SAN JOSE WARMS UP WINTER WITH HOT EVENTS
SAN JOSE (Dec. 9, 2009) – Summer may be long over, and the days are getting shorter, but San Jose’s winter events – from festivals to concerts --will give locals and visitors many reasons to get out of hibernate mode and get their mojo back!
Holiday Events and Beyond
Broadway San Jose – As Broadway San Jose continues in inaugural season at the Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown San Jose, Riverdance comes to life on the stage Dec. 29—Jan. 3. This thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has tapped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe, and will play eight farewell performances in San Jose. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit www.broadwaysanjose.com.
Christmas in the Park -- This San Jose favorite returns for its 30th year in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Christmas in the Park runs through January 1, 2010, featuring an array of decorated trees visitors can walk through every day from 9 a.m. to midnight. The annual tree lighting will take place on opening day at 5:30 p.m. or www.christmasinthepark.com.
Concerts at San Jose Civic -- The San Jose Civic’s new facelift, including enhanced sound technology, concession menus and décor, is receiving rave reviews and is the perfect ending to a night on the downtown. Upcoming headliner concerts, produced by the San Jose Civic’s new promotional partner Nederlander Concerts, include: Michael McDonald (Dec 12) and The Guy Fieri Road Show (Dec 16). For more information, visit www.sanjosecivic.com.
Downtown Ice – Get a head start on the holidays withDowntown Ice, the South Bay’s largest seasonal outdoor skating rink, produced by the San Jose Downtown Association, now through Jan. 18, 2010. Located directly across Market Street from Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the skating experience costs $13 for children 12 and under, and $15 for 13 and older. Admission includes ice time and rental skates (skate sizes range from toddler 8 to men's 13). For more information visit www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.html.
Winter Wonderland -- The outdoor rides and crafts have returned to downtown San Jose through Jan 3. Winter Wonderland, together with Downtown Ice and Christmas in the Park, makes Downtown San José the place to be for the holidays in the Bay Area.Paseo de San Antonio between Market and Second Streets, the adjacent San Jose Rep Plaza and Park Avenue between Market Street and Almaden Blvd. For more information visit www.sjdowntown.com.
Winter Movies at the California Theatre -- Mark your calendar to attend movies for affordable family fun at only $5 per person. The movie series will run Thursday through Sunday nights, December 17-27. Partnering with the Stanford Theater Foundation, this season marks the third year in a row the Winter Movie Series has called the California Theatre home. As an added bonus this year Christmas cartoons will run before each main movie feature and moviegoers receive free popcorn with each
purchase of a beverage. Some of the movies include: Wizard of Oz (Dec. 17-18, 7:30 pm); Christmas Carol – 1938 version (Dec. 19-20, 6 pm); It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec. 24, 9 pm); Christmas Story (Dec. 25, 7:30 pm); Adventures of Robin Hood (Dec. 26-27, 1 p.m. matinee and 6 pm). For more information visit www.sanjose.org and click on “events.”
Celebrate the Holidays at Santana Row -- Santana Row celebrates Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, Dec. 11-18, with eight nights of activities and crafts for children and families, Chanukah songs and stories and the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah. Santana Row is also offering “Shop, Enjoy & Give,” a program on Tuesdays with the Second Harvest Food Bank to give back to the less fortunate in the community. Now through Dec. 22, enjoy each Tuesday from 6-9 pm wine and food pairings and incredible discounts inside Santana Row shops and restaurants. Tickets cost $20 (plus $2.50 handling fee) but you can get $3 off is you bring canned foos to the Santana Row concierge. Best of all the proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information visit www.santanarow.com.
First Fest -Celebrate San Jose/Silicon Valley as the “Valley of Firsts” with FirstFest on Jan. 1, 2010. This annual “virtual festival” offers a chance to nominate - then celebrate - the innovative, historical and unique achievements that originated in Silicon Valley. Last year’s winner included Irene Dalis: the first internationally famous Opera star to be born in San Jose. Nominations for history-making achievements in five categories for the 2010 First Fest are now open at www.firstfest.org.
