Cinequest 2025: San Jose’s Film Fest Glows Bright This March

Hey, San Jose film fans—mark your calendars, because Cinequest is back, and it’s ready to light up downtown with its Luminate Film & Creativity Festival! Running March 11-23, 2025, this is the 35th year of one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic events, blending cutting-edge cinema, tech innovation, and that unmistakable SJ energy. If you’ve been craving a dose of creativity to shake off the winter blues, this is your spot.

This year’s theme, “Luminate,” promises to shine a spotlight on bold stories and fresh voices from around the globe. We’re talking over 200 films—think world premieres, U.S. debuts, and those hidden gems you won’t catch anywhere else. It’s all going down at some of downtown’s best venues: the stunning California Theatre, the always-vibrant Hammer Theatre Center, and the cozy 3Below Theaters & Lounge. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just looking for a fun night out, there’s something here for you.

What makes Cinequest so special? It’s not just a film fest—it’s a vibe. Set right here in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s where art meets innovation. Expect Q&A sessions with filmmakers, tech-forward panels (hello, AI in movies!), and maybe even a silent film with live organ music if they keep that tradition rolling. Plus, the festival’s famous Maverick Spirit Awards will honor some big names—last year it was Matthew Modine, so who’s next? Stay tuned!

The lineup and tickets are already live, so you can start planning your must-see screenings now. Head over to Cinequest’s official site to grab yours—pro tip: the All Access Pass is the move if you want VIP perks like express entry and party invites. Venues are spread across downtown, so you can make a whole day of it—hit a film, grab some eats at San Pedro Square Market, and soak in that SJ buzz.

Cinequest isn’t just a win for film lovers; it’s a boost for our city too. Tens of thousands of people flock here every year, filling up theaters, restaurants, and streets with excitement. It’s a reminder of why San Jose’s downtown scene is so unbeatable—world-class events with a local heart.

So, what’s your Cinequest plan? Are you chasing the next Oscar-worthy short or just here for the afterparties? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re hyped for. Let’s get ready to luminate San Jose this March!

The Hero of San Jose

AI is being used in all sorts of creative ways today, but this is one of the funniest things I have every seen. It's a sequence of San Jose-related prompts followed by AI-generated images. The first prompt is "Show me and image of someone from San Jose." That's followed by "Make him more San Jose" and that is the image below. The prompts eventually lead to "Make him the most San Jose person who ever existed" and then it gets crazy from there. I won't spoil it. Make sure you listen with the audio way up!

Click here to find out who is the hero of San Jose.

The San Jose AI Center of Excellence gets $2M in funding

The Knight Foundation awarded Plug and Play with $2M to help make a collaborative AI network in San Jose. The grant will help Plug and Play launch the San Jose AI Center of Excellence, which will attract AI talent to the region and hopefully create economic opportunities.

The San Jose AI Center of Excellence will be located in the heart of Downtown San Jose in the Bank of Italy Building. The space is undergoing renovations and the target date for a launch event is April 2nd.

Source: SVBJ

A dreamy escape at The Tech Interactive: exploring the Dream Garden exhibit

San Jose’s very own Tech Interactive has rolled out a mesmerizing new exhibit that’s got locals buzzing. Nestled in the heart of downtown, right across from Plaza de César Chávez, this iconic museum has long been a go-to spot for tech lovers and curious minds alike. But their latest addition, Dream Garden, takes things to a whole new level, blending cutting-edge AI with an immersive, surreal experience that feels like stepping into a living painting. Launched recently, this exhibit is a must-see for anyone looking to spark their imagination while getting a front-row seat to the future of technology.

So, what’s Dream Garden all about? Picture this: you walk into a vibrant, ever-changing ecosystem that responds to your every move. Powered by artificial intelligence, the exhibit transforms your gestures and ideas into a dynamic landscape filled with whimsical creatures, towering trees, and floating elements that shift as you interact with them. It’s playful yet profound, inviting visitors of all ages to co-create a dreamlike world that feels uniquely personal. After soaking in the magic, you can peek behind the scenes to see how AI brings it all to life—a perfect mix of fun and education that’s quintessentially Tech Interactive.

