I was rushing from a downtown coffee shop to a hair appointment a few blocks away when you stopped me. “Hey miss, I must tell you something,” you said with enough urgency to make me pause. “Yes, can I help you?” I reply, thinking perhaps you needed directions or something like that. I should have known better. You grabbed my hand to shake and wouldn’t let go while you offered your dubious explanation for interrupting me. “I live around here,” you tell me, “and I saw you walking past, and I thought, ‘I have to get to know her.’” At that point, I narrow my eyes, put my hand on my hip and shake my head side to side. “Let go of my hand,” I demanded before speed-walking away from your creep ass.
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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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
Anyone can let off a little steam singing in the shower. Close friends become closer while harmonizing around the campfire. But the point of karaoke is to participate in a very public kind of catharsis—sharing one’s inner rock star with perfect strangers. That’s why Steve Hays, a.k.a. DJ Purple, makes a point of keeping slow songs out of his songbook. The Peninsula-based party-starter also encourages dancing and other forms of crowd participation during his sets. But his true secret weapon is his saxophone, which he busts out during extended instrumental breaks. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
The Cadillac Three is a trio of childhood friends with a knack for pairing sentimental lyrics and twangy licks with an undeniable country cool. Singer-guitarist Jaren Johnston, drummer Neil Mason and lap-steel player Kelby Ray released their last full-length, Legacy, back in 2017, but it seems they may be preparing a new collection of tunes; the crew dropped a new music video for their latest single, “Crackin’ Cold Ones with the Boys,” in April. They come to the South Bay behind the song, which features a stomping Gary Glitter beat and fuzzy ZZ Top guitars. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on October 30, 2019
It must be a mixed bag to land a gig as a late-night TV bandleader. On one hand, it’s an elite club, a sweet paycheck and a chance to connect with a potentially huge audience. On the other, you’re never allowed to show what you can really do. Fans of Late Night with Stephen Colbert will easily recognize Batiste, who fronts the Colbert house band. They may not know that Batiste has been part of the next generation of musicians steeped in the rich culture of New Orleans jazz and R&B. His 2018 record Hollywood Africans is a good place to start. Continue reading »
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Jeffrey Edalatpour on October 30, 2019
Men wrapped in blue second skins, like The Watchmen’s Doctor Manhattan, will soon be looking at San Jose audiences with their disconcerting wide-eyed stares. Mere words don’t seem up to the task of describing the Blue Man Group’s latest Speechless Tour, but you can’t mime in print. First, a disclaimer for introverts. You should know that this show includes “large-scale audience participation.” My guess is that “fostering communal moments” means: Plan on playing a tube-based musical instrument. To sum up, your days as a passive spectator are at an end! Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on October 30, 2019
Like all art, comedy is subjective. Some enjoy the bombastic and edgy, others prefer the aloof, the silly or the topical. For those who’ve ever wondered what Mitch Hedberg might have been like without all the drugs and alcohol, Joe Zimmerman might be the ticket. Easily mistaken for that shy office-mate you mostly avoid talking to, Zimmerman takes on the absurdities of modern life. “Working at the phone store must be the most stressful job in the world now,” Zimmerman mused during a 2018 set on The Late Late Show. “Is there anyone more panicked than every customer?” Continue reading »
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Conor Agnew on October 30, 2019
After three months of extensive renovation, downtown’s landmark Jose Theater is finally ready to reopen its doors. In addition to some cosmetic upgrades, the longtime home of the San Jose Improv Comedy Club now features state of the art sound and lighting, and a revamped menu to tickle your taste buds. To celebrate, this weekend the Improv welcomes the observational comedy of Mind of Mencia alumnus Brad Williams. Though diminutive in stature, Williams delivers his provocative views on sex, pop culture and identity politics at a volume that should really showcase the quality of the new speakers. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
As a forensic psychologist with experience working on homicide, sexual assault and battery cases, author Frank Weber has a keen understanding of dark and violent human impulses. Drawing on his experience in the field, Weber has penned three novels—Murder Book, The I-94 Murders and Last Call. Together they form the Minnesota Murder Trilogy. This Friday, Weber visits the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library to discuss the latest in the series, 2019’s Last Call, as well as the process of writing in the true crime genre. The discussion is to be held in room 255. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on October 30, 2019
After 12 years at its 88 S. 4th St. location, Kaleid Gallery is moving to new digs in the SoFA District. The gallery will now be neighbors with Local Color, which moved into the Valley Title building at 320 S. 1st St., across from Original Joe’s, earlier this year. With two new feature exhibitions by Masha Noir and Jemal Diamond—and work from more than 60 Kaleid’s resident artists on display—Kaleid celebrates its new home by opening its doors for the South First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 1. Continue reading »
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Kenny Ngo on October 30, 2019
Hailing from Australia’s Gold Coast, house music DJ and producer Fisher performs at the San Jose Civic on Halloween this Thursday. A professional surfer before he switched career paths in 2017, Fisher has produced a number of top-ranking club bangers, including “Ya Kidding,” “Crowd Control” and the international smash, “Losing It,” took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart in 2018. The spare track, which pulsates with gritty synth horns and a shuffling disco drum machine beat, was also recognized at this year’s International Dance Music Awards, where it was named “Best Electronic Song.” Continue reading »
