A week of firsts in San Jo

Happy Father’s Day weekend!

San Jose’s inaugural House Music festival kicks off this week, as does the very first ever Mariachi Festival, and a brand new car show! Plus, SJ is crowning a new youth poet laureate, and you’ll have a chance to show off your Ren-Faire gear for some sweet prizes.

Have an event you’d like to share with the great 408? Let me know, and I’ll add it to the next Newsletter.

Wednesday

• Santana Row Farmers Market | Santana Row (between Olin Avenue and Olsen Drive) | 4-8 p.m. | FREE | Get your shopping on with 25+ local vendors’ organic produce, baked goods, and more.

• June Pickup Party | Ancora Vino Wine Bar (320 W. St. John St., San Jose) |  5-7 p.m. | $25 General Admission, FREE for wine club members | Sip, gnosh, and discuss vintages at this monthly tasting.

• San Jose Improv Open Mic Nite | San Jose Improv (62 S. Second St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $5 | Join host Ato Walker and see the freshest faces in San Jose Comedy, or step up to the mic yourself.

• 2024 RTF New Talent Comedy Competition - Semis | Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club (157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale) | 7:15 p.m. | $18 | After this competition, three local up-and-coming comics will move on to the Final Round, and a chance to win prize money, a paid gig, and bragging rights.

• What the Blank!? Trivia | Renegades Bar (501 W. Taylor St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | FREE | Local drag legend Woo Woo Monroe hosts this week’s trivia extravaganza. 

• The Caravan Lounge Comedy Show | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 10 p.m. | FREE | Ben Jaramillo hosts this week’s showcase of San Jose’s up-and-coming comedy.

Thursday

• Bill Wilson Center Pride Event | Bill Wilson Center (693 S. Second St., San Jose) | 3-6 p.m. | FREE | Join local drag artist Daisy Astraea for a community event featuring drag bingo, art, resources, food, and talks from Kelly the Barber, The Ractivist, Rhy Mack, and music by Z the Alchemist.

• Ron E. Beck | SJZ Break Room (310 S. First St., San Jose) | 5 p.m., 7 p.m. | Master Class is FREE (but you’ll want to register ahead of time), 7 p.m. show is $25 | This Tower of Power drummer gives a masterclass in musicianship at 5 p.m., then returns for a full show at 7 p.m. with Joe Warner + Essiet Essiet.

• Pobladores Night Market | Parque De Los Pobladores (510 S. First St., San Jose) | 5:30-9 p.m. | FREE | Jam to the sounds of Rebelskamp while you thumb through comics and merch from local makers and gnosh on food truck bites.

• June Pub Run | Park Station Hashery (1701 Park Ave., San Jose) | 6 p.m. | FREE (but make sure you register ahead of time) | Whether you’re a first time runner or a seasoned triathlete, celebrate BARC’s birthday and enjoy the After-Party at Park Station Hashery.

• Viva Parks: “Wish” | Callahan Park (770 Pearlwood Way, San Jose) | 6-10:30 p.m. | FREE | Kick off your summer with a kid-friendly movie night in the park featuring Disney’s 2023 animated film.

• Arts and Design Hangout | San Jose Museum of Art (110 S. Market St., San Jose) | 6:30 p.m. | FREE (but you’ll want to RSVP ahead of time) | Join young design professionals for drinks, snacks, and a lively conversation hosted by Content Mag and genARTS Silicon Valley.

• Night Market: Smoke It | Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. (357 E. Taylor St., San Jose) | 5-9 p.m. | FREE | Smoke it if you got it — from smoky ribs to burnt ends, check out tasty bites from Jollof Kitchen, Old Greenwood BBQ, Capelos BBQ, Grillzillas Truck, and Mozzeria. Live blues, soul, and classic R&B courtesy M’sippi Slide and the SJZ Boom Box truck.

