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.

Source: The Merc (Photo by LiPo Ching)

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.

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.

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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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:

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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.

Ritmos de Flamenco @ SCU!

Flamenco is a combination of song, dance, and guitar with gypsy roots. It's pretty awesome that we have a group that specializes in this exotic dance right in our backyard. Arte Flamenco de San Jose is a non-profit organization that has been promoting and teaching flamenco since 1992.

Their big annual show is coming up this weekend at Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University and you won't want to miss it! Professional dancers, singers, and guitarists will be on hand to provide unique entertainment you won't easily find anywhere else in the South Bay. This performance is one day only, so if you're interested now is the time to act.

Also, if you become inspired to try out flamenco for yourself they offer classes right over here.

Ballet San Jose - A Great City (Part 5 of 5)

The final part of Ballet San Jose's documentary takes a step back and talks about the impact a world class cultural attraction has on the city. This is my favorite part of the documentary and I definitely recommend watching it even if you haven't seen their other pieces. You'll even get some encouraging words from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak about his hometown of San Jose. Just click the link below!

Part 5: http://blip.tv/file/4386692

Older Parts

Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451 

Part 2: http://blip.tv/file/4303425

Part 3: http://blip.tv/file/4332357

Part 4: http://blip.tv/file/4365103

Ballet San Jose - The Production (Part 4 of 5)

Part 4 of Ballet San Jose's compelling documentary takes us backstage to show the tremendous amount of work required for production. Just click the link below to watch the video!

Part 4: http://blip.tv/file/4365103

Older Parts

Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451 

Part 2: http://blip.tv/file/4303425

Part 3: http://blip.tv/file/4332357

Ballet San Jose - A Creative Force (Part 3 of 5)

Part 3 of Ballet San Jose's documentary introduces us to Dennis Nahat, the Artistic Director of Ballet San Jose and a veritable genius when it comes to music. Just click the link below to watch the video!

Part 3: http://blip.tv/file/4332357

Older Parts

Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451 

Part 2: http://blip.tv/file/4303425

Ballet San Jose - Starting Again (Part 2 of 5)

Part 2 of Ballet San Jose's documentary shows us how the ballet company actually got started thanks to a big kick-off from a very famous ballet artist. Just click the link below to watch the video!

Part 2: http://blip.tv/file/4303425

Older Parts
Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451

Ballet San Jose - Beginnings (Part 1 of 5)

Ballet San Jose is just kicking off their 2010-2011 Season, so what better way to start things off than a really interesting documentary about their history! Click the link below for part one of their five part documentary series... and if you didn't think a ballet documentary could end with a cliffhanger, guess again =)

Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451

Arte Flamenco de San Jose Performing at SCU

San Jose's local flamenco troop is performing at SCU's Mayer Theater this Sunday. Expect some amazing guitarists, singers, and of course flamenco dancers. Click on the image below for all of the details!

BURN THE FLOOR is Coming to San Jose!

A very popular Broadway-caliber show featuring many famous dancers is playing Downtown from Sep. 21st through the 26th. I'm hoping to catch it early in the week and do a full review. For now, there's a video preview below and a direct link to see ticket options right over here.