Theater
Pear Slices 2018 The 15th annual Pear Slices is a collection of original, short plays — written by members of the Pear Playwrights Guild — that are brought to life by a single cast. May 3-20, Thursdays through Sundays, times vary. $10-$35, with discounts for seniors/students. The Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida, Mountain View. thepear.org
‘The Bridges of Madison County’ TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents the Tony Award-winning musical “The Bridges of Madison County,” based on the 1992 best-selling novel by Robert James Waller about love both lost and found. It will be directed by TheatreWorks artistic director and founder Robert Kelley. Ongoing until April 29, times vary. $40-$100. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. theatreworks.org
Springtide Comedic Medley Nikki Borodi will perform an acrobatic storytelling experience. A cappella group Business Casual and Un-scripted Theater Company will also perform. May 2, 6-8 p.m. $12. Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. menlopark.org
Concerts
Dave Miller Piano & Rebecca Dumaine vocalist Pianist Dave Miller Piano and vocalist Rebecca Dumaine will perform jazz standards. May 1, 7 p.m. $10 at the door. Angelicas, 863 Main St., Redwood City. Search tunestub.com for more info.
Emerging String Quartet Recital The musical ensemble known as Invoke encompasses traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz and minimalism. Invoke’s Stanford Recital will include traditional repertoire as well as original compositions. May 2, 12:30 p.m. Free. Stanford University, Campbell Recital Hall, Stanford. arts.stanford.edu
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale: ‘The Judas Passion’ The orchestra pays tribute to perhaps the best known of the Baroque composers, Arcangelo Corelli, who influenced not only his generation of composers but the next. Organist Richard Egarr conducts and also solos in the Handel Organ Concerto No. 15 in D Minor, HWV 304. April 25, 7:30-10 p.m. $15-$30. Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford. Search facebook.com/events for more info.
Talks & Lectures
Christensen Distinguished Lecture: Qiu Zhijie Artist Qiu Zhijie will talk about the decade he spent plotting out hundreds of intricate maps of the relationships among his various artworks. The resulting “Mapping the World Project” weaves together ideas, individuals, objects, incidents and situations and offers a possibility for understanding them in relation to each other. April 26, 5:30 p.m. Free. Oshman Hall, 355 Roth Way, Stanford. Search events.stanford.edu for more info.
Anna Yen and Jon M. Chu with Michael Whalen Documentary filmmaker Michael Whalen moderates an exclusive conversation between Anna Yen, author of “Sophia of Silicon Valley,” and director of “Crazy Rich Asians” (the movie adaptation of the bestselling book) Jon M. Chu on the cultures of the technology and entertainment industries. April 26, 7:30-9 p.m. $15-$50. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info.
The Art of Making Space Public This lecture will explore trends in public art over the last 30 years, from artists on the design team to environmental art, new technologies and art that promotes social justice. April 25, 4-6:15 p.m. $25 for members; $30 for non-members. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. Search events.stanford.edu for more info.
Dr. Leah Weiss Leah Weiss, who teaches one of the Stanford Graduate School’s most popular classes, “Leading with Mindfulness and Compassion,” discusses the issue of burnout. May 1, 7:30 p.m. Free, but RSVP appreciated. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info.
Free Speech Online: Social Media Platforms and the Future of Democracy A discussion featuring Juniper Downs, global head of Public Policy and Government Relations, YouTube; Nathaniel Persily, James B. McClatchy professor of law, Stanford Law School; Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO, National Constitution Center; and Larry Kramer, president, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. May 3, 5:30 p.m. Free. Stanford Law School Room 190, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford. 14948p.blackbaudhosting.com
SRI Organon Toastmasters SRI Organon Toastmasters helps community members become better public speakers and leaders by providing a supportive, positive environment for practicing communication and leadership skills. Guests are welcome to visit and join. Tuesdays, year-round. Free. First Baptist Church, 1100 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. sriorganon.com
Bill Thorness at Books Inc. Palo Alto Author and editor Bill Thorness shares his latest travel guide, “Cycling the Pacific Coast: The Complete Guide from Canada to Mexico.” April 26, 7-9 p.m. Free. Books Inc. Palo Alto, 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto. booksinc.net/event
Food & Drink
Portola Valley Farmers’ Market Year-round Thursday farmers’ market features fresh fruits and veggies, berries, specialty foods, fresh artisan baked goods, farm meats and eggs, honey, jams, nuts and nut butters, prepared foods, hot Roli Roti chickens, made-to-order crepes, tamales, crafts and body products. Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. Free. Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
Outdoor Recreation
Specialty Hikes and Tours These 90-minute specialty hikes and tours will run from through May 20. Explore Filoli’s Nature Preserve, tour Filoli’s historic greenhouses with a Filoli docent or discover how the families used the Estate and Nature Preserve. Specialty tours will focus on a variety of components of the Filoli property. $10. Filoli Gardens, 86 Old Canada Road, Woodside. filoli.org
Geology & Archaeology of Santa Clara County Parks Rangers Justin Everts and Bryan Lue from the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will discuss the geological and archaeological features found in county parks. Event is hosted by the Peninsula Gem & Geology Society. April 25, 7 p.m. Free. Hillside Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. pggs.org
Spring Tour: Gamble Garden Five Palo Alto gardens will be on the display and can be toured at leisure over the two-day event. April 27 and 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $25-$35, with discounts for group and Gamble Garden members. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. gamblegarden.org/support-us/spring-tour-2
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