Spring Arts Guide Intro
As the valley’s springtime arrives, options to celebrate abound. Modest temperatures coax people out onto the streets to enjoy parks and attend festivals. Grill smells fill the air and the sun stays out a bit longer. Indoors, spring enables new productions of music, dance and theater. Our annual guide surveys a selection of activities to make the most of the season, from Easter and Purim events to opera, a circus and a punk rock flea market.
March
Spring Singalong with Camp Tawonga
Oshman Family JCC | 3921 Fabian Way | March 23, 10–11:30am
Free–$15
This family-friendly Shabbat encourages children to dress up to celebrate Purim. Grogger-making will lead the noisy morning into a singalong with song leader Shiloh and partnered with Camp Tawonga. The event is really for children under six years and under, but everyone is welcome to join the ruckus. (JP)
WestGate Church South Hills Campus | 6601 Camden Ave. | March 23, 1–4pm
Free
This free and family-friendly festival includes special treats, bounce houses, face painting, live music and lots of food. The outdoor festival is an ode to the warmer season and upcoming sunshine. Indoor bathrooms are available but the rest of the shindig takes place outside so sunblock is advisable. (JP)
Sweet Treats SJ | 48 N. Santa Cruz Ave. | March 23, 2–4pm
$76
Spring has sprung and that means out with the old and in with the new. So why not learn a new skill? This delicious two-hour course at Sweet Treats SJ invited participants to learn the decadent art of the cupcake. Learn how to craft and beautifully decorate everyone’s favorite cake-on-the-go using different piping techniques. Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, creative curiosity or those who want to one-up Karen’s brownies at the next bakesale. Gathering friends is encouraged because attendees will have plenty of edible art to take home and enjoy. (MW)
Valley Presbyterian Church | 945 Portola Road | March 23, 4:30–6:30pm
Free
This year, Valley Presbyterian Church is preparing for Easter eight days early with a spring party. This free, two-hour event is wholesome fun for kids and families of all ages and sizes. Test those detective skills with their scavenger hunt and get creative with some arts and crafts. Then, replenish with plenty of the tasty BBQ that the congregation will be cooking up. Just save room for dessert as everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite treat or drink. Later, kids can wear off the sugar-induced zoomies by testing their strength with the pinata, hitting the bounce house or partaking in—quite possibly the most Spring-appropriate events—flower planting. (MW)
San Jose Woman’s Club | 75 S. 11th St. | March 28, 5–8:30pm
$25-$2,500
Epicurean activist and vegan chef Miyoko Schinner is hosting an elegant evening of plant-based fine dining to benefit farmed animal sanctuary Rancho Compasión. This third annual fundraiser welcomes comedian and vegan activist Jennie McNulty to the mic once more. The event kicks off with a VIP wine and appetizer reception in the Fireside Room at 5 pm that leads into the general admission dinner at 6pm, as well as a live auction that includes a speed painting performance! (JP)
Artist Talk and Book Signing with Chukes
Triton Museum of Art | 1505 Warburton Ave. | March 30, 2–4pm
Free
Fine artist and author Chukes will be live at the Triton for an artist talk and “Identity Theft” book signing. Bay Area-born Cukes will dive into his process of using art as a tool and expression for truth and for exposing what needs to be seen in the world. Included in this exhibit are paintings, sculptures and never-before-seen pieces all derived from his “Identity Theft” exhibit. Additionally, Chukes’ book of the same name will be available for purchase. (JP)
PY Kitchen + Wine | 1995 S. Bascom Ave. | March 31, 11am–2pm
$25-$60
hilton.com/en/hotels/sjcppdt-doubletree-campbell-pruneyard-plaza/dining/
The DoubleTree Hotel and PY Kitchen + Wine is cooking up something special for those looking to forgo doing the dishes on Easter Sunday. Gather the family or join friends in celebrating the holiday with a wide range of tasty treats and savory meals to stuff diners as full as an Easter basket. Breakfast people will be delighted with the restaurant’s omelet station to go alongside the bacon, sausage, country potatoes, french toast and more. Lunch fans can look forward to chicken marsala, barbeque ribs and pan roasted salmon with plenty of salad, mashed potatoes and roasted veggies as sides. No brunch is complete without bottomless mimosas, which will be flowing by the glassful. (MW)
April
Gallery 9 Los Altos | 143 Main St. | April 2–28
Free
Los Altos’ oldest gallery, Gallery 9, begins its spring exhibit lineup with photography from resident artist Roy Harrington. A landscape photographer who works primarily in black and white, Harrington has captured the spare, sculptural grace of the many topographies of the West, like the dunes of Death Valley, the ridgelines of the Eastern Sierra, folding rock formations in Utah, billows of steam in Yellowstone and the neat parallel lines of Northern California redwoods. His work also ranges internationally, with photos taken in Ireland, New Zealand and East Asia. (SBB)
