I get it. You’re going through some sort of existential crisis because you’ve hated the past three jobs you quit in the span of 18 months and you’re searching for meaning. But can’t you just talk to me about it like a human being and not some holier-than-thou mystic? Why can’t we just bitch about our dead-end jobs over a glass of wine for a night and then move up and onward like normal people? Instead, I feel like you’re cloaking your real anxieties in magical mumbo-jumbo about your Third Eye, your previous reincarnations dating back to the dawn of time and signs from the universe that—magical as they appear in the photos you send of them—look a lot like regular ol’ sunbeams to me.
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
Tad Malone on November 8, 2018
Started in Boston back in 2003, Nerd Nite is now regularly observed in pubs, bars, theaters and other venues in cities around the world. A varied discussion event for fun, thought-provoking and sometimes ridiculous presentations, Nerd Nite topics range from prototypical nerdy fare to pop culture. Anyone—not just nerds—is invited to show up and learn something new over drinks and food. This week’s Nerd Nite features three speakers: Jennifer Tharp on the economics of adoption; Alan Wu, PhD, on applying modern lab medicine to historic figures; and Dr. Seth Shostak on the search for E.T. and human morphology. Continue reading »
Stanford University’s boundary-pushing Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics is known for producing innovations and innovators. This week the school presents a pair of trailblazing sound artists, whose compositions must be heard to be fully understood. IMA is the project of percussionist Nava Dunkelman and electro-acoustic composer Amma Ateria. Together they will present prepared and improvised elements, including stark electronics, electro-acoustic percussion, found sounds and synthesizer, to weave a moody sonic quilt—blurring the lines between noise, harmony and poetry. Continue reading »
by
Tad Malone on November 8, 2018
Originally formed in Seattle by Jared Warren and Coady Willis, stoner metal wunderkinds Big Business have been dredging up sludgy riffs and propulsive drums since 2004. With a style that is sometimes proggy, sometimes melodic and always heavy, Big Business have been shoring up their sound for more than a decade, and the dedication to their craft shows. Their most recent album, Command Your Weather is an upbeat and minimalist post-metal journey that combines the horror iconography of punks like The Misfits with the heavy, bombastic density of early Black Sabbath. Continue reading »
by
Tad Malone on November 8, 2018
Barber Shop Chronicles is a funny, poignant journey through community and culture. Written by playwright Inua Ellams, Barber Shop Chronicles traverses African barber shops in Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala and Lagos, and eventually winds up in London. Along the way, the play explores how the barber shop is a central hub of activity in society—a place where people can learn, confess, share wisdom and grow through collaborative knowledge. Tickets for Thursday and Friday night’s presentations are sold out. Matinee and evening showings are still open on Saturday. Continue reading »
Fairly or not, contemporary Klezmer music is often associated with traditional Jewish weddings. But Daniel Kahn’s band, The Painted Bird, has performed at just one matrimonial ceremony. Continue reading »
by
Nick Veronin on November 7, 2018
Attention older millennials: the early aughts are now about 15 years in the rear view mirror. Back then, George W. Bush seemed like the worst president ever, men still weren’t sure about slimmer-fitting jeans and hardcore-flecked pop punk was having a moment. Remember “All Downhill From Here” by New Found Glory? Rawk! San Jose punk trio 5606 were very much of that time, and they are still shredding. Their new single, “Ride Along,” out Nov. 13 on Spotify, recalls everything that was exciting about punk at the turn of the millennium—great production, powerful drums, punchy riffs and sweet vocal harmonies. Continue reading »
by
Yousif Kassab on November 7, 2018
Alain Macklovitch has a lot on his plate. Between running his own label, dropping singles, crafting DJ sets and still making time to cobble together the occasional remix, he is truly prolific. Continue reading »
by
Nick Veronin on November 7, 2018
The resort town of Acapulco, Mexico, is known for its warm, sunny beaches. But the Acapulco-born producer known as Junkie Kid is not known for crafting tropical bass. Cutting his teeth on techno, trance and Dutch hardstyle, Junkie Kid’s excellent debut full-length merges all of his influences with moody melodies and heavy textures for a style he has called “neo-hard house.” At this year’s Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, he rocked the Wasteland Stage with a little help from a full mariachi band, mashing up the triumphant brass tones of traditional Mexican folk music with bowel-rattling sub-bass. Continue reading »
by
Tad Malone on November 7, 2018
Tacos are one of the greatest foods ever created. And beer needs no introduction. These are the facts. Celebrate the best of both worlds at the Bay Area Taco and Beer Festival, which spreads across the San Jose Giants ballpark like a giant tortilla this weekend. The event will be overflowing with craft beer from local and regional breweries, and the price of admission gets you unlimited taco taste tests from all the vendors on hand. It will also feature other types of food, original art for sale, a photo booth for capturing memories and much more. Continue reading »
