Opera San Jose is celebrating film ‘Amadeus’ at California Theatre

Opera San Jose has put together a real treat for Mozart lovers and movie buffs with a 35th anniversary screening of “Amadeus” at the majestic California Theatre on Aug. 9.

Among his many compositions, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote 22 operas during his lifetime, including some favorites that Opera San Jose has performed over the years. The 1984 film, directed by Milos Forman, dramatizes Mozart’s rivalry with Antonio Salieri and won eight Academy Awards. The print being used for the screening actually comes courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.

It’s a real shame the movie projector at the California Theatre is rarely used outside of two weeks a year during the Cinequest film festival (which annually includes a Silent Cinema event that is an audience favorite). Like other historic Bay Area theaters including the Stanford, the Castro and the Paramount, the California provides a fantastic backdrop for watching movies. It would be wonderful to have more regular screenings there in the future, alongside Opera San Jose and Symphony Silicon Valley performances. Maybe “Amadeus” can be the start of something.

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are available for $5 each by calling 408- 437- 4450 or going to operasj.org. Be aware that the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest also will be taking place that night, so traffic and parking downtown will be tight.

And if opera fans want a warmup to “Amadeus,” the new documentary “Pavarotti” by director Ron Howard is back at 3Below Theatres in downtown San Jose through Thursday. Check out showtimes and tickets at 3belowtheaters.com.

WALKING ART » The South First Fridays art walk returns to downtown San Jose this week and includes a street fair on top of the regular offerings at galleries and other venues in and around the SoFA District. Running from 7 to 11 p.m., the outdoor event on South First Street will include dozens of artists and creative vendors, as well as a craft brew garden sponsored by Lagunitas and featuring regional selections curated by Good Karma Artisan Ales & Cafe. Check out this month’s art offerings and download a walking map at southfirstfridays.com.

The San Jose Museum of Art also will be

open to the public for its monthly Facebook Free Fridays event, and if you’re in the mood for an aria, you’ve got choices: The singers of First Street Opera no doubt will be drawing a big crowd for their regular monthly gig at Caffe Frascati, and Opera San Jose will introduce its new resident singers during a “takeover” of SoFA Market. If you can’t find the venues, just follow your ears. SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES — ’80S STYLE » In honor of its 35th anniversary, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting a 1980s-themed sleepover event for grownups Sept. 14. Though the marine education center long has offered overnights for youth groups, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of Seaweed)” is a first for the 21-and- over crowd.

The activities include a taco bar, beer and wine, an ’80s dance party, improv and ice cream sundaes ( because what’s a slumber party without ice cream, right?). So pack your sleeping back, pajamas and your Walkman and grab a spot for $175 a person ($150 for Monterey Bay Aquarium members). Get the details at montereybayaquarium.org/seaweed.

Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@ bayareanewsgroup.com.