July 25, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

July 10 – Sept 4
Metro’s “Music In The Park” concert series will feature Junior Reid with Andrew and Wada Blood on July 31. Concerts are free to the public and held consecutive Thursdays at downtown San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez from 5:30 – 9:15 p.m. Music In The Park is sponsored by Dos Equis and features an eclectic mix of top-name performers. Food and beverages are available at the park, as well as Lounge in the Park, open to the public for beer, wine and sangria. For a complete concert details, visit www.sjdowntown.com and search on “music in the park.”

Aug. 1 & 3
Midsummer Mozart Festival presents The Abduction from the Seraglio at the California Theater: This semi-staged features cast in full costume, with minimal staging. Seraglio includes dialogue that will be spoken in English to accompany the German singing. Admission is $20 - $50 Call 415-392-4400 or www.cityboxoffice.com for ticket information

DANCE

Aug. 2
The Flamenco Society of San Jose presents “Brisas de España at the Historic Hoover Theater:  Carolina Lugo’s Brisas de España Flamenco Dance Company, recognized as one of the top Flamenco-Spanish troupes in the country, will be performing at 7 p.m. at San Jose’s Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Avenue. General Admission tickets are $14. reserve seating by calling 510-792-8355. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on event night.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

July 9 – Aug 27
Looking for a fun, free outdoor activity for your summer evenings? Then look no further than downtown San Jose’s Cinema San Pedro and Cinema St. James 2008: Co-produced by Cinequest and the San Jose Downtown Association, these open air showings are free to the public and begin at dusk. Movies are preceded by an “opening act” activitiy, event, interactive game, etc. All you ned is a chair or blanket – snacks are available on site; dinners-to-go can be purchased in San Pedro Square. Cinema San Pedro Street is located between Santa Clara and St. John streets, Cinema St James at St. James and North Second streets. For a complete listing of movies and additional information, call 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com and search on “cinema.”

July 10 – Sept. 8
Circus Vargas 2008 is bringing its brilliant blend of breathtaking circus artistry and hilarious slapstick comedy to the Bay Area. From the up-close-and-personal interactive pre-show through the death-defying high-octane finale, Circus Vargas delivers smiles and thrills for children young and old — and everyone in between! To purchase tickets, go to www.circusvargas.org or call toll-free 877-GOTFUN1

July 25 - 27
2008 marks the 30th year for Gilroy’s Annual Garlic Festival. Laura Mcintosh of TV’s “Bringing It Home with Laura Mcintoah will Emcee this year’s event. Attractions include the mouth-watering and world famous Gourmet Alley, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, arts and crafts, an award-winning children’s area and the “Iron Chef” competition. The 2008 Gilroy Garlic Festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for seniors (ages 60 and up) and $6 for children ages 6-12. Children under age six are admitted free. Parking is also free. For more information, visit www.gilroygarlicfestival.com

July 25 - Aug. 3
CMT Mainstage presents West Side Story at the Montgomery Theater: It’s the streetwise re-telling of starcrossed lovers Romeo and Juliet that launched this landmark Broadway musical now hailed as one of theater’s finest accomplishments. Set in modern-day New York City, two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. As their clandestine romance blooms amidst the violence and prejudice around them, West Side Story’s powerful, poignant message is one of the most heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. Call 408-288-KIDS or visit www.cmtsj.org for more information

July 26
Las Madres Bookfair event: Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups, a non-profit corporation created for the support and education of Bay Area parents and their children, will host a book and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Eastridge Mall. Children and care givers alike will be treated to Storytimes at 12:30 and 3 p.m., visits by storybook characters, crafts, special informational speakers and recommended reading lists for children 5 years and younger. During the day-long event, participants will also learn more about Las Madres, one of Silicon Valley’s largest all-volunteer network of playgroups. A percentage of the purchases made at the bookfair will benefit Las Madres.

