Some 2,500 dogs and more than double that number of dog lovers will congregate at William Street Park to celebrate canine companionship at Bark in the Park, featuring contests, agility courses, children’s activities and a whole pack of dog-related vendors and services.

New this year is Animal Rescue Row, a section dedicated to adoptable dogs. Pups will be on display on the Main Stage between 3 and 5pm, and guests can learn more about the organizations working hard to find forever homes for furbabies. Admission is a $10 donation for adults; kids and four-legged guests get in free. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society Silicon Valley, San Jose Animal Care Center, and other local charities. The event takes place 10am–5pm on Sept. 20 at William Street Park at the corner of William and 16th streets, just minutes from downtown San Jose.

Thu, Sept 18

CityDance—The final installment for the season in this monthly dance series features live music by Sabor de mi Cuba. All skill levels are welcome. Then take a break from dancing and visit the San José Museum of Art. Free. Sept 18, 6-9pm. Circle of Palms, 124 S Market St, San Jose. facebook.com/citydancesj

Fri, Sept 19

Live on Main—Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a meal from a local eatery and catch a concert by Hella Doubtful, a No Doubt tribute band. Free. Sept 19, 6:30-8:30pm. Town Square, 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino.

Oktoberfest—Redwood City salutes Germanic traditions with gusto, becoming a magnet for lederhosen-wearing, beer-guzzling crowds, drawn by seasonal contests (stein-holding, yodeling, dancing), lively music, and lots and lots of brats and brews. Tickets: $10-$35. Sept 19-28 (except Sept 22) in Courthouse Square. redwoodcity.org

Data Trust—Artificial intelligence is everywhere, seemingly, and the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose tackles it head on with a new exhibit by Stephanie Dinkins. On view starting Sept 19. Admission is free; open Thursday-Sunday, noon-5pm. ICA San José, 560 S 1st St, San Jose. icasanjose.org

Sat, Sept 20

Songs on Saturday—Mardi Morillo books his second songwriter showcase, held on the third Saturday. This week Morillo is joined by musician/entrepreneur Khaysie, soul artist Misa James, R&B/indie songwriter Lyshia Megan (frontwoman for the band No Clue) and R&B/jazz artist JOYANG. Free. Sept 20, 2-5pm. Voyager Craft Coffee, 111 W St John St, San Jose. Follow on IG: @songsonsaturday.

Northern California Renaissance Faire—Set the wayback machine to the 1500s and head to this gathering of queens, knights, knaves and wenches. The Queen’s Royal Joust, Cy the Sword Swallower, The Mermaid Tavern Show, sea shanteys from the Sea Dogs and more—it’s all returning, plus a new act from Joweh Belly Dance. Running weekends, 10am-6pm, through Oct 19. $25-$35, plus parking. Casa De Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister. norcalrenfaire.com

Endless Summer Festival—Right on the cusp of the fall equinox, Google Visitor Experience pulls out the stops for a midday fiesta with live DJs Nate Wyatt and Babey Drew, a makers marketplace, a mobile basketball court, and a dance and movement workshop led by Emmy-winning choreographer Ryan Heffington. Other enticements include children’s activities, a native seed bar with My California Garden, and refreshments (a honey and mocktail bar with Planet Bee Foundation, sweet treats from Kween’s Ice Cream and tea tasting with VC Tang). Free. Sept 20, 11am-4pm. Google Visitor Experience, 2000 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View. rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/endless-summer-festival

A Night of Harmony and Honor—The Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra celebrates singer Vannessa Naeata and artist Kristin M. Yee at a gala evening with dinner and an awards ceremony. $125. Sept. 20. 1105 Valparaiso Ave, Menlo Park. THSOgala.eventbrite.com.

Sun, Sept 21

A Love Supreme Saxophone Summit—What better way to spend a Sunday than basking in three hours of majestic compositions by late, great saxman John Coltrane? This is for the true fans who want to appreciate Trane’s music played by great saxophonists. Charles McNeal, Lyle Link and Steve Heckman will perform in the state-of-the-art Tateuchi Hall—no background noise, pure Coltrane sounds. $30. Sept 21, 2-5pm. Community School of Music and Arts, Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. tranetraxx.org

Tue, Sept 23

Monica Rodriguez: Californiana—Installation artist Monica Rodriquez has been examining the colonization of present-day California (1542-1846), and her current project at de Saisset explores the period of missionization, in which Native Californians were forced to live and work as agricultural and utilitarian workers within mission complexes. The exhibit is site-specific, given that the museum stands on ancestral Ohlone land and is on the site of the former Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Free. Sept 23–Dec 19. de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. scu.edu/desaisset

Wed, Sept 24

Movies Y Musica—DJ Too Tall and the Bennett Roth Trio will provide the sounds, followed by an outdoor screening of the movie Grease. Sept 24, 6-10pm. Circle of Palms, 124 S Market St, San Jose. alebrijes.sanjosejazz.org/events/grease

Something for everyone? That describes last weekend in downtown San Jose. Not only was it the 50th anniversary of Silicon Valley Pride, celebrated with all the glitter, glitz and rainbow-tinged hoopla that milestone deserved; it was also San Jose Lowrider Day.

And the weekend marked the birth of two new music festivals. Little Italy bounced to the beat of blues and roots music at the Big Easy Block Party & Beer Fest on Saturday, and Discovery Meadow was filled with DJ-driven sounds both Saturday and Sunday. There won’t be such a packed weekend until later in September, when Kids Day in the Park (Sept 20) and Music in the Park (Sept 19 and 21) will draw crowds to Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

But this weekend, downtown San Jose will again be a big draw. On Sept 7, the final concert at St. James Park will feature headliner Bululú (see page 17), with entertainment beginning at 3:30pm. The same day, over at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Alebrijes en San José: Ritmos Y Colores runs from 5 to 10pm. Sponsored by San Jose Jazz, this event is a celebration of Mexican folk art, music and community. Multi-instrumentalist Philthy Dronez kicks off the event, followed by a procession featuring Calpulli Ocelocihuatl, Blvd Bombs Car Club, Mariachi Alma Bohemia de Angel Mendez, Grupo Folklorico Los Lupeños, and the SJZ High School All Stars Float at 6:15. An aerial drone show and a fashion showcase are bookmarked by music from El Conjunto Nueva Ola (7pm) and headliners Las Cafeteras. For details, visit alebrijes.sanjosejazz.org.

Thu, Sept 4

Saratoga Nights—Live music, wine and beer tents, and a welcoming atmosphere under the stars on the first Thursday of every month through October. Free. Sept 4, 5-8pm, Saratoga Village, Big Basin Way, Saratoga. saratoga.ca.us

Josh Tatofi—This Hawaiian singer-songwriter, known for his soulful voice, draws on traditional Hawaiian sounds and contemporary island reggae. $59.75-$111.50. Sept 4, 6pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org

The Haberdasher Shows—A music residency, pop-up photo exhibits and drink specials on the first Thursday of the month. 21 and over. Free. Sep 4, 6-10pm. Haberdasher, 43 W San Salvador St, San Jose. haberdashersj.com

Ana Gabriel—A top-selling Mexican singer-songwriter for decades, Ana Gabriel is on the road with her Claro de Luna tour. $70-$269. Sept 4, 8pm. SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. sapcenter.com

Fri, Sept 5

Ancestral Resonance—A pop-up presentation featuring work by Ahn Lee, Charlene Tan, Kristiana Chan 莊礼恩 and Nancy Nguyen, Ancestral Resonance examines ancestry as a site of creative inquiry, where artists trace history through unconventional methods and critical insight. Opens Sept 5; reception 5–8pm. Ahh Lee gives an artist talk Sept 6 at 3pm. On view through Oct 11. Morgann Trumbull Projects, 445 S 1st St, San Jose. morganntrumbull.com

Half Dome and Elsewhere—A solo exhibit of mixed-media paintings by Menlo Park artist Daniel Meehan, inspired by Yosemite’s Half Dome and other geological formations. Opening reception: Sept 5, 5-8pm. Through Sept 28. Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos. gallery9losaltos.com

