Thu, July 22

Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series The 5-week series continues with a performance by Top 40 and Motown band The Crew. Thu, July 22, 6:30pm. Graystone Park, Camden Avenue and Mt. Carmel Drive, San Jose.

Big Poppa E Traveling performance poet Big Poppa E performs. Thu, July 22, 7:30pm-8:30pm. For Your Journey, 1435 The Alameda, San Jose, 408.947.1508. www.brokenword.org.

Miller Music in the Park The annual downtown outdoor music series. July 22: Roots rockers the BoDeans. www.BoDeans.com. Every Thu thru Sep. 5:30pm. Free. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408.295.1775 ext 42 or www.sjdowntown.com.

Music After Dark Live outdoor music performances in the heart of downtown San Jose's SoFA district. Thru Sep 30. Every Thu, 7pm-10:30pm. Free, Corner of South First and San Salvador streets, www.filco.com.

Fri, July 23

Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival The popular festival returns to Los Gatos for its third year with outdoor productions of three plays that play in rotation. "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare's comedy about the rocky road to romance for two couples. Showing this week on July 25, 8pm. Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," a smart comedy with romance, music, clowning and women dressed as men (in love with men). Showing this week on July 23, 8pm. "Legends of Arthur and Merlin," an inspiring tale based on the Arthurian Legend, with a cameo role by the Los Gatos mayor. Showing this week on July 24, 8pm. Festival runs thru Aug 1. Tickets for Much Ado and Twelfth Night are $12-$18. Tickets for Legends are $10-$15. Festival passes also available. Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, 408.996.0635 or www.festivaltheatreensemble.org.

Meet the Artists Reception Local artists Ed Cefalu and Dale Burney are exhibiting their paintings and pastels throughout the month of July at the Palace Cafe. They will be on hand at a reception for the exhibit on Fri, July 23, 7pm-8:30pm. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine specials will be offered. Admission is free. Palace Cafe, 139 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, 408.774.6100 or ed@edcefalu.com

Montalvo Summer Gala Linda Ronstadt and a 40-piece orchestra offer a gala evening of entertainment at a special fundraiser for Montalvo's programs. Fri, July 23, 8pm. $75-$300. Garden Theatre, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

The Wiz Children's Musical Theatre San Jose presents the Tony-winning funk and hip-hop retelling of "The Wizard of Oz." Thu, July 22-Fri, July 23, 7pm, Sat, July 24, 2pm and 7pm. Closes Sun, July 25, 1pm. $11-$15. Montgomery Theatre, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose, 408.288.5437 or www.cmtsj.org.

Sat, July 24

Half Hour Hamlet Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company presents six actors in 23 roles doing a four-hour play in 30 minutes. Sat, July 24, 7:30pm. Barnes & Noble, 5353 Almaden Expwy, San Jose, 408.979.0611.

San Jose Museum of Art A members' preview party will be held Sat, July 24, to celebrate the openings of two new exhibits at the San Jose Museum of Art. The party will feature DJs CatFive, a hosted bar and appetizers. 8pm. Free to members/$20 nonmembers. July 25 is the opening day for "Yoshimoto Nara: Nothing Ever Happens," paintings, drawings and sculptures by contemporary Japanese artist Yoshimoto Nara. Thru Oct 31. Nara will appear in conversation with rock critic Josh Kun and musician Carrie Brownstein of Sleater Kinney. Sun, July 25, 6pm. $30 members/$40 nonmembers. Also opening: "Art of Zines 04," artworks from local underground magazines or art books. Offered in collaboration with gallery Anno Domini. Thru Oct 31. 110 S. Market St, San Jose, 408.294.2787 or www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.

Sun, July 25

Concert in the Park The Peninsula Symphony presents its annual free pops concert featuring classical, jazz and movie theme selections. Sun, July 25, 3pm. Oak Creek Apartments, 1600 San Hill Rd, Palo Alto,
www.peninsulasymphony.org.

George Benson The Grammy-winning jazz superstar performs. Sun, July 25, 4pm. $45-$55. Front Lawn, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

Mon, July 26

Summer Sings Choral group Schola Cantorum presents a series of sing-alongs featuring masterpieces of choral repertoire under the direction of guest conductors. July 26: Dawn Reyes, assistant conductor of Schola Cantorum, conducts the Fauré "Requiem" and Vivaldi's "Gloria." 7:30pm. $8. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View, 650.903.6000 or www.scholacantorum.org

Wed, July 28

Cinema San Pedro Cinequest and POPULUS Presents sponsor a weekly outdoor movie series. The 10-week series runs through Sep 1. Wed, July 28: "The Birds," Alfred Hitchcock's famous horror masterpiece. Show begins at 8pm. Free. San Pedro Square, San Pedro and Santa Clara streets, San Jose, www.cinequest.org.

The Go-Gos All five original members of the top 80s girl group will perform. Wed, July 28, 7:30pm. $45-$75. Garden Theatre, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5858 or www.villamontalvo.org.

Ongoing

Art Museum of Los Gatos "Touch my books...please," a hands-on exhibit of works by Bay Area Book Artists. Also: Three series of paintings by artist Moje Menhardt. Thru July 31. Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Ave, Los Gatos, 408.354.2646.

CTC Summer Rep California Theatre Center presents three plays in repertory. "Proof" is the story of the troubled daughter of a brilliant mathematician coming to terms with family issues as well as her own possible genius. Closes Sat, July 24, 8pm. "A Walk in the Woods," a tale of two Cold War diplomats, a Russian and an American, whose personal talks lead to a negotiation in reducing nuclear weapons. Fri, July 23, 8pm; closes Sat, July 24, 4pm. Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Thu, July 22, 8pm; Sun, July 25, 2pm; closes Sun, July 25, 7pm. $18-$25. Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, 408.720.0873 or www.ctcinc.org.

d.p. Fong Galleries An exhibit featuring the works of Asian American Women Artists Association. Thru July 31. In the adjoining Wine Galleria: "Abstracteractions," paintings by Rachel Lazo. Aug 14. 377-383 S. First St, San Jose, 408.298.8877

Dare to Dream Arts Council Silicon Valley presents a multimedia exhibition of student artworks. Thru Aug 1. de Saisset Museum, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408.554.4528.

Drawing on the Edge A new exhibit presented by grassroots artists' group PAN (Professional Artists Network). The show explores edges in artwork--how lines define forms and spaces. Thru July 31. Gallery EXPO,
383 S. First St, San Jose.

La Galleria "Structures of Suffering," an exhibit of works by more than 30 artists who present a universal, personal, visual and textual exploration of the nature of suffering. Thru July 31. Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Road, San Jose, 408.393.3567.

MACLA "Rogue Nations: Cuban and Chinese Artists," an exhibit that explores the art of two countries with similar socialist histories. Thru Aug 28. 510 S. First St, San Jose, 408.998.ARTE or www.maclaarte.org.

Montalvo Gallery "Laurie Hogin: Paradise in Peril," an exhibition of paintings featuring allegorical images that depict exotic animals in toxic environments. Thru Aug 29. Montalvo Gallery, Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, 408.961.5813.