San Jose Stage Company presents Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Buried Child

San Jose, CA  January 26, 2012

 

Buried Child is the play that launched Sam Shepard’s career as a playwright with the Pulitzer Prize Winning story of the powerful exploration of the American Dream.

 

The San Jose Stage, the Bay Area’s award-winning off-Broadway theatre, holds the opening Gala on Saturday, February 18 at 8 PM with preview beginning Wednesday and Thursday February 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM and Friday, February 17 at 8 PM.

 

This powerful and brilliant play probes deep into the disintegration of the American Dream. Winner of the 1979 Pulitzer Prize, Buried Child is set in a squalid farm home, occupied by a family filled with suppressed violence and an unease born of deep-seated unhappiness, all the while harboring a dark secret.

 

“This ferociously comic play set in the rural economic slowdown of the 1970’, Buried Childseems pertinent to today’s global”, said Artistic Director Randall King, “and reflects the frustrations of the America’s 99%. Buried Child has been called a masterpiece.”

 

Directed by Kenneth Kelleher the cast includes Lyndsy Kalil*, Randall King*, Michael Navarra*, Tim Hart, Stephen Massott, Judity Miller, and Harold Pierce.

 

The Stage is located at 490 South Frist Street at William Street in downtown San Jose’s South First (SoFA) area. Tickets are available through the Box Office by calling 408 283 7142 or online at www.thestage.org between $20 and $45. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and discounts are available for groups, students and seniors. The theatre is handicapped accessible.

 

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*Member of Actors Equity Association

 

About San Jose Stage Company:

Founded in 1983, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as The Bay Area's Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre, and known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent. In 1986, San Jose Stage Company set precedence as the first arts organization to negotiate and receive support from the Redevelopment Agency and the City of San Jose when over $500,000 was appropriated in support of the development of a new 200-seat theatre featuring a 3/4-thrust stage, which opened in 1990. Now in its 29th Season, SJSC continues to center its operations in this facility and has successfully produced over 138 productions and premiered 44 new works, including 11 world premieres and is acclaimed for maintaining high artistic standards, investing in local talent and supporting the region’s community of working artists while taking artistic risks. In addition to its core programming, San Jose Stage Company offers five core education and outreach programs and has housed over 200 independent performance groups. San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community and has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high-quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. San Jose Stage Company serves an audience base of 30,000 and is recognized as a leader in the arts for a theatre of its size. For more information www.thestage.org  

Saturday Stats: San Jose is the Best City to Find a Job

Here is another reassuring stat that the San Jose economy is picking up steam. Not only is the rate of unemployment dropping precipitously in the San Jose area, but now we're being ranked as the best city to find a job based upon the number of available job openings. Here is the list of how many job postings each city had for each 1000 residents between October and December 2011:

#1 - San Jose: 130
#2 - Washington, DC: 89
#3 - San Francisco: 54
#4 - Boston: 53
#5 - Baltimore: 52
#6 - Raleigh: 50
#7 - Seattle: 42
#8 - Columbus: 38
#9 - Atlanta: 36
#10 - Minneapolis/St. Paul: 35

As you can see, not only were we #1, but we absolutely dominated this list. In fact, there are not enough unemployed people in San Jose to fulfill all of the outstanding job openings based on that stat (there is an issue of qualifying for these jobs, but that is another story). Expect the unemployment rate here to drop substantially over the next 12 months.

Source: Forbes, Dan thanks for the tip!


Getty Images

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.