Thu, Jan 23

Classical Guitar Open Mic The South Bay Guitar Society presents an informal evening of classical guitar at this open mic event. 7:30pm-9:30pm. (Guitarists are encouraged to arrive early to sign up). Espresso Garden, 814 S. Bascom Ave, San Jose, 408.298.0808.

Sylvia City Lights Theater Company presents a comedy about a man and his dog by A.R. Gurney, the author of Love Letters. Preview night. 8pm. Also to be previewed Fri, Jan 24, 8pm. Opening night Sat, Jan 25, 8pm. Also plays Sun, Jan 26, 7pm. Thru Sat, Feb 22. $15-$25. City Lights Theater, 529 S. Second St, San Jose, 408.295.4200 or www.cltc.org.

Fri, Jan 24

The Little Prince California Theatre Center presents a play based on the novel by Antoine de St. Exupery. 7:30pm. Also playing Sat, Jan 25, 11am. $11.50-$12. West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga. For more information or tickets, call 408.245.2978 or visit www.ctcinc.org.

Winchester Orchestra of San Jose A program featuring works by Bach as well as selections from Broadway classics like Oklahoma and Les Miserables. With soloist Gretchen Miescke. Conducted by Henry Mollicone. 7:30pm. $5-$15. Crossroads Church Auditorium, 1670 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, 408.269.1905.

Sat, Jan 25

Hans Boepple in Recital Pianist Hans Boepple, Chair of the Department of Music at Santa Clara University, performs at a faculty recital. The program features works by Beethoven. Sat, Jan 25, 8pm. $5-$10. Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, Lafayette and Franklin streets, Santa Clara, 408.554.4429.

Local Author Presentation Bay Area author Phyllis Butler will read from her new book, The Valley of Santa Clara: A Guide to the Heart of Silicon Valley. The event also includes a slide show of historic photos and also sign her book. Sat, Jan 25, 2pm-4pm. History Museum of Los Gatos, Forbes Mill, 75 Church St, Los Gatos, 408.395.7375.

Valentine Art and Gift Show Art Made to Match custom design gallery and Water Rituals salon present an evening of art and jazz featuring Divine Goddess and Mr. B and his Jazz People. 6pm (music starts at 8pm). Water Rituals Salon, 1000 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, 408.938.9800.

Sun, Jan 26

Kids ArtSunday This day of hands-on art activities for kids will also feature gallery tours and a performance of South Indian classical dance by the Abhinaya Dance Company. 11am-3pm. Free. An adult must accompany children under the age of 13. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S.. Market St, San Jose, 408.294.2787 or www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.

L.A. Post-Cool Lecture Guest curator Michael Duncan discusses the "L.A. Post-Cool" exhibit in a talk entitled "The Importance of Being Earnest." 3pm. Free (space is limited and reservations are required. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S.. Market St, San Jose. For reservations, call 408.271.6840.

The Schubert Ensemble The San Jose Chamber Music Society presents a program of piano qunitets with the Schubert Ensemble from London. In addition to works by Schubert, the program includes selections by Butler and Farrenc. Sun, Jan 26, 7pm (preconcert chat 6:15pm). $17-$30. Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. Fifth St, San Jose, 408.286.5111 or www.sjchambermusic.org

Wed, Jan 29

Ghosts San Jose Stage Company presents Henrik Ibsen's classic drama, in a new adaptation from Atlanta's Alliance Theatre Company. Preview night. 8pm. Also to be previewed Thu, Jan 30-Fri, Jan 31. Opening night Sat, Feb 1. Ongoing thru Sun, Feb 23. $16-$36. The Stage, 490 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.7142.

Ongoing

Book of Days TheatreWorks presents a new play from Lanford Wilson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Talley's Folly. Thu, Jan 23-Sat, Jan 25, 8pm, Sun, Jan 26, 2pm and 7pm, Tue, Jan 28, 7:30pm, Wed, Jan 29, 8pm. Thru Sun, Feb 9. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. For more information, call 650.903.6000 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Eating Dis Order, Eating Dat Order Theatre on San Pedro Square presents a new comedy about America's obsession with food and cooking. Wed-Sat, 8pm (cocktails at 7pm), and Sun, 2pm. $20-$25. Thru Fri, Jan 31. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose. For ticket information, call the box office at 408.283.0200.

