Light the Rocket Update

My favorite emerging band from San Jose has just received a couple of honors. By the way, when I say this band is from San Jose I'm not using the term loosely. Pretty much the entire band was born and raised here, their first music video was shot in San Jose (below), and they're not afraid to don the Sharks gear. They're as local as it gets.

A couple weeks ago Light the Rocket was unanimously voted Raw Artists - San Jose Musicians of the Year at an event held in Studio 8. That puts them in a national contest against 50+ other bands from all over the country.

They were also picked as one of the Top 20 local bands by the radio station Live105. To top it off, one of those Top 20 bands is going to open at Not So Silent Night 2012, which features The Shins, Metric, Of Monsters and Men, Gaslight Anthem, Jack White, and Two Door Cinema Club. This lucky local band is determined entirely by online voting.

Right now Light the Rocket is ranked #2 in the poll, which puts a San Jose band so very close to opening for Not So Silent Night! They need your votes, please help them out by casting your vote here.

Madewell Coming to Santana Row

First off, I have to say the people decorating Santana Row really outdid themselves this holiday season, including the residents that have decorated their balconies. It looks incredible... even better than previous years. Every inch is lit up.

Now for the updates, Madewell is moving into a 3,500 sqft section of what was the old H&M. The company is a fashion forward American brand for women and will be the first store in the South Bay.

Next to Madewell will be a 2,000 sqft boutique for Splendid, another clothing store except this one is for the whole family. This will also be the very first one in the South Bay.

A couple existing stores are planning to renovate for 2013. Gucci is completely redoing the interior and and the facade outside. Tommy Bahama is doing a full renovation as well.

Lastly, Veggie Grill and Lavazza are now open. I have not tried Veggie Grill yet, but I did get to sample tons of food and coffee at Lavazza and have to say the quality is very high. I especially liked their espresso "desserts" including one with gratuitous amounts of nutella. I know we all like our indie coffee shops, but this one is worth checking out as it has many items you can't find anywhere else.

Santana Row Announces New Retailers, Renovations and the Grand Opening of Two Restaurants

Celebrating a Decade in Silicon Valley, the Premier Shopping and Dining Destination Continues to Draw Visitors with its Fresh Mix of Shops and Eateries

San Jose, CA (Nov. 15, 2012) – Ten years after opening Silicon Valley’s most exciting lifestyle destination, Santana Row continues to evolve with a lineup of unique retailers and restaurants that entice visitors to shop and dine. The stores and eateries represent new concepts in the Bay Area, some choosing to make their first foray into Northern California at Santana Row.

Madewell, an iconic American retailer as well as a brand coveted by fashion conscious women and men, is scheduled to open in Spring, 2013. The 3,500 square-foot shop will occupy a portion of the space that was the former H&M store before its recent move to a larger building. Madewell, established in 1937 as a dry goods emporium, will offer a wide range of effortlessly cool pieces. Chic yet comfy apparel includes soft chambray shirts, broken-in tees, leather boots, accessories and bags. Madewell’s denim bar serves a menu of current styles, from skinny to bootcut, boyfriend to capri.

Splendid, another label noted for its informal stylishness, is slated to open a 2,000 square-foot boutique next to Madewell in late spring. Known for its luxuriously soft tops and T-shirts, the offerings for men, women and children are a perfect fit for Silicon Valley: richly casual.

On the restaurant scene, the recently opened Lavazza Espression serves specialty Italian coffee drinks, freshly baked goods and savory Panini sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and salads. The cafe opened on Oct. 30 on the first floor of 300 Santana Row. It is the first location on the West Coast.

Veggie Grill, the popular fast-casual restaurant with a menu of delicious vegetarian choices opened on Nov. 8 at 3055 Olin Ave. Signature items include the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ Sandwich, All Hail Kale Salad and Sweetheart Fries. This is Veggie Grill’s first Northern California location.

“Splendid and Madewell represent the new generation at Santana Row,” said Jeff Kreshek, vice president of West Coast leasing for Federal Realty. “As an A-level property we are able to provide a destination that is an escape into the extraordinary. Santana Row is known for its diverse offerings both in shopping and dining. We are able to maintain our relevance by evolving with cutting edge tenants who provide the experience of a surprise around every corner.”