What makes this exhibit stand out in a city already brimming with innovation is its accessibility and charm. Whether you’re an AI nerd or just someone who loves a good Instagram-worthy moment, Dream Garden delivers. It’s the kind of place where kids can giggle as they “teach” virtual creatures to fly, while adults marvel at the seamless integration of tech and creativity. Located on the lower level of the museum, it’s easy to pair with a visit to the IMAX Dome Theater or a hands-on robotics session, making for a full day of Silicon Valley-style adventure.

As of today, February 22, 2025, Dream Garden is still blooming at The Tech Interactive, and there’s no better time to check it out. Admission is included with your general ticket, so you can dive into this AI-powered wonderland without breaking the bank. If you’re a San Jose local (or just passing through), swing by and see why this exhibit is sparking wonder in the heart of our tech-savvy city. Who knows? You might just leave inspired to dream up something groundbreaking of your own.

You can learn more or buy tickets right over here.

Single family homes proposed for Piedmont area of San Jose

Robson Homes has submitted a proposal for a 25 unit project at the Olivera Egg Ranch (3315 Sierra Road). Each single family home will range from 1,976 SQFT to 2,771 SQFT and several of the homes will include attached ADUs up to 444 SQFT.

I'm a huge fan of Robson Homes. Their build quality is exceptional and they feature smart and efficient floorplans with great integration of ADUs for multi-family living (or renting out a portion of your home).

Before the urbanists get up in arms over a new single family development in San Jose, this location is pretty deep in suburbia with no hope of mass transit in the future. The Berryessa BART station is an 8 minute drive away.

If approved, construction would take around 16 months.

Source: SF YIMBY

Downtown San Jose art installation will become a temporary skating rink

A temporary art project that was put up in the SoFA District in 2021 will soon become open to the public on a regular basis. The "Serpentine Pavilion" was supposed to be a placeholder for a three-tower project that was cancelled. Now it will become part of Unzipped Gardens Roller Rink and Beer Garden.

Today through Memorial Day, visitors will be able to rent skates and enjoy beer and food-truck bites while admiring the art piece. DJs and live bands will provide atmospheric music. The chain-link fences will also finally come down and be replaced with a more elegant permanent fence.

I have walked through the art project several times during special events and it is really impressive. I hope we find some way to preserve the tower or incorporate it into whatever future development takes place on this block.

The schedule for the roller rink and beer garden will be Fridays from 5-10pm, Saturdays from noon-10pm, and Sundays from noon-7pm. Skate rentals are $25 for adults and $20 for kids under 12, but skating is not required to walk in and hang out.

Source: The Mercury News

Rivian is officially coming to Santana Row

Santana Row has played a pretty significant role in the history of electric cars. It had the very first of hundreds of Tesla stores, which has been significantly expanded due to popularity. It's considered a flagship store and is usually the first location to get previews of new products such as the Robotaxi, Cybertruck, and many others. Porsche also has a presence on the Row, often highlighting their EVs such as the Macan Electric. There have even been numerous pop-up events featuring electric cars along the Santana Row park.

Now Rivian is jumping in on the action. They are going to launch a new electric vehicle gallery on the 300 block of Santana Row. This is right in the front near Yard House. They will likely be featuring their newest SUV, the R2. The vehicle launches next year and is designed for the mass-market with a starting price around $45k, putting it right in line with the Tesla Model Y.

Unlike Tesla, Rivian is not planning to do test drivers from the Santana Row location. However, they do have a service and demo center at 660 North King Road in San Jose.

Across the street, Valley Fair also has two EV stores: Lucid and Polestar. The general area has become quite the hotspot for electric cars.

