16 South Bay Accent
CALENDAR
orchids, the event offers expert seminars, horticultural
demonstrations and plants for sale.
Tickets $10-$50. Free for children 16 and
younger. Hall of Flowers, Ninth Avenue at Lincoln
Boulevard, San Francisco. 415/831-5500.
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year
Parade. Feb. 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Started in
the 1860s by the Chinese to educate the community
about their culture, this iconic San
Francisco event is one of the few remaining
nighttime illuminated parades in North
America and the biggest parade celebrating the
lunar new year outside of Asia. 415/982-3000.
37th Annual Clam Chowder Cook Off &
Festival. Feb. 24-25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Costumed
chefs — both amateur and professional
— prepare their tastiest clam chowder recipes
along the Boardwalk for spectators to sample
their favorites. The event is a flavorful fundraiser
for the City of Santa Cruz Parks and
Recreation Department. Free; tasting kits $10.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St.,
Santa Cruz. 831/423-5590.
Cinequest Film Festival. Feb. 27-March
11, times vary. This dynamic festival includes
works by emerging filmmakers and established
industry professionals. Grab a tub of popcorn
and a front row seat to more than 200 international
films and participate in cinephilecentered
events. Ticket prices vary. Multiple
locations throughout San Jose. 408/295-FEST.
MARCH
Celtic Nights: Oceans of Hope. March 2,
8 p.m. This lively new production brings to
life the story of America, Australia, Canada
and New Zealand told through Irish eyes via
music, song, dance and narration. Tickets $49.
Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell
Ave., Campbell. 408/866-2700.
Makers Market in the Park. March 3, 10
a.m.-6 p.m. Visit this curated marketplace
and shop local artists selling U.S. Handcrafted
goods such as jewelry, handbags, ceramics,
glassware, soaps and candles. Enjoy the beautiand
largest Irish heritage parade showcases
the very best in Emerald Isle history and culture
through live performances, arts and crafts
exhibitors and more. This is the largest St.
Patrick’s Day event west of the Mississippi,
attracting more than 100,000 people each
year. Downtown San Francisco. Visit uissf.org
for more information.
San Jose Super Toy and Comic Book Show.
March 3-4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Indulge your inner
child with more than 250 tables of nostalgia
inducing collectibles. Geek out over the
vast variety of vintage toys, classic comics,
video games and mint condition memorabilia
at Silicon Valley’s longest-running toy
and comic book convention. Free. Santa Clara
County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San
Jose. 415/459-3433.
408K Race to the Row. March 4, 8 a.m. This
fun point-to-point course features the famous
“Mariachi Mile” and “Memorial Mile.” The
408k course winds through some of San Jose’s
most charming neighborhoods, including the
Alameda business district and the historic Rose
Garden, before an exciting Santana Row finish
and post-race party. Tickets $20-$49. San Jose.
408/213-9563.
Hop ‘N Vine Festival & Market. March
10, 2-8 p.m. This epicurean event returns
for a second year to quench your thirst for
local flavor. Featuring the bounty of wineries
and craft breweries located in Santa
Clara County, along with light bites and
entertainment, this event draws crowds of
culinary connoisseurs. Tickets $45-$65.
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds,
344 Tully Road, San Jose.
415/459-3433.
Miss & Mrs Vietnam
USA. March 11, 3-6 p.m.
Elegant ladies and dapper
gents compete as pageant
contestants to be
crowned queen of the
court and named the
winner of this glamorous
competition.
This annual event
is a celebration of
the best and brightest
of the South Bay’s
vibrant Vietnamese
American community.
Santa Clara Convention
Center, 5001
Great America Parkway,
Santa Clara. 415/459-3433.
SCV Gem & Mineral Festival.
March 17-18, 10 a.m.-5
p.m. Unearth all things rock
related at this mineral-rich fair.
Watch artists at work on lapidary
sculptures, transforming
rocks into works of art and jewelry;
learn to identify rock specimens;
and ogle the dazzling
ful outdoor park and support local small business
as you indulge in a little retail therapy. Free.
377 Santana Row, San Jose. 408/551-4611.
Dancing with the Stars Live. March 9, 8
p.m. The dance spectacular based on the hit
TV show takes center stage in San Jose. Look
for favorite dancers including Lindsay Arnold,
Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess and Artem
Chigvintsev performing brandnew
numbers as well as re-creations
of some of the show’s
most memorable moments.
Tickets $49.95-$79.95. San Jose
Center for the Performing Arts,
255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose.
800/653-8000.
166th Annual San
Francisco St. Patrick’s
Day Parade
& Festival. March
11, 10 a.m.-5
p.m. The West
Coast’s oldest
TOP LEFT: LAURA DOMELA; BOTTOM: AMANDA SEARLE
Storm Large, March 20, Carriage House Theatre, Saratoga; The Matter of
Photography in the Americas, Feb. 7–Apr. 30, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford
Eddie Izzard,
Feb. 25, Fox Theatre,
Redwood City
