Free Concerts Keep the Music Alive in St. James Park This June

St. James Park gears up once more for free, all-ages live music this June. Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose teams up with Viva Calle to extend the celebration, turning the park into a hub for an extra day of performances right as the street festival wraps up. The series already runs strong from May through September, complete with food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and activities that welcome kids and families.

On Sunday, June 14 from 2pm to 6:15pm, the energy shifts to Souldies with co-headliners Thee Heart Tones and Thee Marloes. Thee Heart Tones deliver sharp chemistry and a nod to their roots through soul, oldies, and Chicano influences. Their take on the classic bolero “Sabor A Mi” highlights a thoughtful approach that links younger listeners to heritage while pulling generations together on the dance floor.

Thee Marloes bring their own global flavor straight from Surabaya. Their debut album Perak moves between punchy funk grooves and warm soul ballads, with some tracks carrying Indonesian lyrics that still land with full heart. Songs like the dancefloor burner “Midnight Hotline” and the mid-tempo groove of “Not Today” keep the set moving, while the overall sound creates space for anyone to connect regardless of background.

The rest of the summer lineup keeps the momentum going. Latin Jazz takes the spotlight on June 20 to mark the FIFA World Cup, followed the next day by Make Music Day celebrations. Later highlights include a United Lowrider Council Souldies night in July, hip-hop in August, a Prince tribute, and a salsa evening co-presented with MACLA. Every show stays free, family-friendly, and open to the community.

These gatherings strengthen bonds across Downtown San Jose while Levitt San Jose pushes forward on plans for a permanent Pavilion. The music turns an ordinary park afternoon into something shared and lasting.

For the full schedule, updates, or ways to support the series, visit levittsanjose.org and follow @LevittSanJose.

Gaiascope Brings Interactive Kaleidoscope Sculptures to Circle of Palms in Downtown San Jose

The Circle of Palms plaza in Downtown San Jose has gained a striking new centerpiece. Artist Brooke Einbender’s Gaiascope installation has taken its place there, with three suspended kaleidoscope sculptures on view from May 22 through August 18, 2026.

Each six-foot structure hangs from steel cables and carries a laser-cut steel skin. Intricate cutouts let shifting LED light spill outward in changing colors while mirrored chambers inside project video art that moves from microscopic natural details to sweeping landscapes.

Interactive pedestals stand ready for visitors. People can adjust lighting sequences, pick different colors, choose video segments, and even change playback speeds. The setup turns the sculptures into responsive experiences rather than static objects.

San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs commissioned the work as part of its public art programming for major events this year. The location at 124 S. Market Street sits right beside the San Jose Museum of Art, placing the installation in a high-traffic spot where daily foot traffic and evening gatherings already happen.

This kind of hands-on light and video piece adds another layer to how people engage with public space in Downtown San Jose. It rewards curiosity and is very on-brand for "Silicon Valley" art.

JapaCurry Temporarily Steps Into Former Naglee Park Garage Space in Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose restaurant spaces keep cycling through fresh concepts as one door closes and another opens. JapaCurry has moved into the former Naglee Park Garage location at 505 E. San Carlos St. with its made-to-order Japanese curry since April.

The arrangement lasts only until July 1. On that date Garage Enishi, an American bistro with Japanese influences, will take over the space. JapaCurry will then shift operations next door into the former Top Dog spot at 284 S. 11th St. to stay in the immediate area. JapaCurry also has another Downtown San Jose location inside of the SoFA Market.

Naglee Park Garage earned a steady neighborhood following for its American dishes and large outdoor patio courtyard. The restaurant gained wider attention after appearing on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives before owners closed it in September 2025.

The same patio will host activity again in early August. Plans call for FIFA World Cup viewing parties, games, music, and community events that will bring people together outdoors once more.

Source: SVBJ

New Affordable Apartment Homes Planned for Former Surface Parking Lot in Downtown San Jose

A new affordable apartment complex that will convert a surface parking lot into 173 homes. The project sits at 143 South Third Street on a 1.3-acre parcel near Paseo de San Antonio and directly beside the Hammer Theatre Center. Developers propose a seven-story building with five stories of apartments stacked above a two-story parking structure.

Sobrato Organization, working with Pacific West Communities, has owned the lot since around 2010. The proposal calls for 171 of the units to serve extremely low-income, very low-income, and low-income households, with the remaining two reserved as market-rate units for on-site managers. Plans include a central courtyard plus dedicated spaces for a lounge, event center, and reading room.

Location advantages stand out. Residents will live steps from cultural programming at the Hammer Theatre Center and within easy reach of the walkable amenities along Paseo de San Antonio. This infill approach puts new housing on underused land in the heart of Downtown San Jose rather than pushing development outward.

The developers intend to use streamlining provisions under Senate Bill 330 to move the project through local review more efficiently. Land-use consultant Bob Staedler has pointed out that San Jose has spent years talking about towers, yet very few residential high-rises have actually been delivered over the last two decades. He suggests the city should focus less on height and more on achievable density when the goal is housing production, especially affordable housing.

Personally, it's always great to add more housing right in the middle of Downtown San Jose but this is a premier location that really should have been reserved for a flagship high-rise project. Originally it was supposed to be the 2nd tower for The 88.

Source: The Mercury News

T&T Supermarket to Open First California Location in San Jose

San Jose welcomes a major new player in Asian groceries when T&T Supermarket opens its first California store on June 18. Located at 1600 Saratoga Ave. inside the Westgate Center, the market sits near Target and Ross Dress for Less. Local residents gain convenient access to an extensive range of products from across Asia.

The chain encountered construction hurdles that shifted the original fall 2025 target date. After adjustments to spring, the timeline settled on summer. The completed store now stands ready to serve the community with its full lineup.

