Showing posts with label san jose dance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san jose dance. Show all posts

Saturday, September 23, 2023

sjDANCEco presents ABLAZE with San José Chamber Orchestra



Opening program for the 21st Season

October 6 and 7 In the California Theatre


The opening program of sjDANCEco’s 21st Season will celebrate new works including four World Premieres by company choreographers Maria Basile and Nhan Ho and guest choreographers, Kara Davis, Rogelio Lopez and Cathleen McCarthy. As the company looks forward to its next twenty years, this also marks the first program overseen by Maria Basile in her new role as sole Artistic Director, following the retirement of Gary Masters.

The season also marks the 12th year of collaboration with Barbara Day Turner and the San José Chamber Orchestra.

 

Who: sjDANCEco presents

What: ABLAZE

When: Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7 at 8:00 pm.

Where: The California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113,

 

Tickets: www.sjDANCEco. 408.520.9854

 

Pricing: $25 to $100

$25 Student - $45 Senior and $50 General Admission.   

$80 - $100. VIP Package

VIP packages include VIP seating and a Saturday evening reception with the Dancers and Choreographers, Guest Artists, Artistic Directors, Musical Director, and Board of Trustees.

 

The Passing of the Reins:

After twenty years as the Founder and Artistic Director of sjDANCEco, Gary Masters has formally announced his retirement and has passed the reins to his long-time Co-Artistic DirectorMaria BasileThe two have worked together since the company’s inception when they were both part of Limón West Dance Project. Masters had this to say about her leadership, “As I step down from the artistic and administrative responsibilities of sjDANCEco, I feel confident in the future development and growth of the company under Maria’s artistic excellence and forward thinking. She has been, since the beginning, the company’s symbol of excellence through her extraordinary performances and stellar choreography. She believes in the power of dance to enhance, inspire, and change our world. I look forward to the next 20 years and beyond with her passionate leadership, keen eye, and devotion to Dance, the company and the community.” 

 

THE PROGRAM: (Still a work in progress)

sjDANCEco “Ablaze” is burning brightly into our next 20 years!

 

Title: TBA  / To Be Announced  (World Premier)

Choreographer: Maria Basile
Music: Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra mvt. III Rythmique, Energique
Music by: Emmanuel Séjourné
Dancers: Full company

This piece is about breaking free from things that keep us bound. Assisted lovingly by others to fully feel our expanded selves.

 (Time: 8 minutes)

 

Title: TBA (World Premier)
Choreographer: Nhan Ho
Music: original score
Music by: Zachary White
Dancers: Full Company

This piece ingeniously melds space and motion, creating a mesmerizing exploration of the interplay between physicality and environment that leaves viewers captivated and spellbound.

(Time: 7 minutes)

 

Title: El recuento de nuestra ultima conversacion   (World Premier)
Choreographer: Rogelio Lopez
Music: Newton’s Cradle
Music by: Einaudi
Dancers: Full Company

(Time: 9 minutes)

 

Title: TBA (World Premier)
Choreographer: Kara Davis
Music: original score
Music by: Alex Kelly
Dancers:  Full company

(Time: Not yet finished)

 

Title: Remembrances (Company Premier)
Choreographer: Cathleen McCarthy
Music: Elegies
Music by: Rachmaninov
Dancers: Kevin Gaytan, Maria Basile

(Time: 5 minutes)

 

Title: Sacred Places (Company Premier)
Choreographer: Fred Mathews
Music:  No Distance Falls
Music by: Ferdinand Maisel
Dancers: Luis Isidoria, Raven Bautista, or Kelly Barry, Danielle Noda

(Time: 5 minutes)

 

sjDANCEco. The Full Company: Kevin Gaytan, Kelly Barry, Wade Reynolds, Luis Isidordia, Raven Bautista, Madeline Takemori, Danielle Noda, Alexandra Sheppard.

 

 

ABOUT US

sjDANCEco is a year-round contemporary dance company based in San Jose, California that produces world premieres by its core and guest choreographers, and presents the very best of Contemporary and Classic Modern Dance and Masterpieces of the American Modern Dance Repertory. The company has also participated in International Dance Festivals in New York and Taipei and produces a FREE Spring Festival each year celebrating National Dance Week. sjDANCEco ignites the spirit of dance.

