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Alec Adams on November 17, 2021
This year, San Jose Stage Company is all about the greats. After their run of The Great Leap, they’re back to tackle Dickens’s Great Expectations. One of the 19th century’s most iconic novels, the story of orphaned Pip’s journey through poverty-stricken England is probably a little less relevant today, in this era where poverty is solved and everything is great (that’s sarcasm). Artistic Director Randall King describes the play as one of social injustice and hopes it will allow the audience to “embrace optimism and hope.” The lean cast of 6 actors is sure to create an intimate take on this timeless classic. Continue reading »
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Steve Palopoli on November 10, 2021
If you’ve never considered how essential J&P Cosentino Family Farm is to the very identity of the South Bay, you’re not alone. In fact, the history of the farm—now just a tiny two acres surrounded on all sides by the sprawling metropolis that is Silicon Valley—is one of being underappreciated, unloved and counted out. Continue reading »
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Grace Stetson on November 10, 2021
Over the last 18 months, a generation of young cooks entered the kitchen as novices and began perfecting skills in bread-making, baking and cooking. For one celebrity chef, the at-home DIY spirit was just the start of what’s to come—and the main reason he’s getting back on the road now. Continue reading »
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Katie Lauer on November 10, 2021
San Jose’s St. James Park has seen more than its fair share of violence since the city was founded, its gardens and grasses—meant to provide tranquil escape—also often acting as grounds for death. Continue reading »
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Kyle Martin on November 10, 2021
Kolohe Kai’s show in San Jose has been hotly anticipated and quickly sold out. The island reggae band was started in 2009 by lead singer Roman De Peralta from Oahu. Popularly known for its sunny pop songs such as “Ehu Girl” and “Cool Down,” Kolohe Kai also has more roots-rock and skankin’ reggae influenced songs throughout its discography, including past hits such as “Start Trying” from 2014, or “Feel The Sunshine,” released this year. Tuesday’s show will also feature Hawaii’s own Fia, another heavy hitting reggae artist from Oahu, and the Bay Area’s CRSB, a Filipino island reggae duo. Continue reading »
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Jay Edgar on November 10, 2021
Bay Area guitarist Mason Razavi is a terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene. The West Valley lecturer has performanced with both SF Jazz and San Jose Jazz, and caught play on jazz radio across the world with some great records of originals. Joined by frequent collaborator Brian Ho on the organ and Jason Lewis on the drums, Razavi will be playing two sets at Art Boutiki. The first includes standards and originals with selections from his upcoming solo guitar album, and the second will be a tribute to jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery. Continue reading »
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Alec Adams on November 10, 2021
The word is officially out—the South Bay is at the center of an exciting moment in hardcore music. People are hungry for the sound, and our bands are out there representing us in moshpits and DIY venues throughout the nation. Hometown heroes Spy are back with a stacked lineup of touring and local acts. They killed it at the X-Bar when they performed in September and now they have a whole new record’s worth of material to bring for this return show. This is sure to be a mosher’s delight, and a great opportunity to see why listeners have lifted San Jose up to the top of the punk rock pedestal. Continue reading »
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Jay Edgar on November 10, 2021
For the second time ever, New Japan Pro Wrestling is drop-kicking into San Jose. Long a cult sensation in the US, NJPW has brought some of the best talent in the world. American wrestling superstars like the Young Bucks and AJ Styles cut their teeth first in the promotion, and homegrown stars like Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada are absolutely sensational to behold. This show will be headlined by a great title match between New Zealander villain “Switchblade” Jay White and the “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii, and rounded out by matchups from top talent from both the US and Japan. Continue reading »
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Alec Adams on November 10, 2021
Opera, perhaps the most disciplined and harrowing style of musical performance ever invented, has always had a hard time gripping American audiences for a pretty simple reason—most of them aren’t in English. Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, however, has been representing the language in opera for centuries. The story of a queen’s love affair with a Trojan warrior—and an evil sorcerer’s attempts to sabotage it all—is the English classic in the operatic tradition. Personally, if there’s an evil sorcerer involved, I’m in. In their 38th season, Opera San Jose brings three weeks of performances to the California Theater starting this Saturday. Continue reading »
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Grace Stetson on November 10, 2021
Jo Koy has over 30 years of comedy under his belt, and he’s hitting the road to elicit chuckles from the big stage this Friday at San Jose’s SAP Center. Known as a panelist on “Chelsea Lately” and for his multiple Netflix specials, the Seattle native has continuously sold out shows and broken attendance records for comedy venues across the country, and he’s aiming to do the same with his post-pandemic material. With this Friday’s show, Koy will bring along new heartfelt and moving stories to the stage as part of his “Just Kidding” dates, including pestering his 12-year-old to brush his teeth and wear deodorant. Continue reading »
