Cellista presenting Finding San Jose in tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jean Cocteau's Parade

CELLISTA TO PRESENT: Finding San José  | A Multimedia Stage Poem
in tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jean Cocteau's Parade
May 18-20th, 2017 | 8PM
Akiyama Wellness Center in SJ Japantown
110 Jackson Street, SJ, 95112
Tickets: $12-15 at door of via Cellista.net

Cellista, the multidisciplinary artistic director of the performing arts company Juxtapositions has created a stage poem which places the eclectic communities of San José side by side. The production, first staged and workshopped in San Francisco to a sold-out, enthusiastic audiences makes its way home to San José.

This presentation of Finding San José marks the 100th year anniversary of the realist ballet Parade directed by French surrealist Jean Cocteau. The work, created for the Ballets Russe incorporated music from Eric Satie, artwork from Picasso, and choreography from Léonide Massine.

Finding San José is Cellista’s attempt to set the aura of her home of San José, to music, dance, film and stage, placing artists from across disciplines side-by-side.

The production, first staged and workshopped in San Francisco to a sold-out audience makes its way home. The production features video projections and short films by filmmaker Jennifer Gigantino (jennifergigantino.com), daring dance choreography from Lilith Ransom of Ransom Dance (facebook.com/ransomdance), Mojo DeVille (Haus Serpens Cabaret), and San Jose’s own Lauren Baines (laurenbaines.com). It includes a short experimental documentary entitled Cellista by filmmaker Brian Favorite.

Using her critically acclaimed debut full-length album of the same name as its soundtrack, Finding San José renders a lyrical truth to our present day and presents Cellista’s want to provide a mirror to the community she calls home. Finding San José, the stage poem is a complete work that juxtaposes disciplines in order to create a reaction to the reality of what it means to have a sense of place within a participatory and observational place.

Finding San José comes home for three performances on May 18-20, 2017 at 8PM at the Akiyama Wellness Center (110 Jackson St. SJ, CA 95112)
Tickets available via Cellista.net

Find out more about Cellista online: Cellista.net
Listen to the album: cellista.bandcamp.com
Fb link: facebook.com/cellista.music/


QUOTES

“Freya (Cellista) is a classically trained, punk rock spirited girl with the charm and elegance to defy the stereotype that classical music isn’t cool.”
— Belle Foundation

“Beautifully weird.”
— Director Brian Allan Hobbs

“Cellista is an American cellist, artistic director, and arts advocate and may very well be part cello. When she was born maybe a little piece of cello squirmed inside her bassinet and burrowed its way into her very being making the otherworldly performances she produces come to life. That’s the only explanation that makes sense at least."
— Rushtix

San Jose Flood Relief Fundraiser @ SP2

Another fundraiser benefiting San Jose flood victims is taking place this Saturday at SP2 from 2pm to 7pm. 100% of door donations and a portion of bar sales are going to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, one of the key organizations helping out our neighbors impacted by the floods. In addition to great food, there will be music by Cutso, Shea Butter, and Claksaarb.

SP2 is located at 72 N. Almaden Ave, next to the San Pedro Square Market. You can RSVP for this event over here.

San Jose Flood Relief Fundraiser @ SoFA Market

There will be a fundraiser Downtown tomorrow benefiting San Jose flood victims. Up to 20% of food and drink sales between 4pm-9pm at the SoFA Market on First Street will be donated to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, one of the key organizations helping flood victims right now. You can also try out SoFA's two newest eateries while you are there: Pizzeta 408 and Toasted Craft Sandwiches. This also happens to be SoFA's first city fundraiser. There is nothing like eating and drinking for a good cause!