Thousands of grocery items fill the shelves, covering Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other Asian cuisines. Prepared foods, bakery selections and private label goods round out the offerings. Shoppers can expect both everyday staples and specialty finds that support home cooking and quick meals.

The company positions the store as a cultural hub. Asian families will have a place to reconnect with foods and traditions from their upbringing. The market also extends an invitation to the broader Silicon Valley audience for food exploration and discovery.

Expansion continues with planned locations in Millbrae, Chino Hills, Irvine and San Francisco by year's end. This San Jose debut anchors the brand's California presence. It contributes another layer to the diverse retail and dining options that define the city.

Source: SVBJ

Downtown San Jose Retail Updates at The Grad and Centerra

The Grad just lost a tenant (Ding Tea) but picked up two new ones: Delah Coffee and Naz's Halal. Delah Coffee is a poular chain of Yemeni and Middle Easter cafes. They are known for culturally rich beverages and cozy interiors. Some of their specialty drinks include spiced Adeni Chai and Harazi Coffee along pastries like baklava and Turkish delights.

Naz's Halal is a rapidly growing fast-casual chain serving NYC-style halal platter and gyros. They're known for generous portions at affordable prices (perfect for The Grad).

On the other side of Downtown San Jose, Centerra finally has a new tenant next to Dr. Ink. Palmetto Superfoods is opening their newest location in that primo spot across the street from the San Pedro Square Market. They are a California-based chain featuring customizable Brazilian açaí bowls and superfood smoothies.

Source: Robertee from Skyscraper City

Bafang Dumpling Brings Authentic Taiwanese Flavors to San Jose with New Location

San Jose has welcomed another addition to its growing selection of Taiwanese cuisine. Bafang Dumpling opened its second Northern California outpost on May 8 at 1078 E. Brokaw Road, roughly six months after launching in nearby Santa Clara.

The chain, founded nearly 30 years ago in Taiwan, specializes in potstickers, dumplings, and beef noodle soup. U.S. locations include expanded noodle and side options beyond the core offerings popular in its home markets across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.

Expansion into the South Bay reflects the brand’s focus on Northern California as a priority market. With 15 U.S. locations already operating, mostly in Southern California, the company continues to add sites in key regions including further California growth planned for this year.

The arrival aligns with a broader wave of Asian-inspired dining concepts taking root across Silicon Valley. New supermarkets, food halls, and marketplaces have increased access to diverse flavors and ingredients for local residents and workers.

Those who enjoy well-crafted dumplings and comforting noodle dishes now have a convenient new option in San Jose.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Secures a Professional Women’s Hockey League Franchise

San Jose has secured its place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League as the league’s 12th franchise. The announcement marks another step in the rapid growth of women’s professional hockey and positions the city as a key West Coast hub for the sport.

The new team will play its home games at SAP Center, the same venue undergoing a major renovation. This addition brings the PWHL to four West Coast teams, easing travel demands that have challenged existing clubs in Vancouver and Seattle.

All PWHL teams operate under TWG Global rather than local NHL ownership. The structure supports the league’s independent expansion while San Jose prepares to welcome players, staff, and fans in the coming seasons.

City leaders have linked the arrival of the team to broader plans for a sports and entertainment district in Downtown San Jose. Such developments aim to increase activity and economic vitality around the arena through mixed-use projects and improved fan experiences.

The combination of a new professional team, arena improvements, and district planning signals continued momentum for San Jose as a destination for sports and entertainment. Residents and visitors alike stand to benefit from the added energy these investments bring to the urban core.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Ranks as the Fastest-Selling Housing Market in the United States

Recent research has placed San Jose at the very top of national rankings for how quickly homes sell. With a median of just 12 days on the market, the city outpaced every other major metro area in the country during the most recent data period.

The national median stood at 66 days. San Jose’s figure reflects an extremely tight supply, with fewer than one home available per 1,000 residents. In this environment, 62 percent of homes sold above their asking price despite median list prices well above one million dollars. The median listing price is a whopping $1,500,000 in San Jose.

Physical limits on new construction and sustained demand tied to high-wage industries have kept inventory low across much of the Bay Area. San Francisco followed closely behind San Jose with a 14-day median, reinforcing the region’s position among the fastest-moving markets nationwide.

This pace creates clear advantages for sellers who prepare their properties well. It also signals strong underlying interest in San Jose as a place to live. Buyers, meanwhile, face a competitive landscape where quick decisions often determine success.

Data like this underscores the city’s continued appeal and economic resilience. A housing market that moves this efficiently points to lasting desirability and supports San Jose’s trajectory toward becoming an even stronger destination for residents and investment alike.

Source: Best Interest

Peanut’s Deluxe Cafe Returns Near San Jose State University Under New Ownership

A familiar name has returned to the streets near San Jose State University. Peanut’s Deluxe Cafe reopened its doors on May 6 after a period of transition, bringing back a longtime student favorite with more than six decades of history.

New owner Richard Hobbs, an SJSU alumnus, stepped in to revive the spot at 275 E. San Fernando Street. He has already created seven jobs and brought back a former cook to help restore operations. The cafe continues its tradition of generous portions and affordable meals aimed at the university community across the street.

Hobbs has expressed a longer-term vision of shifting the business toward worker ownership. This approach would allow employees to share in profits and participate in key decisions, offering a different model for local establishments.

The reopening required significant upgrades and effort over several months. Hobbs has focused on preserving the cafe’s role as a casual gathering place while meeting modern requirements for health, licensing, and staffing.

Those connected to SJSU will likely welcome the return of this neighborhood staple. Its location positions it well to serve the thousands of students who pass by daily, reinforcing the area’s character as a supportive environment for campus life.

Source: SVBJ