Last month, through a cruel trick played by fate, City Lights had to cancel the closing weekend of its season finale, Head Over Heels, due to illness in the cast. As Executive Artistic Director Lisa Mallette stated at the time, “It’s painful to lose performances for any show, but this one is particularly hard, with such a beautiful cast and story, and with such a timely message of love and pride.”

Fortunately, this week the theater troupe is back and ready to deliver a seasonal treat: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, a gender-bending comedy with six actors playing over a dozen roles. This vampire story, from veteran comedy writers Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, owes as much to Mel Brooks as it does to Bram Stoker. Caitlin Lawrence Papp, who played Queen Gynecia in Head Over Heels, directs the play, which Forbes magazine describes as “sexy and campy with non-stop hilarity.” 

The production previews on Sept. 25 and 26, with opening night on Saturday, Sept. 27. Performances continue through Oct. 19; tickets are available at cltc.org. 

Thu, Sept 25

Oktoberfest Downtown Redwood City—This peninsula 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 (includes a commemorative stein); food and extra drink tickets are sold separately. Sept 19-28 (every day except Sept 22) in Courthouse Square. redwoodcity.org

McNeal—San Jose Stage presents the West Coast premiere of this play by Ayad Akhtar. The drama explores artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, and the line between genius and fraud. Directed by Randall King. $34–$84. Previews Sept 24-26; opening night Sept. 27, with shows through Oct. 19. The Stage, 490 S 1st St, San Jose. 408.283.7142. thestage.org

A Taste of Ireland—The “Irish music and dance sensation” comes to California on its 2025 world tour, featuring a cast of acclaimed Irish dancers and musicians. Sept 25. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. ATasteofIrelandShow.com

Quilt National 2025—The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles features selections from Quilt National, a juried biennial exhibition of contemporary quilt art, first held in 1979. Sept 25, 2025-Jan 2, 2026. 520 S 1st St, San Jose. sj-mqt.org

Fri, Sept 26

Festival Fright Nights—In honor of the spooky season, Winchester Mystery House debuts three haunted attractions, themed food and beverage offerings, and access to never-before-used spaces. $54.99+. Sept 26–Nov. 1. Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose. festivalfrightnights.com

Live on Main—Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a meal from a local eatery and catch a concert of country pop and rock by Michelle Lambert. Free. Sept 26, 6:30-8:30pm. Town Square, 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. 

Marcos Varela Trio—The SJZ Break Room Fall Series begin with this trio, whose other members are Liberty Elman and Mark Ferber. $21.80. Sept 26, 8pm. SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose. sanjosejazz.org

Sat, Sept 27

The Sound of Music—South Bay Musical Theatre presents the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Sept 27-Oct 18. Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga. southbaymt.com

Mozart and More—Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José opens its season with a program of Mozart’s most popular works, plus Jacques Ibert’s Hommage à Mozart, a tribute to the composer within a 20th century idiom. Plus, pianist Sandra Wright Shen performs the Piano Concerto No. 21. $26.62 (discounts for seniors, students, children). Sept 27, 7:30pm. Shannon Theatre at Fremont High School, 1279 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd, Sunnyvale. missionchamber.org

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch—Pumpkins come in all colors at this festive annual event sponsored by the Bay Area Glass Institute and the Palo Alto Art Center. Sept 27-28, 10am-5pm. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto. greatglasspumpkinpatch.org

Services Search & Rescue K-9 Benefit—The Quarter Note serves up live music, a car show, a charity auction and a barbecue meal to raise funds for the crucial services provided by K-9 officers and their dogs with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department. Free. Sept 27, noon-6pm. 1214 Apollo Way Sunnyvale. 408.732.2110. quarternote.com

Sun, Sept 28

El Ultimo Baile—San Jose Jazz, in collaboration with the Culture Night Market, presents the closing celebration of the Alebrijes in San Jose installation, featuring music by DJ Chale Brown, Spaghetti Cumbia, Chika Di and La Misa Negra. Sept 28, 2-8:30pm. Plaza de César Chávez Park, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. alebrijes.sanjosejazz.org

Mon, Sept 29

Cook Like a King Book Signing—Top Chef All-Stars winner Melissa King celebrates the release of her debut cookbook, Cook Like a King. $40 (includes signed copy of the book). Sept 29, 6pm. Williams Sonoma at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. melissaking.squadup.com

Tue, Sept 30

Maria Pazos—A solo exhibition by the painter goes on view today, with an opening reception Oct 3, 5-8pm. On view Sept 30-Nov 2. Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos. gallery9losaltos.com

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

Musician, writer, DJ, manager and producer Peter Asher is putting in a rare appearance in the South Bay, and fans of the British Invasion should take note.

The evening, titled “Peter Asher: Songs and Stories,” covers his career with Peter and Gordon, the music he has produced, his radio show on SiriusXM Beatles channel, firsthand Beatles stories and some discussion of his book The Beatles from A to Zed.

Asher will be on vocals, guitar and bajolele (banjo ukulele), joined by well-known local musician Robert Berry (Hush, Greg Kihn, and too many other bands to name) on vocals, piano and bass, and Robert Aubrey from Americana ensemble Mustangs of the West on vocals, mandolin and violin. $68–$172.57. Sept 12, 7pm. Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill. Tickets on Eventbrite.com.

Thu, Sept 11

National Theatre Live—Can’t make it to London for an evening at the National Theatre? A filmed production of Vanya, Simon Stephens’ new version of Chekhov’s play, screens Sept 11, followed by Present Laughter—Noël Coward’s comedy, featuring Andrew Scott—on Sept 12. $16-$23. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Cabaret—Los Altos Stage Company enters the divinely decadent Kit Kat Klub, reprising Kander and Ebb’s indelible musical numbers while exploring the play’s darker side: the spectacle of a cosmopolitan society undone away by virulent demagoguery. $28-$51. Wed-Sun, through Sept 28. 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos. losaltosstage.org

Little Shop of Horrors—Floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant in this musical adaptation of the Roger Corman horror flick. $47.08-$55.08. Fri-Sun, through Sept 28. Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale. sunnyvaleplayers.org

Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity—The new show presents work by contemporary California-based artists who engage with clay as a medium to explore themes of identity and materiality. Some artists work primarily with clay; others incorporate it as a symbolic reference. Free. Opens Sept 13. Opening reception Sept 19, 6-8pm, featuring art activities, a cash bar and performances from Mosaic America. Runs through Dec 7. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto. paloalto.gov

Fri, Sept 12

Middle Eastern & Greek Food Festival—Not only is there authentic cuisine; visitors will also encounter Arabic music by Rami Kaileh & Radwan Shakshir, Greek music by Kymata, and dance performances by St James Dabke youth groups. Free. Sept 12, 6-9pm; Sept 13, noon-9pm; Sept 14, noon-7pm. Saint James Orthodox Church, 195 N Main St, Milpitas. sjorthodox.org/festival

Live on Main—Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a meal from a local eatery and catch a concert by the Country Cougars. Free. Sept 12, 6:30-8:30pm. Town Square, 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. countrycougars.com

Extremely Close—Smuin Contemporary Ballet presents three company premieres by award-winning choreographers: Extremely Close, by Alejandro Cerrudo; Partita, by Justin Peck; and A Long Night, by Amy Seiwert. $28-$95. Sept 12, 7:30pm; Sept 13, 2 & 7:30pm; Sept 14, 2pm. MainStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. mvcpa.com

Sat, Sept 13

Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival—Artists, crafts makers, food vendors and local nonprofit groups flock to Central Park for this community event, along with live entertainment from local bands. Bululú, The Peelers and Pride & Joy play on Saturday, followed by TBT Jazz Trio, East Side Funk, Aja Vu and Pop Rocks on Sunday. Free. Sept 13, 10am-6pm; Sept 14, 10am-5pm. Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. santaclaraca.gov

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. Opens Sept 13; running weekends, 10am-6pm, until Oct 19. $25-$35, plus parking. Casa De Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister. norcalrenfaire.com

SALA 2025—The South Asian Literature and Art Festival, presented by Art Forum SF, brings together globally celebrated names from South Asia and the diaspora. For two days, these luminaries in the fields of literature, filmmaking, the arts, science and more will engage in conversations around this year’s theme: Thoughts without Borders. Prominent panelists will include Nobel Laureate and economist Abhijit Banerjee, modern mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, Bollywood filmmakers Kiran Rao and Kabir Khan, and Michelin restaurateur Ajay Walia. Sept 13-14, 11am-7pm. Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton. salafestival.org

Oktoberfest Los Gatos—Presented by KCAT TV & Radio, this festival turns the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn into a Bavarian village for the day. Food, dancing, family-friendly activities and live music by the Internationals (noon-4pm) and the Lucky Devils (5-8pm) provide reasons to say Prost! Free. Sept 13, noon–8pm. Civic Center Lawn, 110 E Main St, Los Gatos. kcat.org/oktoberfest2025

Baroque Concert—Palo Alto Philharmonic kicks off its nine-concert 2025-2026 season with an evening of select soloists and small ensembles performing an array of music from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. $25. Sept 13, 7:30pm. First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave, Palo Alto. paphil.org

Jimmy O. Yang: Big and Tall Tour—This comedian and actor embarks on his third and largest tour yet, after selling out multiple shows at Carnegie Hall. He’s sold out the Civic too, though tickets can be gleaned from resellers. Sept 13, 8 & 10pm. San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org

Sun, Sept 14

Engineering Imagination—In collaboration with The Tech Interactive’s Community Day, the co-founder of Rbhu—an engineering firm that specializes in monumental artwork—will reveal secrets behind the large-scale artworks in the Alebrijes exhibition, on view in DTSJ through Sept 28. $5. Sept 14, 1:30-2:30pm. The Tech Interactive, 201 S Market St, San Jose. ticketing.thetech.org