Source: SVBJ

New vision with restaurants and retail along the paseo in Downtown San Jose

The real estate firm Hines has filed a proposal to revamp three blocks of commercial space in Downtown San Jose. The project is being called Paseo Place and it would transform the space that was once a mall called The Pavilion.

The goal would be to transform Paseo de San Antonio into a vibrant new hub and attract new restaurants, retail, and entertainment tenants. In order to create a more inviting pedestrian space, the project will add canopies, trellises, pots, street furniture, outdoor seating, planters, and lighting elements.

It should be noted that there are already several successful businesses in this area such as Eos & Nyx, Urban Putt, and Scott's Seafood.

I couldn't be more excited to see how this area will be transformed in the coming years!

Source: The Mercury News

Symphony San Jose presents BEETHOVEN’S EROICA

March “comes in like a lion,” and this tour-de-force program proves it. One of Beethoven’s most celebrated works, and the composer’s personal favorite of his compositions, Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) explores what it means to be human.  Newly-named Resident Conductor of the Nashville Symphony Nathan Aspinall will conduct. Richard Strauss’ tone poem, Death and Transfiguration, depicts the dying thoughts of an artist as he recounts the various stages of his life, all while awaiting the ultimate transformation. 

And Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, will mark Symphony San Jose’s first performance of a work by Arvo Pärt, the most performed contemporary composer in the world (beating out John Williams, John Adams, Thomas Adès, and Philip Glass).

Who: Symphony San Jose presents

What: BEETHOVEN’S EROICA

When: Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 2:30pm

Where: The California Theatre, 345 South First Street, downtown San Jose, 95113. Convenient, inexpensive parking is available at a city-owned garage one-and-a-half blocks from the theater at San Carlos Street with entrances on Second and Third streets.

TICKET PRICES: $24 to $121.50 (Ticket prices include $2.50 City Fee and Order Fee of $4.00.)

Special Youth Ticket price: A ticket for concert goers, age 17 and under, can be discounted up to 50% when purchased along with a full-price ticket.

TICKETS: Phone: 408.286.2600 

Website: www.symphonysanjose.org    

Email: jmeyers@symphonysanjose.org

Walk-Up Box Office: 325 South First Street, San Jose, 95113. Located between San Carlos and San Salvador Street next to the California Theatre. Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm.

THE PROGRAM:

Arvo Pärt: Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten

Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)

 

ARTISTS

Conductor: Nathan Aspinall

Biography: http://nathanaspinall.com/ 

 

Symphony San Jose

www.symphonysanjose.org/

55/110 x MACBBQ Blantons & BBQ

MACBBQ is an award-winning competition BBQ team based in the South Bay that travels all over the US for events. Tonight they are hosting a special BBQ event at 55 South to celebrate a their new hand-selected private barrel of Blanton's whiskey.

The event includes all-you-can-eat BBQ beef ribs, brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, pork ribs, chicken, and sides along with drink specials, give aways, and live DJs. You might also get an opportunity to sample their special bourbon.

For more info, head over here.

San Jose music pavilion takes another step forward

A long awaited Levitt Pavilion in the corner of St. James Park is getting closer to reality. The project would include a music pavilion, a reimagined park, picnic grove, garden, monument walks, fountain, dog park, and playground.

The city of San Jose would contribute $15 million to  $5 million would come from a local nonprofit called Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose.

When completed, it will accommodate up to 5,000 people for free, family-friendly concerts. Performing arts and community groups will also be able to rent the pavilion.

The developers are going to host a partial concert season during the construction phase until May 2026. The first full season of 50 free concerts is expected in 2027.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Santana Row gains three more office tenants

One Santana West across the street from the famous Row has three new tenants and a brand new cafe. Calix is a cloud and managed services company leasing 22,990 SQFT on the 4th floor. They are moving from North San Jose in August. Better Help is taking 10,361 SQFT on the third floor while Pivot Interiors will take 15,000 SQFT on the third floor.

Those three leases will bring the 375,000 SQFT building to 70% occupancy, which is impressive given the current state of the market.

