NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Meghan Horrigan, 408-499-1345 [email protected] Jeanne Sullivan, 650-215-8156 [email protected] SAN JOSE HEATS UP WITH SPRING EVENTS AND FESTIVALS SAN JOSE, CA (March 11, 2013) – In the wake of superstorms and general winter blues, there’s no better time to warm up with spring getaways to San Jose, California, where warm temperatures and sunny skies invite visitors to play year-round. To make the decision easier, San Jose announces exciting spring events for adults and families to enjoy. For continued updates on events, visit www.sanjose.org. FESTIVALS Nikkei Matsuri Festival 2013 (Apr. 28) – Come celebrate Japanese heritage and culture at The San Jose Japantown Nikkei Matsuri Festival, located in one of the three remaining Japantowns in the nation and featuring food, music, dance, and traditional arts. http://www.jtown.org/events/2013/4/28/nikkei-matsuri-festival-2013 International Children’s Film Festival @ Children’s Discovery Museum (April 28) -- More than 100 quality short films made by both professional independent and student filmmakers will be screened over the two-day Festival. Creative, exciting, informative, often amazing films from around the world include animation, live action and documentary. www.cdm.org PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS San Jose Museum of Art presents “Rising Dragon: Contemporary Chinese Photography” (Now through June 30) -- This exhibition of photography illustrates China’s astounding social and economic transformation in the 21st century. The exhibit showcases images by photographers working in mainland China between the years 2000 and 2012—both Years of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. www.sjmusart.org ComedySportz Spring Events (Spring 2013) - The South Bay's longest running live show is an award-winning interactive comedy performance where two teams of "act-letes" compete for audience laughs and points while improvising scenes, games, operas and musicals based on your suggestions. Upcoming shows include the April Tax Free Show (April 13), Mother's Day Weekend (Mom's get in free - May 10 and 11), Father's Day Weekend (Dad's get in free - June 14 and 15). http://www.comedysportzsanjose.com Institute of Contemporary Art presents “Val Britton: Intimate Immensity” (Now-May 18) – An immersive site-specific installation of collaged works on paper that draws on the language of maps to create imaginary landscapes that depict physical and psychological spaces. http://www.sjica.org/ Institute of Contemporary Art presents “Judith Rothchild: Black Magic” (Now-May 18) – An exhibition of exquisite mezzotint prints by this notable American-born, France-based artist. http://www.sjica.org/ Institute of Contemporary Art presents “Parallax Views” (Now-May 25) – Whether by photographing environments they have constructed or through deconstructing and reworking photographs they have taken, the artists in Parallax Views offer the viewer a new line of sight. Faced with the contemporary overload of images, these artists have altered, blended, and re-mixed their photographs in order to offer revitalizing views of the world. http://www.sjica.org/ Anno Domini presents “Deciphering the Ash of Effigies” (Now through April 13) -- This exhibit focuses on artist Joseph Loughborough, whose honesty, expressionism and possibly exorcism can be read from his impulsive and intuitive rapid-fire mark making, which strive to grasp a comprehension of the human condition. Drawing inspiration from various themes concerned with Camus/Kierkegaard's notion of ‘Absurdity.” Each drawing becomes story pursuing a standing point within the concept. www.galleryAD.com San Jose Improv Spring Calendar (Spring 2013) – Downtown’s famous Improv comedy club is offering a great roster of talent this spring, such as Big Bad & Sexy Comedy Tour (March 21), Felipe Esparza (March 22-24), Edwin San Juan (March 28-30), Laugh Now Laugh Later (March 31), American Me Compedy (April 3), The Stowe Show (April 4), John Heffron (April 5-7), Unfiltered Underground (April 10), Todd Glass (April 11, 14), David Spade (April 12-13), Big Al’s Big Ass Comedy (April 17), Tom Segura (April 18, 20, 21) and more. http://sanjose.improv.com Institute of Contemporary Art presents “In the Making: Works on View” (March 21-April 7) – See the works of artists Anne Chu, Anne Collier, Moyra Davey and more. http://www.icaboston.org KALEID Gallery presents “Crime Scene by Julie Bilyeu” (Now through March 29) -- A new series of drawings that gives a unique perspective on criminally deviant behavior. www.KALEIDGallery.com Ballet San Jose presents: “Program Two Mixed Repertory Ballet” (Mar. 22-Mar. 24) at the Center for the Performing Arts – This mixed repertory program features the company premiere of "Les Rendezvous," one of Sir Frederick Ashton's signature works. The exotic "Meditation from Thais" set to Jules Massenet's "Meditation" illuminates another part of the Ashton heritage. An encore performance of "Clear" from choreographer Stanton Welch with music by Johann Sebastian Bach follows, and