Just collecting a few random flyers around downtown and SJSU and passing the info on to you. This stuff ranges from comedy to theater to nightclub events to ballroom dance lessons to talent shows to… well, you’ll see. There’s got to be something here you’re interested in. I’m also splicing in some events I found here on the San Jose Downtowner e-mail newsletter, and a couple of gems I saw on Artsopolis.com. I wish I could do this more often. Alas, school.

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Comedy at the Improv: Komedy Kegger – San Jose Bar and Grill teams up with The Improv to supply top notch laughs and affordable drinks and appetizers.  Tickets are good for buy one get one drink at San Jose Bar and Grill after the show.  8 pm.  62 S. Second St.  $10, 280-7475 or www.symfonee.com/Improv/sanjose/home/index.aspx

Thursday, Oct. 2

Groove Suite — An Open Turnatble Gathering: Every first Thursday of the month. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at SFB Lounge, 420 South First St. All styles and genres welcome. Featuring a heavy monthly line-up of local and international guest DJs, live art, vendors, billiards, arcade/gaming area, food and drink specials all night. All sets are recorded live and will be available free to download at http://www.groovesuite.podomatic.com/. Resident: ThatGirl. Guest list free all night: thatgirlmelanie@yahoo.com. Email for priority open turntable sign-up.

Ma’BOO’Hay Talent Showcase: In celebration of Pilpino History Month, Akbayan presents their 8th annual talent showcase. Pilipino artists from around the Bay Area perform for a night of great music and fun, with proceeeds going to Bantay Bata 163, a charity that serves sick and abused children. Sponsored by the Akbayan Filipino-American Organization of SJSU. Tickets are $8 presale and $12 at the door. Doors open 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Email maboohay2008@gmail.com for tickets or more information, or visit http://akbayansjsu.wordpress.com/.

Comedy at the Improv presents Henry Cho: (Thursday-Sunday) Cho is going to star in his own sitcom based on his life as a Korean-American born and raised in Tennessee.  He has also been featured on Comedy Central and several films like “Material Girls,” “Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation” and “Say It Isn’t So.”  8 pm Thurs; 8 pm and 10 pm Fri; 7 pm and 9 pm Sat; 7 pm Sun.  62 S. Second St. $16-$18, 280-7475 or www.symfonee.com/Improv/sanjose/home/index.aspx

City Lights Theatre presents “Noises Off”: A funny story of an English acting ensemble that is touring a production of a farce called “Nothing On.”  Thursday-Saturday through October 19. 8 pm Wed-Sat; 7 pm Oct 5; 2 pm Oct 12 and Oct 19.  529 S.  Second St.  $15-$40, 295.4200 or www.cltc.org

Friday, Oct. 3

South First Fridays: Downtown art venues are free and open to the public late into the evening, every first Friday of the month. You can also ride the new rickshaw service between galleries. See highlights, read about the venues and download a map at http://www.southfirstfridays.com/

Ballroom Dance: Take lessons every Friday from now to Oct. 24. This Friday and Friday Oct. 10 both focus on the Bolero. Oct. 17 and 24 teaches Salsa, Nov. 7 is the Foxtrot and Nov. 14 and 21 are East Coast Swing. No dance experience necessary! Cost is $25 for a semester or $3 for drop-in. Beginning classes are at 7:30 p.m. and intermediate is at 8:30 p.m. Visit the Ballroon Dance Club’s website at http://studentorgs.sjsu.edu/sjsubdc.

SiliCon 2008: Through Oct. 5. The SiliCon 2008 Convention for Fans of Science, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror features seminars covering hard science, science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Some of the topics covered include astronomy, robotics, and other scientific areas, as well as writing, painting, costuming, singing, model making, computer graphics, and film studies, along with diabetes education and outreach. SiliCon is a non-profit organization devoted to science education and raising funds and awareness for diabetes education and research. Info: http://www.siliconventions.com/2008/

Death of a Salesman: October 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 at 7 p.m., University Theatre, SJSU. Tickets are $10 students/seniors, $20 general admission. For more info or to order tickets online, go to http://www.tvradiofilmtheatre.com/.

San Pedro Farmers’ Market: Fresh produce, food vendors and live music, takes place each Friday to Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. along San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets. http://www.sjdowntown.com/eve_eve_far.html.

WAIT! There’s 7 more events behind the jump!

(more…)

From the group's July 13 performance at the San Jose Obon Festival.

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Hi everyone!

I’m Sarah, a new author for the San Jose Metblog. I’m very excited to contribute and to start off, I’d like to tell you a bit about myself (it’ll be short - I promise!)

