Apr 2-4: International Gem & Jewelry Show. Glittering jewels, beads and baubles are the stars at this popular event, which features hundreds of exhibitors from around the world offering jewelry at discounted prices. Fri, 12-6pm; Sat, 10-6; Sun, 11-6. (San Mateo: County Expo Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr.; 301/294-1640; www.intergem.com)
Apr 3-4: 16th Annual Arts, Crafts & Music Festival. Art and food come together here, with beautiful handmade crafts including leatherwork, stained glass, wood crafts and more on sale. Enjoy Casa de Fruta’s world-famous hospitality with mouthwatering nibbles and live performances throughout the day. 9-6. (Hollister: Casa de Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy.; 800/548-3813; www.casadefruta.com)
Apr 9-11: Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo. Avid coin and stamp collectors flock to this semi-annual showcase, which features more than 1,000 dealers, auctions, seminars and even a treasure hunt for young numismatists. Thurs, 11-7; Fri-Sat, 10-7; Sun, 10-3. (Santa Clara: Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy.; 805/962-993; www.santaclaraexpo.com)
Apr 10-11: Vintage San Jose Rocks & Rolls Festival. Celebrate the San Jose Flea Market’s 50th anniversary with this homage to all things vintage, from classic Mustangs, Corvettes, Cobras and more to live music from the 60s and 70s. Wine and micro-brew beer tastings, hearty backyard-style barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, root beer floats and other American fare are also big draws. Starts at 10am both days. (San Jose: 1590 Berryessa Rd.; 408/453-1110; www.sjfm.com)
Apr 16-18: Menlo Park Pacific Fine Arts Festival. Stroll downtown and browse a wide selection of photography, paintings, sculptures and more by over 90 artists. Fri-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 10-5. (Menlo Park: Santa Cruz Ave. at El Camino Real; 209/267-4394; www.pacificfinearts.com)
Apr 23-25: RoboGames. Inventors from around the world with their “out-of-this-world” creations converge for a weekend of exhibitions, competitions and camaraderie. Featuring more than 70 different events, from robo-dog soccer to kung-fu android demonstrations, this event amazes and inspires. See a mind-boggling variety of different robot type, from walking humanoids and painting robots to automated bartenders. Other highlights include the Robo-Magellan, a competition that focuses on autonomous navigation over outdoor terrain; Sumo Wrestling; a Robo-One demonstration, where competitors break-dance and perform acrobatics with human-like movement; and the thrilling Robotic Combat, where two competitors armed with weapons try to destroy the other in a ring. 12-7 daily. (San Mateo: 1346 Saratoga Dr.; 206/789-5333; www.robogames.net)
Apr 23-25: Hillsborough Antiques & Decorative Arts Show & Sale. If you’re looking for that perfect vintage touch, you’ll probably find it at this annual show, which features hundreds of dealers from all over the country offering art, furniture, collectibles and more. Fri, 11-8; Sat, 11-7; Sun, 11-5. (San Mateo: Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 303/595-0812; www.hillsboroughantiqueshow.com)
Apr 24: Style 2010. This annual art-for-wear show and sale features extraordinary contemporary clothing, jewelry and accessories. 10-5pm. (Palo Alto: Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd.; 650/329-2366; www.paacf.org)
Apr 24-25: Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival. This annual festival honoring Cupertino’s sister city of Toyokawa features live entertainment, cultural displays and demonstrations, Japanese food and drink, and a marketplace offering arts, crafts and clothing. Enjoy the festivities in the park against the backdrop of the 200 blooming cherry trees that Toyokawa gave to Cupertino. Daily, 10-5pm. (Cupertino: Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Blvd. at Mary Ave.; 408/257-7424; www.cupertinotoyokawa.org)
Apr 25: Nikkei Matsuri Festival. This annual affair celebrating Japanese-American culture features traditional performances, delicious food and drink, a showcase of arts and crafts, and vibrant cultural displays—all in the heart of historic Japantown. 9:30-4. (San Jose: Japantown, corner of Fifth and Jackson Sts.; 408/241-0900; www.nikkeimatsuri.org)
Apr 25: Pacific Coast Dream Machines. Fans of all things automotive flock to Half Moon Bay for this annual showcase of machinery from the 20th and 21st centuries—from rare cars, motorcycles and trucks to historic military aircraft and helicopters. Attractions include a thrilling freestyle motocross exhibitions; a display of “green machines,” or clean tech/alternative energy vehicles; a unicycle dirt drag race; and 2,000 driving, flying and working machines on display. Live music, food and kiddie amusements round out the fun. 10-4. (Half Moon Bay Airport on Hwy. 1; 650/726-3491; www.miramarevents.com)
Dine & Wine Events
Apr 17: Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association Passport Day. Discover the bounties of the Santa Cruz Mountain region’s acclaimed wineries during this popular event. Pick up a passport at any participating winery, and you’ll get access to several wineries, many of which are not open to the public, and sip the really good stuff: special reserves, library wines and barrel tastings. 11-5. (Santa Cruz Mountains: various locations; 831/685-8463; www.scmwa.com)
