The Roosevelt Mural: A Towering Tribute to San Jose's Resilience and Community Spirit

San Jose is a city brimming with culture, history, and an ever-evolving art scene that continues to shape its identity. One of the most awe-inspiring examples of this is the Roosevelt Mural, located at the corner of East Santa Clara and North 21st Streets. Standing an impressive 77 feet tall and stretching 125 feet long, this mural is not just a visual masterpiece—it’s a powerful symbol of the strength, resilience, and unity of the San Jose community.

Created by the talented artist Shayne Martin Oseguera, the mural’s centerpiece is a striking Elephant Cactus, a plant celebrated for its ability to thrive in the harshest of conditions. This imagery is a perfect reflection of San Jose’s spirit—a community that has faced challenges head-on and continues to grow stronger and more vibrant with each passing day. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, this mural invites you to pause and celebrate the city’s diverse cultures, rich history, and unstoppable drive toward a bright future.

What makes the Roosevelt Mural even more special is the story behind its creation. It’s a project brought to life by Empire Seven Studios (E7S), a cornerstone of San Jose’s art scene for the past 17 years. Based in the heart of Japantown, E7S has long been a champion of public art, transforming everyday spaces into canvases that inspire and connect people. As they beautifully state on their website, “It’s a place to reflect on the strength of the community, the beauty of the art, and the power of murals to transform not just walls, but lives.” This mural is a shining example of their mission in action.

The Roosevelt Mural didn’t come together by chance—it’s the result of a dedicated team pouring their hearts into this landmark project. Alongside Shayne Martin Oseguera, contributors like Marc Wallace, Haley Cardamon, Stacey Kellogg, Jennifer Ahn, Stephen Longoria, and photographer Lan Nguyen played key roles in turning a simple wall into a bold statement of San Jose pride. Their collective efforts have given us a piece of art that’s as much a gift to the city as it is a reflection of its soul.

Next time you’re near East Santa Clara and North 21st Streets—whether you’re exploring Downtown San Jose or just passing through—make time to see the Roosevelt Mural for yourself.

Source: Empires Seven Studios

Lunar New Year in Japantown

San Jose's Japantown is celebrating Lunar New Year this Saturday, February 1st from 11am to 3pm. The party will feature lion dancers, vendors, lucky bags (fukubukuro), mochi making, and live performances. The lucky bags contain mystery items and are sold at a discount. You'll be able to find these at a variety of stores listed below.

Sazon Latin Food Festival in San Jose

The Sazon Latin Food Festival is coming to the Japantown area next month. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the rich diversity of Latin American cuisine and culture, featuring food from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, along with live Latin music. 

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st, 2024
Time: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Gordon Biersch Brewing Company at 357 E Taylor St, San Jose, CA 95112

Event Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sazon-latin-food-festival-in-san-jose-two-days-family-friendly-tickets-889886543607

Highlights:

• A dozen food vendors offering authentic Latin American dishes

• Merchandise vendors with unique items reflecting Latin American culture

• Family-friendly activities such as face painting and henna

• Live salsa music band performing

Industry Standard aka Indy performing in San Jose on June 3rd

Prepare for a night of electrifying Afrobeats, Pop, and R&B music as Industry Standard, better known as Indy, takes the stage at The Coterie Den in Japantown. This highly anticipated event offers fans an opportunity to experience Indy's unique blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies in an intimate setting.

Indy has quickly risen to prominence in the Afrobeats genre, known for his captivating stage presence and a unique sound that blends elements of Pop and R&B. His performance in San Jose is set to showcase his biggest hits as well as new, unreleased tracks that are sure to become fan favorites.

The Coterie Den at 169 Jackson St. in San Jose will provide the perfect backdrop for Indy's performance. With its exceptional acoustics and intimate setting, The Coterie Den remains a favorite destination for music lovers in San Jose. Doors open for the show at 7pm on June 3rd.

About Indy:

Indy, also known as Industry Standard, is an Atlanta-based Afrobeats artist renowned for his innovative sound and dynamic performances. With a growing international fanbase, Indy continues to push the boundaries of Afrobeats, blending elements of Pop and R&B to create a truly unique musical experience.

