Xanadu Contest!

It's time for yet another contest! This time for one of San Jose's newest performing arts venue, and a place that I've been meaning to check out for some time now, The Retro Dome! What was once Century 25 near Westgate is now home to musical theater, retro film, live music, and comedy.

We're giving away 2 tickets to their latest production, Xanadu. Despite being based on a bad 80s movie, the Broadway version has become a smash hit, winning multiple awards and a Tony nomination. This is the very first time Xanadu is being performed in the Bay Area.

To win your free tickets, email your favorite San Jose memory from the 80s to josh@thesanjoseblog.com. If you weren't alive or can't remember the 80s, then ask your parents or friends. Feel free post your memory in the comments as well. I'll share some of the best ones at the end of the contest.

Winners will be selected on Friday, good luck!

Every great while, along comes a musical that shows mankind the power of hope over despair, that illustrates in story and song the injustices of society and the common good of the common man. That musical is...Les Miserables.  THIS IS XANADU!

XANADU is the hit musical that took audiences and critics by surprise when it transformed an obscure film into the hottest comedy on Broadway. For the first time since its Broadway run, XANADU hits the Bay Area and takes over The Retro Dome. With its score of pop gems, a script that redefines musical theatre satire, and a finale lit by glitter balls and glow sticks, this hilarious, roller disco musical adventure rolls along to pop hits “(You Have to Believe We Are) Magic”, “All Over The World”, “Suddenly”, “I’m Alive”, “Evil Woman”, “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “Xanadu.” Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, XANADU is the most ridiculously wonderful time you’ll ever have in a theatre!

"I LAUGHED THE ENTIRE TIME! IT'S A GREAT MUSICAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!" - OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN "HEAVEN ON WHEELS! CRIMINALLY FUNNY!" - THE NEW YORK TIMES

What is it? Xanadu is the hilarious new hit musical on wheels that is based on the Universal Pictures’ cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. This roller skating musical adventure was winner of Outstanding New Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Award) and Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Award) during its recent Broadway run. The show received raves from the New York Times, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Daily News and Time Out News, among many others.

Xanadu’s clever tale surrounds a Greek goddess (on roller skates, of course) who seeks to inspire a hapless artist in 1980 to create the world’s first roller disco! Now appearing for the very first time on the west coast at The Retro Dome, the best-reviewed musical of the 2007-2008 Broadway season brings a score of all the songs from the film plus three supersonic pop gems from Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, a script that redefines Broadway satire, and a finale that pulls out all the (roller skate) stops directly to local audiences.

When is it? Xanadu previews the weekend of February 25-27 and premieres March 4, 2011. Showings are on Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

Where is it? The Retro Dome is conveniently located near the intersection of three cities: San Jose, Saratoga and Campbell, CA, at 1694 Saratoga Ave in San Jose, Calif. 95129 (at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road).

Who's in it? An extraordinarily talented cast of triple threats headline the production. Click here to get to know the artists.

Where can I get tickets? Tickets can be purchased online (click the link above), over the phone at 408-404-7711 or in person. The Box Office window is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and by appointment, and phone orders can be placed Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. During event days, The Retro Dome is open 90 minutes prior to showtime.

How much is it? Tickets are $44 and there are discounts available for students, seniors and military ($34) and children ($24). There are also discount for groups. Parking is free there are no additional box office fees.

Want to learn more? Click here for an interview with Director/Producer, Scott Evan Guggenheim

PINKBERRY CONTEST WINNERS!!!

Thanks again to everyone that participated in the Pinkberry contest. Choosing winners was a huge challenge since all of the answers were great! Listed below are the 5 winners:

San Jose is eclectic – Payge
San Jose is progressive - Arlene
San Jose is visionary - Kevin
San Jose is unique – Heidi
San Jose is home – Joie

Congratulations guys! If you're a winner, please send your mailing address to josh@thesanjoseblog.com and I'll send over your gift card.

For everyone else (including those that did not participate), your consolation prize can be the Pinkberry party today with FREE yogurt and musical entertainment, featuring Evan Taubenfeld (lead guitarist for Avril Lavigne). The party goes from 6-10pm at the new Pinkberry location in the Pueblo Plaza Shopping Center, 1110 Blossom Hill Road. Enjoy!

Pinkberry Contest Entries

The Pinkberry contest is now closed for business. Thank you to all who have participated! Contenders for the 5 Pinkberry gift certificates are:

San Jose is awesome
San Jose is innovative*
San Jose is eclectic
San Jose is in
San Jose is cool
San Jose is legendary*
San Jose is underrated
San Jose is unique
San Jose is dependable
San Jose is home
San Jose is genesis
San Jose is hip
San Jose is inspiring
San Jose is ingenious
San Jose is visionary
San Jose is diverse
San Jose is faboo
San Jose is progressive

The two with asterisks were actually submitted by The San Jose Blog contributors, so they don't qualify =). Winners will be announced tomorrow morning!

