96th Annual Veteran's Day Parade

Today marks a tradition almost 100 years old in San Jose, a Veteran's Day Parade. Below is a list of street closures Downtown to support the parade. The parade stats at Plaza de Cesar Chavez at 11am (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year). This is one of the largest parades in all of Northern California.

Road Closures

• 7am: Easternmost portion of Park Ave. at S. Market St. closes for reviewing stand setup. Eastbound Park Avenue will remain open at all times from Almaden Blvd. to the break in the median strip and u-turn will continue open westbound for access to Park Center Plaza garage (main driveway). Westbound Park will be closed from Market St. to break in the median.
• 9am: Parade staging area closes: Autumn St., from Santa Clara to St. John, Santa Clara from 87 to Montgomery, Delmas Ave. from Santa Clara to San Fernando, and Santa Clara, from Montgomery to Cahill.
• 9am-2:45pm: Santa Clara St. off ramp from northbound Rt. 87 closes.
• 10:45am: For the Ceremony; southbound lanes of S. Market St. close from San Fernando to San Carlos.
• 11:20am-2pm: Parade route closes: Santa Clara St. from 87 to First, S. Market St. from St. John to San Carlos, side streets one block to either side of Parade route.

Downtown San Jose Now Has 100+ Tech Companies! - The Latest Addition is Datawise Systems

Downtown has become a haven for tech start-ups. With available office space of all sizes, access to multiple types of public transit, tons of urban amenities, and suburban housing less than a mile away for workers with families... this is an ideal location for high-growth tech companies. A year ago Downtown had around 80 tech companies... now we're at 100+!!!

Over the last year there have been 150 new office leases Downtown. We have had 7 quarters in a row of positive net absorption of office space, bringing us down from 25.54% vacancy 17 months ago to 18.39% today. Also over those 17 months, Downtown has netted 233,897 SQFT of new tech tenants.

The latest tech company to move here is Datawise Systems, a startup in stealth mode that was founded by a team from Cisco, VERITAS, and VMware. They are moving into 10,000 SQFT at 111 N. Market Street. Originally they looked at the entire corridor from Palo Alto to San Jose. Their key criteria were close proximity to Caltrain, located in or near a downtown area, expansion capabilities, and reasonable pricing. Downtown San Jose hit all of those and is high-tech friendly to boot (no Google bus protests here).

BTW, Datawise is hiring hardware and software engineers as well as storage and networking architects that want to "put a dent on the universe." If you are interested in learning more, email jobs@datawisesystems.com.

Source: SJ Economy Newsletter, SVBJ

A Weekend With Pablo Picasso by Herbert Siguenza ~~~ November 12 - December 7, 2014

San Jose, CA – November 3, 2014 –San Jose Stage Company presents, in association with San Diego Repertory, A Weekend with Pablo Picasso, by actor/writer Herbert Siguenza of the powerful and politically-renowned theatrical troupe Culture Clash.

 

Siguenza created the original play at San Diego Repertory (2011) and stars as Pablo Picasso, the most influential artist in modern history. Set in the 1957 artist’s studio in southern France, the artist paints and speaks directly to the audience. Siguenza takes on the persona of Picasso, even in his art. Based upon the writings of Picasso, Siguenza creates six masterpieces live on stage each night of the performance.

 

“Six paintings in three days? Who do you think I am---Dali?” Picasso was the first rock-star artist—a ferocious pacifist, obsessive art maker, flamboyantly opinionated philosopher, and self-proclaimed clown. He relished his passionate views about love, death, war, beauty, eternity, and creativity. The Culture Clash artist, Siguenza’s one-man show, will amaze and promises a weekend you will never forget.

 

A Weekend With Pablo Picasso by Herbert Siguenza presented in association with San Diego Repertory runs November 12-December 7, 2014 and is directed by Todd Salovey, Artistic Director, San Diego Repertory Theatre.

 

 

SHOWS:

Previews: November 12 and 13 at 7:30 PM, November 14 at 8 PM

Opening: Saturday, November 15 at 8 PM

 

Run Dates: November 12 through December 7, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM

Spanish-language performance will be shown on Saturdays,November 22 and 29 at 2 PM

Sunday Matinee 2:00 PM

WHERE: San Jose Stage Company - 490 South First Street, San Jose, CA

TICKETS: For tickets ($20-$65) or more information, please call the box office at 408.283.7142 or order online www.thestage.org

 

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The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in the SoFA district of downtown San Jose. Season 2014-15 subscriptions are available at 408.283.7142 or www.thestage.org.

 

San Jose Stage Company has extended its offer to honor SJ Rep subscriptions. ‘A Weekend With Pablo Picasso’ was originally announced as part of SJ Rep’s 2014-15 Season. To redeem SJ Rep subscriptions, please call the box office 408.283.7142.

