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 (look for greens, winter squash, and late berries in the autumn). 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 – Tuesday Bluesday Pro Jam 6 to 9 p.m every Tuesday, Live band and karaoke every Friday 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and live music 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Saturday at Neto’s Market & Grill, 1313 Franklin St. www.netosmarketandgrill.com for additional information.
Ongoing: Exhibits at Intel Museum: Arti, an artificial intelligence robot, talks with museum guides to help tell the fascinating story about how Intel’s technology helps teachers and students in South Africa. Visitors can also catch a handful of binary rain, representing the data created by e-mails, cell phones, video, and more. You can also get digitized as your digital photo is snapped and a digital postcard is created. The museum provides maps in multiple languages that provide a quick review of each exhibit. In all, the museum features over 30 fun, interactive exhibits. FREE admission. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 2200 Mission College Blvd. in Santa Clara. (408) 765-0503. Visit http://www.intel.com/about/companyinfo/museum/index.htm for more information.
Through March 11 – de Saisset exhibit The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces The veiling of women, men, and sacred places has existed in countless cultures and religions throughout history. Veiling expands far beyond Islam and the Middle East, yet it is vastly misunderstood. And today it is a battleground for power and political agendas. An exhibit at the de Saisset Museum from Jan. 15 through March 11 explores the veil in its broadest and most universal contexts. The artists examine issues such as modesty, oppression, liberation, freedom of expression, spirituality, nature, and magic. They represent diverse backgrounds, spiritual practices, and points of view. Through their work, the artists challenge, condemn, embrace, and praise the veil. The exhibition features works in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and new media. The Veil also includes an interactive component called “What Does the Veil Mean to You?” where visitors are encouraged to share their responses on brightly colored silk headscarves that are displayed on laundry lines.
For more information, visit www.scu.edu/desaisset.
February 1 – NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball – SCU Broncos vs. Santa Cruz Santa Clara University Broncos vs. non-conference opponent Santa Cruz. Game time 7 p.m. at Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. For tickets and more information, call (408) 554-4660 or visit http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/landing/index
February 5 Be Your Own Boss Expo/ Senior Lifestyle Expo
Thinking of starting a business and want to learn how or options? Or, you are a business owner and looking for information and resources to take your business to the next level of growth and success? Then you should attend. Meet with exhibitors like business consultants, financial advisors, marketing specialist, web designers, and listen to valuable business presentations all under one roof! Admission is only $5 in advance with easy online payment and $10 at the door. For more expo details and online registration visit http://www.myneighborhoodbiz.com/byobexpo.htm
February 8 through March 12 – “Run for Your Wife” – Santa Clara Players This superb example of the classic farce has a taxi driver getting away with having two wives in different areas of the city because of his irregular working schedule. Complication is piled upon complication as the cabby tries to keep his double life from exploding. Feb. 18, 25, 26; March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 19, 27, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. Champagne opening- $18 Other performances – $16 Senior and student discounts available. Triton Museum Hall Pavilion, Warburton Avenue & Don. For more information, visit www.scplayers.org
February 10 – NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball – Santa Clara University vs. Saint Mary’s Santa Clara University Men’s Basketball vs. St. Mary’s in West Coast Conference (WCC) play. Game time TBA at Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. For tickets and information, call (408) 554-4660 or visit http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/landing/index
February 12 – Valentines In Vegas’ Casino and Auction Night 2011 to benefit St. Lawrence Educational Center (Elementary, Middle, and Academy schools)
Come join us for an evening of fun at the annual Saint Lawrence Education Center ‘Valentines In Vegas’ Casino and Auction Night 2011on Saturday, February 12th, 6 to 11 p.m. in the St. Lawrence Community Center, 1977 Saint Lawrence Drive in Santa Clara. Be prepared for a night of casino games, food, and most of all silent and live auctions, and valuable raffle prizes! GRAND raffle prizes include: 1st Trip for 2 to Las Vegas (includes hotel, airfare and car rental), 2nd $1,500, 3rd $500. It’s an event you simply can’t miss!! If you’re interested in attending or simply purchasing raffle tickets, they can be ordered through our website: http://valentinesinvegas.eventbrite.com/ or if you do not have computer access call our Development Director, Janet Yamada at (408) 296-2260 x322.
