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Matei Predescu on July 24, 2019
Bay Area-born jazz pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti is a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary jazz community. Coming up under the wing of West Coast jazz legend Dave Brubeck, the child prodigy and Grammy-nominated virtuoso rose to fame in the early 2000s. Now based in New York, he’s worked with modern stars like Eric Harland and Gretchen Parlatto. Eigsti’s breathtaking technical facility and timeless compositional voice cements his status in the lineage of groundbreaking jazz pianists. He will premiere his upcoming album, Tree Falls—slated for release early next year—at his Stanford Jazz Festival appearance. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on July 24, 2019
Few events are as ambitious as Sacred Art. Combining music, theater, art installations, and physical and performance art, the two-day event offers attendees an immersive, hypnagogic trip through the South Bay’s art scene. Explore galleries and tableaux as local soul singer Steely Nash plays Leonard Cohen. Or become a part of the spectacle with live body painting, baroque wardrobe regalia and participatory performances. The goal is to tear down the border between stage and audience, creating something like a spiritual experience without religion. And if that’s not enough, the event also doubles as a fundraiser for Ugandan children. Continue reading »
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Matei Predescu on July 24, 2019
Over the past few years, Outer-Space Entertainment has drawn together many of the South Bay’s rock outfits for various live events. The artist management and booking organization returns to Cupertino’s nightlife bastion, The X-Bar, with a showcase of homegrown artists like San Jose alternative rock quintet Living Among Giants and prog-metal rockers Cyborg Octopus. Harnessing the gripping intensity of nine local groups, the event is headlined by Sacramento-based singer Kurt Travis, who is best known for his work with post-hardcore acts like Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds. Continue reading »
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Kael Austria on July 24, 2019
From adobo omelettes to seafood pancakes and longganisa sliders, the Cupertino Night Market will feature a wide selection of food to satisfy a wide assortment of cravings. All are invited to relish both sweet and savory fare from 20 local eateries while perusing vendor booths at this inaugural event, hosted by the Asian American Business Council and De Anza College. There will also be live music. All ages are welcome and youngsters may enjoy a dedicated kids’ zone. The market runs until 9pm. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on July 24, 2019
To infinity and beyond. Well… just down the way in Sunnyvale, actually… for some tunes and good eats. Sunnyvale Jazz & Beyond transforms the meaning of “takeout” for the 10th year in a row. Every Saturday through Aug. 24, R&B, funk, blues and jazz perform as visitors browse menus on the table-lined avenue. They can also place orders over the phone with local restaurants, who will deliver meals right on the street. This Saturday, Evan Thomas Blues holds court, meshing his steely vocals and kaleidoscopic instrumentals—inspired by the likes of B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Rush. Continue reading »
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Kael Austria on July 24, 2019
Celebrating the art of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, this food, drink and crafting night is hosted by Tortas Ahogadas Tradición Tapatía Espacia Tlaquepaque. Kahlo, known for her surrealist self portraits, used her canvases to spur conversations on politics, gender, race and identity. In honor of Kahlo’s birth month, Tlaquepaque brings artist and muralist Juan Solis to their patio for a painting workshop and Kahlo crash course. Solis, who has been painting since he was 12, honed his craft under the guidance of famed muralist George Yepes. There will be a raffle, complimentary drinks and opportunities to purchase some of Solis’s art pieces. Continue reading »
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Metro Staff on July 24, 2019
Dance is one of humanity’s most cathartic outlets. La Misa Negra understands this primal drive and seeks to capitalize on our collective lust for movement. Hailing from Oakland, the seven-piece band excels at packing a world of sounds into every one of its tightly wound, hip-shaking numbers. Shimmying cumbia and Afro-Latin beats roil beneath skronky swing-revival horns and tremulous surf punk guitar flourishes on “Sancocho,” a track from their 2018 eponymous “red album.” The song’s title literally refers to a stew common to many Latin American countries. Urban Dictionary offers a second definition—awesomeness in liquid form. Continue reading »
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Erika Rasmussen on July 24, 2019
While on the road with Spank! The Fifty Shades of Grey Parody, Danielle Trzcinski and Amanda Barker encountered an audience they’d never fully considered—grown-ass women hitting the town with their besties and reveling in female camaraderie. On that tour, Trzcinski and Barker came across thousands in search of a truly special girls’ night out. So, the pair put pen to paper and brought Little Black Dress to the stage. Written for women by women, this musical follows friends Mandy and Dee through the ups and downs of life, including job interviews, dates, awkward sexual encounters and more. Continue reading »
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Matei Predescu on July 24, 2019
CHRIS PORTER SUMS up his latest standup special by highlighting what it lacks: “No politics, no religion, no racism,” Porter says of A Man From Kansas. Throughout his new special, Porter steers clear of overt partisanship, while still lampooning the tribal rituals that serve as flashpoints in the broader culture wars. “Hipster food,” people complacent with—or even proud of their ignorance—and toxic masculinity all draw his ire. Continue reading »
I like to shop local and have always favored small independent coffeehouses. But after a trio of bad experiences (stale burned coffee, clueless indifferent employees and a filthy smelly restroom), I decided to surrender to the dreaded corporate behemoth from Seattle. That’s where I saw you. You greeted me with a genuinely warm smile, had patience with my stupid newbie questions and steered me to an alternative to my usual beverage. You even offered to make another if I didn’t like it … but it was awesome! Even though all I was buying was a measly $3 cup of coffee, you treated me like I was someone special. This may seem like a cliche, but you really acted like you owned the business! I always tip generously because I think that food service employees are grossly underpaid. But I went a step further for you. I stuffed a $5 bill into my empty ceramic mug and slid it back across the counter toward you just to be sure that you were the one who picked it up. As I left, I looked back over my shoulder to see you waving the bill over your head and dancing around in celebration. Seriously. Your cheerful enthusiasm and authentic good nature helped me get through the rest of my day. Thank you!
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.
