South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk Aug. 5th!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us this Friday, August 5th for the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk + STREET MRKT in downtown San Jose!
7pm-11pm, free and open to the public.

KALEID Gallery
88 So. 4th St.
Two new exhibitions by featured artists Jonathan Perea and Michelle Waters.


Convergence by Jonathan Perea
Subatomic abstract realism: A worldwide acceleration where science and spirituality dances to the tune of the cosmos. The illusion of duality unveiled a new beginning.



Musings from the Wasteland by Michelle Waters
The paintings in this series are influenced by the nightmarish imagery of Hieronymus Bosch, Edward Abbey’s writings and my work as a wildlife rehabilitator and environmental activist. My art deconstructs the assumption of human superiority by showing what might transpire if animals took control over the fate of the planet. Animals demolishing the Glen Canyon Dam and wildlife laying waste to a bulldozer are some of the characters who populate my paintings.


Caffe Frascati
(formerly Caffe Trieste)
315 So. 1st St.

Cheating Time: Constructing a Praxis of Juncture by Trina Merry
Through bodypaint, Merry has taken classical high art themes, such as the Four Seasons, and high art forms, such as ballet, to examine this concept of process, connection and living in season. Performance artists, such as dancers with fabric, are caught in the moment of leaps & turns frozen by photography. One of the featured bodypaintings of the exhibit based on Picasso’s “Guernica”, is set on a purposefully posed human canvas, yet full of imagery of an existential moment- the horror & anguish experienced by the victims of war.
“I feel like Caffé Trieste is the correct venue to explore these high art subjects as it has been a proud supporter of San Jose artists as a venue for music, poetry, & art exhibits.
This exhibit explores two important photographer relationships I have with Martin Delfino & Rafael Hernandez. Both are immigrants with a wonderful love of avante garde art who have been instrumental in my growth as an artist.”


Good Karma Vegan Cafe
37 So. 1st St.

Dreams by Valerie Runningwolf
What are dreams? Where do they come from? Some believe they may come from a collective consciousness, others believe they are messages from the spirit world, or maybe self generated from our minds.
A collection of dreams brought to life by mixed-media artist Valerie Runningwolf can be seen at Good Karma in August. Please join us during the First Friday art walk to share your dreams in a collaborative art piece.


PHO69
321 So. 1st St.

Collection of Light A new series by LAuruS Myth
LAuruS Myth work is based on patterns found in nature that have lead to patterns used in modern technology. Not only do these symbols relate to each other visually, but they also function as patterns that guide flows of energy throughout machines and plant life. Connecting and converting this energy into the power that lies within human life and purpose, fuels her motives and creative inspiration. Her hope is to capture the essence of vibration through the repetition of organic and geometric shapes.




On South First Street between San Carlos & San Salvador streets
7-11pm, FREE


ARTISTS/CREATIVE VENDORS:
Ai & Ai, Al Preciado, Andre Hart, Sandi Billingsley, Boombotix, Bugs & Monsters, Chicanoart.Friscostyle, Crossroads Trading Co., David Mejia, DonBon, EAZ & Sugar Skulls by Jodi, Emily Bones, Empire Seven Studios, Emo Gonzales, Force 129, Francisco Franco, Gianfranco Paolozzi, Haley Goodlett, Ike Greca, iMiNUSD Track Boutique, Ivan Gonzales, Josh Marcotte & Kerfufle, Keith Bunnel, Korrupt Clothing Label, Linda Ritter, Lost Village, Luna Park Chalk Fest, Mayberry Workshop, Michael Foley, Mike Borja, Out of Print Vintage, The Rabbit Hole, Rock ‘n the Trend, Shannon Amidon, Shayne Herrera, TeaShack, TechShop San Jose, The Usuals, Valentina Vintage, Waitman Gobble, Zine Party by Yumi


ON THE STAGE:
Please note: these times are tentative and may change. Please check back.
7:15-8:00 PM Orangutang
8:10-8:30 PM Corrupt Autopilot
8:50-9:35 PM Whiskerman
10:00-11:00 PM Ben Henderson & Friends
with STREET MRKT’s Emcee “Mighty” Mike McGee
ArtCar Fest 15th Anniversary Showcase
featuring 30 mobile, street legal sculptures from around the bay area

For full exhibition schedule of all 20 participating art venues, please visit;
http://www.SouthFIRSTFRIDAYS.com
or join us on Facebook here!