As a final bonus, a brand new cafe will be added to the first floor of the building in Spring. It might not be a full expansion of Santana Row, but I hope the cafe will live up to same standards set across the street.

Source: SVBJ

Massive North San Jose housing project advances

There aren't many large swaths of land left in Silicon Valley, but a few still remain in San Jose. The Sakauye and Karolewski families had one of those large blocks and have just sold 22 acres of prime land in North San Jose for $78.6 million. The land is at 2620 Seely Avenue, right off of Montague Expressway next to Cadence's headquarters.

The former orchard will become a whopping 1,472 homes. The breakdown will be 154 townhomes (by SummerHill Homes), 178 affordable units, 1,140 apartments, 19,000 SQFT of neighborhood retail, and a 2.5-acre city park. A farm site will also be preserved and moved to History Park.

There is no official ETA yet, but it can't come soon enough.

Source: The Mercury News

Free game night tonight

Date and time

Tuesday, February 18 · 5 - 7pm PST

Location

20 Barack Obama Blvd, San Jose

About this event

Learn fun Chinese and Vietnamese games, Majong and O An Quan, while enjoying snacks to welcome the new year. Fun activities like playing games can trigger the release of endorphins, promoting feelings of well-being and connection with others.

About the Musician

Maleli Raiyawa

MALELI!! is a folk singer-songwriter who turns heartbreak, identity, and cultural tension into music that’s emotionally vulnerable to a fault. Raised between suburban America and his father’s island heritage, he’s spent a lifetime navigating the space between belonging and feeling misunderstood. Through raw confessionals, spoken-word flourishes, and flashes of dark humor, Maleli’s songs confront mental health struggles, generational trauma, and the tangled question of who you’re supposed to be in a world that expects you to fit one narrow mold. Onstage, he wields his cannon of a voice and vulnerable storytelling like a boxcutter—slicing through knots of anxiety, grief, and longing. The result is a theatrical, raw, unfiltered sound that invites listeners to embrace their own complexities. For Maleli, music isn’t just an art form; it’s a lifeline and a safe haven—where every haunted heart and searching soul can find the courage to speak truth, shed shame, and keep running toward hope.

IG: @maleli.live

Transit-oriented developments in San Jose

TODGod posted a video earlier this month highlighting all of the TODs (transit oriented developments) in San Jose. He goes though the VTA Light Rail network station-by-station in the first 7 minutes in the video embedded below. There are more projects than I expected, and hopefully it will make a notable impact in the coming years.

Source: TODGod on Youtube

Meet Donatello at San Jose's Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Happy Hollow has a new resident, a capybara named Donatello. He got his name after picking up sticks with his mouth and swinging them around like a Ninja Turtle. Happy Hollow is also in the process of expanding the capybara habitat to include a larger yard and more vantage points for visitors. It should be ready later this year, but you can go visit Donatello right now.

It's amazing how many San Jose residents have never been to this cute little zoo. It's very nicely maintained and is the perfect size for toddlers and elementary school-aged kids. There is also a historic puppet theater, a handful of carnival-type rides, and a family roller coaster. It's also rarely crowded. If you have kids, it's the perfect outing to work into a weekend.

Source: SJ Today

MACLA Presents: Esto No Tiene Nombre Performed by Denice Frohman

San José, CA – January 15, 2025 – MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana is proud to present the West Coast debut of the full-length version of Esto No Tiene Nombre, a one-woman show written and performed by the acclaimed poet and performer Denice Frohman. The performances will take place from March 21–23, 2025, at MACLA’s Castellano Playhouse in downtown San José.

Esto No Tiene Nombre is a powerful tribute to the oral histories of Latina lesbian elders, brought to life through a series of poignant, vivid vignettes. Denice Frohman, known for her electrifying storytelling and lyrical depth, brings to life voices gathered as part of I See My Light Shining: Oral Histories of Our Elders, a project curated by MacArthur Fellow Jacqueline Woodson.