San Jose Museum of Art -- In honor of its 40th anniversary, the San Jose Museum of Art recently unveiled new commissions by two nationally known California artists, on view through Jan. 31, 2010. Most Secret Butterfly by Tam Van Tran, whose work was featured in the 2004 Whitney Biennial, marks the first time that the Museum’s Council of 100 has commissioned a new work of art. Blind Faith by Bari Kumar is the first piece by an Indian-American artist to enter the Museum’s collection and the first of Kumar’s fabric pieces to be publicly exhibited in the United States. Both works are now on view in the exhibition Variations on a Theme, which highlights the Museum’s support of emerging and mid-career California artists. Alsoon view are: Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration(through January 10, 2009), which explores the celebrated artist’s innovative portraiture through some 130 works; Ansel Adams: Early Works(through February 28); and Alexander Calder: Color in Motion (through December 13, 2009), which includes mobiles, stabiles, jewelry, and works on paper drawn from Bay Area Collections. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens, and free to members and children under 6. For more information, call 408-294-2787 or visit www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.
South First Fridays Art Walk -- Join the crowd for South First Fridays Art Walk on Feb. 5, 2010 (there is no January event due to the New Year’s Day holiday). Enjoy dinner downtown and meander over to participating venues from 8 p.m. on, which are free and open to the public in the SoFA District (So. First Street between San Carlos and E. Reed streets). For more information: (408) 271-5155 or visit www.southfirstfridays.com.
Star Trek at the Tech -- The Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians, Borgs and, of course, Vulcans of the STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION recently arrived at The Tech Museum of Innovation for its only Bay Area appearance. The exhibition includes the original costumes, genuine props and authentic recreations of sets from all five Star Trek television series and 11 Star Trek feature films. The interactive exhibit also includes 2 assimilator rides and a Star Wars IMAX movie inside the museum. Tickets are on sale now at www.thetech.org. The exhibit runs through the end of January 2010, so hurry and get your tickets before the exhibit beams up to another location!
Winter Movie Series -- Lookin’ to steal a night out on the town? Search no further than the Winter Movie Series at the California Theatre. For $5 per person, enjoy a film at the beautifully restored theater and enjoy free popcorn upon entry. The movie series will run Dec. 17-20 and Dec. 24-27; Thursday and Friday showings start at 7:30 p.m. while Saturday and Sundays will have a 1 p.m. matinee and 6 p.m. evening showing. On Christmas Eve there will be a special showing of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at 9 p.m. For more information visit www.sanjose.org and click on “events.”
Children’s Musical Theater presents Oliver! – Now through Dec. 14 check out this true musical theater classic at the Montgomery Theater, based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale of a workhouse boy-turned-pickpocket, and boasts a wonderful opportunity for performers of all ages to join in scenes including "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," and "Where is Love." For more information visit www.sanjose.org and click on “events.”
The Nutcracker by Ballet San Jose – Now through Dec. 27 don’t miss this unforgettable classic at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. For more information visit www.sanjose.org and click on “events.”
Santastic! – Now through Dec. 27 the Retro Dome is showing Santa’s Fantastic Musical Experience, Santastic! This one-of-a-kind holiday musical for audiences of all ages includes a 70-foot snow globe, a sing-along, and an actual snow storm in the theatre. The live musical is followed by a meet and greet with Santa, with an optional Deluxe Package including photos with the characters, a goody bag, and delicious themed treats like hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, and peppermint sticks. Showings are on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the following times: Fridays 7:30pm; Saturdays 1:30pm & 7:30pm; Sundays 1:30pm. For more information on this and other December events go to www.theretrodome.com.
Oldies But Goodies for the Holiday Vacay
With the kids – or just young at heart -- on holiday coming up, it’s a great time to visit some famous oldies but goodies in our own back yard that we may take for granted.
Children’s Discovery Museum
www.cdm.org
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium
www.egyptianmuseum.org
Winchester Mystery House
www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
New Year’s Eve Hotel and Dinner Packages
Looking to ring in the new year with someone special?