February 12 – NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball – Santa Clara University vs. San Diego Santa Clara University Men’s Basketball vs. San Diego in West Coast Conference (WCC) play. Game time TBA at Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. For tickets and information, call (408) 554-4660 or visit http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/landing/index
February 18-20 Stitches West 2011 at Santa Clara Convention Center Stitches West is the knitter’s version of Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Held annually at the Santa Clara Convention Center, this event attracts droves of fiber lovers from all over the west coast. Knitting instruction and knitting gear comprise the main thrust of this event, but dozens of other disciplines are represented as well. Classes and booths on the Market floor include beading, button making, spinning, felting and crochet. For more information, visit http://www.knittinguniverse.com/stitches/west
February 18-27 – Don Giovanni Opera Mozart’s famous opera about seduction and deceit, “Don Giovanni,” will be presented by Mission City Opera on February 18, 20, 25 and 27 at Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St. Curtain time for the Friday performances is 8 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday matinees. The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Tickets range from $15 to $50. For information, call 749-7607 or email tickets@missioncityopera.org.
February 18 through March 6 – Santa Clara Players present “Run For Your Wife”
Complications pile up when a cab driver with two wives in different parts of a city, and working an irregular schedule, has trouble keeping his double life from exploding. This superb example of the classic farce had them rolling in the aisles in London and New York City. The Santa Clara Players perform this humorous play by Roy Cooney at the Triton Museum Hall Pavilion from Feb. 18 through March 6. Matinees are at 2:30 p.m. and evening performances at 8 p.m. For tickets, call Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006. You may also contact the Santa Clara Players at 248-7993 or visit www.scplayers.org.
February 24 – NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball – Santa Clara University vs. Loyola Marymount Santa Clara University Men’s Basketball vs. Loyola Marymount in West Coast Conference (WCC) play. Game time TBA at Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. For tickets and information, call (408) 554-4660 or visit http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/landing/index
February 25-27, Primexpo Jewelry & Gift Show at Santa Clara Convention Center
Friday, 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are FREE. For more information, visit http://www.primexpousa.com/show-information/25-the-shows/111-santa-clara-ca-february-25-27-2011.html
February 26 NNL West 2011 at Santa Clara Convention Center If you’re a die-hard model car builder, then the NNL West is one of those shows you look forward to every year. If you live here in the bay area, it’s a big national event right here in your back yard. If you’re coming from other parts of the country it’s a chance to get away from the bad winter weather and take in a great event at the same time. I’ll never forget the guys from the MASSCAR model club pulling grass from my front lawn and putting it in their pockets to take home! For more information, visit http://www.nnlwest.org/
February 26 – Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends Book Sale Each month thousands of fiction and nonfiction books are available for purchase at the Book Sales organized by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Proceeds benefit the City Library. The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cedar Room of the Central Park Library. For more information call 408-615-2987.
February 26 – NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball – Santa Clara University vs. Pepperdine Santa Clara University Men’s Basketball vs. Pepperdine in West Coast Conference (WCC) play. Game time TBA at Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University. For tickets and information, call (408) 554-4660 or visit http://www.santaclarabroncos.com/landing/index
February 26-27 – 70th Annual Camellia Show The 70th Annual Camellia Show, sponsored by the Camellia Society and the Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department, will be held on Feb. 26 and 27 at the Community Recreation Center, 969 Kiely Blvd. Viewing is scheduled 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Thousands of delicate blooms of different sizes and colors will delight your senses as you stroll through the displays. There is a camellia to fit any size garden or patio, and experts will be available at the show to help gardeners decide what camellia would be best for their yards, decks or terraces. Entries will be accepted Saturday, Feb. 26, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Novices and children are encouraged to enter their camellias. Camellia Society members will be on hand to help identify and place your entry. For more information, call 615-3080.
