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 – Zumba and U-Jam Classes at Rhythm Attic
Zumba classes starting October 1 Mondays 5:45 p.m., Tuesdays 6:45 p.m., Thursdays 6:45 p.m., Fridays 7 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 a.m. U-Jam classes Wednesdays 5:45 p.m. First class is free, no experience needed. Classes are held at The Rhythm Attic, 1515 Walsh Avenue, Santa Clara. For more information, e-mail therhythmattic@yahoo.com.
Ongoing – Square Dance Class At Resurrection Lutheran Church
Classes starting September 14 7 to 9:30 p.m. Lessons held every Friday at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 2495 Cabrillo Ave, Santa Clara, 95051. Call Bob Steele at 408-248-5743 for more information.
Through November 17 – Santa Clara Players Presents “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” by Katherine DiSavino
The Santa Clara Players will perform “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” by Katherine DiSavino, a comedy about a granddaughter’s summer visit to her favorite Nana and what she discovers — sweet Grandma is running an illegal boutique from her apartment, selling hand-made naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five borough area! Tickets are $10 – $18. For performance dates, times, and reservations, visit scplayers.org or call 1-408-248-7993.
Through November 4 – Silicon Valley Film Festival at Santa Clara Convention Center
Judges have hand picked sweet, ripe strawberries from our farm! melting juicy chocolate right from the factory! Extraordinary, realistic stories, messages and the spirit of Silicon Valley: Technology innovation and entrepreneurship. We are so happy to release the first , just the first set of movies for you to experience incredible stories of recent years. For the Silicon Valley’s Innovative Community, we have some must watch, life changing, motivating movies in the list. For more information, visit http://www.svfilmfestival.org/
November 3 – Vimalaavin Olivizaa/ Tamil Manram at Santa Clara Convention Center
Tamil Manram is proud to join forces with Abhirami Fine Arts to present a play “Vimalaavin Olivizaa”. The play is presented by local talents of children and adults. The theme of the play is based on deepaavali. Please do not miss the music score by Sridharan Minor and enjoy the dances by children. The play is written and directed by Bagirathi Seshappan. Tickets: $10, $15, $25. Time: 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.bayareatamilmanram.org/eng/home.php
November 3-4 – Train Show
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. The fall 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. The train show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and a donation of $5 per adult over the age of 18 is requested at the entrance.
A second feature that weekend is a peek inside a historic rail car. The former business car from the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Co. was placed into service in December 1912, making it 100 years old. Inside the 83-foot-long car, viewers can observe the observation room, secretary’s room, small kitchen, crew’s quarters, dining room, and the superintendent’s and assistant superintendent’s private state rooms. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society is restoring the car to its 1922 appearance. The railcar will be open to visitors between 12:30 and 4 pm each day.
Also open to visitors from 1-3 p.m. each day will be the historic railroad tower, opened by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1927. The tower and its interlocking switch controls handled rail traffic at the junction of SP’s Mulford Line and the San Francisco Peninsula Line, as well as the railroad’s multi-tracked freight yard.
The model railroads inside the Santa Clara Depot – one HO-scale (1:87) and one N-scale (1:160) –demonstrate western railroading. Each layout, set in timeframes ending about 1970, illustrate structures, motor vehicles, businesses, and industries typical of the era. Many of the operating trains are typical of that era too, although many members operate trains of more contemporary eras.
The Company Store will be open, where visitors can purchase a variety of used model railroad locomotives and rolling stock, books, videos and DVDs about real and model railroading, and various artifacts. For more information, call
1-408-243-3969 or visit the website sbhrs.org.
November 3 – Walking in a Whisker Wonderland
The Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) will be hosting their annual winter adoption event on Saturday, November 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your new best friend may be waiting for you at SVACA! Adopters can ‘Pay What They Want’ in adoption fees which includes the spay or neuter of the animal, initial appropriate vaccinations, a professional health examination and behavior evaluation, microchip, temporary ID tag and collar, and a free examination at a participating local veterinary clinic. Santa Clara residents also receive a license for their new companion. All adoptable animals can be viewed online at svaca.com. Santa will make his first appearance of the season so bring your pet and join the Friends of SVACA for Photos with Santa; a $10 donation is requested. SVACA’s cageless animal care center is located at 3370 Thomas Rd. in Santa Clara. Contact 1-408-764-0344 or visit svaca.com for more information.