- Journalism was my first love. I studied Journalism at SJSU, graduated with a degree in the fabulous subject in 2005, worked for local weekly newspapers for two years, then decided to leave the business. Not because I didn’t love reporting, but because I figured I should get out while I still had the choice. Anyone who’d like to have a conversation about the current state of Journalism in the Bay Area is absolutely welcome to leave a comment and let me know. :)

- I’m currently back at SJSU in the teaching credential program to be a high school English teacher. Yes, I left a poverty-inducing career where getting laid off is a possibility, to enter another poverty-inducing career that is also in danger financially. But what isn’t these days?

- And last, I love photography. I take photos around San Jose all the time, so I’m making it a mission to bring photos to each of my entries, starting with this one!

OK, enough about me. What I really want to tell you all about is the Spirit of Japantown Festival that is planned for next Saturday, Oct. 4. As a Japantown resident, I love telling people how much I love it here and how they should come by and check out some of the delicious food. Sushi Maru is my personal favorite, but Japantown has lots to offer.

The Spirit of Japantown Festival will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the heart of Japantown (Jackson and Fifth streets) and will be packed with activities for people of all ages. Shoppers will enjoy the Main Street full of Japanese fine arts, crafts, food for sale, as well as wares from other local merchants. Festival-goers will be able to enjoy entertainment that ranges from a hula to bellydancing on the Main Stage (Jackson Street between Third and Fourth streets), as well as Martial Arts demonstrations, free Anime movies, and other activities for kids. The San Jose Taiko group is scheduled to perform on the Main Stage, and I have to say they are a must-see. I’ve watched the group perform at the last two San Jose Obon Festivals and they are phenomenal.

While there is usually plenty of street parking in the area, during festivals, the streets fill up fast. However, those who are lightrail savvy will be interested to know that the Japantown/Ayer stop is just a few blocks away from the action. The stop is on First street near Jackson, so just a quick walk and riders can be in the heart of the action.

So if you’re interested, I’m sending you a personal invitation to my neighborhood to enjoy all it has to offer. See you at the festival!

For more information about the Spirit of Japantown Festival, visit their website.

A quick reminder: The annual Tapestry Arts Festival returns to downtown for Labor Day weekend, as it has since practically the dawn of time. The festival is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10 to 5 on Monday. Events include arts and crafts booths, music and performing arts on four stages, and hands-on art activities for kids. You’ll find it downtown on Almaden Boulevard, Park Avenue, and San Fernando Street. Proceeds benefit Tapestry Arts’ elementary school art education programs. Admission is free.

Symphony Silicon Valley, led by Bruce Hangen, former Principal Guest Conductor of the Boston Pops, will perform a live concert for the family to enjoy featuring music by Bernstein, Mendelssohn, Bizet, Beethoven and more. Bring a picnic and come early as the first 700 children receive a free recorder and instruction how to play it beginning at 2:15 pm.

Discovery Meadow Park
Woz Way and San Carlos Street, San Jose

Sunday, August 24
Beginning 3:00 pm

Admission: Free

Did you know that Music in the Park is 20 years old? I had no idea!

Tomorrow’s headliner is Rocco DeLuca and The Burden. I’ve only heard a few songs by Rocco, but they’re all pretty good. I’ve heard he puts on a great show. As described on the downtown site, his music is “high energy blues/folk rock”. Opening acts are Five A.M. and Jonny Manak & the Depressives (Surf Rock)

I haven’t been to a Music in the Park since last year (Finger Eleven) so I’m really looking forward to it. If you’re out there and you spot me, don’t be shy!

Music in the Park
5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez

I can hardly wait to get through the morning! Though the music starts at 11:00am, I won’t make it to the Jazz Festival until later.

1:00pm: My first stop will be the blues stage.
The Gary Smith Blues Band’ Gary, the ‘Godfather of Blues Harmonica’, calls San Jose his hometown.

2:00pm: The main stage will be the place to be.
The last time I saw John Densmore (Tribaljazz) was in 1967 at the Continental Ballroom. He was then with a group called ‘The Doors’.

The Continental Ballroom, once a roller-skating rink that was located at 1600 Martin Ave., Santa Clara just north of SJC. Those were the days…

4:00pm: The San Jose Rep Stage.
In nineteen and forty-one Eddie Gale was born in Brooklyn. He came west and in nineteen and seventy-two he found his way to San Jose, and by 1974 Mr.Gale was named ‘San Jose’s Ambassador of Jazz’.

6:00pm: Back to the main stage.
I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town when six-time Grammy winner, David Sanborn plays his tribute to Ray Charles and his arranger, saxophonist Hank Crawford.

