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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
Like any good tribute band, the Led Zeppelin-aping Zoso can be said to have a schtick—that is, if you can rightly call technical mastery a “schtick.” Performing almost all of the legendary band’s catalogue, from the tightly wound, explosive jams of Led Zeppelin to the maximalist, genre-spanning experimentations of Physical Graffiti and In Through the Out Door, Zoso claims to be “the most accurate and captivating Led Zeppelin live show since the real thing.” That’s a pretty bold claim, but Zoso can back it up. Wowing teenagers and baby-boomers alike since 1995, Zoso is bringing its act to the Ritz this Thursday. (Fake) Robert Plant’s chest hair included. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
Much like The Nutcracker, Smuin Ballet’s annual production of The Christmas Ballet has become a favorite of the Bay Area Christmas season. Unlike The Nutcracker, however, The Christmas Ballet isn’t constrained by centuries of tradition, animated toy soldiers and dancing rodents. Instead, the local dance company will present a medley of holiday musical favorites, with the company’s talented dancers pirouetting through jazz, ballet, tap and other dance styles. Founded in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin Ballet has grown into one of the premier Bay Area ballet companies, with its contemporary, innovative and awe-inspiring productions. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
It’s a Christmas tradition. This week, the Northside Theatre Company once again takes on Charles Dickens’ iconic tale about selfishness, regret, time and reconciliation—1843’s A Christmas Carol. Northside’s telling is an adaptation by the theater group’s founder and former managing artistic director, the late Richard T. Orlando. With Orlando’s help, Northside Theatre Company has built a reputation as a model of private-public arts partnerships for small theaters, delivering impressive productions with talented casts for years. Plays Wednesday through Sunday until Christmas Eve. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on December 5, 2018
Since forming in 1980, Hawthorne, California-based Redd Kross have been expertly straddling the link between punk rock and power pop. And at their best, the band have erased the arbitrary line between those styles. Nearly 15 years after ending a lengthy hiatus, the band is still going strong with a tour, a new album in the making, and a pair of archival releases that remind modern-day listeners of Redd Kross’ trademark blend of inventiveness, humor and style. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
After last year’s successful holiday run, TheatreWorks in partnership with Foothill College is bringing David Sedaris’ classic tale of working as a mall Santa’s grumpy little helper back for a second offering. Born out the writer’s real experiences as a curmudgeonly elf in New York City in the early ’90s, Santaland Diaries’ hilarious, cynical but ultimately sweet vignettes helped launch Sedaris’ career, and are a perfect fit for the one-man show format. Just like last year, the production will feature emerging local talent Max Tachis in the narrator’s role, ensuring continued success for this witty Christmas classic. Runs through Dec. 23. Continue reading »
I saw you not close the milk lid completely again. You know that’s what makes it go bad before the expiration date. I keep seeing milk jugs in the trash that are still half full of milk. Such a waste. Last night I saw you take the milk out of the fridge, into the living room, which was odd. I guess you already had a glass in there? Or maybe you were drinking right from the jug? I couldn’t tell, because the blinds to the family room were closed again. I look forward to the cool summer breeze which permits you to keep your windows open all night. If you were with me, I’d buy you all the milk you ever wanted. A milk jug for every day of the week. You could bathe in milk. But alas, you don’t even know who I am. I know who you are. I want to whisper sweet nothings into your ear like the wind blows through the tree that I am hiding in. But even I know that this love can never be. And without you, I am not whole. I am but 2 percent of a man.
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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Mike Huguenor on November 28, 2018
Despite its co-opting of the word “creative,” the business models of Silicon Valley work largely in opposition to the artistic process. There is no convenience economy of art. You can’t Doordash creative inspiration, and you can’t Uber your way past its gestation period. With art, doing it right takes time. Continue reading »
Miramar’s musical knowledge is staggering. Over the course of an hour, pianist Marlysse Simmons Argandona and singer Reinaldo Alvarez cover classical, salsa, reggae, tropicalia and bossa nova.
But what they really want to talk about is boleros.
Continue reading »
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Avi Salem on November 28, 2018
Tap your toes to the sounds of the live bagpipes, bodhráns and fiddles of An Irish Christmas, a festive tribute to the traditional song, dance and spirit of the holidays in Ireland. Led by principal Riverdance dancer Caterina Coyne, An Irish Christmas takes the audience on a holiday journey with Celtic song, music and dance. Featuring Irish dancers from the Kerry Dance Troupe, traditional singers from the Kerry Voice Squad and live sound by the Kerry Traditional Orchestra, the evening includes regional favorites as well as Irish renditions of Christmas standards like “Little Drummer Boy,” “Silent Night” and more. Continue reading »
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Avi Salem on November 28, 2018
For more than three decades, Kevin Nealon has maintained a constant if not consistently entertaining presence in Hollywood’s comedic circles. Since he gained notoriety in the 1980s as the Weekend Update news anchor on Saturday Night Live, the late night comedy mainstay and nine-year SNL veteran has starred in myriad films and TV shows, most notably as Doug Wilson, the perpetually stoned accountant on the Emmy Award-winning serial Weeds. Going back to his comedic roots, Nealon’s hitting the road for a nationwide standup tour that pokes fun at everything from electric cars to medical marijuana. Continue reading »
