You were a mountain of a man, shaved head, blue eyes, and tatted from head to toe. I was in line ahead of you, a petite Shebrew, wondering if there was cause for concern. I sneaked a peek at your neck for a swas or SS symbol over the carotid artery (seen them there twice). And what did I see? “Emet!” I blurted, reading the large Hebrew lettering spelling out the word for “truth.” You looked at me strangely, then smiled. “Yeah, I forget other people can read it, too.” You blushed a little, “My grandma reminded me of the irony before she passed.” “The irony” referred to Leviticus’s commandment forbidding Jews to have tattoos. “You completely flew under my Jewdar!” I said. (Conversely, I look like an age-progression of Anne Frank and sometimes have born-again Christians tell me how much they love the Jewish people.) You laughed, “I get that a lot. I grew up in north Idaho, so I had to push that part of me down.” I nodded, “Couer d’Alene was skinhead country.” “Yeah, but I returned it again through Kabbalah. You know, embracing the light.” We both chuckled. A bit more chit-chat as I paid for my stuff, then we wished each other well. You gave me a great gift that day: a little hope that we don’t have to be divided simply by virtue of our appearances. And that’s the emet.
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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Erika Rasmussen on April 11, 2019
Anton Zaslavski was destined to be a musician. Like Sonny Moore (a.k.a. Skrillex), the Russian-born, German-raised DJ and producer known as Zedd started his music career with a far heavier sound. He began drumming for German deathcore band Dioramic at age 12. Like all musical prodigies, Zedd was always pushing himself. Even as Dioramic was finding success, Zedd’s focus shifted toward electronic production. His debut studio album, Clarity, led to sold out venues across five continents. Most recently, Zedd and Katy Perry teamed up for single “365.” The track’s haunting music video explores the line between love and obsession. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on April 11, 2019
Tattoos and twang converge for a day of fun, food and friends. The second-annual Moonlight Rockabilly Carnival features rides, vendors, competitive pie-eating and pair of tug-of-wars—with pin-up and car club twists. The Miss Moonlight pin-up pageant is judged on personality, authenticity and Glamour with a capital G. Musical guests include Grease Hound, DJ Robert Pegan and Gidget and the G-Spots. Admission is free to this all-ages party. However, donations and canned food will be accepted for the benefit of local charities. Continue reading »
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C.J. Prusi on April 11, 2019
Spring is in the air—along with the smokey, savory smell of sizzling bacon. The sud-sipping, swine-dining experience returns to the South Bay. This year the Bacon & Beer Classic will feature 22 Bay Area restaurants serving up more than 30 porky pairings for the 100-plus beer and cider offerings. Tickets include unlimited beer and bacon dishes and a mini ceramic souvenir cup. Sips and savory samples from the likes of Firestone, Drakes, North Point, and dozens more. Of course, there will also be music, games and a bacon-eating contest. Continue reading »
For more than 10 years now, Record Store Day, the annual celebration of locally owned brick-and-mortar music shops, has stoked the passions of music lovers all over the country. Every year, artists release new and previously unheard music, along with bootlegs and reissues—often in collectable formats, including vinyl and cassette. The regional chains, including Streetlight and Rasputin will certainly have some choice collectors items produced specifically for RSD, but true vinyl heads should be sure to support the smaller stores in the area, like Needle to the Groove, On the Corner Music, The Analog Room and The Record Man. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on April 11, 2019
For well over a decade, ’80s- and ’90s-themed alternative music parties—like Atomic, The Workout and Club Satori—have proven a serious draw in downtown San Jose. Live alternative music, especially that produced by Bay Area musicians, has been a harder sell. DJ Cutso and Containher are hoping their new endeavor, Outsider’s Social, will help bridge the attendance gap by bringing local artists in to cover a variety of new wave, trip-hop and classic alternative classics from the likes of Depeche Mode, Massive Attack and Bjork. This weekend’s performers include Cellista, NRVS LVRS and Containher. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on April 11, 2019
Born in Mobile, Alabama, OMB Peezy grew up in Sacramento and has recently been making a name for himself as part of the North Bay’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Signed to E-40’s Sick Wid It Records and 300 Entertainment, the Richmond-based rapper is in tight with other rising Yay Area talent, like Nef the Pharaoh and SOB X RBE. The 22-year-old comes to San Jose this weekend in the wake of his latest single, “Struggle,” which features veteran Baton Rouge emcee Boosie Badazz. Continue reading »
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C.J. Prusi on April 11, 2019
Northside Theatre Company brings David Lindsay-Abaire’s latest Broadway production to life. The playwright’s 2007 Pulitzer-winning “Rabbit Hole” made Lindsay-Abaire a household name (so long as the household contains at least one theatre buff) with its tragicomic portrayal of a family’s loss. This production features Margie Walsh of Southie Boston, a down-on-her-luck lower-class lady looking for love—or at least a way to get by. Jonathan Williams directs the show, which runs through May 5. Continue reading »
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C.J. Prusi on April 11, 2019
Driven from their homes by forces beyond their control, the working class are cloistered in tent cities—plagued by hunger, alcoholism and regularly harassed by local police. In many ways, the best banned book of 1939 resembles the Bay Area of 2019. Los Altos Stage Company presents Frank Galati’s adaptation of arguably the greatest of the Great American Novels—The Grapes of Wrath by Salinas author John Steinbeck. Follow the Joads as they flee their native Oklahoma and the devastation of the Dust Bowl in search of greener pastures out in California. Runs through May 5. Continue reading »
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C.J. Prusi on April 11, 2019
Going to Havana? Nah nah nah, Havana’s coming here with Asere! Musicians and Dancers of the Havana Cuba All-Stars. Part of Hammer Theatre’s ongoing Music Without Borders series, the band and dancers come to town on their Asere!—roughly translated: “dude” or “friend”—tour. Join the son cubano 12-piece banda and six of Cuba’s most talented dancers. The group blends the richness of Cuba’s musical tradition with the fresh sounds of the contemporary Cuban music scene, immersing audiences in the sights and sounds of rumba, cha cha, salsa and more. Continue reading »
