For years, thousands of music fans have packed the Latin Tropical Stage at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, turning downtown into an open-air dance floor where salsa has long been one of the festival’s defining traditions. Christian Vela, associate artistic director with San Jose Jazz, the nonprofit group that hosts the annual festival, wants to keep...
Five finalists for renaming downtown San Jose plaza
San Jose residents suggested more than 600 new names for one of the city’s oldest public spaces. City officials have narrowed the final choices down to five. Officials are asking residents to fill out an online survey ranking the five potential new names for Plaza de César Chávez in downtown. The options are Plaza de...
Japanese grocery store opens in downtown San Jose
A new grocer has come to downtown San Jose, erasing its reputation as a food desert. Sakura Market, located on the ground floor below the San Jose State University dorms at 184 S. Market St. and next to the Signia hotel, opened its doors Friday. Part of the Osaka Marketplace brand, the specialty Japanese grocery...
Vacant San Jose building becomes new home for local artists
A long-vacant building near downtown San Jose is getting new life as a creative hub, with local artists preparing to move into studio spaces as early as next month. Local Color is transforming the ground floor of the Davidson Building at 255 W. Julian St. into the Big Arts Building through a partnership with developer...
East San Jose school district hires new superintendent
A struggling East San Jose school district has a new leader at its helm. The Alum Rock Union School District has named Marnie Hazelton as superintendent for three years through June 30, 2029. She takes the reins from Interim Superintendent George Sanchez, who was temporarily hired to lead the district for the month of July....
Downtown San Jose venue faces lawsuit and $50K fine
San Jose has slapped a $50,000 fine on a late night, downtown establishment over allegations that it has been operating illegally. But the owner said protracted efforts to bring his business into compliance have been thwarted by one bureaucratic roadblock after another. Freddie Jackson, owner of Kaizen Lounge on East San Fernando Street, said he...
East San Jose school district hires superintendent for one month
An East San Jose school board has appointed an interim leader — to serve for one month. The Alum Rock Union School District has hired George Sanchez as temporary superintendent to serve the struggling district during July. District leaders said Sanchez brings more than 30 years of experience in education from his time as a...
East San Jose charter school allowed to stay open — for now
An East San Jose charter school slated for closure has been temporarily saved by a court’s ruling. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Peterson issued a tentative decision directing the East Side Union High School District to keep the schools of Escuela Popular open, after the board of trustees on April 2 revoked its...
San Jose stadium to host first live music festival
For more than a decade, PayPal Park has drawn fans for soccer matches, championship games and international tournaments. Next month, the San Jose stadium will welcome a different crowd when thousands of música mexicana fans gather for its first-ever concert. BelicoFest, a festival featuring artists including Tito Double P, Gerardo Ortiz and Santa Fe Klan,...
Downtown San Jose scores big with World Cup
Levi’s Stadium may have hosted its final FIFA World Cup match Wednesday, but the tournament’s economic impact is still playing out in downtown San Jose, where thousands of soccer fans continue gathering for watch parties that are bringing business to bars, restaurants and street vendors. As fans streamed into San Pedro Square ahead of the...