Sept 3-5: Watsonville Fly-In and Air Show. Aerial acrobatics, antique, classic and homemade aircraft displays, vintage cars and amazing Warbirds all await you at this thrilling airshow. Fri, 12-5; Sat-Sun, 9-5. (Watsonville: Municipal Airport, off Hwy. 1; 831/763-5600; www.watsonvilleairshow.org)
Sept 4-5: Millbrae Art & Wine Festival. This highly anticipated event offers more than 200 artists and craft vendors on exhibit; fun rides; live entertainment; and delectable food. 10-5. (Millbrae: Broadway and Meadow Glen Aves.; 650/726-3491; www.miramarevents.com)
Sept 4-6: Kings Mountain Art Fair. Gallery-quality arts and crafts from a wide range of talented artists are displayed under the redwoods at this juried fair. Enjoy delectable food and drink; bring the young ones to the Kiddie Hollow for fun art activities; and more. 10-5. (Woodside: 13889 Skyline Blvd.; 650/851-2710; www.kingsmountainartfair.org)
Sept 4-6: Belmont Greek Festival. Enjoy all things Greek—from food and crafts to dancing, drama performances and music. It’s a Mediterranean-flavored celebration packed with fun! Sat-Sun, 12-10; Mon, 12-8. (Belmont: Church of the Holy Cross, 900 Alameda at Ralston Ave.; 650/591-4447; www.goholycross.org)
Sept 4-6: Casa de Fruta Arts, Crafts and Music Festival. Visit this historic roadside stop and browse a wide selection of pottery, leatherwork, stained glass and other crafts; see live entertainment throughout the day; and check out Casa de Fruta’s other attractions. 9-6. (Hollister: 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy.; 408/842-7282; www.casadefruta.com)
Sept 10-11: Fall Fashion In the Park. Four runway shows over two days showcase the hottest fall trends from Santan Row retailers, including Ted Baker, Pink Stripes Boutique, Donald J. Pliner, Furla and more. Tickets include a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception, admission to an after-party and private shopping at the Style Boutique, an exclusive shop. This year, Santana Row welcomes Jay Nicolas Sario, star of Project Runway’s seventh season. Fri, 12 & 6pm; Sat, 2 & 6pm. (San Jose: 368 Santana Row; 408/551-4611; www.santanarow.com)
Sept 10-12: International Gem & Jewelry Show. All that glitters is gold—and more—at this show, where you’ll find every gem under the sun, as well as estate jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces and special celebrity exhibits. Fri, 12-6; Sat, 10-6; Sun, 11-5. (San Mateo: Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 301/294-1640; www.intergem.com)
Sept 11-12: Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. This multicultural celebration features arts and crafts, food, wines, microbrews, live music and more. This year’s festival highlights artists and craft makers with works at affordable price points, a star-studded lineup of live music, new top-shelf wines to complement an array of international cuisine, an expanded green products showcase and a School of Rock Stage where you can play the part of rock star. 10-6. (Mountain View: Castro St.; 650/726-3491; )www.miramarevents.com/mountainview
Sept 11-12: Capitola Art & Wine Festival
. A beautiful seaside view, more than 185 artists, plenty of wine and great food, and live jazz, blues and rock all add up to a good time. 10-6. (Capitola: Stockton Ave. at Esplanade; 831/475-6522; www.capitolachamber.com/artwine.html)
Sept 15-26: San Jose International Mariachi & Mexican Heritage Festival. Romantic and lively Mexican ballads play center stage at this celebration of music, film, art and dance. Special guests include Ozomatli, Los Tigres Del Norte, Mariachi Los Camperos, festival director Linda Ronstadt and much more. (San Jose: Mexican Heritage Plaza, Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave.; 877/MHC-VIVA; www. sanjosemariachifestival.com)
Sept 16-18: Bay Area Quilt, Craft & Sewing Show. If quilting, sewing, textile arts and crafts are your bag, then this expo is for you. Browse wares from a variety of quality craft-supply companies, attend enlightening seminars and workshops and mingle with fellow crafters. 10-5. (San Mateo: County Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 301/294-1640; www.rustybarn.com)
Sept 18: Aki Matsuri Fall Festival. This annual festival celebrating Japanese culture combines the best of all worlds, featuring Japanese cuisine, including sushi, Spam masubi, teriyaki, manju and soba; an outdoor farmers market brimming with cut and potted flowers, plants and crafts; live entertainment from such groups as San Jose Taiko; and games and crafts for the kids. 11-4. (San Jose: Wesley United Methodist Church, 566 N. 5th St.; 408/295-0367; www.wesleysj.net/AkiMatsuri)
Sept 18-19: Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival. Explore the talents of local and regional artists with more than 175 booths, a wealth of community groups serving a smorgasbord of international foods, live entertainment on three stages, fine wines and microbrews, and kiddie activities. 10-5. (Santa Clara: Central Park, 1500 Warburton Ave.; 408/615-3140; www.santaclaraca.gov)