 

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About San Jose Stage Company: 

 

Launching its 32nd season, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as the San Francisco Bay Area’s Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre and is now the South Bay’s only fully professional* theatre operating under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association. *pays artists union wages, pension & health.

 

The Stage is known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent. 

 

Ranked the 2nd largest theatre and 8th largest performance arts organization in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal), San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community. The Stage has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. San Jose Stage Company has produced over 150 productions, including 13 world premieres and 45 regional new works. 

 

Annually, The Stage employs over 150 artists, serves a diverse audience of 25,000, offers five core education and outreach programs and has housed over 300 independent performance groups. Located at the Gateway to the City’s Arts and Entertainment District, San Jose Stage Company, the SoFA Districts first arts anchor organization, continues to promote San Jose’s stature as a burgeoning regional arts center by providing live theatre experiences that enrich the quality of life in the community.

 

The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in the SoFA district of downtown San Jose. Season 2014-15 subscriptions are available at 408.283.7142 or www.thestage.org.

 

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Discover San Jose Store in Downtown San Jose!

Discover San Jose is a retail shop Downtown where everything they sell is made locally. You can find gifts by local artists, books by local authors, local college and sports team memorabilia, and foods made using local ingredients. They just made their first 30 second commercial spot which will air on the Travel Channel in 5,000 local hotel rooms. You can watch the video below.

Discover San Jose is located at 150 S. 1st Street, Suite 103, which is right behind the Fairmont Hotel. For more information on this great store supporting our local community, check out their Facebook Page over here!

Downtown Ice Returns Next Friday! (Nov 14-Jan 11)

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice is returning to The Circle of Palms on November 14th and will be open all the way until January 11th. Over 100,000 skaters and spectators are expected to attend, which contribute $3 million to the Downtown San Jose economy.

Kristi Yamaguchi will star in a grand opening celebration on November 17th at 5pm. Also, keep an eye out for a light show that will play at 6pm and 9pm every day.

For hours, promotions, discounts, and more information, just scroll on down to read the full press release.

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice

Nov. 14, 2014-Jan. 11, 2015

Opening ceremony with Kristi Yamaguchi Nov. 17, 5pm

SAN JOSE – Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice returns Nov. 14 to the Circle of Palms in the heart of downtown San Jose’s holiday attractions.

With Hawaiian Airlines as title sponsor, Yamaguchi and her Always Dream Foundation partner with the San Jose Downtown Association to produce the rink.  This three-way partnership has existed now for five years. 

“It brings great joy to see all the families celebrate the holiday season at Downtown Ice, which remains one of the most unique and attractive outdoor skating rinks in the country,” Yamaguchi said.  “I am honored to once again be associated with such a holiday treasure.”

The outdoor rink at 120 S. Market St. has generated holiday season merriment downtown for 19 years at three different locations.  More than 100,000 skaters and spectators are expected to attend Downtown Ice between Nov. 14 and Jan. 11.  The rink generates an estimated $3 million in economic impact to the downtown business community each year.

Skaters glide around 32 glimmering palms from which the circular rink gains its iconic form.  This season, the “Halo” light show reprises for its second year, with LEDs on the palms continuously changing color and patterns.  Choreographed displays to music take place at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily.

Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic figure skating gold-medal champion, will usher in the new season with an opening celebrationNov. 17 at 5 p.m.

During November and early December, Downtown Ice is open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday; noon-midnight on Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.  During the winter break, the rink is open 11 a.m.-midnight daily.  Special holiday hours apply.  The $13-17 admission covers skate rental and one unlimited skating session. 

Discounts and details are at www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.  The rink phone number is (408) 291-0525.

Downtown Ice is located within steps of Christmas in the Park displays, which occupies Plaza de Cesar Chavez starting Nov. 28.  These two downtown San Jose holiday attractions are supported in part by participants in the 5-kilometer TiVo Santa Run Silicon Valley held on Dec. 14.  Register at www.santarunsv.com.  Check www.sjdowntown.com/holidays for a complete schedule of downtown events.

Parking information is available at www.sjdowntownparking.com.

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice skating details

When:  Open daily Nov. 14 – Jan. 11

Hours:
Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 and Jan. 6 – 11
Monday-Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m.–midnight
Saturday: noon–midnight
Sunday: noon–9 p.m.

