reAlisal: Your Neighbor’s History | February 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19
Headrush’s first ethnographic play, meaning that reAlsial is based on the true stories of real life people from East Salinas. reAlisal focuses on the current issues facing its resident’s today, as well as the issues faced during the population boom from the Dust Bowl immigrants working in the Salinas Valley during the Depression. Show times: February 11th 6pm, 12th 10am student show & 6pm, 13th 1pm matinee & 6pm; February 18th 6pm, 19th 10am student show & 6pm, 20th 1pm matinee & 6pm. $5 or pay what you can! Location: Breadbox Firehouse Theatre, 745 North Sanborn Rd., East Salinas.
SJSU Photography Faculty – Exhibition | February 1 – 25
A special opportunity to view recent works by current faculty in the Photography area within the SJSU Art Department, this exhibition features a wide range of media, style, and technique. Showcasing a divergent group of artists who share an interest in working with photographic media and a devotion to teaching, this exhibition is both provocative and stimulating, revealing a variety of conceptual emphases, aesthetics, and creative solutions to formalistic issues of value, tone, and composition. Location: Natalie and James Thompson Gallery – San Jose State, SJSU School of Art and Design — 1 Washington Square, San Jose 95192-0089. For more information visit http://bit.ly/e24ZBc
Race, Gender, and Sexual Identity in Contemporary Photography – Lunchtime Lecture | February 2
The San Jose Museum of Art’s free Lunchtime Lecture series will continue with a talk by Ron Herman, chair of the photography department at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Herman will discuss select photographs on view in the Museum’s exhibitions Robert Mapplethorpe: Portraits and Degrees of Separation: Contemporary Photography in the Permanent Collection in the context of critical theory and issues relevant to fine-art photographers working today. Visitors are welcome to bring their lunches or purchase food at the Museum’s Café Too!. Admission to the lecture is free. Regular Museum admission applies to the galleries. Location: San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market Street, San Jose 95113. For more information visit http://www.sanjosemuseumofart.org/
The Sixth Star Celebrating the Anniversary of California Women Getting the Vote – Exhibition | February 4 – May 5
Prior to 1911, women were not allowed to vote but were required to pay taxes and abide by laws passed by men. In 1911, California passed Amendment 8, granting women the right to vote in state elections almost a decade before the 19th Amendment provided women’s suffrage throughout the United States. California was the sixth state to do so. Find out how women in California campaigned for women’s suffrage. Local citizen Isabella Blaney was one of the leaders. See ephemera, artifacts including letters from Jane Addams, and learn how California’s amendment was the turning point to the passage of the 19th Amendment. Location: Saratoga Historical Museum, 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga 95070-5935. For more information visit http://www.saratogahistory.com/
February First Friday Reception and Opening | February 4
Celebrate the February Exhibition opening of exhibits featuring works of Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell, Steve Curl’s students and Mario Rosales-Mejia. Music will be provided by Steve Curl & Co. and there will be catering by Fundamental Gourmet. Location: Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona Street, Palo Alto 94301. For more information visit http://updated.pacificartleague.org/
Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Rabbit | February 5 and 6
For many Asian people, Lunar New Year is an immensely important holiday – a time for special foods, gifts, rituals, and family gatherings. Lunar New Year falls on a different day each year. This year, the New Year falls on February 3rd, and is celebrated throughout the month of February. Join members of the Chinese community to kick off the Year of the Rabbit, try your hand at traditional crafts, and enjoy displays and performances. Location: Children’s Discovery Museum,180 Woz Way, San Jose 95110. For more information visit http://www.cdm.org
Lovesick – A Psycho Anti-Valentine Event | February 5
Kick off the Valentine’s Day season on the wrong foot with donutrocities such as ‘Shot Through the Heart’ and ‘Blueballs.’ Back by popular demand it’s the Annual Original Art Show and “Anti-Love” event. Bring that crazy singing voice and join the musical antics in the Psycho Karaoke Padded Cell – courtesy of Korkaraoke! Center-stage at Lovesick is our annual ‘anti-love-themed’ art show. Buy an original piece of ‘Lovesick art’ for as little as $40! Meet Psycho artists in person – like Christine Benjamin, Deborah Barba, Carlos Villez, John Hageman, Sheri DeBow, Kurtis Rykovich, Lacey Bryant, Laura Collin Bennett, Michael Foley, Michelle Waters, Nicolas Caesar, and Christian Cinder. Don’t miss this chance to kick off your Valentine’s Day holiday with a heavy dose of bad lovin’ – only at Psycho Donuts! Location: Psycho Donuts, 2006 S Winchester Boulevard, Campbell 95008.