Sept 18-Oct 17: Northern California Renaissance Faire. Kings, queens, knights and maidens come together at this annual affair. This lively recreation of a Renaissance-era harvest fair offers arts, crafts, foods, wines and frothy ales, while costumed singers, dancers, jugglers and actors perform on stage and throughout the grounds. Fair-goers are invited to wear their own period costumes and participate in activities such as archery, axe throwing and darts. Don’t miss the themed weekends, where revelers are invited to dress up as pirates, Bacchanal masqueraders and more. 10-6. (Hollister: Casa de Fruta Country Park; 408/847-FAIR; www.norcalrenfaire.org)
Sept 25: Redwood City Salsa Festival. Come for the delicious salsa, and stay for the hot salsa dancing! Downtown Redwood City comes alive as amateur and professional salsa chefs compete for top honors; musical acts take to three stages to perform live music; local artists show off their inspirational work; and dancers show off their salsa skills. 12-8. (Redwood City: Courthouse Square; 831/457-1141; www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/events/salsafest.html)
Sept 25: Los Gatos Fall Wine Walk & Car Show. Stroll and shop along Downtown Santa Cruz Avenue, sip wine from 25 local wineries, meet the winemakers, enjoy great music and see one-of-a-kind cars. Each merchant will have an "open house" atmosphere. Wine Walk: 2-5pm. Car Show: 4-8pm. (Tickets: $35 in advance; $40 on the day of the event. Check-in at 100 N. Santa Cruz Ave.; 408/354-9300. Click here for more information.)
Sept 25-26: Saratoga Art & Wine Festival. Eat, drink and be merry at this annual festival, which showcases the best of the area’s restaurants and artists, as well as the wine bounties of the Santa Cruz Mountains and beyond. Also enjoy family-friendly activities, live music performances and more. 12-6. (Saratoga: Big Basin Way; 408/867-0753; www.saratogachamber.org)
Sept 25-26: Taste of Morgan Hill. Get to know Morgan Hill at this festival, where you can enjoy great local food, a beer garden, a wine tent, live entertainment, a custom car show, a quilt show, arts and crafts, and a kiddie zone. 10-6. (Morgan Hill: Monterey Rd. at Main Ave.; 408/779-9444; www.morganhill.org)
Dine & Wine Events
Sept 10: Wine & Appetizer Pairing. Chef Jaimie Casey offers six mini-appetizers that pair perfectly with six fine J. Lohr Wines. Learn all about food and wine pairing techniques while enjoying fall’s bounty. 7-9. (San Jose: J. Lohr Tasting Room, 1000 Lenzen Ave.; 408/918-2176; www.jlohr.com)
Sept 25: Wine & Chocolate Pairing. Join experts from Snake & Butterfly chocolatiers as they show you how six different confections pair with six J. Lohr wines. 7:30-9:30. (San Jose: J. Lohr Tasting Room, 1000 Lenzen Ave.; 408/918-2176; www.jlohr.com)
Music: Classical & Choral
Sept 11: Joel Fan. This dynamic piano performer offers an eclectic program including selections from Ernesto Nazareth, Margaret Bonds, Beethoven and Chopin. Presented by Steinway Society The Bay Area. 7:30pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth St.; 408/995-5400; www.trianontheatre.com)
Sept 11: Grisha Goryachev. This flamenco guitarist is joined by Belgian classical guitarist Jerome Mouffe for a special performance. Presented by the South Bay Guitar Society. 8pm. (San Jose: Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St.; 408/292-0704; www.sbgs.org)
Sept 12: Zephyr Festival Classical Quartet. This talented foursome will perform Schumann’s compositions for piano quartet. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, 311 Mirada Rd.; 650/726-443; www.bachddsoc.org)
Sept 30-Oct 3: Symphony Silicon Valley presents Romance & Celebration. Celebrate love with a program including Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 in B-flat, Spring Symphony; Gustav Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer; and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Thurs, 7:30pm; Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2:30pm. (San Jose: California Theater, 345 S. First St.; 408/286-2600; www.symphonysiliconvalley.org)
Music: Jazz & Other
Sept 3: Bone Bash XI. It’s a classic rock extravaganza with such acts as ZZ Top and 38 Special. 6pm. (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphitheatre; 650/967-4040; www.shorelineamp.com)
Sept 4: Green Day. Catch the sounds of this iconic punk and alternative rock band. 7pm. (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphitheatre; 650/967-4040; www.shorelineamp.com)
Sept 5: Roger Glenn Six-Piece Latin Jazz. This renowned master flute and vibraphone player composes and performs feel-good jazz. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, 311 Mirada Rd.; 650/726-443; www.bachddsoc.org)
Sept 10-11: San Jose Taiko presents Rhythm Spirit 2010. Prepare to be enthralled by the power and beauty of the Japanese taiko drum during this performance, which showcases the talents of the area’s premier taiko company. Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm. (Campbell: Heritage Theater; 408/866-2700; www.ci.campbell.ca.us)