Apr 24: Santa Clara Valley’s Spring Wine Celebration & BBQ. Explore all that local winemakers have to offer in this exciting winegrowing region. Featuring more than 21 vintners offering special wine tastings of exclusive releases; delicious food such as New York steak, pesto pasta, dessert and coffee; and live music and dancing on Casa de Fruta’s lush, tree-shaded Country Park picnic area, there’s something for everyone at this idyllic summer event. 12-5. (Hollister: Casa de Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy.; 800/548-3813; www.casadefruta.com)
Apr 25: Rivers of Chocolate Festival. Indulge your palate during this showcase of the best chocolate creations around. Bay Area restaurateurs, chocolatiers, wineries and others eagerly show off their chocolate making skills, offering up everything from truffles, pastries and hors d’oeuvres to gelato, ice cream, wine, beer and spirits. Rounding out the fun are music performances and a live and silent auction. 1-5. Proceeds benefit charity. (Saratoga: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd.; 408/539-2103; www.mountainwinery.com)
Talks
Apr 1-2: Jeffrey Toobin. This CNN analyst and expert on politics and law has covered such high-profile trials as Clinton’s impeachment and the 2000 presidential recount, and is the author of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court. During his talk, Toobin shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court and its nine justices. Presented by Celebrity Forum. 8pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 650/949-7176; www.flintcenter.com)
Apr 28-30: Anna Deavere Smith. his actress, playwright and professor is best known for her two one-woman plays Fires in the Mirror and Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, both about racial tensions in America. Smith combines theatrical art, social commentary and journalism by creating works through her interviews with subjects from all walks of life.. 8pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 650/949-7176; www.flintcenter.com)
Apr 10: Alma Nova. This classically trained flute and guitar duo offers an eclectic mix of global music. 8pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. Fifth St.; 408/292-0704; www.trianontheatre.com)
Apr 11: Kuss String Quartet. Joined by pianist Jon Nakamatsu and other special guests, the quartet plays Mozart’s Quartet in B-Flat Major, K.458 ‘Hunt’; Bartok’s Quartet No. 2, Op.17; and Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major, Op.44. Presented by San Jose Chamber Music Society. 7pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth St.; 408/286-5111; www.trianontheatre.com)
Apr 17: San Francisco Symphony presents Music for Families. The program focuses on the theme “Musical Postcards,” highlighting works by composers who drew inspiration from the world around them, paying tribute to new sights, cultures and sounds. 3pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 415/864-6000; www.flintcenter.com)
Apr 18: Sundays with the St. Lawrence. The foursome teams up with contrabassist Tony Manzo and pianist Pedja Muzijevic to play a program comprising Lanner’s Waltzes, Britten’s String Quartet No. 2 and Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A Major “Trout.” 2:30pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford University, Dinkelspiel Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS; http://livelyarts.stanford.edu)
Apr 18: Jon Nakamatsu. This celebrated pianist, a Bay Area favorite, performs a special recital highlighting Clementi’s Sonata Op. 25, No. 5; Schumann’s Papillons, Op. 2; and Chopin’s Andante Spianato et Grand Polonaise, Op. 22 and Sonata No. 3, Op. 58. 7pm. (Burlingame: Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Dr.; 650/762-1130; www.kohl-mansion.com)
Apr 22: San Francisco Symphony. Conductor Bernard Labadie leads the symphony through a program that includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 and Symphony No. 41; and Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring Marc-André Hamelin on piano. 8pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 415/864-6000; www.flintcenter.com)
Apr 24: Mission Chamber Orchestra presents Bohemian Musings. Featuring pianist Daniel Glover, the orchestra offers a program comprising Dvorak’s Piano Concerto; Voriscek’s Symphony in D; and Suk’s Meditation on the Old Bohemian Chorale “Saint Wenceslas.” 7:30pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth St.; 408/236-3350; www.trianontheatre.com)
Music: Jazz & Other
Apr 2: Black Eyed Peas. This chart-topping pop and hip-hop group plays funky hits from the new album The E.N.D. Don’t miss their special guest, rapper Ludacris. 7:30pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St.; 408/287-7070; www.hppsj.com)
Apr 10: Asha Bhosle Live with Sudesh Bhosle & Friends. This legendary singer hails from Mumbai, India, and promises to deliver a vivacious performance, accompanied by the talented and versatile Sudesh Bhosle and twelve musicians, also from Mumbai. 7pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.; 800/745-3000)
Apr 11: Taylor Swift. The ingénue country-pop superstar’s meteoric rise to fame continues to reach new heights with her Fearless Tour. 7pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St.; 408/287-7070; www.hppsj.com)
Apr 17: Los Tres. Featuring popular Mexican pop artist Alejandro Fernandez; Latin pop, ranchera and grupera musician Joan Sebastian; and Latin Grammy winner Marco Antonio Solis, it’s triple the fun. 8pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St.; 408/287-7070; www.hppsj.com)