Gatsby Picnic—The Art Deco Society of California turns the clock back to the flapper era at this garden party filled with live music and dancing. For a true immersive experience, attendees embrace the 1920s and 1930 style, from summer suits with straw boaters to light linen garden dresses paired with wide-brimmed hats and parasols. Heidi Evelyn and her dance orchestra will supply the tunes; other entertainments include a Bathing Beauty Revue, a Charleston contest and a vintage car display. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics. $28.52-$74.41. Sept 14, 2-7pm. History Park, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. gatsbypicnic.com

Così Fan Tutte—Opera San José starts its season with a light touch: Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, which the company describes as an 18th-century reality show—Temptation Island meets powdered wigs—with two young couples entangled in a scheming philosopher’s loyalty test. $61.50-$221.50. Sun, Sept 14, 2pm. Runs through Sept 28. California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose. operasj.org

Mon, Sept 15

Linkin Park—The Southern California rock band’s From Zero World Tour hits the South Bay. $55.50-$180.50. Sept 15, 7:30pm. SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose. sapcenter.com

Tue, Sept 16

38 Special—Southern rock specialists are still shooting straight after four decades. $54-$235. Sept 16, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Wed, Sept 17

Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior—A career-spanning exhibition of New York-based artist Shahzia Sikander (born 1969, Lahore, Pakistan), who has been reframing South Asian visual histories through a contemporary feminist perspective for more than three decades. Also opening the same day: Edmonia Lewis: Indelible Impressions. Free. Sept 17, 11am-6pm. Runs through Jan 25, 2026. Cantor Arts Center. 328 Lomita Dr, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu

Alebrijes en San José: Movies y Musica—Spend the night with the visiting alebrijes—outdoor sculptures drawn from Oaxacan folk art—listening to live music by DJ Too Tall and Conjunto Trujillo, followed by an outdoor screening of the movie Encanto. Bring a chair, and enjoy bites from local vendors. Presented by San Jose Jazz in collaboration with Culture Night Market. Sept 17, 6-10pm. Circle of Palms, 124 S Market St, San Jose. alebrijes.sanjosejazz.org

Anthony Cullins—The next-gen guitarist, named Best Blues Artist in the 2023 San Diego Music Awards, calls his eclectic improvisational style “psychedelic soul music.” Catch him at the Club Fox Blues Jam. $13.38. Sept 17, 6pm. Club Fox, 2209 Broadway St, Redwood City. 831.334.1153. clubfoxrwc.com

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

The warning was there for anyone who examined Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint to win the culture wars: There would be trouble ahead for the arts community in a Trump 2.0 administration.

Much has already come to pass: the shuttering of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the termination of the National Endowment of the Arts grants and an intensifying campaign (stymied for now) to rename and gain control of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In May, Bay Area News Group reported that of the more than 80 Bay Area arts nonprofits that received grants from the Biden administration, nearly 30 confirmed they had lost all or a portion of the grants, including San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose Taiko, Opera San Jose and the artist collective Local Color.

Despite all this, Silicon Valley arts groups continue to stick to their mission statements, bringing thoughtful, challenging and—yes—entertaining works of music, theater, visual art and literature to their supporters.

But just in case it isn’t already obvious, these groups need those supporters more than ever before. Not only has government spending dwindled; large corporations, faced with the uncertain effects of tariffs and the economic disruption of the AI revolution, are more cautious with their cash. (One acknowledged casualty is Día San José, which has cancelled its annual October event for 2025, citing an inability to secure corporate funding.)

So that leaves the job of supporting the arts squarely in the hands of those who can’t imagine a world without theater, music, dance and the visual arts. Valley residents are lucky enough to be able to see three plays by Lauren Gunderson, including 2018’s Ada and the Engine (produced by Pear Theatre) and the brand-new Little Women (TheatreWorks, which is doing two of the playwright’s works). City Lights looks on the lighter side of Bram Stoker’s protagonist with Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. Stanford Live is adding something new: a series of three productions cherry-picked from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. And if edgy doesn’t suit the mood, community theater groups are offering up some comfort-food favorites, like Gypsy (Palo Alto Players) and The Sound of Music (South Bay Musical Theatre).

And support means attendance: marking the calendar, getting the tickets and making the trek across town to witness the act of creation. We hope valleyites will use this guide (it’s triple the size online at metrosiliconvalley.com) to find events and be there in the audience, lending their support to the arts. In times like these, it’s as much an act of defiance as any protest.

Festivals

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
Aug 23-24, 10am-6pm | University Avenue, Downtown Palo Alto | paloaltochamber.com
More than 250 fine artists and artisans will put their best work forward at this annual festival held on University Avenue. Even the sidewalks become a canvas during the festival, with Italian street painting on Tasso Street. 

Kings Mountain Art Fair
Aug 30-31 & Sept 1, 8am-5pm | 13889 Skyline Blvd, Woodside | kingsmountainartfair.org
Launched in 1963 to raise funds for fire protection in the woodsy Kings Mountain community, the fair continues to support the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade. A zero-waste festival, the juried fair draws and 400 local volunteers, who help make this art fair a standout cultural event. In addition to the artwork, there will be food (including Grandma Jenny’s giant cookies), beer and wine, and children’s activities. Admission is free, and a shuttle service operates for drivers parking along Skyline Boulevard. Artist’s work can be previewed online before, during and after the fair.

Silicon Valley Pride Festival
Aug 30-31 | Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown San Jose | svpride.com
Silicon Valley Pride marks a big anniversary with a two-day festival titled “Unstoppable: 50 Years of Love, Legacy & Liberation.” Snow Tha Product, a San Jose native and Latin Grammy-nominated rapper, will headline the Saturday night show.

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

Alebrije Glass Blowing
Sept 8, 7pm | Bay Area Glass Institute, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose | bagi.org
In a workshop presented by BAGI and San Jose Jazz, artist Carolina Argote, creator of hand-carved alebrijes—Mexican folk art figures—collaborates with Bay Area Glass Institute’s team of glassblowers to create her designs in molten glass. 

Middle Eastern & Greek Food Festival
Sept 12-14 | 195 N Main St, Milpitas | sjorthodox.org/festival
Saint James Orthodox Church hosts the Middle Eastern and Greek Food Festival, with authentic cuisine, a traditional Greek band, and dance performances by church youth groups.

Chile, Mole, Pozole Festival
Sep 13, 12:30-5pm | Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose | schoolofartsandculture.org
On top of the headlining Mexican culinary stars, the eighth annual Chile, Mole, Pozole Festival also offers ritual Aztec dance from Calpulli Ocelocihuatl, music from Banda La Única and Mariachi Azteca, and folklórico dance by Los Lupeños de San José, and lucha libre drama from Pro Wrestling Revolution. Plus, there will be a market with local makers selling handcrafted goods.

Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Sep 13, 10am-6pm; Sep 14, 10am-5pm | Central Park, Santa Clara | santaclaraca.gov
Artists, crafts makers, food vendors and local nonprofit groups flock to Central Park for this community event, along with live entertainment from local bands. Bululú, The Peelers and Pride & Joy play on Saturday, followed by TBT Jazz Trio, East Side Funk, Aja Vu and Pop Rocks on Sunday.

SALA 2025
Sept 13-14, 11am-7pm | Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton | salafestival.org
The South Asian Literature and Art Festival, presented by Art Forum SF, brings together globally celebrated names from South Asia and the diaspora. For two days, these luminaries in the fields of literature, filmmaking, the arts, science and more will engage in conversations around this year’s theme: Thoughts without Borders. Prominent panelists will include Nobel Laureate and economist Abhijit Banerjee, modern mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, Bollywood filmmakers Kiran Rao and Kabir Khan, and Michelin restaurateur Ajay Walia. 

CityDance
Sept 18, 6-9pm | Circle of Palms, San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose | facebook.com/citydancesj
This dance event features professional lessons, live bands and DJs. All skill levels are welcome. Free (includes museum admission).

Oktoberfest Downtown Redwood City
Sept 19-28 | Courthouse Square, Redwood City | redwoodcity.org
Every day except Mon, Sept 22, Courthouse Square will become 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 (includes a commemorative stein); food and extra drink tickets are sold separately. 

Music in the Park: Blue Öyster Cult
Sept 19, 5pm | Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose | CalTix.com
This half-century-young heavy metal pioneer has regained relevance as the inspiration behind Saturday Night Live’s legendary “More Cowbell” sketch, featuring Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell. The Long Island band is one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success, epitomized by “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”

Bay Area Parent Kids Day in the Park
Sept 20, 11am-4pm | Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose | CalTix.com
The second year of this event at Plaza de Cesar Chavez will feature top-name entertainment, including inflatables, entertainers, interactive play and food vendors. But the real highlight will be live music by Lisa Loeb and the Hollow Trees. Their new album, That’s What It’s All About, is a heartfelt tribute to timeless tunes and family traditions.

Music in the Park: LaRussell and Kung Fu Vampire
Sept 21, 4-11pm | Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose | CalTix.com
Rising star LaRussell makes his Music in the Park debut. Born and raised in the northern part of Vallejo, a city with a rich vein of hip-hop talent, LaRussell began to rap at the age of eight. He is also the founder of Good Compenny, an organization that helps promote rising Bay Area artists. Just added to the bill is goth rapper Kung Fu Vampire, a San Jose native who has been rapping since he was 14 is known for his live performances. The booking marks the Vampire’s return to the Bay after two years and more than 150 national shows on the road.