About The Coterie Den:

The Coterie Den is a premier live music venue in San Jose, known for its exceptional acoustics and intimate setting. It has hosted a variety of acclaimed artists and remains a favorite destination for music lovers.

For more information, visit: https://thecoterieden.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thecoterieden/

Sixth Annual San Jose Day

South First Friday isn't the only big art event happening this week in San Jose. The 6th Annual San Jose Day takes over Japantown this Saturday from 12pm-6pm.

In addition to art gallery shows there will be food trucks, a local vendor fair, live music, and dance performances. Last year the event brought in over 8,000 visitors.

The event is free and friendly for all ages as well as dogs (on a leash). Parking is extremely limited, so alternate transportation or ride share is ideal.

A Photo Night in Japantown

Multiple Japantown venues are coming together to showcase photography culture in San Jose. A Photo Night in Japantown was created to gather folks to check out really cool photography and get to know local photographers. It's a mix of solo shows, group shows and photo experiences.

The event takes place this Saturday, March 9th from 4-7pm across the following Japantown venues:

Locations:

1. @empire7studios 

2. @cukui 

3. @coldwater.sj

4. @headliners 

5. @lannynguyenphotography 

6. @thecoterieden 

7. @paradoxbarbers 

8. @knowfuturegallery

Lunar New Year at Japantown

Japantown is hosting a major Lunar New Year event today from 10am-2pm.

Start the year of the dragon with a "Fukubukuro" lucky back, which is a Japanese New Year custom where merchants make grab bags filled with unknown random content sold for a substantial discount. Participating stores include Cukui, Nichi Bei Bussan, Kogura Co, Classic Loot, Empire 7 Studios, Zonkey, State of Grace, Paradox, Monmon Cats, Coldwater, and Headliners.

Firecrackers will be set off at 12pm and start at 4th/Jackson and apparently run all the way to 7th/Empire Street.

518 new apartments in San Jose's Japantown are already 95% leased

Shea Properties and Ivanhoe Cambridge launched Sixth and Jackson luxury apartments in Japantown earlier this year, named after the cross streets where you can find the 518-unit complex. Even though it just opened pretty recently, the property is already 95% leased. This goes to show how strong the San Jose housing market is right now, even with floorplans starting at $2,656/mo for a studio and scaling to $5,200/mo for a three bedroom unit.

The project is split between two seven-story buildings with tons of amenities like a yoga room, rooftop lounge, dog run, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, a spin room, outdoor entertainment areas, Shea Properties also built a new public park between the buildings called Heinlenville Park, named after the person that helped transform the neighborhood in the late 19th century. The park will eventually have a $30 million arts incubator and community center, but construction on that project hasn't started yet.

It's quite an upgrade for Japantown, one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Jose. It's great that they were able to integrate so many community elements into the project and there is still quite a bit of retail on the ground floor available for lease to further enhance the area in the future.

Source: SVBJ

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 2023, a San Jose Thanksgiving tradition

This is the 19th edition of the annual 5K/10K run/walk that benefits five local charities: Healthier Kids Foundation, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank, The Health Trust and The Healthier Kids Foundation Santa Clara County. 

This is your chance to burn some calories before indulging in a delicious Thanksgiving feast, while also supporting a great cause. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the beautiful scenery through Downtown San Jose, Japantown, and The Alameda; live entertainment along the course; and a swag bag that includes a long-sleeve tech shirt, a finisher medal, and a reusable water bottle. 

Don't worry if you're not a seasoned runner. The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is open to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. You can choose to run or walk at your own pace, or join a team with your friends, family, or coworkers. You can also register your kids for the Kids Fun Run, which is a half-mile loop around Plaza de Cesar Chavez. And if you're feeling extra festive, you can dress up in a turkey costume or any other creative outfit. Trust me, you won't be the only one!

The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 2023 will take place on Thursday, November 23rd, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Santa Clara Street and Market Street. The registration fee is $45 for adults and $20 for kids until November 15th, after which it will increase to $50 and $25 respectively. You can register online at www.svturkeytrot.com or in person at any of the packet pickup locations listed on the website. Don't miss this opportunity to join thousands of your fellow San Joseans in a fun and meaningful tradition that makes our city so special.