March 2017 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• VTA is trying to cut the free DASH shuttle in Downtown San Jose, but is getting strong protest against doing so.
• Building owners are investing major renovation dollars into their buildings, including 1 W. Santa Clara, 325 S. First, 52-78 E. Santa Clara, 14 S. Second, and several others. These will receive new facades as well as other modernizations.
• The Pierce now has a flashy public art project called Voxel Cloud on its roof, which can easily be seen from 280.
• Ford has agreed to help expand Bay Area BikeShare. San Jose will go from 150 bikes to 1,000 bikes.
• Toasted Craft Sandwiches and Pizzetta 408 are both now open in the SoFA market.
• Nate LeBlanc is joining the SJDA as a business development manager. His previous roles include being the general manager of the SoFA market, ops director for Moveable Feast, and the manager of the San Pedro Square Market.

To read the newsletter, click here!

Spring Wine Dinner at Scott's

Scott's Seafood in Downtown San Jose is hosting a winemaker's dinner later this month featuring Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Scott's is a Downtown gem with an amazing balcony second only to the Capital Club.

The dinner consists of five courses with five different wine pairings. $75 per person is actually a good price for a meal like this. Here is the menu:

• Opening Reception: "The Cantankerous Ceviche" Tropical Halibut Ceviche
• Wine Pairing: Sofia Blanc De Blancs Cocktail

• Course One: "The Crabby Deviled Egg" Curry spiced deviled eggs topped with crab meat
• Wine Pairing: Sofia Blanc De Blancs

• Course Two: "The Solo Crab Cake" Crab Cake with an Asian Persimmon Coleslaw
• Wine Pairing: The White Doe (A Virginia Dare wine)

• Course Three: "The Earth and Sea" Lamb Chops topped with chimichurri sauce and scallops surrounded in an English sweet pea puree.
• Wine Pairing: Directors Pinot Noir

• Course Four: "The Picante Soufflé” Spicy Chocolate Soufflé with Pistachio Ice Cream.
• Wine Pairing: Coppola Diamond Claret

For tickets and additional info head over here.

Forager Tasting Room & Eatery opens phase 1

Forager is sounding more and more interesting every few months. The former South First Billiards space has recently been used as a space for musicians and artists, but is transforming into an incubator kitchen and brewery. Think of it as the ultimate pop-up destination.

Multiple kitchens will power seven micro-restaurants, two flagship anchors, and several temporary eateries that will be rotated on an annual basis. Forager will get a cut of equity in exchange for providing the space at a discounted rate. Think of this as an incubator such as Y-Combinator or 500 Startups, except specifically for restaurants. It's a fantastic idea and we should all support the concept as much as possible!

Devout Coffee is already open and providing local craft beer, small plates, and obviously coffee. They are now open seven days a week from 7am-11pm. For mroe info head over to the Forager website.

Food and arts incubator launches in SoFA District

SAN JOSE, Calif. – On March 3, San José’s arts district on South First Street (SoFA) will welcome an innovative blend of coffee, beer, food, and arts as Forager Tasting Room & Eatery formally launches its first phase.

Forager is a launching pad for entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, and arts industry. During the build-out since fall 2016, Forager has been activating its space for musicians and artists. Forager has since partnered with the founders of Devout Coffee and is now serving local beer, coffee and small plates, with a growing menu. The space is also used as a venue for both private and public events. The next phase will see the opening of incubator kitchen and brewing facilities to help chefs and brewers bring their creations to the public in a “permanent pop-up” environment.

Each kitchen in the space will be operated by independent chefs chosen through a rigorous selection process. Seven individual micro-restaurants include two flagship anchors with others rotating out every 12-18 mos. In exchange for partial equity, Forager provides kitchen space at a discounted monthly rate while also serving as an advisory board and helping raise the capital needed for a chef to open his or her own self-sustainable brick and mortar restaurant. The beer program includes a small 2-barrel brewing setup and is designed for seasoned homebrewers planning to begin a professional career.

Partners:
Heinz Jones, CEO Forager: culture, people management, customer experience
Bryan Chen, CFO Forager: financials, business development
Jon Fisher, Co-Founder Devout: coffee program, business operations
Stevie Pape, Co-Founder Devout: coffee roasting, spatial design, marketing

About the San José Office of Economic Development
The San José Office of Economic Development is committed to a vital, competitive San José economy that increases prosperity for people and companies. OED guides the city’s economic strategy, provides assistance for business success, connects employers with trained workers, and provides art and cultural resources to our community. For more information, go to sjeconomy.com.

