March 4, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Mar. 8
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Saratoga will present a concert on at 2 p.m. featuring the Perry Family, three internationally known African American opera singers. Well-known for their work in the Peter Sellars production of Don Giovanni, baritones Eugene Perry and Herbert Perry are joined in concert by their younger sister, soprano Rachelle Perry-Ward, who recently scored a huge success as Bess in the Utah Festival Opera production of Porgy and Bess. Please join us for an afternoon of arias, duets, trios by Mozart, Verdi. Strauss, Gershwin, and others, including spiritual songs written by their grandfather Dr. Herbert F. Mells.

Mar. 9
The San Jose Chamber Orchestra presents “Music for strings by Corigliano, Schnittke and Nielsen” at Le Petit Trianon, 72 North 5th Street in San Jose. Eric Kujawsky is the featured guest conductor. Tickets are $30 - 45 and can be purchased by calling (408)295-4416 or visit  www.sjco.org.

Mar. 15
The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS) Philharmonic Orchestra Spring Classic: SJYS, under the artistic leadership of Maestro Yair Samet, announces its second concert of the season, “Spring Classic”, held at 2:30 p.m. at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in San Jose. This performance will feature two outstanding young musicians and winners of the San Jose Youth Symphony Young Artist Competition (YAC) – clarinetist Joseph T. Morris performing Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F Minor and, pianist Angela Hwang performing Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43. Advance tickets are available at http://www.sjys.org/concerts/tickets.html or at the box office before the concert. Admission is $15/Adults, $10/Students and Seniors, and $5 for children under 13. For further information, call 885-9220 or sjys@sjys.org.

THEATER

Feb. 27 – Mar. 9
Cinequest Film Festival returns to San Jose! The Cinequest Film Festival is a discovery festival of films and technology forums that was recently named the Top 10 festival in the world by the Ultimate film Festival Survival Guide. This year’s event features a number of Maverick Spirit events featuring presentations at San Jose’s California Theater by such acclaimed artists as Danny Glover, Michael Keaton, John Leguizamo. For more event information, visit www.cinequest.org or call 295-3378. Ticket prices vary by event.

Mar. 4 - 16
American Musical Theater San Jose presents “Cabaret” at the Center for the Performing Arts. Winner of 12 Tony Awards combined for the original and revival productions, “Cabaret” is the stunning musical tale of the Nazi-era Kit Kat Klub - a decadent refuge from the political turmoil of the outside world. The cabaret’s gleefully lecherous emcee greets patrons “Wilkommen” and offers social commentary between numbers by English expatriate and party girl Sally Bowles. Resistant to the ominous changes around her, Bowles continues to believe that life is a cabaret. For tickets and performance information, call 1-888-455-7469 or visit www.amtsj.org.

DANCE

Mar. 15
Elements Dance Company Auditions: E.D.C. provides specialized training in Hip-Hop and Break Dance Styles as well as competition skills/performance Strength. Audition time for Junior and Teen teams (ages 11 years and older) is 10 a.m. – noon. Classes are available for children 5 – 10 years beginning Mar. 29 from 9 – 10 a.m. No audition is required for these classes. Location is Nancy Doize School of Dance, 3001 Ross Avenue in San Jose. For more information, call Alisha Simms at 623-2163 or missalisha@hotmail.com

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Mar. 8
Celebrate Persian New Year! Celebrate Norouz (Persian New Year) from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Vineland Branch library as we feature the festive Norouz holiday. There will be a Norouz song by a children's group, Ballet Afsaneh dance program with audience participation and Master Nejad and the Nejad Youth Orchestra. There will also be a children's parade, various holiday crafts and more. This event is co-sponsored by the Cambrian, Almaden and Vineland Branch Libraries with the generous support of the various Friends’ organizations at each library. This event will be held in Almaden's large community room.

Mar. 8
The Children’s Discovery Museum presents The Brian Waite Band performing at 1 and 2:30 p.m. as part of its “Green Week” festivities. Come dance, learn and laugh with the trio that has rocked its way into the hearts of both kids and parents around the world, as they lead a musical adventure to Earth's past and future. For more information on this and other “Green Week” activities, visit www.cdm.org/new after Mar. 1

Mar. 13 – 15
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” will be performed by the entire fifth grade class of 35 students, plus a few fourth graders, at Campbell Christian Schools. Performances are 3/13-14 at 7 p.m., and 3/15 at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium, located at 1075 W. Campbell Avenue, in Campbell. Tickets are $8 per person, on sale beginning March at the Campbell Christian Schools’ office. For further information call 370-4900.

Mar. 15
The Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Avenue in San Jose, is sponsoring an Egg-Citing Spring Celebration from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is $5 per person and the public is invited. For more information, call 559-7542.

Mar. 22
Campbell Kiwanis Club presents the annual Campbell Eggstravaganza Mar. 22 at the Campbell Community Center. Designed for children ages 2-12, this highly anticipated family fun event begins at 10:30 a.m. SHARP with a traditional egg and candy hunt on the Athletic Fields of the Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Avenue. Please bring a bag or basket for your child. Thousands of plastic colored eggs will be sprinkled throughout the lawn. Please be sure to arrive on time, as the eggs will go fast. Other festivities that morning, beginning at 9 a.m., will include face painting, finger nail painting, games, arts and crafts activities, a jump house, and pictures with the Eggstravaganza Bunny. Coffee and donuts will be sold to the dedicated bleary-eyes parents beginning at 7:30 a.m. This free event is open to the public. For more information, call 866-2769.

