April 4, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Apr. 19 – May 4
Opera San Jose presents The Magic Flute at the California Theater: Easily one of the most charming and fanciful operas of all time, W.A. Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (Die Zauberflöte). Of all of Mozart’s operas, this is the only one that never fell out of favor, from its premiere in 1791 to the present day. It is based on a fairy tale that contains all the necessary elements: a romance between a strong, handsome prince and a gentle heroine; a war between a wicked queen and a wise sorcerer; and plenty of comic situations. “The Magic Flute” is a delightful introduction to opera for youngsters. Admission is $65 - $85. For more information, 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org

THEATER

Apr. 2 – 27
San Jose Stage Company, in conjunction with San Francisco-based Thick Description Theater Company, presents “Blade To The Heat.” Directed by Tony Kelly, this production combines boxing and music for visually riveting drama. Previous co-productions with Thick Description include last season's “Gibraltar”, as well as “Uncle Vanya” and “Ghosts”. Tickets are $20 - $40 and may be ordered by phone at 283-7142 or online at www.sanjosestage.com

Apr. 11 – May 6
Sunnyvale Community Players proudly presents: "Fame - the Musical", set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984). Bittersweet but ultimately inspiring, this production follows a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. The issues tackled - prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance – still resonate today. All performances are at the Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E. Remington Ave. Sunnyvale. Visit www.sunnyvaleplayers.org for more information. 

Apr. 19 – May 10
Actors Theatre Center presents the musical production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Avenue in San Jose. Ticket prices are $23 – 25 and include an intermission snack. A Hoedown Buffet Dinner is also available. The 4/20 matinee and buffet is $40. Shows generally begin at 8 p.m. see website at www.theatrecenter.biz or call 985-5500 for further show times and other information.

ART

Apr. 4 - 31
Evergreen’s Mariana Barnes will be exhibiting her art at the Elizabeth Norton Gallery, 668 Ramona Street m(upstairs) in Palo Alto. The exhibition ‘Mosaic Movement’ offers a new way of painting which Mariana has developed after 20 years of experimenting with color and pattern. Exhibit dates are Apr. 4 – 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Opening reception will be Friday, Apr. 4 as part of the First Friday Palo Alto Art Walk. Reception hours are 6 – 9 p.m.. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.pacificartleague.org.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Apr. 2 – May
Training for Adoptive Parents is offered at Ujirani Family Resource Center, 591 King Road, Suite 1 in San Jose. Sponsored by Social Services Agency, Dept. of Family and Children’s Services and West Valley College, this ten-session class provides information about the child welfare system; juvenile dependency process; child attachment; grieve and loss; stages of child development; child’s relationship with their birth families; and the adoption process. Time is 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for ten consecutive Wednesdays. For more information, call Oslynn Taylor (Englis ) at 299-1574, Tini Manuleleua (English/Samoan) at 299-1512, or Vinay Tatpudy (English/ Hindi/Telugu) at 2991513.

Apr. 5
Enjoy a special dance presentation by Dance Theatre International Company members and various youth companies at the Evergreen Village (Ruby off Aborn) from 2 – 4 p.m. .After the final performance, everyone is cordially

Invited to visit DTI for a “Walk-In Program.” Attendees will meet the dancers, enjoy free coffee, smoothies, cookies, and balloons. Please email kids@DTIdance.com to reserve your  free Ballet, Tumbling Tots or Hip Hop class held on April 5th (ages 2 – adults) or visit www.DTIdance.com.

Apr. 18 – 27
Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose presents “Ragtime” at the Montgomery Theater: “Ragtime” intertwines three distinct stories that poignantly illustrate history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate. This epic new musical is by the award-winning composer/lyricist team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Once On This Island, Seussical). For more information, call-288-KIDS or visit www.cmtsj.org

Apr. 12
Spring Native Plant Sale: See scores of native plants, seeds, and bulbs suitable for California gardens, and speak to experts about lawn alternatives such as native perennials, wildflowers, and grasses. Native plant books, posters, and note cards available for purchase with cash or check only. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hidden Villa Ranch, CNPS Nursery, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Parking is free. Bring boxes to carry your purchases home. For more information, visit www.cnps-scv.org, email cnps_scv@yahoo.com, or call 650-941-1068.

