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‘Botanica’ at Bedford Gallery through Sept. 6. “Botanica: All Things Plant Life,” a national juried exhibition in the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, opened July 12, and is set to continue through Sept. 6. “Botanica” showcases a deep love of nature, the embrace of its beauty, and a concern for its protection and survival. From 16th Century Flemish painters, to Cezanne and the Post Impressionists, the color and variety found in plant life, as well as the potent symbolism, have served as artistic inspiration.

Despite being a Wednesday night, in needleup - ballet shoes embroidery design every part of the massive 14,000 square foot Cheryl Burke Dance Studio, tucked away in office-park obscurity, there were loads of happy people zooming, floating, bopping, bouncing, spinning and, of course, thanks to Fats Waller — jumpin’, “It is so rare to find a dance studio this big and this full of activity,” said TsoTso Ablorh, a psychology researcher at Stanford University who recently found the studio co-owned by Burke, a two-time grand champion on ABC television’s “Dancing With The Stars.”..

• Reckless–What happens when a modern-day Alice drops into a decidedly perilous winter wonderland? That’s the premise behind this dark comedy penned by Craig Lucas (Prelude to a Kiss, The Light in the Piazza), which sees Rachel, the heroine, running for her life on Christmas Eve. Seems her husband has put out a hit on her, and she’d best get moving–which she does, jumping out of a window and landing in the midst of a new family who harbor a few secrets of their own. Runs Nov. 28-Dec. 16 at The Stage, 490 S. First St., San Jose. Tickets are $14-$45; call 408.283.7142 or visit sanjosestage.com.

McIntyre created the piece for eight dancers–four men and four women–that he chose from the company and for whom he developed the choreography, Fushille notes that McIntyre’s style reflects Smuin’s legacy, Smuin created many pieces that challenged traditional expectations, taking inspiration from popular music icons such as Frank Sinatra or the Beatles to create works that melded contemporary and classical sensibilities, “It was for me reminiscent of Michael’s pushing the envelope and trying something new,” Fushille says of McIntyre’s work, “It was very fitting to me that Trey was using this music that inspired him, He’s needleup - ballet shoes embroidery design an incredibly musical choreographer, like Michael was, and so I found it just to be a very good fit with the company because of that–his zest, his curiosity, his fearlessness.”..

Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Hometown Parade on Main Street. Parade begins at Court Street, ending at Alhambra Avenue. 8-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, Roxx on Main, 627 Main St. 9-9:15 a.m. Flag-raising ceremony, Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward St. https://downtownmartinez.org/events. Fourth of July Parade and Celebration: 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Parade beginning at Wells Fargo parking lot on Santa Cruz Avenue and Chestnut Street, followed by celebration at noon, Burgess Park, 701 Laurel St. Live music, jump houses, rock walls, crafts, games, crafts, face painting, food and more. Free; $8 wristband required for some activities. www.menlopark.org.