Sunday, May 19, 2024
Industry Standard aka Indy performing in San Jose on June 3rd
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Free concerts are returning to St. James Park on May 26th
FREE Concerts return to St. James Park – Spring 2024
Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose: “Building Community through Music”.
Sundays this Spring (May 26, June 2, 9, 16) bring a picnic, drop a blanket on the lawn and enjoy free, all ages, high quality concerts from 3:30pm – 7pm in historic St. James Park. There will be a Beer & Wine Garden, and delicious local food trucks will be on hand to ensure a stress free Sunday afternoon in the park.
Kicking off the 4 concert series on May 26th, in celebration of Worldwide Recognition of Africa Day, Amayo will bring the Afro beats to the lawn. Former Frontman of Antibalas for 23 years, Amayo was credited for bringing Afrobeat to a global audience, leading it to become a genre of itself. He composed the GRAMMY nominated “Fu Chronicles” album for “Best Global Music Album of the Year” 2020. It was the launchpad for Amayo’s solo career - where Kung Fu meets Afrobeat. This concert will feature African diaspora music, dancing, crafts & more!
June 2nd, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San jose will honor and recognize the passing of Board Member, Rick Holden as Noah & The Arkiteks takes the stage in a celebration of Blues.
On June 9th, the Spring 2024 Levitt Pavilion San Jose concert series will feature the return of Lyrics Born. Lyrics Born relocated to the United States from his birthplace of Toyko, Japan around the time Hip Hop was exploding on the East Coast. From the moment he heard Sugar Hill Gang’s 1980 classic “Rapper’s Delight,” the Bay Area Hip Hop luminary knew he’d found his calling.
Closing out the Spring concert series on June 16th (the best place to celebrate Father’s Day!) The Jack Moves will bring the Souldies sound to the Levitt lawn.
About the Levitt San Jose Spring Concert Series:
Formed in 2016, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose is a nonprofit with a mission to build community through free, all-ages, high-quality live music shows and performances on a permanent stage in historic St. James Park.
The Levitt San Jose Spring Concert Series will feature top local and national artists, giving a sneak peek of what’s to come when Levitt Pavilion San Jose joins the community of permanent Levitt venues across the country.
Friends of Levitt San Jose social links: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,
The Levitt Pavilion San Jose Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with towns and cities across America to activate underused public spaces through the power of free live music, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues and concert sites are community anchors where families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together.
FYI - You may have heard about Levitt San Jose’s efforts to break ground at St. James Park. Having dealt with a progress-halting lawsuit and appeal of the Court’s initial decision, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose perseveres, and sets the tone for the future site of a Levitt Pavilion with this concert series. By recognizing the magic of live music to bring communities together and activate public spaces, Levitt San Jose strives to carve out a new era for Downtown San Jose’s most historic park.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Pianist Nicolas Namoradze performs for Steinway Society in San Jose
WHO: Steinway Society – The Bay Area presents
WHAT: Nicolas Namoradze
WHEN: Sunday, January 21, 2024 @ 2:30 pm
WHERE: Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market St., San Jose. Live and LIVE STREAMED
MORE INFO: https://steinwaysociety.
Pianist and composer Nicolas Namoradze came to international attention in 2018 upon winning the triennial Honens International Piano Competition in Calgary, Canada—among the largest prizes in classical music. His recitals around the globe have been met with universal critical praise, and recent album releases have received extraordinary accolades, including the Choc de Classica, Record of the Month in Limelight, Instrumental Disc of the Month in BBC Music Magazine, Editor’s Choice in Gramophone, Editor’s Choice in Presto Classical and Critics’ Choice in International Piano.
Among the most critically acclaimed musicians of his generation, Namoradze was bestowed the 2020 & 2021 Young Pianist Award by the UK Critics’ Circle, which called him “very much more than a top-flight pianist.” Recent highlights include recitals at concert halls including New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan; festival appearances at Tanglewood, Banff, Gstaad, Santa Fe and more; and performances with orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Budapest Festival Orchestra and Sinfonieorchester Basel.
Namoradze earned his master’s at The Juilliard School and his doctorate at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in neuropsychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College, London, where his research interests include the effects of mental practice and mindfulness on musical performance. Namoradze is the author of the book “Ligeti’s Macroharmonies,” published by Springer in the Computational Music Science series, and his compositions are published by Muse Press.
”Set to become one of the truly important artists of his generation.”
–American classical pianist Emanual Ax
THE PROGRAM:
Bach-Busoni, “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr” BWV 639
Bach, French Suite No. 1 in D minor BWV 812
1. Allemande
2. Courante
3. Sarabande
4. Minuet
5. Gigue
Bach, The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
1. Contrapunctus VI
2. Contrapunctus VII
Fauré, Preludes Op. 103
1. No. 3 in G minor
2. No. 6 in E-flat minor
3. No. 9 in E minor
Ligeti, Etudes
1. 1. No. 11, “En suspens”
2. 2. No. 13, “L’escalier du diable”
3. 3. No. 16, “Pour Irina”
INTERMISSION
Nicolas Namoradze, Memories of Rachmaninoff’s “Georgian Song”
Pärt, Für Alina
Pärt, Variationen zur Gesundung von Arinuschka
Rachmaninoff-Namoradze, Adagio from Symphony No. 2, Op. 27
Scriabin, Sonata No. 4 Op. 30
TICKETS:
Single Tickets: $45 to $70
General Admission: $70/$60/$50
Senior & student: $65/$55/$45
Livestream online: $25 per household / live + unlimited listens for 48 hours
Purchase Tickets: https://
Box Office: 408.300.5635
Email: office@steinwaysociety.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Fountain Blues Foundation event this Sunday, Dec 3rd 🎷
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Levitt Pavilion San Jose hosting Madison McFerrin today in St. James Park
Live music is returning to St. James Park for the fall... starting today!