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Sept 27-28, 10am-5pm | Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto | greatglasspumpkinpatch.org
Pumpkins come in all colors at this festive annual event sponsored by the Bay Area Glass Institute and the Palo Alto Art Center, where thousands of hand-crafted glass gourds are available for purchase, handcrafted by more than 25 artists, from teeny-tiny to gargantuan, in myriad colors and shapes.

Illo Mart
Sept 27-28, 11am-6pm | South Hall, 435 S Market St, San Jose | sanjosemade.com
This free event sponsored by SJ Made promises to bring together 350+ illustrators all in one place, showing their work.

Glass Pumpkin Patch
Oct 3, 3-9pm; Oct 4, 10am-9pm; Oct 5, 10am-5pm | Santana Row, San Jose | bagi.org
This event sponsored by Bay Area Glass Institute offers a chance for art lovers to purchase decorative pumpkins in time for Halloween.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025
Oct 3-5 | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco | hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
Though it’s clearly not in Silicon Valley, this San Francisco show is notable for offering three days jampacked with music of many varieties, with only one thing in common: every show is absolutely free. Trampled by Turtles, Courtney Barnett and The War and Treaty? Yes! Emmylou Harris, Margo Price and Rosanne Cash? You bet. And much more.

Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival
Oct 17-26 | AMC Sunnyvale and online | svapfilmfest.org
Asian American cinema takes center screen for three days of live screenings at AMC Sunnyvale plus an additional seven days of online events. Feature films, documentaries and shorts are screened at this festival that seeks to celebrate culture, creativity and connection.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Oct 18-19, 9am-5pm | Main Street, Half Moon Bay | hmbpumpkinfest.com
Aside from gargantuan gourds, there’s plenty more to do at Half Moon Bay’s best-known event. Fine arts & crafts booths, live entertainment, a parade, the Pumpkin Run, pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests and plenty more comestibles are in store.

Avenida de Altares
Nov 1 | Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose | schoolofartsandculture.org
Every year, the School of Arts and Culture organizes Avenida de Altares (Avenue of the Altars), a free event celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. In addition to the altar walk from the intersection of Alum Rock Avenue and King Road to the Mexican Heritage Plaza, there will be various activities, including face painting and artist booths.

SJ Made Holiday Fair
Nov 28-29, 11am-6pm | Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara | sanjosemade.com
The largest winter holiday craft fair in the South Bay Area is back, featuring more than 350 amazing makers, artists, designers, curators, workshop guides, food producers and creative small businesses.

Theater

National Theatre Live
Aug 21-Sept 11 | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose | hammertheatre.com
Can’t make it to London for an evening at the National Theatre? The Hammer screens the following productions: Fleabag, written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, screens Aug 23. Present Laughter—Noël Coward’s comedy, featuring Andrew Scott—screens Aug 21 and Sept 12. Scott also stars as multiple characters in Vanya, Simon Stephens’ new version of Chekhov’s play, which screens Aug 22, Aug 24 and Sept 11.

Gypsy
Sept 5-21 | Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto | paplayers.org
Palo Alto Players Artistic Director Patrick Klein is “beyond excited” that the company is opening its season with Gypsy, which he calls “one of the most iconic and emotionally powerful American musicals of all time.” Directed by Janie Scott, the production features 29 Bay Area actors, one pup, and the unforgettable score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim.

Cabaret
Sept 5-28 | 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos | losaltosstage.org
Los Altos Stage Company enters the divinely decadent Kit Kat Klub, reprising Kander and Ebb’s indelible musical numbers while exploring the play’s darker side: the spectacle of a cosmopolitan society undone away by virulent demagoguery.

Little Shop of Horrors
Sept 6-28 | Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale | sunnyvaleplayers.org
When floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant, he has no idea that it will grow into a foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore in this musical adaptation of the Roger Corman horror flick.

Sultana Daku
Sept 6-28 | Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto | naatak.org
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. 

Little Women
Sept 24-Oct 12 | Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | theatreworks.org
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley kicks off Season 55 with the world premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The Bay Area native’s adaptation brings the March sisters—Meg, Beth, Amy and Jo—to the stage in a new production in which author Alcott joins her characters to tell the tale of growing up in 19th-century New England.

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Sept 25-Oct 19 | City Lights Theater, 529 S 2nd St, San Jose | cltc.org
Playing Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire story for both laughs and suspense, City Lights presents a gender-bending production with plenty of wordplay and six actors playing more than a dozen roles, including famed female vampire hunter Doctor Jean Van Helsing and a dangerous yet hot Count Dracula.

The Sound of Music
Sept 27-Oct 18 | Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga | southbaymt.com
South Bay Musical Theatre presents the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Artistic Director Walter M. Mayes, who also directs this production, says, “It reminds us that even when the world is filled with uncertainty, we can still choose love, light and family.”

The Art of Murder
Oct 3-19 | The Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida, Suite A, Mountain View | thepear.org
In this play by Joe DiPietro, acclaimed artist Jack Brooks has invited his art dealer, Vincent, to his secluded home for what seems to be a business discussion—but which unfolds quite differently as revelations of ambition and revenge shatter the mask of civility and artistic integrity.

Dos maridos pa’ Enriqueta
Oct 4, 7:30pm & Oct 5, 2pm | SecondStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | mvcpa.com
Teatro Nahual reimagines The Wise Women (1672), a satirical comedy by Molière, under the title Two Husbands for Enriqueta (Dos maridos pa’ Enriqueta). Molière’s critique of intellectual pedantry and societal hypocrisy has been moved from 17th-century France to late 19th-century Mexico City. Performed in Spanish.

Silicon Valley Twelfth Night
Oct 17, 7:30pm; Oct 18, 3 & 7:30pm | Mainstage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | mvcpa.com
Set in a future where artificial intelligence thrives, Silicon Valley Twelfth Night weaves modern narrative threads into Shakespeare’s classic comedy. The story unfolds in Silicon Valley, where AI replaces not only human labor but also human emotions.

Crazy Quilt Club
Oct 24-Nov 8 | Hall Pavilion at Triton Museum, 1750 Don Ave, Santa Clara | scplayers.org
Santa Clara Players play this murder mystery for laughs. Veronica Blather is a sweet little old lady who spends most of her time knitting and solving murders; clues drop as fast as corpses and the dialogue keeps the audience in stitches.

Dracula
Oct 25-Nov 9 | Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale | sunnyvaleplayers.org
This new adaptation brings the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage, with a theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire that’s rich with both humor and horror.

A Driving Beat
Oct 29-Nov 23 | SecondStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | theatreworks.org
TheatreWorks presents a world-premiere play by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, a Bay Area writer now living in New York City. Directed by Jeffrey Lo, it tells the story of a road trip shared by a white mother and her adopted brown son.

Humans 2.0
Nov 1, 7:30; Nov 2, 2:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
Ten bodies appear in a flash of light, moving in harmony. Created by visionary Yaron Lifschitz, it’s part of Australian performing troupe Circa’s current show, Humans 2.0, which addresses the challenge of being homo sapiens.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical
Nov 5-9 | Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose | cmtsj.org
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose’s Junior Talents presents the musical adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s Diary, starring local performers, ages 7-10.

Annie
Nov 7-23 | Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto | paplayers.org
“It’s A Hard Knock Life” at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage, but little Annie keeps her spirits up, hoping for a better “Tomorrow.” The Palo Alto Players bring the Broadway classic to life for a three-week run.

Burnout Paradise
Nov 12-15, 7pm | The Studio, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
For the first time, Stanford Live will present three acts from the cutting-edge Edinburgh Festival Fringe. First up is the Australian theater collective Pony Cam, presenting Burnout Paradise, which Timeout called “One of the most frenetically uproarious shows you will ever experience.”

Fiddler on the Roof
Nov 14-23 | Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose | cmtsj.org
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose’s Rising Stars present the story of Tevye and his five daughters, and the traditions of the village of Anatevka, featuring local performers ages 11-15.

A Twig in the Thief’s Beard
Nov 14-23 | Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto | naatak.org
This South Asian company adapts Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector—first published in 1836 and staged in countless adaptations and styles. Here, corrupt local officials in a Gujarati town are abuzz because Inspector Sahib is on his way to check on them.

Over the River and Through the Woods
Nov 20-Dec 21 | City Lights Theater, 529 S 2nd St, San Jose | cltc.org
Joe DiPietro’s play is centered on single, Italian-American New Jerseyite Nick, who still sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. When they catch wind of his dream job offer in Seattle, a series of schemes ensue to keep Nick at home.

Ada and the Engine
Nov 21-Dec 7 | The Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida, Suite A, Mountain View | thepear.org
Playwright Lauren Gunderson turns her talents to the story of Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, who finds beauty in numbers instead of words. Her connection with inventor Charles Babbage led her to be considered the world’s first computer programmer. The Pear’s production is directed by Miller Liberatore.

Classical and Opera

Invitation to the Dance
Sept 6, 7:30pm | Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose | cambriansymphony.org
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.

Brass Masterclass 
Sept 6, 6:30pm | First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto | gsyomusic.org
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.

Baroque Concert
Sept 13, 7:30pm | First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave, Palo Alto | paphil.org
Palo Alto Philharmonic kicks off its nine-concert 2025-2026 season with an evening of select soloists and small ensembles performing an array of music from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Così Fan Tutte
Sept 14-28 | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose | operasj.org
Opera San José starts its season with a light touch: Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, which the company describes as an 18th-century reality show—Temptation Island meets powdered wigs—with two young couples entangled in a scheming philosopher’s loyalty test.

