Microsoft looking to build a 1M SQFT campus in San Jose

The latest big tech company to take a serious look at San Jose is none other than the 800lb gorilla from Seattle. Microsoft has purchased close to 65 acres of "farmland" in North San Jose bound by 237, Zanker Road, and the Coyote Creek. They want to use the space to build either 1.2 million SQFT of light industrial space or a 436,880 SQFT data center and 728,000 SQFT of light industrial space.

Either of the options on the table would not bring as many jobs and tax dollars to the city as a traditional office complex, but it would be a great foot in the door as Microsoft currently has zero presence in San Jose proper. Microsoft has 1,600 employees in the area, but most are in Mountain View. With a grand total of 71,000 employees, San Jose could provide a viable opportunity to move more of their workforce into the tech capital of the world. They would be in good company as both Google and Apple and considering significant operations in San Jose.

Source: SVBJ (Subscription Required)

Mom's Gift

Who: The Tabard Theatre Company presents

What: The Northern California Premiere of Mom’s Gift

   Written by Phil Olson

When: Friday, October 27 through Sunday November 19, 2017 (See schedule below)

Where: Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110  (Parking is validated for most performances at the San Pedro Square Garage directly across the street)

Why: Everyone deserves a do-over. In this comedy with a heart, Mom has been dead for eleven months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost with a mission. Like Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life, she has to accomplish a task to earn her wings.

Box Office: 408.679.2330 or www.tabardtheatre.org/tickets

Tickets: $32 - $44

Cabaret Seating: $42 - $44  

* Tiered Seating: $30 - $32 

* (Discounts available for seniors and students)

Performance Schedule:

Friday, Oct 27 @ 8:00pm (Opening Performance)

Saturday, Oct 28 (1:30pm to 2:00pm. Free hands-on presentation for visually impaired patrons. Everyone is welcome.)

Saturday, Oct 28 @ 3:00pm

Sunday, Oct 29 @ 2:00pm

Friday, Nov 3 @8pm

Saturday, Nov 4 @ 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday, Nov 5 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Nov 9 @ 8pm

Friday, Nov 10 @ 8:00pm

Saturday, Nov 11 @ 3:00pm

Sunday, Nov 12 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Nov 16 @ 8:00pm

Friday, Nov 17 @ 8:00pm

Saturday, Nov 18 @ 8:00pm

Sunday, Nov 19 @ 2:00pm (Closing Performance)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Director: Doug Baird

Cast: Rebecca Brownson Ray D’Ambrosio, Christian Hosler, Elizabeth McClelland, Heather Skelley, Amanda Vogel, and Charlotte Jacobs as Mom.

In this comedy with a heart, Mom has been dead for 11 months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost with a mission. Like Clarence in It’s A Wonderful Life, she has to accomplish a task to earn her wings. Only what the task actually is, is a mystery. There are so many things to fix. The problem is complicated by the fact that the only person who can hear or see Mom is her daughter who has been ordered by the court to spend Dad’s birthday with him as part of her Anger Management Program. One by one the family's secrets are peeled away revealing a shocking truth that surprises even our ghost.     

Mom's Gift was first produced at the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles, California, in December, 2013. It has won accolades from numerous competitions and festivals across the United States. Playwright Phil Olson is well known for his hilarious “Don’t Hug Me” play series.                

“An audience pleaser! …an always engaging, funny evening of love and laughter.” — Stage Happenings

“A crowd pleaser! …Mom’s Gift demonstrates playwright Olson’s gift at creating the kind of old-fashioned feel-good comedy that hardly gets written anymore…”  — Stage Scene LA

"If you love the comedy “It’s a Wonderful Life” this modern variant by playwright Phil Olson is just for you!” — Theatre Spoken Here

Theatre on San Pedro Square (The Destination for Arts Discovery) is located in the heart of historic San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose amid a bustling restaurant district. This intimate and unique venue brings a touch of Manhattan to the South Bay with its rustic yet edgy feel. Old brick walls, plush leather seats, antique wood plank floors, sweeping red velvet drapes and a 35-foot mahogany bar create a casual cabaret atmosphere. The full bar also offer a variety of food choices that may be enjoyed while watching the show.

