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Yousif Kassab on September 20, 2017
Akrobatik and Mr. Lif are back. The Boston-bred hip-hop duo, better known as The Perceptionists, come to San Jose this week behind their first album in more than a decade, Resolution. Fans of the group might remember the pair from their 2005 album Black Dialogue. The project featured one of their most explosive singles—the bounding, raucous “Let’s Move,” which doubled as one of the tightest songs on the soundtrack for the auto-racing video game Need For Speed: Most Wanted. Resolution finds The Perceptionists kicking raps about things that have changed since the-mid aughts. Continue reading »
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André Jaquez on September 19, 2017
The Luna Park Chalk Art Festival returned this weekend for its 10th annual celebration of color. The event featured live music, vendors and a collection of professional artists and students creating beautiful works of art underfoot on the cement walkways that crisscross Backesto Park in San Jose’s Northside neighborhood. Continue reading »
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André Jaquez on September 15, 2017
It’s a family affair for new age Norteño band SuenaTron and always will be. These sleek primos were born and bred in San Jose, and their multicultural melting pot of sounds reflects the diversity of Silicon Valley. Catch SuenaTron live in celebration of Mexican Independence Day—aka, Festival de Independencia. SuenaTron’s experiential blend features Latin-flavored hip-hop, rich cumbia rhythms and a subtle touch of rock & roll attitude. If you’re looking for passionate play from passionate musicians, look no further. SuenaTron are joined by Larry Hernandez, Ulices Chaidez y Sus Plebes and several other Latin groups.
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André Jaquez on September 15, 2017
Whether you are devout, reborn or spiritually unavailable, take an hour on Sunday to hear the San Jose Chamber Orchestra perform an inspirational program. Donations will benefit the Cathedral Basilica St. Joseph Office of Social Ministry as well as Jewish Family Services Silicon Valley. Their goal is to alleviate homelessness and food scarcity in the community. The San Jose Chamber Orchestra also provides young artists with opportunities to work with established musicians with their Youth Orchestra program. Playing inside the cathedral are Donna Stoering on piano, tenor Stephen Guggenheim, soprano Ronit Widmann-Levy and Erin Nolan on viola. Continue reading »
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Yousif Kassab on September 15, 2017
TroyBoi is a master of tone. In a genre that all too often prioritizes cursory beauty, maximalist explosions and the instant gratification of the massive drop, the London-based producer prefers to give his listeners a single feeling to explore. Consider “O.G.” from his debut album, Left is Right—a trap affair, packed with the requisite trilling high hats, a syncopated kick-snare bounce and a gangster slow-mo refrain. Using this limited palette, he methodically adds and subtracts elements, growing and shrinking the beat, allowing it to alternate between deep and shallow breaths until it reaches its natural conclusion. Continue reading »
San Jose’s music scene may be resurgent across all genres, but ask any metal fan and they’ll tell you it never went anywhere. The Epicenter Heavy Music Festival aims to demonstrate the strength of local metal acts, as well as the support the genre has among South Bay denizens. Organized by Oskar Blues Brewery and Heavy San Jose, the totally packed bill will be headlined by High On Fire—the Oakland-based stoner trio led by Sleep frontman Matt Pike. Direct support comes in the form of Big Business from Seattle and Mos Generator from Port Orchard, Washington. Plus San Jose’s very own Kook. Continue reading »
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Payje Redmond on September 15, 2017
A riff on one of Chekhov’s most critically acclaimed plays, Stupid Fucking Bird keeps things unconventional. The fourth wall is shattered, love triangles are tested and every character discovers just how much of a drag growing up can be. The LA Weekly called it “the best Chekhov adaptation in two decades.” Director Kirsten Brandt, who has directed in theaters throughout the South Bay, will carry the show, which kicks off with a “pay what you can night” on Thursday and a preview on Friday night. Continue reading »
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Payje Redmond on September 15, 2017
The Naglee Park Neighborhood Association invites dog owners to bring their four-legged friends to William Street Park to for the annual Bark in the Park event. Whether you’re the leader of an entire pack or are simply a dog lover, all are welcome to participate. There will be a dog lookalike contest and demonstration of how border collies herd sheep. New to this year’s festival is a kids zone, puppy makeovers and a dog-theme bounce house. All of this, plus low-cost vaccines and $5 microchipping, plenty of food and drink, and more than 75 vendors selling pet products. Continue reading »
“Has she been here before?” That’s what you, the owner of a 100-pound mastiff, asked me impertinently after we walked through the gate. “New dogs don’t behave well their first time at the park.” Meanwhile, your dog had just knocked down my year-old mutt—who’s a fraction the size of your monster mastiff—and you’re gonna act like it’s my fault? “No,” I shot back defensively, trying to defend my pup against her hulking aggressor, “we’ve been here every day this week.” Turns out, your untamed beast scared away three other dogs before mine. Pretty sure you’re the one who should have left the area, but you just couldn’t take a hint. “Well, she’s acting really timid,” you snapped. Now I know why your dog’s a bully—he takes after his owner.
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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Payje Redmond on September 14, 2017
Before Peter could fly and James Hook lost his hand to a clock-gobbling croc, there was a nameless 13-year-old orphan and a pirate with a propensity for malaprops. In Peter and the Starcatcher, we learn how Peter became an ageless wonder, how Black Stache became Captain Hook and about the age-old war between the forces of good and evil. Take a seat and prepare for high jinks on the high seas in this Tony Award-winning musical by Rick Elice. This Tabard Theatre Company production runs through Oct. 8. Continue reading »