MACLA Presents: Inebria me
Sept 25-27 | MACLA, 510 S 1st St San Jose | maclaarte.org
Movimiento de Arte y Cultural Latino Americana presents an experimental opera by Los Angeles-based composer, musician and performance artist San Cha. The work, Inebria me, blends ranchera, cumbia, mariachi, punk, classic and electro music. 

Virtuosi!
Sept 27, 7:30pm | Cañada College Main Theater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City | redwoodsymphony.org
Redwood Symphony begins its fifth decade by celebrating the 100th birthday of composer Kirke Mechem with a performance of The Jayhawk overture. The orchestra also performs Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto, with Daniel Glover as soloist. The evening begins with a 6:45pm pre-concert talk.

Aristo Sham
Sept 28, 2:30pm | Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino | steinwaysociety.com
He has played for the king of England and the queen of Belgium, and collaborated with the London Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Now the Steinway Society presents the 2025 Cliburn Gold Medalist in concert, with options to attend in person or listen online.

Masquerade
Oct 4, 7:30pm & Oct 5, 2:30pm | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose | symphonysanjose.org
Symphony San Jose kicks off its 2025-26 season: seven pairs of concerts, plus two holiday shows. The first program, conducted by Nathan Aspinall, features Anna Clyne’s Masquerade; Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with pianist Jon Nakamatsu in the spotlight; and Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Guests at the opening-night show can upgrade and attend Masquerade Fantastique prior to the concert, with a pre-concert reception, refreshments in the Baton Society Lounge during intermission, and a dessert reception after the show.

Peninsula Symphony Season Opener
Oct 4, 7:30pm | Heritage Theatre, Campbell
Oct 5, 2:30pm | Performing Arts Center, San Mateo | peninsulasymphony.org
Peninsula Symphony opens its 77th season with guest conductor Lara Webber and guest soloist Demarre McGill, who will perform Charles Tomlinson Griffes’s Poem and Jacques Ibert’s Flute Concerto. The program also includes works by Carlos Simon, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky.

Michelle Cann
Oct 8, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
A Grammy winner for her recordings of Florence Price compositions, pianist Michelle Cann will perform Price’s Sonata in E minor as well as works by Ravel, Mendelssohn, Margaret Bonds and John Sylvanus Thompson.

Brahms First Symphony
Oct 18, 7:30pm | Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto | paphil.org
In addition to Brahms’ opus—which took the composer 21 years to finish—Palo Alto Philharmonic will perform Augusta Read Thomas’ Of Paradise and Light and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Suite for Viola and Small Orchestra, with violist Jenny Douglass.

Dances and Dreams
Oct 18, 7:30pm | Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino | steinwaysociety.com
Concert pianist Pavel Kolesnikov returns to the Steinway Society stage to perform a program of works by Chopin, Rameau and Duphly.

Fury and Heartbreak
Oct 19, 2:30pm | MainStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | mvcpa.com
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale welcome soprano Maya Kherani, who will sing cantatas by Handel and Marcello, accompanied by furious and tender music for strings. The program, which also includes works by Galuppi, Durante and Vivaldi, will be conducted by Václav Luks.

The Many Colors of Her
Oct 19, 7pm | St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave, San Jose | sjco.org
A premiere by San Jose Chamber Orchestra’s very own Emily Onderdonk, conducted by Barbara Day Turner. 

Santiago Cañón Valencia
Oct 22, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
Colombian cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia makes his Bay Area debut, performing French sonatas and unusual transcriptions, capped by Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne, from the ballet Pulcinella.

Symphonic Spooktacular
Oct 25, 7:30pm; Oct 26, 2:30pm | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose | symphonysanjose.org
Peter Jaffe conducts Symphony San Jose’s annual Halloween “spooktacle.” Titled Bewitching Broadway, the program includes selections from Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked, Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde, Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera, Alan Menken’s Little Shop of Horrors and Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd.

From Formosa to Vienna
Oct 25, 7:30pm | De Anza Visual & Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino | novavista.org
Nova Vista Symphony presents the Bay Area premiere of Tyzen Hsiao’s Violin Concerto in D, with an assist from soloist Richard Lin. Also on the program: Mozart’s Overture to Marriage of Figaro and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.

Hayato Sumino
Oct 26, 2:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
A pianist who got his start on YouTube, Hayato Sumino has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and toured worldwide. For this recital he’ll tackle Chopin, Debussy, Gershwin, Hans Zimmer and his own work, plus a finale: playing Ravel’s Boléro on two pianos at the same time.

Scary Music!
Oct 26, 3pm | Cañada College Main Theater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City | redwoodsymphony.org
Tunes by Danny Elfman and John Williams plus Stephen Schwartz’s Suite from Wicked and Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice will please kids and adults. The concert begins with a tour of the orchestra and concludes with a group conducting lesson.

Fall Chamber Concert
Nov 8, 7:30pm | First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave, Palo Alto | paphil.org
Palo Alto Philharmonic musicians spend the evening with their friends in wind, string and brass ensembles.

Vienna Boys Choir
Nov 12, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
The famed vocal group has toured the globe for six centuries, presenting a repertoire that includes everything from medieval to contemporary to experimental music. The focus this evening: Johann Strauss Waltzes and Polkas.

Romantic Reveries
Nov 15, 7:30pm | Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino | steinwaysociety.com
In his debut with the Bay Area’s Steinway Society, pianist Eric Lu performs works by Schumann, Schubert and Chopin.

Persian Delights
Nov 16, 7pm | St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Ave, San Jose | sjco.org
Under the baton of Barbara Day Turner, San Jose Chamber Orchestra presents an evening of “Persian delights” featuring composer/pianist Faranak Shahroozi.

Madama Butterfly
Nov 16-30 | California Theatre, 345 S First St, San Jose | operasj.org
Puccini’s opera classic reveals the story of young Japanese woman Cio-Cio-San, who sacrifices everything for a faithless American naval officer. César Delgado plays the officer; Emily Michiko Jensen is Cio-Cio-San.

40th Anniversary with Mason Bates
Nov 22, 7:30pm | Cañada College Main Theater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City | redwoodsymphony.org
Redwood Symphony founding music director Eric Kujawsky leads a program of his personal favorites to mark four decades of music. The program opens with Emmanuel Chabrier’s España, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and one of Kujawsky’s favorite pieces, Alternative Energy by Mason Bates, who will appear as a guest soloist. The evening begins with a 6:45pm pre-concert talk.

Celebrating Cecilia
Nov 22, 7:30pm | Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Nov 23, 4:30pm | First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, 1985 Louis Rd, Palo Alto | baychoralguild.org
Bay Choral Guild opens its 47th season with a program honoring the patron saint of musicians with works including Britten’s Hymn for St. Cecilia, Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, and Jacob de Haan’s Missa Santa Cecilia.

Peninsula Symphony Stanford Concerts
Nov 22, 7:30pm & Nov 23, 2:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | peninsulasymphony.org
Mitchell Sardou Klein leads the Peninsula Symphony through its annual collaboration with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of Stephen M. Sano. Two contemporary works by Dan Forrest and Jessie Montgomery complement Richard Strauss’ tone poem Death and Transfiguration.

Holiday Spectacular
Dec 6, 2:30 & 7:30pm; Dec 7, 2:30pm | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose | symphonysanjose.org
Conductor Elena Sharkova takes Symphony San Jose through a program of seasonal music numbers that will include performers from Symphony San Jose Chorale, Cantabile Youth Singers and New Ballet.

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale
Dec 7, 2:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
The orchestra and chorale pair 18th-century classics by Vivaldi and Corelli with a world premiere by British composer Roderick Williams and a U.S. premiere by Caroline Shaw.

A Chanticleer Christmas
Dec 11, 7pm | Memorial Church, Stanford University | live.stanford.edu
The San Francisco men’s vocal ensemble takes advantage of the church’s sublime acoustics with a new Christmas program each year.

Holiday Concert
Dec 13, 7:30pm | Church of the Ascension, 12033 Miller Ave, Saratoga | novavista.org
Nova Vista Symphony presents holiday favorites plus a Sound of Music medley, Humperdinck’s Overture to Hansel and Gretel and Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite.

Stravinsky Pulcinella
Dec 13, 7:30pm | Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto | paphil.org
Palo Alto Philharmonic’s fourth concert of the season features contemporary composer Reena Esmail’s Avartan, Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, featuring soloist Geoffrey Burr, and the suite from Stravinsky’s Pulcinella ballet. The pre-concert talk begins at 7pm.

Winter’s Gifts
Dec 21, 7:30pm | Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University | sjco.org
San Jose Chamber Orchestra and the Choral Project join forces for the annual Winter’s Gifts holiday concert, under the direction of conductors Daniel Hughes and Barbara Day Turner.

Dance

Extremely Close
Sept 12, 7:30pm; Sept 13, 2 & 7:30pm; Sept 14, 2pm | MainStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | mvcpa.com
Smuin Contemporary Ballet presents three company premieres by award-winning choreographers: Extremely Close, by Alejandro Cerrudo; Partita, by Justin Peck; and A Long Night, by Amy Seiwert.

A Taste of Ireland
Sept 25 | Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City | ATasteofIrelandShow.com
The “Irish music and dance sensation” comes to California on its 2025 world tour, featuring a cast of acclaimed Irish dancers and musicians, with a vocalist there to sing reimagined classics such as “Danny Boy” and “Wild Rover.”

Spellbound
Oct 10-11, 8pm | California Theatre, 345 S First St, San Jose | sjDANCEco
sjDANCEco joins forces with the San José Chamber Orchestra to present its 23rd season, celebrating new works by company choreographers Maria Basile and Nhan Ho, guest choreographers Hsiang-Hsiu Lin, Fred Mathews, and Colin Connor. “Spellbound invites you on an unforgettable inner journey—one that will leave you captivated, fulfilled, and deeply moved,” says Maria Basile, artistic director.