Monday, July 18, 2022

City Dance San Jose

CityDance is back for the summer! Head over to the Circle of Palms in Downtown San Jose from 6-9pm every third Thursday for free live music and dance lessons. This week on July 21st the genre is Bollywood. The August 18th session feature Cumbia. On September 15 K-Pop will wrap up the series.

Each session includes an hour of instructor-led dance lessons followed by live music and dancing until sunset on warm summer nights.

Better yet, admission to the San Jose Museum of Art will be free on these nights and Cafecito by Mezcal at the San Jose Museum of Art will be open in case you dance up an appetite. I would also recommend walking into the Hilton Signia next door (formerly the Fairmont) to see the new aesthetic. There is an excellent bar and Peruvian/Japanese tapas at the Signia to continue the night after dancing.




Monday, March 9, 2020

Great America 2020 Announcements

Last week I had the opportunity to learn more about Great America's 2020 plans for events and new attractions. The big news is the expansion and re-branding of the water park from Boomerang Bay to South Bay Shores. Just about everything in the existing park will be updated and they are in the process of doubling the size of the water park. There will be seven new water attractions this year: four drop slides, two tube slides, and a kid-friendly lagoon area with private cabanas. Admission is included

They also announced three new festivals:

  • Spring Fiesta – This three-weekend-long festival celebrates Hispanic culture with authentic food, live music and entertainment. Each weekend brings a different focus: Dia del Nino (April 25–26) offers kid-friendly crafts, games and activities; Cinco de Mayo (May 2–3) brings traditional, folkloric dance; and Latin Music Festival (May 9–10) showcases Bay Area performers.
  • Monster Jam® Thunder Alley™ – Popular Monster Jam® trucks roll into Great America this summer, offering a larger-than-life experience where park guests can get nose-to-grille, sit inside and even take an adrenaline-charged ride in a Monster Jam truck. Meet-and-greets with drivers, a themed kids play area and the Monster Jam garage round out the limited-time event, which takes place June 20–July 12.
  • Carnivale at Orleans Place – Authentic New Orleans food, glittering floats and costumed street performers come together in a unique nighttime festival that marries the best of Great America’s fan-favorite Taste of Orleans event with the excitement and vibrancy of Mardi Gras. Highlighting the festival is the Spectacle of Color full-scale parade, with extravagantly decorated floats and performers who draw the audience into the action. The exclusive event takes place nightly July 18–August 2.

The "Red, White and Brews" beer festival, Halloween Haunt, and WinterFest will all return this year. Halloween Haunt will get a brand new Asian-themed maze called Shadowlands. Oh, and several new food offerings will be available throughout the year such as fish tacos and sesame chicken on a crispy fried wonton. I hear Micheladas will be available as well inside the park.

It seems like an action packed year, I'm especially looking forward to Carnivale and Halloween Haunt this year!

For more info head over here.






Thursday, October 10, 2019

sjDANCEco Opens 17th Season October 18 and 19, 2019 in San Jose

Photo by John Parencia


Features World Premiere, two West Coast Premieres, Company Premiere and Masterwork by José Limón.

Who: sjDANCEco presents
What: Etched in Time   
When: Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19 at 8:00 pm.  
Where: California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Why: sjDANCEco’s 2019-2020 season opens with a World Premiere, two West Coast Premieres, a Company Premiere, and a masterwork by José Limón. The program is performed to live music by San José Chamber Orchestra.  

Tickets: $45 to $70.
Saturday night’s VIP tickets are $100 and include entry to the after-show Gala with sjDANCEco dancers and choreographers.
Available online at www.sjdanceco.org or 408.520.9854 

More: The 17th Anniversary of sjDANCEco opens with “Etched in Time”, a program of modern dance featuring two new works that premiered in March at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.  Included on the program are a World Premiere based on the experiences of a DACA/Dreamer, a 1950 masterwork by José Limón, and a revival of a piece inspired by Nelson Mandela. This season also marks the 10th year of collaboration with conductor Barbara Day Turner and the San José Chamber Orchestra.  

