Thu, Nov 13

Li-Young Lee In conversation with SJSU Center for Literary Arts director Mitch Berman, public Q&A, booksigning. Noon. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Main Library, Fourth and San Fernando streets, San Jose, 408.924.4600 or www.litart.org.

Sarah, Plain and Tall Theatreworks USA presents a musical based an award-winning children's book. Thu, Nov 13, 10am. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. Call for tickets, 800.947.5007.

Talking Art The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art presents the a series of monthly salon-style discussions focusing on issues of importance to the Bay Area artistic community. This month features a panel of artists, dealers, curators, consultants, collectors and critics. Thu, Nov 13, and every second Thu, 6pm-7pm (schmoozing), 7pm-9pm (discussion). Free to SJICA members/$5 nonmembers. San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, 451 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.8155.

Fri, Nov 14

The Crucible San Jose State University Theatre Arts Department presents Arthur Miller's dramatic play about the Salem witch trials. Opening night, 7pm. Also plays Sat, Nov 15, 7pm, Wed, Nov 19, 11am. Thru Nov 22. $10-$15. University Theatre, San Fernando and Fifth streets, San Jose, 408.924.4552.

Fall Orchestra Concert Emily Ray leads the Santa Clara University in a colorful blend of musical repertory featuring the talents of the SCU 2003 Concerto-Aria Competition winners. 8pm. $5-$10. Mission Church, Santa Clara University, 408.554.4015 or www.scu.edu/cpa.

John Twist Portland-based singer/songwriter. With John Vecchiarelli. 7pm-9pm. Free. Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St, Mountain View.

Tuck and Patti Jazz/pop husband-and-wife guitar and singing duo. Fri, Nov 14, 7pm and 9:30pm. $25-$30. Carriage House Theatre, Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

Sat, Nov 15

Comedy Showcase More than 10 Bay Area comics. 7:30pm. No cover. Blue Rock Shoot, 14523 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 408.868.1613.

Irish Ceili Dance An Irish musical gathering featuring the music of Cooking With Turf. 7:30pm-10:30pm. $10 adults (kids free). Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. Second St, San Jose, 408.885.0811 or www.doves.demon.co.uk/ceili.

Juvenile Hall Benefit Concert With choral groups from Beth Eden, Antioch and Grace Baptist Churches, St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Foothills Congregational Chamber Choir and a piano, flute and oboe trio. 6:30pm. Free-will offering for Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy Ministries to provide chaplaincy services for incarcerated youth at Juvenile Hall. Grace Baptist Church, S. Tenth and San Fernando streets, San Jose, 408.295.2035.

Les Miserables Peninsula Youth Theatre presents a shortened musical version of the classic French novel. Opening night, 7:30pm. Also plays Sun, Nov 16, 7:30pm. Thru Nov 23. $13-$16. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View, 650.903.6000 or www.pytnet.org.

Peninsula Open Studios "Oddities and Abstractions," recent works by Mary Medrano. Sat, Nov 15-Sun, Nov 16. 818 Nevada Ave, San Jose, 408.288.8220.

Primary Colors Almaden Adventures in the Arts opens its season with a performance by jazz/blues group Primary Colors. 7:30pm. $8-$15 advance/$10-$20 door. Joint Venture Churches, 6581 Camden Ave, San Jose, 408.268.0243.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Opening day for "Moe Uhani Nani: Contemporary Hawaiian Quilts." Thru Jan 18. An opening reception will be held Nov 16, 2pm-4pm (free with museum admission). A slide lecture titled "Hawaiian Calabash" will be presented by quilt artist Mary Haunani Cesar on Nov 21, 7pm-8:30pm. $5-$10. San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 110 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.971.0323 or www.sjquiltmuseum.org.

Sarah, Plain and Tall Theatreworks USA presents a musical based on the award-winning children's book. 11am and 1pm. $8-$16. Carriage House Theatre, Montalvo, 15400
Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858
or www.villamontalvo.org.

Ski Film "Journey," a ski film by Warren Miller. 8pm. $15.50. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or www.flintcenter.com.

Triton Museum of Art Opening day for "New Works by California Artists," oils on linen and pastels on paper by Bay Area artist Bob Gerbracht. Thru Jan 11. Also opening: "Winter Work," the second exhibition in an ongoing series that highlights the works of artists who teach. Thru Feb 15. 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, 408.247.3754 or www.tritonmuseum.org.

