What’s happening: 7/3 thru 7/7

July 4th Fireworks, Drone Shows, Maker Fairs, and underground punk + hip-hop shows.

Author

Gregg Aronica
July 03, 2024

Hydrate before you diedrate, San Jose

We are so back. Try to keep yourself cool + hydrated while you celebrate this 4th of July in style with fireworks and drone shows, and at the Rose White and Blue parade and festival. Plus, the Taste of India’s inaugural festival comes to Downtown this weekend, Culture Night Market returns, and Bay FC is this close to making the playoffs.

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, 7/3

  • Viva Parks | Solari Park (3590 Cas Dr., San Jose) | 6-8 p.m. | FREE | Enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities and resources for your littles.

  • Captain America Trivia Night | Round Table Pizza (1159 Redmond Ave., San Jose) | 7-9 p.m. | $4-$16 | Dress up as your favorite American Avenger and test your mettle with this Cap-inspired round of Trivia, celebrating America’s greatest asset.

  • San Jose Giants vs. Stockton Ports | Excite Ballpark (588 E. Alma Ave., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | FREE (Game is sold out, but you can see the fireworks for free nearby) | The game may be sold out, but the organization will still host Independence Day fireworks after the game. Also, the team will host a country concert + fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on July 4th.

  • Karaoke Wednesdays | Mama Kin (374 S. First St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | FREE | Showoff your vocal chops and hear other locals do the same at this weekly all ages singing spectacular. (Recurring)

  • Baron Vaughn | San Jose Improv (62 S. Second St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $30.63-$82.13 | You may know this actor, writer, director, and comedian from Netflix’s “Mystery Science Theater 3000” reboot, as well as from Comedy Central’s “Comedy Bang Bang,” and HBO’s “2 Dope Queens.”

  • What the Blank?! Trivia | Renegades Bar (501 W. Taylor St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | FREE | Join the incredible Chai Auntea for a night of fun prizes, drinks, drag performances, and, of course, trivia. (Recurring)

  • Club Papi: Pre July 4th Fiesta | Splash Video Dance Bar (65 Post St., San Jose) | 9 p.m.-1:45 a.m. | $20-$40 | Jessica Wild from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 joins this weekly queer humpday fiesta.

  • The Firework Function: A Pre-4th Party | San Pedro Social (163 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose) | 9:30 p.m. | FREE | Dance along to local DJs Zuri Alexa, Chalé Brown, Double A, and Rieta.

  • The Caravan Lounge Comedy Show | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 10 p.m. | FREE | Join this week’s host, Noah Jones for a showcase of local talent at the best little dive bar in San Jose. (Recurring) 

Thursday, 7/4 🇺🇸 Independence Day 🇺🇸

  • Rose White and Blue Parade and Festival | The Alameda at Shasta Avenue (approx. 1401 The Alameda, San Jose) | 9:45 a.m. (Car Cruise), 10 a.m.-Noon (Parade), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Festival) | FREE | San Jose’s annual July 4th parade + festival returns with performances, ensemble Folklorico, Salseros Parceros, GoGo Skateboarding lessons, face painting, wrestling, and more.

  • 4th of July Fireworks Festival | Almaden Lake Park (6099 Winfield Blvd., San Jose) | 3-10 p.m. | FREE | Enjoy lawn games, live music, Comedy Sportz, axe throwing, a patriotic costume contest and more. Fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.

  • Santa Clara 4th of July Celebration | Mission College (3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara) | 4-10 p.m. | FREE | Enjoy lawn games, food trucks, local live music and performers, and then enjoy the Great America fireworks display at 9:40 p.m.

  • July 4th Drone Show | Baylands Park (999 E. Caribbean Dr., Sunnyvale) | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | FREE | Bring a flashlight or headlamp, as well as hydration and enjoy a live DJ spinning tunes. Then, enjoy a drone light show at 9:15 p.m.

  • 4th of July Fireworks | Lake Cunningham Regional Park (2305 S. White Rd., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | FREE | Bring your bag chair and enjoy local food vendors, lawn games, and more — Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

  • Freedom Karaoke | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | FREE | Join DJ Alphagirl for the loudest celebration of all things American. 

Friday, 7/5

  • Berryessa Night Market: Plant Party | Garden at the Flea (1590 Berryessa Rd., San Jose) | 5-9 p.m. | FREE | Got a green thumb? Check out the lineup of 30+ plant and maker vendors, food trucks, live music, and more in this collaboration with Nor Cal Exotic Aroids and Tropicals.

  • Jeff Garcia | San Jose Improv (62 S. Second St., San Jose) | 7:30 p.m. (Friday), 9:45 p.m. (Friday), 7 p.m. (Saturday), 9:30 p.m. (Saturday), 7 p.m. (Sunday) | $27-$79 | The voice of Sheen Estevez from “Jimmy Neutron” does stand-up comedy, apparently. (Runs through 7/7)

  • DJ Cowboy R&B Hip Hop | Mama Kin (374 S. First St., San Jose) | 6 p.m. | $12.71 | Grab your boots and hat and learn to line dance at this blend of R&B, Hip Hop, and Country. (Recurring, usually on Thursdays)

  • Film Premiere: “Bag of Scum” | The Ritz (400 S. First St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $5 Advance, $10 Day of Show | Celebrate California skate culture with a film about incredible skateboarding feats, history, and culture.

  • Lady Gaga Chromatica Tribute | Splash Video Dance Bar (65 Post St., San Jose) | 10 p.m. | FREE | See Judas Joe Manson, the world’s #1 Queen Monster illusionist + local drag queens perform a tribute to the legendary Chromatica Ball.