South FIRST FRIDAY Tonight!

It's going to be a huge FIRST FRIDAY this month, rain or shine.  Check out an in depth list of the artists being featured and participating venues below:

~~~

JOIN US for the next South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk on April 4th from 7–11pm. RSVP

The South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is a self-guided evening tour through galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses featuring exhibitions and special performances.

NEW EXHIBITS…

• Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design – 366 South First St. map

  
  Artist’s Reception: Millions of Colors in the Shadow by Joe Kowalczyk (CA)
  Kowalczyk’s ceramic sculptures are the celebration of the irrational; a celebration of ideas, impulses, and desires that spring from the darker side of the subconscious. When the quiet thought: “Why did I think something so strange?” arises, Kowalczyk celebrates it and turn it into a drawing or translates it into a sculpture rather than pushing the thought aside.
  “Much of my sculpture explores aspects of the human shadow; those which we deem improper, primitive and ultimately “unfit” for modern society. These are aspects of ourselves we’ve learned to restrain in our youth, and continue to intentionally suppress as adults in order to create a more “ideal” person,” says Kowalczyk. “I highlight these aspects and put them into the physical world; to give them a face and a set of eyes, so we can confront and better understand them. As a result I better understand myself.”
  Joe Kowalczyk is an award winning sculptor, painter, and illustrator that has been creating in the California Bay Area since he received his BFA in ceramics from California College of Arts and Crafts in 2006. Along with his studio practice, Joe fixes kilns, teaches ceramics, and cofounded a fine art gallery within the Oakland Art Murmur district.
  
  On View: We’s Gone Be Fine by Jeremiah Maddock (OR)
  On view in galleryTWO: We’s Gone Be Fine by Jeremiah Maddock (OR)
  “because I have said that verbally more times this year than ever before…and we are always gone some place rolling the dice. It’s been a nice vagabonding period.” ~Jeremiah Maddock
  All new works from our favorite hyper obsessive nomadic artist from the Pacific Northwest (this time.)

• Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery – 499 South Market St. map

  
  Melvin by Lisa LaRocca
  Higher Fire Gallery presents: Spring Mud-Fling
  Spring brings good mud-gazing! Feast your eyes on sculptural flowers, ceramic bird houses, totems, bird baths, bird feeders, Easter eggs, clay baskets, garden art, flower pots, fountains, planters, ice tea sets and oh so much more. We’re featuring cool clay items to make, take (and hopefully not break) at the Higher Fire Gallery this April.

• KALEID gallery – 88 South Fourth St. map

  
  
  Artist Reception: The Key to Technological and Spiritual Renaissance­ new artworks by Joe Perea
  Nature’s organizing power is infinite and we are apart of nature. Our creativity and analytical urges exist in our society as separate entities. But according to the Ancients and Quantum Physics this is a mirage. All the great thinkers in the likes of Jung, Einstein and Tesla retained both beautiful sides. Let us open ourselves to our highest potential and Combine our two infinite sides.
  Perea’s personal Mythology is channeled information, regurgitated knowledge from every single soul he meets. “There’s a mythological formula to creativity and the key to open it is our passion. We’re all masters, use The Key.” ~Joe Perea
  
  
  Artist Reception: CONNECTIONS mixed media work by Valerie Runningwolf
  Being human is to reach out and find connections. To link with other people, to attach ourselves with things, and join together within common beliefs. Our lives are a series of connections. Each one helps to shape who we are and define all the parts and pieces that construct our individuality and uniqueness. “As an artist I explore and create what I feel, see, and experience, always reaching out to others through artistic expression in hopes of evoking a sense of connectedness.” ~ Valerie Runningwolf
  To create this series, Runningwolf looked into the layers of connections and asked many questions, such as:
  What pieces fit together in our lives and what connects us to others and events?
  How do we stay connected ?
  Who do we feel bound to and linked together in our hearts and souls?
  What connections are visible and which ones are hidden and concealed?

• Seeing Things Gallery – 30 North Third St. map

  
  
  MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES works by Lance Cyril Mountain
  What is force? Driving human emotions? Love. Change. Fear. Achievement. Recognition. Challenge. Excellence. Responsibility / Contribution & Passion
  All these are driving forces for Lance. With an unorthodox upbringing, one only has to have a single conversation with this artist, to see his passions & goals are much greater than your average 28 year old living in Southern California. Being well travelled & well educated may contribute to his longing for more substance & disdain for modern complacency (i.e. stucco buildings & strip mall business greed). With the ability to detach himself from an average way of living that has become acceptable to a generation, he is truly unique. With a generous heart & a burning contempt for lazy conformists, not much has changed in the world of Lance since he was a child.
  Often misunderstood, like all great artists, Lance showcases his passion & attention to detail in all the works he involves himself in. Whether its painting, photography, writing or screen printing, all these emotions show through. All the viewer has to do is open their eyes and be willing to see its all there…Thought Informed By Passion & Conditioned By Knowledge

• Silicon Valley Music Festival at Sliding Door Company – 355 South First St. map

  
  
  Pianist Nichole Boaz will be featured at The Sliding Door Company this month at part of the Silicon Valley Music Festival South FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk! Performance Series. She is a distinguished Jazz musician and alumni of San Jose State University.
  
  One Thousand Thousand Project by Jason McHenry
  The Silicon Valley Music Festival (SVMF) invites you to attend this month’s performance as we continue our theme of musically inspired visual artwork. Jason McHenry has been working with the Silicon Valley Music Festival over the past few months, creating works inspired by the South FIRST FRIDAY SVMF performances. In February audiences were captivated by the flawless beauty of harpist, Anna Maria-Mendieta and in March charmed by the solo guitarist, Antoniy Kakamakov. This month Jason will be on sight once again capturing the colors of jazz pianist Nichole Boaz. We invite you to participate in this drawing project along with Jason. This series is part of Jason McHenry’s One Thousand Thousand Project, an ongoing and frequently collaborative effort to produce an edition of one million hand-made, original works on paper. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute in such an epic artistic endeavour, please join us! .

• Works San Jose – 365 South Market St. map

  
  art by Carolann Espino
  Works / San José presents Shelter
  25 South Bay artists explore their views of shelter in a wide range of medium and installations. Curated by Alfred Preciado, the work takes a worldly yet often sublime view of the very universal concept of shelter, making political, cultural, issue oriented, poster-like, text, video, and other statements.

• Art Ark Gallery – 1035 South Sixth St. map

  
  
  Opening Reception 6-9pm: Silicon Valley Open Studio Preview Exhibit at Art Ark Gallery. An art exhibition featuring the work of local artists participating in this year’s SVOS in the central San Jose area on May 17th and 18th 2014.
  Silicon Valley Open Studios is an organization of artists in the bay area that are fluent in all mediums of art from painters to photographers to 3D. This group of artists are innovative and emerging on the scene with fresh new ideas and wonderful new works to share. This preview is an opportunity to see some of their art and meet the artists prior to the Open Studios beginning the first week of May. Live music performed by Freya Seeburger