Sept 10-27: Concerts at the Mountain Winery. Catch special performances by the biggest names in music and comedy in this historic winery’s amphitheater under a midsummer night sky. This month, see hit standup comedy sensation Craig Ferguson (Sept 10, 8pm); contemporary rock band Doobie Brothers (Sept 11, 8pm); rock sensation Sheryl Crow (Sept 14-15, 7;30pm); jazz great Harry Connick Jr. (Sept 18, 7:30pm); country legends Willie Nelson (Sept 22, 7:30pm); classic rock group Foreigner (Sept 23, 7:30pm); edgy Korean comedienne Margaret Cho (Sept 25; 8pm); and pop duo Daryl Hall & Oates (Sept 27, 7:30pm) (Saratoga: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd.; 408/741-2822; mountainwinery.com)
Sept 11: The Robert Cray Band & Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The renowned American blues guitarist and singer joins this crowd-pleasing big-band swing supergroup. 7:30pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Sept 15: Chris Botti. This critically acclaimed trumpter regularly plays sold-out shows, and has become the best-selling American jazz instrumental artist thanks to his electrifying talents. 7pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Sept 15: Brad Paisley. Join this country superstar during his World Tour with Darius Rucker and Justin Moore. 4pm. (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphitheatre; 650/967-4040; www.shorelineamp.com)
Sept 17: Paramore. This popular alternative rock, emo and pop punk band first burst onto the national and international music scene plays from their newest record, Brand New Eyes. 6:30pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
Sept 17: Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, former members of the groundbreaking 70s band Creedence Clearwater Revival, keep the group’s spirit alive with their new collaboration. 7pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5858; www.montalvoarts.org)
Sept 18: Jonas Brothers. These teen heartthrobs share the stage with special guests Demi Lovato and friends from Camp Rock. 7pm. (Mountain View: Shoreline Amphitheatre; 650/967-4040; www.shorelineamp.com)
Sept 26: Los Tigres del Norte. The crowd goes wild for this Latin Grammy-winning norteno band ensemble. 7pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
Sept 26: David Liebman Group. This Grammy-nominated saxophone player has played with many jazz masters, authored several books and more during his 40-year career. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, 311 Mirada Rd.; 650/726-443; www.bachddsoc.org)
Sept 27: Carrie Underwood. This former American Idol contestant has come into her own as a country music superstar and plays from her new album Play On. 7:30pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
Sept 30: Square Peg Concerts presents Benise. Roni Benise plays his flamenco Spanish guitar music, accompanied by world-class choreographed dancers. 7pm. (Campbell: Heritage Theater; 408/866-2700; www.ci.campbell.ca.us)
Opera
Sept 11-26: Opera San Jose presents the West Coast premiere of Tolstoy’s masterpiece, Anna Karenina. Anna Karenina seems to have it all: beauty, wealth and aristocratic status. But underneath this is a vulnerable woman, trapped in an unhappy marriage and caught in the rigid social mores that prove to be her downfall. So goes Leo Tolstoy’s literary masterpiece, which comes to life in operatic form as told by Opera San Jose. The heart-rending story, set in 19th-century Russia, follows Anna, a desperate woman who falls out of love with her husband and falls into the arms of another man. Caught between passionate happiness and preserving her family’s reputation, she slowly descends into madness, as she leaps from her loveless marriage into a burning love affair, suffers terrible heartbreak and eventually meets a horribly violent end. Tragic yet beautiful, this story is as haunting as it is unforgettable. All performances start at 8pm, except Sunday, 3pm. (San Jose: California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/437-4450; operasj.org)
Theater & Musicals
Thru Sept 19: TheatreWorks presents The Light in the Piazza, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer. The story takes place beneath the Tuscan sun in 1953, as a protective American mother vacations with her radiant but fragile daughter. When she falls head over heels for a passionate young Italian man, the mother’s world gets turned upside down and the three embark on a life-changing journey. This is one sweepingly romantic musical that can’t be missed! Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7pm. (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/463-1960; www.theatreworks.org)
Sept 2-26: San Jose Rep stages the West Coast premiere of Black Pearl Sings. When Susannah, a white ethnomusicologist, embarks on a quest to find authentic, pre-slavery, African-American music she develops an unlikely alliance with Texas prisoner Pearl Johnson. It doesn’t take long for Pearl to belt out soul-baring songs with the strength and beauty of the unaccompanied human voice. Tues, 7:30pm; Wed-Sat, 8pm; Matinees: Sat (Sept 11, 18 & 25), 3pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 101 Paseo de San Antonio; 408/367-7255; www.sjrep.com)