The Stage Company | 490 S. First St. | April 3–28
$34–$74
Directed by James Reese and written by Martin McDonagh, “Hangmen” has been billed as “sneaky, menacing and funny” by deadline.com. This dark comedy is a play about the abolishment of the death penalty in 1965 UK. In the town of Oldham, Harry—who happens to be the second-best hangman in the country—garners the attention of nosey reporters and rowdy locals when everyone wants to know what he thinks about this new law. But, something even more sinister and dark is brewing just right below the surface. (JP)
Jimmie Vaughn and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band
The Campbell Heritage Theatre | 1 W. Campbell Ave. | April 6, 8pm
campbellca.gov/353/Heritage-Theatre
Vaughn has been holding up the integrity of the blues music scene for more than 50 years, and he isn’t about to slow down. “Playing what you feel has always been my main goal,” says the Texas-born blues guitarist in his online biography. And, playing what he feels alongside the likes of the Tilt-a-Whirl Band, audiences will be taken for a musical ride. (JP)
3Below Theaters & Cafe | 288 S. Second St. | April 6–7, 2:30pm
$18
2016 Disney film Moana is beloved for its stunning visuals, plucky and determined protagonist, hapless chicken side-kick, and delightful and moving soundtrack composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina. At “Moana the Sing-Along,” the audience is encouraged to dive in fully: Lyrics appear on the screen throughout the film, inviting viewers to sing along with Moana, Maui and Tamatoa the giant crab. Admission includes a fun-pack of props to go along with the movie, and pre-show fun like trivia, costume contests and costume parades. Costumes are highly encouraged! (SBB)
YoungArts USA | Westfield Valley Fair Mall | April 8–12
$99.95–$169
youngartlessons.com/valley-fair
Held in person at the Young Art studio in Santa Clara, this week-long camp offers a highly interactive environment where students can socialize, play games and share ideas. From sketching to hand-drawn animation, digital illustration to painting, clay sculpting to science experiments, there’s something for every young artist. Students are encouraged to let their creativity run wild, turning paper into notebooks, cardboard into houses, or popsicle sticks into a musical instrument. Each session focuses on skill development and creativity, using Design Thinking to help students solve real-world problems with imagination and ingenuity. (SBB)
Los Altos Stage Company | 97 Hillview Ave. | April 11–May 5
$22–$45
The Los Altos Stage Company is putting on “The Skin of Our Teeth,” Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy-drama about end-of-the-world disaster, family life and the fate of mankind. Written in 1942, the convention-breaking play centers on George and Maggie Antrobus, who have been married for 5,000 years; after surviving wars, plagues and floods, they’re running low on food—and a massive glacier is headed toward their New Jersey home. Before the play’s official run starts, there’s a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Night on April 1. (SBB)
Symphony San Jose | California Theater | 345 S. First St. | April 12, 7:30pm
$25–$45
For lovers of elegant and moving choral-orchestral music, Symphony San José and Chorale—their esteemed group of San Jose and Bay Area-based choristers—are performing Giacomo Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Gabriel Faure’s Pavane and Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk’s Melody (Elegy), often described as a spiritual hymn of Ukraine. The concert is being held in the Mission Santa Clara de Asís, a beautiful, historic church first established in 1777, now an enduring spiritual hub for the University of Santa Clara. There will only be one performance. (SBB)
Leadways School | 20900 McClellan Road | April 15–19, 9am–2pm
$485
Leadways School in Cupertino is hosting a Spring Art Camp for kids in kindergarten through
fifth grade. The program runs from 9am until 2pm for five days, and provides a unique opportunity for young artists to try out different materials and supplies, learn new techniques and create stunning works of art. Campers get to experiment with different types of art, make a mess and ignite their creativity skills. (SBB)
Downtown Campbell | E. Campbell Ave. and N. Second St. | April 18, 6–9pm
$50/adv, $55/reg
The Downtown Campbell Business Association is hosting a crisp evening wine walk with 20+ wineries, music, fun shops and a downtown with lots of character. As the sun sets over Campbell, guests get to sample the latest crop of wines from California’s fabled wine growing regions, while exploring cute and quirky shops, stopping by pop-up vendors and listening to live bands. Each ticket includes a commemorative tasting tumbler good for one pour at each of the winery locations. Non-drinking friends are very welcome to join, and do not need a ticket to enjoy the evening. (SBB)
