Thu, Oct 23

City Lights Spotlight Series City Lights presents an internationally acclaimed acclaimed one-woman show written by and starring Sia Amma. This darkly comic provocative show chronicles Amma's survival of female circumcision at the age of 9. Opening night, 8pm. Also plays Fri, Oct 24-Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. $12-$15. City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St, San Jose, 408.294.4200.

Mary's Wedding San Jose Repertory Theatre presents a romantic drama about a young Canadian couple separated by World War I. Preview night, 8pm. Opening night, Fri, Oct 24, 8pm. Also plays Sat, Oct 25, 3pm and 8pm, Sun, Oct 26, 2pm and 7pm, Tue, Oct 28-Wed, Oct 29, 8pm. Thru Nov 16. $18-$52. 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.367.7255 or www.sjrep.com.

MOMIX The modern dance troupe presents "Opus Cactus. 8pm. $20-$45. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or www.flintcenter.com.

Fri, Oct 24

Big Brothers Big Sisters Fundraiser An event to raise money for the children's mentoring organization. Featuring wine tasting, a silent auction, dinner and dancing and a special program. 6:45pm. $100. Fairmont's Fourth Street Garage, Fourth and San Fernando streets, San Jose, 408.244.1496.

Fractured Fairytales Costume Ball Affordable Theatre hosts an evening of dancing, music and theater at the group's annual fundraiser. 7pm-midnight. $30. 614 Hobart Terrace, Santa Clara, 650.949.1720 or www.affordabletheater.com/fft.

He Said, She Said Visual Rhythm Dance Company presents a modern dance performance as part of the Performing Arts Series. Fri, Oct 24-Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. $15-$20. Montgomery Theatre, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408.288.7011 or www.visualrhythm.com.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Sunnyvale Community Players present the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Opening night, 8pm. Also plays Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. Sun, Oct 26, 2:30pm. Thru Nov 16. $13-$18. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, 408.733.6611 or www.sunnyvaleplayers.org.

Margaret Cho The popular comedian appears. 8pm. $29.50-$45. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or www.flintcenter.com.

Sing Out, Louise! Broadway performer and Santa Clara University alumna Jeanne Smith performs an evening of old standards. 8pm. $5-$10. Recital Hall, Santa Clara University, 408.554.4015 or www.scu.edu/cpa/cal-index.cfml.

The Insanity Case of Mrs. A. Lincoln The Santa Clara Players present the West Coast premiere of a psychological drama that delves into the mystery of whether a son who had his mother committed was after her money or did it out of genuine concern for her own well-being. Opening night, 8pm. Sat, Oct 25, 8pm, Sun, Oct 26, 2:30pm. Thru $10-$12. Santa Clara Players Theater, Don and Warburton avenues, Santa Clara, 408.248.7993 or www.scplayers.org.

Sat, Oct 25

Adair Lara Award-winning newspaper columnist and author. 7:30pm. $20-$25. Carriage House Theatre, Villa Montalvo, 15400
Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858
or www.villamontalvo.org

Bicentennial Cathedral Ball Celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph with an evening of dinner and entertainment. An interfaith prayer service will precede the ball and include leaders from the various denominations within the community. 6pm. Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market St, San Jose, www.stjosephcathedral.org.

Fall Auction The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art holds its annual fundraising auction featuring more than 100 artworks donated by top Bay Area artists. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres donated by popular local restaurants will be served at the event. 6pm-9pm. $35 SJICA members/$45 nonmembers. 451 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.8155 or www.sjica.org.

Reminiscing: A Choral Legacy Schola Cantorum opens its 40th anniversary season with a concert of music that spans the range of repertoire performed during Schola Cantorum's first 40 years. 7:30pm. $18-$22. Memorial Church, Stanford, 650.725.2787 or www.scholacantorum.org.

Stand-Up Comedy Showcase Featuring Tim "Slappy" Babb, Sandy Stec, George Corrigan and many more. Hosted by Tina Allen. 7:30pm. No cover. Blue Rock Shoot, 14523 Big Basin Way, Saratoga.

Terry Bremkamp Classical guitarist will perform works by Bach, Granados, Llobet, Sor and Tarrega. 8pm. $10. Zion Lutheran Church, 3257 Payne Ave, San Jose, 408.733.2056.

Vovi the Universal Drum Beat 8pm. $25-$100. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or www.flintcenter.com.

Sun, Oct 26

Homage to the Deity Dancing Sun Foundation brings the 2003 Performing Arts Series to a close with a concert celebrating the religious and culture practices of the indigenous people of Taiwan. With special guests Taipei Folk Dance Theatre. 3pm. $18. Montgomery Theatre, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408.368.0227 or www.dsfdance.org.

Peninsula Pops Orchestra The orchestra presents "The Pops Spooktacular," a Halloween show for the whole family featuring music from spooky favorites like "Harry Potter," "Phantom of the Opera" and "The Lord of the Rings." Costumes are welcomed. 2:30pm. $8-$12. Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, 650.856.8432 or www.peninsulapops.org.

Stanley Jordan and Muriel Anderson Two guitar virtuosos share the stage. 7:30pm. $30-$35. Carriage House Theatre, Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

Tue, Oct 28

Suessical the Musical A musical based on the best-loved characters of children's author Dr. Suess. 7pm. $26-$46. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or www.flintcenter.com.

Wed, Oct 29

Recall--The Musical Starting Arts presents a professionally produced musical which offers a tongue-in-cheek spoof on the California recall. The musical is presented as a benefit for support arts education. 8pm. $45. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, 408.244.9792 or www.startingarts.com.