Apr 24: Brooks & Dunn. The dynamic American country music duo first skyrocketed to fame in the late 1980s with such hit singles as “Brand New Mana” and “My Next Broken Heart,” and hit the stage one last time during their “Last Rodeo” tour. 7pm. (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphiteatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy.; 650/967-3000; www.shorelineamp.com)
Apr 24: Spark of Being. Jazz trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas and experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison use Stanford University’s resources to create this monumental work that brings together film screenings with live musical performance. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford University, Memorial Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS; http://livelyarts.stanford.edu)
Apr 29: Anoushka Shankar. The acclaimed sitar player and composer, daughter of well-known Ravi Shankar, has made a name for herself by weaving traditional Indian music with a variety of musical genres, such as jazz, flamenco and electronica. 7:30pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd.; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Apr 29: David Harrington DJ Session. This Kronos Quartet violinist and musical connoisseur spins tunes for a special listening party, drawing from his eclectic CD collection. 8pm. (Palo Alto/Stanford: Stanford Coffeehouse, 459 Lagunita; 650/721-2263; http://livelyarts.stanford.edu)
Apr 30-May 1: The Eagles. Make like a “Desperado” and head to “Hotel California” during a “Tequila Sunrise” through this popular Los Angeles band’s seminal rock music. 8pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St.; 408/287-7070; www.hppsj.com)
May 1: Gin Blossoms. With such hits as “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You,” the Gin Blossoms helped shape the rock soundscape of the 1990s. 8pm. (Campbell: 1 W. Campell Ave.; 408/866-2700; www.ci.campbell.ca.us/heritagetheatre)
Dance
Apr 8-11: Ballet San Jose presents Spring Repertory 1. Enjoy a dynamic selection of works: the folksy and fun “Square Dance,” by George Balanchine, set to Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso in B Minor; Dennis Nahat’s dazzling “Moments,” a joyful showcase of movement to Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49; and the company premiere of “Salut D’Amour,” a ballet for three couples featuring the music of Sir Edward Elgar. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 1:30pm. (San Jose: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.; 408/288-2800; www.balletsj.org)
Apr 21: Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. This rising star dance company champions works by emerging national and international choreographers, blending classical ballet with cutting-edge physicality. 8pm. (Stanford: Stanford University, Memorial Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS; http://livelyarts.stanford.edu)
Opera
Apr 24-May 9: Opera San Jose presents Puccini’s La Rondine. A wealthy banker’s mistress enjoys a life of luxury but wistfully reminisces about a handsome stranger she met at a Parisian nightclub. When she and the young man unexpectedly reunite and fall in love, she runs off with him to the Riviera. But, coming to her senses, the woman realizes her scandalous past will ruin her lover, and she returns to her benefactor. Shows at 8pm except Sun, 3pm. (San Jose: California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/437-4450; www.operasj.org)
Theater & Musicals
Thru Apr 4: TheatreWorks presents Sunsets and Margaritas. This heartwarming, critically acclaimed comedy is a comic confección sure to leave you laughing out loud. Gregorio Serrano’s elderly father has just crashed his car through the wall of his restaurant, but it seems the rest of his family is all spinning out of control as well. Between Gregorio’s lesbian Republican daughter and her unborn child, his wheelchair-bound, fashion-forward Chicano activist son, his own erratic visions of the Blessed Virgin and his frequent hyperventilation attacks, Gregorio is beginning to think that perhaps there’s a little bit of loco running in the family. Previews Mar 10-12, 8pm; Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7pm. (Palo Alto: Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd.; 650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org)
Thru Apr 17: Coastal Repertory Theater presents Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon. This witty, perceptive coming-of-age story centers on 15-year-old Jerome, a teen living in New York, who’s girl crazy and fantasizes about being a star pitcher for the New York Yankees. Through his daily journal entries, however, he starts understanding the complexities of life and family, and finds the humor behind it all. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Half Moon Bay: 1167 Main St.; 650/569-3266; www.coastalrep.com)
Thru Apr 18: City Lights Theater Co. presents Cyrano. Get transported back to an era of swashbuckling swordsmen, chivalry and poetry with this production of Frank Langella’s adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac. The story’s hero, Cyrano, is a nobleman-turned-soldier, blessed with the gift of poetry but cursed with an enormous nose, which makes him insecure, especially when it comes to love. When he and his friend, a fellow soldier named Christian whose handsomeness overshadows his lack of eloquence, both fall in love with the same woman, the beautiful Roxane, Cyrano agrees to help Christian woo her with his poetic abilities. But, as Roxane falls for Christian’s good looks and Cyrano’s beautiful words, the men are left wondering who she truly loves. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. No performance Apr 4. (San Jose: City Lights Theater Co., 529 S. Second St.; 408/295-4200; www.cltc.org)
