The San Jose Symphonic Choir has launched its one centesimal season previously month, marking a tremendous century of “ordinary people making extraordinary music,” because the group’s motto proclaims.
As a double deal with, the 7:30 p.m. live performance may also be a one-night return of the Season of Hope, a sequence of free concert events held on the cathedral for 3 many years earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Jose Symphonic Choir has partnered with the Silicon Valley Arts Coalition on the occasion, which can assist Catholic Charities.
Inventive Director Leroy Kromm stated the one centesimal season is a tribute to generations of singers, conductors and supporters who’ve taken the journey with the group.
“This 100th anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but a powerful testament to the strength, passion, dedication, and artistry that have carried this choir through the past century,” stated Kromm, who took over San Jose Symphonic Choir in 1985.
Since that auspicious begin, the choir has carried out lots of of instances, together with a joint efficiency in 1991 with a refrain from San Jose’s sister metropolis, Okayama, Japan, and accompanying Barbara Streisand in entrance of 14,000 folks at SAP Middle in 2012. A small group of the choir additionally has gone on tour all over the world each few years, with the latest tour this 12 months taking them to Austria and Slovenia.
The one centesimal season will proceed in April with Bach’s “B-Minor Mass” in Cupertino, adopted by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Mountain View in June. Go to www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org for extra data on the season.
ILLUMINATING: Talking of St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica, its exterior is once more an paintings of its personal this month. Every evening, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the historic facade turns into a canvas for laser-projected, colourful animated visuals showcasing the artwork of Terry Estioko of Estioko Designs.
The facade of St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica in downtown San Jose, photographed Dec. 12, 2024, is illuminated as soon as once more for the vacations with laser projections of the paintings of Terry Estioko of Estioko Design. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
You may bear in mind this primary occurred for the vacation season in 2020 — when Christmas within the Park and Downtown Ice had been canceled due to COVID-19 — due to a partnership between the late Chris Esparza and the town of San Jose. The custom continues now, with Annie Hermes of Messenger Occasions working with the town on the show, which can change each week.
AFTER HOURS: It’s been a couple of years because the Tech Interactive held certainly one of its “Tech at Nite” occasions, giving the over-21 crowd an opportunity to discover the museum after the youngsters filter out. However the enjoyable returns Dec. 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m., with music curated by Common Grammar, DIY vacation crafts organized by Native Coloration and a “Science of Whisky” tasting expertise led by San Jose’s award-winning tenth Road Distillery.
Tech Interactive CEO Katrina Stevens stated “Tech at Nite” provides a possibility to attach with the training middle, however this time as a playground for grown-ups. “We often hear from young adults that they have fond memories of visiting as a kid but haven’t been back since,” she stated. Extra data and tickets can be found at www.thetech.org/techatnite.
BIRTHDAY BASH: I’m certain a number of folks have a good time milestone birthdays by taking in a present at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, however not many have a good time by performing one. However that’s what Tony Award-nominated composer Andrew Lippa is doing Monday to have a good time his sixtieth birthday.
“Lippa at 60” is a profit for TheatreWorks on the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto, through which Lippa will carry out onstage, joined by a couple of particular company and beneath the musical route of TheatreWorks’ William Liberatore. Ticket packages — which may embody receptions earlier than and after the 7:30 p.m. live performance — begin at $75, and they’re going quick. Go to www.theatreworks.org for data.
PIANO AT THE PARK: It’s stated the highest three guidelines of actual property are location, location, location — and the brand new location of Christmas within the Park’s Jingle Bell Stage on the north finish of Plaza de Cesar Chavez is working simply wonderful for Fil Maresca, who’s managing the parents promoting beer and wine on the Park Tavern. He’s fairly certain the tented oasis is a pleasant spot for folks or grandparents whose children are acting on stage every evening.
Pianist Lucas Tecson performs within the Park Tavern at Christmas within the Park in downtown San Jose on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Tecson will entertain patrons with vacation tunes and different songs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 25. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
But it surely by no means hurts so as to add just a little one thing additional. On the following two Wednesday nights — that’s Dec. 18 and 25 for the calendar-challenged — Park Tavern turns right into a piano bar with pianist Lucan Tecson enjoying vacation tunes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tecson, who simply wrapped up a residency on the Ameswell Lodge in Mountain View, additionally has a set scheduled on the stage itself at 5 p.m. Dec. 21.
YIPPEE-KAI-YAY: Once I wrote not too long ago about holiday-themed cocktails at downtown San Jose bars, it was famous that I not noted the “Die Hard” takeover at 5 Factors. Nothing in opposition to 5 Factors over right here, which is a wonderful craft cocktail bar, however possibly I used to be subconsciously attempting to remain out of the “Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?” debate. I can see the arguments on either side, however you possibly can guess I’ll be watching the 1988 Bruce Willis motion basic this month.
That is it for me till 2025, so right here’s to a festive and secure vacation season to everybody — whether or not or not you consider in John McClane or not.
