Discount Code for "Legally Blonde The Musical"

I received this a few minutes ago from the Downtown Association. If this is half as good as Avenue Q--which also came here courtesy of Broadway San Jose--then it'll be well worth watching. Read below for details and of course the discount code:

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Downtowner Online: Special EditionA service of San Jose Downtown Association

“LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL” - GET $15 OFF SELECT SEATS AND PERFORMANCES.
PROMO CODE: LEGAL

TO PURCHASE TICKETS GO TO: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Jose-CA/Broadway-San-Jose/92946576482?v=app_7146470109&ref=ts

Good through March 15th on tickets to the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday performances in all sections EXCEPT section D. Subject to availability, not available on previously purchased tickets.

It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine).  The hilarious MGM film is now a smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. Underestimated blonde UCLA sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL has been created by a dean's list of top-of-their-class Broadway talent, including Tony Award®-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray); composer and lyricist Laurence O'Keefe (Batboy) and Nell Benjamin (Sarah, Plain and Tall); book writer Heather Hach (Freaky Friday); and scenic designer David Rockwell (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will take you from the sorority house to the halls of justice with Broadway's brightest new heroine (and of course, her chihuahua, Bruiser). The verdict? This much fun shouldn't be legal!

Running time: 2 hours, 25 mins, including intermission.
Rating: Family friendly for pre-teens and older.
Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

March 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension (warning, this is going to be long because there is a lot of great content this month!):

• Convention Center Expansion
• $30 million in RDA funds were approved for the expansion, which will have a total cost of $130 million.
• Completion is expected in less than 19 months.
• Plans include 35,000 sqft of ballroom space with 30ft high ceilings, 25,000 sqft of new meeting room space, new food prep areas, new furniture and fixtures, restroom improvements, sidewalk improvements.
• The hideous former MLK Library will be torn down (nice!)
• Other RDA Projects moving forward:
• $4 million to complete the Civic Auditorium renovation.
• $3 million for the North San Pedro housing development.
• $30 million in land acquisitions for a new baseball park south of Diridon Station!
• Goals from the city's 2010-2015 economic strategy for downtown:
• Fill up office space.
• Expand the convention center.
• Complete the San Pedro Square Urban Market.
• Support more events.
• Attract more start-up companies and create a sense of community among downtown entrepreneurs (damn good idea).
• More live music aimed at broader audiences.
• Continue to invest in SoFA (keep it up, doing a great job so far)
• Continue partnering with 1stAct.
• Strengthen pedestrian and bike connections to Guadalupe River Park and encourage "bold next-stage evolution of the park."
• Attract businesses that bring "street-level vibrancy" both day and night
• Zanatto's is stepping up its game to be more competitive with The Market. They'll offer wine dinners and expand inside seating for lunch and dinner customers.
• Tres Gringos is expanding to SJC (FYI, their fish tacos are amazing). Also coming to the new terminal is Sonoma Chicken Coop and Original Joe's!
• CJ's Cafe & Catering is now offering breakfast and lunch at 303 Almaden Blvd.
• Downtown San Jose's Fourth (seriously, fourth??) Subway is oping on the ground floor of Three Sixty Residences (the high-rise condo building in SoFA).
• As reported here several months ago, the Montgomery Hotel will be re-branded as a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. This will be the First Starwood Hotel in San Jose. Starwood also includes Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Luxury Collection, and St. Regis brands.
• Pizza Chicago can now roll-up most of it's walls for an open air dining experience (think The Counter at Santana Row)
• Many events coming this summer:
• Dwontwon Farmer's Market at San Pedro Square, Fridays, 10am-2pm starting May 7th.
• Downtown Doors Installation also May 7th.
• Dine Downtown is Back!: Jun 2-12, with a City Bites sampler event on Jun 2nd (awesome, can't wait!!!)
• Music in the Park: Thursday nights starting Jun 3rd.
• Starlight Cinema: Wednesday nights starting Jun 9th.
• South First Fridays: May 7th, Aug 6th, Sep 3rd
• Sub Zero's uber South First Friday: Jun 4th!
• Left Coast Live - Jun 21-26
• Jazz Festival - Aug 13-15
• Tapestry in Talent - Sep 4-6
• ZeroOne - Sep 16-19
• Mariachi Festival - Sep 19-26

To read the full newsletter, click here!

