Looking for a reason to bop around the bay on a beautiful vernal afternoon? Silicon Valley Open Studios, a three-weekend-long rite of spring, will see more than 340 local artists prop open their doors and invite the public in to survey their work.
The event gives art lovers and collectors behind-the-scenes access to established and emerging artists from South San Francisco to San Jose. Works include painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, woodworking, mixed media, pastels, pottery, metalwork, textile art, and more.
This weekend, May 10-11, the focus is on artists in the midpeninsula region. Next week, artists from Mountain View to the South Valley will show off their work. Studios and galleries are open 11am–5pm. For details, visit svos.org.
Wednesday, May 7
Our Town—SJSU Theatre presents Thornton Wilder’s play, in which the fictional Grover’s Corners becomes a symbol of love, loss and the passage of time. May 7, 11am; May 8–9, 7:30pm; May 10, 2pm. Hammer Theatre’s Sobrato Auditorium, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. events.sjsu.edu
Thursday, May 8
Film Screening and Q&A—The Arab American Cultural Center presents a screening of “Lyd, a Sci Fi Documentary,” a story of a city that once connected Palestine to the world. Following the screening, co-director Rami Younis will join in person for a Q&A session. Free (suggested $15 donation). May 8, 6:30-9pm. Arab American Cultural Center, 3968 Twilight Dr, San Jose. tickettailor.com
Celebrating Pride and Planet with Pattie Gonia—Drag queen and environmental activist Pattie Gonia will be present for a day of adventure, advocacy and artistry celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and environmental action. May 8, 2–8pm. Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. 650.723.2300. rec.stanford.edu
Mini-BandFest @ The Cats—Catch four of Santa Clara University’s hottest underground bands in one night. $12. May 8, 8pm–midnight. The Cats by ChefCentury, 17533 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos. 408.354.3060.
Friday, May 9
Adele by Candelight—Listen to the music of the British mezzo-soprano under the glow of candlelight. Tickets: $36. May 9, 6:30–7:45pm. Corinthian Grand Ballroom, 196 N 3rd St, San Jose. candlelightadele.com
Rasquache Liberation Front—This NorCal band creates a trippy stew of Chicano music to raise spirits and liberate audiences. All ages. $20/25. May 9, 8pm. The Art Boutiki, 44 Race St, San Jose. artboutiki.com
Saturday, May 10
Berryessa Art Festival—For the 48th consecutive year, the nonprofit Berryessa Art Festival Foundation will host this event, with proceeds going to benefit the Berryessa Union School District. Expect food trucks, 120 vendors and community resources booths, and entertainment provided by local elementary school music bands, the St. Victor Choir, and musicians Ron Scott and Joe DeRose. Free. May 10, 10am–5pm. Penitencia Creek Park, 3050 Berryessa Rd, San Jose.
Flower Crowns & Tea—Learn to make a flower crown for Mother’s Day while enjoying tea and an assortment of sweet and savory bites. Suitable for ages 8 and older. May 10, 11:30am–2pm. $75 (includes materials). Cura Contemporary, 17395 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. 408.778.1800.
Spring MuzART 2025—Gunhild Carling, Timur Shaov, Mikhail Pastushkov amd many other performers provide the soundtrack for a day that will include art and sculpture pavilions, food stations and kids’ program. $27.04–$69.04. May 10, noon–7pm. 999 E Caribbean Dr, Sunnyvale. universe.com
Saratoga’s Spring Wine Experience—Enjoy a day of wine, sunshine, and good vibes in the village in this event hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Check-in at the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce office, 14460 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 21-and-over. Tickets: $50/adv, $60 door. May 10, 2–5:30pm. 408.867.0753
Spring Fling—Celebrate the start of spring with lawn games, a petting zoo and live DJ. Free. May 10, 4–6pm. The Village at San Antonio Center, 645 San Antonio Rd, Mountain View. villageatsanantoniocenter.com
The Planets: An HD Odyssey—Symphony San Jose explores the galaxy at this multimedia event featuring Gustav Holst’s Planets, accompanied by images from NASA on a giant screen, preceded by Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst, and Mozart’s final symphony, nicknamed “Jupiter.” May 10, 7:30pm; May 11, 2:30pm. $24-$121.50. California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose. symphonysanjose.org
J Balvin—The Colombian reggaeton star brings his Back to the Rayo Tour to San Jose. $41–$181. May 10, 8pm. SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. sapcenter.com
Sunday, May 11
Ao Dai Festival—Celebrate Vietnamese culture at this annual event featuring the work of artists, designers and performers. $35 general, $150 VIP. May 11, 11:30am–6pm. School of Arts and Culture, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose. 408.794.6250, schoolofartsandculture.org
Cha Cha Percussion Spring Concert—This percussion concert will feature a wide variety of percussion instruments, including marimba, xylophone, drum set, timpani and Latin percussion. May 11, 3–5pm. $25. Visual and Performing Arts Center, De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. Call in advance for ticket availability: 408.802.0338.
Mother’s Day Concert: A Festival of Sea, Land, and Sky—The South Valley Symphony’s final concert of the season features works by Gustav Holst, Felix Mendelssohn and Juventino Rosas. $45. May 11, 3–4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E Main Ave, Morgan Hill. southvalleysymphony.org
Tuesday, May 13
Max Amini—This Iranian-American comedian and actor got his start on the Los Angeles comedy scene in 2002 and has gone on to tour the world for standup shows. He’ll perform two nights in the South Bay. $43.50–$176.50. Ages 13+. May 13–14, 8pm. California Theatre, 345 S First St, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org
Poetry & Jazz Concert—Multi-instrumentalist Althea Sully Cole and SCU Professor of Poetry Daniel B. Summerhill are joined by members of the SCU Jazz Ensemble and SCU Poetry students. May 13, 6:30–7:30pm. Music Recital Hall, Santa Clara University. events.scu.edu
Continuing
Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO—For its 20th Big Top show, Cirque du Soleil celebrates youth’s optimism and the value of empathy. Thru May 11, various showtimes. Under the Big Top, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. cirquedusoleil.com
Henry V—Shakespeare returns to The Pear with an intimate production of Shakespeare’s exploration of leadership and morality, with five performers tackling 25+ roles. $10–$45. Thru May 11. Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida, Mountain View. 650.254.1148. thepear.org
Hadestown Anais Mitchell’s play intertwines the love stories between Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone. It is set in a dark, industrial-looking underworld, with music that blends folk and jazz. $30. Through May 11. Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org
For more events all around the Greater Bay Area, visit Metro Silicon Valley’s online listings section.