For every production, The Tabard designates a local non-profit, that is in some way related to the theme of the show, to receive a portion of its concession proceeds. The designated non-profit for MOMS GIFT is Girls @ The Tech, a program of The Tech Museum which provides a pipeline of opportunities for girls that nurtures their interest, builds their skills and solidifies their confidence in STEM with the ultimate goal to dramatically increase the participation of girls in STEM activities and women in STEM careers. https://www.thetech.org/generationtech/girls

The Tabard’s mission is to provide live entertainment experiences that are enlightening, appropriate and affordable for audiences of all ages. We champion new works, innovative interpretations, and unique plays rarely staged. Tabard is an inclusive environment where the community can participate in every aspect of the plays, musicals, educational programs and music concerts we produce. With altruistic attention to the underserved, Tabard reaches out to communities such as the visually impaired and children in low-income areas, and donates a portion of each production's concessions proceeds to a designated local charity. 

The Tabard Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) California Corporation. 

October 2017 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• BART construction in Downtown is expected to start in 2019 and finish in 2026. The big debate is between using a double-bore tunnel (like every other subway in the US) or a single-bore tunnel that would greatly minimize disruption to Downtown but has only been used overseas.
• KT Urban proposed two towers:
• a 27-story, 285-unit tower with 6,105 SQFT of retail at 600 S. First in SoFA
• an 18-story, 302-unit tower in North San Pedro with 10,000 SQFT of retail
• Equus Capital Partners wants to build a 24-story, 260 unit tower with 1,500 SQFT of retail in CityView Plaza.
• ECI2 North Third wants to build a 26-story, 400-unit tower for student housing near City Hall.
• Taco Annex is now open at 287 S. First inside the SoFA Market.
• Earl of Sandwich opened their first Norther California location at the corner of Market and Santa Clara.
• Crewners Barber Shop moved out of the San Pedro Square Market and is now across the street at Community Towers, 111 St. John St., Suite 140. They also offer free beer in their larger space.
• The SJDA Annual Meeting is Oct. 13 at the San Jose First United Methodist Church (24 N. Fifth St.) from 8-9:30am.

To read the newsletter, click here!

Content 9.5 Pick-up Party at Forager Tasting Room

Content Magazine is hosting a party to celebrate their latest issues on Thursday, October 19th at Forager in SoFA (420 South First Street). Forager is a really interesting venue to begin with and this is the perfect opportunity to explore it.

The latest issue is entitled "profiles" and features:  Ryan Baird; Pilar Argüero-Esparza; Jimmy Fonseca; Robinson Wood; Danielle Rahe Fox of Give Me Cashmere; Viviane Ly; Gross Magazine; The Dancer of Peace, Khalilah Ramirez; Gemma Morgan; Ron P. Muriera; Lauren Baines; Cayce Hill at Veggielution; Joey and Gwen Reyes; Nate LeBlanc; Hive & Hum; Veronica Ruckman, co-owner of Social Policy; Voltaire Coffee House; Raul Peralez; Apis Floral; Alyssa Kompelien; Demone Carter; Nuria Feradez at VTA; Limon Salon; Carolina Villafane; Vero's Coffee Bar; Tim Lin; Chromatic Coffee; Umunhum Brewing; John Beaver; Liz Ruiz; Lorenz Mazon Dumuk; Moses Kinnah; Lake Stovall Music; Claudia Saenz, founder of Chulita Vinyl Club; Courtney Smith Kramer of Purematter; and more.

The event goes from 7pm-9pm and includes live music, refreshments, and signature beverages. You are welcome to attend even if you are not a subscriber. For more information, head over to the event's Facebook page.