PINKBERRY GIFT CARD CONTEST IS LIVE!!!

In honor of the 2nd Pinkberry in San Jose at 1110 Blossom Hill Road, we're giving away five $5 Pinkberry gift cards. Also keep in mind that everyone will be able to snag some free yogurt at their grand opening party on Thursday between 6pm and 10pm, all while being entertained by guest DJ Evan Taubenfeld (lead guitarist for Avirl Lavigne).

Alright then, onto the contest.  This time around it's very simple:

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DESCRIBE SAN JOSE, IN ONE WORD

San Jose is [ your word here ]

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Everyone gets a single shot in the comments section below. Some disclaimers:

• In order to participate in the contest, you cannot post anonymously.
• Please use the format "San Jose is [ your word here ]" 
• You can only post a single answer, although it is okay to have multiple comments regarding other people's posts.  Posting more than one "San Jose is [ ]" answer in the comments below will get you disqualified!
• You cannot post anything that has already been posted by another reader.

But of course, there is more. You can also get a BONUS post on Facebook! All you need to do is find the Facebook post called PINKBERRY GIFT CARD CONTEST IS LIVE!!! and post another answer over there for a second shot at winning. It is possible to win 2 cards thanks to the BONUS post.

The contest ends in 24 hours and the winners will be announced Thursday morning! Good Luck!

Pinkberry Gift Card Contest Starts Tonight!

To celebrate the grand opening of the 2nd Pinkberry in San Jose, we're kicking off a contest which will culminate in 5 winners of Pinkberry gift certificates! The new location is at 1110 Blossom Hill Road (Pueblo Plaza Shopping Center) and they're having a grand opening party on Thursday featuring free yogurt, music, and a celebrity guest.

The contest starts tonight at 7:00 PM!

New San Jose Pinkberry and a NEW CONTEST!!!

It's no secret that the Santana Row Pinkberry has been insanely successful. It was the very first Pinkberry in Northern California and still has lines wrapping around it at all hours of the day, even when it's freezing cold outside. Swiftly responding to market demand, Pinkberry is opening a second location in San Jose @ 1110 Blossom Hill Road (Pueblo Plaza Shopping Center).

The new South San Jose Pinkberry is having their grand opening party this Thursday, March 3rd, between 6pm and 10pm. Everyone is invited! You may be thinking, what do they have in store for their very first guests?

• FREE YOGURT 
• Musical Entertainment
• Guest DJ appearance by Evan Taubenfeld, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist for Avril Lavigne

To top it off, The San Jose Blog is doing a contest on Tuesday to give away some Pinkberry gift cards! Stay tuned for more details. The format of the contest is still being decided, so make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter just in case! =)




PINKBERRY OPENS SECOND STORE IN SAN JOSE
More Swirly Goodness Comes to Northern California on March 3

SAN JOSE, Calif (February 28, 2011) – Pinkberry, the number one tart frozen yogurt brand, will open its second San Jose location on March 3, 2011 at 1110 Blossom Hill Road – in the Pueblo Plaza shopping center. The Pinkberry Pueblo Plaza grand opening event will be held on Thursday, March 3. Consumers who stop by anytime from 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. on Thursday will enjoy free Pinkberry, musical entertainment and a special guest DJ appearance by Evan Taubenfeld, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist for Avril Lavigne.

Pinkberry is premium frozen yogurt made with real non-fat yogurt and nonfat milk that is rBST hormone free. Pinkberry is made with only the highest quality ingredients and is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, resulting in a refreshing, clean and craveable taste.

The Pueblo Plaza location will be will be serving Pinkberry’s six distinctive flavors: the signature Original flavor, a sweet and tangy yogurt with a refreshing finish; Pomegranate, a bold and tangy flavor made with 100 percent California-grown pure pomegranate juice; Coconut, smooth and subtle, made with real coconut puree for a fresh and cool finish; a rich, indulgent Chocolate; Mango, a fruity and light flavor made with authentic Alphonso mango puree for a soothing finish; and a Featured Flavor that rotates seasonally, such as the recent Blood Orange, paired with succulent blood orange pieces, fresh blood orange purée and a crisp waffle cookie.

Customers can personalize every yogurt experience at Pinkberry with any combination of delicious toppings. At Pinkberry, uncompromising quality is paramount and the toppings bar is no exception. Each topping is selected with the highest quality standards, whether it’s Grade-A fresh fruit that is hand-cut daily in-store, organic gummy bears with no high fructose corn-syrup, all natural honey almond granola, 100% pure Pomegranate juice, or rich, premium Belgian chocolate shavings. Toppings are thoughtfully selected as a unique and delicious complement to the various Pinkberry frozen yogurt flavors.

In addition to frozen yogurt and toppings for immediate consumption, Pinkberry also offers Pinkberry Take Home, which is 25 ounces of Pinkberry, swirled-to-order and packed on ice to ensure your Swirly Goodness will get home safely to your freezer. Pinkberry also offers Fruit Parfaits, Smoothies, and Fresh Fruit Bowls as fresh and satiating choices for any time of day.