  Participating Artists: Susan Babbel, Debbie Bakker, David Braunstein, Jennifer Carrier, James Derieg, Liz Fennell, Rachel Greenberg, Rose Hagan, Inge Infante, Elaine Jek, Bharati Kshirsagar, James Lee, Lynn Elliott Letterman, Alyssa Levitan, Oleg Lobykin, Kenneth Mahar, Andrew Muonio, Nassim Nouri, Christine Oliver, Abbas Orumchian, Mary Paquet, Jim Paradis, JoAnne Perez Robinson, Marina Povalishina, Mohana Pradhan, Sally Rayn, Cynthia Riordan, Masha Schultz, Sue Serrone, Arena Shawn, Joan Sparks, Pooja Subramanya, Karin Taber, Rachel Tirosh, Valerie J.A. Vandermotten, Mishel Vanderten, Shweta Vijayaraghavan, Bill Voight, Cathy Zander, Carrie Zeidman

• Discover San Jose – 150 South First St., Suite 103 map

  
  
  DSJ proudly presents the work of Jim Watkins in April. His interest in photography began on the streets of Paris in 1991. Armed with 11 disposable cameras, he explored the City of Light to document his lifelong dream of visiting the city. Two years later, he revisited Paris with a real camera – and he was hooked. Jim’s focus is now on landscapes, cityscapes and street photography. He has been published in magazines, newspapers, books and travel guides. Jim will be on hand during South First Fridays to autograph his works for collectors.

• Downtown Yoga Shala – 450 South First St. map

  
  
  Opening Reception: Jonathan and Joella Kermit are back at Downtown Yoga Shala, with their exhibit Light + Wire + Thread. This time, they incorporate LED lighting into their wire and paper assemblages and textile hangings. The effect creates a sense of depth and serenity in the eye and mind of the viewer. Join us after our 5:30-6:45pm Yoga Pilates Fusion class with Deepa, as we open our doors to the Art patrons and downtown SJ community to host the creative and collaborative work of husband and wife team of Joella and Jonathan Kermit. See you at the Shala!

• First to Market Restaurant – 399 South First St. map

  
  
  Portraits of Things by Samantha Yee
  An exploration of character, perception, and humanity through painted portraits of people and other inanimate objects. Classic examples of the portrait genre from the Renaissance through the age of Napoleon inspired the re-imagining of our modern selves and our spaces out of the skyscraper and back to the manor house.

• Street Eats & Live Beats at Parque De Los Pobladores – South First St. at William St. map

  
  South FIRST FRIDAYS presents: STREET EATS & LIVE BEATS!
  Streaming live from Parque De Los Pobladores in the SoFA District El Otto Munro (EOM) on Common Ground- Radio feauturing DJs El Gato, Jswizza, Paul Leath & Notorious PI.G.. Also featuring great street eats provided by: MoGo BBQ, Quick Dog, MoBowl, Paddy Wagon Sliders and Twisted Chill.

• The Soundtrack of Cinequest at South First Billiards – 420 South First St. map

  
  
  Meshy sans Fleshy: Guitron, with a splash of Paeste. Chilled. Mario Guitron Solo exhibit, Also, the South First Billiards Dee Jae Paeste permanent collection.
  Live Music 9:30pm by Love Stoned (Top 40 Cover Band for your dancing pleasure)

• Studio Climbing Gym – 396 South First St. map

  
  
  World of Color by Joe Decker (Rockslide Photography)
  Navigating the colors of air, water and earth in locations from around the globe. Joe has explored both polar regions and the western United States in search of the incredible beautify and variety of nature. He’s been awarded artist residencies by the National Park Service, Gullkistan (an arts organization in Iceland), and Hurtigruten (a cruise line based in Norway). Joe is also the author of “The Tuesday Composition”, a best-selling photographic ebook on the topic of composition in photography.

• TechShop San Jose – 300 South Second St. map

  
  Scrap Yard Printing by Colin Drake Jaramillo
  Colin Drake Jaramillo has been photographing since 12 years of age and continues to try and intertwine his work across the different fields he works in. Starting with aspirations to be a National Geographic photographer, straight photography has fallen by the wayside as the focus is on completing a degree in Anthropology. Rather than taking photos, experimenting and concentrating on existing images to create something greater has been occupying Colin’s time for the past two years, such as his work of Ecuador where he has photographed the people and the street art of the region. This series of photographs on metal is one way that this trend has manifested itself, combing work conducted at TechShop with various other photographic projects.
  

  CONTINUED EXHIBITS…

  • MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana – 510 South First St.map

    