November 3 – Mission City Community Fund Dinner, Dance & Auction
Come celebrate with Mission City Community Fund at its annual fundraising dinner and auction in the Mission City Ballroom of the Santa Clara Convention Center. Proceeds from the event are donated to local charities serving Santa Clara residents and the surrounding region. MCCF is pleased to announce that this year’s Austen Warburton Community Service Award honoree is retired City Manager Jennifer Sparacino. The evening includes a drawing for a brand-new 2013 Infiniti automobile, the annual Christmas Tree Raffle for a fully decorated tree and dozens of gifts to put under it, and the opportunity to bid on live and silent auction items that include unique travel destinations and one-of-a-kind experiences. Tickets for this fun-filled evening are $125 per person, which includes cocktail appetizers, dinner, wine, dessert and dancing to the music of Sage. Tickets for the Car Drawing, Christmas Tree Raffle and Dinner are available on the MCCF website at missioncityfund.org.
November 4 – Mission College Symphony “Winter Journey”
Selections from “Messiah” with Mary Linduska, soprano and Michael Fotinakis, tenor.
2 p.m. at the Mission College main building center space. Admission ranges from free for Mission College students to $15 for adults. Open seating. $3 parking.
Visit www.missioncollegesymphony.com for more information.
November 4 – eBooks Expo at Central Park Library
At this open-house event, industry representatives will be on-hand to answer questions and demonstrate the latest in e-reader technology. Some of the devices featured inluce Nexus 7, iPad, Kindle, iPod, iPhone and more. Santa Clara Library staff will be on-hand to help guests learn more about Santa Clara’s growing e-Books collection. You can discover how to search for books and music, how to check them out and how to download them for free. Sunday, November 4, 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Central Park Library’s Redwood Room, 2635 Homestead Road. For more information, call the Library at 1-408-615-2900 or visit http://library.santaclaraca.gov.
November 7 – Mission College Speaker Series Presents Jay Elliot, Former Senior VP of Apple under Steve Jobs, Author of Leading Apple with Steve Jobs at Santa Clara Convention Center
Elliot was hired personally by Steve Jobs, just in time to accompany him on the last of his historic visits to Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center, the visits that changed the course of computing. As Senior VP of Apple, Elliot served as Steve’s right-hand man and troubleshooter, overseeing all corporate operations and business planning, as well as software development and HR.
In his new book, Leading Apple with Steve Jobs, Elliot details how Steve managed and motivated his people – and what every manager can learn from Jobs about motivating people to do the best work of their lives.
Attendees will learn how to find talented people who will understand your objectives and be able to make a contribution to that effort, list traits that can determine whether a person will be so committed to the vision that they provide their own motivation, explain how to ensure that your employees hold an allegiance to the captain and to his/her shipmates, shift your thought paradigm and inspire you to assemble and lead innovative teams.
Books will be available for signing and purchase at the event.
The event will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7 at the Santa Clara Convention center’s Theatre Room. The Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Mission College MC2IT sponsor the event.
To support the Mission College Speaker series or to donate to Mission College’s MC2IT non-profit organization, visit www.missioncollege.edu/foundation/index.html
November 8 through 12 – WiseTraditions 2012 Nutrition Conference at Santa Clara Convention Center
America’s premier nutrition conference for anyone interested in health, nutrition and food, including parents, health professionals, seniors and students. For more information, visit http://www.westonaprice.org/2012-conference/2012-conference
November 9 – “Charlotte’s Web – The Musical”
Based on the story by E.B. White. Music and Lyrics by Charles Strouse. Nov. 9, 10, 16 & 17, 2012 at 7 p.m. November 11 & 18, 2012 at 2 p.m. Mary Louise Mello Auditorium, Community Recreation Center 969 Kiely Blvd Santa Clara. Tix: $8 Adults, $5 Children. For more information, call (408) 615-3140 or visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239
November 11 – Veterans Day Ceremony
A ceremony honoring veterans will be held at 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara Veterans Memorial in Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd. Handicap parking and wheelchair assistance are available in the employee parking lot at the Community Recreation Center. For more information contact James Lee at 1-408-296-2512. You can also arrange to have a brick installed at this lovely memorial to honor a veteran. The donation is $125, and a form can be found online at santaclaraveteransmemorial.com.
