Ongoing – Farmers Market Every Saturday morning The Downtown Santa Clara Farmers Market continues its popular year-round engagement every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jackson Street between Benton and Homestead. Each season brings in new crops of fruits and vegetables. Check out colorful bouquets of cut flowers for your home, or plants for your patio and garden. Call 408-241-1281 for more information.
Ongoing – Did you know Superman was a foster child?
That’s right! And having caring individuals who took him into their home made all the difference! Bill Wilson Center is seeking foster parents for 12 y/o David. Removed from an unsafe home, he’s been through a lot. Needs guidance and love to thrive. Contact 888-922-5437 or inquiries@billwilsoncenter.org to learn more. No obligation informational meetings first Thursday each month, 6-8pm, 1671 The Alameda Suite 201, SJ.
April 1 – CARS Expo at Santa Clara Convention Center
Automotive performance companies like Auto Meter, Edelbrock, Fel-Pro, Airaid, Quickfuel, MSD, Stop-Tech and many more will display their latest products and have factory people available to discuss how they can make your car or truck get down the track faster, the road smoother, use less fuel, or even stop faster. Additionally the CARS Expo wouldn’t be complete without cars, so in the same building as our Automotive Aftermarket product displays we will have a car show. Street rods, musclecars, classic cars, trucks, race cars, and maybe some car haulers! Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Register at www.gofastexpo.com FREE parking.
April 7 – Wedding Designs: The Mission College Retail Floristry Department will be hosting a wedding floral design ‘drop-in tea’ to give members of the community an opportunity to see and vote on the Wedding Design student’s final projects. Students have been challenged to select a high-end beaded or sequined dress and create a floral arrangement that matches it in color or mood. Dresses were collected by Sandy Lesnewsky, Retail Floristry Program Coordinator, and will be displayed along with the student’s creations. Tea and light refreshments will be served during this open house in the Hospitality Management Dining Room from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. While free to the public, a $5 donation is suggested to defray costs. Daily parking permits are available in all lots for $2.
April 14-15 – Train Show at Historic Santa Clara Depot
Operating model trains on two museum quality displays, numerous historic artifacts, and a preserved historic depot all provide focal points for the Train Show and Open House at the Santa Clara Depot on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
This program is one of two fundraisers held each year to support the operations at the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History. The museum is housed in the former Southern Pacific Depot, built in 1863, adjacent to the Caltrain tracks.
Meanwhile, the model railroads – one HO-scale (1:87) and one N-scale (1:160), demonstrate western railroading. Each layout, set in timeframes ending about 1960, illustrate structures, businesses, industries and motor vehicles typical of the era. Many of the operating trains are typical of that era and others are more contemporary trains.
Another feature of the show is the Company Store, where guests can purchase a variety of used model railroad locomotives and rolling stock, books, videos and DVDs about real and model railroading, and various artifacts.
A donation of $5 for adults will be collected at the entrance to the depot. Admission for persons under 18 is free. More information at 408-243-3969 or visit the website sbhrs.org.
April 21 – Santa Clara Schools Foundation Professional Wrestling Fundraiser
Featuring former WWE Superstar Rikishi and WWE Tough Enough Competitor “M-Dogg 20” Matt Cross. Plus Sunnyvale native “Mexican Werewolf” El Chupacabra and Santa Clara native Kimo. Over two hours of bone-crunching, exciting action for the entire family. Family-friendly professional wrestling with local performing arts groups also feature before the event and during intermission. All proceeds to benefit the Santa Clara Schools Foundation. Additional information available at http://www.santaclaraschoolsfoundation.org/
April 21 – Fish Derby for ages 3-11
On Saturday, April 21, children age 3-11 can try their luck at fishing at the annual Fish Derby. This free event will be held from 6-11 a.m. at the Santa Clara Civic Center Plaza, where the reflection pool will be transformed into a fishing pond filled with active, healthy trout for the children to catch. Rods and bait will be provided. The Santa Clara Kiwanis Club, Santa Clara Elks Club, Santa Clara Lions Club, Mission City Community Fund, and Santa Clara Parks ” Recreation Department sponsor this event, with support from a variety of local community groups. Call the Parks ” Recreation Department at 408-615-2260 for more information.
April 21 – Friends of the Library Book Sale Add to your private book collection, find a bargain and support the Santa Clara City Library. The Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Central Park Library Cedar Room, 2635 Homestead Road. Visit lovethelibrary.org for more information about the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends or call 408-615-2936.
April 22 – Silicon Valley Reads Presents an appearance by author Todd Parr for young children and families 3 p.m. Santa Clara City Library. The event is part of Silicon Valley Reads’ is 10th anniversary in 2012 with programs focused on the theme “Muslim and American: Two Perspectives.” Santa Clara City Library will be an active participant, thanks to a grant from the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Featured books are: The Muslim Next Door: The Qur’an, the Media, and that Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, and The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson. Companion books for children are: It’s OK To Be Different by Todd Parr, One Green Apple by Eve Bunting, My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin, and Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim. A full listing of Silicon Valley Reads events can be found on the website siliconvalleyreads.org.