    Samuel Rodriguez, Notes, 2013. Spray paint and ink on wood. 13 x 36 inches.
    LATINO ART NOW! 16TH Annual Art Auction + Exhibition
    View and buy work from established and emerging artists from the Bay Area and beyond! Stop by the gallery to buy directly or participate in our auction on April 26. Auction supports MACLA’s programs. These and other artists have generously donated selections from their current work, including paintings, light installations, sculpture, collage, mixed-media work, and photography, reflecting the breadth of visual arts media for which MACLA is known.
    
    8-9:30 pm Music performance by PAOLOZZI TANGO TRIO. Feel the passion as this Bay Area trio performs original and traditional tangos.


  • Phantom Galleries – 95 South Market St. map

    
    art work by Dee Dee Torre
    FRPArt (Functional Restoration Program Art) uses the creation of art as a catalyst for physical, spiritual, and cognitive rehabilitation from various injuries and afflictions. In conjunction with releasing stress and anxiety through the mindful process of creation, promoting an overall sense of positivity and well being.
    Featured artists: Brandon Anderton, Carla Bolden, Betsy Braun-Kernaghan, Anthony Campisi, Liz Conklin, Chasity Washam Finney, Dyanne Hofstad, Sedara Olker, Laela Ramos, Michele Rice, Michelle Rourke, Dee Dee Torre, and Ann Wilcox.

  • ZERO1 Garage – 439 South First St. map

    
    City to City, (2013) Paula Levine, ZERO1 Fellowship/x
    ZERO1 Fellowship/x
    Featuring: Cecilia Galiena, Simon Geilfus (ANTIVJ), Paula Levine, Daniela Steinsapir
    Tapping a new source for disruption and recognizing the inherent innovative power of the artistic process, ZERO1 launched its Fellowship Program one year ago. The inaugural class of Fellows was presented with individual innovation challenges and have spent the past year researching, prototyping and producing outcomes in response to their respective challenge. From a cooperative urban experience, to a new messaging app; from a web platform facilitating social practice art to an unveiled presence of public network connections, ZERO1 is proud to present the results of these Fellow’s year-long journey. Come down to the ZERO1 Garage and discover each of the Fellows’ unique responses to their innovation challenges.

  • Cafe Stritch – 374 South First St. map

    
    Information not available at time of posting.

  • Caffé Frascati – 315 South First St. map

    
    First Fridays is Caffe Frascati Opera Night presented by First Street Singers, with the Bay Area’s finest opera singers performing your very favorite classical arias and duets live in the cafe!

  • Pho69 – 321 South First St. map

    
    
    Phantom Galleries presents JOURNALS by Gianfranco Paolozzi
    Marking on surfaces moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.

  • Psycho Donuts – 288 South Second St. map

    
    Art by Valery Milovic
    Psycho Donuts in downtown San Jose is a quirky donut shop and art gallery. The gallery displays top local artists and has an ongoing exhibit featuring the work of John Renzel, Lacey Bryant, Nicolas Caesar, Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Michael Foley, Michael Borja, Valery Milovic, Carlos Villez, Eric Joyner, Laura Callin Bennett, John Hageman and Robert McColley!

May 2017 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Fountain Alley is being cleaned up by a number of community groups and property owners, making it more colorful, pleasant, and safe. Some contributions:
• A police services office opened up at 30 E. Santa Clara, driving out a lot of crime in the area.
• The Sharks Foundation donated $20k for beautification.
• Local Color on First Street and the TechShop on Second Street have activated formerly vacant spaces.
• SJSU industrial design students have been creating prototypes for furniture and gardens to improve the area.
• This summer the SJDA will produce or partner on a total of 55 Downtown Events. These include Music in the Park, Restaurant Week, the Downtown Farmer's Market, Starlight Cinemas, South First Fridays, and STREET MRKT.
• Wrike has moved its headquarters with 75 employees to 10 Almaden, Suite 1000.
• Gong Cha has opened a franchise in the former Quickly Tea space at 140 Paseo de San Antonio near SJSU.
