by
Mike Huguenor on December 29, 2021
Classics were in this year. From Silk Sonic’s decidedly vintage hit “Leave the Door Open,” to the return of 1905 gentleman-thief Lupin on Netflix, much of this year’s pop culture had a hint of the classic to it. This New Year’s Eve, the trend continues with a classic night out soundtracked by local favorites Tortilla Soup—purveyors of classic R&B melodies, and venerable soul, funk and Latin rhythms—and Entourage, a cover band who promise to bring (no lie) “today’s favorites to yesterday’s classics.” 2021, it’s been real. May we all remember it as a classic one day. Continue reading »
by
Mike Huguenor on December 29, 2021
The holidays are rarely so high-flying or reality-defying as they are in A Magical Cirque Christmas. In this wintry performance, incredible feats of acrobatics meet jaw-dropping magic, all set to a yuletide soundtrack that arrives just in time for the end of the holidays. Twirling rope and hoop performers, tumbling gymnasts and trapeze artists and bell-shaking Christmas music—it’s like the Sugar Plum Fairy ran away from home to join a French circus. Hosted by the critically boasted hostess Lucy Darling, this magical show is here for one night only.
Continue reading »
by
Grace Stetson on December 29, 2021
San Jose Jazz aims to inspire listeners of all ages to get excited and moved by jazz—and the holiday season is no reason to stifle that goal. This Thursday, the nonprofit will host a second performance at San Jose’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration, free and open to the public. The event will include a combo led by renowned local guitarist David Lechuga—whose playing complements everything from salsa to emo—with the added benefit of the park for jazz fans to explore. Jazz fans and fans of the holiday alike can walk through the 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, grab an adult beverage from Blinky’s Tavern’s outdoor pop-up and rock out to some smooth tunes. Continue reading »
by
Elliott Sky Case on December 29, 2021
Starting from a single viral video, the tenors, baritones and basses of Straight No Chaser have dominated the a cappella scene for over a decade now. The group’s blow-up led to two gold records featuring irreverent arrangements of beloved holiday classics. 2013’s star-studded Under The Influence (which itself has a holiday edition!) includes collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and Seal on immaculate a cappella versions of their own hits, and 2020 release Social Christmasing includes a version of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” No doubt a fitting track for the evening’s setlist.
Continue reading »
by
Jeffrey Edalatpour on December 22, 2021
Giraffes will feel at ease walking through the front doors of La Barrique. Standing up straight, they’ll be at eye level with the tops of two white columns flanking the entryway. What they’d order once inside, however, is anyone’s guess—but the long menus, printed on tabloid paper, are varied enough to accommodate any kind of colossal appetite. Continue reading »
by
Amani Hamed on December 22, 2021
Set against a concha-pink wall at San Jose’s Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA), photographer Diamela Cutiño’s series of black and white paintings pop.
The effect is characteristic of the gallery’s kaleidoscopic new exhibit, Beyond the Diaspora, which explores concepts of belonging, exploitation and gentrification through a riot of color and emotion. Continue reading »
by
Alec Adams on December 22, 2021
Pablo Francisco has achieved notoriety by hitting people with a whirlwind of comedy. After years of cutting his teeth on MadTV and Comedy Central specials, the man is a finely tuned engine of comedy who respects an audience’s time and knows people want to laugh beginning at minute one of a performance. Within that first minute he’s done an impersonation of a valley girl, a saxophone, Judge Judy and Jabba the Hutt. The many-faced master of the human speech mechanism is sure to leave the attendees in a comedic fervor with his rapid-fire delivery at his Sunday performance at the Improv. Continue reading »
by
Kyle Martin on December 22, 2021
DJs Sake One and Chale Brown will be spinning the finest sounds from the illustrious discography of the late, great, flamin’ hot James Brown at Campbell’s own Cardiff & Cocktails. This funky evening is sure to help get listeners up offa that thing, ringing in not only the holiday, but the day the late godfather of soul passed away. In addition, this year’s is the 10th annual James Brown Day tribute at Cardiff, making it a tradition in its own right—and this local watering hole is stocked to the brim with all the best spirits, beers and cocktails for living in America. Continue reading »
by
Jay Edgar on December 22, 2021
Some go for a roast dinner on Christmas Day. Some go for a movie and Chinese take-out. But why can’t getting one’s PLUR (Peace Love Unity and Respect) on become a Christmas tradition too? Like the NBA, The Continental’s weekly house club night—put on by local dance record label Sole Channel Music—REFUSES to take a night off, with house DJ Mr. V and friends spinning both the latest and the classics of tech-house, nu-disco and latin house. Sure, they’re dealing with a lot of competition, but has a midnight mass ever bumped this many beats per minute? Continue reading »
by
Jay Edgar on December 22, 2021
While the holidays are typically a joyous time of year, the cold weather and early nights can bring down the mood considerably for some. One treatment available for the seasonally affected who can’t afford a mood lamp: a spiritual trip to the Pacific at the Liquid Lounge’s island reggae club night. The Bay Area is filled with musicians taking the traditionally Jamaican genre through the lens of Hawaiian, Samoan and Filipino musical traditions, and some of the finest—including Knova, Makisi and Freddy Rutz—will be taking the stage at Liquid to help make the holidays go down smoothly. Continue reading »
