But galas are seldom designed to knock off anyone’s socks or throw down the artistic gauntlet. They’re parties serving a smorgasbord of tidbits, where fans, supporters and subscribers get a taste of the upcoming season, presented as entertainment and chosen to suit a celebration. The nearly three-hour show Thursday evening offered 12 ballet excerpts and one musical interlude. The dances ranged from “Coppèlia’s Waltz of the Hours,” with a chorus of charming students from the San Francisco Ballet School, to the irresistible trio of overlapping solos for three men entitled “Solo” by Hans van Manen, longtime choreographer and Netherlands Dance Theater veteran.
The Silver Creek Valley Country Club, opened in 1992, is about 1,500 acres of developed land including about 1,000 acres of open space, The gated membership-only club offers a championship golf course renovated by Mike Strantz, racket pavilion with lighted tennis courts, staffed fitness center, aquatic center, Mediterranean-style clubhouse and child care facility, The private and tranquil location is just about 10 miles from downtown San Jose with easy access to essie ballet slippers jual Highways 101 and 85, Price: $5,388,000Where: 2068 Biarritz Place, San JoseVirtual tour: www.ParkerAndBrownHomes.comListing agents: Alain Pinel Realtors: Eric Parker 408-202-9000 DRE# 01017235Nicki Brown 408-781-7389 DRE# 01272467 ParkerandBrown@apr.com, www.ParkerAndBrownHomes.com..
Night of Stars: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10. Benefits Peace Corps Let Girls Learn initiative. Performances by several South Bay Teen Idol winners. DJ music, dancing, light appetizers, beverages, a silent auction and raffle. Addison Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. $20-$100. http://www.lgnightofstars.eventbrite.com or 408-358-3636. Museum of American Heritage: “Thomas Edison and His Rivals — Bringing Electricity to America.” Through Feb. 18. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. www.moah.org or 650-321-1004.
Community School essie ballet slippers jual of Music and Arts, Mitchell Johnson, “Color and Shape.” Through May 26, Mohr Gallery, Community School of Music and Arts, Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, Free, www.arts4all.org or 650-917-6800, ext, 306, Stanford Art Spaces at Stanford University, Paintings by Bryan Ida and Warren Hedgpeth, fiber constructions by Aryana B, Londir, May 31-Aug, 8, Paul G, Allen Art Spaces Gallery, 420 Via Palou (corner of Campus Drive and Via Ortega), 8:30 a.m-5 p.m, weekdays, Free, Reception, 5-7 p.m, July 12, 650-725-3622 or http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros..
Morgan Tsvangirai, 65. Zimbabwe’s veteran opposition leader who for years was the most potent challenger to longtime ruler Robert Mugabe. Feb. 14. Jim Bridwell, 73. A hard-partying hippie and legendary climber who lived his life vertically on some of the toughest peaks in Yosemite National Park. Feb. 16. The Rev. Billy Graham, 99. He transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history. Feb. 21.