the program concludes with "The Green Table," considered by many to be one of the most important ballets of the 20th century. http://www.sanjose.org/event/program-two-mixed- repertory-ballet The Beatles Come Together (Mar. 23) at the Montgomery Theater – “Come Together” takes Beatles fans back to the days of the British Invasion and recreates the excitement of Beatle Mania with a live tribute. http://www.sanjose.org/node/22926 Symphony Silicon Valley presents “Verdi’s Requiem” (Mar. 23-Mar. 24) at the California Theatre – Celebrate Verdi’s 200th anniversary with a dramatic orchestral and choral infused performance of his breathtaking Requiem in the historic California Theatre. With opera credits that range from Milan to the Met, Maestro Bisanti returns to conduct this moving work by the great Italian master of vocal magic. http://www.sanjose.org/event/verdis-requiem Nederlander Concerts presents “In the Mood - The 1940s Big Band, Swing Dance Musical” (Mar. 29) at the San Jose Civic – Step back in time and get yourself "In the Mood" with authentic 1940’s music and arrangements with the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra. http://www.sanjose.org/event/in-the-mood-the-1940s-big-band-swing-dance-musical Broadway San Jose presents “Blue Man Group” (Apr. 2-Apr. 7) at the Center for the Performing Arts – International phenomenon Blue Man Group will thrill you with its high-octane theatrical experience, featuring an explosion of comedy, experimental music, and technology! http://www.sanjose.org/event/blue-man-group Nederlander Concerts presents “Super WHY!” (Apr. 4) at the San Jose Civic – Take your kids on a live reading adventure traveling inside a book to find the answer to the question, "Who has the Greatest Super Power in the World?" This uplifting, entertaining, and educational show features kids' favorite literacy-powered super heroes. http://www.sanjosecivic.com/events/event_details.asp?id=2494 South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk (April 5, May 3) -- The South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is a self-guided evening tour through 21 venues in the SoFA District (and beyond) including galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses featuring exhibitions and special performances. Take place 7–11pm. Free and open to the public. www.southfirstfridays.com 408-271-5155 KALEID Gallery presents: “CHILD-SIGHT: Solo Exhibition by Leah Jay (April 5-26) – Artist Leah Jay shows us how to rekindle the magical way we had of looking at the world as children -- through the medium of our dreams and by setting our imaginations free. www.KALEIDGallery.com KALEID Gallery presents: “Light and Soul Experiences in Natural and Cultural Landscapes: Solo Exhibition by LAuruS Myth” (April 5-26) – This series by Artist LAuruS Myth depicts the fusion of sacred spaces, temples, and earth technologies. www.KALEIDGallery.com Lyric Theatre of San Jose presents “Brigadoon” (Apr. 6-Apr. 14) at the Montgomery Theater – This classic Broadway musical follows two Americans exploring the Scottish highlands who discover the lost town of Brigadoon, which comes to life only one day every century. One of the Americans, Tommy, falls in love with a local girl, Fiona. The problem is that if Tommy stays in the town for more than a day, he can never return to New York. http://www.sanjose.org/event/brigadoon Opera San Jose presents "Puccini's Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi" (Apr. 13-Apr. 28) at the California Theatre – Don’t miss double-bill of one-act operas by the great Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini--Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. The first is a drama of redemption, with a nun seeking eternal salvation for a mortal sin, while the other is a comedy of deceit, featuring a cunning con artist seeking worldly riches. http://www.sanjose.org/event/suor-angelica-gianni-schicchi Innovation Arts and Entertainment presents “Good Vs Evil An Evening With Anthony Bourdain And Eric Ripert” (Apr. 13) at the Center for the Performing Arts – Join Anthony Bourdain-host of Travel Channel's "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations--and Eric Ripert-- renowned chef of Le Bernardin--as they share stories and muse on the place of food in personal, community, and global life. It's an evening of storytelling and observation, providing frank and provocative insight into what really goes on behind the kitchen doors. http://www.sanjose.org/event/good-vs-evil-an-evening-with-anthony-bourdain-and-eric-ripert Open Make @ The Tech: Music (Apr. 13) – A collaboration between The Tech Museum of Innovation, MAKE Magazine, and Pixar Animation Studios, Open Make is a monthly program highlighting the tools, techniques, and ingenuity of local Makers. For each Open Make, we'll host Maker-led activities, Meet-the-Maker talks, and Young Makers Sessions in our innovative new space, The Tech Studio. This session will focus on music. http://www.thetech.org/ Unique Live & Experiences Speaker Series 2013 presents “Lucie Arnaz: Celebrating My Mother and Me” (Apr.