Don’t stay home – make a statement and check out one of these fabulous packages.
Hotel De Anza -- Hotel De Anza rocks this New Year’s with hot local band Black Pearl, playing high-energy renditions from rock bands every one knows and loves: The Kinks, Doors, Beatles, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who, Crosby Stills & Nash. The hotel is offering two different party package options. The overnight package, starting at $369, includes: accommodations for two; valet parking; four-course dinner for two in La Pastaia including wine with each course; entrance for two to our party in the Hedley Club & Palm Court Terrace featuring Black Pearl (party favors & champagne toast at midnight); Raid our Pantry for late night snacking; Lavish Breakfast Buffet for two in La Pastaia the following morning; and 3:00 p.m. late check-out for those who party all night long. Got other dinner plans? Get the same package above without dinner at La Pastaia starting at $249, plus pay just $25 for the party in advance, $30 at the door. For more information go to www.hoteldeanza.com.
Hotel Valencia, Santana Row – Santana Row’s trendy hotel is the place to be on New Year’s with two packages which include a Valencia-style party featuring a band in Valencia Ballroom, DJ in the Vbar, midnight champagne toast, party favors and a late night dessert buffet. The Overnight Party Package offers a stylish guest room for two, entry into the Valencia Ballroom and Vbar, a bottle of champagne with Valencia logo flutes, a New Year’s Day grand buffet breakfast and a late check out at 2 pm on New Year’s Day. Rates start at $400 per room, per night, double occupancy; additional guests are $75 per person. For reservations, visit www.hotelvalencia.com and enter "PKGNYE" in the promotional code field or call toll free 866.842.0100.The Citrus Dinner & Dance Package offers the chance to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a five-course dinner at our sleek, sophisticated steakhouse before the party begins! $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Seating times are 6:30pm and 9:00pm. For reservations, please call 408.423.5405.
Fairmont San Jose -- Looking for a classic New Year’s Celebration with Old World elegance? Check out New Year’s at the Fairmont, featuring music and dancing in the Lobby Lunds from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m., plus: Dinner at the Pagoda Restaurant (1st seating 5-7:30 pm at $55 per person plus tax and service; final seating at 8:30 p, for $150 per person plus tax and service); Dinner at Club Regent ($150 per person plus tax and service); and New Year’s Day Brunch at the Fountain Restaurant (10:30 am – 1:30 pm for $46 per person plus tax and service. For more information go to www.fairmont.com/sanjose.
RIverdance and
Looking Ahead:
Avenue Q
Jan. 12-17, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Cirque Du Soleil
Opens Feb 4, 2010
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/default.asp
Marriage of Figaro
Feb. 6-21, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Spring Festival Silicon Valley 2010 - Chinese New Year Gala
Feb. 20, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Once Upon a Mattress
Feb. 25-28, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Romeo & Juliet
Feb. 26-March 7, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Porgy & Bess
March 12-14, 2010
www.sanjose.org
Legally Blonde The Musical
March 16-21, 2010
www.sanjose.org
2010 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships 1st & 2nd Rounds
March 18-20, 2010
www.ticketmaster.com
Vietnamese Spring Festival
February 2010
www.vfsanjose.com
Cinequest Film Festival
Feb. 23-March 7, 2010
www.cinequest.org
Singing in the Rain
April 16-25, 2010
www.sanjose.org
La Rondine (The Swallow)
April 24-May 9, 2010
www.sanjose.org
For more information on the above and additional events visit www.sanjose.org.
About Team San Jose (TSJ)
Team San Jose, Inc. is a management company for the San Jose Convention Center and multiple theaters in Downtown San Jose including the San Jose Civic, Parkside Hall, Center for the Performing Arts, California Theatre and Montgomery Theater. Team San Jose is a unique customer service model where the company acts as the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau and works in partnership with local hoteliers, organized labor, local arts leadership and business community to provide a one team approach to all event planning needs.