November 13 – Santana Row Annual Tree Lighting Featuring American Idol’s Deandre Brackensick
The day of festivities include Santa photos, children’s activities, hot chocolate samplings, live music including American Idol’s Deandre Brakensick, carolers, costumed characters, special guests, performances by local theater groups and the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, making this one of the most exciting holiday events in Silicon Valley. Features Live music, choirs, carolers, hot chocolate sampling and family activities. Santana Row at Stevens Creek & Winchester Blvds.
For more information, visit http://www.santanarow.com/
November 17 – Sterling Dance Annual Fall Showcase at Santa Clara Convention Center
Based on a theme that threads it’s way through the performance. Not only does this provide a cohesiveness for the show, but it encourages our dancers to be creative and it makes the whole experience more fun for everyone! Sterling Dance Theatre is committed to producing a Dance Showcase reflective of the high standards and professional theatrical expectations of the professional dance world. For more information, visit http://www.sterlingdancetheatre.com/
November 22 – Thanksgiving Dinner for those in need
A free traditional Thanksgiving Dinner will be served to the homeless and families in need in our community, and military personnel in transit, on Thanksgiving Day at St. Clare’s Parish Hall, corner of Lexington and Lafayette Sts. All adults and children are welcome between 12 noon and 4 p.m. This is the 6th annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the community sponsored by the Marsalli Family Foundation (501c45-361365). For information, email turkeydnr@gmail.com.
November 23 – Pacific Northwest Region Pop Warner Cheer Finals at Santa Clara Convention Center
Since 1929, Pop Warner has set the standard for youth sports and is the only nation-wide organization to require scholastic fitness as well as physical fitness. We take great pride knowing that Pop Warner athletes strive for excellence on and off the field and are better citizens for their efforts. For more information, visit http://www.pnrpopwarner.net/index.html
November 23 Through January 1 – Global Winter Wonderland Returns
NEW for 2012 Global Winter Wonderland is moving inside California’s Great America theme park. Several rides will be open. Experience an exciting multicultural holiday lantern festival celebrating diversity through ethnic food, shopping, and top entertainment. See giant lanterns of holiday traditions and landmarks from around the world. Operating days: Weekends Fri.-Sun. Nov. 23-25 & 30; Dec. 1-2, & 7-9, plus daily operation Dec. 14 – Jan. 1, 2013. Adults 12 & over: $18; Children under 12: $15. For more information, call (510) 962-8586 or visit http://www.globalwonderland.org/
December 1 – Breakfast With Santa
Santa is making a special visit to Santa Clara this year to have breakfast with all the boys and girls who sign up with at least one adult per family; pre-registration is required. A tasty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee will be prepared by the Santa Clara High School Booster Club and children can have their photo taken with Santa and create unique holiday crafts. The event is 9 to 11 a.m. at the Santa Clara Senior Center. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Look for information in the Fall Recreation Activities Guide or call 1-408-614-3140. Cost is $14 for residents of Santa Clara and $18 for non-residents. Babies under one year of age are free.
December 1 – Holiday Train
Caltrain’s festively decorated Holiday Train will return to the Santa Clara Depot, carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Salvation Army band, and carolers to lead the community in singing Christmas music. Also on board will be members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve collecting new toys for its annual Toys for Tots drive. The train’s arrival time will be announced later this fall. That same evening, the South Bay Historical Railroad Society will open the depot for visitors. Two model train displays will be operating and refreshments served. The Holiday Train is sponsored by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For details, check the website holiday-train.org.
December 7 – Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Start the holiday season out right with Santa’s first official holiday appearance in town at the City’s annual “Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony” on Friday, Dec. 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, corner of Civic Center Drive and Lincoln Avenue.
The family event includes live music, holiday safety displays and refreshments.
Please remember to bring a canned food item for those in need. Call 408-615-3170 for further information.
