Winchester Mystery House Fright Nights are Returning!

My favorite Halloween event by far from last year is not only returning, it's expanding. Fright Nights at the Winchester Mystery House is adding over 100 characters and new surprises in it's 40-min maze entitled "Curse of Sarah Winchester: The Resurrection." I'm hoping most of the Hollywood-caliber props from last year will return as well.

They are also adding a brand new kind of mansion flashlight tour, one without a tour guide. It sounds like there may even be actors in parts of the mansion this time around. Each Fright Night ticket includes access to both attractions. I can't wait! Full details below:

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SAN JOSE, CA, August 12, 2012 -- The award-winning Winchester Mystery House attraction "Fright Nights" returns for a second year kicking off on Friday, September 28, 2012. The world-famous mysterious, rambling and reportedly haunted home of Sarah Winchester has more thrills and exciting additions to last year’s award-winning Maze and House tour.

Throughout September and October (see complete schedule below), the grounds of the Winchester Estate will be transformed into the world’s most terrifying Halloween experience. Filled with haunted walk-through attractions, roaming scare performers, and nightmare inducing tales, “Fright Nights” will once again be an open house visitors won’t want to miss.

“We are excited to bring 'Fright Nights' back to life for a second year at the Winchester Mystery House," said Brett Tomberlin, President, Imagination Design Works, the production team behind the special event. "To give visitors even more, we are stepping up the 40-minute maze by adding over 100 spine-chilling characters and surprises around every corner. The ‘Flashlight Tour’ is also ramped up in a way that will shock and awe visitors."

CURSE OF SARAH WINCHESTER: THE RESURRECTION
Maze Length: 40 Minutes
Guests at “Fright Nights” will have the exclusive opportunity to experience the all-new “Curse of Sarah Winchester Maze” – an interactive, multi-sensory gateway between Heaven and Hell which will be opened exclusively for visitors of “Fright Nights.” For a lifetime, Sarah Winchester built and rebuilt her house to avoid a treacherous curse and to escape her husband’s legacy of damnation. Those who perished by the Winchester rifle are seeking revenge, and are now ready to sacrifice souls before midnight strikes.

Visitors find themselves trapped inside a mansion empowered by the undead, traveling through the Corn Fields of Winchester Mystery House, into the haunted ruins of the family Graveyard and ultimately, a showdown with Sarah herself in the middle of one of her infamous séances.

“WALK WITH THE SPIRITS” FLASHLIGHT TOUR
Tour Length: 35 Minutes
Tour the mansion as you never have before - on your own. Since her death, millions of people have visited Sarah’s home and many have reported sighting ghosts. Do the phantoms she communed with or perhaps Sarah herself still lurk nightly in the maze-like corridors of the Winchester Mystery House?

You'll tour the rambling, mysterious mansion with only the moonlight, a souvenir flashlight, and your imagination to provide illumination through the bewildering labyrinth of rooms and stairways. Guests experience bone-chilling creatures and blood-curdling moments as they find themselves trapped inside the mansion empowered by the undead.

EVENT DATES, TIMES, LOCATION AND ADMISSION:

WHERE:
Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408.247.2101

TICKET INFO:
"Slasher Savings" Pre-sale tickets from Aug. 12 – Sept. 9: $35 or $50 VIP

Two-pack tickets available at any Northern CA Costco from Sept. 10 – Oct. 31: $54.99

From Sept. 28 – Oct. 14: $40 or $55 VIP From Oct. 15 – Nov. 3: $45 or $60 VIP

Tickets available for purchase starting August 12th by visiting WinchesterMysteryHouse.com/tickets

*VIP tickets include front of line access
*Regular and VIP tickets include access to the Curse of Sarah Winchester Maze and Walk with the Spirits Flashlight Tour

FRIGHT NIGHTS DATES AND TIMES:
September 28-29
6:30pm – 12:00am

September 30
6:30pm – 11:00pm

October 7, 29, 30
6:30Pm – 11:00pm

October 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
6:30pm – 11:30pm

October 5, 6, 31
6:30pm – 12:00am

October 12, 13, 19, 20
6:30pm – 12:30am

October 26, 27
6:30pm – 1:00am

November 2, 3
6:30pm – 12:00am

Featured event partners and key sponsors include: Ghirardelli Chocolate, Dead Dog’s Hot Dogs, Psycho Donuts, Monster Energy Drink, Crystal Head Vodka, San Jose State University, Santana Row, Costco and Togo’s. Media partner includes: 94.9 The Wild.