Climate Interrelations Imaginative—Curator Valentino Loyola brings together a mix of “data-based artistic explorations.” Opening reception Sept 5, 5-9pm during the First Friday art walk. Through Oct 18. Works/San Jose, 38 S 2nd St, San Jose. workssanjose.org

In Search of Our Mother’s Garden—Artist Hargun Mahal Mann explores themes of womanhood, sisterhood, migration and the meaning of home. Opening reception during First Friday Artwalk: Sept 5, 5-9pm, with an artist talk at 6pm. Sept 5-Oct 3. Art Ark Gallery, 1035 S 6th St, San Jose. artarkgallery.com

First Friday at SJMA—Join in an evening of CircleSinging with VOICES, led by David Worm. Sometimes called vocal jamming or vocal orchestra, CircleSinging is a form of community singing that emphasizes improvisation and collaboration. Free. Sept 5, 6-9pm; music starts at 7pm. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. sjmusart.org

Homegirls of Soul—Led by DJ Soulera, the Homegirls play at MACLA’s First Friday event. Sept 5, 6-9pm. MACLA Castellano Playhouse, 510 S 1st St, San Jose. 408.998.2783. maclaarte.org

Live on Main—Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a meal from a local eatery and catch a concert by the Groove Doctors. Free. Sept 5, 6:30-8:30pm. Town Square, 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 

Gypsy—Directed by Janie Scott, this production by the Palo Alto Players features 29 Bay Area actors, one pup, and the unforgettable score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. $20-$60. Opens Sept 5, 7:30pm; runs through Sept 21. Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. paplayers.org

Tyga—A rapper and songwriter from Compton, Tyga came to fame in 2012 with the hits “Rack City” and “Faded.” This year, he dropped NSFW, his first solo album since 2019, with guests like Lil Wayne, Big Sean, and Cher. $39.78. Sept 5, 10pm. Pure Night Club, 146 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale. purenightclub408.com

Sat, Sept 6

World Shorebirds Day Bird Walk—Join a beginner- and family-friendly bird outing and get an introduction to shorebirds and a few identification tips. Wear comfortable clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes; some binoculars will be available to borrow. Free. Sept 6, 10-11:30am. Alviso Unit, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1751 Grand Blvd, San Jose. Email wa***************@*****ws.org or see eventbrite.com.

Mountain View Art and Wine Festival—Art is the heart of the event—a regional draw, with more than 350 artists and craft-makers selling their goods, plus live music, kids’ activities, food and wine. Free. Sept 6, 11am-7pm; Sep 7, 10am-6pm. Downtown Mountain View, Castro Street, between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue. mvartwine.com

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Family Literacy Festival—A collaboration between Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, Children’s Discovery Museum and the San José Public Library Foundation, the festival promotes the importance of reading. Entertainment will include Andy Z, Ricky Roo & Friends Puppet Show, celebrity and author storytellers, and appearances by local San Jose sports mascots. This will also be the first day the museum previews a new traveling exhibit based on a beloved literary character, Curious George. $15 children, $20 adults. Sept 6, 9:30am-4:30pm. Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. sjplf.org

Brass Masterclass—Brass Over Bridges, a brass quintet, will perform and lead a masterclass with Golden State Youth Orchestra brass musicians. Following the free performances, there will be a short Q&A session. Sept 6, 6:30pm. First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto. gsyomusic.org

All About Eve 75th Anniversary—3Below Theaters continues its series celebrating milestone anniversaries of groundbreaking movies, offering the opportunity to experience them again on the big screen. All About Eve stars Bette Davis at her most magnificently acerbic as temperamental Broadway star Margo Channing. $15. Sept 6, 7:30pm & Sept 7, 4:30pm. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S 2nd St, San Jose. 3belowtheaters.com

Invitation to the Dance—Cambrian Symphony kicks off its 2025–26 season with a musical journey across continents. The program features Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake suite, José Pablo Moncayo’s Huapango, with folk rhythms from Veracruz, Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 and Three Latin American Dances by Gabriela Lena Frank, a San Francisco native. Free. Sept 6, 7:30pm. Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. cambriansymphony.org

Sultana Daku—Naatak, a South Asian theater company, opens its 30th season with a tale written for the occasion: an adaptation of the 2009 novel The Confession of Sultana Daku, recounting the exploits of Sultana Daku and set in 1920s India. The play, which has never been performed before, will feature live music, dance and humor. $25-$65. Sept 6, 5pm. Continues through Sept 28. Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. naatak.org

Jeffrey A. Meyer—The singer-songwriter and his band, also known as J.A.M., return to the Cedar Room with a rocking playlist of original music that freely mixes funk, rock, and folk. No cover. Sept 6, 8-11pm. Cedar Room, 1875 S Bascom Ave, Suite 100, Campbell. cedarroomlive.com

Sun, Sept 7

Japantown Farmer’s Market—Find 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

Shady Oaks Park BioBlitz—Community members join scientists and teachers to find and identify as many animal and plant species as possible along Coyote Creek. All you need to participate is a smart phone with the iNaturalist app. Free. Sept 7, 9-11:30am. Coyote Road and Broderick Drive, San Jose. facebook.com

60th Anniversary Community Day—Celebrate the 60th anniversary of New Museum Los Gatos with a free community day of art activities, tours, costume contests, live music by Hootenanny and more. Guests are encouraged to dress in ’60s garb. Free. Sept 7, 11am-6pm. NUMU, 106 E Main St, Los Gatos. numulosgatos.org

Below the Surface—Subtitled “life philosophy made visible,” Sieglinde Van Damme’s exhibit includes a philosophy wall, a mirror installation, and sealed collector letters accompanying each of the 30+ paintings. Opening reception: Sept 7, 2-4pm. Through Sept 28. Whitney Modern Art Gallery, 24 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos. RSVP at bit.ly/Sep7opening.

Viva CalleSJ—Celebrate 10 years of Villa CalleSJ with food, entertainment, family activities and car-free streets. To participate, bike, skate, walk or roll through Willow Glen, the Rose Garden, San Carlos Street, Little Italy, Japantown and Watson Park. Free. Sept 7, 10am-3pm. See website for map route. vivacallesj.org

Mon, Sept 8

Alebrije Glass Blowing—Artist Carolina Argote, creator of hand-carved alebrijes—Mexican folk art figures—collaborates with Bay Area Glass Institute’s team of glassblowers to reproduce her designs in molten glass. Free. Sept 8, 7pm. Bay Area Glass Institute, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. bagi.org

Tue, Sept 9

Tomorrow X Together World Tour—The South Korean boy group makes a stop in the South Bay. $82-$346. Sept 9, 7:30pm. SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. sapcenter.com

Jackson Browne—The quintessential California singer-songwriter-activist will go tell it on the mountain for two nights. $124-$942. Sept 9-10, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

When Corey O’Brien and punk magazine publisher Larry Trujillo bought the Blank Club in 2003, they were two locals who understood that the alt-music scene in San Jose needed a space.

Trujillo and O’Brien coined the name for a weekly dance party that drew in DJ Basura—aka Michael Boado, general manager at San Jose’s Needle to the Groove Records—its name inspired by Blondie’s disco-rock anthem “Atomic.”

When the Blank Club closed in 2015, O’Brien opened the Ritz a few months later. Atomic came with him, though it morphed into a monthly event in 2022.

Atomic celebrates its 20th anniversary this Saturday at The Ritz. DJ Basura will headline the night, joined by industrial-techno DJ Plastic Disease and goth/darkwave DJ Bit.