July 27
A Celebration of the Founding of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe in 1777: Presented by History San Jose, this Family Day invites the community to a free celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at the Peralta Adobe (built in 1797), in downtown San José. The community may experience first-hand life in the mid-18th century, including the Spanish flag-raising ceremony and the reading of the Pueblo charter. Music by the Alta California Orchestra and the Calicanto Singers will provide the atmosphere and the Peralta Adobe the backdrop. San José was the first city (pueblo) in California. To celebrate San José’s founding, many family-friendly events and hands on activities are planned. These include traditional singing and dancing, spinning and weaving by the Serendipity Spinners and the Glenna Harris Weavers.  There will be docents from the deSaisset Museum representing the Ohlone’s at the ‘Please Touch’ table.

Aug. 1 – 3
If you love strawberries you’ll love the Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival in Watsonville. Watsonville’s premier outdoor event will serve up fabulous food, fun and music including rock legend Dave Mason, Banda Movil, and Cadetes de Linares plus strawberry treats, gooey pie contests, arts and crafts, carnival rides and more. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids and a portion of the proceeds benefit area non-profits. Check out mbsf.com - The Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival August 1-3, Ramsay Park, Watsonville.

VOLUNTEERS

Humane Society Silicon Valley is actively seeking volunteers to provide foster care to kittens and dogs. Foster families provide long and short-term care for animal families in their homes. For more information, please visit http://www.hssv.org/you_can_help/volunteer/positions/foster.htm, or contact the special needs department at at 408.727.3383 ext. 834 for dogs and 819 for kittens.

MISCELLANEOUS

July 12 – Aug. 23
The antique jewels of the San Jose Fire Museum are on exhibit at the new Club Auto Sport showroom. Event dates are July 2 through Aug. 29, Wednesday through Friday, from noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays: 7/12, 7/25, 8/9 & 8/23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Club Auto Sport is the area’s premier attraction for auto enthusiasts and collectors, located at 521 Charcot Ave., San Jose.

July 27
Join speaker/author Stephen Ingram at the Evergreen Library from 7 – 9 p.m. for a discussion and book signing on his new published “Cacti, Agaves and Yuccas of California and Nevada.” Sponsored by the California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Chapter, this information talk examines the natural history of these plants, including origins, ecology, and conservation. It also provides practical horticultural advice for cultivation. The library is located at 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose.

Aug. 9 – Oct. 31
“Embroidered Lace and Lacy Embroidery”, a new exhibit for the Sunnyvale Lace Museum will include handstitched items from the turn of the century decorated with various embroidery stitches.  Some of these items include scarves, gloves, dresses, blouses, and other items of apparel.  The museum gift shop also offers heirloom quality lace products and a full line of lacemaking items.  The Lace Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale, with free parking.

Ongoing
Southside Boutique - Beautiful handmade items for sale, lovingly crafted by talented local artists.  Open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday thru Friday, located at the Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Road between Poughkeepsie Road and Blossom Hill Road.  For more information, call 629-3336 or visit www.southsideseniorcenter.com.

The Evergreen Chapter of Society Dog announces weekly walks: These free walks happen every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. We will do a different walk each week, so check the Society Dog website for weekly details. The walk is followed by “Yappy Hour” at a dog friendly restaurant. Everyone is invited, but you must sign up as a member (Basic Membership is free) & agree to the terms of participation. One dog per person unless otherwise permitted by the Alphadog, alphadog@societydog.com.

James Lick High School Class of ‘58, 50th Reunion will be held on August 2, 2008 at 11a.m. at James Lick.  Tickets are $30 which includes a BBQ lunch.  For more information, go to Classmates.com and click on the Events/Reunion link and get info on registering before July 15th.  Any questions email Bettysjc@sbcglobal.net, put “Reunion” on subject line.

Get ready for a blast from the past! Leland Chargers Class of 1988 are reuniting this September. The location will be the Hotel Valencia in Santana Row at a to-be-announced date. For more details or to join a Reunion Committee, contact Paula Cavagnaro at CavagnaroPaula@yahoo.com or Laura Delizonna at ldelizonna@gmail.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.