From my front door, I noticed a big group of people gathered around the pool deck. Some were fairly dressed up, wearing what I later realized was their Sunday best. These were church folks, and they were here to baptize a gaggle of children. Listen, I’m not religious, but I would think there’s a better place to baptize new believers than in an apartment hot tub. This is the same hot tub where tenants have witnessed many a couple hooking up and getting hot ’n heavy in the bubbly brew. This is the same hot tub where people straight up do the dirty when they think nobody’s looking. But hey, I hope the chlorine cleanses their germs as effectively as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost cleanses your souls.
I Saw You is an anonymous “man on the street” column. Email your rants and raves about co-workers or any badly behaving citizens to [email protected], or send to 380 S. First St, San Jose, 95113. Submissions should stick to about 100 words.
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Gary Singh on June 19, 2019
This Saturday, the 38th Annual San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival unfolds in Plaza de Cesar Chavez, once again cementing the festival’s position as the longest running affair of its kind in the Bay Area.
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Bill Kopp on June 12, 2019
Matchbox Twenty formed in Orlando in 1995; by the following year the rock band had landed a contract with Atlantic. The group’s debut album was a worldwide blockbuster, certified 12-times platinum in the US. Four tracks off Yourself or Someone Like You were released as singles; all made the Top 10. Subsequent releases did nearly as well; songwriter and lead singer Rob Thomas raised the group’s profile even higher when he sang “Smooth” on Santana’s 1999 Supernatural album, another huge hit. In 2005 Thomas launched a parallel and successful solo career; he’s currently touring in support of his fourth album, Chip Tooth Smile. Continue reading »
Founder Mick Jones is the only remaining original member of this band, which after more than 40 years still holds a significant place in the hearts of hard rock and power pop fans. Known for the likes of “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner’s songs still get referenced in pop culture, if somewhat ironically; the ballad “Waiting for a Girl Like You” is featured in Barb’s death scene in the first season of “Stranger Things.” Its members may come and go, but Foreigner keeps touring, often with Styx, Journey and other big names from their late ’70s-early ’80s heyday. They’re on their own for this Saratoga show. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
In the Bay Area punk rock pantheon, few bands loom as large as Rancid. Fewer still have legit South Bay cred. Though Rancid was born in Berkeley—an offshoot of Operation Ivy and incubated at the legendary Gilman—they found a kindred spirit and second guitarist in Campbell native Lars Frederiksen, who joined the band shortly before the massive success of Let’s Go and …And Out Come the Wolves. Rancid is joined by fellow punk royalty at this Alt 105.3-hosted show. SoCal-bred Pennywise rose high on the same wave that carried Sublime, The Offspring, Green Day and Bad Religion to alternative radio playlists all across the country. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
With an ear for American primitive songcraft, a vocal delivery reminiscent of Tom Waits and a childhood split between Detroit and Alabama, Tim Higgins is the kind of artist music journalists are drawn to. Phrases like “Southern Gothic poetry,” “dark cabaret” and “Rust Belt” burn brightly from within his press kit—springing from the page like road flares on a pitch black country road. One imagines his dusty, down-and-out acoustic ballads would pair perfectly with such a drive. Better still are those songs that have been fleshed-out with warm horns, plaintive fiddle and barrel-aged, reverberant slide guitar lines. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
On Jun. 19, 1865, federal troops rolled into Galveston, Texas, to enforce emancipation. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Presented by the African American Community Service Agency, the 38th annual festival features family friendly activities, performances, art and information on community services. Local rap, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and jazz performers take the stage, as well as Faith Evans, who in 2017 released her latest album, The King & I, featuring duets with her late husband Notorious B.I.G. Free before 1pm, $10 after. A $25 VIP ticket buys entry to the festival and open mic night after party at The Continental. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on June 12, 2019
To understand the music of Tony Molina, we should first talk about bonsai. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
This Northside San Jose neighborhood has welcomed global residents for decades—it was predominantly Italian before Black, Filipino, Mexican and Vietnamese families settled in. “It is like a little United States,” the Mercury News wrote in 1966. This summer, the area continues its community-building efforts by inviting locals to Backesto Park for an evening of food and fun. The park’s historic fountain marks its 100th birthday next year. This weekend, savor the warm summer night with snacks from Mister Softee NorCal, Takoz Mod Mex and I Love Cheesesteak. Plus an R&B performance by Kamiko. The market runs every Saturday through Aug. 31. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
A new exhibition at the Art Ark Gallery, “Diaspora in Bloom: Assyrians in the 20th Century & Beyond,” illuminates the contemporary experience of an ethnic group with roots stretching back to the so-called “Cradle of Civilization.” At its peak, the Assyrian Empire included territory in what is now northern Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Iran. Two Assyrian-Americans curated this show to demonstrate how their personal heritage has shaped them as individuals and artists. The show features work by Atra Givarkes, Esther Elia and Rabel Betshmuel—all of whom are of Assyrian descent. Runs Friday from 6pm-9pm and Saturday from noon-4pm. Continue reading »