• West Coast Athletics opened an urban boutique gym in the Sperry Building at 30 N. Third St.
• $2 million has been dedicated to revitalizing St. James Park, which will be used for activation, security, and beautification.
• 55 new hanging planters have been placed throughout Downtown in May. Planters along First Street, Fountain alley, Post Stret, Paseo de San Antonio, Santa Clara Street, and San Fernando Street will be refreshed with new flowers.

To read the newsletter, click here!

There was one other interesting fact in the latest newsletter. May 2017 marks the 10-year anniversary of City Heights, Downtown's first high-rise residential building. It is crazy to think that we have only had high-rise housing for ten years. Downtown has come a long way in the past decade.

July 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• This year's Golden Nail award is going to Redevelopment Agency Executive Directory Harry Mavrogenes for his many years of service to Downtown San Jose.
• Christmas in the Park is seeking $240,000 in additional funding to continue to operate during the holidays.  They are planning to raise this amount through additional corporate sponsorships.
• 16 new artworks created by local high school students have been added to the Downtown Doors program, including new vinyl pieces on utility doors in the Downtown core.
• NextSpace Coworking is now open at 97 S. Second and provides virtual infrastructure for freelancers, telecommuters, and entrepreneurs. Visit their site at www.nextspace.us
• The TechShop is now open at 300 S. Second.
• In just 2 months of leasing, Three Sixty Residences is already 25% occupied!
• 3 new "tree islands" were added to San Pedro Street and overall walk-ability was improved
• 8 new bronze koalas were improted from Mexico and installed on the eucalyptus trees on San Carlos Street.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

March 2016 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Several restaurant owners are "doubling down" in Downtown San Jose with multiple locations and concepts, sometimes right next door to one another. Some examples are:
• Original Gravity and Paper Plane
• Phonomenal Noodle and On the Flipside
• Chacho's and Deluxe
• Oni Mexicatessen and Loteira Taco Bar
• B2 Coffee and Social Policy (opening this month)
• Konjoe Burger and Konjoe Tei
• Four new art crosswalks and one intersection design hit the streets to delight Downtown pedestrians:
• SoFA's 25-foot-by-20-foot abstract at the intersection of South First and San Salvador
• San Pedro art crosswalks on San Pedro Street (there are two of them)
• Paseo de San Antonio art crosswalks (two here as well book-ending the Paseo)
• WeWork has leased 75,000 SQFT for shared co-working office space at 75 E. Santa Clara Street.
• TechShop is moving to the former Zanotto's store at 38 S. Second Street.
• The SoFA Market has two new businesses. Vitamina with a roster of healthy smoothies and sandwiches, and Milk & Wood with gourmet gelato popsicles.
• With development proposals for the Diridon Area, the city is studying how to improve the "Confluence Area of Guadalupe River Park" to better prepare for growth. This includes potentially adding bocce courts, a dog park, skateboard park, cafe, outdoor stage, second bridge, measured walking loops, better lighting, more benches, and better transit access.
• The Children's Discovery Museum was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Super Bowl's "50 Fund" to help build a new 27,500 SQFT outdoor space scheduled to open in spring 2017.

To read the newsletter, click here!

The Latest on the Downtown SJ Retail Front

I haven't checked out the SJ Redevelopment agency reports in a while, so I thought I would do a quick post on the latest info. Below is data from the August SJRA report. The MMoon is obviously already open and I'm really looking forward to Paesano's (the first restaurant in Little Italy), Pho 69, and Soho Cafe. In the SJ Development Forum, sjdowntownguy broke the news of a 7-Eleven coming to 15 N. Second (Dr. Eu building) and Bank of the West offices coming to 95 S. Market (former McWhorter's). Lastly, at the SJDA meeting yesterday I heard some really great news about TechShop coming to San Jose at 300 South 2nd Street. I found some additional details on this and will break it out into a separate blog post for later today. I think they would be a great addition to the downtown community!