These narratives, curated under Woodson’s visionary guidance, serve as the foundation for Frohman’s powerful exploration of identity, love, and survival. The show spans stories of resilience, connection, and joy, from pre-Stonewall police raids in Philadelphia to the intimate moments of first kisses. Frohman intertwines her own personal journey with the voices of Latina lesbian elders, including activists, barbers, lovers, and chefs, to offer a moving and multidimensional portrait of their lives and legacies.

About Denice Frohman

Denice Frohman is an award-winning poet, performer, and writer from New York City whose groundbreaking work explores culture, identity, queerness, and social justice. As a queer Nuyorican and the daughter of Puerto Rican and Jewish parents, Frohman uses her craft to challenge power structures and preserve cultural heritage. A former Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion, she has performed on iconic stages like The Apollo, MoMA PS1, and The White House during the Obama Administration.

Her poetry has been featured in The New York Times, Poem-A-Day by the Academy of American Poets, and anthologies like Nepantla: An Anthology for Queer Poets of Color and The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNext. Supported by organizations such as The Pew Center for the Arts and Baldwin for the Arts, Frohman’s work continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Website: www.denicefrohman.com

Instagram: @denicefrohman

About MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana

MACLA is an inclusive contemporary arts space grounded in the Chicano/Latino experience that incubates new visual, literary and performance art in order to engage people in civic dialogue and community transformation.

Founded in 1989, MACLA emerged from a broad community mobilization in San José and across the nation advocating for multicultural arts. Since its inception, MACLA has envisioned arts programming as a powerful vehicle for civic dialogue and social equity serving over 38,000 people annually and produces 50 programs each year in three core program tracts: visual arts; performance and literary arts; and youth arts education.

MACLA is located at 510 South First Street, San José, CA 95113

For tickets, additional photos, media opportunties or more details about Esto No Tiene Nombre and other MACLA events, visit www.maclaarte.org, email info@maclaarte.org, or call (408) 998-ARTE.

Don’t miss this unforgettable performance that celebrates Latina lesbian history, love, and resilience. Join us for Esto No Tiene Nombre, March 21–23, 2025, at MACLA’s Castellano Playhouse!

Performance Dates:

Friday, March, 21, 2025 – Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM

Saturday, March, 22, 2025 – Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM

Sunday, March, 23, 2025 (Matinée) – Doors: 1:30 PM | Show: 2:00 PM

Tickets available at macla.eventbrite.com

$45 Reserved Seating

$30 General Admission

$10 Students

Run time: Approximately 75 minutes

Valentine's Day in San Jose 💗

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! If you are looking for a list of fun things to do, head over to Visit San Jose. You'll find a list of romantic restaurants and sweet shops along with unique suggestions. The image below IS in San Jose. It's the Grandview Restaurant on the way to Mount Hamilton. Check it out along with other ideas over here.

VTA planning to build homes by Branham Light Rail

VTA is planning to build a new affordable housing project on a 2.5-acre parking lot at the Branham Light Rail station ins South San Jose. The project would consist of 45 townhomes, 10 of which would be dedicated to extremely low-income earners in Santa Clara County. The homes would either be three or four-bedroom units.

This is just one of many projects that the VTA has planned for transit-oriented development. This is their fifth project underway and there are a dozen more in the pipeline.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

San Jose affordable housing development proposed for Berryessa

San Jose-based Swenson is proposing a 260-unit affordable housing complex at 1655 Berryessa Road, near the Berryessa BART station (8 minute walk). It would be built in a section of a 13-acre site where a total of 646 homes are planned.

The affordable homes would be placed in a six-story apartment building next to a seven-story apartment building with 338 market-rate units and a mix of 48 townhomes and single-family homes.

Originally the site was going to feature much needed micro-homes, a product that rarely exists in the South Bay. However, the developers were not able to get financing and had to pivot to a more traditional type of housing.

Source: The Mercury News