Dec. 20 – Jan. 5Daily: 11 a.m.–midnight

Special holiday hours
Wed. Nov. 26, day before Thanksgiving:  5 p.m. - midnight

Thurs. Nov. 27, Thanksgiving:  2 p.m. – midnight

Fri. Nov. 28, day after Thanksgiving: 11am – midnightWed. Dec. 25, Christmas:  2pm – midnight
Tues. Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve:  11am – 10pm
Wed. Jan. 1, New Year's Day:  2pm – midnight

Opening Ceremony – Monday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m., featuring Kristi Yamaguchi, sponsors, and live music. 

Where:  Circle of Palms, downtown San Jose, 120 South Market Street, across from Plaza de Chavez, between the San Jose Museum of Art and Fairmont San Jose.

Admission:   

Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 and Jan. 6 – 11: Children 10-younger $13; 11-older $15

Dec. 20 – Jan. 5 (Winter Break): Children 10-younger $15; 11-older $17

Admission includes skate rental and ice time

Promotions:

• Downtown Ice and Hawaiian Airlines have combined on airfare discounts to the islands.  Go toapps.hawaiianairlines.com/Affiliate/Booking.aspx

• Holiday Hat Trick – combination $25 ticket to Downtown Ice, San Jose Museum of Art, and The Tech Museum exhibition (33 percent discount)

• Hawaiian Airlines Aloha Fridays – dress in Hawaiian garb for $10 skating Nov 14 and 21; Dec. 5 and 12, and Jan. 2 and 9.

Multiple other discounts are available, but cannot be combined, and are available online atsjdowntown.com/downtownice.

Contact Info:

http://sjdowntown.com/downtownice/

                       

Rink phone: (408) 291-0525 (operational Nov. 14 – Jan. 11)

SJDA’s event line: (408) 279-1775

Sponsors:

Hawaiian Airlines – www.hawaiianair.com

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation - www.alwaysdream.org

Wells Fargo Bank – www.wellsfargo.com

PG&E – www.pge.com

Skanska – www.skanska.com Barry Swenson - http://www.barryswensonbuilder.com/ Level 3 - http://www.level3.com/ Huawei - http://www.huawei.com/us/ PayPal – www.paypal.com

Searchlight San Jose

I'm not sure how I missed this site, but there is a really cool blog about San Jose oddities, urban legends, and interesting stories. It's called Searchlight San Jose and you can access it right over here or by using the blogroll to the right.  I love the writing style and there are quite a few tidbits in there that were completely new to me. As a teaser, below is what Downtown San Jose would look like today if the Electric Light Tower was still here.

Click here to read Searchlight San Jose!

Think Bigger San Jose: Why it's a good thing that Silicon Valley titans haven't built corporate fortresses in Downtown San Jose

Think Bigger San Jose has what I would call a controversial post among San Jose boosters. Mark argues that we don't need tech Goliaths in Downtown San Jose and should avoid pursuing them. His argument centers around the fact that corporate tech culture encourages employees to stay at their workplace instead of engage in the surrounding community. Instead, he suggests that Downtown go after new-generation startups with a more progressive vision of culture such as Apigee, Electirc Cloud, and Xactly. It's a great read--as are all of Mark's posts--so check it out over here and let us know what you think!

Source: Think Bigger San Jose

San Jose Native Comedian Phil Johnson Shooting 3rd Comedy Special at Art Boutiki!

Phil Johnson is a comedian that was raised in San Jose and still lives nearby. This Saturday (Nov 8th) he'll be filming his 3rd comedy special at Art Boutiki at 44 Race Street. He tours nationally and has appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and can be heard on Sirius/XM radio's Raw Dog comedy station. This guy is hilarious, so go check him out and support a local entertainer!

Scroll down for more information and you can buy tickets over here.

LOUISVILLE, KY, - San Jose native and national comedian Phil Johnson is bringing his hilarious antics back home for a special filming of his 3rd DVD.

Johnson, who has appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, has an entertaining and action packed show filled with his two loves, comedy and music.  The comedian and singer/songwriter will be performing at The Art Boutiki, 44 Race St, San Jose, CA on Saturday, November 8th at 8 PM.

Advanced tickets for the “Comedy Special Taping with Phil Johnson” are on sale now for $10 per person or $15 for an advanced sale ticket including a DVD of Johnson’s performance. Tickets can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/philcomedyspecial. Tickets are $15 at the door.    

Comedy-goers can be part of the show and get their laughs with Johnson’s original music and stand up comedy.  His playful and good-humored songs are inspired by the oddities of everyday life, social issues and the flat out crazy things people do.

Johnson has performed at the Sundance Film Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sirius and XM radio comedy station Raw Dog. He has multiple DVDs and CDs with his clever sidesplitting comedy available for purchase.

Johnson grew up in the Berryessa area of San Jose and now calls Milpitas home. More information on Phil Johnson can be found on his website: www.PhilJohnsonComedy.com.