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Nick Veronin on February 27, 2019
Cinequest returns with an opening night screening of Manto, a new biopic about controversial and acclaimed Indian writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Directed by Nandita Das, the film is set in an India just breaking free from British rule. While optimism fills the air, violence, unrest and fear are also rampant as the country seeks a post-colonial identity. The Indian-born Manto wrote novels, essays, short stories and plays—mostly in Urdu—and gained a reputation for his social criticism and unflinching portrayal of Indian life. Das will speak at the screening. The $55 ticket includes the film and an after party. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
Maybe you know him from The Search for Animal Chin. Or maybe you know him from “Organism,” his funky boom-bap soul track on the soundtrack to Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. But if you follow skateboarding (particularly, Bay Area skateboarding), then you know Tommy Guerrero. A member of the original Bones Brigade—along with Tony Hawk and San Jose native Steve Caballero—Guerrero has been a musician almost as long as he has a skater, casually dropping visionary tropicalia-inflected skater gems like 2003’s Soul Food Taqueria along the way. Don’t miss this rare full-band performance. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
The story of seed funding, corruption and dirty money, Bullets Over Broadway is a musical many in Silicon Valley could stand to sit through. Though Woody Allen’s story is decidedly comedic (a playwright-meets-the-mob story), it’s also pretty damn allegorical in an area where creative ideas are often funded by less than humanistic interests. In Bullets, the worst of it comes from a talentless and demanding actress. Here, we’ve got Peter Thiel talking kids out of going to college, all while planning to inject himself with their blood so he can live forever. Bullets runs through Mar. 17. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on February 27, 2019
Pale green clouds have swirled above the heads of Willow Den patrons for close to a decade. But now, as the local bar is planning a remodel and a rebranding—it will become the “Willow Den Public House”—all those Washingtons are coming down. The bills themselves will be donated to a charity, Free Wheelchair Mission, which helps give mobility to disabled people all over the world. Participating patrons may trade in wads of 50 singles for a free drink during the event, and whoever gets closest to guessing the exact number of bills currently stapled to the ceiling wins a $250 credit. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on February 27, 2019
In some ways a reaction to the hard rock and psychedelic excesses of late 1960s pop music, the early 1970s ushered in the era of the singer-songwriter. Led by a raft of supremely talented artists who composed their own material, the scene featured acts like Carole King, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon and many others. Gordon Lightfoot appeared on many an American music critic’s radar around then. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
For a certain generation of San Jose denizens, the name 5606 brings back a lot of memories. Starting at the end of the 20th century, the downtown pop-punk band was a staple at just about every venue around the South Bay: the Campbell Gaslighter, the Chemical Free Zone, San Jose Skate, the Church and every spot in between. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
Northern California’s wine scene is world renowned, but it’s not all up in Napa. Whether it’s J. Lohr’s tasting room or hidden gems like downtown’s Coterie Cellars, the South Bay has plenty to offer the wine enthusiast. Running now through the end of March, the Santa Clara Wine Passport offers grape lovers a chance to expand their palates with tastings at 32 wineries across Santa Clara County. For those who like to cosplay, this is also the ideal opportunity to explore the bold looks of Miles Raymond, Paul Giamatti’s character in Sideways. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
So, Monday was blue. Tuesday and Wednesday were gray. Thursday? Don’t even get me started on Thursday. This week has been quite dreary, indeed. But for The Cure, all that drudgery is worth the wait. “Friday, I’m in Love” is like the key to the entire Cure universe. More than an ode to that magical, transitional day, it is about the one fleeting moment where anything seems possible, even as the world is hemmed in by dark and imposing clouds. It’s that pull between light and dark that makes them the quintessential goth pop band, and the perfect soundtrack to kick another cold and rainy winter weekend. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on February 27, 2019
The latest downtown beautification effort by San Jose-based arts non-profit The Exhibition District is all about spreading the love. The #100BlockSJ, a giant mural nearing completion in the SoFA District, covers the southern wall of 320 S. 1st St. It is composed of 100 square mini-murals painted by local artists—all of whom were paid, thanks to funding raised by The Ex D. In addition to bringing a sense of place to the space it occupies, it also has given 100 talented artists a paying gig. Come meet the creative folks behind the mural and celebrate its official unveiling. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on February 27, 2019
The self-proclaimed Solange of the Rock family, Jordan Rock is the youngest in a line of comedian siblings. Maybe you know his older brother, Chris? Chances are you’ll recognize Jordan if you stop to think about it. He’s appeared in the Judd Apatow-produced Netflix rom-com Love and on FX’s Totally Biased. Over the past few years, he has developed a comedic style distinct from his brother’s: less confrontational and a little more stoned. His jokes come from everyday situations blown up to absurd proportions, like Siri finally talking back one day, or the casual weirdness of a Yahoo email. Continue reading »