March 4-6 SHOWTIME 2011 In 1982, long-time Santa Clara resident Cleo Stuckrath, concerned about the possible closure of the Santa Clara Senior Center’s Health and Wellness Program, helped to establish the Santa Clara Women’s League and then wrote and produced a melodrama starring local talent to raise money to support the program.
The 29th production of SHOWTIME is scheduled for March 4, 5 and 6 at the Community Recreation Center, 969 Kiely Blvd. This year’s production will feature a thrilling, old-time-style melodrama entitled “The Twilight at Doomstown, or Sometimes Love Bites!” Come and enjoy the outstanding entertainment, filled with fun and opportunities to cheer heroes, boo and hiss villains and have an all-around good time!
Performances start at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, with a pre-show one half hour before each performance. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased from the Santa Clara Senior Center or Community Recreation Center. For more information or tickets, see SantaClaraShowtime.net or call the Santa Clara Women’s League Hotline at 408-247-5142.
March 5 – Silicon Valley Scale Modelers 2011 at Santa Clara Convention Center Theme is Best of the Bay. 9:00am Doors Open, Spectators admission fee $5.00, family members of contestants are admitted free, as are spectators under 12. For more information, visit http://www.svsm.org/kc2011.html
March 5 – Environmental Day Recology will hold an Environmental Day for Santa Clara residents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at 650 Martin Ave. (near Lafayette Street). This event will offer residents with the opportunity to recycle e-waste (computers, monitors, printers, etc.), clothing, u-waste (batteries, cell phone, CFL’s and fluorescent light tubes), and children’s plastic play structures and toys. In addition, residents can bring confidential documents for shredding. Participants must bring their Santa Clara utility bill and photo I.D. For more information or to ask questions, call Recology at 970-5100.
March 5-6 – Heart of the Valley/ Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association at Santa Clara Convention Center Hundreds of quilts made by SCVQA members will be on exhibit and some quilts will be for sale. Look for special exhibits including Round Robin, Scrap, and UFO Challenges. Demonstrations such as machine quilting, hand quilting, machine appliqué, hand appliqué, machine piecing, hand piecing, and easy binding application will occur at various times during the show. Admission of $10 is good for entry both days with an intact wrist band. Children under six are admitted free. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit http://www.scvqaquiltshow.org/
March 11-13 Bay Area Golf Show/ Varsity Communications
Throughout the day, local area professionals will be featured on our Main Stage providing tips on improving your golf game. Ticket Prices: Adults: $10, Seniors & Students (13-17): $8, Juniors (10-12): $5, Kids under 10 are Free. For more information, visit http://bayareagolfshow.com/
March 13 – Daylight Savings Time Daylight Savings Time begins on March 13. When you set your clocks forward one hour, please remember to replace your smoke detector batteries! Only working smoke detectors can save lives.
March 18-20 – Sounds of the Stage By popular demand, the Santa Clara Chorale brings you spectacular Broadway musical hits and opera choruses in concerts on Friday, March 18, at 8 p.m. at Mission Santa Clara and on Sunday, March 20, 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto. Be mesmerized by all-time favorites from Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables, Wicked and more. For ticket prices, purchasing and information, call 535-8636, visit www.scc.org/tickets, or see www.scc.org.
March 19 – Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends Book Sale Each month thousands of fiction and nonfiction books are available for purchase at the Book Sales organized by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Proceeds benefit the City Library. The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cedar Room of the Central Park Library. For more information call 408-615-2987.