December 7 – Christmas With the Chorale
The Santa Clara Chorale presents its annual holiday concert at Mission Santa Clara at Santa Clara University at 8:00 p.m. This year’s program includes “Messe de Minuit pour Noel” by 17th century French composer Marc-Antonio Charpentier and the “Magnificat” by the 18th century composer Carl Philip Emanuel Bach. Chorale will be accompanied by the Jubilate Baroque Orchestra. Program includes traditional carols by singers and audience.
December 7-8 – Historic Home Tour
Tickets for the 34th annual Santa Clara Historic Home Tour will go on sale beginning in October. This year’s tour will be held Friday, Dec. 7, 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Among the private homes on this year’s tour is a California Craftsman bungalow designed by the architectural firm of Wolfe & McKenzie and built about 1912, and a circa 1901 Colonial style home containing a hipped roof. The public building on the tour will be the lovely St. Clare Parish Rectory that includes a chapel, reception area and library.
The Board of the Harris-Lass House Museum co-sponsors the tour with the Old Quad Residents Association. Proceeds benefit historic preservation projects and other nonprofit groups in Santa Clara. The nonprofit Santa Clara Arts & Historical Consortium will hold an opportunity drawing at the St. Clare Rectory during the tour as a fundraiser for their organization.
Tickets are $25 if ordered by mail or on the tour’s website by Oct. 31. Mail order forms will be available during October at the Central Park and Mission Libraries. Tickets also may be ordered by sending a legal-size self addressed stamped envelope to: Historic Home Tour 2012, c/o Harris-Lass House Museum, P.O. Box 3311, Santa Clara, CA 95055-3311.
Beginning Nov. 1, ticket prices are $30 general admission, $25 seniors (60+) or children (6-12) and may be purchased at City Lights Espresso, 1171 Homestead Rd. No children under the age of 6 will be admitted. If still available on the days of the tour, all tickets will be $35 at the door of the St. Clare Rectory, 725 Washington St.
For more information, call the Harris-Lass House Museum message line at 1-408-249-7905, view the Home Tour website at sc-hometour.com, or email hometour@harrislass.org.
December 8 – Holiday Craft Fair
Come to this fun event from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Central Park Library to find all types of handcrafted items, holiday jewelry, cards and other great gifts. This second annual event will be held in the Redwood and Cedar Rooms. Vendor cost is $25 per table and applications are available at the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends office on the second floor of the Library, 2635 Homestead Rd. Items should be primarily handmade; no food sales will be allowed. Spaces are limited and will be juried. Proceeds benefit Library programs. For information, call 1-408-615-2988.
December 8-9 – The Nutcracker Ballet
Artistic Director Josefa Villanueva-Reyes presents Santa Clara Ballet’s 39th Annual, full-length ballet production of The Nutcracker. All performances will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway (Curtain time 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday).
Open Auditions for Dancers of all levels and ages for this production will be held Sunday, Sept. 9, starting at 12 noon, at the Santa Clara Ballet School, 3086 El Camino Real. The company engages professional guest artists in lead roles, while providing opportunities for semi-pre-professional dancers, children and adults to perform in a professional environment. The Company welcomes community volunteers to assist in the production.
For more information on the Santa Clara Ballet’s Nutcracker and the Santa Clara Ballet School, contact info@santaclaraballet.com, call 1-408-247-9178 or visit santaclaraballet.com.
December 21 – An Evening with Santa
Santa will take a break from his busy holiday preparations to visit with Santa Clara families at the Community Recreation Center. This event features activities geared to children ages 3-7, but all ages are welcome to attend. Children will enjoy holiday stories told by Santa Clara Library staff, holiday songs, photos with Santa, crafts and delicious refreshments. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $6 per child (babies under one free) and $2 per parent for residents of Santa Clara. Non-residents pay $8 per child and $3 per parent. Call 1-408-615-3740.