Info: $13.50 general/$262.58 VIP. July 19, 9pm, at the Ritz, 400 S 1st St, San Jose. theritzsanjose.com. —Melisa Yuriar

Thu, July 17

Ebb & Flow—Celebrate NUMU’s newest exhibition, featuring work by Chieko Shimizu Fujioka, Moeko MACHIDA and Margaret Luo, at the opening reception. Free with registration. July 17, 5-7pm. New Museum Los Gatos, 106 E Main St, Los Gatos. numulosgatos.org

Pobladores Night Market—Through July 31, this open-air market brings together local makers and business, artists, performers and food purveyors. Free. July 17, 5:30-9pm. Parque de los Pobladores, 501 S 1st St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

CityDance—It’s Country Night at the city’s monthly dance event, with live music by Country Cougars and dance instruction by Miguel Allende. All skill levels are welcome. Free. June 17, 6-9pm. Circle of Palms in front of the San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. facebook.com/citydancesj

Chain of Fools—This local band brings danceable rock, blues and country classics to the Campbell Summer Concert Series. Free. July 17, 6:30-8pm. Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell.  campbellca.gov

Summer Concert Series—The Cheeseballs play on the Hillview Soccer Field. Free. July 17, 6:30pm. 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos. losaltosca.gov

The Movie Music of Hans Zimmer—Conductor Sarah Hicks and the San Francisco Symphony performs movie music from many of Hans Zimmer’s best-loved film scores, including The Lion King, Sherlock Holmes, Interstellar, Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman: The Dark Knight and Gladiator. $15-$150. July 17, 7:30pm. Frost Amphitheater, 351 Lasuen St, Stanford. live.stanford.edu

An Evening with Victor Lin—Stanford Jazz Workshop favorite Victor Lin reimagines the music of Studio Ghibli through the lens of jazz piano and violin. Lin and his ensemble will bring these beloved film scores to life. $44-$62. July 17, 7:30-9pm. Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Dr, Stanford. events.stanford.edu

Fri, July 18

Faithfully Live—The Journey tribute band plays at the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. July 18, 5:30-9:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org

Music on the Square—This week’s musical offering: Boys of Summer, a touring Eagles tribute band. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. July 18, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

One Night of Queen—Gary Mullen and the Works give a live concert featuring the music of Queen, paying tribute to the band’s stage theatrics, showmanship and music. $54-$235. July 18, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Sat, July 19

Apricot STEM Fair—Explore hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities with apricot-themed and nature-inspired fun. $10. July 19, 10am-4pm. Los Altos History Museum, 51 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos. losaltoshistory.org

SJ Made Summer Fair—San José Made holds its third annual summer fair, a celebration of local crafts and creativity, with DIY workshops and the work of artists, designers, illustrators, artisans, creators, crafters and creative small businesses. Free. July 19-20, 11am-6pm. Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. sanjosemade.com

Sounds of the Shores—San Jose rock trio act PB&J performs. Free. July 19, 5-7pm. Marlin Park, 500 Cringle Drive, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Maoli—Combining island music with reggae and pop influences, Maoli creates an uplifting sound that will resonate across the Pacific Rim on the Last Sip of Summer Tour. $116-$772. July 19, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Sun, July 20

National Theatre Live: Fleabag—See a filmed production of the one-woman show that inspired the BBCs hit TV series Fleabag, written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Vicky Jones. $16-$23. July 20, 2pm & July 24, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

La Vie Parisienne—Pocket Opera recreates the hustle and bustle of a Paris train station, as a millionaire from Brazil, a Swedish baron and a sultry local actress all cross paths to start a madcap plot. $37-$92. July 20, 2:30pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. tickets.mvcpa.com

Brit Floyd: Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary—Though they’re not the musicians who, five decades ago, created the classic tracks on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Mood, Brit Floyd has performed more than 1,000 shows since it debuted in 2011. $54-$854. July 20, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Wed, July 23

Curator Talk—Joanna García Cherán, one of the curators of the exhibit Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene, will give a free talk. July 23, noon. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu/programs

Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz—Monterey Jazz Regional All Star Band and Vocal Ensemble performs. Free. July 23, 6:30pm. Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com

Vines & Vibes—Southbound 101 performs country music hits at Guglielmo’s summer concert series. Bring a picnic or purchase food from a rotating lineup of local food trucks. Wine is available by the glass or bottle; no outside alcohol. Free. July 23, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com

Where can one go to enjoy the rockets’ red glare on July 4? Here’s the lowdown. 

First, there are several ticketed events for those who don’t want to fight the crowds. Visitors to California’s Great America in Santa Clara can watch fireworks up close at 9:40pm on both July 4 and 5. And there’s another fireworks doubleheader at Excite Ballpark in San Jose, where the Rotary Club of San Jose will host pyrotechnics after the San Jose Giants play the Stockton Ports and then again on July 4 at an Independence Day celebration featuring country artist Matt Stell.

A more serene experience can be found at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, where the San Francisco Symphony performs July 4 at 7pm, with fireworks adding to the musical excitement.

There are also city-sponsored fireworks shows taking place in Cupertino, Gilroy, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and San Jose. See the listings below for details.

Thu, July 3

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest—This big bash extends over two days: July 3 includes a Patriotic Sing (5pm at the Downtown Amphitheater, 17000 Monterey Rd) and a Family Music Fest (6pm at Monterey Rd. between Main and Dunne Ave.). July 4 will kick off with a Freedom Run (kids’ 1-mile at 7:30am, 5K at 8am), the Cruise & Car Show (noon-2pm), the Freedom Fest Parade (10am) and the big finale: a fireworks show—reportedly the largest ever in Morgan Hill—at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center (16500 Condit Road). Free. July 3-4. Downtown Morgan Hill and Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center. morganhillfreedomfest.com

Saratoga Nights—Held on the first Thursday of each month, the community event features live music, wine and beer under the stars. Free. July 3, 5-8pm. 14460 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. saratoga.ca.us

The Haberdasher Shows—A music residency, pop-up photo exhibits and drink specials on the first Thursday of the month. 21 and over. Free. July 3, 6-10pm. Haberdasher, 43 W San Salvador St, San Jose. haberdashersj.com

Fri, July 4

Cupertino’s 4th of July Celebration—The city has a full day planned, starting with a pancake breakfast at 8am at Quinlan Community Center (10185 N Stelling Rd), a flag-raising and children’s parade at 10am (Memorial Park), and kids’ activities and a concert. But the big attraction will be a fireworks display, launching from Hyde Middle School at approximately 9:30pm. Viewing locations are at Creekside Park, Sedgwick Elementary School and Miller Avenue near Bollinger Road (the school will be closed to the public). cupertino.gov

Fourth of July Parade—Meet at Town Hall for the 14th annual red, white and blue march down Fremont Road, concluding at Gardner Bullis School for refreshments. The Los Altos Hills Horseman’s Association will canter along. Free. July 4, 9-11am. Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Rd, Los Altos Hills. 650.947.2518. losaltoshills.ca.gov

Independence Day Parade and Festival—Redwood City gets serious with its Independence Day celebration, starting with an 8am pancake breakfast followed by the parade kicked off by a cannon blast at 10am. Afterwards comes a car show, live entertainment, and booths for community service organizations looking to raise funds with food and merch sales. The day concludes with a drone show at about 9:30pm in the port area. July 4, 8am-10pm. Downtown Redwood City. parade.org

Rose, White and Blue—San Jose’s Fourth of July Parade and Festival brings it all together: food, drinks, lucha libre matches by Pro Wrestling Revolution, a kids zone hosted by ArtHouse Studio, local vendors, book giveaways for kids from Friends of the Library, and a lineup of live entertainment. The parade runs 10am-noon, starting at Dana and Naglee avenues; just before, at 9:45am, the Lowrider Unity Council will lead a car cruise along the route. Free. July 4, 9:45am-2pm. Shasta Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods, San Jose. rwbsj.org

Glorious 4th—Los Altos Parks & Recreation Department marks Fourth of July with live music, family games and food for purchase. Bike or stroll to the event; Greentown Los Altos provides bike valet service. Free. July 4, 10am-2pm. Shoup Park, 400 University Ave, Los Altos. 650.947.2790. losaltosca.gov

4th of July Festival—The city of Sunnyvale marks Independence Day with carnival games and family activities. Lori & RJ (10am), Choo Choo Soul (11am) and the Peelers Band (12:30pm) provide live entertainment. Free. July 4, 10am-2pm. Downtown Sunnyvale near Murphy and West Washington avenues. facebook.com

Fourth of July Parade, Picnic and Circus—Bring picnic baskets and blankets, decorate strollers and wagons for an 11am “people parade,” and come dressed in red, white and blue at this community picnic, with shows at noon and 2pm by Circus Bella. Free. July 4, 11am-3pm. Burgess Park, 501 Laurel St, Menlo Park. menlopark.gov