Madewell, Splendid, Lavazza Espression and Veggie Grill join Icebreaker Touchlab, Drybar, kate spade new york and H&M’s 26,000 square foot expansion and relocation as recent additions to the exciting lineup at Santana Row. The destination center strives to give customers a tempting mix of unique stores and restaurants.

Renovations on the horizon

Gucci, the luxury brand which recently marked a decade at Santana Row, will undergo a complete interior remodel along with façade enhancement beginning in the summer 2013. The work will be completed in time for the 2013 holiday season.

Also undergoing a renovation next year is Tommy Bahama, purveyor of island lifestyles and maker of clothing and accessories that reflect island ambiance.

“We are thrilled to see the long term commitment to and reinvestment in Santana Row by Gucci, Tommy Bahama and H&M,” said Jan Sweetnam, Vice President and West Coast Chief Operating Officer, Federal Realty Investment Trust. “This customer focus, along with the addition of new exciting merchants, keeps Santana Row fresh and is an important part of how we serve the community.”

Holiday SJMade!

The event that supports local vendors and entrepreneurs is back for the holidays! SJMADE is bringing an epic list of vendors together at the San Pedro Square Market (below). This special edition of SJMADE  is one day only, this Saturday, and it runs from 11am - 6pm. You won't want to miss it!

The Vendor List for Holiday SJMADE

December 1, 2012, 11a-6p at San Pedro Square Market

Amour Ame Arancia Scura Photography Atreya Art Black Cat Collective Bugs & Monsters Calia Designs Classic Loot Content Magazine Cuckoo Worldwide Die Hard Company Desire Gems Erik's Wood Creations Eskandari Filthy Cute Fluffed Animals Galactic Romance Gems and Stuff Glowees HEIRLoom Hello Sisters Homegrown Blends Homegrown Specialties Marketplace I Heart Licorice and Little Landscapes Jate Clothing Jewels By Daisy Kathryn Marie Designs KeAloha Designs The LA RIDAS Lucrezia's Delight Magda Designs Mayari Jewelry Mister Dada Nicole Steward Designs Ohayo Cali Brand Peggy Li Creations Petite Fute PYRCE Red Stripes Boutique Rockin' Chair Knit & Yarn Wear Rock N The Trend Ropes4Dogs San Jose Screen Printing shop.find.love Splendid Colors Steam Powell Industries Steamy Tech Sweetdragon Baking Company Tech Shop San Jose Tinkertart tousleddolly ther.a.py Urban Antiq Vintage Fusion Jewelry Yeah Hello

San Pedro Square Market Merchants Ay Dios Mio! B2 Blush Raw Bar Lounge Creparis Crewners Little Chef Counter Little Cheese Shoppe On A Roll Phonomenal Pizza Bocca Lupo Robees Falafel San Pedro Square Market Bar Satori Tea Company Showroom Tinkertart Treatbot Vino Vino

The Health Trust Hike & Bike

To commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2012, The Health Trust is doing a Hike & Bike event featuring a 2 mile hike, 11 mile bike ride, and a 32 mile bike ride. Proceeds are put towards AIDS Services in San Jose and other Santa Clara County locations. For more information and to register, just click this link.



THE HIKE & BIKE COURSE

2 Mile Hike

The entire Hike route is contained within the Santa Clara University Campus. Students and community groups have collaborated to make this an enjoyable and inspiring stroll through the beautiful Santa Clara University Campus. Special commemorative prizes for those that raise at least $100, $250, $500, or $1,000.00

The walk and 11 Mile Bike Ride will begin at 10:00 AM with check in beginning at 9:00 AM.

11 Mile Bike Ride

For those of you who prefer a shorter version of the ride, we have included a 11 mile route also. Just register for the ride and turnaround at the (xxx) mile rest stop.

The walk and 11 Mile Bike Ride will begin at 10:00 AM with check in beginning at 9:00 AM.