• “All’s Well That Ends Well” — Renaissance Dress-Up Night | Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park (1320 Willow St., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | FREE | Show up in your finest Renaissance garb for a complimentary intermission raffle ticket. This performance also includes an ASL interpreter. (Runs Thursdays-Sundays thru 6/23)

• SHRINE Goth Night | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | FREE | Paint your nails as black as your heart as you dance to Hex Embrace, C_Death, DJ Owen. 

Friday

• Pop Up San Jose: Vintage Market | Garden at the Flea (1590 Berryessa Rd., San Jose) | Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | FREE | Pull up and check out the best vintage looks, local art, and makers in the South Bay.

• Bon Bon Vivant Record Release Tour | Art Boutiki (44 Race St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $20 Advance, $25 Day of Show | Celebrate the spirit of now in high energy dance and revelry with this New Orleans-based Americana group.

• Edicion Especial | San Jose Civic (135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $49.50+ | It is possibleyou could be hearing about this Mexican group for the first time, but you may also know their songs from TikTok.

• RPDR All Stars Viewing Party | Renegades Bar (501 W. Taylor St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | FREE | Join your fellow queer folks for a viewing of the biggest competition in drag. Plus, wish Woo Woo Monroe a happy birthday and happy retirement!

• Frikitona | The Ritz (400 S. First St., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | $20 Advance, $25 Day of Show | Dance along to the best old school and new reggaeton, featuring DJ SUAVE4K & Zuhnddry.

• Circus of Sin: My Bondage My Freedom | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | FREE (but definitely tip the performers) | Join host Ato Walker and an all-black cast of performers for an early Juneteenth celebration.

• Catinni P. Vandon Presents: SERVE | Splash Video Dance Bar (65 Post St., San Jose) | 10 p.m. | $10 (cash only) | The weekly Friday ritual returns with a RPDR All Stars Viewing party featuring Tala, then Catinni hosts performances by Silvanna Danniels, Tori Tia, and Niya La Rey. 

Saturday

• Trails & Tacos with BARC | Almaden Quicksilver County Park, McAbee Entrance (corner of Whispering Pines Drive and McAbee Road) | 8 a.m. | FREE (but make sure you register ahead of time) | Run, jog, or hike around the gorgeous Almaden Quicksilver County Park, then join BARC for their post-run social hour at Almaden Tacos al Pastor.

• Tech Tails | The Tech Interactive (201 S. Market St., San Jose) | Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | $35 (Child, Student, Senior), $40 (Adults) | Find your next furry friend at this adoption pop-up collab with Mini Cat Town. (Psst. If you’re a dog lover, you can also book a showtime to see “Superpower Dogs” in IMAX)

• The Rendevouz Car Festival | Santa Clara Fairgrounds (131 Old Tully Rd., San Jose) | Noon-6 p.m. | $15 Advance, $25-$30 General Admission | See over 350 classic and custom cars, check out local vendors, live music, and food trucks.

• Protest Security Skills Training | San Jose Peace and Justice Center (48 S. Seventh St., San Jose) | 1-3 p.m. | FREE | Learn important skills for protest security roles, and how to help your community (no experience necessary).

• Taraka San Jose | Discovery Meadow Park (180 Woz Way, San Jose) | 2-9 p.m. | $40-$100 | World-renowned DJ and Producer Gordo transforms downtown into a house-music Mecca with Lee Foss, Malone, Noya, and more. (Shoutout to SanJoseFoos for putting this whole festival together)

• SCCYPL 2024 Commencement Ceremony | Mexican Heritage Plaza (1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose) | 5-7 p.m. | FREE | Meet the upcoming ‘24-‘25 cohort of the Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate program, with live readings from the current poet laureate and more.

• LUCY | Montgomery Theater (271 S. Market St., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | $50+ | This K-rock boy band brings their first ever North American headlining tour to San Jose.

• Hey Girl! Come Out & Play | Splash Video Dance Bar (65 Post St., San Jose) | 6-10 p.m. | FREE (before 7 p.m.), $10 (after 7 p.m.) | Join drag artists Princx Slayher, Lady Jesus, Sir Switch A Lot and Chris Strangles for a night of dancing and performances.

