Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies and Museum
1 Washington Square
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 95192
(408) 924-4590
www.sjsu.edu/depts/beethoven
The museum focuses on the German composer’s life and music.  In the collection are early editions of his music, memorabilia, and original manuscripts.

San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market St
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 271-6840
www.sjmusart.org
This downtown art museum focuses on contemporary California art. The museum’s collection includes paintings, photography, glasswork, and sculptures. The museum also hosts poetry readings, seminars, and other events.

Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warbuton Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 247-3754
www.tritonmuseum.org
The Triton Museum is dedicated to displaying modern art from the Valley and Bay areas. The museum also hosts international exhibits during the year, and has lectures periodically.

San Jose Repertory Theatre
101 Paseo de San Antonio
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 291-2255

The theatre hosts a wide range of productions each season, including children’s theatre and international performances. There are also classes, workshops, and other exhibits every now and then.

San Jose Stage
490 South 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 283-7142

The San Jose Stage tends to avoid big popular productions and focus on smaller artistic plays.  It seats 200 people.  The theater also hosts an annual art series.

Cantor Arts Center
Lomita Dr at Museum Way
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA 94305
650-723-4177
www.museum.stanford.edu
More than 25 galleries highlight  photography and  18th and 19th century American art. There’s also a sculpture garden and a collection of Mediterranean artifacts.

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2366
www.paacf.org
This museum keeps a sense of humor and fun about art. Many of the exhibits focus on artists from the area, while others pick a theme and run with it.

Palo Alto Players
Lucie Stern Theatre
1305 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-0891
www.paplayers.org
The Palo Alto Players have been around for more than 70 seasons and have won accolades for their performances.  Since its founding in the Depression, the group has focused on bringing a diverse selection of productions.

Stanford Lively Arts
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA
(650) 725-2787

Stanford Lively Arts is a series of productions that runs from October through May and showcases various arts from across the globe. Most performances are at Dinkelspiel or Memorial Auditorium.

TheatreWorks
Mountain View Center
500 Castro St
Mountain View, CA 94101
(650) 463-1960
www.theatreworks.org
TheatreWorks has been around for morethan three decades putting on productions ranging from musicals to dramas.  They perform at two separate venues in the Silicon Valley.

West Bay Opera
Lucie Stern Theatre
1305 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 424-9999
www.wbopera.org
West Bay’s puts on 18 different operas each year; both well known and more obscure.  For operas in other languages, the group projects translations onto a screen.

Opera San José
2149 Paragon Dr
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 437-4450
www.operasj.org
The Opera was started more than 20 years ago in downtown San Jose.  The company tends to perform the most popular and well known operas.

San Jose Symphonic Choir
72 North 5th St, Suite 19
San Jose , CA 95112
(408) 995-3318
www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org
Beginning its 82nd season, San Jose Symphonic Choir is one the country’s most successful volunteer choral societies. The 110-voice Choir presents performances in the fall, winter, and spring of each year.  Handel’s “Messiah” is especially popular.  The Choir also tours the country and internationally.

Lucie Stern Theatre
1305 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2261
Really a theater complex, the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto plays home to the Children’s Theatre, the Palo Alto Players, Theatreworks and the West Bay Opera, in addition to the city’s Recreation Department.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose
1717 Technology Dr
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 453-7108
www.amtsj.org
This group specializes in big, Broadway-style performances.  The theatre also serves as a training ground for up-and-coming actors.  It performs at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

Big Lil’s Barbary Coast Dinner Theatre
157 West San Fernando St
San Jose, CA 95113-2108
(408) 295-7469
The shows here are reminiscent of the vaudeville era and ragtime music adds to the atmosphere.  Dinner plus the performance costs around $40.