Fireworks at Lake Cunningham—The office of District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas is hosting a free fireworks show, preceded by a live performance by Sonora San Jose, food trucks and family-friendly activities and leading up to the fireworks show at 9pm. There will be no event parking at Lake Cunningham, so using mass transit is encouraged. VTA Bus Routes 22, 26, 31, 39, 70, 77, 103, or Rapid 522 all provide service to the location. July 4, 3-10pm. Lake Cunningham Regional Park, 2305 S White Rd, San Jose. sanjoseca.gov

Red, White & Boom Concert and Fireworks—Thousands of residents and guests will show up for this city-sponsored fireworks display. Before the fireworks there will be live music by School of Rock and Sugaray Rayford. During the day, families can enjoy food trucks, a 24-foot-tall water slide, bounce houses, classic carnival game booths, a rock-climbing wall and other activities, including a video game trailer with the latest PS5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch games. $10. July 4, 5-9pm. Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas. cityofmilpitas.simpletix.com

City of Santa Clara 4th of July—A family-friendly Fourth of July with lawn games, live entertainment, food trucks and a fireworks show with patriotic music at 9:35pm, visible from California’s Great America. Free. July 4, 5-10pm. Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140. santaclaraca.gov

On-the-Water Fireworks Viewing—The Boathouse & American Bistro at Shoreline Lake in Mountain View offers a different way to enjoy fireworks in Silicon Valley: in the middle of the lake, from a pedalboat, rowboat, canoe, kayak or SUP. The American Bistro will roll out a Fourth of July BBQ dinner (6-8pm) for everyone participating in the fireworks watercraft reservations. July 4, 8:30pm. 3160 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View. 650.965.1745. shorelinelake.com

Gilroy Fireworks Show—Beginning around dusk, fireworks can be viewed from nearby neighborhoods and at Christmas Hill Park. Free. July 4, 9:30pm. Gilroy High School, 750 W 10th St, Gilroy. cityofgilroy.org

Sat, July 5

De Anza Flea Market—This monthly student-run flea market brings together more than 800 vendor stalls selling plants, clothes, antiques, books, games and much more. July 5, 8am-2pm. De Anza College Parking Lots A&B, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. deanza.edu/fleamarket

Concerts at Horse Thief Vineyards—Enjoy live music and open tasting room hours with live music by Matt Masih (July 5) and Kenny Taylor (July 6). Free. July 5-6, 1-4pm. Horse Thief Vineyards, 12575 Watsonville Rd, Morgan Hill. visitmorganhill.org

The Houserockers—This 10-piece rock & soul band with a wailing horn section and red-hot rhythm section rolls into the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. July 5, 5:30-9:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org

Wed, July 9

Downtown Farmers’ Market—Stroll through stalls filled with fresh produce, locally made packaged goods and hot meals from local food vendors. No admission. July 9, 9am-1:30pm. 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Vines & Vibes—Line dance to C&W covers by the Country Cougars at Guglielmo’s summer concert series. Bring a picnic or purchase food from a rotating lineup of local food trucks. Wine is available by the glass or bottle; no outside alcohol. Free. July 9, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com

Summer Series Music and Market—Cisco Kid does the first concert in this eight-week community happening, which draws up to 1,300 people to downtown Sunnyvale. July 9, 6-8:30pm. Evelyn and Washington avenues, Sunnyvale. sunnyvaledowntown.org

Jazz on the Plazz—The series of free Wednesday concerts continues with Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra and Kyle Hernandez performing a tribute to Pat Metheny. Free (option to buy reserved seats). July 9, 6:30pm. Los Gatos Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com

Ukulele Jam—Instructor Chuck Monahan will teach basic chords on the ukulele and lead the group in an informal performance. Ages 12 and up. July 9, 6:30pm. Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St, Mountain View. 650.903.6337 mountainview.libcal.com

Free summer entertainment continues around Silicon Valley, with cities stepping up to host concerts and festivals. Redwood City is particularly active, filling Courtyard Square with live music, movies and—starting this week—a series called Kids Rock. Andy Z and the Andyland Band performs at the first event in a three-date series (June 28, July 19 and Aug. 9).

Sponsored by Redwood City’s Public Library and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Kids Day offers distractions for both children and adults. It starts at 10am and runs a couple hours at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City.

Also worthy of note: Bay Area Burger Week continues through June 29, so there’s still time to download the app at wklys.co/burgers and check out the many restaurants in Silicon Valley—plus others from the North Bay down to Santa Cruz—that have menu specials and price discounts. Use the app to check in, rate meals, post photos and win prizes.

Thu, June 26

Curator Talk—Maggie Dethloff, one of the curators of the exhibit Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene, will give a free talk. June 26, noon. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu/programs

Pobladores Night Market—Through July 31, this open-air market brings together local makers, artists, performers and food purveyors every Thursday. Free. June 26, 5:30-9pm. Parque de los Pobladores, 501 S 1st St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Summer Concert Series—Coast Tribe plays. Free. June 26, 6:30pm. Grant Park Soccer Field, 1575 Holt Ave, Los Altos. losaltosca.gov

Art Spielgelman: Disaster Is My Muse—Learn about the life and legacy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Maus in this documentary screening at 3Below Theaters, part of a series titled Never Again Is Now: Holocaust Cinema & the Fight Against Hate. $16. June 26, 7pm. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S 2nd St, San Jose. 3belowtheaters.com

LOVE—The Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus concludes its 42nd season with a concert celebrating intimacy, heartbreak, passion and connection, all told through a queer lens. $25-$45. June 26, 7:30pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. svgmc.org

Fri, June 27

Foodieland—For folks who can’t get enough of the food booths at the county fair, this three-day event is a scoop of heaven—with whipped cream on top. Food booths galore, plus shopping, games and live entertainment. Tickets are $7.91 in advance via Eventbrite; kids under 5 are free. June 27, 3-10pm; June 28-29, 1-10pm. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd. San Jose. foodielandnm.com

Mercy & The Heartbeats—This dance band featuring veteran Bay Area musicians deliver ’70s and ’80s crowd-pleasers, ’90s singalongs and current radio hits at the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. 5:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org

Music on the Square—Redwood City’s free Friday concert series gets “Cold as Ice” with Foreigner Unauthorized, paying tribute to the British-American band for old fans and a new generation. Free. June 27, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Summer Concert Series in the Beer Garden—M’ssippi Slide plays jazz and R&B. Free. June 27, 6:30-10:30pm. Teske’s Germania, 255 N 1st St, San Jose. 408.292.0291. teskes-germania.com

PAC*SJ’s 35th Anniversary Celebration—The refurbished Hotel de Anza is the backdrop for the Preservation Action Council of San Jose to celebrate 35 years of saving San Jose’s historical landmarks. Guests will enjoy live music, signature cocktails, small plates, a raffle, a live auction and other activities. $135-$150. June 27, 6:30-10pm. Hotel de Anza, 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. preservation.org

National Theatre Live—The filmed production Noel Coward’s Present Laughter, starring Andrew Scott. $16-$23. June 27, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Bassem Youssef—The political satirist known as the Jon Stewart of the Arab world presents Works on a New Show. $43.19-$144.19. June 27, 7:30 & 9:45pm; June 28, 7 & 9:30pm. San Jose Improv, 62 S 2nd St, San Jose. improv.com/sanjose

Gimme Gimme Disco—Dancers will get their ABBA on for the sixth anniversary of this club night. $17-$23. June 27, 8pm. The Ritz, 400 S 1st St, San Jose. theritzsanjose.com

Sat, June 28

Capitol Dance Company—The dance school presents a day of entertainment featuring Peter Pan (10am and 2:30pm) and Imagine a Tale (7pm). $27-$42. June 28, 10:30am-9pm. Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell. downtowncampbell.com

The Drowsy Chaperone—West Valley Light Opera mounts a production of this peppy musical that pays tribute to the Jazz Age shows of the 1920s. $31-$58. Opens June 28; continues through July 26. Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga. 408.268.3777. wvlo.org

Stars and Strides 5K-10K Run/Walk—Participants meet in downtown San Jose at Discovery Meadow for this benefit for Valley Health Foundation. Donations will help the foundation offer programs and services that positively impact the health of everyone in the community. $17.23-$107.75. June 28, 7:30am. Discovery Meadow, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. starsandstridesrun.com