• San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Cincinnati | PayPal Park (1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose) | 7:30 p.m. | $11-$401 | Enjoy a pride community fair with local LGBTQ+ organizations, the national anthem sung by the Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus, and a portion of proceeds donated to nonprofits.

• Songwriters Round | Art Boutiki (44 Race St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $20 Advance, $25 Day of Show | Hear the stories that shape songs, and enjoy an intimate, Nashville-style show featuring San Jose’s own Mercy Terrace, singer-songwriters Kenny Schick, Mike Drew, and Martha Groves Perry.

• The TS Dance Party | The Ritz (400 S. First St., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | $15 Advance, $20 General Admission, $25 Day of Show | Who’s afraid of little old Swifties? If you’re down bad for a certain self-proclaimed Tortured Poet, groove to your favorite tunes from her latest Era.

• Execution HTX | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | FREE | Raise your devil horns for these hardcore rockers on their “Fuck Shit Damn Tour.” Joined by Varnok, Kubrick Stare, and Lost to the Void.

• Trousers Down Black Light Party | Renegades Bar (501 W. Taylor St., San Jose) | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | $10 | DJ Hedy Aecha hosts this twice monthly underwear party. 

Sunday

• Japantown Farmer’s Market | Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. (357 E. Taylor St., San Jose) | 8 a.m.-Noon | FREE | Get your weekly shopping done with local produce and tasty bites while you dance to tunes courtesy Jay Sumabat.

• Alum Rock Village Farmer’s Market | James Lick High School (23 N. White Rd., San Jose) | 8 a.m.-Noon | FREE | Check out the seasonal cucumbers, and fill up your market bag with local produce and baked goods.

• Evergreen Farmer’s Market | Evergreen Village Square (4055 Evergreen Village Sq., San Jose) | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | FREE | Fill up your bag with seasonal apricots, berries, peppers, peaches, summer squash and other local produce.

• Silicon Valley Mariachi Festival 2024 | Santa Clara Fairgrounds (2542 Monterey Rd., San Jose) | Noon-8 p.m. | FREE (kids under 5), $10 (kids 6-17), $15 (senior/military), $20 (Adults 18+), $50-$90 (bundles), $120-$500 (VIP seating) | Celebrate the soulful melodies and infectious rhythms of live mariachis, with food trucks, local artisans, a kids zone, tequila tasting, and main stage performances by the legendary Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.

• Bay Area Panthers vs. San Diego Strike Force | SAP Center (525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose) | 3:05 p.m. | $19-$79 | After four straight wins, the No. 1 team in the Western Conference take on the 5th-ranked Strike Force (and we’re 5:1 against them)

• The Jack Moves | St. James Park (N. Second and E. St. James streets, San Jose) | 3:30-7 p.m. | FREE | Join your friends and neighbors for this outdoor Levitt Concert series for Father’s Day, featuring live music, food, and drinks. This weekend, this NJ/NY-based R&B and Soul group is joined by psychedelic Cumbria group Conjunto Trujillo.

• Bay FC vs. Utah Royals FC | PayPal Park (1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | $16-$60 | B legendary and celebrate Pride Night with special activations, a Fan Fest, and the SFGMC performing the National Anthem.

• Vision Video + Nox Novacula | The Ritz (400 S. First St., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | $20 Advance, $25 Day of Show | Dye your hair jet-black, paste on the black lipstick, don your blackest goth gear (and at least 7 studded belts), and dance along to this Georgia-based post-punks. 

Thanks so much for reading!

Sorry for not including a Newsybits section this week. Let me explain:

I found out my dog needed to have surgery — don’t worry! He’s okay. He’s 12 years old, and has developed a few cherry-sized warts on his body. They’re benign (we hope), but they did start to give him some discomfort — so as a preventative measure, we had them removed.

To say that the procedure has given me (and him!) a not-insignificant amount of anxiety is an understatement! Thankfully, aside from him being an absolute grouch over having to recover, he appears to be healthy, post-procedure. If you can, or are feeling inclined, feel free to send him some positive vibes.

He and I are both going to need it.

Until next week,

— Gregg