by
Mike Huguenor on December 11, 2019
As one of the few venues in town promoting young, up-and-coming bands on the DIY scene, 3F Gallery deserves a hand. This weekend, the gallery hosts a stacked show featuring Laundry, an Oregon-based band reminiscent of Crumb, Alvvays and Diners. The Eugene outfit released its tender and dreamy Affirmation EP earlier this year and comes to San Jose on tour with fellow Oregonians, Dead Chemist. The weirdo punk rap trio sounds something like Khruangbin backing Atmosphere. And while you’re there, don’t miss Kit Fisto, one of San Jose’s best rising indie acts. Continue reading »
by
Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
For many people this time of year, coming together with neighbors and singing sacred music in a beautiful place is an impulse not to be ignored. For the 15th straight year, Elena Sharkova and the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale will be answering the call. In the holiday glow of the lovely old California Theatre, the chorale—with help from opera and Broadway star Lisa Vroman—will sing the holiday songs so many of us know by heart, such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Audience participation is highly encouraged. Continue reading »
by
Kenny Ngo on December 11, 2019
After years of spinning up remixes and nabbing choice production credits—remember Major Lazer’s ridonkulous 2013 banger, “Bubble Butt?”—Los Angeles DJ Valentino Khan finally has an EP of his own. Khan released House Party on Diplo’s Mad Decent label over the summer. The collection blends trap, dubstep, moombahton and hardstyle together into an infectious six-song set and features team-ups with Chris Lorenzo and the maestro himself, Diplo, who joins Kahn on “JustYourSoul.” The steady and hypnotic track is a master class in pulling the maximum amount of ass-shaking beat out of a minimal sonic palate. Continue reading »
by
Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
The Winchester Mystery House is weird enough with the lights on. Imagine taking the grand tour of the Bay Area’s most bizarre house in the dark—like the gang from Scooby-Doo, hunting for ghosts. This Friday—the 13th, natch—the Mystery House opens up for the adventurous to explore the house by flashlight (The $49 admission price comes with a souvenir torch). The event is held to honor the house’s eccentric matron, Sarah Winchester, who was apparently a bit obsessed with the number 13. One lucky guest will get the chance to ring the house’s bell at 1pm (the 13th hour of the day). Continue reading »
by
Conor Agnew on December 11, 2019
Andy Woodhull is proud to be a stepfather. He is also proud of just how lazy his stepdaughters are. “I could only have dreamt of being that lazy when I was their age!” he cracks. The comedian mines his familial relationships for laughs, spinning yarns about the perplexing difficulties of spousal communication, the frustrating detachment of phone-obsessed teenagers, and the absurdity of flavored bird seed—all with the genial sarcasm of a fully grown Midwestern class clown. The Chicago denizen has garnered praise from James Corden and Jimmy Fallon, with whom he shares a certain clean comic appeal. Continue reading »
by
Wallace Baine on December 11, 2019
Broadway director Neil Goldberg has assembled a dazzling cast of acrobatic performers, singers and dancers for this theatrical spin on the holiday season. On consecutive nights at the San Jose Civic, Cirque Dreams Holidaze will feature glitzy and colorful penguins, snowmen, toy soldiers, reindeer and other yuletide pomp, along with tons of merry music—including original songs mixed in with old holiday pop faves like “Deck the Halls” “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” It all takes place within a huge, multimillion-dollar set where even the ornaments come alive. Continue reading »
by
Bill Kopp on December 11, 2019
Pop stars and genres of popular music come and go. But a select few performers manage to endure floating above the rapidly flowing stream contemporary culture. Johnny Mathis has stayed aloft for more than 60 years now. Continue reading »
to talk to someone
you don’t even know
for a moment of fun
and to let someone grow
we met in a space
where they stop on a dime
she gave me a nickel
and a moment of her time
she worked for some Joe’s
trading posts for food
yes, I’ve a big nose
but use it only for good
she’s seen ventura highway
she’s giving mountain view a try
in the sunshine and by day
before we say goodbye
I told her where angels flew
too close to the ground
all the best chefs knew
where cherries could be found
where drive-ins and malls
once ruled this navy land
the moonlight drive still calls
where we used to stand
then an uber hailed
took her to her home
a word that never failed
to a heart born to roam
wonders never cease
to speak is not a crime
to the girl with a nickel
and a moment of time
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
Metro Staff on December 4, 2019
To those who grew up in the know, the so-called “Secret Sidewalk,” running through Niles Canyon in Fremont, was a place to go get weird. Formerly the Spring Valley Aqueduct, this graffiti-covered, rectangular channel once carried water, but eventually became a place for daytrippers to, um… trip. It’s unclear if musicians Alex Abalos, Mike Boo, Michael Reed and Marcus Stephens—who together form the Bay Area-based avant-electro-jazz outfit Secret Sidewalk—have named their project in homage to this stoner mecca, but their beautifully strange tunes would certainly provide an ideal soundtrack for a psychedelic journey through the East Bay foothills. Continue reading »
by
Metro Staff on December 4, 2019
With her band Le Bonheur, Storm Large performs holiday shows that are both naughty and nice. The early show, “American Songbook,” is intended for the general public; the late show, “Unbuttoned,” is for adults only. Fans of Pink Martini have likely seen Storm singing with that band; her solo shows cover the musical waterfront, from cabaret and jazz to rock and original songs, performed with a side of sauciness and sprinkled liberally with banter. Continue reading »
