Feathers of Fury: A Valentine's Weekend Pillow Fight in Downtown San Jose

Looking for something unique and fun to do this weekend? How about a massive pillow fight? That is exactly what's going down this Sunday at high noon somewhere in Downtown San Jose. To find out exactly where, you'll have to hit up this website sometime after 12:01am Sunday morning.

For a little preview, check out the video below from last year's event. I'm sure it'll be a great time for all. When else can you what a perfect stranger wearing a Santa Claus outfit in the face with a pillow?

For all the details either check out this blog or head over to their Facebook page!

2012 US Figure Skating Championships Drew 100,000 People to San Jose

A whopping 102,619 people showed up for the US Figure Skating Championships in Downtown San Jose in late January, well above the 80,000 that were estimated. The effect was obvious, there were way more people walking around Downtown than normal and the restaurants were definitely more full that week. According the Team San Jose, around 8,400 hotel room nights were booked and $12.5 million was pumped into the local economy.

Now imagine the impact of 3,000,000 visits a year to Downtown if the A's move to San Jose.

Source: SJBJ

San Jose Taiko Presents HIMAWARI

San José, CA --- January 26, 2012 --- San Jose Taiko presents HIMAWARI: a unique collaboration with San Jose Taiko and the three members of Hanayui - Chieko Kojima, Yoko Fujimoto, Mitsue Kinjo, and guest artist, Yoshikazu Fujimoto of Kodo.

 

HIMAWARI (Sunflower) is the union of the performers of San Jose Taiko and Hanayui in a collaboration ten years in the making. Both groups explore their common roots and Japanese ancestry through music and dance: San Jose Taiko coming from the Japanese American community in San Jose, California, and Hanayui coming from Kodo Village on Sado Island in Japan.

 

The project name HIMAWARI was selected for the sunflower's strength as a symbol of power and energy, and a source for nurturing and sustaining life. San Jose Taiko and Hanayui first came together to create HIMAWARI in 2000 and debuted the program in Hawaii in 2002. The program included traditional folk songs and dances from Japan, contemporary taiko drumming from America, and collaborations that combined all of these elements. The new program will include works from the original program and showcase original arrangements from both Hanayui and San Jose Taiko.

 

“We’re very excited to be working with our friends at Kodo once again.” explains San Jose Taiko’s newly appointed Artistic Director Franco Imperial. “Their performances are so beautifully soulful. For audiences who have never seen them, their artistry touches on something both foreign and universal. For people familiar with taiko, it will be simply astounding to see these legendary artists all on the same stage.”

 

“This is a great opportunity for San Jose to witness Japanese artists of this caliber”, states newly- appointed Executive Director Wisa Uemura. “This collaboration concert will feature unparalleled performances of Japanese folk traditions from the senior members of Kodo along with contemporary interpretations of the taiko artform from San Jose Taiko.”

 

The performance will take place at the San Jose Repertory Theater, 101 Paseo De San Anotnio, San Jose on Saturday, February 11 at 8:00 p.m.

 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors if purchased at the door on the day of the event. Call (408) 293-9344 by 5:00 p.m. February 10 to receive a $5 discount on each ticket. For more information visit www.taiko.org/himawari/

 

********* Hanayui is made up of Kodo members Chieko Kojima and Yoko Fujimoto, joined by Okinawan dance expert Mitsue Kinjo. The Japanese word hana means “flower” and symbolized the youthful energy that Hanayui puts into their performances. The word yuimeans “to tie,” and recalls the relationship formed in ancient villages in Japan when families came together to share in both hardships and harvests.

 

Chieko Kojima was born in Iwafune, Tochigi-prefecture. Chieko first encountered Japanese folk dancing when she joined Ondekoza in 1976. When Kodo was formed, Chieko carved out a niche for herself as one of the few regularly performing female members. She is noted for the original style of her dancing in Kodo's taiko-based performance. Chieko enjoys expanding her repertoire and meeting new and stimulating people in her travels across the globe.

 

Yoko Fujimoto joined Ondekoza (later Kodo) in 1976. After three years appearing as a koto player, singer and dancer, she stepped down from the stage to edit Kodo’s monthly Japanese language newsletter for the next 13 years. In 1989 she began to sing again and has been Kodo's principal vocalist ever since. In 1996 she toured Cuba and North America with her husband Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Kodo's principal O-daiko player, giving drum-and- song workshops. She also conducts 'Voice Circle' workshops, which help participants to rediscover song and the power of their own voices.

 

Okinawa native Mitsue Kinjo entered the Okinawan dance groupe "Hana no Kai" in 1979 and was trained by Takako Sato. It was through her activities in Okinawan dance that Mitsue first encountered Kodo. Later, after receiving the Okinawa Times Highest Award for Achievement in the Performing Arts, Mitsue married a Kodo member and moved to Sado Island. Mitsue first participated in the Kodo Village Festival as a member of Hanayui and has continued in to participate as a dancer in other capacities since.

 

Yoshikazu Fujimoto joined Ondeko-za (later Kodo) in 1972, was one of the founding members of Kodo, and was the group's featured O-daiko player and center-man for the "Yatai-bayashi" climax piece. Yoshikazu is presently Kodo's most senior performing member. In recent years he has played a large role in educating the Kodo apprentices, and is conducting more and more workshops for the general public.