See you at the starting line!

  

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon this Weekend

If you’re looking for a fun and fast way to experience the spirit of San Jose, look no further than the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose marathon. This annual event, which will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2023, is part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series that features live music, cheer squads, and a festive atmosphere along the course.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose marathon offers four distances to choose from: half marathon, 10K, 5K, and KiDS ROCK. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a beginner, you’ll find a challenge that suits your level and goal. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the scenic views of downtown San Jose, the Rose Garden, and the Alameda as you run.

The race weekend kicks off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the San Jose Convention Center, where you can pick up your race packet, shop for running gear, and get inspired by guest speakers and experts. On Saturday, you can join the 5K or the KiDS ROCK races, which are perfect for families and friends who want to have some fun together. On Sunday, you can test your endurance and speed in the half marathon or the 10K races, which are known for being flat and fast.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the finish line. You’ll also get to celebrate your achievement with a medal, a T-shirt, a free beverage, and admission to the Finish Line Festival and Post-Race Concert. There, you can rock out to live bands, enjoy food and drinks from local vendors, and mingle with other runners and spectators.

If you’re feeling generous, you can also run for a cause by joining the St. Jude Heroes program. By fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, you’ll get free race entry and other perks, such as an exclusive medal, a race singlet, and access to the race weekend hospitality experience. You’ll also help St. Jude lead the way in treating and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Register now for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose marathon and get ready to rock your run. You’ll not only have a blast, but also make some lasting memories in Speed City (new nickname for San Jose?). For more information and registration details, visit the official website of the event.

Viva CalleSJ: Calle >> Matsuri (San Jose's Japantown, Kelley Park, and Tamien Park)

Viva CalleSJ is back for it's 3rd event of the year! Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, dance, bike, unicycle, skateboard, or hoverboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Calle >> Matsuri features three activity hubs which are festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This time the activity hubs will be at Japantown, Kelley Park, and Tamien Park. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all of the hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Watch the video below to get a feel for the event if you've never done one.

As an added bonus, Happy Hollow Park and Zoo will be providing free admission for anyone participating in the Viva CalleSJ. This is the first time I remember this happening, so it's worth taking advantage of--especially if you're going with your family.

The event takes place on Sunday, September 10th from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). There is no beginning or end and the traffic flows in both directions. It's completely free and you can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here.

San Jose Obon Festival in Japantown this weekend!

The San Jose Obon Festival 2023 is a celebration of Japanese culture and heritage that takes place every summer in the heart of San Jose's Japantown (one of only three remaining in the US). 

This year, the festival will be held on July 8th and 9th, from 11 am to 10 pm, and will feature traditional music, dance, food, crafts, games, and more. The highlight of the festival is the Obon Odori, a folk dance that honors the spirits of the ancestors. Everyone is welcome to join in the dance, which starts at 7:30 pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. 

The festival is organized by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and is supported by many volunteers and sponsors. Come and experience the joy and beauty of Obon, a time to remember and celebrate our loved ones and our community.

This is the the largest annual festival in San Jose's Japantown and you can easily find it on 5th Street between Taylor and Jackson Streets. For more details, head over here.

Viva CalleSJ 2022 on Sunday, September 18th

Viva Calle SJ is one of San Jose's largest and most unique annual events. Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Viva Calle features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This year the activity hubs will be at Parque de los Pobladores (Downtown), Kelley Park & History Park, the Arena Green, and Japantown. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all four hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Up to 100,000 people attend this event, but it never feels crowded given how spread out it is.

This year the route is essentially a hub Downtown with 3 spokes extending to the activity hubs. It's wild to think that you can walk from Kelly Park to Japantown in the middle of city streets.

Viva CalleSJ 2022 takes place on Sunday, September 18th from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and has no designated beginning or end as it's not a race. It also overlaps with a PokemonGO community event, so you may see a lot of people on their phones. You can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

Japantown mixed-use development proposal

Downtown San Jose receives most of the attention when it comes to dense high-rise development these days, but there are some interesting proposals outside of the area. For example, there is a new project on the table in Japantown that would include multiple towers on the area bound by Taylor Street, Miller Street, George Street, and North First Street. It would include a 210 foot tall tower with 244 apartments, 61,000 SQFT of office space, 5,560 SQFT of retail, and 731 parking spaces.