The Dancers: Mario Barron, Maria Basile, Kevin Gaytan, Kelisha Gardeen, Sarah Hernandez, Katherine House, Hsiang-Hsiu Lin, David Le, Gabriel Mata, Danielle Sullivant, Ryan Tucker, and Jazmyn Turner with guest artists, Fred Mathews and Gary Masters.

The Program:
José Limón’s powerful 1950 masterwork “The Exiles” is a male-female duet inspired by John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost, set to Chamber Symphony No. 2, Opus 38 by Arnold Schoenberg, an Austrian composer who emigrated to the United States in 1933 to escape the Nazis. (He began writing his Second Chamber Symphony in 1906 but did not complete it until 1939.) A version created by the composer will be played four hands on two pianos by Eva-Maria Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi (ZOFO). The piece will be danced by Kelisha Gardeen and Gabriel Mata.

A World Premiere from choreographer Gabriel Mata entitled “This is where/I Begin...” is set to JENUWINE FLOW by Michael Wall. It is a solo work performed by Mata which is inspired by the plight of a Mexican/American DACA/Dreamer immigrant living in the United States. The piece addresses the current sociopolitical climate and civil unrest while using humor to engage in levity, optimism and hope.  NOTE: Very nice piece just published by IN DANCE magazine about Gabriel here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/240090/2/#zoom=z 

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Hsiang-Hsiu Lin with music of the same name by Randall Thompson is based on the poem by Robert Frost, and performed by the San José Chamber Orchestra with the San José Choral Project.  It is danced by eight members of the company.  

Hsiang-Hsiu Lin will also present her Company Premiere of “Tomorrow”, set to ‘For All We Know’ written by J Fred Coots & Sam M Lewis. Danced by Katherine House.     

Maria Basile’s “Inner Edge” is a tribute to Nelson Mandela set to Piano Concerto by Michael Ching (1996) with piano soloist Michael Touchi. Danced by eight company members. 

“Etched in Time” is a group collaborative that explores the multi-generational experiences of the dancers. It is set to music by Jazon Escultura that was commissioned for the piece. The music was actually created AFTER the dance. It was a collaborative effort of Gary Masters, Barbara Day Turner and composer Escultura who together watched video of the dancers and then discussed how the music should sound. It was originally a “sound scape” computer-generated score, but has now been transcribed and will be performed live by the orchestra. Danced by Maria Basile, Kelisha Gardeen, Gary Masters, Gabriel Mata and Fred Mathews. 

ABOUT US
sjDANCEco is a year-round contemporary dance company based in San Jose, California that produces world premieres by its core and guest choreographers, and presents the very best of Contemporary and Classic Modern Dance and Masterpieces of the American Modern Dance Repertory. The company has also participated in International Dance Festivals in New York and Taipei and produces a FREE Spring Festival each year celebrating National Dance Week. sjDANCEco ignites the spirit of dance.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

sjDANCEco Opens Season 16 with “Flying” October 12 and 13 in San Jose





Who: sjDANCEco presents
What: Flying
When: Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13 at 8:00pm
Where: California Theatre, 345 S. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Why: The 16th Anniversary of sjDANCEco is entitled Flying and will feature a collaboration with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Day Turner.

Tickets: $45 to $70. Visit online at https://www.sjdanceco.org/ or call 408.520.9854

More: The 2018-19 Fall Season entitled Flying returns the company to the beautiful California Theatre with two public performances, and again this year a free Youth Performance for under-served Title 1 schools. In its 9th year of collaboration with Barbara Day Turner and the San José Chamber Orchestra, the program will feature the Company Premieres of “Corvidae” by Limón Dance Company Artistic Director Colin Connor and “Flying Colors” by sjDANCEco’s Choreographic Advisor/Mentor Fred Mathews. The Program will also include World Premieres by company choreographers Maria Basile and Gabriel Mata as well as excerpts from José Limón “Mazurkas” which premiered in 2014. Saturday night's VIP tickets include entry into our aftershow Gala, with a chance to meet the dancers and choreographers of sjDANCEco. 

Artistic Director, Maria Basile, confronts ‘Parallel Universes’ with her World Premiere for sjDANCEco’s 16th Anniversary Fall Season. An abstract story about two people who have one foot in each reality creating a dynamic field between them. With two working titles…htaPReset or htaPParallel, the work is danced to contemporary composer, David Crowell’s Open Road – played live by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra.