ABOUT THE WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE:
The Winchester Mystery House is a California State Historical Landmark (#868) and was designed and built by Winchester rifle heiress, Sarah Winchester. The attraction is one of the top tourist attractions in the world and has recently been honored with the following accolades: World's Most Haunted Places #2, Travel Channel; The Scariest Locations In America #3, HauntWorld Magazine; 10 Great Places To Get Spooked #5 USA Today.

ABOUT IMAGINATION DESIGN WORKS (IDW):
IDW Productions is an independent entertainment Production Company formed for the purpose of creating feature length motion pictures, television programming and live entertainment productions. The company is owned and run by Brett Tomberlin and is the creative entity behind this year’s Fright Nights. IDW has also announced a major feature film about the House slated to premiere in 2013. Fans are invited to follow the Winchester Mystery House and Brett Tomberlin on Twitter at: twitter.com/WinchesterHouse or via Facebook at: facebook.com/winchestermysteryhouse (Official).

TWO BUCK Tuesday Aug 21st!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming TWO BUCK Tuesday, August 21st, 7pm-10pm!
Come enjoy an inspired evening of performances, live painting, $2 art & quirky people get together!
Here’s some of what you have to look forward to this time:

LIVE ART by:

Nik Caesar

Brianna Stevens

John Hageman

Fernando Armo

Joe Perea

David Canvese

Al Preciado

Steven Borelli will also be on hand painting live and available for conversation about his current feature solo exhibition "Creatively Maladjusted".

Listen to the sweet sounds of an indie/electronic/80’s set by J. Swizza & DJ Coco


Enjoy live improvisational belly dance by Nour El Ain!


Delicia Bites brings savory and robust flavors to traditional Mexican flan. With each spoonful of these delightful bites your taste buds will be taken on a flavorful journey. ~Buen Provecho
Tuesday, August 21st, 7-10pm
It’s free and open to all ages!


88 South Fourth Street (@ San Fernando)

San Jose, CA 95112

info@KALEIDGallery.com

408-947-1785

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, noon -7pm, free admission

Catch Vincent Kartheiser in "The Death of the Novel" at the San Jose Rep!

The Death of the Novel

By Jonathan Marc Feldman
Directed by Rick Lombardo

Hollywood is coming to the San Jose Rep! Vincent Kartheiser, (currently on AMC's Mad Men as Pete Campbell) stars along with Vaishnavi Sharma, Patrick Jones, Zarah Mahler and Amy Pietz. 

The production, as described on the San Jose Repertory's website:

Brilliant young novelist Sebastian Justice claims to be the most well-adjusted, depressed agoraphobic in Manhattan. While he rants about anything from global warming to tennis, his publisher-ordered psychologist (a “writer’s block-whisperer”) tries to get to the bottom of his grief. But when a stunning and mysterious Saudi woman intrudes into his self-contained world his emotional descent takes a sudden turn, for the raving beauty may not be the person she says she is. Will this stranger be the one to help him find his way back, and at what cost? Identities blur in this enthralling and evocative story that takes a look at the modern world through the eyes of a brilliant and tragically wounded artist.

I'm really looking forward to checking out this show. The story sounds intriguing, but I must admit my inner fangirl is squeeing. While I do watch Mad Men, my first exposure to Vincent was his portrayal of Connor in television show, Angel. It will no doubt be a treat to see him in this production. Additionally, I've been a fan of Amy Pietz from back in the day when she starred with Lea Thompson in Caroline in the City. Another favorite show of my back in the 90s. (What can I say, I was a TV nut.)

How Vincent Kartheiser Found the Lead Role

The production runs from August 30th - September 22nd.

Pay What You Will Night: August 30th

Click here for show and ticket information.

