When Steve Wozniak was working to launch the first Silicon Valley Comic Con, the Apple co-founder and his partners considered San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Ultimately, they decided against it. “No,” Wozniak says, recalling his final answer. “We want to hold it in San Jose, because San Jose is more representative—over the last 50-60 years—of Silicon Valley.” Born in San Jose, The Woz’ roots run deep in the South Bay and he is proud to see San Jose develop as a cultural destination with great restaurants, nightlife and a Stanley Cup contender. Wozniak’s second annual con swoops into town this weekend. Plus Andre Nickatina, Sweeney Todd and Record Store Day.
Andre Nickatina
Thu, 9pm, $28
Los Gatos Bar & Grill
Since his “Dre Dog” days in the early ’90s, this Fillmore District-groomed gangsta rapper has built a loyal cult following in the Bay Area. He’s made a name for himself by delivering immoderate and sometimes extreme bars in his unmistakable, staccato flow. A contemporary of other Bay Area emcees, including The Jacka and Mac Dre, he is as adept at weaving tales that are morose as he is at spinning a yarn about partying. The multitalented, blunt-blowin’ Dre has proven his prowess on the mic and behind the boards as a producer. He performs at LGBG on 4/20—natch. (BS)
Sweeney Todd
Fri, 7:30pm, $25+
Montgomery Theater, San Jose
Sweeney Todd has returned from exile and he’s out for blood. After a corrupt judge sends Sweeney to prison on trumped-up charges—and with the aim of seducing Todd’s young wife—the Demon Barber of Fleet Street returns seeking vengeance. Initially, he targets only those who destroyed his life. However, he quickly turns his wrath into a reprisal on the entire human race, opening a barbershop only to slit the throats of customers. He finds a kindred killer in Mrs. Lovett, who helps him dispose of the dead bodies by baking them into pies. This CMT production runs through April 30. (BS)
The Colorado
Fri, 6pm, $15+
Bing Concert Hall, Stanford
One the Southwest’s most defining natural forces, the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon and feeds the United States’ largest reservoir—Lake Mead— formed by the Hoover Dam. The Colorado River Basin, is explored in Murat Eyuboglu’s documentary, The Colorado. Part of Stanford’s ongoing series, Live Context: Art + Ideas, the film will be shown immediately after a public conversation with National Geographic photographer Pete McBride. A native Coloradan, McBride holds a special place in his heart for the American West and has spent a great deal of time documenting its rugged beauty. (NV)
THE COLORADO from Murat Eyuboglu on Vimeo.
Historic Homes Tour
Sat, 10am, $50+
New Museum Los Gatos
This bi-annual showcase will give people an inside look at the Almond Grove Historic District—one of Los Gatos’ oldest neighborhoods. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the neighborhood features Victorian, Craftsman, Spanish, English Cottage, Tudor and ranch style homes. The tour—NUMU’s largest fundraising event—will run from 10am-4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. All ticket proceeds will benefit the museum’s programs and exhibits. Saturday’s tour will also feature a bonus house. Attendees who purchase a VIP ticket for $75 will be invited to Los Gatos’ newly opened Modern Whitney for a private wine reception. (BS)
Record Store Day
Sat, 10am, Free
Streetlight Records, San Jose
It’s the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day and Streetlight is marking the occasion with as many of the special releases they can stock. The store will be opening an hour early for the event, and they’ll have goodie bags, snacks and coffee for those who line up early. Special RSD releases include titles by David Bowie, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Andre Nickatina, The Cure and U2. Also, volunteers from Be The Match will be on hand in an effort to raise awareness about bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. They’ll be accepting donations and signing people up for their registry. (NV)
Oliver Ranch Private Tour
Sat, All Day, $125
Geyserville, Sonoma County
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art is taking a field trip, and they want to take you along. This Saturday, the ICA will lead a group of modern-art lovers on a guided tour of the internationally recognized modern art installation destination Oliver Ranch. The trip includes transportation, a catered lunch, and a group tour of the ranch. The Olivers have been involved in the San Francisco high art scene for decades. Since 1985, the couple have commissioned 18 site-specific installations on their property, asking only that the world-class artists they work with “respond to the land.” (NV)
sjDANCEco Festival
Sun, 10am, Free
Santana Row, San Jose
Kicking off National Dance Week, sjDANCEco celebrates the sweeping diversity of Silicon Valley’s best dancers. The 15th annual festival—formerly known as Dancin’ Downtown—will feature rising stars and masters of their craft performing a wide variety of styles, from classical to modern, interpretive to hip-hop. Dance companies, choreographers and cultural groups from all over the South Bay will be strutting their stuff all day, from 10am-5pm in Santana Row Park, located on the main drag between El Jardin Restaurant & Tequila Bar and Vintage Wine Bar. (NV)
Magic Lantern
Tue, 8:30pm, Free
Downtown Redwood City
A new 3-D video-mapped light show, which debuted on April 18, will be shown in downtown Redwood City every Tuesday night through the end of the year. The “Magic Lantern 3-D show,” created by celebrated light show artist Bart Kresa, is projected onto the San Mateo County History Museum and is said to take viewers on “an abstract adventure through Redwood City history.” Sponsored by the Redwood City Improvement Association, it is the second public art project to debut in Redwood City in recent weeks. At the beginning of the month, San Francisco-based scientific illustrator Jane Kim completed her ‘Flora from Fauna’ mural series downtown. (NV)
The Bodyguard
Tue, 7:30pm, $43+
SJ Center for the Performing Arts
The first national tour of this award-winning musical is loaded with talent. Playing the leading role of Rachel Marron is the Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress Deborah Cox. She stars alongside TV star Judson Mills, who plays the titular bodyguard—assigned to protect music superstar Rachel from a menacing stalker. As the two fall into an unexpected love, Rachel continues to dazzle fans, performing a number of classic hit songs including Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” (BS)