Gabriel Mata, a company member since 2012, is a dedicated risk-taking choreographer who has been winning accolades across the country. Chosen at last year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival by the Twin Cities Arts Reader as “Best of the Fringe” and this year the “Audience Pick”, his current solo work Dreaming will be a Company Premiere. Reviewer Tim Wick wrote about this year’s sold out Fringe performances: "What I love about Gabriel Mata is his understanding of the ways dance doesn’t always succeed. At it’s worst, dance can be aloof and impersonal. The audience seems almost like an interloper – there to watch but not to interact. Mata breaks down the walls between audience and dancer. He joins them together in an experience that neither could have without the other. This is what binds together all good theater – an interaction between the audience and the performer. When that bridge is not built, the audience is left wondering why they are even there. Mata has a deep respect for what the audience brings to the equation. He wants us to appreciate his work for the story it tells and he takes the time to help us understand the story though movement but also, sometimes, through words. His stories may come from him but he wants to give them to his audience. More than most, he knows how to make that connection."

Gabriel will also present the World Premiere of In This Time which addresses the heteronormativity that is imposed on lgbtq dancers, their personal dreams, and aspirations. Set to Franz Liszt’s - Benedictus und Offertorium aus der ungarischer Krönungsmesse the work explores the idea of what a "perfect dance" would be for the performers, how they would like to perform the work, what roles they would like to take on and the kind of movement quality they would like to dance. Taking the choreography into their own hands, they begin to reset it while discussing their personal views on normalized gender roles.

Choreographic Advisor/Mentor Fred Mathews’ Flying Colors was originally commissioned by Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers and had it Premiere in 1978. It was a signature work of the Mathews – Masters Dance Company/New York, was the highlight of the company’s tour in France in the 1980’s and has been staged for professional and university Dance companies. 
Set to JS Bach’s Violin Concerto #2, the work has been staged for nine sjDANCEco dancers with Artistic Director Maria Basile in the Solo role.

Hsiang Hsiu Lin’s new work is inspired by the poem -The Road Not Taken -by Frost Robert. A World Premiere
The Road Not Taken
Dancers: Hsiang-Hsiu Lin, Maria Basile
Choreographer: Hsiang-Hsiu Lin
Hsiang-Hsiu Lin, one of the founding sjDANCEco dancers that is still with sjDANCEco today! He is the Director of Lin HH Dance Company of Taipei.

###

Fall 2018 Program Repertory
The 16th Anniversary Season entitled Flying will again be in collaboration with the San José Chamber Orchestra under the Direction of Barbara Day Turner.
Guest Choreographer Colin Connor (Artistic Director, Limon Dance Company/NYC)
            Corvidae Company Premiere 6 - 9 dancers – 8 min)
             Music: Phillip Glass (Violin Concerto #1, 1st movement)
______________________________________________________________________________
Fred Mathews (sjDco Choreographic Advisor)
            Flying Colors (1977)
                         Company Premiere (7 - 8 dancers – 15 min)
                        Music: JS Bach (Violin Concert #2)
______________________________________________________________________________            
Maria Basile (Artistic Director)
            TBA -  World Premiere (duet)
                        Music: David Crowell (Open Road) 
Hsiang Hsiu Lin (Company DanceArtist/Choreographer)
            The Road Not Taken –World Premiere (duet) 
Gabriel Mata (Company Dance Artist) 
            In This Time
                        World Premiere (4 dancers - 16 min)
                        Music: Franz Liszt - (Benedictus und Offertorium aus der ungarischer Krönungsmesse)
____________________________________________________________________________
Gabriel Mata (Company Dance Artist)  
            Boundless Trajectory (2017)                                                            
           Company Premiere (Solo – 12 min)
                        Music & Text: Gabriel Mata (recorded)
______________________________________________________________________________
José Limón 
            Suite from Mazurkas (1958)
                        Revival (4 sections - 4 dancers – 10 min)
                        Music: Frederic Chopin
 ______________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT US
sjDANCEco is a year-round contemporary dance company based in San Jose, California that produces world premieres by its core and guest choreographers, and presents the very best of Contemporary and Classic Modern Dance and Masterpieces of the American Modern Dance Repertory. In addition to a full season of dance concerts, sjDANCEco also is a major participant each Spring in free outdoor dance presentations during National Dance Week, international dance festivals, and has a full schedule of contemporary dance classes for the advanced and professional dancer. sjDANCEco ignites the spirit of dance.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