Saturday, 7/6

  • RnB Brunch + Day Party | Mama Kin (374 S. First St., San Jose) | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | FREE (but you’ll want to reserve your spot ahead of time) | Sip on mimosas and jam to classic RnB from the 70s through the 00s. (Recurring)

  • SJ Made Summer Fair | Santa Clara Convention Center (5001 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara) | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) | FREE | This all-ages showcase returns with handmade, cute, sparkly, and weird creations from local creators, artists, designers, and small businesses. Among the seven themed sections, check out the “Cat Lover Craft Market” by Mini Cat Town.

  • Taste of India Festival | Plaza de Cesar Chavez (1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose) | Noon-10 p.m. | FREE | Celebrate Indian culture with this inaugural festival, featuring over 100+ authentic cuisines, back-to-back Bollywood theatre and dance acts, 350+ local artists, makers, and businesses.

  • Culture Night Market | Emma Prusch Park (647 King Rd., San Jose) | 4-10 p.m. | FREE | Enjoy live entertainment, all-ages fun, food trucks, local brews + entertainment at this free community event. Also, check out the San Jose Sharks activation zone.

  • Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit | PayPal Park (1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose) | 7 p.m. | $16-$86+ | Cheer on the B Legendary crew as they fight to clinch that eighth-place playoff spot.

  • Starlight Cinemas presents: “Barbie” | St. James Park (N. Second St., San Jose) | 7:30 p.m. | FREE | Dress as your favorite Barbie or Ken and enjoy kids crafts, local drag performers Gem.In.I and Silvanna Daniels, face painting, lawn games, and more. Movie starts at 8:50 p.m.

  • Fuerza Regida | SAP Center (525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose) | 8 p.m. | $251-$1108 (tickets are super low, so YMMV) | The SoCal Mexican superstars bring their “Pero No Te Enamores Tour” to San Jose.

  • What The Dance presents: “Good Luck Club” | The Ritz (400 S. First St., San Jose) | 9 p.m. | $20 Advance, $25 Day of Show | From Chappell Roan to boygenius, dance along to tunes from your favorite queer artists featuring DJ Sappho.

  • Trousers Down Underwear Party | Renegade Bar (501 W. Taylor St., San Jose) | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | $10 Cover | Rock out in your tightie-whities at this twice-monthly underwear party presented by GuyBone.

  • The Uncorrupted | Caravan Lounge (98 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose) | 9:30 p.m. | FREE | These new California punks from Lodi are joined by San Jose natives Fire Drill and Blunt Force Karma. 

Sunday, 7/7

  • Boombox Brunch + Domingo Sabrosso | Mama Kin (374 S. First St., San Jose) | 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-Midnight | FREE (Brunch), $12.71-$219.18 (Concert) | Gnosh on delicious brunch while listening to Golden-Era Hip Hop. Then, enjoy tunes from Domingo Sabrosso + Cheo Conception y Su Orquestra de Aqui y De Alla at 5 p.m.

  • Drag Brunch | SoFA Market (387 S. First St., San Jose) | Noon-2 p.m. | FREE (but bring bills to tip the performers) | Grab a bottomless mimosa and join Tori Tia and Manang for this monthly Drag spectacular! This week’s performers include Kiki Fierce, Mimi Fierce, Jah Jah Feel, Jade Amethyst, Ruby Vicious, Robyn D. Banks, and DJ Ayumi. (Recurring)

  • San Jose Against War General Meeting | San Jose Peace and Justice Center (48 S. Seventh St., Ste. 101, San Jose) | 3 p.m. | FREE | Learn how to help your community, organize protests and divestment campaigns, and get essential community educational information. Meeting is both in-person and online.

  • Bay Area Panthers vs. Northern Arizona Wranglers | SAP Center (525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose) | 3:05 p.m. | $84-$276 | Following a two-game win-streak, the Panthers are the Western Conference leaders have “clinched a berth” in the Indoor Football League playoffs.

  • Sundaze Hip Hop Show | The Loft (90 S. Second St., San Jose) | 5-10 p.m. | $10 | Yogi Calhoon + Bella take their underground hip hop on tour to San Jose on the first floor, with live performances by Bay Area-based artists Raffman, King Fly, Paidro Classic, and Justo 2100. (Recurring)

  • San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire FC | PayPal Park (1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose) | 5:30 p.m. | $18-$104+ | Celebrate Women in Soccer night with a pre-game panel at the Element Hotel (3:30-5:30 p.m. across the street from PPP), with a portion of tickets sold going to the Sports Bra Project.

  • “Al Shifa Hospital: The Crimes They Tried to Bury” | Arab American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley (3952 Twilight Dr., San Jose) | 6 p.m. | $5-$15 donation suggested | See the harrowing first-hand accounts of the brutal raid on Palestine’s largest hospital complex, then stay for a Q&A with trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, who recently returned from volunteering at the European hospital in Khan Younis. 

Farmers Markets

Photo by 408 Weekly

Thank you so much for reading!

Hey y’all, I owe you an explanation.

Last week, I was having a bad time, mentally. I recently lost my job, and things have been incredibly rough — taking a week off of everything helped a ton. I’m a bit of a workaholic, and have trouble realizing when my body and mind need a break, and this was my sign to do so. I’m genuinely feeling a lot better, and I don’t plan to stop doing this any time soon.

So, thank you — not just for reading and sharing this newsletter around, but for your continuing support and patience.

Until next week,

— Gregg