Halloween Gala & Dance Party
Oct 25, 7-10pm | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose | newballet.com
A family-friendly rooftop party with costume contest, a sneak peek at the season’s highlights—featuring live performance excerpts by company dancers—and the opportunity to support New Ballet—it’s all part of the company’s most important fundraiser of the year.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Nov 9, 3pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose | sanjosetheaters.org
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with the first Nutcracker arriving on the scene. Talmi Entertainment, now on its 33rd tour, brings its version of this seasonal treat to more than 100 cities every year.

The Great Gatsby
Nov 22, 7pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose | sanjosetheaters.org
Choreographer Ilya Zhivoy and composer Anna Drubich focus on the central love story in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, producing a ballet with a score that echoes the sounds of the Jazz Age. World Ballet Company is touring the production nationwide.

Swan Lake
Dec 4, 7pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose | sanjosetheaters.org
Classical Arts Entertainment presents a touring production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with professional dancers from around the world.

Dökk by fuse*
Dec 5, 7:30pm | Memorial Auditorium, 551 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford | live.stanford.edu
Presented by Stanford Live, Dökk is a journey through the subconscious mind, as it constantly seeks a balance between light and darkness. Experience a live media performance that deeply connects a performer with an incredible digital landscape.

The Christmas Ballet
Dec 11-13, 7:30pm & Dec 13-14, 2pm | MainStage, Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View | mvcpa.com
Smuin Contemporary Ballet brings back its seasonal ballet, which, as always, features new additions to keep it evergreen.

The Original San Jose Nutcracker
Dec 12-14 | Center for Performing Arts, San Jose | sjdt.org
San Jose Dance Theatre is back for the holidays, with six full-length productions of The Original San Jose Nutcracker and one presentation of Once Upon a Nutcracker at 10:30am on Dec 12.

The San Jose Nutcracker
Dec 13-23 | California Theatre, 345 S. First St, San Jose | newballet.com
Presented with Symphony San Jose in the California Theatre, this joyful holiday production transports the familiar story to turn-of-the-century San Jose. An added bonus: Symphony San Jose will accompany all performances.

My Very First Nutcracker
Dec 14, 15 & 22, 11am | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose | newballet.com
A one-act presentation aimed at families with young children, this shortened ballet centers on the festive party scene. Performed with live accompaniment by Symphony San Jose, conducted by Thomas Shoebotham.

Museum and Gallery Shows

Stand Up! Closing Party
Aug 23, 4-6pm | Works/San Jose, 38 S 2nd St, San Jose | workssanjose.org
WORKS/San Jose’s member exhibition ends with a party and the annual member meeting, with brief “state of Works” remarks at 5pm.

Expanding the Field and Echoes in Color
Aug 30, 2025-Jan 11, 2026 | Triton Museum, 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara | tritonmuseum.org
Triton Museum of Art presents two shows related to print media, opening simultaneously. Expanding the Field; New Ideas in and Beyond Print will feature work by the California Society of Printmakers in an exhibition juried by internationally recognized Canadian multidisciplinary artist Monique Martin. For this exhibition, artists were invited to submit work that incorporates any form of hand-pulled printmaking. Echoes in Color showcases work by Qiuwen Li, a Bay Area-based artist from China whose work focuses on reimagining language through color and typography. Li’s work opens up a dialogue about pouring meaning into different forms of communication and expression through creative ways of understanding language.

Half Dome and Elsewhere
Sept 2-28 | Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos | gallery9losaltos.com
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.

Below the Surface
Sept 3-28 | Whitney Modern Art Gallery, 24 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Subtitled “life philosophy made visible,” Sieglinde Van Damme’s exhibit is not a traditional art show; it is designed as an immersive, reflective experience. Visitors will encounter a philosophy wall, a mirror installation, and sealed collector letters accompanying each of the 30+ paintings. Opening reception: Sept 7, 2-4pm (RSVP at bit.ly/Sep7opening.)

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

In Search of Our Mother’s Garden
Sept 5-Oct 3 | Art Ark Gallery, 1035 S 6th St, San Jose | artarkgallery.com
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.

Climate Interrelations Imaginative
Sept 5, 5-9pm | Works/San Jose, 38 S 2nd St, San Jose | workssanjose.org
The new exhibit at Works kicks off with an opening reception during the First Friday art walk. The show runs through Oct 18.

60th Anniversary Community Day
Sept 7, 11am-6pm | NUMU, 106 E Main St, Los Gatos | numulosgatos.org
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 admission to NUMU’s current shows, which include Snapshots of Pride: Photographer Ted Sahl’s Chronicle of the South Bay LGBTQ+ Community, and Greater Bay Area Open, presented by the Los Gatos Art Association.

Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity
Sept 13-Dec 7 | 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto | paloalto.gov
The new show presents work by contemporary California-based artists who engage with clay as a medium to explore themes of identity and materiality. Some artists work primarily with clay; others incorporate it as a symbolic reference. Opening reception Sept 19, 6-8pm, featuring art activities, a cash bar and performances from Mosaic America.

Edmonia Lewis: Indelible Impressions
Sept 17, 2025-Jan 4, 2026 | 328 Lomita Dr, Stanford | museum.stanford.edu
Three marble sculptures carved by 19th century American sculptor Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907) will be on display in a museum for the first time in three decades.

Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior
Sept 17, 2025-Jan 25, 2026 | 328 Lomita Dr, Stanford | museum.stanford.edu
A career-spanning exhibition of New York-based artist Shahzia Sikander (born 1969, Lahore, Pakistan), who has been reframing South Asian visual histories through a contemporary feminist perspective for more than three decades.

Data Trust
Sept 19, 2025-Mar 22, 2025 | ICA San José, 560 S 1st St, San Jose | icasanjose.org
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, seemingly, and the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose tackles it head on with a new exhibit by Stephanie Dinkins that is part of the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions, which support the creation of 50 new works in partnership with Bay Area nonprofit organizations. Data Trust presents a participatory, AI-based, immersive experience that looks at the human experience—land, memory, storytelling and our shared futures—and how it intersects with emergent technologies.

Jessica Monette: Root Me in the Soil
Sept 23, 2025-June 13, 2026 | de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara | scu.edu/desaisset
Jessica Monette’s installation, the second Project Room exhibition at the de Saisset, will explore familial memory, presence and absence, and place. Reception scheduled for the evening of Oct 2.

Monica Rodriguez: Californiana
Sept 23-Dec 19 | de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara | scu.edu/desaisset
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 de Saisset Museum stands on the ancestral lands of the Ohlone people and is on the site of the former Mission Santa Clara de Asís, established by Franciscan padres in 1777. The installation includes twenty-one bells, to represent the mission era, repurposed as pots to sprout native plants. In addition, the exhibit includes artifacts from the university’s archives aimed at re-examining the collection’s content.

Quilt National 2025
Sept 29, 2025-Jan 2, 2026 | 520 S 1st St, San Jose | sj-mqt.org
The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles features selections from Quilt National, a juried biennial exhibition of contemporary quilt art, first held in 1979.

Maria Pazos
Sept 30-Nov 2 | Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos | gallery9losaltos.com
Solo exhibit of paintings. Opening reception: Oct 3, 5-8pm.

Heart’s Delight: Stories of San Jose
Oct 3-Dec 13 | Chopsticks Alley Art, 38 S. 2nd St, San Jose | chopsticksalleyart.org
A celebration of heritage, community, and connection, the exhibition opens with a free reception during First Friday Artwalk on Oct 3, 5-9pm. The work represents three projects: Collective Journeys, which shows work that artists created using sơn mài, an ancient Vietnamese lacquer painting technique; San José Marquee, with local artists transforming digital billboards; and In the Spirit of San José, works created by participants of all ages, inspired by the spirit of those who live and work in the city.

Cunning Folk: Witchcraft, Magic, and Occult Knowledge
Oct 15, 2025-February 22, 2026 | 328 Lomita Dr, Stanford | museum.stanford.edu
A curated collection of work that considers magical practice, practitioners and their persecution in early modern European artwork and material culture (c.1500-1750).

Code:ART 2025
Oct 16-18 6-10pm | Multiple locations | paloalto.gov
Code:ART is a free, interactive media art festival that transforms downtown Palo Alto into a hub of light, sound and imagination. Presented by the City of Palo Alto Public Art Program, the festival launches with five site-specific installations: a centerpiece at Lytton Plaza; four hands-on art experiences where visitors can meet the artists; and projection artworks by Jeff Dobrow, Yann Nguema and Alessio Cassaro on the Palo Alto City Hall façade. The City Hall projections will be on view nightly through Oct 25. 

Encounters: The Photography of r.r. jones
Oct 17, 2025-Feb 15, 2026, NUMU, 106 E Main St, Los Gatos | numulosgatos.org
The fine arts photographer captures images that include portraits from spiritual journeys to Bali, Southeast Asia, and Mexico, where he encountered and connected with spiritual leaders and everyday people.

ektor garcia: loose ends
Oct 17, 2025-June 7, 2026 | 110 S Market St, San Jose | sjmusart.org
Occupying the Davies Gallery at San Jose Museum of Art, ektor garcia’s installation will mix existing and new sculptures into a new installation. The exhibition marks the artist’s homecoming to the ​B​ay Area. The opening celebration takes place Oct 17; members are invited at 6pm; the general public can join from 7 to 9pm. Admission to the museum is free on First Fridays.