Apr. 26
The 20th Annual San Jose Children's Faire at Discovery Meadows: Event hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is expected to draw 5,000 attendees. "Growing Up Green: Healthy Children, Healthy Families, Healthy Community" is the theme for this year's event, which features family-oriented stage entertainment, special attractions, and activity booths offering hands-on activities for children, ages two to 12, in addition to information about education, child care, health and safety resources, creative arts and recreational programs.

CLASSES

Apr. 26
Cynthia Sandberg to Speak About Tomatoes at Spring in Guadalupe Gardens: Cynthia Sandberg, owner of Love Apple Farm, will discuss her tips and tricks for harvesting that bumper crop of tomatoes. Seminar time is 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the entertainment stage. Snadberg’s event vendor booth at the event will have plants for sale and answers to follow up questions. For more information, contact the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens at www.grpg.org or 298-7657.

FIFTY-PLUS

Apr. 9
Argentine Tango Classes at the Willow Glen Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue. Spice up your life with tango! This new 6-week class session welcomes both singles and couples and will teach the fundamentals of Argentine Tango. Classes are Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8 p.m., the cost is $55 for San Jose residents. Wear smooth-soled shoes (non-grip) and come prepared to have fun. This course is offered through the city of San Jose. For more information call 448-6400.

MISCELLANEOUS

Apr. 9
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event: It’s time again to support sexual assault awareness in our community! The YWCA of Silicon Valley hosts its unique event “Walk a Mile”, which has men walking in women’s shoes (that the YW provides) to call attention to the staggering statistics: one-in-three women and one-in-five men, regardless of socio-economic status, will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Let’s rally together and make a difference in the prevention of sexual assault in our community. Participants should meet at the California Theater in San Jose at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 295-4011 x217 or www.ywca-sv.org

Apr. 10
Wine Tasting and Live Band Dance for Single Professionals: Single professionals of all ages are invited to Number One Broadway, 102 S. Santa Cruz Ave in Los Gatos to meet new friends who appreciate fine wines and live music. Featured entertainment is “Sweet Lucy.” The cost is $30 at the door and includes all the wines you can taste, from boutique wineries, accompanied by appetizers to cleanse the palate, plus live entertainment. For more information, call 415/507-9962 or visit www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Apr. 12
San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP’s 56th Annual Freedom & Friendship Gala: Eight individuals and four organizations will be honored and awarded at this event. These prestigious awards are given to individuals who have been nominated and selected for demonstrating a superior commitment and support advocacy to our community. Event time is 6 p.m. at Parkside Hall. For more information, call 295-3394 or www.sanjosenaacp.org . Admission: $130 - $175

Apr. 18
Presentation High School’s 42nd Annual Scholarship Fashion Show will be held at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. This year’s event – “Bloom” - features a luncheon show beginning at 11:30 a.m., as well as a gala dinner dance show beginning at 6:30 p.m. Luncheon tickets are $95 per person. Dinner tickets are $165 per person and include dancing to the sounds of C D Boys. Proceeds will benefit the Presentation High School Scholarship Fund. For more information, please contact the Presentation High School Development Office at 264-5110 x 2428, or visit the show website, at www.presentationfashionshow.com

Apr. 19
This spring, show some more skin!  Attend our Spring Seminar at 10:30 a.m. at Clarity Medical Spa.  Find out about the latest treatments on laser hair removal as well as cellulite/fat reduction.  Come for refreshments, raffle prices, a presentation about revolutionary treatments and seminar discounts! 20% percent off any laser hair removal package and 20 percent off any cellulite & fat reduction package.  RSVP required. Call 270-3877 to reserve your space or visit www.claritymedicalspa.com

Ongoing
Santa Clara High School Class of 1968 Reunion. This event is open to any attendee of the school from its inception up through the Class of 1981. Our event, “The Panther Festival” – is named in honor of the school’s mascot until it changed to “Bruins” in 1981- and it will include a BBQ picnic and music performance to be held on Jun. 14, 2008 at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale, CA. A website for the event is available at www.pantherfestival.com.
Willow Glen High School Class of 1988 Twenty Year Reunion. This event will be held on Sept. 13, 2008 at the Hotel Los Gatos, 210 E. Main St. in Los Gatos, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $95 per person. For more information, go to Classmates.com and click on the Events/ Reunion link and register today.

Get listed!

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, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by e-mail 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 Rd., Suite 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.