March 19-20 Onstage NY, LLC. at Santa Clara Convention Center A typical Onstage NY Competition is a 2-day event, Saturday and Sunday. Typically, we try to schedule all 12 & under entries on Saturday AM, some 13 & up entries on Saturday PM, and finish Sunday with the rest of the 13 & up entries. The optional master classes are always scheduled around the competition, and never occur concurrently. For more information, visit http://www.onstagenewyork.com/entry.htm
March 20 Custom Chrome Dealer Show at Santa Clara Convention Center This is a very special day where you have the opportunity to meet the manufacturers, designers and bike builders from all over the world showcasing their newest innovations and technology in an ideal environment. For more information, visit http://www.customchrome.com/dcm/cc/index.asp
March 25-27 My Fair Lady “My Fair Lady” is one of the most popular musicals ever with songs many people know — “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “With a Little Bit of Luck,” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” Young performers of the Roberta Jones Junior Theatre ages 8-18 will perform “My Fair Lady” on March 25-27, and April 1-3. Curtain time is 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Ticket prices are $5 for children and $8 for adults. See www.RJJT.org for more information.
April 1-3 36th Annual CalChess State Scholastic Championships/ Bay Area Chess For tournament registration information, visit http://bayareachess.com/events/index.php
April 9-10 Model Train Show Model trains and railroad artifacts are the focus of the Spring Model Train Show at the historic Santa Clara Depot on Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Two museum-quality model railroad layouts and a collection of railroad artifacts – many provided by local families steeped in railroad history – will be on display. The HO and N-scale model train displays at the Santa Clara Depot are works in process. The HO-scale layout is undergoing a transformation more in keeping with its theme of local railroading and numerous scenes on the layout have been updated recently. The layout operates in an era ending in 1959, meaning that scenery (structures, industries and businesses) and vehicles are consistent with real railroad operations of that era. The N-scale layout operates in roughly the same era.
Another focus of the train show is the organization’s Company Store, which sells used model railroad trains, and railroad memorabilia, books, magazines and videos. Also, the former Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation business car, acquired by the organization in 2009, will be open for tours hosted by on-board docents.
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to restore and maintain the historic former Southern Pacific Santa Clara Depot and to maintain a museum and a library of railroad-related information.
The Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History includes a collection of railroad lanterns and many historic trackside and grade crossing signaling devices, as well as memorabilia that celebrates the heritage of local railroad workers.
A donation of $5 for adults will be collected at the entrance to the depot. Admission for those under 18 is free. For more information, visit the SBHRS website at sbhrs.org or leave a recorded message at 243-3969.
April 13 – President’s Speaker Series – David Drummond, Chief Legal Officer at Google Santa Clara University’s (SCU) President’s Speaker Series presents David Drummond, Chief Legal Officer at Google. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. in SCU’s Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University. For tickets and more information, call (408) 554-4400 or visit http://www.scu.edu/visitors/speakerseries.cfm
April 15-17 Coin, Stamp and Collectible Show at Santa Clara Convention Center
There are over 1,000 dealers and 5,000-8,000 public attendees each show from around the world. The expo also provides a venue for Dealers, Mints, Collectors, and Numismatic and Philatelic Organizations to gather, do business, market new products, present educational exhibits. Representatives of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild along with many other prominent authorities in their collectibles fields are featured speakers at educational forums and club meetings. In conjunction with every Santa Clara Expo you are sure to find the United States Postal Service and an Online Auction complete with onsite lot viewing by Teletrade. For more information, visit http://www.exposunlimited.com/
April 16 – Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends Book Sale Each month thousands of fiction and nonfiction books are available for purchase at the Book Sales organized by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Proceeds benefit the City Library. The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cedar Room of the Central Park Library. For more information call 408-615-2987.
April 23 – Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day The Countywide Household Hazardous Waste Program will conduct a household hazardous waste drop-off event in Santa Clara on April 23. Items that can be disposed of include household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, paint products, car and household batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, solvents, waste oil, automotive products, and Sharps containers. Ammunition, explosives, and radioactive materials will not be accepted. Other drop-off events are scheduled throughout the County during the year. Call 299-7300 or go to www.hhw.org to make an appointment to attend any of the household hazardous waste drop-off events.
