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Erika Rasmussen on July 31, 2019
Turkey legs and goblets of wine? Sounds like a good olde tyme. History and fable come to life as nobility walk the meadow—including the Queen of England (Elizabeth I, bringer of the Elizabethan Era), ogres under the fairy ruler’s dominion, mermaids and whatever or whoever else makes their way into the sun this weekend. Of course, the relished joust takes center stage among other shows, aptly described as “part history lesson, part rodeo, part demolition derby.” An Artisan Marketplace will feature plenty of locally made treasures, plus mead, ale and grown-up grape juice. The faire runs through Aug. 4. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on July 31, 2019
It’s not every day that such iconic characters as Carmen, Tosca or Figaro roam the food court. But this weekend, Opera San Jose—celebrating its 35th year—serenades SoFa Market. Resident artists from the local company show off their vocal chops and mingle with fans. Attendees may enjoy drinks from the Fountainhead Bar while nibbling on a variety of choice snacks from Hawaiian Poke Bowl, Habana Cuba, Pizzetta 408, Tacos Los 3 Hermanos, Umi Hand Roll, Vietnoms, Sticks N’ Greens and Vitamina. First time at the opera? No sweat. The event is free, and you can leave the tux at home. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on July 31, 2019
Arizona-born Iranian American comedian Max Amini knocks improv out of the park, incorporating the audience in essentially every show he does. It seems he’s changing lives, to a certain extent—phoning a husband who stayed home on Valentine’s Day while his wife came to the show and helping attendees find romance—all from the stage. He was a part of NBC’s “Diversity Showcase” circa 2009, which inspired Amini to spearhead an “Exotic Imports” comedy tour, exploring the diverse material of funny-boned second-generation comics. Amini personally has fun probing the Persian-American experience, sometimes performing sets in Farsi. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on July 31, 2019
The 75th annual Santa Clara County Fair comes to San Jose this weekend. Host to plenty of good, old-fashioned American amusement, visitors may enjoy bumpy carnival rides, animal shows and a hypnotist convincing the nextdoor neighbor to act like a fish. Then there’s the food. Enjoy classics like corn dogs, onion rings, funnel cake and fudge while catching live music from a variety of acts—including DeAndre Brackensick’s smooth R&B, the oldies of Brenton Wood and The Drifters, and tribute act Hey Jude. The fair runs Aug. 1-4. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on July 31, 2019
While the Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers have been busy worrying about the work ethic of Millennials, Gen-Z has been quietly blossoming into a cultural force all its own. L.A. bedroom pop sensation Cuco mixes loungy, bossa nova guitars, lo-fi drum clippings and the inside jokes of a generation raised on the internet into a lazy, hazy brew. At this week’s Music in the Park he’s joined by Bay Area musician Marinero, who crafts gauzy, laid-back indie rock, inflected with Spanish and island flourishes. “Flor de Jamaica” sways lightly like a palm tree blown by a mild tropical breeze. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on July 31, 2019
Pat Simmons Jr. is primarily known for his music, which is to be expected when you’re the son of a founding member of one of the most famous groups of the ’70s and ’80s—San Jose-bred Doobie Brothers guitarist Patrick Simmons—and your own musical career began when you were barely old enough to walk. The 28-year-old Simmons, who released his debut album This Mountain in 2017 and is currently working on a follow-up, is on a West Coast tour, which comes to Moe’s Alley this week. Continue reading »
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Matei Predescu on July 31, 2019
Caffe Frascati’s Tuesday open mic nights and Cafe Stritch’s Wax Wednesdays draw crowds of young artists, musicians and poets who convene to jam, freestyle and share ideas. The vibrant community of local creatives is all there. What’s lacking, however, is a larger network of performance spaces, accessible and all-ages, to sustain this burgeoning culture beyond those two venues. But a local grassroots music production collective is aiming to change that. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on July 31, 2019
There’s more to George Clinton than many fans realize. The Kannapolis, NC-born musician is the voice and face of Parliament Funkadelic. A leading light of the music scene, Clinton brought a sensibility that—much like Frank Zappa, to whom he is often compared—combined humor with advanced musicality. Through the 1970s and ’80s, the music made by the various aggregations under the P-Funk banner delighted fans who wanted something beyond the ordinary. The space-themed outfits, high-energy and outrageous live shows won Clinton and his band mates a loyal following that continues to this day. Continue reading »
That was a really fancy maneuver you pulled on your bike. Blowing through a red light at Julian and Fourth streets while being on the wrong side of the road. Or were you riding on the sidewalk on Fourth? Because the way you suddenly zipped in front of me from around the corner, I couldn’t tell. Pulled in front of my car and forced me to brake to avoid hitting you because you decided to cut across Julian diagonally. Then you had the nerve to call me an asshole. Then to top it all off you decided to try and chase me down Julian Street. What were you going to do? Try to break my windows? Or maybe you really are suicidal and wanted another go at flinging yourself in front of my vehicle?
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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Erika Rasmussen on July 24, 2019
The question is not whether an individual believes in magic, but rather: can anyone trust their own brain? Adam Gazzaley, professor of neurology at UC San Francisco, joins Robert Strong, the Comedy Magician—voted San Francisco’s best magician three times—to explore the neuroscience of magic. An actual field of study, neuromagic started in 2005 with the work of neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, author of the book Sleights of Mind, which explores the ways our minds can play tricks on us and uses that data to draw informed conclusions about the true nature of human cognition. Continue reading »