January 17 – The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life – Amy Tan
What inspires a person to create? Taking cues from her life and reflecting on the nature of creativity, best-selling novelist Amy Tan explores the events that made her a writer. Event will be held in the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University. Time: 7:30 p.m. General admission tix: $25. 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. For more information, call (408) 554-4000 or visit http://www.scu.edu/visitors/speakerseries/2013/index.cfm
February 17 through March 16 – Santa Clara Players Present “Harvey”
When Elwood P. Dowd starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six-and-a-half-foot rabbit, to guests at a society party, his sister, Veta, has seen as much of his eccentric behavior as she can tolerate. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her daughter, Myrtle Mae, and their family from future embarrassment. Problems arise, however, when Veta herself is mistakenly assumed to be on the verge of lunacy when she explains to doctors that years of living with Elwood’s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also! The doctors commit Veta instead of Elwood, but when the truth comes out, the search is on for Elwood and his invisible companion. Shows on Feb. 22 & 24; March 7-10, & March 14-16. Sunday shows at 2:30 p.m. All other shows at 8 p.m. For information and/or reservations, call (408)248-7993 or visit http://www.scplayers.org/
March 15 to 24 – “Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man” – Mission City Center for Performing Arts
Book, Music and Lyrics by: Meredith Wilson. March 15, 16, 22 & 23, 2013 at 7 p.m. March 17 & 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St. Santa Clara. Tix: $8 Adults, $5 Children. More information, visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239
April 9 – “The End of Overeating” – Dr. David Kessler
The Gerald and Sally DeNardo Lectureship presents “The End of Overeating.” On a given day, it’s a question that we ask ourselves more than any other, and how we answer affects everything from our lifespan to our mood. What should I eat? For many Americans, a growing number of health problems can be traced back to obesity and being overweight. Dr. David Kessler has long been an advocate for public health, and in The End of Overeating he uncovers the origins of the obesity epidemic and explains how we can take control of our eating. Events will be held in the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University. Time: 7:30 p.m. General admission tix: $25. 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. For more information, call (408) 554-4000 or visit http://www.scu.edu/visitors/speakerseries/2013/index.cfm
May 4 – Santa Clara Chorale Season Finale – “G.F. Handel’s Messiah”
Join the Chorale, soloists, and Jubilate Baroque Orchestra for this reflection on the birth, passion, and resurrection of Christ as told by G. F. Handel. Performance at 8 p.m. at Mission Santa Clara at Santa Clara University. From overture to final “Amen” chorus including the renowned “Hallelujah” Handel’s music will move and delight.
May 14 through June 8 – “Spreading It Around” – Santa Clara Players
This light-hearted comedy finds Angela Drayton, a wealthy widow living in a retirement community in Florida. When she grows tired of footing the bills and handling out money to her unappreciative children, she and some of the other residents start the “S.I.N. (Spending It Now) Foundation”, an organization which gives to those really in need. Fearing they will lose their inheritance, her greedy son, and his shopaholic wife show up to try to have her committed for incompetence. Turning the tables, Angela shows them just how competent she is, and then shows them the door. Shows on May 17,19, 24-26, 30-31; June 1-2, & June 6-8. Sunday shows are at 2:30 pm. All other shows at 8 p.m. Shows at the Triton Museum – Hall Pavilion 1511 Warburton Avenue. For information and/or reservations, call (408) 248-7993 or visit http://www.scplayers.org/.
May 30 through June 2 – 46th Annual Santa Clara International Swim Meet
USA Swimming Grand Prix meet comes to Santa Clara as the 46th Santa Clara International Swim Meet. Meet features many of the world’s top swimmers. Heats begin at 9:00 a.m. with Finals each evening at 5:00 p.m. George F. Haines International Swim Center at Central Park located at Homestead and Kiely Blvd.
June 2 – Santa Clara Chorale – “Encore Concert”
The Chorale reprises its “greatest hits” of the seaon at the beautiful St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1957 Pruneridge Avenue in Santa Clara at 2:00 p.m. The concert is FREE. For more information, visit http://www.scc.org/
June 14 through 16 – “Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Kids” – Community Recreation Center
Based on the stories of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney Animated feature film. Music and Lyrics by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman and Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Time: 2:00 p.m. Mary Louise Mello Auditorium, Community Recreation Center 969 Kiely Blvd. Tix: $8 Adults, $5 Children. For more information, call (408) 615-3140 or visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239
July 23 through 25 – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR” – Mission City Center for Performing Arts
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen Story and the Disney Film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker and Ron Clements Music by Alan Menken. Book by Doug Wright. Time: 7:00 p.m. Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St. Santa Clara. Tix: $8 Adults, $5 Children.’ For more information, call (408) 615-3140 or visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=239