April 22 – Sri. P. Unnikrishnan – Carnatic Vocal Concert at Santa Clara Convention Center
Time: 3:30 p.m. http://www.southindiafinearts.org/
April 27 – Arbor Day/Earth Day!
On Arbor Day, April 27, the City of Santa Clara will be presented with its 24th Tree City U.S.A. award from the National Arbor Day Foundation that recognizes the City for its effective tree care program. The community is invited to participate in the celebration at 10 a.m. on the grounds of the Triton Museum, 1505 Warburton Ave.
April 29 – Silicon Valley Reads Presents the closing event of Silicon Valley Reads with authors Sumbul Ali-Karamali and Willow Wilson interviewed by Mercury News columnist Sal Pizarro. 2 p.m. Santa Clara City Library. The event is part of Silicon Valley Reads’ is 10th anniversary in 2012 with programs focused on the theme “Muslim and American: Two Perspectives.” Santa Clara City Library will be an active participant, thanks to a grant from the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Featured books are: The Muslim Next Door: The Qur’an, the Media, and that Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, and The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson. Companion books for children are: It’s OK To Be Different by Todd Parr, One Green Apple by Eve Bunting, My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin, and Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim.
A full listing of Silicon Valley Reads events can be found on the website siliconvalleyreads.org.
May 4 – “Carmina Burana” Santa Clara Chorale – 50th Anniversary Grand Finale
For a spectacular grand finale concert and gala, this concert features all four of the Chorale’s artistic directors, founder David Wilson, Lynn Shurtleff, Thomas Colohan, and Ryan James Brandau. Revel in the glory of Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Brahms’ Schicksalslied, and the work more beloved by Chorale patrons than any other, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The Symphony Silicon Valley, a longtime partner of the Chorale, accompanies the Chorale in this unforgettable evening of celebration and song. Performance time: 8:00 p.m. Location: Mission Santa Clara de Asis on the campus of Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. For more information, call (408) 883-4722 or visit http://www.scc.org/#concerts
May 12 – Santa Clara Spring Garden Tour
The Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara is hosting a tour of Santa Clara gardens on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour includes the beautiful gardens at the Harris-Lass Historic Museum at 1889 Market St., plus the lovely landscaped gardens of several private homes in Santa Clara. You may also take a free home tour of the Harris-Lass House at a future date. The Museum Gift Shop will be open. For more information or garden tour tickets, call the Harris-Lass Museum message line at 408-249-7905. Advance ticket purchase is required.
May 18 through June 3 – Santa Clara Players’ The Nerd
Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, whom he has never met but who saved his life in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly. Delight soon fades as Rick stays on and on, his continued presence leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence, a dire development which is staved off by the surprising ending. Dates: May 18, 25-26, 31 ” June 1-2, 7-9 at 8 p.m.; May 20, 27 ” June 3 at 2:30 p.m. Triton Museum Hall Pavilion. For more information, visit http://www.scplayers.org/
May 19 – Friends of the Library Book Sale Add to your private book collection, find a bargain and support the Santa Clara City Library. The Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Central Park Library Cedar Room, 2635 Homestead Road. Visit lovethelibrary.org for more information about the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends or call 408-615-2936.
May 28 – Santa Clara Aquamaids Synchronized Swimming Exhibition
The renowned Santa Clara Aquamaids will take to the pool for a Synchronized Swimming Exhibition at the George F. Haines International Swim Center.
May 31 through June 3 – Santa Clara International Grand Prix Swim Meet
The USA Swimming Grand Prix Series wraps up in Northern California once again at the George F. Haines International Swim Center. This is a major tune-up for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. For more information, visit http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2062&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
June 10 – Tea & Fashion Show
The lovely, shaded garden of the Harris-Lass Historic Museum at 1889 Market St. will be the setting for an Afternoon Tea & Vintage Fashion Show from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Guests will be served tea, scones, finger sandwiches, fruit and pastries, and will enjoy a vintage hat and fashion show. Attendees will also receive a pass to return at a later date for a private tour of the beautifully appointed Harris-Lass House. Tickets for this fundraiser are $25 in advance. Purchase early as seating is limited. Please contact Maria at 408-246-3822 for more information or to reserve tickets for this fun event. Or leave an inquiry on the message line of the Harris-Lass House Museum at 408-249-7905.
July 13 – 2nd Annual “Celebrate Santa Clara”
Franklin Square 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and features live music, food booths, and more.
July 24-26 – “Gulliver’s Travels” – Mission City Center for Performing Arts
“Many, many years ago there lived a man named Gulliver. The spirit of adventure burned deeply within him. He longed to sail the seven seas in ships with masts as high as the eye could see”. Join us as we bring this delightful adaptation of the classic Jonathan Swift novel to life in a hilarious and thoughtful musical for all ages. Location: Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St, corner of Calabazas. 7/24-26 at 7 p.m. Tix: $8 Adults, $5 Children (ages 18 and younger). For more information, visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239