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.
Through March 31 – City of Santa Clara’s Biennial Indoor Sculpture Exhibition
The City of Santa Clara’s Biennial Indoor Sculpture Exhibition has dozens of pieces of art on display at City Hall, 1500 Warburton Ave., through March 2012. The public is encouraged to tour this free exhibition, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call (408) 615-2210.
Through March 17 – Santa Clara Players’ Dial M for Murder
Tony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know into strangling her for a fee of one thousand pounds, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself. Dates: Feb. 24, March 2-3, 8-10, 15-17 at 8 p.m. Triton Museum Hall Pavilion. For more information, visit http://www.scplayers.org/
March 10 – Spring Art fair at Triton Museum
Ceramics, Glass, Miniatures and more for sale! Find unique gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduation and weddings. Bonus: 30% of all proceeds go to the Triton Museum of Art’s exhibitions and education programs! Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call us at (408)247-3754, or visit http://tritonmuseum.org/SpecialEvents.php
March 16 – “The Capitol Steps” Funny Political Satire at Mayer Theatre
Warm up to the 2012 Presidential election with the comedy troupe,”The Capital Steps.” The Washington based comedy group brings its funny political satire to Santa Clara University’s Mayer Theatre. Performance at 8:00 p.m. Tix: $20-$43. For more information, visit http://www.scupresents.org/ or call (408) 554-4015, or email cpaboxoffice@scu.edu.
March 16 – “Music of the Americas” Santa Clara Chorale
This exciting program explores the musical styles and traditions of the New World, from Canada’s Cape Bretton Island to Argentina. Like last March’s popular “Sounds of the Stage,” “Music of the Americas” features Broadway favorites and jazz standards. Enjoy the best of North America with mesmerizing Appalachian and Canadian folk favorites, bluegrass, and spirituals. As we head to the south, you’ll tap your toes to the infectious rhythm of Latin America’s best dance beats, such as the tango, and works by Argentinian composers Ariel Ramirez, Oscar Escalada, and others. Performance time: 8 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
March 17 – 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.
March 18 – Silicon Valley Reads Presents a showing of the film “Allah Made Me Funny – Live in Concert” that follows three comedians, Mo Amer, Azhar Usman and Preacher Moss, on stage and off as they reveal the humorous truth of what it’s really like to be Muslim in America. 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.
March 18 – 3rd Annual Bricks By the Bay – A Celebration of LEGO as an Artistic Medium
Sunday, March 18 view a public exhibition of LEGO models from around the country. Held at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara with a large ballroom with plenty of room for exhibits, vendors, and visitors. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.). Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Parkway. Cost is $8 per person (ages 2 and under free). Pre-register online to skip the line to buy tickets at http://www.bricksbythebay.com/
March 22 – Silicon Valley Reads Presents an appearance by author Sheba Karim for teens. 4 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 at siliconvalleyreads.org.
March 23 through April 1 – “Hello Dolly!” – Mission City Center for Performing Arts Join us on a whirlwind race around New York at the turn of the twentieth century, as we follow the adventures of America’s most beloved matchmaker– Dolly Levi! “Hello, Dolly!” is full of memorable songs. The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Hello, Dolly!” is a Broadway classic that delights audiences of all ages! Location: Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St., at corner of Calabazas. Tickets: $8 Adults, $5 Children (ages 18 ” younger). 3/23-24, 3/30-31 at 7 p.m. 3/25 ” 4/1 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239
March 24 – Silicon Valley Scale Modelers at Santa Clara Convention Center
PMS Silicon Valley Scale Modelers hosts their SVSM 2012 Kickoff Classic at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Offering competition in 52 Senior, 5 Junior and 4 Youth categories along with a raffle, displays and special events. For more information, visit http://www.svsm.org/. FREE parking.
March 24 – Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra featuring Juan Escovedo
Peter Michael Escovedo performs at Locatelli Center at Santa Clara University. Concert from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Tix: $35.00. This concert is hosted by Santa Clara University School of Law to benefit the Black Law Students Association and the La Raza Law Students Association Scholarship Fund. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.law.scu.edu/admissions/events.cfm
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 5 – SCU President’s Speaker Series – James McLurkin
Santa Clara University’s President’s Speaker Series presents James McLurkin at Mayer Theatre at 7:30 p.m. McLurkin thinks swarm robotics is the future. The group of robots in his lab have worked together to navigate new terrain and cooperated to play music using these very techniques. Applications of this technology could be far-ranging, according to McLurkin, including the exploration of planets. For more information, visit http://www.scu.edu/visitors/speakerseries/2012/
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