18th Annual Harves Festival | October 1
The goal of this Harvest Festival is to embrace the spirit of the county fair and provide a place for families to celebrate a country fair in San Jose. This year’s event will include a large family-oriented pumpkin patch; exhibits of 4H projects; expanded plant sales; all-day entertainment; pony rides; a petting zoo; plus tours of the park, historic farm house, barn, orchards and “Emma’s Heirloom German Kitchen Garden”. Time from 10am-4pm and event is free. Location: Emma Prusch Farm Park , 647 S King Road, San Jose 95116. http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/
Spirit of Japantown Festival 2011 | October 1
San Jose Japantown is one of the last three major Japantowns that remain in the United States. This festival features free entertainment (including performances by San Jose Taiko and Halau Na Wai Ola), martial arts demos, cultural exhibits, a car show, a Kids Zone, arts and crafts, anime, food booths and more! Don’t miss the 5th annual Spirit of Japantown! Time from 10am-5pm. Location: Japantown – San Jose, N 5th Street & Jackson Street, San Jose 95112. http://bit.ly/pUMqdJ
Enrique Iglesias | October 7
Enrique Inglesias brings his Euphoria tour to San Jose for this concert. He will be joined by Pitbull and Prince Royce at HP Pavilion. Time: 7:00 pm. Location: HP Pavilion, 525 W Santa Clara Street, San Jose 95113. http://www.hppsj.com/schedule/
Hispanic Charity Ball | October 8
Our signature program, the Hispanic Charity Ball, has a grand 21 year tradition. Conceived as a way to increase awareness about issues affecting the Latino community and celebrate giving and volunteering within it, the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley continues to present this one-of-a-kind gala event which brings together hundreds of leaders from business, the public sector and philanthropy to recognize and celebrate philanthropic giving within our community. Sponsoring or purchasing tickets to the Charity Ball will enable the Hispanic Foundation to continue its work to: reduce the Latino student achievement gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); assist families who are caregivers for Hispanic elders; convene and engage the Latino community; and, train Latino leaders to serve as Board members of Silicon Valley non-profit organizations. Time: 5:30 to midnight. Individual tickets $250. Location: San Jose Fairmont. http://bit.ly/nDCIFl
Flavors Wine and Food Fesitival | October 8 and 9
The signature tasting experience for guests of the Flavors Wine and Food Festival and an unprecedented opportunity to savor the culinary creations of some of California’s most heralded and diverse chefs and restaurants as well as tasting wines and spirits from around the world. Flavors is excited to host an amazing line-up of your favorite celebrity chefs from Food Network, Top Chef and more plus nationally recognized superstar chefs from San Jose, Silicon Valley and throughout the San Francisco Bay area and California Wine Country. Chef demonstrations will be held at the San Jose Convention Center on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 from 11:30am-4:30pm. A detailed schedule and line-up will be available online and in the printed event guide at show time. Tickets $85 – $150. Time from 11 am – 5 pm. Location: San Jose Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos Street, San Jose 95113.