From a young age David suffered with polio. When he was eleven doctors recommend that for therapy David take up a wind instrument. As a fan of Ray Charles and his sax players, ‘Fathead’ Newman and Hank Crawford, he chose the sax. The rest, as they say…

The San Francisco Symphony visits downtown San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez this Tuesday.

James Gaffigan leads the Orchestra for a lunchtime program that includes Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino, Dvořák’s Allegro con fuoco from Symphony No. 9 in E minor, and Tchaikovsky’s Andantino in modo di canzona and Allegro con fuoco from Symphony No. 4 in F minor.

The free concert begins at noon in the circle of palms, Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Bring the boss so you can spend extra time outside. Mention the word “free.”

San Francisco Symphony
Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose

Tuesday, July 15
Begins 12:00 noon
Admission: Free

Downtown Campbell is hosting the First Annual Big Bands & BBQ Festival this Saturday.

Big Bands? We’re talking rock, blues, salsa, classic jazz. How can you miss the Red Hot Skillet Lickers?

Okay, how about outdoors hardwood dance floors right in the middle of the street.

Food! Ribs, brisket, chicken and hot links will be available for purchase; there will be plenty of picnic tables, chairs, and umbrellas.

Four outdoor stages and two dance floors featuring dance music all day.

Entertainment Schedule

Map & Directions

Downtown Campbell
Saturday, July 12
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

America’s birthday, time to celebrate with parades, barbecues, picnics, festivals, and fireworks!

Here are some places to view fireworks and enjoy a day of celebrations:

San Jose

San Jose America Festival at Guadalupe River Park’s Discovery Meadow.

Enjoy international music, multicultural crafts and a variety of ethnic and festival foods. Activities for children are in Kidland.

Performances all day Friday at the Main Stage and the Blues Stage. There are also concerts Saturday and Sunday that include Night Ranger, Starship, Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdaguer.

July 4 - San Jose America Festival and Fireworks Show; Free

Gates open 12:00 pm; fireworks 9:30 pm

July 5 - Dia de la Familia Preciosa; $10

Gates open 3:00 pm

July 6 - Kinhcert on the Green: $15

Gates open 1:00 pm

Directions, Public Transportation, Parking, Bicycles

Event Map

FAQs (everything you need to know)

Santa Clara

Picnic and Fireworks Extravaganza. Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard; Free

Pancake Breakfast at 8 am, followed by games and entertainment throughout the day including a carnival area, petting zoo, face painting, and swimming at the International Swim Center. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase foods at the event.

Fireworks at 9:30 pm

Schedule & food prices (PDF)

Milpitas

Independence Day Festivities. Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Boulevard; Free

Water activities at Milpitas Sports Center Pools during the day; pool party 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Barbecue, at the pool party 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; nominal fee.

Concert & Fireworks at Milpitas Sports Center Football Field; 8:00 pm (gates open at 7:30 pm); bring a picnic dinner.

Morgan Hill

Pancake Breakfast, 5-K Run & 1 Mile Walk, Historic 4th of July Parade, Downtown Family Festival, Live Entertainment & Car Show. Beginning 7:00 am.

Fireworks about 9:30 pm.

Annual Street Dance & Live Concert - Thursday, July 3rd; Downtown Morgan Hill - 7:00 pm

Event information

Berkeley

Berkeley Marina; Free

Activities will include entertainers, arts & crafts, free sailboat rides, free dragon boat rides, a giant slide, art projects, face painting and massages; beginning 12:00 pm at the Berkeley Marina.

Fireworks, end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30 pm.

There is valet bicycle parking free of charge near Adventure Playground!

Event schedule

Redwood City

Activities will include arts & crafts, food, kids area, parade, and yes, fireworks.

Festival - 9:00 am

Fireworks, Port of Redwood City - 9:30 pm

The Sixth Annual Jazz on the Plazz is a midweek concert series featuring local, national, and world-renowned jazz artists.

Beginning this Wednesday, June 25 and every Wednesday through August 27, this free concert is presented at the Los Gatos Town Plaza, located at the intersection of W. Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

The series kicks off with a performance by Claire Martin, an acclaimed jazz vocalist from England. She recently released her 12th album, He Never Mentioned Love. Check the Jazz on the Plazz website for a schedule of upcoming artists in the series.

Pack a picnic dinner (you may also bring beer or wine) and bring lawn chairs, blankets, and/or folding tables. Get there early to park nearby and to get a good place to sit. Parking is available in the area.

For more information, including artist profiles, schedule, seating and alcohol policies, check here.

Los Gatos Town Plaza
W. Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos

Wednesdays through August 27
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Admission: Free