Stitches & Wiggles
Oct 24, 2025-Mar 8, 2026 | NUMU, 106 E Main St, Los Gatos | numulosgatos.org
Work by Jody Alexander and Thomas Campbell invites us to participate in an object-based dialogue, gathering materials to reuse, repurpose, repair, mend, patch, or stitch together to make compelling artworks that use the language of our time.

Edge of Softness
Nov 1, Dec 7 | Works/San Jose, 38 S 2nd St, San Jose | workssanjose.org
Community curators Cynthia Yadira Gonzalez and Alyssarhaye Graciano select works that evince “seriously cutting edge cushiness.” Opening reception Nov 1, 5-9pm.

Joyce Savre
Nov 4-30 | Gallery 9, 143 Main St, Los Altos | gallery9losaltos.com
Solo exhibit of paintings. Opening reception: Nov 7, 5-8pm.

Peace, Love + Art Benefit Auction Bash
Nov 15, 6-10pm | La Rinconada Country Club, 14595 Clearview Dr, Los Gatos | numulosgatos.org
The evening features a live art auction, dinner, an awards celebration, dancing and fun. The theme is groovy ’60s as NUMU celebrates its 60th anniversary. Tickets: $250.

Free Concerts

Roots Reggae Bash
Aug 24, 3:30-7pm | St James Park, San Jose | levittsanjose.org
Co-presented by Cukui and Levitt San Jose, this free concert features Groundation and Kruel Summer.

Music on the Square
Aug 22 & 29, 6-8pm | Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
Ticket to Ride plays Aug 22 and Pride & Joy takes the stage Aug 29. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free.

Campbell Summer Concert Series
Aug 22 & 28, 6:30-8pm | Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell | campbellca.gov
Maneck plays Aug 22, and the Houserockers follow on Aug 28. Free. There are several parking garages within walking distance of the Orchard City Green, including the 2nd Street Parking Garage.

Music in the Square Summer Series
Aug 22 & 29, 6-8pm | 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose | instagram.com/evergreenvillagesquare
Latin-flavored band Saborsito plays Aug 21, and Cadillac Jack picks up the beat on Aug 29. Free.

Pub in the Park
Sept 2, 11am-4pm | Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City | redwoodcity.org
Savannah Blu performs. Free. 

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

Bululu
Sept 6, 3:30-7:30pm | St. James Park, N 2nd St &, E St James St, San Jose | maclaarte.org/events
MACLA teams up with Levitt Pavilion San Jose to present an afternoon of music performed by Bululú with Flaco El Jandro y Sus Perros Callejeros and El Pecado de Juana.

Comedy

Jimmy O. Yang: Big & Tall Tour | Sept 13, 8 & 10pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

John Cleese | Sept 14, 7:30pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Sarang Sathaye Live | Sept 19, 7:30pm | Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose

Kevin Hart: Acting My Age | Oct 3, 8pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Sandra Bernhard: Shapes & Forms | Oct 4, 7 & 9pm | Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University

John Mulaney: Mr. Whatever | Oct 10, 8pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

George Lopez | Oct 25, 8pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Hairy Situation: A New Comedy Show by ALOK | Oct 25, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue | Oct 30, 7pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose

An Evening With David Sedaris | Nov 8, 8pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose

Nurse Blake—But Did You Die? Comedy Tour | Nov 10, 8pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose

Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Tour | Nov 22, 7pm | San Jose Civic, 135 West San Carlos St, San Jose

Iliza Shlesinger | Dec 12, 7pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Naomi Ekperigin | Dec 13, 7 & 9pm | The Studio, Stanford University

Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng | Dec 18, 7 & 9:30pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Literature

Trans Narratives of America
Sept 9, 6pm | Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | keplers.org
Authors Carolina De Robertis (So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color) and Nico Lang (American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era) talk about how to preserve and honor the lives and voices of trans people. Moderated by Britta Stromeyer.

Randi Weingarten
Oct 3, 7pm | Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | keplers.org
Randi Weingarten, author of Why Fascists Fear Teachers, explains what teachers do and why those who are afraid of freedom and opportunity try to stop them—and why all Americans should care about attacks on schools and teachers.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee
Oct 8, 7pm | Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | keplers.org
In conversation with author Thomas L. Friedman, Sir Tim Berners-Lee—the inventor who distributed his creation, the World Wide Web, for no commercial reward—explores the web’s promise and how it can be redeemed for the future.

Daria Mochly-Rosen and Emanuel Rosen
Oct 17, 6pm | Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | keplers.org
Life Machines, a groundbreaking book by a Stanford University School of Medicine scientist and her husband, a bestselling author, provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand look at mitochondria and their role in human health. The Rosens outline lifestyle changes that will benefit these crucial parts of the human body.

Festival of Justice & Strength
Aug 26, 28 & 30; Sept 6 | Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St, Menlo Park | eventbrite.com
A 4-part symposium celebrates justice and strength in our modern lives. Each evening will bring together voices from literature, music, and poetry. Aug 26, 6-9pm: Film night and discussion of I Am Not Your Negro, the documentary on the life and legacy of James Baldwin; Aug 28, 6-10pm: Live music by Ohmali and a community dance party; Aug 30, 6-8pm: West African highlife music with Soji Odukogbe and his band and Luisah “Yeye” Tish sharing reflections on justice and strength; and Sept 6, 6-8pm—Antonio López, Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, will present alongside local poets Brian Shepperd, Dwight Jones, and Trey Baker, joined by beloved local classical guitarist Abshir Miller, a longtime friend of the shop. Together, they will explore the theme of justice through verse and music, offering powerful and diverse perspectives on our shared humanity. 

Pop, Rock, Jazz & More

Air Supply | Aug 22, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Dave Matthews Band | Aug 23, 7:30pm | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View

Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicolas Reyes | Aug 24, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Jesse & Joy—El Despecho Tour | Aug 24, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Tribal Seeds & The Movement | Aug 27, 7pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

ZZ Top | Aug 28, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Burton Cummings of the Guess Who | Aug 29, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory | Aug 30, 7pm | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View

Lost ’80s Live | Aug 30, 6pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox | Sep 3, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, Saratoga.

Tennis | Sept 4, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Ana Gabriel | Sept 4, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Josh Tatofi | Sept 4, 6pm | Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose

An Evening With Chicago | Sept 6-7, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Tomorrow X Together World Tour | Sept 9, 7:30pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Jackson Browne | Sept 9-10, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Molotov | Sept 11, 8pm | Civic Auditorium, San Jose

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts—Love Earth | Sept 12, 7:30pm | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View

Palomazo Norteño | Sept 12, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

David Lee Roth | Sept 12, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Three Dog Night & Little River Band | Sept 13, 7pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Linkin Park: From Zero World Tour | Sept 15, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

38 Special | Sept 16, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Marisela | Sept 18, 8:30pm | Civic Auditorium, San Jose

Hermanos Gutiérrez | Sept 19, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA | Sept 20, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Los Tucanes | Sept 20, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Natalia Lafourcade | Sept 20-21, 8pm | Civic Auditorium, San Jose

Band of Horses + Iron & Wine | Sept 22, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

KANGDANIEL—Act: New Episode | Sept 22, 7pm | Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose

UB40, English Beat | Sept 24, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Eladio Carrión | Sept 24, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Clave Especial | Sept 25, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Midland | Sept 25, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Marcos Varela Trio ft Liberty Elman and Mark Ferber | Sept 26, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, San Jose

Common Kings | Sept 26-27, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Jorge Luis Pacheco | Sept 27, 7pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Kali Uchis | Sept 27, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Loud Luxury—Five Star Dive Bar Tour | Sept 27, 7pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Thomas Rhett: Better In Boots Tour | Sept 27, 7:30pm | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View

America | Sep 28, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Alicia Villarreal—Donde Todo Empezó 2.0 | Sept 28, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Lucía | Oct 3, 7pm | The Studio, Stanford University

Óscar Maydon—Rico o Muerto Tour | Oct 3, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Paul Cornish | Oct 3, 9pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Anthony Fung | Oct 4, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

STAYC—2025 Tour | Oct 5, 8pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal | Oct 5, 4pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Marshall Tucker Band with Jackie Green | Oct 9, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Luis R. Conriquez | Oct 10, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Ashni & Ambrose Getz | Oct 10, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Legendary Wailers w/Julian Junior Marvin | Oct 11 | Heritage Theatre, Campbell

Los Ángeles Azules | Oct 11, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

SLUGish Ensemble | Oct 11, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Artemis: ARBORESQUE | Oct 12, 4pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Ziggy Marley & Burning Spear: Do the Reggae Tour | Oct 17, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Becca Stevens | Oct 17, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, Fran Moran & The Nervous Wrecks | Oct 18, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Dmitri Matheny Group | Oct 18, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Daryl Hall with special guest Glen Tilbrook | Oct 22, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Garbage, Starcrawler | Oct 23, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Katalyst | Oct 24, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Boz Scaggs | Oct 28, 7:30pm | Mountain Winery, Saratoga

Leonid & Friends—A Tribute to the Music of Chicago: 2025 or 6 to 4 Tour | Oct 29, 7:30pm | California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose

Veotis | Nov 1, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Mariza | Nov 5, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Christian Nodal | Nov 9, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

An Evening with Judy Collins and special guest Tom Rush | Nov 13, 7:30pm | Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose

Alex Hahn | Nov 15, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Brandon Lake with Franni Cash | Nov 16, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience | Nov 19, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Bryan Adams with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo | Nov 19, 8pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Ramon Ayala | Nov 21, 8:30pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Kristen Strom Quartet | Nov. 21, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Stella Heath | Nov. 22, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

FLOW: Naruto The Rock World Tour | Dec 5, 9pm | San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Mana: Vivir Sin Aire Tour | Dec 5-6, 7pm | SAP Center, San Jose

Ben Jones and Laurence Hobgood | Dec. 6, 8pm | SJZ Break Room, 310 S 1st St, San Jose

Pink Martini’s Holiday Spectacular | Dec 10, 7:30pm | Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University

Jazz Mafia: Holiday Heist | Dec 14, 4 & 7pm | The Studio, Stanford University

Fresh off an appearance at Gathering of the Juggalos, Bay Area underground hip hop artist Kung Fu Vampire has lined up a local date: He will perform at Music in the Park on Sept 21, adding more excitement to a bill that includes Vallejo rapper LaRussell, fresh off a triumphant Outside Lands main stage appearance. The booking marks Kung Fu Vampire’s return to the Bay after two years and more than 150 shows on the road. 

