ballet slippers

Taste of Compassion: West Valley Community Services presents a dinner to benefit services to prevent hunger and homelessness in Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and West San Jose. Nov. 22 and 23. $24 in advance/$26 at the door. Florentine Restaurant, 10275 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino. 408.255.0833, ext. 152, or www.wvcommunityservices.org/taste. Book-Go-Round: The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries’ Book-Go-Round present an extensive collection of “Good As New” books, including children’s books, art and photography, cookbooks, crafts and home arts, local, state, national and world history books and travel books. The “Good As New” special feature premieres Nov. 26 and runs through December. Proceeds from the Book-Go-Round fund programs and new books for the Saratoga Library. 14410 Oak St., Saratoga. 408.867.5552 or www.bookgoround.com.

Angela Smith, an incoming freshman at University of Colorado in Boulder, is a frequent Bay Area concertgoer who said the Manchester attack has made her more wary of where she is, yet it doesn’t discourage her from going to more shows, “Added security would definitely be OK,” Smith said, “Usually it’s just a bag search and maybe a pat down, but I have security checks down, so it’s pretty quick.”, Megan Sidlow also has some concerns about an Aug, 2 concert she’s planning to attend at Oracle Arena, “I’m a little worried about the Ed Sheeran concert,” said Sidlow, a rising senior at Branham High School in San Jose, She fears the show could be a huge target for terrorism because its location in the Bay ballet slippers Area and Ed Sheeran together symbolize Western culture and innovation..

Lafferty was described as innovate and creative, a talented singer and writer, “a kind soul” with a wicked sense of humor and a brave and gutsy guy who still wrote poetry to his wife Yvonne, even after 58 years of marriage. “I will never forget you,” one mourner, Al Losado, said. “The billboard up ahead says ‘case solved, case closed.’ Farewell and Godspeed.”. Another spoke of how Lafferty had taught him what forgiveness was, having granted it to him when he really hadn’t deserved it.

Thumbelina: Families can enjoy songs and stories, then view a preview of “Thumbelina,” performed by students from the Academy of Classical Ballet, May 6, 7:15-8:15 p.m, Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell, Free, 408-866-1991, Guitar Night: An evening of guitar music in a variety of styles, will be performed by both professional and student ballet slippers guitarists from the SJG School of Music in Campbell, Featuring guitar ensembles, duos and soloists, May 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m, Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell, Free, 408-866-1991..

While I usually shun seeing this oft-performed classic, I knew I’d be in for a treat when I saw Susannah Martin listed as director. I’ve had the privilege of working with her before and know firsthand how she can bring a new prospective and her keen understanding to a play. Martin embraces silences in this production, allowing her actors to find all the nuances and depth Wilde intended. I swear I could smell the Heliotrope described by the Stage Manager (marvelous portrayal by Madeline H.D. Brown) growing in Mrs. Gibb’s garden. Additional seating has been placed on the stage facing the permanent audience space with the action taking place in between and all around. The audience truly becomes part of Grover’s Corners as actors sit among you and enter/exit from everywhere. Several times, I found myself singing as the choir director (Christopher White) led the actors (and us) in song.