New Retail Openings
• Morton’s Steakhouse – expansion (177 Park Ave.)
• Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt (567 Coleman Ave., Ste. 10)

New Retail Lease
• Soho Café (30 E. Santa Clara St., Fountain Alley)

Retail Under Construction
There are four retail stores or restaurants in the Downtown currently under construction or in the permitting process:

Opening Third Quarter 2010
• La Victoria - expansion (131 W. Santa Clara St.)
• Paesano’s Sicilian Restaurant (350 W. Julian St.)
• The MMoon Empanada Restaurant (177 W. Santa Clara St.)

Opening Fourth Quarter 2010
• Pho 69 Restaurant (321 South First St.)

Harvest Festival 2015 - November 27-29 at the Convention Center

Next month the Harvest Festival is bringing a huge assortment of arts & crafts to Downtown San Jose. The festival--now a San Jose Black Friday holiday shopping tradition--features 24,000 American-made arts and crafts. In fact, it is the largest indoor arts and crafts show on the West Coast. You have everything from original art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and home decor. Many of the gifts can be custom ordered or personalized.

To compliment the shopping, there will be an assortment of food and music. Several bands will be performing throughout the show including James Garner's Cash Tribute and Le Jazz Hot (French Gypsy Jazz). There will also be holiday-themed entertainers wandering the festival.

While parents shop, kids can play at an expanded and interactive KidZone. Here the tykes can build their own art projects such as gingerbread cookie decorating.

New to the San Jose Harvest Festival this year is a series of Safety and Basic Use classes hosted by TechShop San Jose. Topics include sewing and vinyl cutting. Usually these classes are $90, but will be offered first-come-first-serve for $5 at the festival.

The Harvest Festival will run from (Black) Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29th at the San Jose Convention Center. Hours are 9am-6pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for teenagers, and those 12 & under are free. Admission includes the whole weekend, not just a specific day. The first 100 people in line on Black Friday get in for free. Also the first 100 people to visit the Christmas in the Park booth each day will get a special gift.

For more information or to buy tickets, head over to the Harvest Festival website over here.

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + STREET MRKT Tonight!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + STREET MRKT
Friday, SEPT 7th, 7pm–11pm!
Free & open to the public.
A self-guided evening tour through galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses featuring 18 venues that participate by presenting exciting art exhibitions and / or special performances. In addition to the monthly art walk, September 7th is the nighttime urban faire STREET MRKT that brings together over 40 local artists, creative indie vendors, a special performance by Cielo Vertical Arts and a live music stage with performances by the Ferocious Few, Drop Dead Sixty and Dirty Pillows out on South First Street (between San Carlos and San Salvador streets.)

Street Mrkt participating artists / creatives:
17jewels, 57-33 Clothing, Anointed Apparel, Becca’s Studio, Betwixt, Sandi Billingsley, Blue Dream Project, Boombotix, Mchael Borja, Bugs & Monsters, Keith Bunnell, Buttons by Maria, David Canavese, Cielo Vertical Arts, Crossroads Trading, Death Before Dishonor, Devil Rose Vintage, Francisco Franco, Galactic Romance Clothing, Emo Gonzales, GoodLifeRoots, Ike Greca, Cynthia Gonzales, Andre Hart, Jumbo Jibbles, Matt Lopez, Luna Chalk Arts Fest, Frances Marin, Mejia Arts, LAuruS Myth, Jose Nunez, Old Souls Clothing, Out of Print Vintage, Poetry Center San Jose, Al Preciado, Steven Reece, Rock N The Trend, Matthew Bailey Seigel SLG/Art Boutiki, Social Villains, Tacti Design, TechShop SJ, Visual Confections, Wadl and Zatoon Clothing
In addition to wonderful restaurants and cafés in the SoFA district, the Grilled Cheese Bandits, MoGo BBQ, O Mi Ninja, Quick Dog, Scoopy SJ and the WoW Truck will be on site in the parking lot next to Anno Domini Gallery.

For full listing of events and more information: please visit http://www.SouthFirstFridays.com/ or call 408-271-5155