Benise the Spanish Guitar | October 12
Flamenco guitar player Benise and his Emmy Award-winning Nights of Fire cast returns to the stage with an all-new world music and dance spectacular. Benise’s The Spanish Guitar is billed as A Journey of Passion, Music and Dance. It takes audiences to worlds both faraway and deeply personal, and reminds them that hope can be the healing thread in all of our lives. Time: 7:30 pm Ticket Information: $47-$57 Location: Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Avenue, Campbell 95008. http://bit.ly/pyKdgL
Carmel Art & Film Festival | October 12 – 16
The Carmel Art and Film Festival will screen at least 50 independent films including feature length, documentaries, shorts and student films and even 3D. The event hub is the Sunset Center, with many other venues within walking distance. The festival will also include painting, sculpture, photography and music. http://carmelartandfilm.com/
2nd Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival | October 14- 16
This is a showcase of films reflecting stories, hopes and dreams of Africa. Highlights include dialogue with filmmakers, African drumming and dance performances, theme parties, and an awards ceremony. It is presented by Oriki Theater in partnership with Community School of Music and Arts. Ticket Information: $20 One-Day Pass $30 Two-Day Pass $5 discount for seniors/students Kids under 12 free. Location: Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View 94040. http://www.svaff.org/
41st Annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival | October 15 & 16
The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with the Royal Granddaddy of Festivals. It features a special display of gigantically enormous champion pumpkins, three stages of smashing entertainment, live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting a monster 1,200+ pound pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, photos with the grand champion mega-gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands”, the Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, festival-label wine, pumpkin-margaritas, pumpkin-mojitos and Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale. Admission is free. 9am-5pm. Location: Historic Main Street in Half Moon Bay. http://bit.ly/UjIyM
9th Annual Fall Furry Flurry 5k Walk-a-thon | October 16
Bring your furry friend and participate in the 9th Annual Fall Furry Flurry at Los Gatos Creek Park. This event will help raise money for the homeless animals in our county. Sponsored by Pet Awareness and Welfare Society for San Jose Animal Care and Services and Bay Area Siberian Husky, there are approximately twenty rescue groups participating this year, including 13th Street Cats, The Perfect Dog Rescue, Unconditional Love Animal Rescue, Furry Friends – PATS, Save a Bunny, and Town Cats — to name a few. It’s a leisurely event where you can relax with your dog (or cat), enjoy a walk, and socialize with other animal lovers. In addition to the walk, there are games for the dogs, and a silent auction, and informational booths. Canine games include bobbing for wieners, musical sits, and an obstacle course. Sponsors include Pet Food Express, Happy Tails for You, Spa for Pets, and Canine Coral. Contest and games run from 11am-1pm; it’s fun to watch the obstacle course and the wiener bobbing. The raffle drawing is at 12:30pm, and the Silent Auction topping it off at 1pm. Registration: $25 per person before October 10th; $30 day of walk Family rate of $60 for up to 4 humans before October 10th; $80 day of the walk. Time: 9:30am-1pm Location: Los Gatos Creek Trail County Park, 1250 Dell Avenue, Campbell 95008. http://bit.ly/rfeqRi
Cabaret | September 28 – October 23
What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play! The boys are beautiful, the girls are beautiful, and, this Fall, The Stage is beautiful. Presented in a true cabaret-like atmosphere, come hear the music play as The Stage recreates the Kit Kat Klub in Berlin in 1929. Winner of Tony Awards three decades apart, this newy revolutionized version of the classical musical will sizzle. Ticket Information: $25-$50. Location: San Jose Stage Theater, 490 S 1st Street, San Jose 95113. http://www.thestage.org/
Haunted Mirror Maze | October 21 – 31
On Friday and Saturday evenings Oct. 21st & 22nd and October 28th thru October 31st we will feature a haunted maze from 8 pm to 11 pm. The cost is $20 per person. $5 off with three canned goods to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, and $5 off with a CSUMB or MPC ID. Military discount is 10% off. Please call ahead for groups or reservations. For information email leslie@montereymirrormaze.com
Monterey Tequila & Mezcal Expo | October 22