sjDANCEco’s ChoreoProject Spring Edition

Who: sjDANCEco
What: ChoreoProject, Spring Edition
When - Friday, March 23 @ 8:00 pm and Saturday, March 24 @ 10:30am4:30pm & 8:00pm
Where - Location: SJSU Dance Theatre. One Washington Square, San Jose, CA The theater is located in the Spartan Complex building on the San Jose State University Campus near 4th Street and San Carlos Street. (Nearby inexpensive parking at City of San Jose garage on San Carlos Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

Tickets - $20 (students), $25 (seniors), $30 (general)
BOX OFFICE: 408.520.9854   www.sjDANCEco.org

Why: Since it’s inception in 2005, sjDANCEco has given opportunity to more than 100 choreographers from the Bay Area (and beyond) the chance to present their dances to audiences in the ChoreoProject programs.  

This year’s Spring edition of the ChoreoProject is geared toward Youth Groups. "For Youth - By Youth." Young dancers (age 13 - 18) from around the Bay and beyond are brought together in an unique program dedicated to the future of dance in an opportunity to share vital and vibrant dance by aspiring youth dancers and choreographers. 

More Information: Groups are still be added, but the following are currently confirmed: Los Gatos Ballet, Independence High School (San Jose), New Ballet School (San Jose), East West Music and Dance (San Jose), Spector Dance Youth Group (Marina), Xiaopei Dance School (Pleasanton), Westlake School for the Performing Arts (Daly City), Urmila Vudali Bharatanatyam (Palo Alto) and Northern California Dance Conservatory (Roseville). Other groups expressing interest are from San Francisco, Berkeley, Monterey, Dublin, and Oakland.

Monday, February 5, 2018

sjDANCEco presents program of World Premieres with “On The Edge” Feb 16 & 17 in San Jose

WHO: sjDANCEco presents
WHAT: "On The Edge"
WHEN: Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2:30pm & 7:00pm 
WHERE: SJSU Dance Theater; SPX 216. 

The theater is located in the Spartan Complex building on the San Jose State University Campus at One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95112 near 4th Street and San Carlos.
Inexpensive parking is available at the City garage on San Carlos between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

WHY: The South Bay and the East Bay come together in sjDANCEco’s winter offering, “On The Edge”, a shared bill of contemporary choreography. "On the Edge" was initiated to give greater opportunity to sjDANCEco's seasoned and aspiring company choreographers. It brings together an evening of World Premieres by Company dancer/choreographers Hannah McNany, Kelisha Gardeen, Katherine House, Jazmyn Turner and Danielle Galvez. Diablo Ballet's Resident Choreographer, Robert Dekkers, presents the touching duet "No One Does It Like You" performed to music by Department of Eagles.  The ballet, originally created for Arizona's NovaBallet premiered in July of 2010 at the Tempe Center for the Arts in Tempe, Arizona. 

TICKETS: $30 General, $25 Senior (65 & up). $20 Student (w/student ID) - plus fees for all tickets levels.
BOX OFFICE: 408.520.9854   www.sjDANCEco.org

PHOTO CAPTION: sjDANCEco1.jpg.  

ABOUT US: sjDANCEco is a year-round contemporary dance company based in San Jose, California that produces world premieres by its core and guest choreographers, and presents the very best of Contemporary and Classic Modern Dance and Masterpieces of the American Modern Dance Repertory. In addition to a full season of dance concerts, sjDANCEco also is a major participant each Spring in free outdoor dance presentations during National Dance Week, international dance festivals, and has a full schedule of contemporary dance classes for the advanced and professional dancer. sjDANCEco ignites the spirit of dance.
sjDANCEco is a registered 501c3.  Fed ID 61-1446985
Photo Clockwise from Top Left: Dancer/choreographers Hannah McNany, Frankie Reviera, Kelisha Gardeen and Katherine House. Photo by Thomas Hassing.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season

Now celebrating 15 years in Downtown San Jose, sjDANCEco is proud to kick off their anniversary season with "ROOTS & WINGS." The performance will pair contemporary and classic modern dance with live music by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The company will do three performances in San Jose at the Hammer Theater, followed by two performances in San Francisco. All of the details and links to ticket sales are in the press release below.


ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season
Performances to be held in both San Jose and San Francisco

WHO:  sjDANCEco presents
WHAT: ROOTS & WINGS (Season Opening Program shown in two different venues)
WHEN: October 12 and 14 in San Jose.  November 3 and 4 in San Francisco

WHERE:
The Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose, CA 95113
Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:00pm
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm
Tickets Available August 1st 
Single Tickets: $25 to $90
$25    Student
$35    Senior
$40    General
$60    VIP Thursday evening & Saturday matinee includes bests seats in the house and reception with the dancers in the lobby following performances.
$90    VIP Saturday evening includes bests seats in the house and Gala Reception with dancers on Theatre Roof Top Garden

Friday, November 3, 2017 at 8:00pm
Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 8:00pm
Tickets Available August 1st
Single Tickets: $25 to $40
$25    Student
$35    Senior
$40    General

Box Office: 408.520.9854   www.sjDANCEco.org

WHY: sjDANCEco, San José’s contemporary dance company, celebrates its 15th Anniversary Season with multiple world premieres and expanded venues including the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose (October 12 and 14), and ODC Theater in San Francisco (November 3 and 4.) According to Artistic Director Gary Masters, “this is only the second time in our fifteen years, that we have brought our company to these two marvelous venues. We are so very excited to be back. Our Season-Opening program, entitled Roots & Wings, will explore the diverse inspirations and contributions that have been the foundation…the roots of creativity...for our resident choreographers and which have made and continue to make sjDANCEco’s repertory so distinctive.”

THE PROGRAM:
sjDANCEco’s 2017-2018 season-opening program will feature four World Premieres by; sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile, sjDANCEco Choreographic Advisor & Professor of Dance at San Jose State University Fred Mathews, Company Choreographer and dancer Hsiang Hsiu Lin, and by former company dancer Nhan Ho. Each new work will explore the choreographer’s Roots and the inspirations that give them Wings to excite and motivate their creativity. Also on the program will be a revival of Journey Through the Labyrinth originally created in 1994 for the Limón West Dance Project/San José and Idance of Independence High, with choreography by Artistic Director Gary Masters and set to a new commissioned score by Michael Touchi, Creative Consultant for the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The revival will include a new section with choreography by Los Lupeños de San José Artistic Director Sam Cortez. The “Classic Offering” for these performances will be the Company Premiere of Doris Humphrey’s masterpiece, Day on Earth (1947) set to Aaron Copland’s “Sonata for Piano.” 
Collaboration with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Day Turner continues to highlight the company’s signature brand of contemporary dance and classic works of the American Modern Dance Repertory.


Photo Clockwise from Top Left: Hannah McNany, Frankie Reviera, Kelisha Gardeen and Katherine House, Photo by Thomas Hassing.


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

City Dance 2017

Free outdoor dance classes are returning to Downtown San Jose. Every Thursday between August 24th and October 12th, a different genre of dance will be taught at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. You have everything from Salsa to Hip Hop to Disco. Even Bollywood and Zydeco are on the list this year.

Classes begin at 6pm and the lessons go for about an hour. Then between 7-9pm you can practice what you learned to live music. All are welcome and again, these classes are completely free. If that isn't enough to entice you, there will also be a beer garden and street food.

For more info, head over here.


Monday, May 22, 2017

Loving Day 2017 - June 10th, 11-3pm in SoFA

One of San Jose's biggest strengths it its diversity. In fact, we are statistically the most diverse metro in the United States. It gives us a unique culture with a better perspective of challenges around the globe as well as the wonderful opportunity to access traditions different than the ones we grew up with. The more diverse we are, the stronger our culture and society will be.

Loving Day is a celebration of the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage in the US. Shockingly, this happened only 50 years ago with the case Loving v. Virginia.