Jazz at Hakone Gardens Presented by the San Jose Jazz Society. Third Thu of each month. 5-9pm. Free. Hakone Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. For more information, call 888.726.5673.

San Jose Museum of Art "Collection Highlights." Selections from the museum's permanent collection. Ongoing. "Evocations: Sharon Ellis, 1991-2001." This exhibition is a 10-year survey of Sharon Ellis' work. Thru Sun, Feb 16. "L.A. Post-Cool." This major exhibition, curated by Los Angeles-based writer and critic Michael Duncan, features new works from Southern California artists. Thru Sun, Mar 23. "Celebrating Home: Gertrude Bleiberg." Thru Sun, Mar 16. "David Jones." Thru Sat, Apr 12. Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm, Fri, 11am-10pm, closed Mon. 110 S. Market St, San Jose, 408.271.6840 or www.sjmusart.org.

The Sound of Music American Musical Theatre of San Jose presents the beloved family musical. Thu, Jan 23-Fri, Jan 24, 8pm, Sat, Jan 25, 2pm and 8pm, Sun, Jan 26, 1pm and 6:30pm, Tue, Jan 28, 8pm, Wed, Jan 29, 2pm and 8pm. Thru Sun, Feb 1. $44-$68.50. For more information, call 888.455.SHOW or see www.amtsj.org.

Stanford's Cantor Arts Center "The Photograph as Document/as Art." Ongoing thru Sun, Feb 23. "Multiple Exposure: Photographic Imagery and Contemporary Prints." Ongoing thru Sun, Apr 6. "Nsila—El Camino: Jose Bedia and the Spirit's Path in Congo Art." Cuban painter Jose Bedia explores African art. Thru Sun, Apr 20. "The Butterfly Emerges: The Transformation of Chinese Painting." Ongoing thru Sun, Jul 6. The center also features free docent-led tours of the Stanford campus' outdoor art collection. Two different tours are offered, one on the first Sun of the month, the other on the third Sun of the month. Both tours begin at 2pm. Tours are held rain or shine on an ongoing basis. Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm, Thu, 11am-8pm. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, Museum Way (off Palm Dr), Stanford, 650.723.4177 or www.stanford.edu/dept/ccva.

Triton Museum of Art "Who We Are: Selections From the Permanent Collection." A showcase of the museum's acquisitions over the last 15 years. Ongoing thru Sun, Feb 23. "Biennial Statewide Watercolor Competition and Exhibition." Featuring works by watercolor artists from throughout California. Ongoing thru Sun, Feb 23. "New Works by California Artists: Mitchell Johnson," an exhibition of works by figurative and landscape painter Mitchell Johnson. Thru Sun, Mar 9. Mon-Wed, 11am-5pm, Thu, 11am-9pm, Fri-Sun, 11 am-5pm. 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, 408.247.3754 or www.tritonmuseum.org.

Upcoming

Culture Clash in AmeriCCa San Jose Repertory Theatre presents performance group Culture Clash and a show which offers the group's unique perspective on Silicon Valley. Fri, Jan 31-Sun, March 2. $28-$40. San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.367.7255 or www.sjrep.com.

Il Trovatore Opera San Jose presents Verdi's epic opera. Sat, Feb 1-Sun, Feb 23. $40-$58, Montgomery Theatre, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408. 437.4450 or www.operasj.org.

Ives String Quartet Part of the winter concert series at the San Jose Museum of Art. Sat, Feb 1, 3pm. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St, San Jose, 408.294.2787.

San Francisco Symphony All-French Program. Sat, Feb 1, 8pm. $25-$50. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.998.TIXS.

William Michals Performer William Michals, currently playing the role of Captain Von Trapp in AMTSJ's "The Sound of Music," gives two cabaret concerts. Sun, Feb 2-Mon, Feb 3, 7pm. $25. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, 408.283.0200.

Stanford's Cantor Arts Center "Time Stands Still: Muybridge and the Instantaneous Photography Movement." An exhibit featuring works by Eadweard Muybridge. Wed, Feb 5-Sun, May 11. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, Museum Way (off Palm Dr), Stanford, 650.723.4177 or www.stanford.edu/dept/ccva.

Portuguese Fado Concert Romantic Portuguese music featuring guitarist Jorge Fernando and singer Ana Moura. Fri, Feb 7-Sat, Feb 8, 7:30pm. $30. Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. Fifth St, San Jose, 510.207.2387.