Cirque du Soleil | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds | April 18–May 26
$25–$69
Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA, which premiered in 2007, is an innovative, artistic journey viewed through the perspective of The Innocent, an endearing yet naïve clown looking for his place in the world. Audiences experience the self-discovery journey of The Innocent, who is miraculously transferred to a bizarre but exotic world, under the watchful eye of an enigmatic trickster with remarkable abilities. The kid-friendly show features stunning, elaborate costumes, an eclectic score and unbelievable acrobatic acts like aerial silks, a double highwire and the “wheel of death.” (SBB)
Playful People Productions | San Jose’s Hoover Theater | 1635 Park Ave. | April 19–28
$25
Playful People Productions—a positive, inclusive, family theater—aims to be a perfect introduction to theater and storytelling for kids. “Finding Nemo Jr.,” featuring actors ages four through 12 years, is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. With the help of theater professionals, the cast works on lighting, stage management, set and costume design, and prop design, bringing to life Marlin’s epic adventure across the ocean searching for Nemo with the help of lovable characters like Dory, Crush and the Tank Gang. (SBB)
Bing Spring Gala Auction 2024 – The Roaring 20’s
Bing Nursery School | 850 Escondido Road | April 20, 6:30–10:30pm
$30
Get out that flapper dress, rouge the knees and prepare to paint the town red! The Bing Spring Gala’s Roaring 20’s auction will feature period-inspired cuisine, lots of fun prizes and even some bootlegged favorite cocktails. The silent auction remains open from April 5–21 and is available for patrons to scope out what’s offered, here: biddingforgood.com/bing. (JP)
Catán’s Florencia En El Amazonas
Opera San José | California Theatre | 345 First St. | April 20–May 5
$50–$195
Opera San José is presenting the Bay Area premiere of Mexican composer Daniel Catan’s masterpiece “Florencia en el Amazonas.” Inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, the opera is set on a steamboat voyaging down the enchanted Amazon rainforest to Manaus. The glamorous opera diva Florencia is returning home, hoping to reunite with her lover—a butterfly hunter who has disappeared—and Florencia and the other passengers go on a life-changing adventure. The opera will star soprano Marlen Nahhas in the title role, and will be performed with English and Spanish supertitles. (SBB)
Fun Times Singers’ “Celestial”
20 Cherry Blossom Lane | April 20–21
$20/adv, $25/door
The Fun Times Singers are back with an out-of-this-world spring concert that promises to be both uplifting and universal, literally. As their name implies, fun times will indeed be had with seasonal choral tributes and infinite possibilities—ode to outer space. Fun Times Singers want audiences to bask in the stellar rays of springtime set against a galactic adventure. (JP)
San Jose Punk Rock Flea Market
The Ritz | 400 S. First St. | April 21, 12pm
$5
Who doesn’t love a flea market? Throw in some bands, booze and a bad-ass attitude and the result is the San Jose Punk Rock Flea Market on April 21 from noon to 6pm. Bargain hunters can grab a drink at The Ritz’s full bar (yes, this is a 21+ event, sorry kids!) and peruse the plethora of vendors selling records, candles, clothing and everything circling the pit of punk. In addition to raffling off prizes, the “rock” in the Punk Rock Flea Market is provided by The Backstabbers, Deselect, Bukaki Blaster and 12 Steps to Nothing. Proving that punk’s not dead and sometimes it just enjoys a pleasant Sunday afternoon. (MW)
Fresh Approach | Palo Alto Art Center | 1313 Newell Rd. | April 27, 5:30–8pm
$60–$240
Fresh Approach is hosting an enchanting Farm to Table Feast at the Palo Alto Art Center. Guests will enjoy a spread of spring-inspired bites by Chef Israel Garcia, exclusively sourced from the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market, complemented by Subject to Change Wine Co.’’s natural wines and live music from acoustic duo The Breedloves. Attendees will also have the chance to bid on items and experiences from local Bay Area businesses. Ticket sales and auction proceeds will support the purchase of a Mobile Farmers’ Market truck to increase fresh food access in underserved communities. 21+. (SBB)
May
Carillon Preschool’s Spring Auction
Carillon Preshool-Christ Church | 815 Portola Road | May 4, 6:30pm–9:30pm
$75
Sometime soon in a preschool not far, far away Carillon presents Spring Auction: A Galactic Gala! This year’s benefit for the preschool falls on May 4, so they didn’t have to use the Force to pick the theme. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character or your own spacy and glitzed-out look, and prepare for a fun night of dancing. In addition to the auction, cosmic revelers can also purchase raffle tickets to win an assortment of prizes. Be prepared to take home the winnings of the raffles and auctions (as soon as those credits are paid via cash, check or PayPal/Venmo) that night so nobody has to wait and be a phantom menace. (MW)