San Jose's first event in honor of Loving Day will take place on June 10th at Parque de los Pobladores from 11am-3pm. There will be music, dancing, arts and crafts, a food truck, and plenty of good times. For more info, head over to the San Jose Loving Day Facebook page.



Thursday, September 1, 2016

CityDance San Jose starts tonight

CityDance San Jose is a series of free professional dance instruction at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The first lesson is this evening and the party continues every Thursday for the next seven weeks. Music will be provided by local bands and there will be plenty of dancing and good times after the lessons. An added bonus is a beer garden and food trucks from 5:30pm to 9pm.

Each week features a different type of dance--from Salsa to Bollywood to the Argentine Tango. Check out the schedule below:

  • Sept. 1 – Salsa, instruction by Eddie Valdez and music by Los Boleros.
  • Sept. 8 – Country Two-Step, instruction by Michelle Crozier and music by Country Cougars.
  • Sept. 15 – Hustle, instruction by Eddie Valdez and music by Alfie and XS.
  • Sept. 22 – East Coast Swing, instruction by Lesley McIntosh, music by The Fabulous CruiseTones.
  • Sept. 29 – Bollywood, instruction by Joti Singh, music by DJ Puran Singh of KGS Entertainment featuring Gagan Singh Dholi, Dhol Player.
  • Oct. 6 – Argentine Tango, instruction by Conor McClure and music by Tangonero Trio with Claudio Ortega and DJ Steve.
  • Oct. 13 – Foxtrot, instruction by Hans Schmidt and music by The Serenaders.
  • Oct. 20 – Rumba/Merengue, instruction by Michelle Crozier and music by The Alison Sharino Band.

Oh, and while you are at Plaza de Cesar Chavez don't forget to try out The Swings.

Source: SVBJ


Friday, June 26, 2015

"Behind the Magic of Performance" at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph

The San Jose Dance Theatre and NoonArts & Lectures will be doing a community performance at the Cathedral today from 12:45pm to 1:30pm. San Jose Dance Theatre is a non-profit, pre-professional dance company focused on providing performance opportunities and training to Silicon Valley youth. All of the details are on the flyer below (click to enlarge).


Sunday, May 3, 2015

EPIC @ Evergreen Village Square Today

Come celebrate international culture today at the "EPIC" festival. The event runs from 11am-3pm at the Evergreen Village Square and will include individual and group dance performances by a variety of schools.



Saturday, March 21, 2015

Ballet San Jose Pulls Through

Ballet San Jose fortunately raised enough money to keep the doors open. The community rallied together and raised a total of $640,000, even more than the $550,000 needed for the show to go on. However, the Ballet troupe still needs to raise about $3.5 million by October in order to restructure into a more sustainable business model. For more information, visit the source link below.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

sjDance: Tango Fatal Today



Tango Fatal - October 18+19, 2013

Tango Fatal has a scenario by Lorenz Russo, Choreography by sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile in collaboration with Opera/Theatre Director Daniel Helfgot, and San Jose Chamber Orchestra Director Barbara Day Turner. Four additional World Premieres by Company Choreographers Heather Cooper and Hsiang-Hsiu Lin and guest choreographers Kara Davis and Margaret Wingrove. Pre-performance discussion with Artistic Director Gary Masters at 7:00pm before each performance.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Serenata Flamenca this Sunday!

Arte Flamenco de San Jose is hosting their largest event of the year at Santa Clara University's Majer Theater this Sunday at 3pm. Flamenco incorporates multiple cultures and influences, including an eclectic mix of guitar, song, and dance. Come check it out and support local art and culture! For more information, you can have a look at the Arte Flamenco de San Jose Website.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Downtown Willow Glen Hosts the 18th ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ On Saturday, June 22 from 2 PM to 8 PM On Lincoln Avenue in the Heart of Willow Glen



San Jose, CA – May 8, 2013  --- On Saturday, June 22 the Willow Glen Business Association will host the ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ community and family-friendly festival. Presented by CEFCU, this year’s ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ has garnered much community and business support. The street fair will host live music, 15 various food vendors as well as a family atmosphere featuring a Kids’ Court with kid-centric  games and activities.