32 Mile Bike Ride

We chose 32 miles to recognize 32 years of fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS and 32 years of helping people live longer better lives with HIV and AIDS. This specially designed route will take you through some important community sites such as the San Jose AIDS Memorial Grove and the Health Trust Food Basket program. We hope this mostly flat course on a beautiful December Saturday morning will inspire you to join your community in the continuing fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS and we hope you will become inspired or re-inspired to help your community members living with HIV/AIDS to live active and healthy lives. Special commemorative prizes for those that raise at least $100, $250, $500, or $1,000.00

The 32 Mile Bike Ride will begin at 9:00 AM with check/registration in at 8:00 AM

Crescent Village Apartments is Open

The largest apartment complex to open in San Jose since the great recession is well into leasing and I imagine pretty close to being fully booked by now. This development contains 1,750 apartment homes and is close to the 1,400 tech companies in North San Jose--several within walking distance--as well as Light Rail, making that trip to Mizu Downtown pretty convenient. Their amenities include an impressive 5 acre park, pools and spas, a theater, and fitness facilities. Three more complexes next to Crescent Village will be opening in mid 2013 by the same developer, Irvine Company.

For more info, just continue reading the press release below.

Mayor Reed, Councilman Chu Celebrate Grand Opening of Crescent Village Apartment Homes

Community is Largest to Open Since Great Recession;

Part of Irvine Company’s Long-Term Commitment to Silicon Valley

San Jose, Calif., Sept. 25, 2012 — San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilman Kansen Chu joined executives of the Irvine Company and about 60 invited guests to celebrate the grand opening of Crescent Village Apartment Homes, the largest apartment community to open in years in Silicon Valley.

“I’d like to thank the Irvine Company for this significant investment in our community,” Reed told the audience gathered at Crescent Village for a grand opening party that included a red carpet entry and VIP tours of the community. “Crescent Village will provide new homes and amenities to accommodate our growing workforce in North San Jose.”

“The development of Crescent Village marks a remarkable milestone in North San Jose,” said Councilman Chu, who represents San Jose’s District 4, which includes Crescent Village. “I want to recognize and thank the Irvine Company for their investments in North San Jose, home to 1,400 global technology companies employing more than 55,000 people.”

With 1,750 apartments, Crescent Village is the most significant apartment community to open in Silicon Valley since the Great Recession. The community, which has been a draw for technology professionals, young couples and young families, is a sign of Silicon Valley’s resurgence as one of the strongest economies in the country.

The community is part of the Irvine Company’s expanding presence in Silicon Valley, where the company has provided premier offices and apartments for more than 15 years.

In all, the Irvine Company owns and manages 11 apartment communities with more than 5,500 units in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Redwood City. The company also owns and manages more than 3 million square feet of office space in Sunnyvale, San Jose, Santa Clara and Milpitas.

“We see our heritage of master planning as a perfect fit with the innovation economy of Silicon Valley, and Crescent Village is a reflection of that,” said Kevin Baldridge, president of Irvine Company Apartment Communities. “We believe our role and purpose is to serve San Jose and all of Silicon Valley by providing exceptional living and working environments and experiences.”

Crescent Village brings resort-style living and expansive amenities to North San Jose’s Innovation Triangle, the center of Silicon Valley.

Crescent Village is part of Vision North San Jose, a master planning effort by the City of San Jose to advance housing and employment by creating communities in walking distance to jobs, shopping and regional transportation.

The community is walking distance to operations of Cisco Systems Inc., Broadcom Corp., Altera Corp. and other major area employers. Crescent Village also is near the Valley Transportation Authority’s River Oaks light-rail station, which links to downtown San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley.

Crescent Village’s amenities include five saltwater pools and spas, a fitness center, spin, yoga and aerobics rooms, a five-acre park, clubhouses, an Internet cafe and movie theater. For more information, please see www.CrescentVillageApts.com.