Thru Apr 18: San Jose Rep presents Ain’t Misbehavin.’ Revisit the Golden Age of Jazz of the 1920s and 1930s in this snappy production named after the spirited 1929 hit song by jazz great Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller. This freewheeling revue pays homage to the sights and sounds of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City. During this seminal era in American history, African-American art, music, theater and cultural pride flourished. Soon, the movement became synonymous with such nighttime hotspots as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, as well as the evolution of swing dancing and the Harlem stride style of piano-playing. Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr., the 1978 Tony award-winning musical features five talented artists and a vibrant live band that transport the audience to this golden age of jazz with an evening full of Fats Waller classics that encapsulate the era’s many moods: “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Black and Blue,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling.” Tues, 7:30pm; Wed-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 3 & 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 101 Paseo de San Antonio; 408/367-7255; www.sjrep.com)
Apr 1-18: Broadway By the Bay presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Welcome to the French Riviera, the playground of the rich and famous and the hunting ground for two shameless con men. When they realize that the town isn’t big enough for the two of them, they set up a bet—the first person to clean out the new American heiress who just moved to their fair city gets to stay and the loser must leave. Based on the hit 1988 comedy starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, this clever romp through the Riviera is filled with laugh-out-loud plot twists that will keep you entertained to the end. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Mateo: Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St.; 650/579-5565; www.broadwaybythebay.org)
Apr 7-May 9: TheatreWorks presents To Kill a Mockingbird, the classic coming-of-age story by Harper Lee. When a black man is accused of assaulting a white woman on weak evidence, Atticus Finch stands up for truth in the face of racism while his daughter, Scout, learns the hard truths of the adult world. It’s an utterly engaging tale of heartache and joy, innocence and integrity. Previews Apr 7-9, 8pm; Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm (no 2pm show May 1); Sun, 2 & 7pm (no 7pm show May 2). (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org)
Apr 7-May 2: San Jose Stage Co. presents Dirty Blonde. Mae West’s saucy quotes and bawdy double entendres raised more than a few eyebrows in her heyday, making her one of most celebrated comedic actresses of all time. This Tony-winning play traces her career, starting from her vaudeville days to the height of her status as a Hollywood sex symbol. Part musical, love story and amusing reflection on the cult of celebrity, this is an apropos tribute to one of cinema’s most colorful figures. Wed-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 490 S. First St.; 408/283-7142; www.sanjose-stage.com)
Apr 15-May 2: Teatro Vision presents Perla, Leonard Madrid’s dreamy and magical tale set in Portales, New Mexico and in the night terrain of dreams. Perla tries to stall her upcoming wedding to explore her dreamscapes and find and save her father, a Norteño singer and infamous womanizer. This is a reflection on the power of one woman’s subconscious to resolve her inner turmoil and move forward with life. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm (no show Apr 18) (San Jose: Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave.; 408/272-9926; www.teatrovision.org)
Apr 27: Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight! Holbrook’s uncanny theatrical personification of Mark Twain in his pioneering one-man show has earned him a Tony and Emmy award. 8pm. (Stanford: Stanford University, Memorial Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS; http://livelyarts.stanford.edu)
Family
Apr 10: Cirque Le Masque. Step into the colorful world of Cirque Le Masque, which stuns the audience with amazing acrobatic acts, beautiful costumes and enthralling physical feats. Watch as performers fly, bend, swing and balance, leaving you wondering, “How did they do that?” 8pm. (Campbell: Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave.; 408/866-2700; www.ci.campbell.ca.us/heritagetheatre)
Apr 16-25: Children’s Musical Theater presents Singin’ in the Rain. When Don Lockwood, a popular silent film star, and his leading lady, Lina Lamont—who he cannot stand in real life—are forced to convert from silent pictures to “talkies,” it will take some movie magic to cover up Lina’s grating, chipmunk voice. Set in1920s Hollywood, this is the ultimate light-hearted romantic comedy musical, immortalized in the 1952 movie starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 8pm (extra show at 2pm Apr 24); Sun, 1 & 6pm (no 6pm show Apr 25). (San Jose: Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market St.; 408/288-5437; www.cmtsj.org)
