March 2008 Events Calendar California

Featured Events: Ballets -  Just Balanchine in San Jose & Coppellia Ballet in Westminster

SAN JOSE - Ballet San Jose: Just Balanchine.  Theme and Variations, The Four Temperaments and Serenade.  Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA. Time: Thurs, Fri, and Sat at 8 p.m.; Sun 1:30 p.m. Cost: $25-$82. Call: (408) 288-2800 x 204. balletsanjose.org

WESTMINSTER - "COPPELIA" by Ballet Repertory Theatre is the tale of Doctor Coppelius, an eccentric toymaker, who creates a doll that is so lifelike many refuse to believe that she is not real. As a young couple argues over the doll, the comical twists and turns that follow provide perfect family entertainment. As a special treat, Anthony Sellars will be performing the whimsical role of Doctor Coppelius and Christopher Sellars, guest artist from Ballet West, will be dancing the role of Franz.  Ballet Repertory Theatre is offering very affordable youth and student pricing, making this ballet production accessible to youth. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and only $5 for children under 11. To order tickets, please call the Rose Center Theater box office at 714-793-1150 or go in person Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 6 pm. Location: Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA 92683

BELMONT  - Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival, Carlmont Village Shopping Center, Ralston Avenue at Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA. Time: 10am-5pm. Contact Pacific Fine Arts: (209) 296-1195. pacificfinearts.com.

CAMPBELL -  Pinot Paradise. Celebrate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir with 30 wineries specializing in Pinot, accompanied by gourmet cuisine from fine Bay Area restaurants and specialty food providers. On Saturday many of the wineries participating in Pinot Paradise will have special barrel samples of Pinots for you to enjoy. Some even have older vintages open so you can do vertical tastings. Tickets for this self-guided tour are $25. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Villa Ragusa, 35 S. Second St., Campbell, CA Call: (831) 685-8463. scmwa.com

COSTA MESA - Crossroads of the West Gun Show - Over 30 years as the West's largest and highest quality show offers hundreds of tables to meet the needs hunters to the avid collectors. Location: Buildings 10, 12, 14, 16 & Parade of Products. Time: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: $12 adult;  $11 seniors; children under 12 admitted free with adult. Call: (801) 544-9125
crossroadsgunshows.com

CRESCENT CITY - Aleutian Goose Festival. Endangered species viewing, workshops, ocean view walks, and other activities will focus on the Northern Redwood Coast's Aleutian Goose. From coastal bluffs, witness the spectacle of thousands of Aleutian geese rising from Castle Rock after their night's rest. Watch them fill the dawn sky overhead with a symphony of wingbeats and sound as they move to feed in nearby pasture and farmland. This event is free, but you must obtain a ticket. Location: Crescent City, CA. Call: (800) 343-8300. aleutiangoosefestival.org

EUREKA -  Redwood Coast Jazz Festival. Enjoy three fun-filled days of Jazz, swing, calypso, zydeco and more on six stages in the 18th annual jazz festival event. The event begins on March 27 and continues through the weekend.  110 shows happening all over town with food, beverages and nonstop fun everywhere! Locations: Downtown/OldTown Eureka. Friday night special guest artist:  The Brubeck Brothers Quartet and Incendio. Tickets: $20 - 110. Call: (707) 445-3378. redwoodjazz.org

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Paintball Competition. Annual National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) returns to the beach for first leg of a national paintball competition tour. Held at Huntington City Beach.  Admission to watch is free. Location: 317 Pacific Coast Highway (approx.), Huntington Beach, CA. Time:  Trade Expo Trade Show opens daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Paintball competition time: 7:30 am to 8pm. Event runs through March 30, 2008.  nppl.tv

IRVINE - Quick Draw Paint-Off Attracts Art Enthusiasts. The 2nd Annual Quick Draw Paint-Off will give art enthusiasts the opportunity to view original Plein Air (French for “open air”) paintings of local historic sites created by renowned artists, while they watch. The paintings will be up for bid during the auction, even before the paint dries!  The event will feature live music, lunch for purchase from Ruby’s Diner, information booths and amazing works of art. Hosted by the Capistrano Valley Conservancy (CVC), along with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, all funds raised will support the efforts of the Capistrano Valley Conservancy. Artists begin painting at 10 a.m. Bidding begins at noon.  Admission: This family-friendly event is free and parking will be available on-site. For more information, visit cvconservancy.com. Location: Irvine Ranch Historical Park, 13042 Old Myford Road, Irvine, CA 92602