Aeromexico coming to SJC

San Jose International just nabbed another international airline! Aeromexico is adding direct flights between SJC and Guadalajara in Mexico beginning on July 1st. There will be six flights each week, all using a Boeing 737.

This is a very popular route since Guadalajara is the tech hub of Mexico as well as its second largest city. Unfortunately, this is a route that is already served by both Volaris and Alaska Airlines. I was really hoping for some new routes such as a nonstop to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, or Mexico City. At least it is the start of what can be a great relationship between Aeromexico and SJC.

Source: SVBJ, Thanks to Josh Russell for sending this in!

San Jose 408K "Race to the Row" takes place this weekend

If you are still burning off some of those holiday calories like I am, one of San Jose's most popular 8k runs takes place this weekend. Now in its 6th year, "Race to the Row" begins in Downtown San Jose at the SAP Center and finishes at Santana Row. Along the way there are special areas highlighting various foundations and San Jose culture, including the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, the Mariachi Mile, a Low-Rider car show, and San Jose's finest. Proceeds from the race benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

For more details and to register, head over to the San Jose 408k webpage.

THE SAN JOSE 408K CELEBRATES SIX YEARS OF LOCAL CULTURE
PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION, MARIACHI MILE, & JOE BELL MEMORIAL RETURN

San Jose, Calif. -- 3/1/17 – The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” Benefitting the Pat Tillman Foundation celebrates its 6th annual running this Sunday, March 5th.  From start to finish, the 8k run/walk in the 408 area codes has quickly become one of the most authentically local running events.

“Six years ago our wildest dream was to create race a big race that highlighted the culture and lifestyle in San Jose, while also benefiting a community connected cause. Over half a decade later, not only are we doing that in San Jose, but through out the San Francisco Bay Area,” said J.T. Service, San Jose 408k and Represent Running founder.

That guiding mission came from early race staples such as the Mariachi Mile, and using low-rider cars for lead vehicles on course, to the single most memorable moment in the race’s history – WWII Army vet Joe Bell cheering on the runners as they passed by his house which turned into a national story.

Mr. Bell’s passing prior to the 2015 event prompted the event to enact the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, a section of the course dedicated to honoring United States service members and now expanded to include all first responders.

The Memorial Mile will be located during the 4th mile of the 8k run. It will begin at Garden and Emory St. near the San Jose Rose Garden and continue down Emory to Bascom Ave. Residents of the neighborhood within Memorial Mile will be provided with American flags to place along the course. Veterans and active military groups or individuals interested in participating are encouraged to contact race organizers at info@representrunning.com

Another inspiring story includes two San Jose 408k runners will also honor the memories of SGT Scott Lunger (Hayward Police Department) and Officer Jeffery Fontana (San Jose Police Department) by carrying and crossing the finish line with American flags courtesy of the Flags 4 Fallen Foundation.

All participants receive a low-rider themed finishers medal, exclusive Cukui designed participant shirt, Santana Row after party and an outpouring of love from the people of San Jose.  All local companies are encouraged to participant in the Amazon Healthy Co. Challenge.

To register or to receive more information on the Memorial Mile and San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” please visit www.run408k.com.


About the San Jose 408k Race to the Row
The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” is an 8k run from SAP Center in San Jose to Santana Row. The 6th Annual event expects over 6,000 local runners, celebrates the Pat Tillman Foundation as its Official Charity, and calls San Jose home. On the course runners enjoy a low-rider car show, Joe Bell Memorial Mile, and final Mariachi Mile with live Mariachi bands. The 408k is part of a Bay Area wide series called the Run the Bay Challenge including the Across the Bay 12k and the East Bay 5k & 510k.  More info at www.run408k.com and www.representrunning.com

About the Pat Tillman Foundation 
In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships–building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit www.PatTillmanFoundation.org.

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