Son to direct playwright Luis Valdez’s ‘ Zoot Suit’
Kinan Valdez— son of playwright Luis Valdez and producing artistic director of El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista — is directing San Jose State’s production of his father’s groundbreaking play, “Zoot Suit.” It’s the first time the play— which was the first Chicano play on Broadway when it made its 1979 debut and was later made into a movie — has been performed at the university, Luis Valdez’s alma mater.
“The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for our first production of ‘ Zoot Suit,’ ” said San Jose State Professor Barnaby Dallas. This year marks the 50th anniversary of El Teatro Campesino, and Dallas notes that Valdez’s first full- length play, “The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa, ” was originally produced by the school’s theater department when Luis was a student there.
Luis Valdez is expected to attend the opening night performance Thursday . The play runs through May 2, and tickets are available for $ 10-$ 20 at www. sjsu. edu/ trft.
FASHION FUNDRAISER: Alpha Delta Kappa — a philanthropic sorority of educators — also picked a winner by using Derby Day as the theme for its annual fundraiser Saturday at the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. The 225 guests at the luncheon enjoyed a fashion show featuring clothes from Chico’s at Santana Row and fashionable hats — perfect for the derby — from Black Cat Hats in Los Gatos.
Proceeds from the benefit go to support sending Sunnyvale fifth- graders to Walden West outdoor science camp, as well as Sunnyvale Community Services, Support Network for Battered Women, the Grateful Garment Project and InnVision Shelter Network.
TOAST TO THE PLANET: Good to know you can celebrate the 45th annual Earth Day on Wednesday without leaving the comfort of your bar stool. The San Jose Marriott plans to dim its regular lights in both the lobby and the Tanq Bar, providing illumination with electric candlelight. And to go with the moonlight theme, Tanq’s bartenders will be serving up a special moonshine- inspired cocktail.
Sounds like a nice way to end the day for 20 volunteers from the hotel, who will kick off the morning by cleaning up Plaza de Cesar Chavez. “From park cleanups to cocktails by candlelight, it’s about making responsible decisions that conserve natural resources and protect the environment,” General Manager John Southwell said.
EARTH DAY, TOO: If you’re looking for more traditional Earth Day events, San Jose State’s Environmental Resource Center has a lot happening on the campus’ Tower Lawn from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Activities include a resource fair, compost workshop and a petting zoo. And the school’s Associated Students has organized the seventh annual “Trashion Fashion Show,” with students modeling both recycled clothing and their own designs made with recycled materials, starting at 6 p. m. at the Campus Village Courtyard.