New Sunnyvale Documentary

Our good friend David Manzo (San Jose 2030) has just completed a documentary on our neighbor, Sunnyvale. It is premiering tomorrow, Nov 26, at the Sunnyvale Heritage Museum. Additional showings are also being planned, as well as a DVD release. To watch a 3 minute trailer, just click here. Looks like a great documentary and I hope David does one for San Jose too =).

UPDATE: You can now watch the trailer below as well!

Reckless is Coming to the San Jose Stage Theater

San Jose, CA (November 14, 2012) – San Jose Stage Company continues its 30th season by presenting Reckless by Craig Lucas. Just in time for the holidays, this surreal comedy begins with a Christmas Eve event that propels the characters on a wild journey of revelation and surprise.

 

The Stage offers a twist on traditional holiday fare. Reckless, from gifted playwright Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Prelude to a Kiss), is a comic fable of a modern-day Alice in a perilous winter wonderland. This surreal comedy follows the fate of Rachel, whose blissful life gets turned upside down after one fateful Christmas Eve, when her husband reveals (spoiler alert!) he has taken a contract out on her life. She flees her home and embarks on a series of misadventures that challenges her preconceptions concerning family, love and the wonders of life. Reckless is a timeless story of whirlwind lunacy, triumph and transformation – perfect for the holidays. Reckless opens November 28.

 

Author, director and actor Craig Lucas received a Drama Desk nomination Outstanding New Play for Reckless. Lucas has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for Prelude to a Kiss, and he has also received a Tony Award Nomination for The Light in the Piazza (Best Book of a Musical). He has won two OBIE Awards for Best New American Play (Small Tragedy and Prelude to a Kiss). His diverse body of work has been seen on Broadway three times. His many plays include The Dying Gaul, Prayer for My Enemy, The Singing Forest, Blue Window and God’s Heart. He has written the screenplays Longtime Companion, Prelude to a Kiss, Reckless and The Secret Lives of Dentists.

 

“Craig Lucas has a very decided and personal kinship with lost souls adrift in the world and in Reckless, we collide with them at every turn,” explains Kenneth Kelleher, director of Reckless. “And as we meet them, eccentric and fragile, we begin, with Rachel’s help, to understand the innocence in all of us.”

 

Kenneth Kelleher returns to direct Reckless for The Stage, where he has helmed over twenty productions, including Buried Child, On The Waterfront, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Wit, Biedermann and the Firebugs, Bariona, The Living and Six Characters in Search of an Author.

 

Kelleher invites everyone to “take a drive with Rachel through the snowy Christmases of her imagination and perhaps her salvation. And to all a good night!”

 

Performances are on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Reckless runs through December 16.

 

Tickets range from $20 - $45 and are available at www.thestage.org or by calling the box office at 408.283.7142. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and discounts are available for groups, students and seniors. The theatre is handicapped accessible.

 

The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in downtown San Jose’s South First (SoFA) area.

# # # 

 

The Cast of Reckless: 

 

Halsey Varady* (Rachel Fitzsimmons) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where she played Rachel Jackson in the Regional Premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Kate Monster in Avenue Q and Steph in the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty. She has also appeared locally at Bus Barn Stage Company, The Spare Stage Company, Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, City Lights Theater Company, Palo Alto Players, Foothill College Saratoga Drama Group. In Washington D.C., she appeared at Ford’s Theatre and Spooky Action Theater. She is an Associate Artist at The Stage.

 

Will Springhorn Jr.* (Tom Fitzsimmons) returns to The Stage, where he was last seen in the Regional Premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Cabaret and the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty. He is a Bay Area actor, teacher and designer and has appeared with TheatreWorks, The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, SF Playhouse and Theatre Rhinoceros

 

Michael Navarra* (Lloyd Bophtelophti) returns to The Stage, where he appeared in Buried Child. He has played leading roles with TheatreWorks, B Street Theatre, Traveling Jewish Theatre, Word for Word, The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Pacific Repertory Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre and Central Works.

 

Dena Martinez* (Doctors) returns to The Stage, where she was last seen in the California Premiere of Octavio Solis’ Gibraltar, a co-production with Thick Description. She has also appeared at American Conservatory Theater, Shotgun Players, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks and Campo Santo. She is currently the Casting Director at Bay Area Playwrights Foundation.