Choices – Exhibition | February 6 – 26
The South Bay Area Women’s Caucus for Art presents this exhibition, which addresses a number of questions…. What have been our choices in the past? What are our choices today? What choices would we like to see for future generations? As women who value this important aspect of our lives, how does this play out for each of us? How and why do we make the choices we do? What enabled us to be able to make these choices? What results do we wish to benefit from these choices? Can we empower others to fashion lives with more choices? Location: Dr Martin Luther King Jr Library, 150 E San Fernando Street, San Jose 95112. For more info visit http://www.sbawca.org/events.html
Valentine’s Day Mosaic Art Couples Class | February 4 and 11
Bring your spouse, partner, or best friend and make art together at The Art Beat in this two-week class. The project will be something to do together or work on separately. You will use all types of media to create your one-of-a-kind pieces. No experience is required. Location: The Art Beat Studio, 68 E Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008.
Modern Maya – Exhibition | February 8 – May 1
Modern Maya presents a stunning collection of contemporary Mayan clothing and the weavers who produced them in the first decade of the 21st century. The collection, owned by Paul and Kathleen Vitale of Vallejo, is an integral part of videos produced by the nonprofit Endangered Threads Documentaries during the past six years. Location: San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 520 S 1st Street, San Jose 95113. For more information visit http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/index.html
Chicano Kings of Comedy | February 10
Chicano Kings of Comedy, a spin-off from the successful Dizzle Presents San Jose Comedy Jam Show showcases rich, raw talent and hard-hitting jokes put into an all-star line up. The comedy is based in the diverse Chicano Culture, but has global appeal for any audience. Come see the greatest up-and-coming Chicano Comics that are hot and performing in shows all around the country. Locaiton: Improv Comedy Club, 62 S 2nd Street, San Jose 95113. For more information visit http://bit.ly/fJ7BDF
Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday | February 11 – 13
In this classic film, struggling writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard) moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn). Holly’s lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they’re alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses. Breakfast at Tiffanys: Fri, Sat: 7pm, Sun: 1pm.; Roman Holiday: Fri, Sat: 9:15pm, Sun: 3:15pm. Location: The Retro Dome, 1694 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose 95129.