Sounds of the Shores—The Cocktail Monkeys deliver a mix of rock, R&B and soul. Free. June 28, 5pm. Marlin Park, 500 Cringle Drive, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Sun, June 29

Starlight Sundays—The San Jose Downtown Association kicks off its outdoor movie series, presented by UA Local Union 393, devoted to movies starring actor Jack Black. For the first night, the movie School of Rock is paired with live music by the School of Rock House Band. Food trucks and a beer garden to satisfy appetites. Movies start at dusk. Free. June 29, 5:30pm. St. James Park, 2nd St & E St James St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com/starlight-cinema

Tartuffe—Pocket Opera presents Kirke Mechem’s melodious masterpiece. $37-$92. June 29, 2:30pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. mvcpa.com

Lee Brice—Nashville singer-songwriter Lee Brice headlines with an opening set by Sofia Claire, a California country singer who grew up in Redwood City. $91-$1168. June 29, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Mon, June 30

Red Rock Open Mic—Join this established open mic community and try out a new song or poem in front of a very supportive audience. Free. June 30, 6-9pm. Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St, Mountain View. redrockcoffee.com

Wed, July 2

Comedians and Empanadas—Bay Area stand-ups crack wise while the kitchen cranks out fresh empanadas every first Wednesday of the month. Free. July 2, 6-8pm. Casa Guzmania, 350 S Market St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Continuing

Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean—This musical based on Ed Graczyk’s play features lyrics by actress and trans activist Shakina, who will also appear in the TheatreWorks production. $34-$54. Thru July 13. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. theatreworks.org

Dragons Love Tacos—An outdoor production of a play written by Ernie Nolan and based on the book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri. Thru July 6. Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. paloalto.gov

Sweat—Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning SWEAT tells the story of coworkers who build friendships on the factory floor in industrial Pennsylvania, but layoffs and hard times find them pitted against each other. Directed by ShawnJ West and featuring a cast of 9 Bay Area actors. $20-$63. Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Thru June 29. or by phone at 650.329.0891. paplayers.org 

Sweet Charity—Memorable songs like “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now” have kept Sweet Charity popular since its debut in 1966. San Jose Stage’s production runs through June 29. $17-$74. Shows Wed.-Thu 7:30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. The Stage, 490 S 1st St, San Jose. 408.283.7142. thestage.org

The longest days of 2025 lie just ahead, accompanied by a bounty of free music concerts from South County all the way up the Peninsula. On June 18, salsa band Edgardo & Candela plays for free in the Mission College Summer Concert Series at 6pm in the Central Plaza at Mission College in Santa Clara. On June 19, Yo’dele and Riddim Exchange will get people moving at CityDance, in front of the San Jose Museum of Art. Entertainment at Redwood City’s Courtyard Square ranges from cumbia (La Gente SF on June 20) to classical (the Redwood Symphony on June 21). And the Levitt Pavilion concert series continues with country music at St. James Park on June 22.

But the most widespread gift of free entertainment comes from Make Music San Jose, an all-day effort by the Office of Cultural Affairs to fill the city with music. On June 21, at more than 30 locations—libraries, churches, strip malls, local businesses and even some city sidewalks—a multitude of musicians will perform for free from morning to night. With all the options available, one can work a little live music into the day. Catch Los Improviders before a movie screening (5pm at the PruneYard) or pair breakfast with folk music from the Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association (11am at Hobee’s in downtown San Jose). Or spend the whole day downtown at multiple locations, including The Tech Interactive (11am-4:30pm), Parque de Los Pobladores (3-8:3pm), Fox Tale Fermentation Project (1-11pm) and at four spots along Paseo de San Antonio. See all the options at makemusicday.org/sanjose—and sample the music on the Make Music Day 2025 public playlist on Spotify.

Thu, June 19

Pobladores Night Market—Through July 31, this open-air market brings together local makers and business, artists, performers and food purveyors. Free. June 19, 5:30-9pm. Parque de los Pobladores, 501 S 1st St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Songwriter Concert—Presented in partnership with KRTY, this fundraiser for the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association features four Nashville songwriters—Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Bob DiPiero and Scooter Carusoe—sharing songs and stories to accompany curated wine tastings and small bites as the sun sets. $78. June 19, 6-9pm. Clos La Chance, 1 Hummingbird Lane San Martin. eventbrite.com

CityDance—The city’s monthly dance event celebrates Juneteenth with a night of dancing with professional instructors and live music by Afriicionado, Yo’dele and Riddim Exchange. All skill levels are welcome. Free. June 19, 6-9pm. Circle of Palms in front of the San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. facebook.com/citydancesj

Movies on the Square—For Juneteenth, Redwood City’s Movies on the Square starts off with Bravemaker Film Fest’s spotlight on Black independent filmmakers, followed by the feature screening, Bob Marley: One Love. Free. June 19, 8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Fri, June 20

Garden at the Flea—It’s Kawaii Kpop Night, with anime and K-pop themed vendors plus Kpop and Jpop dance performances, food trucks and a beer garden. Free ($5 for parking). Friday, June 20, 5-9pm. Berryessa Flea Market, 1590 Berryessa Rd, San Jose. gardenattheflea.com

Alex Lucero Band—A popular performer around the region, Lucero appears at the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. June 20, 5:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org

Music on the Square—La Gente SF entertains the crowds with an outdoor concert of cumbia, reggae, salsa and reggaeton. Free. June 20, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Summer Concert Series in the Beer Garden—Live jazz and classic rock by First Call. Free. June 20, 6:30-10:30pm. Teske’s Germania, 255 N 1st St, San Jose. 408.292.0291. teskes-germania.com

American Hwangap—A reading of a play by Lloyd Suh, which depicts a bittersweet family reunion. $23.18 general, $17.85 students and seniors. June 20-21, 7pm. Akiyama Center, 110 Jackson St, San Jose. catsasiantheaterscene.org

Ivan Cornejo—A fresh voice in the evolving landscape of Latin music, Mexican-American singer-songwriter Ivan Cornejo brings his emotive storytelling to San Jose. $163+. June 20, 8pm. SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. sapcenter.com

Metallica: M72 World Tour—Now entering its third year, this tour promoting 72 Seasons, the band’s 11th studio album, hits the South Bay for two nights, each with different setlists. Friday’s opening bands are Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills; on Sunday, Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies hit the stage. $95+. June 20 and 22, Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara. metallica.com/tour

Sat, June 21

Slam Jose! 3×3 Hoops Festival—A two-day competition for youth, community members and organizations powered by Hoop It Up, a grassroots basketball tour. The festival is a partnership of the Urban Vibrancy Institute, Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley and San Jose Sports Authority. June 21, 10am-6pm; June 22, 10am-3pm. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, downtown San Jose. slamjose.com

Tequila & Taco Music Festival—The name says it all—eat, drink, dance, repeat. $32.57. June 21, 1-9pm. Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, 16500 Condit Rd, Morgan Hill. tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com

Around the World—At this event that celebrates the community’s many cultures, there will be more than 40 vendors, a live performance, food trucks and family fun. There will also be a donation drive. Free. June 21, 3-8pm. Cityline Redwood Square, Murphy and McKinley avenues, Sunnyvale. vibesandsmiles.org

Redwood Symphony Outdoor Concert—Bring lawn chairs and listen to symphonic renditions of works by Copland, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Gershwin and Bernstein. Free. June 21, 7pm. Redwood City Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodsymphony.org

Sun, June 22

Country Vibes—The Levitt Pavilion concert series continues, with headliner Cash’d Out and opener William Johnston playing country and Americana. Free. June 22, 3:30-7pm. St James Park, 2nd St &, E St James St, San Jose. levittsanjose.org

Stanford Jazz Festival—The 53rd annual festival will feature 26 concerts at various Stanford University venues, running through Aug 1. Highlights include Tiffany Austin, Ken Peplowski, John Pizzarelli, George Cables, Taylor Eigsti and many more artists. The festival kicks off with Indian Jazz Journey featuring Mahesh Kale and George Brooks at 4pm on June 22. Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Dr, Stanford. stanfordjazz.org