Brand new Bay 101 Casino is now open for business

M8trix finally has some decent competition with the first phase of Bay 101's complex officially open. Of course, the casinos really don't see one another as competition--but as a part of complementary offerings that draw gamblers and entertainment-seekers to the area. Bay 101 even strategically located themselves on North First Street just blocks away from M8trix.

The new Bay 101 looks really sleek and is filled with modern touches like dynamic lighting, open spaces, and abstract art. The building spans 68,000 SQFT and has 49 gaming tables. Bay 101 also features a flagship Asian fusion restaurant called The Province, which is owned by the same people as Sino, Straits, and Roots & Rye at Santana Row. The restaurant will be higher-end than anything at M8trix (or the immediate area for that matter) and bring with it some nightlife and one of the most impressive outdoor patios in San Jose.

Future phases of the Bay 101 project include two hotels and a 237,000 SQFT tech campus. The first hotel is an Embassy Suites with 174 rooms in a seven-story building. For the development enthusiasts out there, yes that is a huge missed opportunity for one of the few parcels in San Jose where a 35-story building is not only economically viable but allowed by airport regulations. Perhaps they will think bigger for the second hotel. One thing is for sure, Bay 101 is going to help make North San Jose a lot more interesting.

Source: The Merc, hat tip to Arnold Kwok for sending this in!

Playful People Productions Presents: Snow White and the Seven Little People

San Jose, CA - Join us for an original twist on Snow White with such classic hits as Mack the Knife, Working in a Coal Mine, I Put a Spell on You and Killer Queen, Snow White and the Seven Little People sets out on a journey to find out … How will Snow White and Prince William Reisling find each other? Will Queen Evanora get her revenge as Granny Smith? Can Robin and the Bluejays defeat Raven and the Magpies? How will the Forest Animals lead Snow White to the Little People for shelter? The answers to these and many other questions will be answered in stunning musical theatre technicolor in Playful People Productions Fall Mashup show, Snow White and the Seven Little People.

Our shows often sell out prior to the show weekend. Be sure to buy your tickets early, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic production. 

All Shows at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

 

Show Times:

Friday, October 27th - 7pm

Saturday, October 28th - 11am

Sunday, October 29th - 1pm

Friday, November 3rd - 7pm

Saturday, November 4th - 11am, 3pm and 7pm

Sunday, November 5th - 11am and 3pm

Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net

$12 attendees 12 and up, $8 children 11 and under,  and $6 Children’s floor seating

 

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)

$15 attendees 12 and up, $10 children 11 and under, and $6 Children’s floor seating

Fundraising Gala Performance:

Join us on Saturday, October 28th at 6pm for a Playful People Fundraising Gala event. The evening will include heavy appetizers, beverages, desserts and a silent auction. You will also get to see an amazing performance of Snow White and the Seven Little People. This will be an evening you will not want to miss. 

Tickets available at www.playfulPeople.net

$60 Adults, $25 kids 8 - 16 and $10 7 and younger 

 

For questions: barb@galiotto.com

 

Founded in 2010, Playful People Production’s mission is to provide a quality, caring environment where children, teens and their families can have positive theater experiences. We strive to involve all family members in the many aspects of on stage and backstage theater in a safe and fun environment and offer participation in theatrical productions, classes, summer stock and camps for ages 3-93.

Playful People Productions is run by a mother-daughter team, Barbara Galiotto and Katie D’ Arcey, who between them have approximately 50 years of experience in the musical theater world. Both are Positive Discipline trained and worked as early Childhood Educators as well as in the theater.

ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season

Now celebrating 15 years in Downtown San Jose, sjDANCEco is proud to kick off their anniversary season with "ROOTS & WINGS." The performance will pair contemporary and classic modern dance with live music by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The company will do three performances in San Jose at the Hammer Theater, followed by two performances in San Francisco. All of the details and links to ticket sales are in the press release below.

ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season

Performances to be held in both San Jose and San Francisco

WHO:  sjDANCEco presents

WHAT: ROOTS & WINGS (Season Opening Program shown in two different venues)

WHEN: October 12 and 14 in San Jose.  November 3 and 4 in San Francisco

WHERE:

The Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose, CA 95113

Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:00pm

Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm

Tickets Available August 1st 

Single Tickets: $25 to $90

$25    Student

$35    Senior

$40    General

$60    VIP Thursday evening & Saturday matinee includes bests seats in the house and reception with the dancers in the lobby following performances.

$90    VIP Saturday evening includes bests seats in the house and Gala Reception with dancers on Theatre Roof Top Garden

ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Friday, November 3, 2017 at 8:00pm

Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 8:00pm

Tickets Available August 1st

Single Tickets: $25 to $40

$25    Student

$35    Senior

$40    General

Box Office: 408.520.9854   www.sjDANCEco.org

WHY: sjDANCEco, San José’s contemporary dance company, celebrates its 15th Anniversary Season with multiple world premieres and expanded venues including the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose (October 12 and 14), and ODC Theater in San Francisco (November 3 and 4.) According to Artistic Director Gary Masters, “this is only the second time in our fifteen years, that we have brought our company to these two marvelous venues. We are so very excited to be back. Our Season-Opening program, entitled Roots & Wings, will explore the diverse inspirations and contributions that have been the foundation…the roots of creativity...for our resident choreographers and which have made and continue to make sjDANCEco’s repertory so distinctive.”

THE PROGRAM:

sjDANCEco’s 2017-2018 season-opening program will feature four World Premieres by; sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile, sjDANCEco Choreographic Advisor & Professor of Dance at San Jose State University Fred Mathews, Company Choreographer and dancer Hsiang Hsiu Lin, and by former company dancer Nhan Ho. Each new work will explore the choreographer’s Roots and the inspirations that give them Wings to excite and motivate their creativity. Also on the program will be a revival of Journey Through the Labyrinth originally created in 1994 for the Limón West Dance Project/San José and Idance of Independence High, with choreography by Artistic Director Gary Masters and set to a new commissioned score by Michael Touchi, Creative Consultant for the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The revival will include a new section with choreography by Los Lupeños de San José Artistic Director Sam Cortez. The “Classic Offering” for these performances will be the Company Premiere of Doris Humphrey’s masterpiece, Day on Earth (1947) set to Aaron Copland’s “Sonata for Piano.” 

Collaboration with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Day Turner continues to highlight the company’s signature brand of contemporary dance and classic works of the American Modern Dance Repertory.

Photo Clockwise from Top Left: Hannah McNany, Frankie Reviera, Kelisha Gardeen and Katherine House, Photo by Thomas Hassing.

Frontier Airlines adds 3 more nonstop flights to San Jose roster

The news about new flights for San Jose keeps on pouring in. Earlier this year, Frontier Airlines announced their return to SJC with four routes:

• Denver (daily service starting Oct. 5th)
• Las Vegas (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat service starting Nov. 1st)
• Cincinnati (Tue, Thu, Sun service starting Apr 8th)
• San Antonio (Tue, Thu, Sun service starting Apr 8th)

Service has yet to begin on any of the routes, yet the airline has just announced three additional nonstops:

• Atlanta (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat service starting Apr 9th)
• Austin (Mon, Wed, Sat service starting Apr 9th)
• Colorado Springs (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat starting Apr 9th)

All three are significant. Atlanta is a highly desirable nonstop that is only serviced by Delta today. Austin flights are critical for tech companies (they call this route the nerd bird). Colorado Springs is a brand new route--I think it might be our first direct flight ever to this destination. It is a smaller city, but there are some neat touristy things to do there like Pike's Peak. Oh, and it also brings the number of San Jose's nonstop destinations to 50, an all-time high.

It looks like the fastest growing airport in the country is still picking up speed!

Source: SVBJ