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| May 2-3: Art Glass Farmers Market. Take your pick of “fresh” fine art glass fruits, vegetables, flowers and more at this unique exhibit and sale. Fri 6-9; Sat 10-6. (San Jose: Circle of Palms, 170 S. Market St.; 408/745-7445; www.sjgaa.org) |
| May 3-4, 10-11, 17-18: Silicon Valley Open Studios. Hundreds of local artists from Hillsborough to Gilroy open the doors of their studios to the public. Discover new artistic talent or meet some of your favorite artists face to face. 11-3. (Various locations and times; visit www.svos.org for info.) |
| May 3-4: Maker Faire. Get crafty at this two-day, family-friendly event for do-it-yourselfers. If you love to create things, tinker around the house and find new uses for old things, this event is for you. Sat 10-10; Sun 11-6. (San Mateo: Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St.; 650/574-3247; www.makerfaire.com) |
| May 4: Cinco de Mayo Festival. Celebrate Mexican-American culture with music, costumed dancers, traditional arts, food and a parade. 10-6. (Downtown San Jose; 408/288-9470; www.sjgif.org/cincodemayo.html) |
May 4: Nikkei Matsuri Festival. Japantown comes alive with this event featuring Japanese cuisine, cultural crafts, a farmers market and entertainment, including a taiko drumming performance. 10-4. (San Jose: Japantown, Fifth & Jackson Sts.; 408/241-0900; www.pgbgroup.com/nikkeimatsuri)
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| May 4: Old Woodside Store Day. Travel back to the 1880s and get a taste of late 19th-century life with this San Mateo County Historical Association festival. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride; make rag dolls and twine; churn butter; and enter contests. 12-4. (Woodside: Woodside Store, 3300 Tripp Rd.; 650/299-0104; www.historysmc.org/wssday.html) |
| May 8-11: Filoli Flower Show. Just in time for Mother’s Day, this floral extravaganza is the ultimate Bay Area spring celebration, showcasing floral art and designer table settings in a historic home setting. Thurs 5:30-8; Fri-Sun 10-3:30. (Woodside: Filoli Gardens & Center, 86 Canada Rd.; 650/364-8300; www.filoli.org) |
| May 9-11: Stanford PowWow. California’s largest celebration of Native American cultures in California marks its 37th annual celebration. The all-day outdoor event includes traditional dances and food; vibrant arts and crafts; fun contests; and even a 5K Run/Walk. Fri 7-11; Sat 11-11; Sun 11-6. (Palo Alto: Stanford campus, at El Camino Real and Embarcadero Rd.; 650/723-4078; http://powwow.stanford.edu) |
| May 17-18: Mountain View À La Carte & Art. Kick back, have a drink or two, listen to live music and indulge in chef demonstrations, great food and, of course, great art during this highly anticipated annual event. 10-6. (Mountain View: Castro St. between Church St. and Evelyn Ave.; 650/964-3395; www.miramarevents.com) |
| May 17: Halau Na Wai Ola’s 12th Annual Ho’ike. Say “aloha” to this Hawaiian luau, with live band performances, carnival games for the kids, raffle drawings and “ono” (delicious) food. 5-9:30. (Saratoga: West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave.; 408/873-9778; www.nawaiola.com) |
| May 17: Immigrants Day Festival. Celebrate the Peninsula’s rainbow of cultures. Watch performance groups representing countries like China, Portuga and Ireland, and get a taste of their delicious cuisine. Highlights include a Chinese dragon dance and Irish dance. 12-4. (Redwood City: San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway; 650/299-0104; www.historysmc.org/annualimmigrants.html) |
| May 23-26: FanimeCon 2008. Northern California’s largest Japanese anime convention features anime screenings, a marketplace, live bands and surprise guests of honor. Times vary. (San Jose: McEnery Convention Center, 150 W. San Carlos St.; 800/SAN-JOSE; www.fanime.com) |
| May 23-25: Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show. Check out antique, classic and homebuilt aircraft, military planes, vintage cars, exciting aerobatics displays and helicopter and biplane rides. Fri, 12-8; Sat-Sun, 9-5. (Watsonville: Municipal Airport, off Hwy. 1; 831/763-5600; www.watsonvilleflyin.org) |
| May 24-25: Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival. Celebrate the fungus among us at this festival featuring food, strolling musicians and street performers, a wine garden and kids’ activities. Sat, 10-7; Sun, 10-6. (Morgan Hill: Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Rd.; 408/778-1786; www.mhmushroommardigras.com) |
| May 24-26: Roaring Camp Civil War Battles. Visit a recreated 19th-century encampment and see epic battles at one of the longest-running Civil War reenactments in the West. 9-6. (Felton: Graham Hill Rd.; 831/335-4484; www.roaringcamp.com/events.html) |
| May 24-26: Boulder Creek Art & Wine Festival. This event brings together art, food and wine. Enjoy a marketplace, live entertainment and area’s the best wines. 12-6. (Downtown Boulder Creek; 831/338-2578; www.bcba.net/art-wine.html) |
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