The new Pueblo Plaza store incorporates modern furnishings and clean lines into an inviting, lively atmosphere that mirrors Pinkberry store concepts across the country and established in Southern California and New York. San Jose residents are invited to experience its uniquely refreshing combination of tastes, textures and flavors as Pinkberry swirls daily in Pueblo Plaza from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Local fans who want up-to-the minute news and discount offers should sign up to be a Pinkberry Groupie at www.pinkberry.com/groupie. The brand can also be found on Facebook and at Twitter @pinkberryswirl.

About Pinkberry
Pinkberry reinvented the frozen yogurt category when it launched in West Hollywood, CA, in January 2005. Today it is the most talked about, best tasting, premium frozen yogurt, made with high-quality fresh ingredients. From store design to exceptional customer service to irresistible flavors and toppings, Pinkberry provides a social experience that indulges the senses. Pinkberry’s distinctive flavors are expertly crafted to complement its daily fresh-cut fruit and premium toppings that offer an irresistibly tangy, incomparably clean and refreshing taste. Pinkberry is certified by the National Yogurt Association and carries the Live & Active Cultures Seal. Get a taste of Swirly Goodness by visiting www.pinkberry.com.

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CONTEST!!! GIVING AWAY TEN (10) $10 RUBIO'S GIFT CERTIFICATES RIGHT NOW

The contest is now live! Just head on over to The San Jose Blog's Twitter Page and retweet (RT) the Rubio's post. The first 10 people to retweet will snag a $10 gift certificate. Again, there will be TEN (10) winners so your chances are great! 

New Rubio's Now Open in West San Jose + CONTEST

Late last week Rubio's launched a new location near Westgate Mall with a charity event benefiting San Jose non-profits. The doors are now open to all, and they are using this particular location to test a more upscale design direction. I paid them a visit yesterday, and it definitely looks nicer than the other Rubio's I've been in. The menu is displayed across 4 ultra-high quality LCDs... I didn't realize they were screens until the photos changed. The service was quick and friendly despite the crowd and the quality was spot on. Usually it takes a few weeks to get everything rolling smoothly with new restaurants, but it seems like this location is already running at full steam.

CONTEST: Now for the fun stuff! To help promote this new location, on Tuesday, Nov 9th at noon they will be giving away $10 gift certificates through The San Jose Blog's Twitter Page. There will be TEN (10) winners!! This will likely be the easiest contest in the world. Just follow us on twitter and when you see the Rubio's post at noon, just "retweet" the post. The first 10 people to retweet will win a gift certificate! 

Carlsbad, CA – October 26, 2010 – Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill will open its fifth location in the San Jose area on Thursday, November 4th, at 1010 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose. The San Diego-based chain is introducing a new, more upscale design at its San Jose restaurant, featuring a rich sensory experience of aromas, exhibition cooking, music and decorative patterns that compliment the complex flavors of Rubio’s food.

To celebrate the grand opening, Rubio’s will host a fundraising event on Wednesday, November 3^rd from 5:00-8:00 p.m., to benefit Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. The San Jose based non-profits’ mission is to bring communities and volunteers together to rehabilitate the homes of low income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may live in warmth, safety and independence. For a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, the public can enjoy delicious Beach Mex^® cuisine, and Rubio’s will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the local charity.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, November 4^th, the restaurant’s doors will open to Rubio’s fans who crave the flavor of Baja-inspired food in the relaxed yet festive atmosphere of coastal Mexico. Headlining the menu will be Rubio’s World Famous Fish Tacos^®, Grilled Gourmet Tacos^SM, the Big Burrito Especial^SM with chargrilled chicken or steak, freshly-made salads and Rubio’s proprietary HealthMex^® line of tacos and burritos, which are under 700 calories, less than 30% of which come from fat.

“When I opened my first restaurant in San Diego 27 years ago, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our World Famous Fish Tacos,” said co-founder Ralph Rubio. “Since then, our reputation for distinct flavors and unique products has quickly spread, and our following of loyal fans continues to grow.”

Guests can easily find the new Rubio’s in San Jose near the crossing of Saratoga Ave and Campbell Blvd. The popular San Diego chain is introducing a new restaurant design in San Jose that includes eco-friendly features such as countertops and panels made of a recycled material called marmoleum, an open kitchen, and LED lighting that uses less energy.  Rubio’s is also introducing digital menu boards to better showcase the food and provide more flexibility to accommodate seasonal offerings. A new floor design allows guests to intuitively move from the front door to the ordering area, to the salsa bar, and eventually into the dining room where a relaxed, beach and water-centric atmosphere of the Baja coast awaits.

“We’re excited to introduce this new restaurant design to San Jose,” said Rubio. “We’re anxious to see how the community responds to our latest effort to bring together the unforgettable flavors, sights and sounds of the Baja coast for a quick but relaxed dining experience.”