WE ARE ROBOTS by Paco Excel @ Empire Seven Studios

This Saturday between 7pm and midnight, Empire Seven Studio is hosting an artist reception for graffiti artist Paco Excel. His latest work focuses around how people are becoming more connected with technology than humanity (appropriate theme for Silicon Valley, don't you think). This exhibit will also be on display at Empire Seven Studios on 7th Street until August 27th, which is open 6pm-9pm Mon-Fri.

The Big Lebowski is Playing in SoFA Tonight!

Looking for something to do in the middle of a warm summer week in San Jose? Why not grab a lawn chair and come see The Big Lebowski in SoFA tonight. In addition to the movie, there is live music, an impression contest, and several promos (the most appropriate is $3 White Russians at Eulipia). Full details below:

"Always a crowd favorite, The Big Lebowski returns to the SoFA district in Downtown San Jose on July 6th. July 6: "The Big Lebowski" (1998) R South First and William streets (SoFA) Brothers Joel and Ethan Coen write and direct a hilarious tale about "Dude" Lebowski, who gets his friends to recover damages for his ruined rug. It's a case of mistaken identity - Dude is not the millionaire others think he is. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore. Pre-Show, 7 pm: Big Lebowski costume and impression contest. Local band Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits. Specials will be offered at nearby SoFA restaurants and bars to those dressed in Big Lebowski themed costumes on the night of the Starlight Cinemas screening of The Big Lebowski. We encourage all to join in on the pre and post movie crawl (more crawl information can be found at this website http://www.achievercon.com/). The movie will run from 8:45 to 10:40pm. Please find some of the nights specials below: Agenda Sports Bar (399 S. First St.) - 2 for 1 drink specials. The Blue Chip Sports Bar and Family Restaurant, ALL AGES (325 S. First St.) - $2 Tecate or DosXX and free fries with purchase of any Cheesesteak. Caffe Trieste, ALL AGES (315 S. First St.) - Happy hour prices all night on food and drink specials. Eulipia Restaurant and Bar, ALL AGES (374 S. First St.) - $3 White Russians and $10 off the entire check for anyone in Lebowski attire... The Dude Abides. South First Billiards (420 South First Street) - $5 The Dude's Beverage (White Russian); $5 Nobody F's With The Jesus (Coconut Rum, Pineapple, Cranberry); $5 Beyond Pacifism (Deep Fried Artichokes).

Take advantage of San Jose's warm, summer nights and enjoy a complimentary movie under the star-studded sky with your friends. To see the full Starlight Cinemas line-up, please visit their website."

The Tech After Hours!

This event sounds like a lot of fun. The Tech is opening their doors after hours for a new 21 and over experience. Tomorrow is their first attempt at this and it will include cocktails, classic Nintendo gaming in the IMAX theater, and giant-sized games. Adding some out-of-the-box ideas like this is a step in the right direction for the museum!

The Tech Museum After Hours

First Wednesday of the month
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

After Hours is the new monthly themed event where adults only can enjoy science, technology, entertainment and cocktails together with their friends. Each month is new and different.

Game Night

presented by homefrys
Wednesday, July 6
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Get your game face on

Play old-school Nintendo on a 25-foot screen surrounded by 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital sound in The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater. Compete for prizes!

Sip on a glow-in-the-dark "Tech-Tini" from our no-host bar.

Try your hand at 4-foot-tall Jenga style blocks, giant Tic Tac Toe, and monster-size foam dominoes.

Explore the entire museum under moody blue lighting and contemporary sounds as you decide whether to play a bevy of board and party games from Apples to Apples to Scrabble to Yahtzee!

Limited cafe menu available for purchase.

Buy Tickets

Tickets are only $10 for museum members; $12 non-members price.

For more information or to buy tickets please call +1 (408) 294-8324. Or buy online now. (service charges may apply).

Umpqua Bank Coming to San Jose

Oregon based Umpqua Bank is planning to open 6-8 locations in Silicon Valley, and the first will be a 3,000+ sqft branch in Downtown San Jose. With $11.5 billion in assets, they are actually much larger than most of the other business-oriented banks in Silicon Valley like Fremont Bank ($2.5B). They also have some unique marketing strategies such as free cappuccinos in their branches and handing out free treats from their own ice cream trucks. The Downtown San Jose branch should be open by early 2012.

For more info, pick up a copy of the San Jose Business Journal and turn to page 5 (sorry no hyperlink for this one).

Happy 4th of July San Jose!

Popeye's Downtown is Now Southern Fried Chicken

It seems that the person that purchased Popeye's downtown lost their franchise license, so they are transitioning to "The Original Southern Fried Chicken."

Rose, White & Blue Parade on the 4th of July!

For those of you who have not attended this event before, it is considered one of the best parades in the United States! Those who have already know what a treasure this parade is for San Jose. This year's Rose, White & Blue Parade begins at 10am at the corner of Shasta Avenue and Martin Avenue (near West San Carlos St.). The parade follows Shasta/Hanchett Park and Rose Gardend neighborhoods and ends on the Alameda near Pershing with a massive picnic!


Click here to see the full brochure.
Click here for information on the Picnic at the end of the parade.
Lastly, click here for their facebook page.

Silver Creek Academy Offering a Free Summer Class

This following was submitted by one of our readers last week. This sounds like a great way to keep your kids busy this summer while learning something useful!

"The Silver Creek Academy in Milpitas is offering a summer class that is 100% free. The 4-week course, Green By Nature, is a collaboration between SCAA Milpitas and the Girl Scouts of Northern California and will teach students about the environment, what they can do protect it and will conclude with a field trip to the great outdoors. 

It is an awesome opportunity for local kids to get in touch with their inner-environmentalist and again, it is completely free. Information about the academy can be found at SCAAMilpitas.com. There's also an article about the academy at http://www.livecitizen.com/unique-approach-learning-bay-area-academic-academy-making-grade-students-parents/."