by
Metro Staff on June 12, 2019
Since her breakout role in 1997’s Selena, Jennifer Lopez has remained relevant as both an actress and a performing artist. On screen she’s starred in cult classics, like The Cell and Out of Sight, and sappy-but-beloved rom-coms, like The Wedding Planner. On wax, she’s scored some of the biggest hits of the past 20 years, with a string of big albums, including On The 6, J. Lo and This is Me… Then. On her current tour, Lopez shares the stage with some of the best steppers from World of Dance, the TV talent show she produces and judges. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
Homegrown musical acts Socorra and Adira Sharkey are headed to the Pacific Northwest with new tunes in tow, just a few months after Socorra’s release of a socioeconomic fight song. “Believe” is an indie-rock offering of hope in the face of a dream-crushing cycle of poverty so many local artists know too well. Adira Sharkey has settled into a sound of deep, soulful hooks, rumbling vocals and rattling acoustic tones. This show also features Santa Cruz native “soul and roll” musician Taylor Rae. Continue reading »
“LOL.” I’ve actually never seen the living embodiment of the acronym. Sure, I’ve witnessed people rolling on the ground in hysterics over you-had-to-be-there stories. Shit, I’ve been guilty of blowing fizzy soda pop out of my nostrils after a well crafted boffola. But what I saw a few weeks ago was laughing out loud, emphasis on the “LOUD!” I was at a stand-up comedy show where laughs should be plentifully supplied, but it seemed that one person was hogging all the air in the room. Kudos to the woman who laughed so loud that no one else felt they could compete. So, we all stayed silent as she represented us all in crowd response. It was as if the audience was a ventriloquist and this lady was the dummy. And not just after every punch line, but from every set-up, every side comment, every simple audience interaction … even when the comedian paused to wipe sweat from his forehead with a towel, all you heard was a hyena cackle from the front right of the room. Jeez, lady. Save some laughter for the rest of us! How about a two-laugh maximum to go with your two-drink minimum?
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.
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
William Shakespeare’s summertime comedy about love and mischief is brought to life by Silicon Valley Shakespeare with an entirely female cast—fitting, given Shakespeare’s loyalty to the heroine and oft-floated theory that Old Bill may have actually been a woman. In one plot line, Titania and Oberon, queen and king of the fairies, have a big tiff, and Oberon enlists the “shrewd and knavish sprite,” Puck, to get back at Titania. Meanwhile, four Athenians caught in a messy love rectangle run off into the same forest. That’s when Puck gets into some classic spritely business with magical flower juice. Runs through June 23. Continue reading »
Magician and apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, who has wowed national audiences with his appearances on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller Fool Us, brings his show to San Jose’s eeriest estate. Illusions of the Passed—A Theatrical Séance is a mix of illusion, history and ghost stories, all modeled after a Victorian-era séance. These spooky social gatherings were very much in vogue during Sara Winchester’s life and have long played into the myth and mystery of the Mystery House. This show is not suitable for children under 10, so leave the kiddos at home. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… sometimes. Five Bay Area comedians improvise bits based on prompts pulled at random from an envelope. The audience gets to choose the winner. Each comic later has the chance to win more laughs with a prepared set. The winner will advance to the finals, an improv showcase slated for August. That show already includes Jeremy Telemantes of the the Art Critique Comedy Show duo. Sip on Santa Clara Valley Brewing’s beers and enjoy a midweek laugh. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
The theme of this shindig, “Aaj Ki Party Meri Taraf Se,” roughly translates to “Today’s party is on me.” That “me” will be DJ Dharak of India, who unites Bollywood and EDM. This Bollywood maestro made music his destiny as a teen, beginning as a choreographer and dancer. Fate took him to Australia—where he formed his DJ persona—and later the UK, before he began to merge Bollywood and commercial house music. Bouncy, animated electronic beats complement the bubbly vivacity of Hindi film songs. EDM electrifies worldwide, and Hindi dance music has flourished since the 2000s since the international hit “Mundian To Bach Ke” by Panjabi MC. Continue reading »
by
Conor Agnew on June 5, 2019
The Trims have been playing melancholic post-punk with pop ambitions for nearly a decade now, and if you’ve ever seen one of their high energy live performances, you know they’ve got the chops. While frontman Gabe Maciel’s confessional poetry has always been concerned with loss, regret and heartbreak, sonically the band’s latest record Julian Street finds the San Jose natives embracing increasingly bright hooks. The results are decidedly danceable. Think Two Door Cinema Club if they bled Orange Sauce. Catch them at The Ritz this Saturday with Living Among Giants, Sweet Hayah and DJ Chuy Gomez. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
Summertime in Silicon Valley means many things, including stepping out—in more ways than one. The same weekend as Los Angeles’ Pride Festival, the Silicon Valley Pride Picnic invites the community to gather in summer reverie and celebration of the LGBTQI+ community. Silicon Valley Pride began with a gay rights rally in 1975 and has since continued to foster and embolden the entire spectrum of genders and sexual identities to proudly declare their true selves. Allies and members of the queer community are invited to savor free food and good company, play games in the sun, and enjoy art and other entertainment before the SV Pride Parade and Festival in August. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
Sunshine and blue skies, bare feet on green grass, picnics—and a brand-new season’s worth of fashion. This show transforms Santana Row Park into a runway, as models sport the latest summer styles and colors, and inspire onlookers to find their own unique looks in one Santana Row’s many shops, such as Everything But Water, Anthropologie and Scotch & Soda. Tickets include seats beside the runway, entry to a style boutique that hosts names like Lash Binder and Sephora, champagne and snacks. The event serves as a benefit for the Princess Project, which aims to provide prom dresses and accessories to teens who cannot afford them. Continue reading »