 

Judith Miller (Trish Hammers) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where she was last seen in Buried Child, Cabaret, Dirty Blonde and reprising the title role in Always…Patsy Cline. She has also performed numerous roles with San Jose Repertory Theatre, Woodminster Theatre, Marin Theatre Company and California Actors Theatre.

 

Katie O’Bryon (Pooty) is making her debut at The Stage. She was recently seen as Varya in The Cherry Orchard at The Pear Avenue Theatre and as Smitty in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Foothill Music Theatre. She is the School of Performing Arts Director and Resident Choreographer at Peninsula Youth Theatre.

 

Jay Steele (Roy/Tim Timko) is making his San Jose Stage Company debut. His local credits include City Lights Theater Company, South Bay Musical Theatre Lyric Theatre of San Jose. He’s also performed with the Lamplighters and West Valley Light Opera. He is chairperson of the board at South Bay Musical Theatre, where he regularly produces and performs.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

 

Kenneth Kelleher (Director) has directed over twenty performances for The Stage, including Buried Child, On The Waterfront and Rock ‘n’ Roll. He is currently the Artistic Director of Pacific Repertory Theatre and Resident Director of The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. He has also directed for San Jose Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, California Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Sacramento Theatre Company and B Street Theatre.

 

The other members of the show’s creative team include designers Richard C. Ortenblad (set), Jean Cardinale (costumes), Michael Palumbo(lighting) and John Koss (sound).

 

Attn: Media and Calendar Editors:  San Jose Stage Company holds the press opening on Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 PM, with previews beginning Wednesday and Thursday, November 28 and 29 at 7:30 PM and Friday, November 30 at 8:00 PM.

Production photos are available upon request. Visit www.thestage.org

   # # # 

 

About San Jose Stage Company:

 

Now in its 30th season, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as The Bay Area's Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre. The Stage is known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent.

 

Ranked 3rd largest theatre and 9th largest performance arts organization in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (May 2012), San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community. The Stage has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high-quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. The Stage has produced 143 productions, 44 new works and 11 world premieres.

 

The Stage also offers five core educational and outreach programs, including National High School Top Honors Awards, and has housed over 200 independent performance groups in its theatre. The Stage is located at 490 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. For more information:www.thestage.org   Box Office: 408.283.7142

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS

 

San Jose Stage Company presents Reckless. Reckless, from gifted playwright Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Prelude to a Kiss), is a comic tale of a modern-day Alice in a perilous winter wonderland. This surreal comedy follows the fate of Rachel, whose blissful life gets turned upside down after one fateful Christmas Eve, when her husband reveals he has taken a contract out on her life. She flees her home and embarks on a series of misadventures that challenges her preconceptions concerning family, love and the wonders of life.

 

Reckless is a timeless story of whirlwind lunacy, triumph and transformation – perfect for the holidays!

 

Run Dates:     November 28– December 16, 2012

Previews:       November 28 – 30, 2012

Opening:        December 1, 2012

Shows:            Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm

Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm

Sunday at 2:00 pm

Location:         The Stage, 490 South First Street, San Jose, CA

Tickets:           $20 - $45 with discounts for seniors, students and groups

Box Office:      408.283.7142 or www.thestage.org

 

Author:           Craig Lucas

Director:         Kenneth Kelleher

Featuring:      Halsey Varady*, Will Springhorn Jr.*, Michael Navarra*, Dena Martinez*,

Judith Miler, Katie O’Bryon and Jay Steele

Saturday Stats: Partners in Silicon Valley Law Firms Claim Top Pay

The San Jose metro can add another "top salary" stat to it's belt, and you may want to take a deep breath for this one.

Partners at our law firms are raking in an average annual compensation of $1.2 million, and yes, those are American dollars. This again is the compensation for partners only, so entry-level attorneys are not factored in.

In second place was New York with an average compensation of $1 million, and San Francisco came in seventh place with $723k. If you're considering a career change in San Jose, this may not be a bad option =).

Source: SFBJ