August 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• A pilot program launched in July to turn some street parking spaces into sidewalk dining (similar to the space outside Caffe Frascati). Chacho's is expected to be one of the first restaurants to take advantage of this
• The City Council is selling off RDA-owned parcels in order to help pay down the agency's $4B debt. (The new owners of these parcels will hopefully be willing to redevelop them into something that adds value to the community).
• A $210M family courthouse has been approved in the new state budget and construction is set to begin in 2013 and end in 2015. This will create 20 new courtrooms in a 234,000 sqft building that could be up to 9 or 10 stories tall.
• Sign code has been amended to be more flexible, allowing programmable electronic signs on a variety of businesses and larger signs for event venues such as the Rep (which can now have up to a 25 foot high electronic sign)
• 3,500 people attended the Fountain Blues Festival in St. James Park, a 33% increase over the previous year.
• Groundwerx projects planned for the rest of 2012:
• Install decorative LED lighting along First and Second streets between Santa Clara and San Carlos (the transit mall).
• Paint a design on the walls of the parking lot fronting Almaden and Woz across from the convention center.
• Assist in the construction of granite benches in SoFA
• New Businesses
• Original Gravity Public House (66 S. First) - New craft brew pub with 25 beers on tap that rotate multiple times per week, gourmet sausages, and duck-fat fries (Josh: have already been here, epic new addition Downtown)
• Siren Fish & Reptiles (18 N. First) - Specialty pets such as fish, birds, and reptiles.
• Lilies Hair Studio & Barber Shop (196 N. Third - 2nd Floor)
• Beauty P & T Hair and Nail Salon (92 E. San Salvador)
• Don's Shoeshine (160 W. Santa Clara St.)

To read the full newsletter, click here!

MythBusters Audition Tomorrow

Do you love science? Have you ever watched the popular show MythBusters on the Discovery Channel? Would you like to "bust" a few myths of your own? Well, come audition August 20 from 2 - 7 p.m. for MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, the blockbuster exhibition is making its West Coast premiere at The Tech Museum. You may earn a spot on the museum's team of "MythBusters" that perform live MythBusting demonstrations for hundreds of visitors!

This is a paid position. Rehearsals start in September and the exhibition runs October 13, 2012 through January 6, 2013.  Shifts available from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. daily during the run of the exhibition.  Audition will consist of a reading from a provided script and an improv exercise so dress appropriately.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time for registration.
Bring a current resume, headshot and your availability for September 2012 though January 6, 2013

Audition Location:
The Tech Museum
201 S. Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Please call:
(408) 795-6116

¡VivaFest! Mexican Heritage and Mariachi Festival Forms Partnership with CasaQ for Curatorial Cultural Events

San Jose, CA - August 8, 2012 - This year when ¡VivaFest! was looking to expand the 21st Annual Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival they turned to none other than Darlene Tenes of CasaQ, who is renowned for creating exclusive events and cultural experiences which incorporate the traditions and customs of Spain, Mexico and Latin America.

“¡VivaFest! is proud to be partnering with Darlene Tenes of CasaQ,” remarks Marcela Davison Aviles, Mexican Heritage Corporation President and CEO, “who has created  memorable events that celebrate the foods, films and history of Mexico and Latin America.”

Two significant occasions this year gave Tenes the inspiration for four of the many events planned: the 20th Anniversary of Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) movie and the end of the Maya Calendar.

Like Water for Chocolate is an award-winning film based on the best-selling novel by Laura Esquivel, with a cult-like following of romantics and foodies making it the highest grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the United States. The romantic fable from Mexico centers on a young woman who discovers that her cooking has magical effects. The original film will be shown at the Tech Museum along with a chocolate tasting, and on a separate evening, a multi-course dinner at the Fairmont San Jose. Diners will indulge on an incredible menu of Mexican cuisine based on the book with special guest Grammy award winning artist, Lila Downs who is currently working on a musical adaptation of Like Water for Chocolate for Broadway.

Additional events will examine the end of the Maya Calendar phenomenon with world-renowned experts of Maya spirituality, astronomy, language, culture, science and philosophy. The Tech Museum will host “Maya Calendar Revealed” event which will feature the documentary 2012: The Beginning by Shannon Kring Bruset along with a panel of experts including Dr. Isabel Hawkins, an astronomer and Maya expert from the Exploratorium and Doña María Ávila Vera, a Maya elder from the Yucatán, Mexico and Dr. Jean Molesky-Poz author of Contemporary Maya Spirituality: The Ancient Ways Are Not Lost. One special guest, Tata José Soc Chivalán, a Maya spiritual leader, will be traveling for the first time not just outside his country of Guatemala but also outside of his village. “The Maya Empire Feast” will take place at the Fairmont San Jose and will feature indigenous foods of the Maya exploring the rich abundance of fruits, meats and vegetables native to the Yucatán region of Mexico prior to the Spanish Conquistadors arrival in the Americas. The event has been billed as a “dining experience for the most adventurous foodies” and is rumored to have an iguana course.