Ongoing

A Little Night Music TheatreWorks presents the romantic musical by Stephen Sondheim. Thu, Oct 23-Fri, Oct 24, 8pm. Sat, Oct 25, 2pm and 8pm, Sun, Oct 26, 2pm and 7pm, Tue, Oct 28, 7:30pm, Wed, Oct 29, 8pm. Thru Nov 2. $20-$48. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View, 650.903.6000 or www.theatreworks.org.

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story San Jose Stage Company presents a play that tells the story of early rock & roll legend Buddy Holly, featuring Holly's music. Thu, Oct 23-Fri, Oct 24, 8pm. Regular shows $28-$38. Maria Elena Holly, Buddy Holly's widow, will be on hand for the final two shows. Join Holly for a pre-show cocktail party and dinner and post-show party Sat, Oct 25, reception at 5:30pm, show starts 8pm. $75-$150. Holly will also be present at discussion and post-show reception following the closing performance on Sun, Oct 26, 2pm. $60. San Jose Stage Company, 490 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.7142 or www.sanjosestage.com.

Chilean Holiday Teatro Vision opens its season with a drama about a young couple and their families living under Pinochet's reign of terror in Chile in the 1970s. Thu, Oct 23-Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. Closes Sun, Oct 26, 2pm. $12-$17. Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, 408.272.9926 or www.teatrovision.org.

d.p. Fong Galleries "Ancient Roots," mixed media and acrylic works by Mary Medrano. Thru Nov 8. 371 S. First St, San Jose, 408.298.8877.

de Saisset Museum "Theatrical Realism: The Art of Inez Storer," a new exhibit of works by noted painter and printmaker Inez Storer. Thru Dec 7. Hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408.554.4528.

Euphrat Museum of Art "Daily Dramas: Currents and Undercurrents," an exhibit of works by six artists who depict people or imply human presence in various dramas of our day, some chosen freely, others imposed by systems or regimes. A reception featuring artist presentations will be held Tue, Nov 11, 6pm-8pm. Thru Nov 26. Hours: Mon-Thu, 10am-4pm. De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8836 or http://www.deanza.edu/euphrat/

Japanese American Museum "1942: Luggage From Home to Camp." Thru June 2004. Tue-Fri, 11am-3pm, Sun, 11am-2pm. 535 N. Fifth St, San Jose, 408.294.3138 or www.jamsj.org.

Listening Hour The San Jose State school of music and dance hosts a regular music series featuring a variety of performances: classical, jazz and world music. Every Tue and Thu, 12:30pm-1:15pm. Concert Hall, San Jose State University, 408.924.4631.

Montalvo Gallery "Bean Finneran: Arcs in Time," an exhibition of site-specific installations in ceramic sculpture by artist Bean Finneran. Thru Nov 2. Regular gallery hours are Wed-Sun, 1pm-4pm. Montalvo Gallery, Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5813.

Montalvo "Sculpture on the Grounds," a new installation piece created by sculptor Herb Parker during his residency at Montalvo. Thru May 3, 2004. Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5813.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile The Campbell-based Studio Theater of California presents a comic play by Steve Martin which imagines a meeting between Picasso, Elvis Presley and Albert Einstein in a Paris bar in 1904. Fri, Oct 24, 8pm. Closes Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. $6-$8 advance/$8-$10 door. Congregational Community Church, 1112 Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, 408.370.6639 or www.stoc.org.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art "I'm the Pretty One," a nighttime installation by Kerry Loewen, thru Oct 25. Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, noon-5pm. Closed Sun and Mon. 451 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.8155 or www.sjica.org.

San Jose Museum of Art "Bean Finneran Installation," sculptures of thousands of handmade clay cylinders (thru Oct) and "Hidden Lives: Eleanor Prager and Don Martin," works from the museum's permanent collection (thru Jan 2004). "Beyond Tradition: Permanent Collection Photographs," a survey of new and less-recent acquisitions from the museum's permanent collection. Thru Aug 22, 2004. Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm, Fri, 11am-10pm, closed Mon. 110 S. Market St, San Jose, 408.271.6840 or www.sjmusart.org.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles "Under Cover: Political Expressions in Traditional Quilts," an exhibition which focuses on traditional American quilts that give voice to political viewpoints or support political movements or social causes. Museum admission $4-$5. Thru Oct 26. Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm, Thu, 10am-8pm. San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 110 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.971.0323 or www.sjquiltmuseum.org.

Stanford's Cantor Arts Center "Print Matters: Explorations With Paper in Contemporary Prints." Ongoing thru Oct. "The Changing Garden: Four Centuries of European and American Art." Thru May 2004. 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.

Time Flies West Valley College Theatre Arts Department presents a collection of humorous short plays by David Ives. Thu, Oct 23-Sat, Oct 25, 8pm. Closes Sun, Oct 26, 2pm. $8-$10. West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, 408.741.2058.

Triton Museum of Art An exhibit of abstract works by Mike Henderson. Thru Nov 2. "New Works by California Artists: Ron Guzman." Thru Nov 9. Works by Theodore Wores. Thru Feb 2004. "The Poetry of Watercolor," the 36th annual member show by the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society. Exhibit runs thru Nov 7. Rose Shenson Community Gallery, Triton Museum, 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, 408.247.3754 or www.scvws.org.

WORKS/San Jose A juried printmaking exhibit of artworks from San Jose State University and UC-Santa Cruz. Thru Nov 1. 30 N. Third St, San Jose, 408.295.8378.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Theatre on San Pedro Square presents a musical based on Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip. Thu, Oct 23-Sat, Oct 25, 8pm, Sun, Oct 26, 3pm. Dinner or brunch available 2 1/2 hours before show starts. Thru Nov 16. $15-$30. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, 408.283.0200 or www.tosps.com.