You may know the way to San Jose, but how about San Alex?
That’s the name that visitors to 3Below Theaters’ website spotted recently in every reference to the city the downtown venue calls home. It isn’t due to some online virus, but instead is a silent protest in response to Vice President JD Vance recently referring to U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla as “Jose.”
Shannon Guggenheim, 3Below’s co-creative director, said she found Vance’s name-calling to be wildly inappropriate and racist. The downtown “San Alex” theater doesn’t shy away from political issues — you can check out the movies in its “Reel Justice,” “Reel Pride” and “Never Again Is Now” big-screen series to see that — and saw the chance to get a cheeky message across and show California’s senior senator some support.
“Just our way of adding our voice to the many who support the rights of our citizens and make sure our neighbors know we care about them and their families when it comes to the immigration policy the current regime has in place,” Guggenheim said. “And that a Senator might be a bit of a saint considering how he’s handled himself after being treated so abominably.”
JAZZY NIGHT IN LOS GATOS: The crowd was cool, the weather was cool and the music was definitely cool Wednesday in Los Gatos as Mads Tolling and his Mads Men, along with vocalist Kenny Washington, kicked off the Jazz on the Plazz weekly music series.
Teri Hope, Jonathan Knowles and Ginger McDonald — the trio leading its parent nonprofit, Los Gatos Music and Arts — and a legion of volunteers have done a great job keeping the series going. For opening night, Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Moore and Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Chief Jamie Field both made non-musical appearances on stage, and Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, who recently announced his retirement after more than 30 years, was called out in the audience and greeted with his usual chorus of friendly “boos.”
Now in its 23rd season, Jazz on the Plazz remains free to attend, though you can purchase a reserved seat along with food and beverage tickets. That makes it an amazing bargain when you check out the lineup, which includes the Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra (July 9), Ren Geisick (July 16), Jazz Mafia (Aug. 6) and Tony Lindsay and the Soul Soldiers (Aug. 20). And, unless you were there Wednesday night, you’re reading it here first that this year’s Los Gatos Music and Arts Gala will feature the Brubeck Brothers Quartet performing Sept. 20 at the Addison-Penzak JCC in Los Gatos.
Get the full lineup and more information at www.jazzontheplazz.com.
JACK BLACK ATTACK: If there’s one thing that successful family flicks have in common these days, it seems to be actor Jack Black. The San Jose Downtown Association is set to find out how true that is by programming three of his family-favorite hits for this summer’s Starlight Sundays series, which starts this weekend at St. James Park: “School of Rock”, “Nacho Libre” and “A Minecraft Movie.”
“After we booked the first two, we realized we had to get a third Jack Black movie,” event producer Fil Maresca said.
The series is going to be supercharged this year, too, with serious pre-show entertainment that pairs with the evening movie: The School of Rock House Band will perform June 29, Pro Wrestling Revolution will be throwing themselves around July 13 and Character Select, the Bay Area band that plays video game tunes, takes the stage July 27. Each event starts at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks, a beer garden and other activities.
HOPPY HOEDOWN: Cowboy hats and boots will be the apparel of choice Saturday “Boot Scootin’ Brew,” a day of country music and line-dancing at the Gordon Biersch brewery in San Jose. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to line dance; there’ll be lessons — and if that doesn’t help, there’ll be beer. The party at 357 E. Taylor St., goes from 1 to 8 p.m., and it pays to arrive early: Admission is free until 3, when a $10 cover charge kicks in.
RUN, WHITE AND BLUE: The fifth annual Stars and Strides Run hits downtown San Jose this Saturday morning, with proceeds from the event — co-presented by Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless — benefiting the Valley Health Foundation. It’s always fun to see participants get into the spirit of the event by dressing up for the Alaska Airlines costume contest, which I’m helping to judge again this year.
The contest takes place 45 minutes before the 8 a.m. race, but it could be worth your while to get there early in costume. Alaska is awarding two vouchers for round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska flies to the winner of both categories, Independence Day-themed and not.
You can still register to take part in the 5K, 10K or kids run at www.starsandstridesrun.com. Even if you’re not hitting the course, you can always come by for the festival at Discovery Meadow, which will include live music, kids’ activities and a beer and mimosa garden.