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Metro Staff on December 11, 2019
Would you look at that! In between all the margarita pitchers, bottles of Corona and shots of Patron, we somehow lost track of the time. Tres Gringos Cabo Cantina, one of downtown San Jose’s most reliably turnt bars, is hanging up its sombrero after 16 years on South Second Street. ¡Que lastima! Come Jan. 1, the longtime college watering hole is closing for good. They’ll be throwing a few more fiestas before last call—including one last “Tres Tuesday” (free for those with a school ID), one final “Beer Pong Wednesday” and, of course, a totally lit New Year’s Eve party. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
Singer and songwriter Sara Bareilles is the musical talent behind this winning theatrical production that is still running both on Broadway and in London’s West End theater district. It tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and supernaturally talented pie-maker who is also pregnant and stuck in a bad marriage. Her salvation comes by way of a pie contest. Bareilles wrote the score of the musical and released her own version of the songs, which became a big hit back in 2015. The show runs for eight performances in six days through Dec. 22 at the Center for the Performing Arts. Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on December 11, 2019
When the Cactus Club closed its doors in 2002, the youth of San Jose lost a vital access point to live music. In the intervening 17 years, numerous churches, community centers and private residences have nobly attempted to reopen that portal. The 3F Gallery is one such venue. Grace Preschool is another; they’ll be hosting one hell of a punk show this Monday. Female-fronted headliners Heavy Stench specialize in powerviolence, a brutal blend of hardcore and thrash characterized by breakneck speed and ultra-short songs. They are joined by Pittsburgh punks Möwer, and three California bands: Lockheed, Combat Shock and Nani SS. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on December 11, 2019
As one of the few venues in town promoting young, up-and-coming bands on the DIY scene, 3F Gallery deserves a hand. This weekend, the gallery hosts a stacked show featuring Laundry, an Oregon-based band reminiscent of Crumb, Alvvays and Diners. The Eugene outfit released its tender and dreamy Affirmation EP earlier this year and comes to San Jose on tour with fellow Oregonians, Dead Chemist. The weirdo punk rap trio sounds something like Khruangbin backing Atmosphere. And while you’re there, don’t miss Kit Fisto, one of San Jose’s best rising indie acts. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
For many people this time of year, coming together with neighbors and singing sacred music in a beautiful place is an impulse not to be ignored. For the 15th straight year, Elena Sharkova and the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale will be answering the call. In the holiday glow of the lovely old California Theatre, the chorale—with help from opera and Broadway star Lisa Vroman—will sing the holiday songs so many of us know by heart, such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Audience participation is highly encouraged. Continue reading »
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Kenny Ngo on December 11, 2019
After years of spinning up remixes and nabbing choice production credits—remember Major Lazer’s ridonkulous 2013 banger, “Bubble Butt?”—Los Angeles DJ Valentino Khan finally has an EP of his own. Khan released House Party on Diplo’s Mad Decent label over the summer. The collection blends trap, dubstep, moombahton and hardstyle together into an infectious six-song set and features team-ups with Chris Lorenzo and the maestro himself, Diplo, who joins Kahn on “JustYourSoul.” The steady and hypnotic track is a master class in pulling the maximum amount of ass-shaking beat out of a minimal sonic palate. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
The Winchester Mystery House is weird enough with the lights on. Imagine taking the grand tour of the Bay Area’s most bizarre house in the dark—like the gang from Scooby-Doo, hunting for ghosts. This Friday—the 13th, natch—the Mystery House opens up for the adventurous to explore the house by flashlight (The $49 admission price comes with a souvenir torch). The event is held to honor the house’s eccentric matron, Sarah Winchester, who was apparently a bit obsessed with the number 13. One lucky guest will get the chance to ring the house’s bell at 1pm (the 13th hour of the day). Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on December 11, 2019
Andy Woodhull is proud to be a stepfather. He is also proud of just how lazy his stepdaughters are. “I could only have dreamt of being that lazy when I was their age!” he cracks. The comedian mines his familial relationships for laughs, spinning yarns about the perplexing difficulties of spousal communication, the frustrating detachment of phone-obsessed teenagers, and the absurdity of flavored bird seed—all with the genial sarcasm of a fully grown Midwestern class clown. The Chicago denizen has garnered praise from James Corden and Jimmy Fallon, with whom he shares a certain clean comic appeal. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
Broadway director Neil Goldberg has assembled a dazzling cast of acrobatic performers, singers and dancers for this theatrical spin on the holiday season. On consecutive nights at the San Jose Civic, Cirque Dreams Holidaze will feature glitzy and colorful penguins, snowmen, toy soldiers, reindeer and other yuletide pomp, along with tons of merry music—including original songs mixed in with old holiday pop faves like “Deck the Halls” “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” It all takes place within a huge, multimillion-dollar set where even the ornaments come alive. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on December 11, 2019
Pop stars and genres of popular music come and go. But a select few performers manage to endure floating above the rapidly flowing stream contemporary culture. Johnny Mathis has stayed aloft for more than 60 years now. Continue reading »
