‘Ragtime’
Stanford University’s BLACKstage theater company, which aims to present creative and performance opportunities for people of color as well as tell stories about communities underrepresented in traditional theater, is staging the musical “Ragtime” May 12-14 at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Drive, Stanford.
“We chose Ragtime because of how pertinent it is to our current political climate,” BLACKstage’s Vice President Adriana Ganem said. “‘Ragtime’ is a reminder that no one should sit silent in the face of injustice. This story was dying to be told a year ago and it is now more pertinent than ever in the wake of the 2016 election.”
The show depicts the intertwined lives of several characters in early 20th-century New York: an aristocratic woman, a Jewish immigrant from Eastern Europe and a black musician from Harlem, all pursuing their version of the American Dream. “‘Ragtime’ explores themes of police brutality, segregation, privilege, cultural appropriation, classism, immigration, gender roles, among many others that don’t often get featured on stages, both on Stanford campus and beyond,” Ganem said. Performances are free and open to the public, and will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Go to BLACKstage.
Silicon Valley Open Studios
Each year for a few weeks in spring, the fine artists of Silicon Valley open the doors to their studios to give the public a peek at their work and workspaces. The annual festival continues this weekend (May 13-14), with studios in the greater Palo Alto/Mountain View/Los Altos area open to visitors. Local artists (around 300) in a variety of media will participate, including Palo Alto painter Karen White and many others. For a complete list of locations, artists and contact information visit SVOS.
‘The Colors of Hawai’i”
A photography exhibition of Hawaiian landscapes, seascapes, flowers and wildlife will be on display during the month of May at the Portola Art Gallery at 75 Arbor Road (Allied Arts Center) in Menlo Park. The exhibition, called “The Colors of Hawai’i,” shows photos from Kaua’i’s remote Napali coast, the Haleakala National Park and wildlife on the Big Island. Frances Freyberg, a Menlo Park resident, is a portrait, wildlife, nature and architecture photographer. Go to francesfreyberg.com.
‘Art in the Park’
The Los Altos Rotary’s annual Fine Art in the Park festival, involving around 150 artists displaying works in a variety of media; live music; food, family-friendly activities and more, will be held May 20-21 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park, 199 University Ave., near downtown Los Altos. Local artists involved include Palo Alto potter Joy Imai, Los Altos sculptor Anne Klocko, Menlo Park jewelry maker Soni Bergman and Los Altos painter Stephanie MacLean, among many others. The event kicks off after the annual Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade, and proceeds go to community-agencies and international-development programs. Free parking is available at Los Altos High School and other locations with shuttle service to and from the park. Go to Fine Art in the Park.