CYO Events is proud to host the Third Annual Monterey Tequila and Mezcal Expo on October 22, 2011. Our event is a tribute to the rich and colorful history of Tequila and Mezcal and provides a unique opportunity to learn more about these traditional spirits as attendees experience the true essence of tequila and mezcal firsthand. Tickets: General Admission $60. Location: The Portola Hotel and Spa (De Anza Ballroom), Two Portola Plaza, Monterey , California 93940. http://www.montereytequilaexpo.com
Halloween/Ghost Tours at Point Sur Lightstation | October 22
Two special Halloween/Ghost Tours benefiting the restoration of Point Sur Lightstation in Big Sur will be held on Saturday October 22 and Saturday October 29, 2011. Your evening of ghostly fun will begin with a walking tour to the lighthouse in time for the sunset; followed by refreshments in the barn; Point Sur ghost stories told by professional actor/docent Kevin Hanstick; access to the spooky Triplex; and dessert and beverages in the Visitors’ Center. Tours start at 5:15 each evening and will last about 3 hours. Tours are limited to 40 people. Book early, as they fill up quickly. $60 donation per person. For reservations call (831) 649-7139 or email cclk@pointsur.org. Not suitable for very young children. Location: Point Sur Lightstation, Highway 1, Big Sur. http://www.pointsur.org/
20th Annual Wildlife Education Day | October 22
Families are invited to join Santa Clara Audubon and over twenty other environmental organizations to celebrate nature and wildlife. Activities include birdhouse and bird feeder building, a scavenger hunt, educational presentations, and a wildlife poster contest. Live animal attractions include birds, reptiles, sharks, and more! Children ages 4+ are also invited to participate in the “California Native Wildlife” poster contest. Poster contest details are available online. Awards will be presented during the Wildlife Education Day festival. Time: 10am-2pm. For “Early Birds,” SCVAS will hold a guided shorebird walk at Charleston Slough in Mountain View’s Baylands at 8am. Following the walk, participants will caravan to Wildlife Education Day festivities in Cupertino. RSVP is required for the walk. Location: McClellan Ranch Park, 22221 McClellan Road, Cupertino 95014. http://www.scvas.org/index.php
El Dia de los Muertos at Children’s Discovery Museum | October 22
Honor your ancestors on this traditional cultural holiday. In many Spanish-speaking countries the day is celebrated with playful, colorful skeletons and family altars. Visit a traditional altar and get your hand bones glowing in Glow Bones in the Art Loft. Time: 12pm-4:30pm.Ticket Information: Museum Admission: $9-$10.Location: Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose 95110. http://www.cdm.org/new#
Paul Rodriguez | October 28 – 30
Revered as one of the first Latin Kings of Comedy, Paul Rodriguez has been making audiences laugh all over the world (in Spanish and English) for nearly three decades with his unique brand of humor that is a perfect blend of his Latin heritage and the American dream. As an actor and comedian Paul Rodriguez’s multi-faceted career includes starring roles and featured appearances in over forty films and countless television series and comedy specials. Ticket Information: $25 Two-item minimum Ages 21+ . Fri: 8pm, 10pm; Sat: 7pm, 9pm; Sun: 7pm Location: Improv Comedy Club, 62 S 2nd Street, San Jose 95113. http://bit.ly/c2NzJ9
Dia de Los Muertos 2011 | October 29
Calvary Catholic Cemetery, in association with Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, will be presenting the 2nd Annual Día de Los Muertos celebration for Calvary Cemetery. Catholic Cemeteries hopes that the Día de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Catholic Cemetery will grow to be San Jose’s premiere event for Day of the Dead celebrations annually. Other sponsors include El Observador, Willow Glen Funeral Home, Sonia Orban-Price, and La Oferta. This celebration will include performances by local entertainers including Aztec Dancers, storytellers, altar displays and artwork created by local junior high and high school students, organizations, businesses, and individual artists such as Sonia Orban-Price; face painting, skull decorating, workshops, and much more. This event is free for the public and food vendors will be present to sell food. Día de Los Muertos is one of Mexico’s traditional holidays reuniting and honoring beloved ancestors, family, and friends. It is an ancient ritual when the living commune with the dead – a mystical event when the veil is lifted between their two realms and they may share a day together. Día de Los Muertos is a time of celebration and a time to remember our deceased family and friends. Rather than to deny and fear death, this event teaches us to accept and contemplate the meaning of mortality and to celebrate life. Time:11am-3pm Location: Calvary Cemetery. http://www.ccdsj.org/