Theater
San Francisco Mime Troupe’s ‘Schooled’
The San Francisco Mime Troupe, a theater company and socialist collective that annually presents timely, satirical shows in parks and plazas all over the Bay Area, returns to Palo Alto with “Schooled,” an original musical about the shaky state of the American education system. “Schooled” will be performed at Mitchell Park (south field) on Thursday, July 21 (music begins at 6:30 p.m.; play at 7 p.m.). Admission is free; donations are requested. Go to SFMT.
Fine art
‘Peaceable Kingdom’
“Peaceable Kingdom,” an exhibit of expressive watercolor paintings by Teresa Silvestri, will be on display at Portola Art Gallery throughout July. The paintings were inspired by the artist’s love of animals and feature both domestic and wild creatures. “It all begins with the eyes of an animal. I’m looking for an expression that emotionally touches me,” Silvestri said in a press release. The gallery is located at 75 Arbor Road Menlo Park and is open Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Go to Portola Art Gallery.
Family music
‘Phineas McBoof Crashes the Symphony’
Los Altos “kindie” musician Cory Cullinan, better known as Doctor Noize, will present the third installment in his “Phineas McBoof” series, “Phineas McBoof Crashes the Symphony,” at a record-release concert at the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, on Saturday, July 16, at 3 p.m. The two-act album, backed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring a number of notable guests, tells a screwball-musical-comedy tale of friendship and art. Admission to the event is free and, in addition to live music from Doctor Noize, a documentary on the album’s production will be screened, free drinks and snacks will be available, and the Doc will hang out and discuss the album’s production and purpose. Go to Doctor Noize.
Archaeology
‘Before Stanford: Founding Communities, Present Pasts’
Stanford archaeology students from the class “Museum Cultures: Material Representation in the Past and Present” examined the cultures and communities that inhabited Stanford lands before the university’s founding to create their “Before Stanford” exhibit. Covering Ohlone tribal people, Mexican and Spanish colonists and generations of laborers, the free exhibit is open all day every weekday through May, 2017, at Stanford Archaeology Center, Building 500, 488 Escondido Mall. Go to Stanford Events.
Concert
Schola Cantorum with New Millennium Chamber Orchestra
Schola Cantorum is teaming up with the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra for the first time for a performance of Bach’s “Magnificat” and Mozart’s “Requiem,” at which the audience is invited to sing along. The concert, one of six in the choral group’s Summer Sings series, will be conducted by Vance George and take place Monday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, Tickets are $13; ages 25 and under free with student ID. Go to Schola Cantorum.
Travelogue
‘All Eyes on Cuba’
Ron Herman, chair of Foothill College’s photography department, will present “All Eyes on Cuba,” a lecture, film and slideshow of photos demonstrating the changes taking place in Cuba since the restoration of diplomatic relations with the U.S., on Wed., July 20, at 7 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. The event is free and beverages will be provided. Go to Menlo Park Library.