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Matei Predescu on August 28, 2019
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Kings Mountain Fire Station’s annual art fair returns this Labor Day weekend, turning the redwood groves blanketing Skyline Boulevard into an outdoor art gallery, complete with tasty grilled food and family-friendly activities. The fair has been managed entirely by volunteers since its debut in 1963 and has grown to be a juried show with over 135 artists presenting their original works. Proceeds support the local elementary school as well as the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade, whose efforts helped contain the 2017 Skeggs Fire. Continue reading »
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Kael Austria on August 28, 2019
Close out the summer by getting in touch with your primal instincts. This year’s Silicon Valley Music Festival focuses on primitive concepts and traditional art forms. The three-day festival will feature both visual and audio artists performing pieces inspired by and depicting human interaction with nature. On Friday, hear a musical interpretation of the Colorado River. On Saturday, check out a new interpretation of Igor Stravinski’s Rite of Spring. And on Sunday hear a chamber orchestra’s take on the same piece at Santa Clara University’s Recital Hall. That performance will be followed by a Q&A with the arranger, Anthony Rivera. Continue reading »
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Wallace Baine on August 28, 2019
In the field of Mexican norteño music, San Jose’s Los Tigres Del Norte bestride the world like giants. More than 50 years ago, Jorge Hernandez and his brothers, while still only teens, left Mexico to settle in the South Bay, and in that time, they’ve sold well north of 35 million recordings. With their often politically charged music, Los Tigres have brought the concerns of contemporary Mexicans to a global audience, and have made norteño and other forms such as conjunto and corrido musical touchstones worldwide. With immigration and Mexican-US relations at the top of the national dialogue, Los Tigres have never been more relevant. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on August 28, 2019
Eat, drink and be spendy at the third annual Cupertino Food & Wine Stroll. In addition to bites and sips, this festival celebrates the downtown business community. There are two tiers of presale tickets: $15 buys access to food only, while $30 gets you a grub-and-drink wristband. Both levels are just a bit pricier the day of the festival. Grab a gooey slice à la Doppio Zero Pizzeria, slide some Kebab Shop cuts off the skewer or savor one of Pacific Catch’s bites from the sea. As for drinks, Rootstock Wine Bar and Steins Beer Garden have that covered. Continue reading »
The hypebeast is for real, and it has moved on from fashion to food! Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has caused a major disruption in the natural order of fast food fried chicken. Everyone already knew about their Two-piece Tuesday deal. It’s a great bang for your buck, just not worth the sometimes-over-an-hour-long wait. You can go to KFC—Popeyes’ archenemy—instead for your fried chicken fix. But last week, Popeyes made Chick-fil-A their latest rival. I drove by my local Popeyes on San Carlos Street on Friday and the line was out the door, even longer than on a Tuesday! Was there a new three-piece deal that I wasn’t aware of? Nope. It turns out word of mouth and people’s social media catapulted their new chicken sandwich into superstardom, so much so that the very next day my Popeyes and other neighboring franchises started posting makeshift signs that read, “Sorry, we are out of chicken sandwiches” and “Nope. We don’t got ’em!” As a Popeyes fan, I’d love to try it. But since I can’t at the moment, I’ll just put a drumstick between a biscuit until the hypebeast has been slayed.
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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Bill Kopp on August 23, 2019
Among many music fans, there exists an unshakable belief: No matter how good the musicians, no matter how sophisticated the recording gear, no matter how skilled the recording engineers, a studio recording simply cannot capture the essence of a performer the way a live show can. For those fans and those who want a souvenir of their live concert experience, there’s the live album. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on August 22, 2019
From the community-building shops of SJMade and Empire in The Air—a San Jose apparel brand pledging empowerment and engagement through local events—“Growth” is a day to honor the Bay Area as a home that inspires, uplifting the craft of local vendors, artists and performers. ChiChai, founder and art director of EITA, features her artwork: emotive and glowing figures. Bryant Sina’s psychedelic third-eye-sporting smiley faces and figures capture his “be happy” message in a way that’s both eerie and soul-settling. Local musician Ashley Mehta will play her latest rosy-pop tunes, which have started to trend alongside names like Dua Lipa and Halsey. Donations welcome. Continue reading »
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Kael Austria on August 22, 2019
Everyone knows that a beer or two can help loosen you up. Throw yoga into the mix and even the stiffest working stiffs are liable to walk away more pliable. Billed as an “End of Summer Block Party,” this event includes yoga, beer and music. As DJ Yogic Flow spins tunes designed to keep the people moving, attendees are invited to participate in an all-levels yoga group led by two instructors. There will be yoga mats available for rent and food trucks on site for everyone to enjoy after the session. You must be 21 or older to attend. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on August 22, 2019
This Oakland-based band is known far and wide for its terrific horn section. Tower of Power has been bringing its unique brand of soulful, high-energy music to albums, audiences and collaborations for 50 years. Like so many “legacy” acts of its generation, Tower of Power has seen many players come and go; more than 60 musicians have cycled through the group. But founding members Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone) and Stephen “Doc” Kupka (baritone sax)—plus longtime bassist Rocco Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi—keep the flame burning. They’ll be joined by a modern-day collection of top-flight players. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on August 22, 2019
Calling all cold-blooded creatures! The lowbellied, the legless, the shelled and scaled all have a special place at the San Jose Reptile Show. Both fanatics and newcomers are invited to gather among their slithering, tongue-flicking friends. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with our reptilian and amphibian neighbors: bearded dragons, snakes, frogs, geckos, turtles, tortoises and more. Mingle with breeders, rescue groups, artisans, herpetological societies and vendors who supply exotic pet needs like bugs and rodents… yum! The show runs through Sunday. Continue reading »
