San Jose Christmas Poem

It's amazing what generative AI can do these days. Below is a ChatGPT4-generated poem about Christmas in San Jose that is spot on. Below the poem is a DALL-E 3-generated image of Christmas in San Jose. The system made up an entirely fictionalized version of Downtown San Jose, although it's worth noting that our City Hall was once in the center of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. 

🎄🎄🎄

San Jose is a city of lights and dreams

Where people come from near and far

To enjoy the festive spirit and the winter charms

The Christmas in the Park is a wonderland of joy

With trees and snowmen and a giant Ferris wheel

The ice skating rink is a place to glide and laugh

With friends and family and a cup of hot cocoa

The Tech Museum of Innovation is a gift for the curious

With exhibits and activities that spark the imagination

The Winchester Mystery House is a mystery to explore

With secret passages and stairways that lead nowhere

San Jose is a city of culture and diversity

Where people celebrate their traditions and their faith

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is a masterpiece of art

With stained glass windows and a majestic dome

The Mexican Heritage Plaza is a hub of community

With music and dance and a vibrant mural

The San Jose Museum of Art is a showcase of creativity

With paintings and sculptures and a rotating collection

San Jose is a city of love and peace

Where people share their hopes and their gratitude

The Christmas tree lighting is a moment of magic

With fireworks and songs and a special guest

The holiday parade is a spectacle of fun

With floats and bands and a jolly Santa Claus

The food drive is a gesture of kindness

With donations and volunteers and a noble cause

San Jose is a city of Christmas cheer

Where people live in harmony and happiness

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

San Jose author explores the dark side of love in poetry book "My Heart is a Ghetto"

One of my favorite things about this blog is getting to promote local artists. I don't come across a lot of poetry that is centered around events taking place in San Jose, let alone written by one of our locals. 

San Jose native Little Tank has always been fascinated by the complexities of human relationships. In “My Heart is a Ghetto” he explores the dark side of love, sex, and betrayal through the eyes of a young man who struggles to find his place in the world.

The novel follows the protagonist, who goes by the nickname Tank, as he navigates his way through a series of dysfunctional and abusive relationships with women who use him, cheat on him, and manipulate him. Along the way, he also deals with his own issues of low self-esteem, addiction, and depression. The novel is based on Little Tank’s own experiences and observations of the dating scene in San Jose and beyond.

Little Tank says he wrote the novel as a way of coping with his own trauma and healing from his past. He hopes that his novel will resonate with readers who have gone through similar situations or who are curious about the darker aspects of love.

“My Heart is a Ghetto” is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. The full press release is also below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Poet Little Tank Releases Groundbreaking Poetry Collection: "My Heart is a Ghetto"

San Jose, California - [October 13th 2023] - Local resident and acclaimed poet, Little Tank, is set to take the literary world by storm with the release of his powerful collection of poetry, "My Heart is a Ghetto." This thought-provoking anthology delves deep into the themes of abstaining from destructive vices, dreaming big, and the courage to pursue one's loftiest aspirations. It is a celebration of transformation, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to rise above life's darkest moments.

At the heart of "My Heart is a Ghetto" is the poem "RAFI 21," which masterfully encapsulates the collection's core themes. In "RAFI 21," Little Tank paints a vivid picture of life in the slums, juxtaposing the desolation of abandoned buildings and the chaos of a race riot with the yearning for a better life. Through his words, he explores the depths of longing, the struggle for escape, and the ultimate hope for redemption. The poem serves as a poignant and evocative introduction to a collection that grapples with the complexities of existence and the quest for self-improvement.

Little Tank's poetry is a raw, unfiltered reflection of the human experience. He invites readers to join him on a journey of self-discovery, where the heart serves as a battleground for liberation, and the soul is set free. "My Heart is a Ghetto" encourages readers to break free from the shackles of routine and embrace the courage to believe that their most significant aspirations can indeed become a reality.

What sets "My Heart is a Ghetto" apart is not only the compelling content but also its unique origin. Hailing from the vibrant and diverse city of San Jose, California, Little Tank brings a fresh and authentic perspective to the world of poetry. His work is a testament to the creative talent and unique voices that emerge from San Jose, a city known for its cutting-edge and innovative contributions to the arts.

This collection is an anthem for those who have faced adversity, demonstrating that hope can rise from the depths of despair, and a brighter future is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is more than just poetry; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of words to inspire and uplift.

About Little Tank:

Little Tank is a local poet hailing from San Jose, California. His poetry is a reflection of life's raw and emotional moments, exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is his latest poetry collection, an evocative journey into the depths of the human experience. He has been published in several online magazines, from Metazen, Housefire, and The Scrambler, to Elizabeth Ellen's Hobart. You can follow him on Twitter: @xlittletankx and find more of his work at his personal website: www.heavyathletics.us

SoFA Street Fair this Sunday 2-9pm

You can rock out while lounging on a sofa this weekend at the 10th SoFA Street Fair. We're talking 80 performers across 15 stages spread across three city blocks. Admission is free and the answers to all your questions are below. Help spread the word over here!