Kung Fu Vampire sprang to life in 2001, releasing his debut Blood Bath Beyond on CD/DVD followed by 2009’s Dead Sexy, which was featured in Rolling Stone’s “Top 500 Album Covers.” An electrifying live performer, he’s appeared eight times at Insane Clown Posse’s Gathering of the Juggalos and has done 24 tours across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. San Jose, be ready to welcome him back home for this show. Gates open at 4pm on Sept 21 at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Tickets are available at CalTix.com.

Eighty years ago, San Jose residents celebrated the end of World War II, which despite the hardships the world endured, was nonetheless a victory over the forces of fascism. That’s no small thing, and History San José—the valley’s center of gravity for the remembrance of times past—is offering locals two opportunities to remember this pivotal time.

In the exhibit “V” for Victory in the Valley: World War II Stories—now on view in the McKay Gallery, located inside the Pasetta House at History Park—life on the home front will come alive via artifacts from San Joseans who contributed to the war effort. The exhibit is on view through October on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3:45pm.

This Saturday, History San Jose opens the doors of History Park for Spirit of ’45 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 “Rosies” (women who worked in factories during the war). Other historic reenactments include President Truman’s announcement of Japan’s surrender, a homecoming victory parade and a USO-style dance party with a live swing band.

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.

Downtown Buzz

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—three 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—even, yes, William Shatner). The action takes place Aug 15-17 at the San Jose Convention Center. For all the details, visit galaxycon.com.

Speaking of downtown … Voyager Craft Coffee owner Sameer Shah is stepping up his game with Songs on Saturday, a monthly music showcase at his new location on St. John Street.

”We’ve always believed that coffee shops can be more than just places to grab a drink,” Shah explains. “They can be hubs for culture, connection, and creativity.”

Helping Shah with the monthly showcase is local singer-songwriter Mardi Morillo, who has been organizing live music events for the past decade. “Partnering with Mardi to bring live music to our St. John location feels like the perfect way to celebrate the talent in our community,” Shah says.

The first show in the series takes place 2–5pm on Aug. 16. Morillo is curating the free, all-ages series with singer-songwriters in various genres. “I love connecting venues with local live music and creating platforms that build the profiles for the artists and venues alike,” Morillo says.

Songs on Saturday takes place 2–5pm 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.

Another notable downtown attraction is BAË Infinite: Beyond All Else, a multidimensional art exhibition at noble workshop & gallery that brings together visual art, poetry, and sound to celebrate “the rich continuum of Black, African, and Afro-diasporic creativity.” 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–Fri noon–6pm and Sat noon–4pm. For more information, visit localcolorsj.org.

Thu, Aug 14

New Works Festival—TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 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, Emmy Award winner Mark Saltzman’s a cappella musical, Aug 16 at 3pm; The Bridge, 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, by Christopher Oscar Peña, Aug 16 at noon; The Employee Dharma Handbook, Geetha Reddy’s workplace comedy, Aug 14 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at noon; and Vienna, a new musical from Come From Away 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

CityDance—At this month’s 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

Head Over Heels—Despite 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

Movies on the Square—Redwood City’s weekly movie night continues, opening with a kid-oriented screening, The Wild Robot, at 6pm, followed by Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at 8:30pm. Free. Aug 14. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Misspent Youth—The 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 Streetcar Named Desire—Gillian 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

Emma—This production written by Kate Hamill and directed by Erin Southard offers a fresh take on Jane Austen’s beloved pre-feminist heroine. $31-$61. Shows this week: Aug 16-17. Through Aug 31. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org

Fri, Aug 15

Careless Whisper—The 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

Music on the Square—This week’s musical offering: Foreverland. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. Aug 15, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Bollywood Night—Music in the Square Summer Series spotlights sounds from the subcontinent. Free. Aug 15, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com/evergreenvillagesquare

Importance of Being Earnest—Oscar Wilde’s 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

Sanctuary City—Written 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

Sat, Aug 16

The Two Gentleman From Verona—The 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

Richard III—Framed 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’s familiar tale of treachery. $31-$61. Running through Aug 29; shows this week: Aug 14-15, 7pm. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org

Long Gone Bon—The AC/DC tribute band plays while diners enjoy beer, brats and other German favorites. $25. Aug 16, 8pm. Teske’s, 255 N 1st St, San Jose. 408.292.0291.

Sun, Aug 17

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

The Beach Boys—They’ve been “Surfin’ USA” 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

Tue, Aug 19

Video Game Orchestra—It’s 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’s melodic take on the aural themes from popular video games. $55 general/$125 VIP. Aug 19, 7pm. filoli.org

Wed, Aug 20

Vines & Vibes—The Top Secret Band reveals a set of rock, pop and soul classics at Guglielmo’s summer concert series. Free. Aug 20, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com

Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz—Tony 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

Pink Martini—Founder 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. mountainwinery.com

Cadillac Jack—Enjoy 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

It’s certain that some in the audience at Haley Reinhart’s show at the Fox Theatre on Aug. 2 will be there to see the singer who got her initial start on American Idol back in 2009. But Redwood City is home base for her opening act, Mike Annuzzi, and he’s very revved up about this concert.

Annuzzi, who guesstimates he plays about 300 shows a year, has been on stages as large as the BottleRock Napa music festival and as small as any number of local clubs. But this show is different. “As a musician walking onto the stage at the Fox Theatre, you feel a big responsibility to perform among the greats who have been there before me. I think of Tony Bennett, Etta James, Neil Young, BB King, Lyle Lovett, and so many others.” Annuzzi says. “This venue is truly a capsule of history and I am so happy to be included as a local independent artist, especially having the opportunity to share the stage with Haley.”

The show begins at 7pm on Saturday, and the Fox is located at 2221 Broadway St, Redwood City. Tickets are available at foxrwc.com.

Wed, July 30

Santa Clara County Fair—The 81st Annual Santa Clara County Fair opens July 30, with this year’s theme being “Still Hare and Kicking.” Expect traditional fair-style food and drink, carnival rides, livestock shows, exhibits, arts and crafts, and lots of live entertainment. $7.50-$12. Hours: July 30-Aug 1, 3-10pm; Aug 2, 1-11pm; August 3, 1-10pm. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. 408.494.3100. thefair.org

MJ the Musical—Now touring North America, this new musical follows superstar Michael Jackson as he rises to fame. Now touring North America, with MJ’s crowd-pleasing hits. $91+. Through Aug 3. Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S Almaden Blvd, San Jose. san-jose-theater.com/shows

Thu, July 31

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. July 31, 6pm. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu/programs

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

Movies on the Square—Redwood City’s weekly movie night continues with two family-friendly titles. Moana 2 screens at 6pm, followed by Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at 8:30pm. Free. July 31. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Campbell Summer Concert Series—Cocktail Monkeys play. Free. July 31, 6:30-8pm. Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell.  campbellca.gov

Fri, Aug 1

Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series—San Benito County Line plays at the weekly event. Free. Aug 1, 5:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org/friday-night-music-series

First Friday at SJMA—Enjoy free admission to the museum’s exhibits and listen to the Trevor O’Loughlin Trio, featuring Patrick Talesfore Jr. and Nima Hafezieh, who will present compositions designed to resonate in the museum’s high-ceilinged lobby. Free. Aug 1, 6-9pm. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. sjmusart.org

Music in the Square Summer Series—Classic Rewind takes the stage at this weekly community concert. Free. Aug 1, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com/evergreenvillagesquare

Music on the Square—This week’s musical offering: ’70s tribute band Mustache Harbor. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. Aug 1, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Summer Concert Series—Fleetwood Macrame. Free. July 31, 6:30pm. Hillview Soccer Field, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos. losaltosca.gov

Emma—This production written by Kate Hamill and directed by Erin Southard offers a fresh take on Jane Austen’s beloved pre-feminist heroine. Aug 1–31. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org

Tech Roast Show—Socially Inept, a group of comedians, is roaming “the world’s biggest tech hubs roasting tech companies and alleged humans like you.” The show hits the West Coast before heading to Texas and cities in India. $32.25-$94.80. Aug 1, 7:30-9pm. California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose. sociallyinept.io

Lynyrd Skynyrd—Over 50 years after the band’s debut in 1973, “Free Bird” continues to fly, embodying the spirit of 1970s Southern rock. The current lineup features Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of the late Ronnie Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s co-founder. Aug 1, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Morgan Wallen—The country music bad boy from Tennessee is releasing his fourth studio album, I’m the Problem. With 37 songs on the album, there will be plenty of material—and to boot, each night in Santa Clara he’ll have two special guests: Miranda Lambert and Anne Wilson on the first night, and Brooks & Dunn and Anne Wilson on the second. $173-$822. Aug 1-2, 5:15pm. Levi’s Stadium, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. levisstadium.com