April 29 – Arbor Day/Earth Day An award to Santa Clara as a “Tree City, U.S.A.” will highlight the annual Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration on Friday, April 29 at 10 a.m. at the Triton Museum grounds at 1505 Warburton Ave.
This is the 23rd year that the City of Santa Clara will be presented with a Tree City U.S.A. award from the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing Santa Clara for its effective tree care program, which includes an integrated pest management system, increased tree plantings, continuing education for City tree crews, and computerized irrigation for all landscaping throughout the City in public rights-of-way and medians. In past years, Santa Clara’s tree programs have also resulted in the City receiving additional awards: a Gold Leaf Award from the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture, one of only three awards given in California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii; and a Tree City USA Sterling Community Award recognizing participation in the Growth Award program for 10 years.
The Arbor Day/Earth Day event will include guest speakers, information on tree care, and ideas on how everyone can help preserve the earth’s natural resources. VIPs on hand will include members of the City Council, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and children from local schools. For more information, call 615-3080.
April 29 Through May 21 – “Squabbles” – Santa Clara Players This hilarious play pits a father in law against a mother in a comedic succession of squabbles. Jerry Sloan is a successful writer of advertising jingles married to an equally successful lawyer. Living with the happy couple is the not so happy Abe Dreyfus, Jerry’s curmudgeon of a father in law. This play is one hilarious confrontation after another. April 29, May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 8 p.m. and April 30, May 8, 15 at 2:30 p.m. Champagne opening- $18 Other performances – $16. Senior and student discounts available. Triton Museum Hall Pavilion, Warburton Avenue & Don. For more information, visit www.scplayers.org
April 30 – Resource Faire High school students are invited to talk to college representatives, participate in financial aid workshops, and get answers to all their questions about college at a Resource Fair on Saturday, April 30, at the Santa Clara Teen Center. For more information, call the Teen Center at 615-3740.
April 30 – Fish Derby Children age 3-11 can try their luck at fishing at the annual Fish Derby on Saturday, April 30. This free event will be held from 6-11 a.m. at the Santa Clara Civic Center Plaza, near El Camino Real and Lincoln Ave., 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 office at 615-2260 for more information.
May 7 – Pet Adoptathon Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority will hold its 5th annual Adoptathon on Saturday, May 7. See the website www.svaca.com for more information.
May 7 – Santa Clara Spring Gardens Tour The Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara is hosting a tour of Santa Clara gardens on Saturday, May 7, 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 Museum after touring the gardens and the Museum Gift Shop will be open. For more information or garden tour tickets, call the Harris-Lass Museum message line at 249-7905. Advance ticket purchase is required.
May 21 – Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends Book Sale Each month thousands of fiction and nonfiction books are available for purchase at the Book Sales organized by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Proceeds benefit the City Library. The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cedar Room of the Central Park Library. For more information call 408-615-2987.
May 14 – G. F. Handel’s Israel in Egypt In its orchestral season finale, the Santa Clara Chorale presents Israel in Egypt, G. F. Handel’s most widely acclaimed oratorio on Saturday, May 14, at 8 p.m. at Mission Santa Clara. With massive double choruses, dramatic solo arias, and stunning orchestral composition, this awe-inspiring experience is an absolute must for music aficionados and novices. For ticket prices, purchasing and information, call 535-8636, visit www.scc.org/tickets, or see www.scc.org.
May 20 – Celebrate Santa Clara with Chamber street dance Good friends, great music, delicious food and beverages. That’s what’s in store on May 20, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Franklin Square for the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau Celebrate Santa Clara street dance. This community event will open with the Ambassador Band from Buchser Middle School, and then a well-known headliner will play popular rock n’ roll to classic R&B into the evening. Food will be available for purchase from local restaurants and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit the Chamber website at www.santaclaraca.gov or call 244-8244.