“This year’s “Dancin’ On the Avenue” will offer the community a fun-filled and family-friendly festival along Lincoln Avenue,” said Valerie Merklin, Executive Director of the Willow Glen Business Association. “Lincoln Avenue is the place to be on June 22!”

Here are a few of the highlights at this year’s “Dancin’ on the Avenue” event:
Four stages will feature an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment, including:  The Cruzers’ rock to soul dance music; SlingTown’s country sound with 7-part harmony with acoustic “attitude”; acoustic rock from Blue House Band; and a top 40 high-energy mash-up from The Peelers. The Community Stage will present family favorite Grammy-nominated David Sharpe and The PapaHugs Band as well as well as performances from local dance groups and musicians.

The festival will be held on Saturday, June 22 along Lincoln Avenue in downtown Willow Glen from 2 PM to 8 PM.

The Kids’ Court area, sponsored by Intero, Western Bancorp and First American Title will be held in the parking lot of Wells Fargo Bank, and have a  petting zoo, a balloon artist, face-painting, games and crafts for the family-friendliest part of the festival.  Two new attractions have been added this year. LEGO Jeep, sponsored by Miramar Hospitality, will allow children to turn a real car into a movable sculpture covered by LEGO blocks. The All-American Fun Zone will feature classic kid’s games and activities like jacks, hula-hoops, cat’s cradle and paper crafts. There will even be two sand tables for the littlest visitors to enjoy.

A Silicon Valley touch: the Willow Glen Business Association will offer the opportunity to purchase beverage tickets in advance online.   Tickets can be purchased using a credit card by going to:  willowglen.org. Advanced sale beverage tickets must be picked up at the Will Call booth located near 1176 Lincoln Avenue, which will open at 2:30 PM the day of the event.

Admission to the event is free, however security entries will be at the two monitored entrances at Willow and at Minnesota, where purses/backpacks will be checked. No outside containers of any kind – even coffee cups – will be allowed in.

Sponsors of the 2013 “Dancin’ on the Avenue” include: CEFCU, Peak Travel, Sereno Group, Intero, Western Bancorp, First American Title, Del Grande Dealership Group, Wells Fargo Bank, Bright Horizons, Bottomley Distributing, Xfinity Comcast, Solar Universe, Provident Credit Union, Culligan Water, Bank of America and Merrill Edge, Barracuda Networks, Comerica, Bloom Bridal Boutique, DeMattei Construction, ProTemp Accounting, Miramar Hospitality, Classic Car Wash, San Jose Montessori School, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, and KRTY/KLIV Empire Broadcasting.

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About the Willow Glen Business Association:

Willow Glen’s merchants have been organized, active and supportive of the community since the 1930’s. By 1988, the Willow Glen Business Association and a Business Improvement District (BID) were in place to assist local business maintain and promote downtown Willow Glen as an ideal place to eat, shop and locate new business. In 2010, the BID gave way to the formation of a CBID with the same goals.

“Dancin’ on The Avenue” is sponsored by the Willow Glen Business Association. Funds generated from the event go towards supporting other projects for the local business district such as holiday events, beautification projects and financial support of local schools.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Corazon Flamenco at Santa Clara University!

Arte Flamenco de San Jose is throwing their annual flamenco show next week in Santa Clara University's Mayer Theater. Past performances have been stellar and this is definitely something worth adding to your calendar. Next week's event is also the sole source of funding for this nonprofit organization, so the proceeds are going to a great cause! Full info below:


Can't make it to Seville Spain this year for the Flamenco Bienal?  Come to Santa Clara to fill your soul with flamenco music, song and dance!

Arte Flamenco de San José, a non-profit organization since 1992, provides an opportunity for student dancers, semi-professionals, and professionals to exhibit their talents in our annual show, "Corazon Flamenco" - The Heart of Flamenco, on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 3:00pm at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University.  Call 408-280-5332 for tickets, $20 General Seating or $25 for Limited Reserved Seating.

Join us, as we bring to you a little bit of Spain, on a Sunday afternoon with a beautiful concert of Flamenco guitar, song and dance with colorful traditional costumes and choreography.  The concert features professionals and the students of Arte Flamenco de San José and stars Carola Zertuche, singers Roberto Zamora and Regina Elmore will be accompanied by guitarists David Gutierrez and El Espigote.