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band—Multi-talented Texan Lyle Lovett’s ensemble is large enough to easily cross many musical ranges, from country, jazz, blues and swing. $67+. June 22, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Earthsongs: DREAM—The Choral Project features music from around the world inspired by dreams and possibilities. Repertoire includes Henryk Górecki’s “Totus tuus,” Tesfa Wondemagegnehu’s “Dream Within A Dream,” David del Tredici’s “Acrostic Song,” Eric Whitacre’s “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine” and a choral arrangement of Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” $35 ($25 seniors, $10 students). June 22, 5pm. Mission Santa Clara de Asís, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. choralproject.org/earthsongs

Tue, June 24

Barenaked Ladies—On their Last Summer on Earth Tour 2025, Canada’s Barenaked Ladies bravely cross the border to tour with American bands Guster and Fastball. $60+. June 24, 6:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. ​​mountainwinery.com

Wed, June 25

Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz—Grammy winner Mads Tolling & The Mads Men perform with vocalist Kenny Washington for the kickoff event of this popular outdoor concert. Free (option to buy reserved seats). June 25, 6:30pm. Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com

Continuing

Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean—This musical based on Ed Graczyk’s play features lyrics by actress and trans activist Shakina, who will also appear in the TheatreWorks production. $34-$54. Thru July 13. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. theatreworks.org

Dragons Love Tacos—An outdoor production of a play written by Ernie Nolan and based on the book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri. Thru July 6. Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. paloalto.gov/Events-Directory

Sweat—Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning SWEAT tells the story of coworkers who build friendships on the factory floor in industrial Pennsylvania, but layoffs and hard times find them pitted against each other. Directed by ShawnJ West and featuring a cast of 9 Bay Area actors. $20-$63. Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. June 13-29. or by phone at 650.329.0891. paplayers.org 

Sweet Charity—Memorable songs like “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now” have kept Sweet Charity popular since its debut in 1966. San Jose Stage’s production runs through June 29. $17-$74. Shows Wed.-Thu 7:30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. The Stage, 490 S 1st St, San Jose. 408.283.7142. thestage.org

The Tempest—For this production of The Tempest updated with elements of Dungeons and Dragons, Silicon Valley Shakespeare promises “enchanted landscapes, supernatural beings, and high-stakes encounters,” as well as nontraditional casting. Free. Thru June 22, Fri–Sun, 7pm. Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park, 1320 Willow St, San Jose. svshakespeare.org

12th Night—Los Altos Stage Company presents Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s modern take on Shakespeare’s exploration of gender fluidity, 12th night, with a jazz score featuring original songs by Taub. $13-$41. Through June 22. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. losaltosstage.org 

Thu, June 12

Pobladores Night Market—This open-air market brings together local makers and business, artists, performers and food purveyors. Free. Fridays thru July 31, 5:30-9pm. Parque de los Pobladores, 501 S 1st St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Genesis Film Festival—The Digital Filmmaking Program in the Communication Department at Santa Clara University hosts a celebration of outstanding student films. June 12, 5:30-6:30pm. Recital Hall, Santa Clara University. events.scu.edu

Forms & Frequencies—A Thursday night music series in conjunction with the exhibition Second Nature, Forms & Frequencies presents Audiopharmacy, a Bay Area-based world hip-hop ensemble “blending turntablism, live instrumentation, poetic lyricism, and Indigenous prayers.” Free, but RSVP recommended. June 12, 6:30pm. Cantor Arts Center, North Lawn, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. events.stanford.edu

Shrek—West Valley Dance Company performers embark on a magical journey with Shrek, Donkey and Fiona. $44.50-$51. June 12-13, 6:30pm; June 14, 10am & 3pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org

Summer Concert Series—Mustache Harbor navigates a course through the smooth sounds of the 1970s and ’80s. Free. June 12, 6:30pm. Grant Park Soccer Field, 1575 Holt Ave, Los Altos. losaltosca.gov

National Theatre Live—A filmed production of the National Theatre’s Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. $16-$23. June 12, 7pm; June 15, 2pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.vbotickets.com

Fri, June 13

Music on the Square—Live music from Neon Velvet, a dance band that blends ’80s style with today’s pop hits. Free. June 13, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Kay Pacha—Valverde Dance Ballet Folklórico presents an evening of Andean culture, with folklórico dance from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. Led by Peruvian artist Luis Valverde, this original production makes its Bay Area debut. $50. June 13-14, 8pm. School of Arts and Culture, Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose. eventbrite.com

Summer Concert Series in the Beer Garden—Live jazz and classic rock by First Call. Free. Teske’s Germania, 255 N 1st St, San Jose. 408.292.0291. teskes-germania.com

Sat, June 14

1865 Code: Freedom in the Streets—The African American Community Services Agency organizes Santa Clara County’s annual Juneteenth celebration, with music, marching bands, speeches, local vendors and much more. Free. June 14, noon-7pm. South 1st Street, downtown San Jose. 408.292.3157. sjaacsa.org

Lights Up!—Theater company City Lights puts on its annual new-play festival and maker fair, with readings of two theatrical works: “The Soulmate Play” by Anthony Doan, directed by Jacob Yoder-Schrock, at 1pm; and “Helicopter Typhoon Carabao! or To Survive an Apocalypse Now,” written by Amanda L. Andrei and directed by Mark Anderson Phillips, at 5pm. The maker fair starts at noon, and will also be open between the readings, and Rancho Roben Rescues will sell farm-fresh eggs to raise money for its San Jose animal sanctuary. $20 ($10 students). June 14, noon–6pm. City Lights Theater, 529 S 2nd St, San Jose. cltc.org

Dinner With an Artist—Cura Contemporary Art Center presents its first Dinner with an Artist event in conjunction with Haoyun Erin Zhao’s solo show, Cloud Inscriptions. Following an artist talk, guests will join Zhao for a meal in Cura’s new restaurant, Véra. June 14, 7pm. Cura Contemporary, 17395 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. eventbrite.com

The Shining—Presented on the 45th anniversary of this eerie horror classic, 3Below offers two screenings of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, “right in time for Father’s Day.” $15. June 14, 8pm; June 15, 2pm. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S 2nd St, San Jose. 408.404.7711. 3belowtheaters.com

Los Altos Juneteenth—For its sixth annual festival, the city of Los Altos presents an afternoon of art, music, food, refreshments, speeches, dancers and vendors. June 14, 11:30am-5pm. 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos. eventbrite.com

Dia de Portugal Festival—Entertainment, Portuguese foods and a traditional Portuguese parade await at the Portuguese Historical Museum. June 14, 5pm, History Park, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. diadeportugalca.org

Tue, June 17

Cunamacué—At this interactive show for all ages, the audience will experience a part of Afro-Peruvian culture through music and movement. June 17, 4-5pm. Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave, Los Gatos, 408.354.6891.

Wed, June 18

Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean—This musical based on Ed Graczyk’s play features lyrics by actress and trans activist Shakina, who will also appear in the TheatreWorks production. $34-$54. Opens June 18; thru July 13. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. theatreworks.org

Dragons Love Tacos—An outdoor production of a play written by Ernie Nolan and based on the book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri. Opens June 18, 6:30-8pm; additional shows Wed-Sat thru July 6. Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. paloalto.gov/Events-Directory.

Continuing

The Tempest—For this production of The Tempest updated with elements of Dungeons and Dragons, Silicon Valley Shakespeare promises “enchanted landscapes, supernatural beings, and high-stakes encounters,” as well as nontraditional casting. Free. Thru June 22, Fri–Sun, 7pm. Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park, 1320 Willow St, San Jose. svshakespeare.org

Sweet Charity—Memorable songs like “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now” have kept Sweet Charity popular since its debut in 1966. San Jose Stage’s production runs through June 29. $17-$74. Shows Wed.-Thu 7:30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. The Stage, 490 S 1st St, San Jose. 408.283.7142. thestage.org

12th Night—Los Altos Stage Company presents Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s modern take on Shakespeare’s exploration of gender fluidity, 12th night, with a jazz score featuring original songs by Taub. $13-$41. Through June 22. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. losaltosstage.org 

A genuine homegrown South Bay cultural institution, Empire Seven Studios has been welcoming art lovers to Japantown annually since 2017 for San Jose Walls. The event, which celebrates “the role that artists have played in transforming San Jose’s landscape through public art installations,” will include a commemorative exhibition honoring artists who have contributed to San Jose Walls over the years. The festival features gallery shows, artist talks, live music and pop-ups.