LOMPOC - Mountain Men at Mission La Purisima.  Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Highway 246 near Lompoc. lapurisimamission.org

NICE -Festival of Tulips. 2008 Festival of Tulips includes over 50,000 tulips, live music and wine tasting. Cost: $25 - 30/day.  Time: Noon - 4 p.m.  Location: Tulip Hill Vineyard, 4900 Bartlett Springs Rd., Nice, CA. Call: (707) 274-9373. tuliphillwinery.com

SAN DIEGO - Reggae Roots Legend Luciano in Concert. WorldBeat Cultural Center Presents this fundraiser for WorldBeat's Youth Media Arts Department. Luciano's music is based in reggae tradition and has been consistently praised for imparting sentiments of spiritual salvation, Rastafarian edification and African repatriation. Time: Doors open at 8 pm. Cost: $20. Location: WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA. Call: Jesse Graham 619-230-1190. worldbeatcenter.org

SAN FRANCISCO - Mangia! North Beach Food Tour - The only walking tour that gives participants the full San Francisco North Beach experience including Italian history, food knowledge, delicious tastes along the way, fun anecdotes and a 3-course lunch with wine. Learn why the Italian people came to North Beach and how they lived. Stop at an almost 100-year-old bakery where you munch on Italian cookies, sausage, focaccia and have lunch at Rose Pistola.  There are about 8 blocks walking total, with many stops. Rain does not cancel tour. Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $80/ person. Call: (415) 302-5898, Reservations a must. graceannwalden.net

WESTMINSTER - "COPPELIA" by Ballet Repertory Theatre. "Coppelia" is the tale of Doctor Coppelius, an eccentric toymaker, who creates a doll that is so lifelike many refuse to believe that she is not real. As a young couple argues over the doll, the comical twists and turns that follow provide perfect family entertainment. As a special treat, Anthony Sellars will be performing the whimsical role of Doctor Coppelius and Christopher Sellars, guest artist from Ballet West, will be dancing the role of Franz. Time: 2 & 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and only $5 for children under 11. Tickets, call Rose Center Theater box office at 714-793-1150. Location: Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA 92683

YUBA CITY -  Yuba City Spring Home, Garden and Recreation Show.  This 15th annual event includes over 400 exhibitors in six halls. The Yuba-Sutter area is one of the fastest growing in the nation. Recently ranked as the best place to do business by Forbes Magazine, this Home Show is a favorite among the locals. Readers of the local newspaper recently rated it as one of the top events in the area. Time: Noon to 6 pm. Location & address: Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, Yuba City. Tickets: Adult $5; Senior $1; 12 and under Free with paying adult.  Call: (530) 671-9600. totalhomeshow.com

NEWPORT BEACH - Southern California Whale Watching on Orange County Cruise’s Newport Landing cruise offers multiple whale watching trips daily departing from Newport Beach. Runs through April 30, 2008.  Tickets

DANA POINT Cruise Photos & Tickets! - Each winter, thousands of California Gray Whales leave the cold Artic Seas and follow the coastline to the warm, calm waters of Southern California and Baja. This 5,000-mile migration brings much of the pod past Dana Point, where pods of Giant Grays can be easily seen and photographed. Dana Wharf Sportfishing – (949) 496-5794  www.danawharfsportfishing.com; Dana Island Yacht Charters – (949) 248-7400  www.danaislandyachts.com;  Ocean Institute – (949) 496-2274  www.ocean-institute.org; Aventura Sailing Association – (949) 493-9493 www.aventurasailing.com;  Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari – (949) 488-2828 www.dolphinsafari.com | Dana Point Hotels

REDONDO BEACH - California gray whale migration from the Arctic to Baja and back. Dolphins, Harbor Seals and Sea Lions and the beautiful Santa Monica Bay coastline on three-hour experience.  (310) 372-2111 rbmarina.com

SAN DIEGO -  Annual migration of California gray whales to the warm breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California. Glimpse these peaceful "giants of the sea" from Cabrillo National Monument or on special whale-watching cruises. 619-557-5450 or 619-236-1212

 Mar. 28 < March  29 > Mar. 30

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