Sept 10-26: Palo Alto Players present Dead Man’s Cell Phone. This homage to our technologically obsessed culture follows Jean, who answers a dead man’s constantly ringing cell phone in a café and ends up dating the deceased guy’s brother, knocking back cosmos with his widow and meeting with his mistress. In the process, she not only discovers the man’s bizarre life but also her own. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2:30pm. (Palo Alto: Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd.; 650/329-0891; www.paplayers.org)
Sept 10-Oct 3: Western Stage Co. presents Real Women Have Curves. This coming-of-age story follows an ambitious young Latina woman who wants to go to college but doesn’t have the money. She spends the sweltering summer working in an LA sweatshop, and bonds with the other women there as they all share their stories. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Salinas: 411 Central Ave.; 831/755-6816; www.westernstage.com)
Sept 16: Teatro Vision presents Gaytino! The company kicks off its 27th season with this hilarious father-son journey through decades of Chicano history. Starring Dan Guerrero, whose tale of courage takes the audience from East Los Angeles to the flashy Broadway musical theaters, this is a celebration of “gay Chicanismo.” 8pm. (San Jose: Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave.; 408/924-6621; http://teatrovision.org)
Sept 16-Oct 3: Broadway By the Bay presents La Cage aux Folles. This classic French farce remains in a class of its own. When the son of a gay Saint Tropez nightclub owner and his partner hosts their son’s fiancee’s super conservative parents for dinner, family values collide in this hilarious comedy. Don’t miss this Tony award winning musical! Thurs-Sat, 8pm (extra 2pm show on Sept 25); Sun, 2pm. (San Mateo: Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware Ave.; 650/579-5565; www.broadwaybythebay.org)
Sept 17-Oct 9: Coastal Repertory Theater presents Rabbit Hole. This Pulitzer Prize winning drama follows the Corbett family as their world is turned upside down. Moving yet witty and charming, playwright David Lindsay-Abaire explores rebuilding relationships in the wake of great tragedy. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Half Moon Bay: 1167 Main St.; 650/569-3266; www.coastalrep.com)
Sept 17-19: San Jose Stage Co. presents A Season in Hell. As part of the Zero1 festival, this groundbreaking play by Randall Packer is a historical portrait of post-9/11 political and social turmoil. This multimedia performance chronicles one artist’s journey through the underworld of America, as narrated by a rogue government official. Fri-Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 490 S. First St.; 408/283-7142; www.sanjosestage.com)
Sept 21-26: Broadway San Jose presents Burn the Floor, the sizzling hot dance showcase that was such a hit on Broadway. Watch as talented world-class dance champions reinvent the art of ballroom, treating audiences to dance varieties from around the world. Begin in New York’s Harlem, where the jaunty Lindy, foxtrot and Charleston were all created; then head to the Latin Quarter, home of the steamy salsa, rhumba and cha-cha; and to Argentina, where the passionate tango was born. Mix in the intense paso doble, the vibrancy of the jive, the elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of swing and more, and you’ll understand why this internationally acclaimed show has been leaving audiences breathless. Adding to the excitement is a special appearance by Mary Murphy, best known for her role as celebrity judge on the popular TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance?” Tues-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 1 & 6pm. (San Jose: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.; 866/395-2929; www.broadwaysanjose.com)
Sept 24-Oct 24: The Retro Dome presents The Fantasticks! Celebrating the 50th anniversary of this musical production, this twist on the classic story of boy-meets-girl tells the timeless story of Matt and Luisa, who fall in love and experience hardship and pain in order to understand the true nature of life. The result is a timeless fable that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time. It is the longest-running production of any kind in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcend cultural barriers. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: The Retro Dome, 1694 Saratoga Ave.; 408/404-7711; http://retrodome.guggyent.com)
Special Events
Sept 16-19: 01SJ Biennial. This multi-disciplinary, multi-venue downtown San Jose event focusing on visual and performing arts, film, public art, and interactive digital media is the ultimate in exploring creativity in a cutting-edge digital world. With the theme “Build Your Own World” guiding the course of events, the festival presents hundreds of art works, live music performances, events and artist talks centering not only on the future of the world, but also how to build it. Highlights include three midnight concerts taking place in the historic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral; a series of installations curated by such galleries as Anno Domini and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Arts; and the San Jose Stage’s dramatic presentation, A Season in Hell (Sept 17-19; see listing this page for more details). Various times. (San Jose: Various venues; 408/916-1010; www.01sj.org)
