San Jose Rap Group Releases New Album

San Jose based Laid Back Music has just released their latest album and you can listen to it online for free right over here.

Round Two Begins Tonight!

That's right, Sharks fans, a repeat of last year's second round of the playoffs: the San Jose Sharks versus the Detroit Red Wings! As it had been last year, this will not be an easy road for the Sharks. Although the Sharks, as expected, beat the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference quarterfinals, it took six games to do it. (Granted, the Kings had the hot Jonathan Quick in net to impede their progress.)

The Red Wings, on the other hand, dispatched the Phoenix Coyotes in four straight games, ending their first series of games rather quickly and setting a tone they hope to continue during their nineteenth consecutive playoff run.

In the past, the Sharks have proven to be formidable Red Wing slayers, especially in the most clutch of situations. Judging by the way coach Todd McLellan has been playing his team, the Sharks are more than ready to take on the Red Wings yet again to make their way to the Conference Finals. It was evident in the Sharks' series versus the Kings that the Sharks continued their high puck control in the offensive zone and shot output, but lacked in effective shot percentages for essential goals. In the Sharks' 3-1 loss in Game 5, they managed to get 52 shots on net, as opposed to the Kings' 22. Unleashing over twice the number of shots on net as one's opponent yet still managing that kind of loss may be the sign of a hot goalie, but in playoff hockey, that is to be expected, and shots are necessary to be more lethal as a result.

Sharks fans alike, we all are in for quite a series, especially since it is the Red Wings we face. As the Sharks were seeded higher during the regular season, there will be home ice advantage. It is up to you, the fans, to represent, and show your support!

GO SHARKS!

Next SJ Dishcrawl!

This month's Downtown San Jose discrawl featured culinary delights from Fahrenheit (which has an impressive new slow foods menu), Loft Bar & Bistro, Oaxacan Kitchen, Whipps, and there was even a wine/dessert tasting at The 88. This month's event sold out quickly with 150 registrants, so if you want to attend the next one it might be a good idea to reserve now. The registration link is already up for June 28th!

Retail Briefs: New H&M and Right Aid Stores Come to San Jose

The second H&M in San Jose is slated to open on May 5th at Oakridge (the 1st location is at Santana Row). They specialize in inexpensive designer clothing.

In addition, a brand new "customer world" format Rite Aid is opening on April 28th at 3111 McLaughlin Avenue. The spin on the new format seems to be a focus on health and wellness products.

Lastly, the Yard House is now open at Santana Row. Expect an astronomical selection of beers on tap and a very long wait to get a table or bar seat.

For more information click here.

Baseball San Jose: Impact of Professional Sports for a Local Business

CALL FOR YOUR ART!

Phantom Galleries is looking for some new art to fill up the various installations they have throughout downtown. If you know an artist that may be interested, please pass on the info below. Thanks!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

In these trying times, it is the creativity and relentlessness of the artists that keep the pulse of a city fervent. Challenges fast become opportunities. We hope you'll join us in filling downtown San Jose with the art of those that thrive here - it is the only way to keep arts and culture alive and kicking....otherwise it's "out of sight, out of mind."
Current Phantom Galleries exhibition venues:
Caffe Trieste
Pho69 Noodle Restaurant
Good Karma Vegan Cafe
Camera 12 Cinemas (2 exhibition areas)
386 South First Street (2 doors down from Anno Domini Gallery)
66 South First St. (next door to Bella Mia Restaurant)
95 South Market St (across from St. Joseph's Cathedral)

We are looking for 2-D, 3-D, digital and site specific installation works. In addition to conventional sized work, we also have spaces that can accommodate large works (up to 8' or 12' tall)
- All venues have high visibility and foot traffic.
- Exhibition duration varies but is usually 2-3 months.
- Exhibits will be promoted through the Phantom Galleries blog as well as the South FIRST FRIDAYS marketing channels.
- Art work may be for sale - a 20% commission is requested on sold items (so work that into your pricing.)
- All work must be "appropriate for public domain"
- Although we do not have a problem with theft, vandalism or loss, this is "exhibit at your own risk"
- There is no fee nor cost to the artists to exhibit their work (white walls provided.)
- Some venues are suitable to host First Friday Artist's Receptions and will be included in the Art Walk.
This is a great time to get your work out there, contribute to your community in a meaningful way and have your work viewed by hundreds if not thousands.

Please SUBMIT the following to info@PhantomGalleries.com :
- 5-7 JPG images - 720 pixels on its longest side at 72dpi and/or your website URL
- a brief bio and synopsis about your work
- indicate if the typical size of your works
- an estimated time as to when you'd like to exhibit (immediately or 3 mos, or 6 mos down the line, etc)

Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you and working with you!
peace,
Cherri & Brian
Phantom Galleries
KALEID Gallery

Two Fish Design
366 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
T: 408.271.5151 F: 408-271-5152
studio@twofishdesign.com
Tweet me: @Astrogirl

SJ Eats 2.0 - May 7th

Downtown San Jose's 2nd mass-food truck experience is coming on May 7th! Ryan describes some of the improvements below, but basically there are going to be even more food trucks to help keep the lines short, the lines will be managed much better, the area will be 3 times larger than before, and there is even going to be some music this time around. Every day they are announcing more trucks at their facebook page right over here. My recommendation would be to come early so you can sample as many trucks as possible! The lineup already looks pretty amazing.

Photograph by Andre Rubang

A Note from SJ Eats

Monday, April 4, 2011: Thank you for making SJ Eats the largest grassroots event ever held in Downtown SJ. Almost 10K people attempted to attend on Sat, April 2nd. We were set up to handle maybe half that. Many passed by only to leave in frustration due to extremely long wait times & chaotic lines. I want to sincerely apologize for the substandard experiences many of you endured. We have learned from Saturday and plan to implement several changes.

Long Wait Times — The massive attendance at SJ Eats is proof that San Jose has an incredible pent up demand for quality street food. The only way to meet this demand is to increase supply. For this reason, SJ Eats is immediately entering talks with City staff to start a weekly street food meet up in Downtown.

Line Management — We are investing in line management hardware to bring order to the chaotic system displayed at the lunch session.

These changes along with the addition of live music will help push SJ Eats to meet its true potential as a social connector for San Jose. If you have any suggestions, please comment HERE. We hope to see you in May at the next SJ Eats!

Ryan Sebastian, Organizer

Happy Easter San Jose!

If you're looking for a good egg hunt for the kids, the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is having hosting one from 10am to 3:30pm today. Some highlights from the event:

• 40 vendors selling rare plants, garden art, and other items
• Tours of the Heritage Rose Garden, which has the largest variety of roses in any public garden in the Western hemisphere
• "Green" presentations on clean energy

There is also a 5k run before the event at 9am. Everything starts at 438 Coleman. For more info, click here.