Events Around the Bay – Week of January 23, 2017

“Read My Pins” – The Madeleine Albright Collection

On view through January 29

Catch the grand finale of “Read My Pins” at the Legion of Honor, a magnificent exhibit of more than two hundred pins and brooches from the personal collection of Madeleine Albright. The majority of these fascinating pieces was collected and worn during Albright’s service as US Ambassador to the United Nations (1993-1997) and as the first female Secretary of State (1997-2001), under President Bill Clinton. The interesting aspect of this exhibit is that Albright used her pins as a coded language to reflect her opinions and moods in acts of diplomacy. This Madam Secretary was definitely a glittering diplomat. Albright was born in Prague, Czech Republic, and is fluent in English, French, Russian, Polish and Czech.

Tickets and Information
415-750-3600
https://www.legionofhonor.org
Legion of Honor Museum
100 34th Avenue
San Francisco

Photo courtesy of Legion of Honor Museum

Gung Hay Fat Choy from Stanford

February 3, at 7:30 p.m.

The 2017 Stanford Pan Asian Music Festival brings “Music from Shanghai” as it celebrates the Year of the Rooster at this year’s Chinese New Year festivities at Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University. This performance will feature Symphony Silicon Valley conducted by Jindong Cai, with a 120-person chorus from the local Chinese community, and a spectacular group of soloists from the renowned Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Peking Opera Company. Shanghai is considered the cradle of Western classical music in China. The audience will enjoy colorful music written and performed by some of the most celebrated composers and soloists from Shanghai. The following historically significant pieces will be featured: “In Memoriam” and “My Home” by Huang Zi, 1929; “Butterfly Lovers,” violin concerto by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, 1959; Symphonic Peking Opera’s “Crouching Tiger by Strategy” from the Cultural Revolution, 1969; “Sorrowful Comfort” by Ye Xiaogang, 2010; “Drinking Wine by the Stream Game” by Ye Guohui, 2014.

Tickets and Information 
Prices range from $15 to $40
650-724-2464
https://live.stanford.edu/
Bing Concert Hall at 327 Lasuen Street at Stanford
Free parking after 4 p.m

Photo courtesy of Stanford Live

“Kinky Boots” in San Jose

Now through January 29

These shoes were definitely made for dancing. Energetic rock icon Cyndi Lauper won a Tony Award for this smash hit colorful musical which also garnered five additional Tony Awards. Based on the book by fabulous four-time Tony Award-winner and Broadway star Harvey Fierstein, the show is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell. “Kinky Boots” has won every major Best Musical Award and is represented around the world with the Tony Award-winning Broadway company now touring in its fourth year. From New York to London, Melbourne and Toronto, it finally found its way to San Jose. “Kinky Boots” tells the story of Charlie Price, who runs a straggling shoe factory until a performer named Lola (who else?) shows up looking for a sturdy pair of stiletto shoes. And as they say – the rest is history. Wear your favorite boots to this show, no stage appearance guaranteed but lots of fun and enjoyment are.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $43 to $153
800-982-2787
www.ticketmaster.com
Center for the Performing Arts
255 Almaden Boulevard in San Jose
Photo Courtesy of “Kinky Boots”

Golden Gate Dog Show in Daly City

January 28 & 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Woof, woof! For those of us who love dogs – this is the Super Bowl of dog shows. On one of three “benched” dog shows in the nation, the Golden Gate Kennel Club’s show allows the attendees an up-close look at hundreds of canines. Among 175 breeds featured in this show are sporting dogs such as retrievers, working dogs like Bernese mountain dogs, terriers and non-sporting dogs such as Dalmatians. In addition to the competition, there is (are you ready for this?) an all-breed fashion show, a Best Puppy in Show contest  (my favorite), and flyball demos. I wonder if I can bring my dog Kona to watch the show.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $9 to $15
415-404-4111
https://www.goldengatekennelclub.com
The Cow Palace at 2600 Geneva Avenue in Daly City
Photo courtesy of Golden Gate Kennel Club

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.