The exhibition will debut during the week-long San Jose Walls festival, running May 29 to June 8, bringing together art lovers, small businesses and members of the Japantown community. 

A range of work from featured artists will be on view in the San Jose Walls Retrospective show at Empire Seven Studios from noon to 6pm. There will be a reception with drinks by Foxtale Fermentation and music by DJ Soulseek from 6 to 9pm on May 31. The exhibit will stay up through July 5 at Empire Seven Studios, which is located at 525 N 7th St, Suite 10, San Jose.

San Jose Walls also draws visiting artists such as Jo Cunningham, who is bringing her Freak Family Roadshow traveling sculptural installation. Inside a trailer, Cunningham creates a tableau with “a gorilla mother, an alien father and their strange love child cruising through America.” The idea for the piece originated when the artist was on a cross-country trip; at various roadside attractions and art installations, she was inspired by “the contagious freedom of outsider and folk artists” such as Butch Anthony and Howard Finster. “Outsider art taught me that you don’t need permission or approval from the art world to be creative,” Cunningham states.

Other events include an exhibition by 123Klan on June 3, 6-9pm, at Skydeck Gallery (525 N. 7th St., San Jose 4th Floor), an artist talk and book signing with Kevin Lyons and 123Klan from 7-8:30pm at Empire Seven Studios, and the Jtown Artwalk, a free event from noon to 6pm on June 7 that will celebrate Japantown’s local shops, food, music and creativity. There’s also a self-guided mural tour on June 8.

To learn more, visit empiresevenstudios.com and sjwalls.com.

Thu, May 29

The Cake—Playwright Bekah Brunstetter penned this topical comedy about a conservative baker called upon to create a wedding cake for a young woman she helped raise. The twist: This marriage has two brides. $38-$63. Through June 8. Shows this week: May 29, 7:30pm; May 30, 8pm; May 31, 2 and 8pm. City Lights Theater, 529 S. 2nd St, San Jose. 408.295.4200. cltc.org. 

Smuin Ballet’s Dance Series 2—Director Amy Seiwert creates a world premiere, her 13th ballet for the company, and Trey McIntyre returns to Smuin with the Bay Area premiere of his Wild Sweet Love, an ode to the ups and downs of love set to a range of music from Mendelssohn to Queen. $31-$92. Shows on May 29-30 at 7:30pm, May 31 at 2 and 7:30pm, and June 1 at 2pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. mvcpa.com

Kevin Hart—The ubiquitous star of comedy clubs, movies and TV commercials makes his way up the mountain for a one-night stand. All ages can enter; 21 and over for alcohol service. $112+. May 29, 8pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Fri, May 30

Music on the Square—Carnaval, a Santana tribute band, kicks off a series of free concerts that runs through Aug 29. Every Friday night (except Fourth of July), live bands will play everything from rock, reggae, and funk to Latin, soul, and everything in between. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the sounds of summer. Free. May 30, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

The Mad Ones—Based on an excerpt from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, The Mad Ones tells the story of two girls who together overcome grief—and manage to belt out quite a few songs in a score that will please musical theater lovers. $14-$18. Runs through June 8. Shows this week: May 30-31, 8pm; June 1, 2pm. Fess Parker Studio Theatre, Santa Clara University. scupresents.org

Tequila Twist Cocktail Class—Learn how to make pineapple margaritas and tequila sours. $107. May 30, 5-6pm. Quattro Bar at Four Seasons Silicon Valley, 2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto. 650.566.1200. eventbrite.com.

Sat, May 31

Alexander Kobrin—The Steinway Society presents a solo concert by Russian-American concert pianist Alexander Kobin. Featured works are Beethoven’s Sonata in E-flat Major, Brahms’ Drei Intermezzi and various pieces by Chopin. $53-$78 for live performance; $26.75 for a recorded performance that can be viewed anytime in a 48-hour period. May 31, 7:30pm. Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.300.5635. steinwaysociety.com

Japantown Farmer’s Market—Formerly the Jackson-Taylor Business & Professional Association, the Japantown Business Association continues the legacy of community and business support of the old Chinatown/Japantown area. Free. June 1, 8am-noon. Gordon Biersch Brewery, 357 E Taylor St, San Jose. japantownsanjose.org

Love Flamenco Tour 2025—Imported from Spain, this show brings together top contemporary performers versed in the art of flamenco. $57-$96. May 31, 8pm. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. foxrwc.com

South First Night Market—Culture Night Market and Pop Up SJ present a night market in the SoFA District, featuring vintage fashion, local small businesses, handcrafted goods, food and music. Free. May 31, 4-9pm. SoFA District, 300 S 1st St, San Jose. culturenightmarket.com

Pub in the Park—Redwood City’s outdoor music and craft beverage series begins its eighth year with a concert by the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. Free. May 31, 11am-4pm. Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

SJMADE Fest 2025—Peruse the work of more than 250 makers, artists, designers, curators, chefs, bakers, crafters and creative small businesses. Plus, there will be food trucks and food stalls, a double-sized Kitten Lounge by Mini Cat Town, K-Pop dance performances and more. Free. May 31-June 1, 11am-6pm. History Park San Jose, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. sanjosemade.com

Sun, June 1

Brunch on 1st Street—Culture Night Market and Pop Up SJ present a street party experience featuring food, music and a lively atmosphere with vintage fashion vendors, local small businesses, artists and artisans offering handcrafted goods. June 1, 10am-3pm. SoFA District, 300 S 1st St, San Jose. culturenightmarket.com

Hauser—Croatian cellist Stjepan Hauser is one half of the duo 2Cellos, but as a solo artist he adapts his instrument to various genres, from classical to pop. $69-$208. June 1, 8pm. Civic Auditorium, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org

Mon, June 2

Marissa Meyer and Joelle Murray—Writer Meyer and illustrator Murray discuss their young adult graphic novel, We Could Be Magic. $16.74 ($34.59 with book). June 2, 7pm. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Suite 100, Menlo Park. keplers.org

Instrumental Cinema—The Stanford New Ensemble, under the direction of Joo-Mee Lee, presents a program featuring iconic film scores from the 20th century, including music from The Pink Panther and Cinema Paradiso. Free. June 2, 7:30pm-9pm. Braun Music Center, Campbell Recital Hall, 541 Lausen Mall, Stanford. events.stanford.edu

Tue, June 3

‘Idomeneo’ Preview—San Francisco Opera Guild presents a preview of its upcoming performance of Idomeneo, given by soprano and musicologist Dr. Rebecca Plack, professor of Opera Studies and Music History at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Free. June 3, 2pm. Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto. paloalto.bibliocommons.com

Symphony of Color & Joy—The latest show at Gallery 9 features work by Jan Meyer, known for painting murals throughout Silicon Valley. The opening reception takes place June 6, 5-8pm. Free. The show will be on view Tue-Sun, June 3-29. Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos. 650.941.7969. gallery9losaltos.com

San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers—A presentation celebrating the rich history and infectious energy of the Scottish musical tradition. Free. June 3, 7-8pm. Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos. 650.948.7683. sccl.bibliocommons.com

Wed, June 4

Downtown Farmers’ Market—Stroll through stalls filled with fresh produce, locally made packaged goods, and hot meals prepared by local food vendors. Free. June 4, 9am-1:30pm. 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

In her new novel, Fallout, local author Jordan Rosenfeld weaves a narrative of environmental activism, maternal grief and moral complexity through the interconnected stories of two women navigating a world threatened by corporate pollution and climate change.

The “eco-thriller,” which Rosenfeld has spent nearly a decade crafting, follows journalist Justine Goodman as she becomes entangled with Project Nemesis, an all-women “eco-anarchist” group determined to dismantle environmentally destructive energy companies.

“It is a book about loss, not just the loss of a child but also our loss of the natural world,” Rosenfeld says. “The characters are fighting against these big corporations that pollute the world, pollute the earth.”

Set in 2016, the novel begins with Justine feeling stifled by new motherhood while pursuing a journalistic investigation into Project Nemesis. Her growing obsession with these radical environmental activists leads to tragedy when her child dies during her absence.

