You know, I’ve lived my entire life in and around Washington, DC, so I appreciate that kind of low-density city — no skyscrapers, billboards, or the like. Now I live in San Jose, which is still a rather low-to-the-ground, sprawling city, with a few skyscrapers but overall less city than DC. I’m living on a very suburban little city street just a few minutes from the center of downtown on my scooter… and it’s boring here. Yeah, I like boring usually, but even though it was easy to find boredom in DC it was also just as easy to find something interesting going on. Turns out, the same is true here in boring San Jose.
Anyway, just so I don’t forget, here are some of the things going on in San Jose this summer, courtesy of Metroactive.
The 2006 San Jose Grand Prix takes place July 28-30 in downtown San Jose. The race itself begins July 30 at 12:45pm.
In early August (Aug. 7-13), the 13th International Symposium on Electronic Arts (ISEA) will descend upon San Jose, Calif., bringing hundreds of artists from around the globe to downtown San Jose. You’ll see artists, engineers, hackers, cultural theorists, futurists, technophiles and truckloads of academics who quack way too much about postmodernism, neurolinguistics and game theory. All in all, there will be hundreds of artists from around the globe descending upon San Jose, and there are so many events going on 24/7 that it’s impossible to break it all down with any degree of acumen. An executive summary won’t work for this one, folks. It’s that huge a festival.
The 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines happens Aug. 17-20 at Santana Row and various locations downtown.
Um… the Comcast Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines? That’s taking sponsorship to a bizarre new place.
Gay Pride Parade: San Jose presents its Gay Pride Festival and Silicon Valley’s Gay Pride Parade. Jun 10-11; call for times and prices. West San Carlos at Woz Way, downtown San Jose. 408.278.5563.
Willow Glen Film Festival: This second-annual film festival features productions by local filmmakers. Proceeds benefit the Willow Glen Middle and High School music programs. Jun 16, 7-8pm; $6-$7. Willow Glen Little Theater, 2105 Cottle Ave, San Jose.
Monopoly in the Park: San Jose Beautiful celebrates its 20th anniversary. Watch as people play a life-size game of Monopoly. Jun 24, 5-10pm; free. Discovery Meadow, Woz Way and San Carlos Street, downtown San Jose.
Firefighters’ Chili Cook-Off: Fire departments from across California join forces to cook chili to raise funds for local burn units. The event also includes live music, a children’s play area and fire-prevention displays. Jun 25, 10am-5pm; free. Arena Green, Guadalupe River Park, downtown San Jose. 408.885.5201.
Day on the Meadow: A warm-up for the America Festival featuring Violent Femmes, Dresden Dolls, the Lovemakers and Smashup Derby. Jul 2, call for times and prices. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos at Woz Way, downtown San Jose. 408.294.2100, ext 444.
The Festival for Independence: Celebrate the diverse cultures that make up San Jose through live music, entertainment and activities—not to mention fireworks. Produced as a benefit for the Emergency Housing Consortium. Jul 4, call for times; free. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos Street and Woz Way, San Jose. 408.294.2100, ext 444.
Obon Festival: Food, dancers and music. The largest Japantown cultural happening. Jul 8-9, 12:30-9:30pm; free. Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. Fifth St, San Jose. 408.293.9292.
Mariachi Festival: San Jose’s Mariachi Festival celebrates music, food, exhibits and education. Jul 12-16; call for ticket info and schedule. Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose. 408.928.5563.
Santa Clara County Fair: This year’s theme is “Kids, Critters and Ewe.” Enjoy three days of entertainment, exhibits and rides. Aug 4-6, 10am-9pm; $3-$5, children 5 and under free. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. 408.494.3166.
Fremont Festival of the Arts. With arts and crafts booths, live music, a firefighters’ combat challenge, food and wine and a kids’ zone. Aug 5-6, 10am-6pm; free. Mowry and Walnut avenues, Fremont. 510.795.2244.
Evergreen Fine Arts Festival: A weekend of art, food and music featuring local artisans. Sep 9, 10am-6pm and Sep 10, 10am-5pm; free. Evergreen Village, Ruby Avenue off Aborn Road, San Jose.
Bark in the Park: This is a festival for the entire family, including the dog. Activities include contests, performances, live music, rescue organizations and specialty vendors. Sep 16, 10am-5pm; free. William Street Park, William and South 16th streets, San Jose.
And that’s just a few of the more interesting ones. I didn’t even list the ones happening in the other bay area towns around me.
You know, you’re just minutes away from the San Jose Caltrain station. If you get too bored, just board a train to San Francisco. Trains run all the way ’till midnight.