CLASSES

Mar. 2
Mandarin Chinese Language classes: CSL, Mandarin Chinese as Second Language courses, will be offered every Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m., beginning on Mar. 2. The curriculum includes four 10-week quarters.  Come and learn to speak, read, and write conversational Chinese. You'll learn Chinese pinyin (basic pronunciation) and simple Chinese sentence structures.  Learn from a native speaker who speaks perfect Beijing Mandarin.  Make new friends. Stand out from the crowd.  Build better relationships and be prepared before your travel aboard. A free informational session is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 24.  Lunch will be provided at 1pm.  The free session will be held at 5150 Camden Avenue, San Jose, 95124.  For more information, call 979-1257 or visit www.friendshipagape.com/csl.

Mar. 6 – Apr. 24
Almaden Valley Counseling Service presents “Cooperative Parenting and Divorce - How to Parent as a Team when you are No Longer a Couple” Almaden Valley Counseling Service is expanding their Parent Education program to include this vital course. Cooperative Parenting These classes are for parents who are either divorced or in the process of divorcing and focus on reducing parental conflict and address the factors that influence children’s post-divorce adjustment.. Courses are eight weeks from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m., fees are $145 and limited to one parent from a co-parenting family. Contact AVCS at 997-0200 / staff@avcounseling.org for more information.

Mar. 9
First Congregational Church, 1980 Hamilton Avenue in Campbell, hosts "Tomorrow's Christianity: Not Rescuing Sinners, but Transforming Humanity" Lecture by Bishop John Shelby Spong. This free lecture begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by an informal reception. For more information, call 377-7121.

Mar. 15
Soil Science Course: The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens host a special 2-hour course with Brian Debasitis, founder of Mauby All Natural and soil consultant to the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden. This workshop, held from 1 a.m. to noon, will define what soil is, identify its major components, review common soil problems and explain how they affect your garden. Take a look at soil through a microscope to see the differences between healthy and unhealthy soils. Bring in your own soil samples to view under the microscope and get some expert advice on the best course of action to correct any problems. You will not only improve the health of your soil, but you will also improve the health of your lawn, garden and trees. At the same time, you’ll be helping clean up our air and water, chemical free! All classes take place at the Visitor & Education Center located at 438 Coleman Ave. in San Jose. Fees are $10/members, $15/non-members. Pre-registration is required. To register call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to lean more.

Mar. 16
Vipassana (Insight) Meditation One-Day Retreat: Instruction and Practices on Vipassana and Metta meditations, led by Burmese Meditation Master Venerable Beelin Sayadaw, sitting and walking meditations, interviews, Dharma Talks, lunch provided, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., free, at the Mindful Living Alliance Insight Meditation Center, 419 California Street in Campbell. RSVP to Tony at 732-3322 or e-mail MLA899@Gmail.com, or visit www.MindfulLivingAlliance.org.

Ongoing
Mindfulness (Vipassana) meditations. Alternate walking and sitting Vipassana meditations. Every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sitting Vipassana meditations are held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Both sessions are free. Classes are held at the Mindful Living Alliance Insight Meditation Center, 419 California Street in Campbell. For more information call Tony at 732-3322 or 505-5190, or e-mail MLA899@Gmail.com, or visit www.MindfulLivingAlliance.org.

FIFTY-PLUS

Mar. 8
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over, will hold registration for computer classes at the Willows Learning Center, located at 2175 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose. Call 448-6400 for registration information.

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

Mar. 1 – May 17
Spring Walking Series at Guadalupe River Park & Gardens: Start the New Year out right by registering for a structured walking series from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. with Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens. Step after step, you’ll become healthier through these group walks that will take place on the beautiful paved trails of the Guadalupe River Park. Whether you are an avid walker or new to a walking program, you will learn about proper equipment, walking technique, stretching and beneficial strength exercises for walkers while meeting others who enjoy walking. Fees are $50/members, $60/non-members. All participants must be 18 years or older. All classes will meet at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (408) 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more.

Mar. 7 - 9
Outrageous Outgrowns at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds: SCCF Pavilion Hall, 344 Tully Road in San Jose will host the Spring 2008 Outrageous Outgrowns event - the Bay Area's largest resale event for babies and kids of all ages (maternity and nursing, too!). All items are gently used and sold by individual families, but they are organized like a huge store, so you can easily find exactly what you need. All items are hand-checked for top quality. This is not a rummage sale! Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and parking is free. For more information, visit http://www.OutrageousOutgrowns.com or call 391-5909.

Mar. 15
Mulberry School, 220 Belgaots Road in Los Gatos (right off of Blossom Hill Road), is hosting an Ewaste Collection event from 9a.m. – 4p.m. Proceeds from this event benefit the Mulberry Schools Activities fund.


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.