Every Sunday (October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) bring a picnic, drop a blanket on the lawn and enjoy free, all ages, high quality concerts from 3pm – 6:30pm in Historic St. James Park. There will be a Beer & Wine Garden featuring Coterie Winery and local breweries, and delicious local food trucks will be on hand to ensure a stress free Sunday evening in the park.
Formed in 2016, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose is a nonprofit with a mission to build community through free, all-ages, high-quality live music shows and performances on a permanent stage in historic St. James Park.
The Levitt San Jose Spring Concert Series will feature top local and national artists, giving a sneak peek of what’s to come when Levitt Pavilion San Jose joins the community of permanent Levitt venues across the country.
Levitt San Jose has held 2 previous concert series (Spring ‘23 & Fall ‘22) featuring National and Local touring acts including Antibalas, Lyrics Born, Jose James, La Dona, Maurice “MoBetta” Brown & Melanie Charles, La Luz, Los Yesterdays, JC Smith Band, Noah & The Arkiteks and Orgone.
Today's artist is Madison McFerrin. Her full bio is below.
Artist bio:
Throughout her fruitful independent career, spanning three EPs and multiple collaborations, Madison has earned accolades from The New York Times, NPR, The FADER, and Pitchfork, who named her a Rising Artist in 2018. Her genre-bending work has led to Questlove dubbing her early sound “soul-appella.” In addition to a stirring performance on the renowned COLORS Studio platform, McFerrin has also performed at Lincoln Center, Central Park SummerStage and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, and shared stages with the likes of De La Soul, Gallant, and The Roots. Off the stage, Madison’s music has been featured in episodes of Comedy Central’s Broad City and HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness. Working at the intersection of artistry and community building, McFerrin co-curated programming for the BRIC Jazz Festival in 2021, and in 2022, aligned her MAD LOVE initiative with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy to provide some much needed space for healing from the collective trauma of the pandemic. Last fall, she mesmerized crowds at sold out shows in London and Paris during her It’s Been Too Long… European tour and made her debut at the Corona Capital Festival after releasing, "Stay Away (From Me)," which she performed live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series. Ahead of releasing new music in 2023, Madison has continued to blow away sold out crowds at shows in New York City and Los Angeles.
San Jose local, 23 year old self proclaimed Jazz school drop out turned rhinestone rebel, JOY. will be opening for Madison McFerrin.
Friends of Levitt San Jose social links: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,
The Levitt San Jose Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with towns and cities across America to activate underused public spaces through the power of free live music, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues and concert sites are community anchors where families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more at levitt.org.
FYI - You may have heard about Levitt San Jose’s efforts to break ground at St. James Park. Having dealt with a progress-halting lawsuit and the current appeal of the Court’s initial decision, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose perseveres, and sets the tone for the future site of a Levitt Pavilion with this concert series. By recognizing the magic of live music to bring communities together and activate public spaces, Levitt San Jose strives to carve out a new era for Downtown San Jose’s most historic park.
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 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 Director, Maria Basile. The 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.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Culture Night Market at Hillview Park in East San Jose, Sep 23
Thursday, August 31, 2023
The WOW Festival 2023 in Downtown San Jose
Monday, August 21, 2023
Silicon Valley Pride Parade & Festival this weekend
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Content 15.4 "Profiles" pick-up party
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
San Jose Jazz's Summer Fest 2023 Guide
Friday, August 4, 2023
Italian Family Festa this weekend at History Park San Jose
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Santa Clara County Fair
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
THE CATS is back open and featuring live music from Beggar's Opera
Monday, June 12, 2023
Naglee Park PorchFest returns June 17th, 3-7pm
The Naglee Park PorchFest brought together the neighborhood during the pandemic and is now returning on June 17th. This event turns porches, driveways, and lawns into stages for bands. The Campus Community Association and Messenger events organizes the bands, food trucks, and bathrooms but the real party is being hosted by the neighbors of Naglee Park.
In it's inaugural year--Summer 2020--bands were loaded onto trucks and paraded through the neighborhood while neighbors watched on their lawn. This year they have grown to 10 bands in 10 different locations which you can find on the map below.
It all does down this Saturday from 3-7pm on 12-14th Streets just south of Santa Clara Street.
Friday, June 9, 2023
Viva CalleSJ - Downtown Westbound
Viva Calle SJ is back for it's 2nd event of 2023! Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, unicycle, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose.
Viva Calle Downtown Westbound features three activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This time the activity hubs will be at San Carlos, Roosevelt Park, and SoFA. 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.Viva CalleSJ 2022 takes place on Sunday, June 11th 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.