco.org for more information.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
March 11 – April 8
West Valley Light Opera Association will open its second production of its 41st Season, “Once Upon A Mattress” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale in Saratoga with an 8 p.m., champagne gala performance. Weekend performances will continue through the second Saturday in April. Directed by Jeff M. Hicks, this musical is based Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Princess and the Pea.” For reservations and information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

March 18 – April 2
The Tabard Theatre presents “The Magicians Nephew” the prequel to “The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe” in C.S. Lewis’ beloved series “The Chronicles Of Narnia.” Follow young Digory and his friend Polly as magical rings transport them to enchanted Narnia and wicked Charn where they meet Aslan the great lion and Jadis the evil queen. Join them in this imaginative and highly theatrical dramatization of a literary classic. For ticket and performance information, visit www.tabardtheatre.org. All performances are staged at the Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Avenue in San Jose.

March 24 – 26 & 30 – April 2
Presentation High School presents Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” a play centered on rumors, witchcraft and mystery. The Crucible plays at the Valenzuela Theatre on the Presentation High School campus, 2281 Plummer Avenue in San Jose. Ticket prices are $15 adults and $10 students. For tickets and show times please go to www.pres-net.com or call 264-1664 ext. 2425.

April 1,8 & 15
California Theatre Center presents Cinderella: Cinderella plays on Saturday mornings at 11:00am and Saturday evening April 1 at 7:30pm at the Sunnyvale Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 East Remington Drive (just off El Camino Real). Tickets are $11 in advance. $12 at the door. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org or call the Box Office at 245-2978.

April 7 – Friday
Make Recycled Plantable Paper: Join the Friends of the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens and learn that recycling can be fun. Making your own paper is a great way to reuse your old paper and newspaper! Jazz up your paper with flower parts and seeds so they can be planted in soil and sprout new life. Session hours are 3:30 – 5 p.m. and the fee is $5 per child. This is appropriate for children aged 5 – 10 years. This workshop will be held at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by contacting Kary Houle-Wilson, the Education Coordinator, at education@grpg.org or 408-298-7657. For more information please visit www.grpg.org

April 8 – Saturday
Dave Cortese, Council member District 8 leads fun festivities designed to get kids and families moving.  The East Valley Family YMCA and the STEPS collaborative partners will organize this event from 7:30am-10:30am, this year’s 2006 Healthy Kids Day event-5K Walk/Run at Lake Cunningham. To promote a national event aimed at encouraging kids to get excited about physical fun and taking “10,000” steps to a healthier YOU!

April 8 – Saturday
Natural Egg-stravaganza: Bring your own boiled, white-shelled eggs (in a cooler or other container to keep them from spoiling) and The Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens will supply the dye to make red, blue, yellow and orange eggs. All the dyes will be prepared from natural materials – can you guess what different types of plants would make these colors? Bring your curiosity and find out! The session runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon, so drop-in between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. to make your eggs. Fees are $5 per child. This workshop will be held at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information please visit www.grpg.org

CLASSES
Ongoing
Starting in April, beginner Italian Classes will be offered on Monday mornings at Holy Cross Parish, 580 East Jackson Street in San Jose, CA 95112-2736. For more information or to register please call 646-0232.
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 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. 

VOLUNTEERS
March 28, April 8 & 11
Vision Literacy needs tutor volunteers to help adults build their literacy skills. Tutor volunteer opportunities exist in community literacy, family literacy, substance abuse treatment programs and correctional facilities. Call 262-1349 or email info@visionliteracy.org to register for one of these tutor volunteer orientation dates or get more information on this program

Ongoing
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, www.wcsv.org, seeks center volunteers and home care volunteers to care for injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We also need volunteers to help with educational outreach, database/office management, landscaping, facilities planning, event planning, graphic design, board work, and fundraising. The Wildlife Center, located in San Jose, has an active and enthusiastic corps of volunteers committed to welcoming and training new supporters.  Join us in helping local wildlife, one animal at a time. Email Patricia Abreu at volunteer@wcsv.org or call (408) 929-WILD (9453) for orientation dates.

MISCELLANEOUS
March 25 & 29
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop presents “California Dreamin’” on March 25. A tasting of 10 great California wines from 2 - 5:30 p.m. The cost is $20. On March 29, Unwined will feature Donati Family Vineyards from 6 - 8 p.m. The cost is $15. Unwined is located at 6946 Almaden Expressway in San Jose. Call 323-9463 or visit www.unwinedshop.com for more information.

April 1 – Saturday
1,000 dahlia plants and tubers will be for sale by the John E. Stowell Dahlia Society.  Members will be sharing their love of dahlias with the community at two locations. The dahlias will be for sale at the De Anza College Flea Market and the Master Gardeners Spring Garden Market at the Mercury News parking lot. For more information call 736-1975.

April 3 – Monday
Guadalupe River Park and Gardens presents “San Jose Trail Connections” by Yves Zsutty, Program Manager – City Wide Trail System: Whether you want to take your bike to work everyday or go for a leisurely stroll, the trail you use and its connections to other trails really makes the difference to your experience. Come find out about the current trail system in San Jose, the challenges being faced in expanding trail connections, and what the future holds. This presentation will be held from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue. The fee is $3 for Friends’ members, $6 for non-members. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by contacting Kary Wilson at education@grpg.org or 298-7657. Refunds for events will only be made if the event is cancelled or if there is a waiting list. For more information please visit www.grpg.org or call 408-298-7657.


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.