Sun, Nov 16

Children's Musical Theatre Anniversary Richard and Evelyn O'Donnell host a 36th anniversary celebration at their home for the Children's Musical Theater. An afternoon of music, refreshments, door prizes and a special preview of "Fiddler on the Roof," CMT's 2003-04 season opening production. 2pm-5pm. 1295 McKendrie St, San Jose. RSVP to evelynodonnell@usa.net.

Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo Slide guitar and harmonica duo. 7:30pm. $25-$30. Carriage House Theatre, Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

San Jose Jewish Film Festival This 12th annual event features films from around the world; love and friendship is the theme of many of them. Screenings are held every Wed, 7:30pm and Sun, 3pm or 5:30pm thru Nov 23. Camera 3 Theater, 288 S. Second St, San Jose, 408.358.5907 or www.sjjff.org.

Suzanne Farrell Ballet 8pm. $20-$45. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8816, 408.998.TIXS or
www.flintcenter.com.

Mon, Nov 17

Tammy Nelson Singer Tammy Nelson performs a show titled "Love: Lost and Found." 8pm. $25. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, 408.283.0200 or www.tosps.com.

Wed, Nov 19

Chamber Singers Concert Conducted by Thomas Colohan. Part of the Music at Noon series. Noon. Free. Recital Hall, Santa Clara University, 408.554.4015 or www.scu.edu/cpa.

Ongoing

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. 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/

The Gifts of the Magi The Tabard Theatre Company kicks off its season with a holiday play based on two stories by O. Henry. Fri, Nov 14, 8pm, Sat, Nov 15, 3pm and 8pm. Thru Nov 22. $10-$15. South Valley Christian Church, 590 Shawnee Lane, San Jose, 408.979.0231 or www.tabardtheatre.org.

Hello, Dolly! West Valley Light Opera Association opens its 39th season with a musical comedy about a meddling matchmaker who sets out to make a match for herself--with a stingy millionaire. Fri, Nov 14-Sat, Nov 15, 8pm, Sun, Nov 16, 2:30pm (sold out). Thru Dec 6. $24 opening gala/$20-$22 regular performances. Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, 408.268.3777 or www.wvlo.org.

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. Thu, Nov 13-Fri, Nov 14, 8pm. Closes Sat, Nov 15, 8pm. $10-$12. Santa Clara Players Theater, Don and Warburton avenues, Santa Clara, 408.248.7993 or www.scplayers.org.

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.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Sunnyvale Community Players present the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Thu, Nov 13, 7:30pm, Fri, Nov 14-Sat, Nov 15, 8pm. Closes Sun, Nov 16, 2:30pm. $13-$18. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, 408.733.6611 or www.sunnyvaleplayers.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.

Mary's Wedding San Jose Repertory Theatre presents a romantic drama about a young Canadian couple separated by World War I. Thu, Nov 13-Fri, Nov 14, 8pm, Sat, Nov 15, 3pm and 8pm. Closes Sun, Nov 16, 2pm. $18-$52. 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.367.7255 or www.sjrep.com.

Montalvo Gallery "Inez Storer: Encore Narratives," recent works by Inez Storer. Part of a collaborative exhibit of Storer's works, also at the de Saisset Museum and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. Thru March 7. Also "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.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art "An Artist's Artist: The Legacy of Inez Storer," works by 14 of Storer's students. Part of a collaborative exhibit of Storer's works, also at the de Saisset Museum and Montalvo Gallery. Thru Jan 3. "Mixed Reviews," and "Dream," nighttime installations by Christian Marclay and Andrew Chung. Thru Jan 3. 451 S. First St, San Jose, 408.283.8155 or www.sjica.org.

San Jose Museum of Art "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.

Stanford's Cantor Arts Center "Hudson River School Masterworks," an exhibition of 55 paintings that include works by Thomas Cole, Frederic Church and others. "Print Matters: Explorations With Paper in Contemporary Prints." Ongoing thru Oct. ""Portraits by a Victorian Photographer," photos by Julia Margaret Cameron, which include portraits of Tennyson and Darwin. Thru Feb. 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 Works by Theodore Wores. Thru Feb 2004. Mon-Wed, 11am-5pm, Thu, 11am-9pm, Fri-Sun, 11 am-5pm. 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, 408.247.3754 or www.tritonmuseum.org.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Theatre on San Pedro Square presents a musical based on Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip. Thu, Nov 13-Sat, Nov 15, 8pm, Sun, Nov 16, 3pm. Dinner or brunch available 2 1/2 hours before show starts. Extended thru Jan. $15-$30. Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, 408.283.0200 or www.tosps.com.