CasaQ’s Cine y Cena events will also include an evening with award-winning producer/writer Rick Najera best known for his work with In Living Color, MadTV, Latinologues and Nothing Like the Holidays who will give guests a behind the scenes look at his latest film offering Taco Shop. This comedy centered on a young man nicknamed Smokes, played by Tyler Posey of Teen Wolf fame, quits his taco shop job to open his own shop across the street and ends up finding himself in an all-out war when a gourmet taco truck parks across the street. There will of course be dueling taco trucks to start off the evening.

“I am excited to create and be a part of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” said Darlene Tenes, CasaQ founder,  “and am fortunate to have the opportunity to bring together such an array of interesting people to share their knowledge, talents and gifts with others.”

CasaQ events for ¡VivaFest!  range in price from $5 to $250 per person, and will be take place between September 8 through 30, 2012 at the Fairmont San Jose, Tech Museum and other locations in San Jose, CA.

Reservations and more information for CasaQ’s exclusive events for VivaFest can be found at http://www.casaqevents.com

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About CasaQ
CasaQ is a San Jose-based Hispanic lifestyle company, founded in 2005 by Darlene Tenes that is dedicated to providing unique products, services and content geared toward people who embrace the Latino culture. Ms. Tenes is renowned for planning festive and creative Hispanic events, which incorporate the traditions and customs of Spain, Mexico and Latin America. www.casaq.com

About the Mexican Heritage Corporation:  Now in its 21th year, VivaFest! is Northern California’s leading Latino cultural destination event. With a mission to affirm, celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Mexican community and showcase multicultural arts within the region and nationally, MHC both presents and produces a vibrant array of multi-disciplinary arts programs in theatre, dance, and music education and in the visual arts. Visit www.mhcviva.org or www.vivafest.org.

TechXploration: Unlearn How Things Work

TechEploration is a meetup group that plugs you into the latest conversations about emerging tech, trends, and issues with the industry's top thought leaders. They also offer food, music, and networking opportunities along with their events. For more info on their latest event, just continue reading or head over to their webpage over here.

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Jay Silver will join us to launch the "invention kit for everyone": MaKey MaKey!

RSVP now to reserve your spot!

Food and Craft Beer @ 6:47 PM

Presentation, Demos and Q&A @ 7:19 PM

PayPal Town Hall

2161 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA (map)

What is MaKey MaKey?

Brought to life by an over 2,000% funded Kickstarter campaign, MaKey MaKey is "an invention kit for the 21st century. Turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It's a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything in between."

Wait, I'm a TechXplorer so I need more technical info than that...* (see below)

Ever played Mario on Play-Doh or Piano on Bananas? Alligator clip the Internet to your world and start inventing the future.

About Jay Silver:

• Creator of Drawdio, Singing Fingers, Scratch and MaKey MaKey!
• Maker Research Scientist, Intel
• PhD student, MIT Media Lab

Come Xplore:

• How the Maker Movement is transforming the prototyping of interactive systems
• What Intel and others are doing to support and learn from the Maker Movement
• Why you shouldn't (but could!) use your cat as a game controller =)

RSVP now to reserve your spot!

*MaKey MaKey is...

MaKey MaKey is a printed circuit board with an ATMega32u4 microcontroller running Arduino Leonardo firmware. It uses the Human Interface Device (HID) protocol to communicate with your computer, and it can send keypresses, mouse clicks, and mouse movements. For sensing closed switches on the digital input pins, we use high resistance switching to make it so you can close a switch even through materials like your skin, leaves, and play-doh. We use a pull-up resistor of 10-50 mega ohms. This technique attracts noise on the input, so we use a moving window averager to lowpass the noise in software, saving money on hardware filtering. There are six inputs on the front of the board, which can be attached to via alligator clipping, soldering to the pads, or any other method you can think of. There are another 12 inputs on the back, 6 for keyboard keys, and 6 for mouse motion, which you can access with jumpers via the female headers. If you wish to use a different set of keys, or otherwise change the behavior of your MaKey MaKey, you can simply reprogram it using the Arduino environment. By cutting a trace on the back of the board, you can disconnect the large pull-up resistors if you want to, which would be necessary in a small minority of Arduino projects. more info here.

Assyrian Food Festival Aug 18-19

There are a myriad of ethnic festivals in San Jose, but this is one I have never heard of before. This weekend in Willow Glen the Assyrian Food Festival kicks off. There is no entrance fee and there's even a free shuttle from Tamien Station. The food is in the Mediterranean genre with staples such as hummus, dolmas, and kebabs along with some unique cultural dishes. Sounds really interesting!

The festival will be centered around the Assyrian Church of the East on 680 Minnesota Avenue. For more festival info have a look at their website.

Source: The Merc