The project would also be right in the middle of the North 1st Street Local Transit Village Plan, which will hopefully accommodate thousands of new homes and jobs in the future. Currently the area houses a surface parking lot and a one-story office building. This would be a major upgrade for the area.

If all goes well this could be approved by the City Council later this year or in Q1 of 2021. It would then take at least a couple more years to build.

Source: SVBJ

Viva Calle 2019 Part 2 - "Parks to Roses" on Sep 22nd

Rain and hail may have put a damper on the first Viva Calle this year, but that is not going to happen again in late September. Thankfully we have not one but two Viva Calle's this year.

During Viva Calle SJ, miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. Viva Calle features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. For part 2, the activity hubs will be at Backesto Park, Arena Green, and the Municipal Rose Garden. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all three hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Last year over 100,000 people attended the event.

Viva Calle 2019 "Downtown and Eastbound" takes place on Sunday, September 22nd from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and has no designated beginning or end as it's not a race. However, it appears that for the first time ever there is also a new 5K at 8am.

You can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

Taylor Street Night Market

Every Thursday night during the summer, the Taylor Street Night Market will take place at the Gordon Biersch Brewery in Japantown from 5-9pm. The event includes food trucks, a beer garden, music, and shopping. For more info, head over to the event Facebook page over here.

New arts center coming to Japantown

An empty lot in Japantown at 7th Street and E. Taylor Street is now destined to become a 55,000 SQFT arts center. It will become the new home base for several nonprofits including Silicon Valley Creates, for San Jose Taiko, the New Ballet School, and CreaTV. If it looks anything like the render below, it should also be quite stunning.

The goal is to kick off construction by June of 2019 (this is highly dependent on funding), and it won't be the only project in the area. Eventually the arts center is expected to be surrounded by new housing midrises and a park.

Source: The Merc  Hat tip to Vianka Villanueva for sending this in!

POW! WOW! Punches Way Through San Jose!

The world-renowned POW! WOW! comes to San Jose from October 22- 29, 2017!

POW! WOW! has expanded to 13+ cities and produced over 500 murals in countries and cities such as Taiwan, Israel, Singapore, Jamaica, Washington D.C., Guam, New Zealand, Germany and now San Jose!

POW! WOW! San Jose is powered by Empire Seven Studios and Universal Grammar and is focused on showcasing a gathering of contemporary artists that engages with the broader community in the process and creation of art.

San Jose’s inaugural event celebrates the efforts of local and out-of-town artists to feature 16 murals take shape. The week-long event brings art to a public forum, creating galleries on the streets for all to see and for later generations to enjoy.

I’m super stoked that POW! WOW! will be spread across some of my most beloved neighborhoods like J’Town (AKA Japantown), SoFA District, East San Jose and more! Empire Seven Studios, MACLA and San Jose Museum of Art will host receptions, workshops and panel discussions with artists. Make sure to check out the daily music events or mural bike ride.

I must confess, I just found out about POW! WOW! through my friends at MTCA (thanks guys). While POW! WOW! just came on my radar, it was already weaved into the fabric of who I am. You see, POW! WOW! started in my birthplace (Hawaii) and the annual event is held at one of my most favorite areas in O’ahu: the Kaka’ako District. And now, Kaka’ako’s aloha has now landed in San Jose! Mahalo to POW! WOW! founder Jasper Wong for bringing the event to San Jose J

While San Jose’s identity is defined by innovators developing life-changing technologies, what I find most endearing about San Jose is witnessing the city evolve and adapt. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an advocate of San Jose’s annual events, but we need more events and happenings like POW! WOW! because arts, entertainment and culture are great building blocks for a thriving and growing city. What excites me most about POW! WOW! San Jose’s iteration is that if reinforces San Jose’s commitment to shine light on the arts.

Thank you again to Jasper Wong and POW! WOW! San Jose’s event organizers for bringing this event to San Jose!

San Jose, let’s show them the way…

More deets on the event’s schedule can be found here: 

https://www.powwowsanjose.com/2017-event-schedule/

-Noe Sacoco Jr