Perfect Prince & Princess Party – A Perfect Prince & Princess Party
3Below Theaters & Cafe | 288 S. Second St. | May 5, 11am
$35
3Below offers year-round interactive Clubhouse Parties to engage and “wow” youth and their families. At their “Perfect Prince & Princess Party,” a special day in honor of the world’s best-loved Storybook Princesses and Princes, honored guests may include characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess Who Kissed the Frog, Cinderella and Mulan. There will be a royal mini-feast of finger food followed by fun and festivities: attendees will hear each princess’s story and sing some favorite royal songs, play royal party games and make prince and princess crafts. (SBB)
TheareWorks Silicon Valley | Hiller Aviation Museum | 601 Skyway Road | May 5, 6–10pm
$500–$10,000
It’s time to get ready for some merriment and revelry. TheatreWorks will provide sumptuous wines and delectable eats during this elegant Dionysian evening amid a Greco-Roman theme. Diners can expect exquisite entertainment and live performances. All proceeds from the event will go into TheatreWorks’ mission of bringing arts back to the Bay Area. (JP)
Triton Museum of Art | 1505 Warburton Ave. | May 10, 6–8pm
$85–$95
What’s better than admiring good local art in the springtime? Maybe pairing that with tequila tasting and friends, of course! Triton Museum is offering tequila tasting, taco pairings, a silent auction, music and good times with friends during this fundraising event to benefit the museum and its exhibits and programs. (JP)
Mavis Staples
The Campbell Heritage Theatre | 1 W. Campbell Ave. | May 10, 8pm
$85
campbellca.gov/353/Heritage-Theatre
Not only is it Heritage Theatre’s 20th anniversary, but it’s a celebration of Mavis Staples’ 12th studio album, “We Get By.” This timeless and epic singer delivers “roof-raising performances with both a youthful vigor and a commanding maturity,” according to the venue. “We Get By” was also a full-length collaboration with multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Ben Harper. Despite being over 80 years old, Staples maintains a youthful and energized performance, both today and in her youth. (JP)
Saratoga’s Spring Wine Experience
Historic Saratoga Village | 14460 Big Basin Way | May 11, 2:30–5:30pm
$55 adv/$65 reg
Saratoga’s Spring Wine Experience offers a sun-kissed afternoon of wine exploration, hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. This gathering in the heart of historic Saratoga Village offers a tasting lineup from local wineries. Attendees will stroll through the village, explore a variety of exquisite local wines, meet passionate winemakers and learn about the winemaking process. Local merchants and restaurants will be in full swing, offering music, shopping and delicious lunch and dinner options. Tickets include a wine glass, wristband and event brochure. (SBB)
Smuin Ballet’s “Dance Series 2”
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts | 500 Castro St. | May 16–19
$59–$84
In Smuin’s Dance Series 2, first-time company choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa debuts her world premiere, “Tupelo Tornado,” which was inspired by the life of Elvis Presley. In Amy Seiwert’s 2015-premiere, “Broken Open,” there’s a fresh and relevancy movement quality that still exists in today’s near-decade-later world. “Untwine” by Smuin Artist Brennan Wall is full of breathtaking duet tricks and moves. Finally, we end the show with “Starshadows,” an elegant Michael Smuin classic piece from his early works with the company. (JP)
Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Scared Scriptless
Heritage Theatre | 1 W. Campbell Ave. | May 23, 8pm
$65
campbellca.gov/353/Heritage-Theatre
Funny guys, Mochrie and Sherwood of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” will show their improvisation skills during this one-night event at Heritage Theatre. They’re “scared scriptless,” which bodes well for a pair of think-on-your-feet comedians. The two will be creating original scenes, music and more all while directed by audience members. Instead of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” these two should get used to “Whose In Charge Anyway?” Here’s a hint: not them. (JP)
3Below Theaters & Cafe | 288 S. Second St. | May 25-26
$18
3Below’s May Sing-a-Long is “The Sound of Music!” Bring music back into the house with the most successful movie musical of all time, with the lyrics projected on screen in case you can’t remember every one of Maria’s “favorite things.” Costumes are encouraged (especially those made from your curtains), and the host will lead participants through pre-show do-re-mi’s to get everyone warmed up. Then it’s time to sing and dance along with Liesl, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl. When one knows the lyrics to sing, one can sing most anything. (SBB)