“She becomes obsessed with these eco-anarchist women, because they’re doing something purposeful, something powerful, and they’re all these very powerful women,” Rosenfeld said. “That is partly what leads to her child’s death—not directly, but it is partly responsible for her not being there when something happens to her child.”

She explains, “What I’m trying to do is show that sometimes, to go up against powerful forces, you have to get a little dirty yourself. Every character in the story has a moral gray area.”

The novel also highlights environmental justice issues, examining how pollution and climate change disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

“Who is the most harmed? The poor, the working class, and often people of color, because their communities have often been built in places where there is not a lot of great infrastructure because of things like systemic racism,” Rosenfeld says.

The author hopes readers will take away a message about collective responsibility in the face of environmental threats.

“When you have these powerful oppressive forces, a lot of people just stand by and wait for someone to save them, and maybe the message is we have to save ourselves,” she says. “We need to care about more than just our own experience. We need to care about the planet, we need to care about people who are suffering, we need to care about mothers having to make choices between their jobs and their children.”

Published by Running Wild Press, Fallout has already received praise from literary voices, including New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt, who described it as “achingly real and totally unforgettable.”

Born in Marin County, Rosenfeld moved to Morgan Hill two decades ago when her husband took a job in San Jose. The couple chose Morgan Hill seeking the small-town feel reminiscent of Petaluma, where they had previously lived.

“Morgan Hill is an incredible community, and there are good people here doing really important work and caring for each other,” she says. “It’s why we’re still here, 20 years later.”

The book launch takes place at Margarita’s Bar and Grill, located at 411 Vineyard Blvd. in Morgan Hill from 2:30-4:30pm on April 26. Sponsored by BookSmart of Morgan Hill, the event coincides with Independent Bookstore Day and will feature conversation with the author, book signings and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, with drinks available for purchase.

Rosenfeld encourages community members to support local bookstores rather than purchasing through online giants like Amazon. 

“Cinda and Brad [at BookSmart] are amazing. They really champion local writers and ideas and education,” she said. “If you have to buy online, there is something called bookshop.org, and you can select an independent bookstore that you want to get a proceed from the sale.”

Rosenfeld emphasizes the importance of the urgent themes in the story of Fallout and encourages everyone to read the cautionary tale, regardless of their political persuasion.

“If we don’t have this beautiful planet, and drinkable water, and people don’t have places to live because wildfires are taking them out and sea levels are eroding their homes, then what is the point?”

The book party for “Fallout” will take place at 2:30pm on April 26 at Margarita’s Bar and Grill, 411 Vineyard Blvd, Morgan Hill.

It’s been several years since Tommy Orange’s hugely successful debut novel, the 2019 American Book Award winner There, There, lit up the literary world and gave voice to a wide spectrum of Native American experiences.

And since his sophomore book, Wandering Stars, hit the stores last February, the Oakland author has become one of the most widely acclaimed writers of his generation, booking large event halls throughout his spring 2024 tour.

This week he will be in Menlo Park for a visit to Kepler’s. He’ll discuss Wandering Stars with poet Kaveh Akbar, whose Martyr! was named one of the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2024.

“I’ve done a lot of public speaking since the first tour. And so, that’s not the part that makes me anxious,” Orange said in a phone interview. “It’s just the attention that can be a lot, and I think writers are pretty private people.”

Wandering Stars, the ambitious sequel to There, There, takes on the painful history of Native American boarding schools in the U.S., which served as brutal reeducation sites for Native children for the better part of a century. Orange immerses himself in a work that is both haunting historical fiction and contemporary literary prowess.

In the novel, the family lineage of Orvil Red Feather—a central character in There, There—collides and entwines with the shameful legacy of the Carlisle Indian School, telling 160 years of history through the lives of Red Feather’s ancestors, from the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 to present-day Oakland.

Josué Monroy: In a 2018 interview, you said that you wrote There, There out of a place of loneliness, out of a lack of representation for the range of Native voices. What place were you in when you began work on Wandering Stars?

Tommy Orange: I actually started in March of 2018. I just got excited about just doing a sequel and kind of staying in the world of There, There. The metaphor of the aftermath of the shooting seemed like a really layered and textured, deep metaphor for the way history plays on the present. And so, Orvil kind of, like, recovering from a shooting at a powwow, it just felt like there were a lot of layers to it. So I got excited about starting to write into that and was also very wary of doing a sequel because you’re almost dooming yourself to writing a less-good book. And for your sophomore effort, that’s the thing you really don’t want to do.

So, it was kind of a weird decision on my part, but I still was in a similar place when I started writing. And then after two years of writing it, the pandemic happened. I’ve been in a lot of different head spaces during the writing of Wandering Stars. And part of that was not being lonely. [Now] we’ve got two TV shows put out representation-wise, and a lot of Native books have been published since then. And I probably feel a lot less lonely representation-wise and got to see a lot of Native people react, including a ton of non-Native people. But a lot of Native people across the country reacted to the book in really positive ways. So that was good.

Did the pandemic’s isolation help you in your process?

No. It was a very distracting time. I sort of lost a lot of structure and routine, which I like to have. You know, not being sure how long this thing’s gonna last. If this was the beginning of some kind of end of the world. That was not conducive for me being in a good writing space. I think a lot of people put out really big books right after that time period. So, some people were really able to take advantage of it.

You’ve said before that contemporary depictions of Native Americans relegate them to the historical. How does Wandering Stars explore the generational trauma of Native American boarding schools to inform the book’s characters in the present?

I think a lot of the time we have only been depicted historically, and a lot of times it’s a 400-year-old history. It’s, like, related to the pilgrims or it’s “Cowboys and Indians.” I think a lot of times we get authenticated from the outside and people kind of look at us as not being Native enough, or not the Native that they had in mind. And it [brings out] a lot of the burden of [questions like] ‘Where’s our language?’ and ‘Where’s our connection to culture?’ especially for urban folks who have a complicated history.

The burden kind of gets put on us like there’s some kind of weakness. And a lot of people don’t know that in these boarding schools we were being punished for practicing our lifeways and our languages. And these boarding schools went on for decades, probably 100 years, with the same mentality of ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,’ and so a lot of people’s connection to their culture, their tribal ways, was cut off intentionally.

And so, portraying the historical piece and then having the contemporary characters kind of struggling with ‘What does it mean to be native?’ it just kind of shows that the fact that we still are connected at all is a lot. It’s trying to show our strength rather than something that we lack.

Part of this book takes place in Oklahoma, a place you have a personal connection with. What was the significance of that while writing this book?

I grew up going back to Oklahoma—that’s where my tribe is and my family that lived there—but it was more the historical piece because that’s where people went after Fort Marion and that’s where my tribe was. That’s where our reservation, our tribal jurisdiction land, is. It had more to do with this historical piece. And I did a lot of research.

It’s a complicated thing. Some people have tribal homelands…they’ve been on a piece of land for hundreds—some maybe even longer than that—years, being relegated to this piece of land by the government, and not really being allowed off of it for a while.

It’s not the same feeling, like, ‘that is home.’ We were in different parts of the country before that, getting moved around, and the Sand Creek Massacre and all that stuff. So I have mixed feelings about the place.

How does it feel to be a part of a contemporary Oakland literary community?

I wish there were more prominent Oakland authors and I hope that there will be more in the future. … For the amount of books that come out of New York, it’s really nothing, a drop in the bucket. So, I think the West Coast gets a lot less love in general.

Your work gives life to an array of Native experiences and you have garnered wide acclaim for the depth of your depictions. On the flipside, do you ever feel tokenized in an industry that tends to fetishize “other” narratives?

Yeah, and I think sometimes people … I’m like, the only Native author that they know and I’ll get questions that I’m supposed to be able to answer for the entire community and it’s really not something that I can do. We’re almost 574 federally recognized tribes, and there’s like 400 not federally recognized tribes, and everyone has their own worldview and histories. So there’s a lot of diversity that makes it impossible for me to speak for. I do feel put on the spot sometimes to answer from that point of view, but I don’t know that I necessarily feel tokenized.

Tommy Orange will be in conversation with poet Kaveh Akbar at 7pm on Mar 17 at Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Tickets: $11–$46.