This Saturday, History San Jose opens the doors of History Park for Spirit of \u201945 Living History Day and Swing Dance, running 2-10pm. Activities include building tours, trolley rides, food trucks, a 1940s fashion show, and a meet-and-greet with military veterans and \u201cRosies\u201d (women who worked in factories during the war). Other historic reenactments include President Truman\u2019s announcement of Japan\u2019s surrender, a homecoming victory parade and a USO-style dance party with a live swing band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living History Day admission is $10, with discounts for members, seniors and youths (free for veterans and Rosies). Admission to the dance is $20. History Park is located at 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. For tickets, visit historysanjose.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One might expect downtown San Jose to be a little quieter this weekend, now that Summer Fest is over, but stepping into the space is GalaxyCon 2025<\/strong>\u2014three days of festive fandom celebrating comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, anime, cosplay and pretty much anything the human imagination can dream up. Expect an exhibit hall packed with vendors, comic book artists, cosplay competitions, tattoo artists, panels and workshops, and celebrity guests (including Jeremy Renner, Danny Trejo, Ron Perlman, Jamie Kennedy, Lou Ferrigno and many more\u2014even, yes, William Shatner). The action takes place Aug 15-17 at the San Jose Convention Center. For all the details, visit galaxycon.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of downtown \u2026 Voyager Craft Coffee owner Sameer Shah is stepping up his game with Songs on Saturday<\/strong>, a monthly music showcase at his new location on St. John Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201dWe\u2019ve always believed that coffee shops can be more than just places to grab a drink,\u201d Shah explains. \u201cThey can be hubs for culture, connection, and creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Helping Shah with the monthly showcase is local singer-songwriter Mardi Morillo, who has been organizing live music events for the past decade. \u201cPartnering with Mardi to bring live music to our St. John location feels like the perfect way to celebrate the talent in our community,\u201d Shah says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first show in the series takes place 2\u20135pm on Aug. 16. Morillo is curating the free, all-ages series with singer-songwriters in various genres. \u201cI love connecting venues with local live music and creating platforms that build the profiles for the artists and venues alike,\u201d Morillo says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Songs on Saturday takes place 2\u20135pm on Aug 16 at Voyager Craft Coffee, 111 W St John St, San Jose. In addition to Morillo, musicians Brian Dublin, Israel Sanchez, JENN!, Sorinvibee and Drew Makes Music will play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another notable downtown attraction is BA\u00cb Infinite: Beyond All Else<\/strong>, a multidimensional art exhibition at noble workshop & gallery that brings together visual art, poetry, and sound to celebrate \u201cthe rich continuum of Black, African, and Afro-diasporic creativity.\u201d Selected works by artists Tachiya Bryant, Shari Bryant, Hunter Saxony III, and Ian Young can be seen through Sept 5; the gallery entrance is at the corner of Almaden Boulevard and Balbach Street and hours are Thu\u2013Fri noon\u20136pm and Sat noon\u20134pm. For more information, visit localcolorsj.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Works Festival<\/strong>\u2014TheatreWorks Silicon Valley\u2019s 22nd annual New Works Festival, which lets audiences get a look at new plays and musicals in their early stages of development, continues this week with the following readings: Alice, Formerly of Wonderland<\/em>, Emmy Award winner Mark Saltzman\u2019s a cappella musical, Aug 16 at 3pm; The Bridge<\/em>, a new musical about a true story behind the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, Aug 15 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at 7pm; Malcreados<\/em>, by Christopher Oscar Pe\u00f1a, Aug 16 at noon; The Employee Dharma Handbook<\/em>, Geetha Reddy\u2019s workplace comedy, Aug 14 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at noon; and Vienna<\/em>, a new musical from Come From Away<\/em> creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Aug 16 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at 3pm. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. Festival passes: $90; single tickets, $25. 877.662.8978. theatreworks.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n CityDance<\/strong>\u2014At this month\u2019s dance event, the focus is on cumbia, with professional dance instruction, live bands and DJs. All skill levels are welcome. Free (including admission to the museum). Aug 14, 6-9pm. Circle of Palms in front of the San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. sjmusart.org\/event\/citydance-2025-cumbia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Head Over Heels<\/strong>\u2014Despite cancellations due to illness earlier this month, the show indeed must go on for this delightful musical set to the songs of the Go-Go’s. The City Lights production runs through Aug 24. Performances this week: Aug 14, 7:30pm; Aug 15, 8pm; Aug 16, 2 and 8pm; Aug 17, 2pm. cltc.org\/heels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Movies on the Square<\/strong>\u2014Redwood City\u2019s weekly movie night continues, opening with a kid-oriented screening, The Wild Robot,<\/em> at 6pm, followed by Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire<\/em> at 8:30pm. Free. Aug 14. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Misspent Youth<\/strong>\u2014The band plays in the Campbell Summer Concert Series. Free. Aug 14, 6:30-8pm. Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell. campbellca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Streetcar Named Desire<\/strong>\u2014Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster star in the Tennessee Williams drama, filmed during a 2014 National Theatre Live production at the Young Vic Theatre. $16-$23. Aug 14, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Emma<\/strong>\u2014This production written by Kate Hamill and directed by Erin Southard offers a fresh take on Jane Austen\u2019s beloved pre-feminist heroine. $31-$61. Shows this week: Aug 16-17. Through Aug 31. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Careless Whisper<\/strong>\u2014The band takes the stage at the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. Aug 15, 5:30-9:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Music on the Square<\/strong>\u2014This week\u2019s musical offering: Foreverland. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. Aug 15, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bollywood Night<\/strong>\u2014Music in the Square Summer Series spotlights sounds from the subcontinent. Free. Aug 15, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com\/evergreenvillagesquare<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Importance of Being Earnest<\/strong>\u2014Oscar Wilde\u2019s story of identity, impersonation and romance is filmed live from the National Theatre in London. $16-$23. Aug 15, 7pm; Aug 17, 2pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanctuary City<\/strong>\u2014Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok and directed by Anthony Doan, Sanctuary City follows two friends, both with undocumented parents, as they contend with the complexities of immigration, identity, belonging and love in the post-911 world. Aug 15, 8pm; Aug 16, 2 and 8pm; Aug 17, 2pm. Presented by More Mas Marami Arts at San Jose Stage Company, 490 S 1st St., San Jose. moremasmaramiarts.carrd.co<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Two Gentleman From Verona<\/strong>\u2014The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival brings this captivating play to Redwood City for three weekends. Free. Running through Aug 24; shows this week: Aug 16-17, 6pm. Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Richard III<\/strong>\u2014Framed with traditions of film noir and featuring an all-female and nonbinary cast, this production by Silicon Valley Shakespeare takes an innovative look at the Bard\u2019s familiar tale of treachery. $31-$61. Running through Aug 29; shows this week: Aug 14-15, 7pm. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Long Gone Bon<\/strong>\u2014The AC\/DC tribute band plays while diners enjoy beer, brats and other German favorites. $25. Aug 16, 8pm. Teske\u2019s, 255 N 1st St, San Jose. 408.292.0291.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japantown Farmer\u2019s Market<\/strong>\u2014Find fresh produce, artisanal food products and handmade crafts. Free. Every Sunday through Oct 26, 8am-noon. Gordon Biersch Brewery, 357 E Taylor St, San Jose. jtownfarm.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Beach Boys<\/strong>\u2014They\u2019ve been \u201cSurfin\u2019 USA\u201d since 1961, spreading harmonies and good vibrations. Original Beach Boy Mike Love and longtime veteran Bruce Johnston are still in the lineup. $78+. August 17, 7:30pm, Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Video Game Orchestra<\/strong>\u2014It\u2019s too late to get tickets to the sold-out Grateful Dead tribute band Jerry’s Middle Finger the day before, but tickets are available for the third concert in a six-show series at the historic Filoli house and gardens, which features the UC Davis Orchestra\u2019s melodic take on the aural themes from popular video games. $55 general\/$125 VIP. Aug 19, 7pm. filoli.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vines & Vibes<\/strong>\u2014The Top Secret Band reveals a set of rock, pop and soul classics at Guglielmo\u2019s summer concert series. Free. Aug 20, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz<\/strong>\u2014Tony Lindsay and the Soul Soldiers march into the town of the cats for the final date in this concert series. Free. Aug 20, 6:30pm. Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pink Martini<\/strong>\u2014Founder Thomas Lauderdale and longtime vocalist China Forbes are toasting their 30th anniversary tour, serving up fizzy, retro sounds. $54-$258. Aug 20, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mount<\/a>a<\/a>inwinery.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cadillac Jack<\/strong>\u2014Enjoy live music at the weekly Music in the Square Summer Series. Free. Aug 20, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com\/evergreenvillagesquare<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This week brings a World War II victory celebration, free concerts, outdoor theater and more summer fun from the Peninsula to South County.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14789,"featured_media":20183478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[1865,34,7979],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\nDowntown Buzz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Thu, Aug 14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fri, Aug 15<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sat, Aug 16<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sun, Aug 17<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tue, Aug 19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wed, Aug 20<\/h2>\n\n\n\n