After the success of final yr’s inaugural Mosaic Competition in San Jose, Usha Srinivasan noticed a chance to make the occasion larger this yr, increasing to 2 days of multicultural arts programming. However Srinivasan, co-founder of the nonprofit Mosaic America, additionally didn't wish to lose sight of its mission of bringing collectively totally different elements of the neighborhood — not simply multicultural, however “inter-cultural.”
So when this weekend’s second annual Mosaic Competition Silicon Valley takes place Friday and Saturday on the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, the schedule will embody artists and humanities organizations that Srinivasan stated “had already been doing the work right here for a very long time.”
That features Chamber Music Silicon Valley — the conclusion of its weeklong Silicon Valley Music Competition kicks off the Mosaic Competition on Friday — in addition to San Jose Jazz, the lion dancers of Buu Kim Tu, New Ballet San Jose, the Home of Inanna dancers and the Playboyz avenue dance crew. Aware San Jose is bringing in tai chi and meditation actions and Well being Belief is sponsoring a therapeutic backyard. Even the meals vehicles on website will symbolize totally different cultures.
“What makes this competition somewhat totally different is its so anchored in place,” she stated. “We're actually reflecting the range of East San Jose, very particularly.”
Friday evening shall be a “block get together” beginning at 6 p.m., with music (and dance classes) starting from Iranian pop and Bollywood to hip-hop and extra. Saturday’s lineup, working from 2 to 10 p.m., will embody workshops on mindfulness and humanities and crafts, in addition to extra performances all through the day.
There’s additionally a visible arts exhibition, “An American Mosaic,” that includes the work of a dozen artists from totally different cultures who share a “San Jose vibe.” Curated by Joe Miller of Works/San Jose, it’ll be open in the course of the weekend competition and can proceed to be on show by Sept. 18.
The entire competition is free, and you will get extra data at www.mosaicamerica.org/competition.
‘XANADU’ FINALLY ROLLS IN: If a theater award for resiliency existed, San Jose Playhouse would win it for positive. After having its efficiency schedule totally disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the previous two years, the nonprofit group run by Scott and Shannon Guggenheim noticed some success with productions of “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Man of La Mancha” at 3Below Theaters in downtown San Jose.
And the scene was set to launch a brand new “Up On the Roof” collection — on the highest ground of the parking storage on 2nd and San Carlos streets — with a reside manufacturing of “Xanadu,” the disco-infused, roller-skating musical primarily based on the 1980 Olivia Newton-John film, final weekend. However some units on the rooftop stage and seating had been vandalized final week, forcing weekend reveals to be canceled and pushing opening evening to Tuesday. However the present will go on and run by Sept. 11.
The rooftop expertise will proceed within the weeks after with a six-week run of flicks, with many centered round social justice points or showcasing filmmakers from numerous cultures. You may get tickets to “Xanadu” or extra details about the collection at www.sanjoseplayhouse.org.
PRIDE WEEK IS HERE: Silicon Valley Delight is again, with occasions being held all week main as much as Sunday’s parade in downtown San Jose and a competition Saturday evening and all-day Sunday at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
That features a flag elevating ceremony and lighting of Metropolis Corridor hosted by San Jose Metropolis Council members Pam Foley and Dev Davis, with performances by the Silicon Valley Homosexual Males Refrain and Ensamble Folklorico Colibri. The enjoyable continues Friday evening with “Out on the Park,” a screening of the film, “Burlesque,” starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, at Excite Ballpark. It’s free to attend, however you’ve acquired to RSVP at bit.ly/outatthepark2022.
The parade on Sunday will begin at 10:30 a.m., working alongside Market Avenue from Julian to San Fernando Avenue, stopping at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the place the competition will begin at midday. Get extra particulars on this week’s actions at www.svpride.com.