Still catching up with some items that happened during my vacation week:
Remember the piece Steve Martin donated for the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art’s 30th anniversary art auction? The piece, titled “A Snowball’s Chance in Hell,” was delivered in a takeout food carton signed by Martin.
At the Oct. 23 auction, two “security dudes” escorted a pretty young woman carrying the box on a silver platter through the gallery. The auctioneer, coincidentally also named Steve Martin, got the crowd going until the piece was sold for $3,000.
Winning bidders Rex and Elaine Cardinale, two longtime Institute of Contemporary Art supporters and a wild and crazy couple in their own right, got the privilege of opening the lid.
The box contained what many suspected: a “snowball in hell,” or in this case, a white Styrofoam ball sprayed with glitter and set in a bed of shiny, red tinsel. The inside flaps of the box were painted to resemble flames.
By the way, the auction brought in $30,000 more than last year’s — making it the most successful ever — but it was still about $5,000 less than the institute’s $200,000 goal.
There are about a dozen pieces left for sale through today, though; if you’re interested, contact the gallery at 408-283-8155.
SPOOKY GOOD TIME: Back on Oct. 23, National Semiconductor and Arrow Electronics teamed up to host a Halloween party for more than 500 clients of homeless-services provider InnVision.
Nearly 40 volunteers from the two companies organized the party, which included a haunted house, carnival games, piñatas, arts and crafts, and free costumes (provided in part through the National Charity League).
GOT FIBER? “High Fiber Under Five,” the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles’ annual benefit sale, is taking place Friday and Saturday.
All the textile art is available for $500 or less (and the museum splits the proceeds with the artists). Admission is free, and you can get a preview and the sale schedule at www.sjquiltmuseum.org.
GOOD LISTENING: The Ladies of Jazz — Bay Area singer/songwriters Leanne Weatherly, Cathi Walkup, Jennifer Lee and Melissa Dinwiddie — will be performing Friday night at the Theatre on San Pedro Square.
The ladies, who perform original material, are following up on a successful summer show in Santa Clara. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $15 ($5 for students).
Got a tip? Call Sal Pizarro at 408-627-0940 or e-mail him at spizarro@mercurynews.com.
Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or 408-627-0940.
