Urbanowski: Santa Clara County summer arts are in full swing

“We are stronger together” is a meme, an often used phrase, maybe a cliche, but it still feels so authentic.

I feel so blessed to live in this place, County of Santa Clara, California, where my County Supervisors, county staff and cities throughout region deeply care about local residents’ rights, protections, health, and well being.

I know this because I see county leadership pushing back against federal edicts that hurt our residents. I know this because our County Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes is a strong voice for civil rights and because our local artists tell the stories of marginalized populations. I know this because, despite enormous financial pressures, our county still provides grants to local arts groups serving the wide range of cultures represented in our region. The arts are a place to come together to build resilience, friendship and mutual support. The arts teach us about ourselves and connect us to our histories and each other.

Across our county this month, in the height of heat and summer, we join together to embrace all that gives us hope.

The 35th annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is one of the largest, most exciting weekends in San Jose’s arts and culture scene. From Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, visitors from across California and beyond come to San Jose for a truly outstanding lineup of performers. Local residents gather to celebrate with friends and neighbors and the downtown vibrates with music and energy.

But Summer Fest is more than just three days, nine stages, and 100-plus artists. San Jose Jazz uplifts individual artists, cultivates new talent, builds bridges between musical genres and imagines a future where music is accessible for all. Through music, our spirits soar and our community thrives.

This year, Summer Fest adds a visual arts component with a special exhibition of alebrijes, part of a tour across major U.S. cities spotlighting Oaxaca as representative of Mexico’s artistic traditions and cultural richness. Ranging in height from 20 feet to 22 feet, the eight sculptures will be placed all over the festival grounds and will be on view in Plaza de César Chávez Park through Sept. 28.

At the south end of our county, the Gilroy arts and business communities come together for the Third Friday Art Walk on Aug. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to discovering new artists, exploring Downtown Gilroy, and enjoying music and performances, we come to celebrate a new community asset and cultural hub.

Joining established arts anchors such as 6th Street Studios & Art Center, 1202 Contemporary, Moya Art Gallery, and the Gilroy Center for the Arts, Casa de Cultura y Arte will open its doors at the historic Gilroy “Willey House” with an open mic and preview before its official open house on Aug. 30.

Back in San Jose, Levitt Pavilion San Jose is transforming historic St. James Park into a safe and inclusive destination for people of all ages and backgrounds. This summer the Levitt hosts free Sunday concerts in collaboration with local community businesses and cultural organizations. Bring the family, pack a picnic, or visit the food trucks on Aug. 24 for reggae band GROUNDATION. GROUNDATION has released 10 studio albums to critical acclaim and performed in more than 35 countries on five continents taking the main stages at world renown reggae festivals, including Germany’s Summer Jam, France’s No Logo and Brazil’s República do Reggae.

We are living in challenging times, but I hope you will get out this summer to witness the benefits of the arts across our county. You’ll be amazed to see, hear and watch the joy that can come from a little fresh air, sunshine and the power of our creative community. If you do venture out, please share your experiences or favorite cultural event with me this month on LinkedIn.

Alexandra Urbanowski is CEO of SV Creates, the state and county designated arts service organization and local arts agency for Santa Clara County. She serves on the leadership committee for the California Coalition of County Art Agencies and as a board member at the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Her columns appear every first Wednesday of the month. Contact Alexandra at [email protected].