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + Street Mrkt Today!

Join us for the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + Street Mrkt on First Friday August 1st, 7pm–11pm
Downtown San Jose's SoFA District (& beyond)!

In addition to the monthly Art Walk featuring 20+ participating venues, August 1st is Street Mrkt, our nighttime urban faire featuring 40 local artists and live music out on the street in the SoFA District (on South First St. from San Carlos to San Salvador) and in the People's Park at South First & William St.
Free and open to the public.

Check out the exhibition images:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152108813130736.1073741840.46066000735&type=1

----- NEW EXHIBITS -----

Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design -
366 South First Street
Artist's reception: "A Human Race" a solo exhibition of new work by Tel Aviv street artist Zero Cents.

KALEID Gallery- 88 South Fourth Street
Artists' receptions for feature exhibitions:
"States of Being" by Kushlani Jayasinha
"INCLINATIONS" solo exhibition by John Kurtyka

Phantom Galleries – 95 South Market Street
"California" new works by Alexandria Kerekez

Silicon Valley Music Festival at Sliding Door, Co. -
355 South First Street
The Silicon Valley Music Festival presents harpist Anna Maria Mendieta.

Works San José - 365 South Market Street
Opening reception: "Flesh Frosting" group exhibition.

ZERO1 Garage - 439 South First Street
"The Operature" by Anatomical Theatres of Mixed Reality (ATOM-r) part of the BRING IT! Performance Art Series.

Art Ark Gallery - 1035 South Sixth Street
Opening reception: "Repetitive Stress – we have all experienced it..." group exhibition.

Discover San Jose - 150 South First St.
"Wire Roots." by mixed media artist Jason Oliver, and special guest. vocalist Christopher Michael , the "Sober Junkie."

First to Market Restaurant - 399 South First Street
First to Market presents mixed media works by Colin Jaramillo.

Pho69 - 321 South First Street
Phantom Galleries presents "Definitely Not Digital: an excursion into the abstract and surreal" by artist Tom Dytko at Pho69.

South First Billiards - 420 South First Street
"Art Lifer" by Alfredo Reyes and Debbie Doherty with music from DJ Mystik Mike.

Spartan Pop Up Gallery - 320 South First Street
A group exhibit of 30 artists by San Jose State University's Fine Art students and alumni.

TechShopSJ - 300 South Second Street
TechShop San Jose presents artist Steve Haman.


----- Continuing Exhibits -----

MACLA - 510 South First Street
COSMOS CODEXVargas-Suarez UNIVERSAL exhibit on view and a Puerto Rican Bomba performance by Aguacero in the Castellano Playhouse at 8:30pm.

Caffé Frascati - 315 South First Street
First Fridays is Caffe Frascati Opera Night presented by First Street Singers, with the Bay Area's finest opera singers performing your very favorite classical arias and duets live in the cafe!

Downtown Yoga Shala - 450 South First Street
“San Shui” - An Exhibit by Russell Altice Case

Psycho Donuts - 288 South Second Street
Ongoing group exhibit featuring the work of Nicolas Caesar, Murphy Adams, Christine Benjamin, Michael Foley, Michael Borja, Valery Milovic, Carlos Villez, Eric Joyner, Laura Callin Bennett, John Hageman and John Cloud!

Studio Climbing Gym - 396 South First Street
Petrified by mixed media artist Andy Wallace


plus STREET MRKT!
A nighttime DIY urban faire that brings together 40 local artists, creative indie vendors and a live music stage out on South First Street (between San Carlos and San Salvador streets and in the People's Park at South First & William streets.

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South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk
First Friday August 1st, 7–11pm
SoFA district in downtown San Jose
(on South First Street between San Carlos & Reed streets)
Free & open to the public

For full listing of events and information: please visitwww.SouthFirstFridays.com or call 408-271-5155

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtWalkSJ

Media Sponsor: Metro Newspapers

The South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk event is produced by Two Fish Design in partnership with the participating art organizations and independent businesses.