Events Around the Bay – Week of October 13, 2017

André Rieu Waltzes his Way to San Jose
October 24 at 8 p.m.

Celebrate the global revival in waltz music as André Rieu, world-renowned violinist and musical phenomenon, and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, the largest private orchestra in the world, make you sing and dance in the aisles of the spacious and architecturally stunning SAP Center, located in downtown San Jose. Known as the King of Romance, André Rieu is staging a spectacular and passionate extravaganza for all the romantics and lovers of beautiful music in the Bay Area and beyond. You too can join the ranks of Rieu’s devoted fans and enjoy his performance in the heart of Silicon Valley. “My concerts are about joy and love!” says Rieu. People often ask me, “How do you choose your program? – The answer is: with my heart. I love Johann Strauss but I am also fascinated by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Bruce Springsteen. In addition to waltzes, the repertoire includes a number of film scores, folk songs and musicals.” Dancing in the aisles is encouraged and permitted as long as you have your romantic partner and comfortable dancing shoes. You may even wear a sparkling evening gown and an elegant tuxedo.

Tickets and Information

Prices range from $100 to $279
408-287-7070
www.sapcenter.com/events/detail/andrerieu
525 West Santa Clara Street in San Jose

Photo courtesy of Andre Rieu

Virtuoso Pianist Jon Nakamatsu joins Peninsula Symphony on his 20th Anniversary Celebration Concerts
October 27 at the Performing Arts Center in San Mateo at 8 p.m. (pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.)
October 28 at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell at 8 p.m. (pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.)

Virtuoso pianist Jon Nakamatsu, the 1997 Gold Medal Winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the first American winner in sixteen years, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of this monumental triumph as a soloist with the Peninsula Symphony’s season-opening “Perfect Fifth” concerts. Nakamatsu will be performing Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto #5.” The impressive program, with music director/conductor Mitchell Sardou Klein, also includes Tchaikovsky’s epic “Fifth Symphony” and Mendelssohn Hensel’s stately “Overture in C.” Do not miss this highly-anticipated performance as Jon Nakamatsu will be playing a very special surprise piece of the evening with the symphony. This truly is a very special treat and a priceless gift for the music lovers and music aficionados in the Bay Area.

Tickets and Information

Prices range from $10 to $40
www.peninsulasymphony.org
San Mateo Performing Arts Center
600 N Delaware St. in San Mateo
Heritage Theatre
1 W Campbell Ave. in Campbell

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Symphony

Halloween Convention Brings Famous Monsters to San Jose
October 27-29

Ah, the “What do we do on Halloween weekend?” conundrum. The answer: Everything. But beware! Stars and Spooks are on their way to San Jose. Plenty of surprises await the capital of Silicon Valley as the visiting Famous Monsters descend on San Jose’s Convention Center for their annual Halloween gathering. This is not just your usual panels and autographs sessions — the convention is the largest collection of scare-themed attractions for you to tremble and scream. Are you ready for this? This brand new event has plenty of surprises in store for the Bay Area’s most discerning party-goers. With the largest collection of scare-themed attractions, a ticket to the show comes with mini haunted houses, ghostly artifact tours, special effects makeup demos and trembling horror gaming experiences, a costume contest, and kid-friendly trick or treating and spooky storytelling. There’s even a George Romero-inspired Hall of the Dead zombie experience sponsored by the U.S. Army. If you are curious and intrigued – this convention is definitely for you! There are plenty of premium add-ons for people who want to drink and mingle. Friday night brings the Famous Monsters Halloween Dance Party, taking place at The Glass House with DJ sets and costume competitions. Saturday night boasts an option for a VIP Celebrity Dinner alongside all the convention’s special guests. Each night also offers performances of Rocky Horror Show: Live, a full-fledged musical production, for both early risers and night owls. And remember: it’s Halloween and people want to have fun, enjoy surprises, and party all day and all night long, alongside some celebs. No sleep for you!

Tickets and Information

To buy tickets for the Halloween Convention and its tie-in parties, visit their website: https://www.famousmonstershalloween.com.

Photo courtesy of Famous Monsters

This Halloween, Harry Potter is in San Jose
October 27 through October 29

This Halloween something wicked comes to San Jose and we all have been waiting for this: Symphony Silicon Valley is bringing the third installment of the beloved Harry Potter film concert series with “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Audiences will experience the next chapter of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series with Symphony Silicon Valley and SSV Chorale performing every note from the ever so popular and never forgettable Harry Potter. The film plays on a high definition screen above the stage. In “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who seems to pose a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse, half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination. They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted dwelling in Britain. Scarred? Intrigued? The Harry Potter Film Concert Series, which is another magical experience from J.K Rowling’s Wizarding World, kicked off in June 2016 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Symphony Silicon Valley is presenting the complete series of films through 2018. See you in San Jose.

Tickets and Information

Prices range from $45 to $95
408.286.2600 ext. 23
www.symphonysiliconvalley.org
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
255 S. Almaden Blvd in San Jose

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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.