The Vagina Monologues – V-Day Benefit Production | February 12
The Vagina Monologues, an Obie-award winning play, was created by Eve Ensler in 1996. It has been translated into dozens of languages and performed around the world as part of the V-Day campaign to stop violence against women and girls. All proceeds from this production go to Emmaus House and Community Solutions. Location: Gavilan College Theatre, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy 95020. For more information visit http://bit.ly/eZHofp
Latin Passions for Valentine’s Day – Concert | February 12
This concert features harpist Dan Levitan and guest performers Monta Vista High School Chamber Orchestra. The program is scheduled to include Moncayo’s Huapango, Turina’s La Oración del Torero, Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, Bloomer Deussen’s Tico, and Ponce’s Estrellita. It will also feature the West Coast Premiere of Miguel del Aguila’s Salón Buenos Aires. The composer’s CD of the same name was nominated for a Latin Grammy in September of 2010, and he also received a nomation in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category for another of his works. A native Uruguayan, Aguila is a graduate of both the San Francisco and Vienna Conservatories and now lives in California. He has written more than 100 works, and orchestras that have performed his pieces include the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Location: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N 5th Street, San Jose 95112. For more info visit http://www.missionchamber.org/
Shark Days | February 12 and 13
Explore the ocean’s most mysterious and misunderstood species with our experts during Shark Days. This fun-filled weekend features shark and bat ray feedings, stories from our staff about sharks behind the scenes, and special programs and activities. On Saturday, “Sherman’s Lagoon” creator Jim Toomey will join us for a demonstration and book signing. There’s even an iron-on T-shirt design created by Toomey for you to download! Come to Shark Days wearing your T-shirt and receive a prize. Locaiton: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940. For more info visit http://bit.ly/8T4Hkg
Wine and Chocolate – Valentines Weekend | February 12 and 13
You are invited to a day of pure pleasure. Indulge in four perfectly paired decadent chocolate and divine wine pairings. Enjoy lively music and a spectacular view, too. It will be the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend with that special someone. Location: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga 95070. For more information: http://www.mountainwinery.com/
Bill Santiago | February 17
Bill Santiago became a standup after narrowly escaping a career in journalism, facing the fact that as a comedian he was funny, but as a reporter he was a joke. It’s been said he was born to Puerto Rican immigrants, which is technically untrue, as Puerto Ricans are US citizens, although he’s got an uncle who was once deported to the Bronx. More often than not, people say nice things about his act. “Santiago proved political satire is alive in America,” noted a San Francisco Chronicle theater critic. Or as one New York City club owner put it, “A Hispanic who uses big words. I love it!” As far as television, he was a big hit on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, seen by everyone but his mother, who apparently taped the wrong show. Location: Rooster T Feathers, 157 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale 94087. http://www.roostertfeathers.com/
Breeding Elephant Seal Hike | Now through March
Ano Nuevo State Reserve is home to the largest mainland breeding colony of Northern Elephant Seals in the world. During the breeding season from December through March, you must be on a Guided Walk to access the reserve. SCVAS has reserved two tours for Young Audubon families. These popular three-mile walks, over rolling sand dunes, last about two and a half hours and are considered moderately strenuous. Participants will see a variety of birds, plants, and adult and baby elephant seals. During this particular time of year, participants should see mothers nursing and weaning their pups. Because of the heavy walking, the minimum age for this trip is 7 years old; it is up to each chaperone to make sure that their child is capable of lasting the entire trip. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult. Space is extremely limited, so only the first twenty people for each scheduled time will be taken. $9 per person $10 parking per vehicle. For more information visit http://bit.ly/3HowPx
Los Tigres Del Norte – Benefit Concert | February 24
Grammy Award-winning Latino supergroup Los Tigres Del Norte will perform a special benefit concert to kick off the 20th Anniversary of the San Jose Mexican Heritage and Mariachi Festival. These beloved artists are donating this special engagement at San Jose Repertory Theatre to support Mexican Heritage Corporation’s cultural and educational programs. Location: San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose 95113. For more info http://bit.ly/hA2LUY
Swan Lake – Ballet | February 25 -27
Swan Lake is the undisputed crown jewel of classical ballet. Dennis Nahat’s dramatic four-act setting of this masterpiece features over 135 characters with opulent costumes and scenery from designer David Guthrie. Performed to one of Tchaikovsky’s most memorable scores, this powerful tale of love’s triumph over evil follows Prince Siegfried as he attempts to rescue his beloved Princess Odette from the wicked and lecherous Baron Von Rothbart, who has cast a spell on the young beauty and turned her into his Swan Queen. Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose 95113. For more information http://www.balletsj.org/
Rent | February 25 – March 6
Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musical. The story of La Bohème set in New York City’s gritty East Village, the revolutionary rock opera Rent tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to live and pay their rent. “Measuring their lives in love,” these starving artists strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic. Rent is Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical, one of the longest running shows on Broadway. Greg Fritsch, Stage Director. Dottie Lester-White, Choreographer. Location: Notre Dame de Namur University Theatre, 1540 Ralston Avenue, Belmont 94002. For more information visit http://bit.ly/fzd4zL