Mollie O’Brien in Concert–Tonight!
Aromas welcomes Mollie O’Brien in concert accompanied by husband Rich Moore on guitar, known as a dynamic acoustic duo performing contemporary and traditional folk music, blues, jazz and more, all with a warm and funny stage presence. O’Brien has been praised for her rich, fluid delivery and soulful, bluesy voice. It has been said that O’Brien and Moore are musical treasures keeping American music alive and vital. Come listen and be amazed on Friday, Oct. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Aromas Grange on Rose Avenue and Bardue Street. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Buy tickets at mollieobrien.com.
Spooks, Pumpkins, Mazes and more
When it comes to family Halloween fun time, this area has some of the best pumpkin patches to explore for spooks and mazes. Swank Farms in Hollister with its famous Nighttime Terror in the Corn and Manic Maze, also offers family-friendly activities, from rides to its Kiddy Corral. Visit swankfarms.com. Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park in Morgan Hill has a wide variety of entertainment and attractions, including a pumpkin weigh-off and live music. Visit morganhillpumpkins.com. Family-run farms Pumpkin Junction at Casa de Fruta in Hollister and Spina Farms in Morgan Hill both have pumpkins patches and Halloween fun. So if you haven’t yet, pack up the kids head for the farm before month’s end.
THE VALLEY
Rock with the Irish
‘Experience the difference’ with a new generation of performers as they execute breathtaking displays in Rockin’ Road to Dublin. Led by dancer and choreographer Scott Doherty and veteran Celtic rocker Chris Smith, this group of talented singers and players fuse the electrifying tradition of the Irish dance with modern rock music. The show tells a story of passion, loss and redemption using rock music and innovative storytelling, for a dynamic evening of entertainment. Join in on this Irish celebration on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the California Theatre, 345 S First St, San Jose. Tickets are $40 to $65 and can be purchased at sanjosetheaters.org.
Concert at Hogwarts
Harry Potter fans can experience the magic of the sound track through a live symphony orchestra with Symphony Silicon Valley’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Film Concert Series. Relive the adventure in high-definition on a 40-foot screen with unforgettable scores performed by John Williams. The film will feature a live symphony orchestra and a women’s choir performing every note from the movie. This is a once in a lifetime event celebrating Harry Potter films in three concerts beginning Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose. Order tickets at symphonysiliconvalley.org or call (408) 286-2600.
HOLLISTER
‘Damn Yankees’
San Benito Stage Company presents the musical ‘Damn Yankees’ with a talented cast of local teens. It’s called a home-run hit because of its all-American subject matter and cheeky sense of humor. Joe Boyd, a baseball fanatic, makes a deal with the devil for a chance to lead his team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. The musical opens Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and continues through Saturday, Nov. 12 at The Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St, Hollister. For showtimes and tickets go to brownpapertickets.com.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Ghost Walk
If you’re into the supernatural, the bizarre and downright eerie, then make your reservations for the San Juan Bautista Ghost Walk. This is the ninth year the San Juan Bautista Rotary Club will take believers and skeptics on guided tours of well-known locations for ghost sightings and paranormal activity. Someone must be disturbing the other side as new spirits and locations have emerged. The spirits are ready and waiting to show themselves on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29. Tours are scheduled for 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. beginning at Union Bank at the corner of Third and Mariposa streets. Tickets are $35 and include a gift bag and beverage. For more information, go to sanjuanbautistaca.com.
Esperanza Del Valle
The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration is a weekend-long cultural festival that honors and commemorates the lives of departed loved ones through dance, music, offerings and art. A full day of fun, family-oriented Day of the Dead activities are also planned, including viewing of the Altares at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse, at 705 Fourth St, San Juan Bautista, one hour prior to performance times. Two special processions will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $17 for seniors and students and $12 for kids under 12. For tickets and showtimes go to elteatrocampesino.com.
WATSONVILLE
Celebrate the Harvest
Giving thanks for the bounty from the field and the farmers for the harvest at the annual Farm to Table Harvest Dinner. Take time to check out unique, silent auction antique items. Dine with friends and family on a freshly prepared meal by Monterey Bay Caterers. Dinner will be followed by a live auction with auctioneer Terry Medina that promises to be entertaining. Items offered are yearly favorites and new Central Coast vacation opportunities, including a beachfront home that sleeps 12. Complete the evening with some foot-stomping to the sounds of the Buffalo Canyon Band on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Agricultural History Project Center and Museum, 2601 East Lake Ave. Tickets are $65. Find out more at aghistroyproject.org.