Possibilities—The opening reception for an art show featuring work by Elaine Sheen, Alexis Moorhead, Inga Poslitur, Elisabeth Koss and Mario Montes Pozo. Free. Aug 1, 6-8pm. Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Sat, Aug 2

National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire—Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster star in the Tennessee Williams drama, filmed live during a 2014 production at the Young Vic Theatre. $16-$23. Aug 2, 2pm & Aug 14, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Pub in the Park—The Purple Mountain Majesty Band performs soulful, high-energy bluegrass and country music. Free. Aug 2, 11am-4pm. Red Morton Park, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Frozen—A cast of youngsters, ages 14-20, perform in this CMT Mainstage production based on Disney’s Frozen, which includes all the songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Aug 2, 2 & 7pm; Aug 3, 1 & 6pm. Montgomery Theater, 271 S Market St, San Jose. sanjosetheaters.org

Sun, Aug 3

Psychedelic Latinx Night—Valley Wolf and Ritmos Tropicosmos play at a concert co-presented by Needle to the Groove and Levitt San Jose. Free. Aug 3, 3:30-7pm. St James Park, San Jose. levittsanjose.org

National Theatre Live: Importance of Being Earnest—Oscar Wilde’s story of identity, impersonation and romance is filmed live from the National Theatre in London. $16-$23. Aug 3 & 17, 2pm; Aug 7 & 15, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Tue, Aug 5

Maren Morris—Even with pop and R&B highlights, this American singer-songwriter’s country roots show through, earning her five Academy of Country Music awards, and five Country Music Association awards. $78-$436. Aug 5, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Wed, Aug 6

Downtown Farmers’ Market—Stroll through stalls filled with fresh produce, locally made packaged goods and hot meals from local food vendors. No admission. Aug 6, 9am-1:30pm. 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Vines & Vibes—Sound Decision plays hits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond 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. Aug 6, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com

Mission College Summer Concert Series—A top swing and blues band, Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers transport audiences to the smoky clubs of the Jazz Age. Free. Aug 6, 6pm. Central Plaza, Mission College, Santa Clara. missioncollege.edu

Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz—Jazz Mafia has performed at major festivals including Outside Lands and the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. With over 40 albums released, the band continues to push musical boundaries. Free. Aug 6, 6:30pm. Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com

Alebrijes en San Jose—For those not familiar with the term, alebrijes are the visual embodiment of magical realism: Mexican folk art sculptures traditionally made from papier-mâché or wood. Large-scale versions of these creations will come alive in a touring exhibit, Alebrijes en San Jose, that will be on view in Plaza de Cesar Chavez during the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. There will also be an alebrijes-themed drone show on Aug. 9 after PJ Morton’s set. But before all that, there will be a gala event welcoming the massive artworks to town, held Wednesday at the San Jose Museum of Art. In addition to the visual attractions, there will be live music and performances, culinary tasting stations, and delectable desserts paired with tequila, mezcal, wine and coffee pairings. Tickets are $108.55; available on eventbrite.com. Aug. 6, 7-10pm. San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose. For information on the Summer Fest, visit sanjosejazz.org.

Music in the Park, San Jose’s premier outdoor concert series, is back with its first-ever triple-show weekend. The opening concert takes place Friday, July 25 and will be headlined by Stevie B, known for his freestyle hits “Spring Love,” “Party Your Body” and “Because I Love You (The Postman Song).” (For more, read Dan Pulcrano’s interview with Stevie B.)

Stevie B will be joined by Jaya, the “Queen of Soul” of the Philippines, and Shannon, a freestyle pioneer whose 1983 hit “Let the Music Play” continues to fire up dance floors today. Plus, a lineup of Bay Area DJs—Hugo & Chuy Gomez, DJ Looney Tunes & DJ Cris Campos, Brotha Reese and local legend Cutso, of The Bangerz— will keep things moving. The music runs from 5 to 10pm.

Headlining on Saturday, July 26 are the Psychedelic Furs, led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler and his bass-wielding brother, Tim. (For more on the Furs, read Bill Kopp’s interview with Tim Butler.) The post-punk progenitors—known for songs where rawness and romanticism meet, such as “Pretty in Pink” and “Heaven”—will play after opening act Rooney, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert Schwartzman. Doors open at 4pm. 

The weekend closes out with the Island Party, a night of tropical sounds provided by soulful singer/songwriter FIA, emerging artist Acari (read more about her in this interview) and DJs BigBodyCisco and Westafa, also known as Western Conference. The music begins at 4pm.

All three shows are at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. For more information, visit mitpsj.com. Purchase tickets at caltix.com.

Thu, July 24

Curator Talks: Dwelling—Kathryn Cua and Jorge Eduardo Sibaja, curatorial assistants at the Cantor Arts Center, present a highlights tour of Dwelling: New Acquisitions, which showcases recent acquisitions to the collection and explores how these works expand our understanding of home. Free. July 24, noon. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford. events.stanford.edu

Pobladores Night Market—Through July 31, this open-air market brings together local makers and business, artists, performers and food purveyors. Free. July 24, 5:30-9pm. Parque de los Pobladores, 501 S 1st St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com

Summer Concert Series—Neon Velvet plays danceable hits from the ’70s to today. Free. July 24, 6:30pm. Hillview Soccer Field, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos. losaltosca.gov

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 24, 7pm & Aug 23, 2pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Movies on the Square—Redwood City’s weekly double-feature movie night continues with a screening of the musical Wicked. Free. July 24, 8:30pm. Courtyard Square, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Fri, July 25

Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series—The Cheeseballs play at the weekly event. Free. July 25, 5:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org

Music on the Square—This week’s musical offerings come from the band Careless Whisper. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. July 25, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org

Music in the Square Summer Series—Latin Remix is the featured music at this weekly community concert. Free. July 25, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com/evergreenvillagesquare

Campbell Summer Concert Series—San Benito County Line. There are several parking garages within walking distance of the Orchard City Green, including the 2nd Street Parking Garage. Free. July 24, 6:30-8pm. Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell.  campbellca.gov

National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire—Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster star in the Tennessee Williams drama, filmed live during a 2014 production at the Young Vic Theatre. $16-$23. July 25, 7pm; July 27, 2pm; Aug 2, 2pm & Aug 14, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com

Richard III—Framed 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’s familiar tale of treachery. Running through Aug 29. $31-$61. Shows this week: July 25-27, 7pm. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org

New Works Festival—Theater buffs can get an advance look at tomorrow’s hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 22nd annual New Works Festival, running July 25-Aug 17. This week the offerings are Old Cock, a political satire by Robert Schenkkan presented in partnership with Portugal’s mala voadora theatre company and Peacedale Global Arts. There will also be a one-night-only presentation of Schenkkan’s Motion/Capture. Old Cock will be performed July 25-26 & 29 at 7:30pm and July 27 at 7pm. Motion/Capture will be performed July 28 at 7pm. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. 877.662.8978. theatreworks.org

Los Lonely Boys—Texican rock ’n’ rollers Los Lonely Boys show off their tight harmonies and guitar work, with two opening acts from Los Angeles: Thee Sinseers, an East Los outfit dedicated to reviving classic soul and R&B sounds, and The Altons, whose soul, rock, and Latin rhythms will fit right into the mix. July 25, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Sat, July 26

Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown—Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the country’s top Beatles tribute bands. They engage in a battle of the bands with premier Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash. $45-$65, plus fees. July 26, 7:30pm. Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell. 408.866.2700.

Smokey Robinson: Legacy Tour—The singer, songwriter, record producer and all-around Motown genius does his first tour in a decade, marking the 50th anniversary of his 1975 album, A Quiet Storm. Robinson will also perform other top hits from throughout the decades. $90-$371. July 26, 7:30pm. Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga. mountainwinery.com

Sun, July 27

Saratoga Classic & Cool Car Show—A week of activities for car fanatics culminates with a car show along Big Basin Way, live music, food trucks and a variety of vendors. Free. July 27, 10am-4pm. Saratoga Village & Big Basin Way, Saratoga. saratogachamber.org/saratogacarshow

Starlight Sundays—San Jose Downtown Association’s outdoor movie series, presented by UA Local Union 393, continues with A Minecraft Movie, starring Jack Black, plus opening act Character Select. Food trucks and a beer garden provide additional entertainment. Free. July 27, 5:30pm. St. James Park, 2nd St &, E St James St, San Jose. sjdowntown.com/starlight-cinema

Tue, July 29

MJ the Musical—Now touring North America, this new musical follows superstar Michael Jackson as he rises to fame. Now touring North America, with MJ’s crowd-pleasing hits. $91+. July 29-Aug 3. Center for Performing Arts, San Jose. san-jose-theater.com/shows

Wed, July 30

Santa Clara County Fair—The 81st Annual Santa Clara County Fair opens July 30, with this year’s theme being “Still Hare and Kicking.” Expect traditional fair-styel food and drink, carnival rides, livestock shows, exhibits, arts and crafts, and lots of live entertainment. $7.50-$12. Hours: July 30-Aug 1, 3-10pm; Aug 2, 1-11pm; August 3, 1-10pm. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. 408.494.3100. thefair.org

Vines & Vibes—The Bent Band throws a rock ’n’ roll party 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 30, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com

Iko Ya Ya—Bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the Mission College Summer Concert Series, Iko Ya Ya blends R&B, blues, zydeco, and Cajun music. Free. July 30, 6pm. Central Plaza, Mission College, Santa Clara. missioncollege.edu

Jazz on the Plazz—Heidi Evelyn Dance Orchestra plays. Free. July 30, 6:30pm. Town Plaza Park, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.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