 

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About San Jose Taiko:

San Jose Taiko, with a deep respect of cultural traditions and a commitment to artistic excellence, is dedicated to the advancement of the taiko art form through the development of its world-class Performing Ensemble and the San Jose Taiko Conservatory. Located in the heart of Japantown of San Jose, the company performs throughout the Bay Area, the United States and abroad.

Since 1973, San Jose Taiko (SJT) has integrated this historical Japanese art form with other world rhythms. All compositions performed by SJT are written or arranged by members of the group. Composing, choreographing, designing and producing costumes, and handcrafting of the drums are part of the holistic process in which all members participate. Through this singleness of mind and spirit, harmony is achieved and the music rings with unity and clarity.

Enrich the human spirit. Connect people beyond cultural and demographic boundaries.

San Jose Taiko, P.O. Box 26895, San Jose, CA 95159    408 293 9344    taiko.org         

Huge Pro-Development Changes

Just last week San Jose officials passed several pro-development changes to encourage more companies to move here. These policies are a complete 180 from the previous proposal to raise business taxes in San Jose. Here is a list of the changes:

• Lower construction taxes on tenant improvements citywide from 4.5% to 1% for office and R&D space
• Temporarily lower traffic impact fees on new construction in North San Jose from $12.69 per sqft to $5
• Create 21 new permanent positions related to processing planning and building permits (!!!)
• Easing the requirement of new development in North San Jose being at least 14 stories tall

Already one new developer has contacted the city to take advantage of these changes and this will no doubt create a lot of buzz around those looking to expand or locate in the valley. This is definitely the right direction to encourage more businesses to locate here, pump more dollars into our economy, and eventually balance our budget without reducing city services.

Click here for more info.

5th Annual Open Your Heart Pajama Drive

SAVE THE DATE

The San Jose will be hosting its 5th Annual Open Your Heart Pajama Drive. 

The drive will be held on Friday, February 10, from 6 am-10 am.  Please consider donating new pajamas and books for the children in need.  The Fairmont will host a milk and cookie reception for any school children that participate during the drive on Friday morning.

ABOUT THE PAJAMA PROGRAM

The Pajama Program is a national non-profit organization providing comfort and love in the way of new pajamas to children-in-need and children waiting for a permanent home. They are youngsters who do not know the comforts of a mother or father to tuck them into a cozy bed and read them a bedtime story. Many have been abandoned or abused, most deprived of any love at all. “By providing pajamas we help to create a warm and nurturing bedtime environment for vulnerable youngsters living under difficult circumstances” says Pallie Zambrano, attorney-at-law and co-president of Northern California chapter. For more information, please contact pallie@pajamaprogram.org or visitwww.pajamaprogram.org.

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

Located in world-class destinations around the globe, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotels that includes landmark locations like London’s The Savoy, New York’s The Plaza, and Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel. With more than 60 hotels, Fairmont is known as much for its warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences, as its classic hotels that imbue a sense of heritage, sophistication and social importance and are often considered destinations in their own right. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.
--

Pallie Zambrano
Northern California Chapter

Pajama Program

www.pajamaprogram.org

www.facebook.com/PajamaProgramCA

Downtown Hyatt Place Now Open

The very first Hyatt Place Hotel in San Jose has just opened up it's doors across the street from the convention center. Some of the amenities are free breakfast, free WiFi, 42 inch HDTVs in all 234 rooms, a 24/7 guest kitchen, and a new bakery cafe with a bar.

For more info, click here.

Saturday Stats: Colleges That Will Make You Rich

Recently, Forbes put out a list of the 20 colleges whose graduates had the highest average salaries 10-19 years after graduation. All 3 South Bay colleges made the list (San Jose was the only CSU on the list):

#3.) Stanford University - Average Graduate Salary: $116,954
#4.) Santa Clara University - Average Graduate Salary: $110,351
#14.) San Jose State University - Average Graduate Salary: $90,546

Other Bay Area Colleges on the List:

#5.) St. Mary's - Average Graduate Salary: $97,415
#12.) UC Berkeley - Average Graduate Salary: $103,554
#13.) USF - Average Graduate Salary: $93,430

Source: Forbes

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk Today!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

February 3rd is the 7th Anniversary of the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk in downtown
San Jose! Come help us celebrate!

Phantom Galleries has two new exhibitions:

Blessed Are the Beasts, For They Shall Inherit the Earth by Katrina Marie Loera at Good Karma Vegan Cafe


and Catchwork in Rhythm paintings by Ricky Gumbrecht at Pho69.



KALEID Gallery has two featured solo exhibits:

Lunar Phases a new photography series by Centa Schumacher


and Brutal / Tender recent works by Al Preciado


with special performances by Cellist Freya Seeburger

Check out the full schedule of all 18 art venues and print out your own art walk map: www.southfirstfridays.com





Stop by the TOTEM booth during the SOUTH FIRST Friday Art Walk for your chance to win a free pair of tickets, pick-up a special limited time discount card and check out the local Cirque-inspired performer! TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil opens March 2nd at the Taylor Street Bridge.
For more information on TOTEM, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/TOTEM1stfriday