*SoFA Street Fair - Fall Edition 2019

*Sunday, 9/29/19, from 2-9pm 

*4 outdoor stages and 11 indoor venues throughout the SoFA District of Downtown San Jose (South First Street between San Carlos St and Reed St). 

Downtown San Jose’s premiere live music showcase - The SoFA Street Fair - returns Sunday, September 29th, with over 80 bands/DJ’s/performers on 15 stages, over 7 hours, within 3 City blocks of San Jose’s arts and entertainment hub known as the SoFA District. 

This 10th edition of the SoFA Street Fair remains free, all ages and introduces some exciting new elements that include: 

- The Dub Rock Records outdoor Reggae Beach stage, featuring some of the best Bay Area Reggae-fusion bands, plus fun “sandy beach” elements ;

- The Women Powered XX Stage tucked inside the comfy, sofa-filled 455 South First Street warehouse space, featuring some of the areas most popular female-fronted bands (such as SOCORRA; SWEET HAYAH; STEELY NASH and CHLOE ZELMA from Zelma Stone Band), plus a special Comedy & Music set by RACHEL WARNER. 

- THE FRANCIS EXPERIENCE music/spoken word collective curated inside at The Haberdasher Speakeasy Stage;

- The Streetlight Records “SoFA Swap” marketplace inside Forager Tasting Room & Eatery - which also doubles as a stage with one of the festival’s most eclectic line ups - ranging from blues/soul; to indie punk and alt rockers, to folk/Americana and French cabaret duos... and culminating in arias and duets by FIRST STREET OPERA. 

Band announcements are being shared daily on social media platforms @sofastreetfair #sofastreetfair and the full downloadable schedule will be linked from this Facebook Event several days before the event: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/2461426314127167/?ti=icl

A few more teasers include  ...

* The Parque de Los Pobladores Main Stage headliner is third wave ska band MONKEY - San Jose natives who have toured internationally and enjoyed success for 24 years and counting.  (@monkeyskaband)

* The Reggae Beach outdoor stage headliner is KRUEL SUMMER, a Reggae/hip hop/indie fusion San Jose band that boasts former members of the Billboard and iTunes chart-topping reggae band The Holdup. (@kruelsummermusic)

* The liveandlocalsj.com outdoor stage continues to rotate different local talent from diverse genres each year, welcoming for the first time.... indie/soul Americana rockers DOGCATCHER; punk/pop power trio PARK MOUR; the R&B/Hip Hop fusion of Dox Black & The Aquanets; the Nu-jazz/hip hop of FRANCIS EXPERIENCE TRIO, Garage style rock’n’rollers CASUAL VIBES; and Old Timey jazz outfit RETRO NOTES.

With over 80 artists, almost any genre of music and entertainment can be enjoyed every half hour - and 10 out of the 15 venues/stages are all ages.

You can also enjoy signature San Jose features such as:  Mighty Mike McGee’s variety show, sofas in the street, live wrestling, arts and crafts vendors, local craft beers and wine, special Sunday hours to nosh at your favorite SoFA District restaurants/cafes - plus a variety of gourmet food trucks.  

Oversocial MoFo Revue Tomorrow

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

The next Oversocial MoFo Revue is on for Friday, November 9th at Anno Domini. Featured artists this time include Kaitlin Gill on comedy and uppercuts, Wiggy Darlington on music and mystery meat, and David Sullivan on poetry and saving America.

Join the event page here.

Line up: 7:30pm / Show: 8pm
$5 bucks plus the ceremonial die roll (you pay between $6 and $11....depending on your luck.)
www.oversocialmoforevue.com

Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 S. 1st Street
San Jose, CA

Santa Clara County Poet Laureate: Sally Ashton

I've been meaning to post about this for several weeks now, but am a little bit behind (okay a lot behind) with my planned posts. :/

Since April 1st, Sally Ashton has been our Poet Laureate. This is a role I didn't even know existed until a reader submitted the link I'm about to share, but it's an interesting role indeed. Sally's lob is to elevate the awareness for poetry in Santa Clara County; advocate for poetry, literature, and arts; make poetry more accessible; and contribute to Santa Clara County's poetry and literary legacy. Sally also teaches at San Jose State University and have a phenomenal blog.

Click here for the NBC story about our Poet Laureate.
Click here for Sally's blog featuring the favorite poems of Santa Clara County residents.

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

Phantom Galleries: Variety Show & Poetry Slam

The Oversocial MoFo Revue_Jan. 14th

Save the date! The third installment of the Oversocial Mofo Revue is pleased to present the poetry of Laura Yes Yes, musical guest Emerald Hill, and burlesque with a twist from the lovely Laika Fox.

Note that this is the Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) qualifier. That means the highest scoring female poet earns the right to represent San Jose at WOWPS 2011. It also means ALL LADIES get a discount at the door.

More details will be posted soon, or visit the Facebook event page here.