New Retail Openings Downtown!

Thanks Mark for pointing out that the Redevelopment Agency updated their Monthly Report. Below is what's opening soon in Downtown San Jose as well as a couple recent openings. 8 retail stores are currently under construction or in permitting!

Recent Openings

• Tangerine Hookah Lounge (30 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 150)

New Retail Lease

• Ruffled Feathered Eatery (200 S. First St., Suite 10)

Opening Q1 2010 (i.e. This Month)

• The Pasta Market (579 Coleman Ave.)
• Sante Grill (143 West Santa Clara St.)
• La Victoria Expansion (131 W. Santa Clara St.)

Opening Q2 2010

• The MMoon Empanada Restaurant (177 W. Santa Clara St.)
• Teagre Tea Shop (96 North Almaden Ave.)
• Pho 69 Restaurant (321 South First St.)
• Morton's The Steakhouse Expansion (177 Park Ave.)
• Ross Dress for Less (27 South First St.)

San Jose Facebook Groups

If you look over to the right you'll notice a new link category called San Jose Facebook Groups. I found some great pages I thought you'd all enjoy, especially I HEART SAN JOSE which just broke 2,500 fans!

Sante Grill Coming to Santa Clara St.

It looks like Downtown San Jose's newest restaurant might be Sante Grill on Santa Clara Street. The crappy cell phone photo below is pretty much all the information I have. I can't find anything on Google about this place. If you know anything about Sante Grill, please post in the comments. Thanks!

Yelp Drinks Week!

Do you guys like happy hour? How about a happy hour that lasts all day long from Monday, Marth 8th to Sunday, March 14th? Yeah, I like the sound of that too. That's exactly what's happening thanks to the latest Yelp event. For all of the details, just keep on reading!

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For three weeks in March, Yelp brings you YELP DRINKS, where you'll get a chance to sip on lip-smacking good adult beverages at places locals love all over the Bay Area! Participating locations will feature 3 drinks for 50% off throughout the promotion.

San Francisco Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 1st - Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Silicon Valley Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 8th - Sunday, March 14th, 2010
East Bay Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 15th - Sunday, March 21st, 2010

A few quick notes:

1) Though we're calling this a happy hour, it's better - Yelp Drinks prices are good all day Monday - all day Sunday while supplies last.
2) Please tip on regular price.
3) Please consume responsibly.

* (NOTE: disregard the "free" listing: prices vary according to featured beverage, but each will be featured at half off)

Check out the awesome participating establishments:

BLOWFISH SUSHI (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Peach Nympho - promo price: $5
Manga Mojito - promo price: $5
Sweet Leilani - promo price: $5

CALIFORNIA CAFE (Los Gatos)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
California Crush - promo price: $5
Fresh Agave Margarita - promo price: $5
Berry Burst Sangria - promo price: $4

CALIFORNIA CAFE (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
California Crush - promo price: $5
Fresh Agave Margarita - promo price: $5
Berry Burst Sangria - promo price: $4

E&O TRADING COMPANY (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pomegranate Margarita - promo price: $5
Vanilla Mango Mojito - promo price: $4.50
Lychee Martini - promo price: $5

FLEA STREET CAFE (Menlo Park)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Jalisco Flower - promo price: $5.50
Lavender Lemon Drop - promo price: $5.50
Ginger Green-Tea-Ni - promo price: $5.50

JOYA (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Mango Mojito - promo price: $5
Sangrita - promo price: $6
Pomegranate Caipirinha - promo price: $5

JUNNOON (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Mystic Mojito - promo price: $5
Blissful Blue Yogil - promo price: $5
Bollywood Dreams - promo price: $4.50

LEFT BANK (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
French "75" - promo price: $4.25
Les Fleurs du Mal - promo price: $4.75
Ginger-Pama Martini - promo price: $4.50

MANDALA LOUNGE (San Mateo)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Sushi Boat - promo price: $5
Blue Buddha - promo price: $4.50
Tokyo Cosmo - promo price: $5

MELT LOUNGE (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Ruby Rock Top - promo price: $5
7 Crown Press - promo price: $5
Pama Drop - promo price: $5

MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Cosmopolitan - promo price: $6.13
Manhattan - promo price: $6.13
Mojito - promo price: $5.25

PARCEL 104 (Santa Clara)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Manhattan .357 - promo price: $6
Rangpur Gimlet - promo price: $6
Sweet Clementine - promo price: $6

PLUMED HORSE (Saratoga)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pomegranate Martini - promo price: $6
Raspberry Beret - $4.50
French Connection - $6

QUATTRO (E. Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Raspberry Sparkler - promo price: $6
Espressotini - promo price: $6
Rosso - promo price: $6

SAKOON (Mountain View)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Lemon Basil Lemon Drop - promo price: $5
Latin Fiesta - promo price: $5
Kama Sutra - promo price: $5

SHOKOLAAT (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Leo's Lemonade - promo price: $4.50
Margarita - promo price: $5
Audrey Hepburn - promo price: $4.50

SINO (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Appletini - promo price: $6
Lemon Drop - promo price: $6
Cosmopolitan - promo price: $6

SPENCER'S FOR STEAKS & CHOPS (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Premier Martini (your choice of vodka) - promo price: half off
Spencer's Mojito (your choice of rum) - promo price: half off
Xingu Brazilian Beer - promo price: $3.50

STRAITS (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Lychee Martini - promo price: $6
Lemongrass Mojito - promo price: $6
Mango Margarita - promo price: $6

THE FAIRMONT LOBBY LOUNGE (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Bubblegum Cosmo - promo price: $5.50
Tomato+Bacon Martini - promo price: $5.50
The 007 - promo price: $5.50

THE LOUNGE AT ALEXANDER'S STEAKHOUSE (Cupertino)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Passion Kiss - promo price: $6.50
Don Jalapeno - promo price: $6.50
Spiced Appletini - promo price: $6.50

South First Friday Trifecta this Friday!

We have another triple event going on this Friday!

Downtown San Jose Open House - 5:30-7:30pm. You can check out all 4 of the high-rise condo buildings downtown in one shot: The 88, Three Sixty Residences, Axis, and City Heights. Free cocktails, appetizers, arts experiences (not sure what they mean by that), and tours of the model homes! Click here for more info.

South First Fridays Art Walk - 8pm to however late you want. This is the event that keeps getting better month after month. For the full lineup of whats going down tonight, click here. Or if you're like me, don't click here and enjoy the surprise. By the way, during South First Fridays you can get free pedicab rides from one venue to another!

Cinequest - All day long. One of the top film festivals in the world right in your back yard, what more could you want! A lot of the shows sell out--especially on the weekends--so get your tickets early on the Cinequest Website.

Cinequest Comedy Short Films

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to catch Cinequest Shorts Program 7: Comedy Favorites, and the films were thoroughly hilarious. While I enjoyed them all, I have to particularly point out my 2 favorites. The Action Hero's Guide to Saving Lives and Ducked and Covered: A survival Guide to the Post Apocalypse.

The premise behind Hero's Guide is that a police officer's sister was kidnapped and the hero--Patrick Warburton (Elaine's car salesman boyfriend on Seinfeld)--has to charge in Die-Hard style and save her. The catch is that every time the action hero or one of the good guys dies, the story resets and takes you down an alternate path until they succeed. The story gets more hilarious with every failure, and by the end I was laughing so hard there were tears in my eyes. Since the last showing was 2 days ago, there is no way to watch the full version of the short although there are some talks about potentially making a full-length feature based on it. You can watch the trailer over here, but it doesn't do this masterpiece justice.

Ducked and Covered is a post apocalyptic survival guide as if it were made in the early 80s. No actors, just a few images and a voice-over... simple yet extremely effective. The person that put this together is brilliant! Fortunately I don't have to describe this one much because you can watch it in full OVER HERE.

The icing on the cake was that at the end of the shorts, several actors and directors from the films came to the front of the theater and did a Q&A session. It was like being in the middle of a DVD bonus feature =). The extra layer of icing on top of that were the free gift bags.

The moral of this post is that there are many awesome things to see and experience at Cinequest, and you still have 7 whole days to enjoy the film festival. This is one of the top 10 film festivals in the world, there's no reason no to head down!!