This year’s fall installment of the SoFA Street Fair marks a number of milestones. It’s the 10th edition since the festival returned in 2014 after a 10-year hiatus. Interestingly enough, the original SoFA Street Fair ran from 1994 to 2004. You can do the math there. The free live music runs until 9pm. With four outdoor stages and 11 indoor venues, there will be no shortage of great tunes to take in. Be sure to stop by the women-powered XX Stage to see a number of great female-fronted San Jose acts, including Soccora, Sweet Hayah, Steely Nash and Chloey Zelma.

SoFA Street Fair
Sun, 2pm, Free
SoFA District, San Jose

The latest downtown beautification effort by San Jose-based arts non-profit The Exhibition District is all about spreading the love. The #100BlockSJ, a giant mural nearing completion in the SoFA District, covers the southern wall of 320 S. 1st St. It is composed of 100 square mini-murals painted by local artists—all of whom were paid, thanks to funding raised by The Ex D. In addition to bringing a sense of place to the space it occupies, it also has given 100  talented artists a paying gig. Come meet the creative folks behind the mural and celebrate its official unveiling.#100BlockSJ
Fri, 5pm, Free
320 S. 1st St, San Jose

It is time once again for the monthly South First Friday Art Walk in downtown San Jose’s SoFA District. This month features a reception by artist Mike Egan at Anno Domini; Egan’s third solo show, “Where Death Goes to Die,” is opening there. Also featured this time around at MACLA, an open mic youth showcase for aspiring rappers, spoken word artists, photographers, singers and other creatives. As usual Phantom Galleries will take over Pho 69—with “Out of the Darkness” by Whisper, while artist Monica Valdez will host a reception at The Pierce Apartments to showcase her new work, “Symbiosis.”

South First Friday
Fri, 7pm, Free
SoFA District, San Jose

This weekend marked the eighth anniversary of the SubZERO Festival. Featuring music from local and national musicians, food, drinks and plenty of local artists, it was only the second time the festival spanned two days. Check out our video by Metro interns Linh Nguyen and Raechel Price and view photos by Metro photographer Greg Ramar.

Band: Rin Tin Tiger.

View the entire gallery here.

Downtown San Jose has done a lot of growing up in the past two years. Since 2013, the city has enjoyed a growing craft-cocktail scene—with the combined opening of 55 South, SP2 and Paper Plane. Great beer is everywhere: just head to the recently transformed Good Karma, ISO Beers, or the newly expanded Original Gravity. And we haven’t even gotten to SoFA yet.

With the promise of a brand new alternative rock club—helmed by Blank Club co-founder Corey O’Brien—the upscale libations and smooth house music of The Continental, all the great jazz and indie music at Cafe Stritch, and the regularly on-point hip-hop shows at Back Bar and Agenda Lounge, the South First Street Area is beginning to look like the Once and Future King of music and nightlife in San Jose.

It sure fit that bill last Friday, when this intrepid arts editor found himself bouncing between a Cinequest red carpet event featuring New Girl star Hannah Simone at The California Theatre, the incredible virtuosity of the Charnett Moffett NeTTwork trio at Stritch, a genre-melding solo performance by DJ-producer-pianist-vocalist Taylor McFerrin, who kicked of San Jose Jazz Winterfest at The Continental, and wrapping up the night by dancing to a blistering set from underground Bay Area hip-hop icon, Andre Nikatina.

So, if you don’t know, now you know. Be sure to keep an eye on the SoFA district in the coming weeks and months. It’s the new place to be. And if you missed out on this weekend’s action, check out the photos:

Hannah Simone walked the Cinequest red carpet prior to the screening of her new film ‘Miss India America.’ Photo: Greg Ramar.

An annual highlight in the SoFA District, the SubZERO Festival drew thousands of people out for a night of art, music and entertainment in San Jose.

Photos by Metro photographer Geoffrey Smith II.