by
Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
In the Bay Area punk rock pantheon, few bands loom as large as Rancid. Fewer still have legit South Bay cred. Though Rancid was born in Berkeley—an offshoot of Operation Ivy and incubated at the legendary Gilman—they found a kindred spirit and second guitarist in Campbell native Lars Frederiksen, who joined the band shortly before the massive success of Let’s Go and …And Out Come the Wolves. Rancid is joined by fellow punk royalty at this Alt 105.3-hosted show. SoCal-bred Pennywise rose high on the same wave that carried Sublime, The Offspring, Green Day and Bad Religion to alternative radio playlists all across the country. Continue reading »
by
Nick Veronin on June 12, 2019
With an ear for American primitive songcraft, a vocal delivery reminiscent of Tom Waits and a childhood split between Detroit and Alabama, Tim Higgins is the kind of artist music journalists are drawn to. Phrases like “Southern Gothic poetry,” “dark cabaret” and “Rust Belt” burn brightly from within his press kit—springing from the page like road flares on a pitch black country road. One imagines his dusty, down-and-out acoustic ballads would pair perfectly with such a drive. Better still are those songs that have been fleshed-out with warm horns, plaintive fiddle and barrel-aged, reverberant slide guitar lines. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
On Jun. 19, 1865, federal troops rolled into Galveston, Texas, to enforce emancipation. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Presented by the African American Community Service Agency, the 38th annual festival features family friendly activities, performances, art and information on community services. Local rap, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and jazz performers take the stage, as well as Faith Evans, who in 2017 released her latest album, The King & I, featuring duets with her late husband Notorious B.I.G. Free before 1pm, $10 after. A $25 VIP ticket buys entry to the festival and open mic night after party at The Continental. Continue reading »
by
Mike Huguenor on June 12, 2019
To understand the music of Tony Molina, we should first talk about bonsai. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
This Northside San Jose neighborhood has welcomed global residents for decades—it was predominantly Italian before Black, Filipino, Mexican and Vietnamese families settled in. “It is like a little United States,” the Mercury News wrote in 1966. This summer, the area continues its community-building efforts by inviting locals to Backesto Park for an evening of food and fun. The park’s historic fountain marks its 100th birthday next year. This weekend, savor the warm summer night with snacks from Mister Softee NorCal, Takoz Mod Mex and I Love Cheesesteak. Plus an R&B performance by Kamiko. The market runs every Saturday through Aug. 31. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
A new exhibition at the Art Ark Gallery, “Diaspora in Bloom: Assyrians in the 20th Century & Beyond,” illuminates the contemporary experience of an ethnic group with roots stretching back to the so-called “Cradle of Civilization.” At its peak, the Assyrian Empire included territory in what is now northern Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Iran. Two Assyrian-Americans curated this show to demonstrate how their personal heritage has shaped them as individuals and artists. The show features work by Atra Givarkes, Esther Elia and Rabel Betshmuel—all of whom are of Assyrian descent. Runs Friday from 6pm-9pm and Saturday from noon-4pm. Continue reading »
by
Metro Staff on June 12, 2019
Since her breakout role in 1997’s Selena, Jennifer Lopez has remained relevant as both an actress and a performing artist. On screen she’s starred in cult classics, like The Cell and Out of Sight, and sappy-but-beloved rom-coms, like The Wedding Planner. On wax, she’s scored some of the biggest hits of the past 20 years, with a string of big albums, including On The 6, J. Lo and This is Me… Then. On her current tour, Lopez shares the stage with some of the best steppers from World of Dance, the TV talent show she produces and judges. Continue reading »
by
Erika Rasmussen on June 12, 2019
Homegrown musical acts Socorra and Adira Sharkey are headed to the Pacific Northwest with new tunes in tow, just a few months after Socorra’s release of a socioeconomic fight song. “Believe” is an indie-rock offering of hope in the face of a dream-crushing cycle of poverty so many local artists know too well. Adira Sharkey has settled into a sound of deep, soulful hooks, rumbling vocals and rattling acoustic tones. This show also features Santa Cruz native “soul and roll” musician Taylor Rae. Continue reading »
“LOL.” I’ve actually never seen the living embodiment of the acronym. Sure, I’ve witnessed people rolling on the ground in hysterics over you-had-to-be-there stories. Shit, I’ve been guilty of blowing fizzy soda pop out of my nostrils after a well crafted boffola. But what I saw a few weeks ago was laughing out loud, emphasis on the “LOUD!” I was at a stand-up comedy show where laughs should be plentifully supplied, but it seemed that one person was hogging all the air in the room. Kudos to the woman who laughed so loud that no one else felt they could compete. So, we all stayed silent as she represented us all in crowd response. It was as if the audience was a ventriloquist and this lady was the dummy. And not just after every punch line, but from every set-up, every side comment, every simple audience interaction … even when the comedian paused to wipe sweat from his forehead with a towel, all you heard was a hyena cackle from the front right of the room. Jeez, lady. Save some laughter for the rest of us! How about a two-laugh maximum to go with your two-drink minimum?
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
Erika Rasmussen on June 5, 2019
William Shakespeare’s summertime comedy about love and mischief is brought to life by Silicon Valley Shakespeare with an entirely female cast—fitting, given Shakespeare’s loyalty to the heroine and oft-floated theory that Old Bill may have actually been a woman. In one plot line, Titania and Oberon, queen and king of the fairies, have a big tiff, and Oberon enlists the “shrewd and knavish sprite,” Puck, to get back at Titania. Meanwhile, four Athenians caught in a messy love rectangle run off into the same forest. That’s when Puck gets into some classic spritely business with magical flower juice. Runs through June 23. Continue reading »
