Long ago, according to the beliefs once held by the Indians of Washington and Oregon, the animals were the people of this country. They spoke, married, fished, and lived in lodges. Coyote played a prominent role in the stories told by the Indians of the Northwest. He aided in creation and taught the Indians skills they needed to live, and he was also a trickster. Tears of Joy Theatre helps celebrate the Lewis & Clark Expedition with stories they would have been told by the people whose lands they were “discovering”: How Coyote Kept his Name, from the Okanogans who lived in the North Central part of Washington state; and Coyote and the Cedar Tree, from the Clatsop/Chinook Indians who lived along the lower part of the Columbia River that divides Oregon and Washington. These enchanting stories are told with masks, rod or stick puppets, and bunraku (hood) puppets, in a performance filled with both foolishness and wisdom.

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California Theatre Center, a perennial favorite, returns this season with a story of courage and true friendship that has delighted readers for decades.

Based on E.B. White’s touching novel of the friendship between a lovable pig named Wilbur and a kind, intelligent spider named Charlotte, this play explores a magical barnyard world where animals talk and miracles happen. When Wilbur, the runt of the litter, seems doomed for the slaughterhouse, Charlotte devises a plan to save his life. Assisted by a wily rat named Templeton, Charlotte spins messages into her webs praising Wilbur as a prize pig. Farmer Zuckerman is fooled, and Wilbur even goes on to compete at the county fair! Will Wilbur take home first prize? And will Charlotte live to see her friend triumph over adversity?

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For 30 years, San Jose Taiko has mesmerized audiences with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drums. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, they express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in Asian American movement and music. San Jose Taiko has broadened and embellished the historical art form into a style that joins the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with the beat of world rhythms including African, Balinese, Brazilian, Latin and jazz percussion. The resulting sounds are contemporary, exciting, new and innovative,bridging many styles, while still resonant of the Asian soul in America. In addition to exciting, high energy performances, the program will include explanations of the history and philosophy of the art form as well as student participation on the drums!