Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, flowers, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. This weekend downtown San Jose celebrates Dia de los Muertos.

San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild presents the 14th annual Dia de los Muertos Procession and Festival de Calacas

Sunday, October 30, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

The procession begins with attendees gathering at 11:00 am in the City View Plaza across the street from Cesar Chavez Park on Market Street. At noon the procession will make its way through downtown San Jose to the MLK Library on Fourth Street at E. San Fernando (one block from The 88 high-rise). The Festival de Calacas runs from 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm at the library and features ceremonies, a children’s Culture Camp, food and product vendors, the Art of Remembrance altar exhibit, and other family entertainment.

Community Day at San Jose Museum of Art
110 So. Market Street

Saturday, October 29, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos at the San Jose Museum of Art. There will be a live performance by Mariachi San Jose, sugar-skull decorating, traditional crafts, and much more family fun.

Have you ever driven past The 88 or Axis and wondered what it would be like to live in one of downtown San Jose’s high rises with their spectacular views and amazing amenities? Well wonder no more. This Saturday, October 29 is the San Jose Condo Crawl Open House. From 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm high-rise complexes Axis, The 88 and City Heights will open their doors so everyone can experience what downtown San Jose urban high-rise living is all about. Print your passport here, then get out and experience downtown San Jose. Take one of the designated walkable routes between buildings, or catch an Eco City Cycle pedicab. Make sure you get your passport stamped at each property – it will be good for a complimentary drink at the San Pedro Square Market, the rendezvous point after the condo crawl.

So spend Saturday afternoon experiencing everything that’s new in downtown San Jose. You never know, you may find your future home.

What: Downtown San Jose Condo Crawl Open House

When: Saturday, October 29, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Where: Start at any one of three high-rise residential complexes-

The 88
88 E. San Fernando Street between 2nd and 3rd.

Axis
38 N. Almaden Blvd. near Santa Clara Street

City Heights
175 W. St. James Street near Julian Street

Finish at the San Pedro Square Urban Market
87 N. San Pedro Street at E. St. John Street

Are you looking for somewhere fun to show off your Halloween spirit? Look no further than downtown San Jose. Halloween events are happening Thursday, October 27 thru Monday, October 31. So put on your best costume and join the fun at some of these downtown San Jose events:

San Jose Downtown Residents Association Halloween Party
Thursday, October 27, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Phoenix Lounge at San Jose Athletic Club
196 N. 3rd Street at the corner of St. John Street
Costume contest, drink specials and bar menu

Fahrenheit Restaurant & Lounge’s 6th Annual Halloween Bash
99 E. San Fernando at the corner of Third Street
Saturday October 29, 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Over $1,000 in costume prizes. Halloween inspired drink specials. No cover with costume before 10pm

Azucar Latin Bistro’s Halloween Thriller
71 & 81 E. San Fernando Street between 1st and Market Streets
Saturday, October 29 and Monday, October 31, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Most outrageous costume contest

Temple Bar’s Halloween Get Down
52 S. 1st Street at Post Street
Monday, October 31 10:00 pm - 1:30 am
$3 beers and well drinks from 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm
$1 trick or treat shots all night

After a hard day’s work, are you looking for somewhere to kick back, enjoy a cocktail, and just relax without breaking the bank? Look no further than downtown San Jose. Whether you’re looking for a quiet lounge or a rowdy bar crowd, downtown San Jose has what you’re looking for. As a downtown San Jose high-rise condo resident and worker, our office often gets together after work to decompress and enjoy some time together away from the office. It’s been a while since I’ve written about this, so here are some new and revisited of mine and my coworker’s favorite places:

Billy Berk’s - 99 S. 1st Street
A great people watching place with 180° of glass and a large square bar in the heart of the restaurant.
Monday - Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and Sunday 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
$2 off Billy’s specialty cocktails, all 6 oz. wines by the glass, select beers, and well drinks.
$4 - $7 appetizers including BBQ pork sliders, calamari, crispy oriental beef (one of my favorites!), assorted sausage and mustard plate, buffalo chicken tenders, and chipotle pepper jack potato skins.

Firehouse#1 – 69 N. San Pedro Street
An intimate, lively bar where everybody knows your name.
Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Draft beer and mixed drink specials
½ price appetizers (no food specials when the Sharks play at home) – chicken wings, sliders, steak bites, potato skins, tiger prawns

Loft Bar & Bistro – 99 S. 2nd Street
A long, rustic bar offers plenty of seating, as does the rooftop patio.
Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$4 Beers, $6 House Red or White Wine, Specialty Cocktails
$6 Appetizers – Buffalo wings, ½ lb. burger with fries, calamari, turkey and avocado sliders, Chinese chicken salad, quesadilla

McCormick & Schmick’s – 170 S. Market Street
Sit back on the patio in the heart of downtown San Jose for some excellent people watching.
Monday - Friday, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm to close
Daily drink specials
$1.95 – $4.95 bar menu - corn on the cob, quesadilla, Buffalo wings, nachos, BBQ pork sliders to name a few, including the $2.95 – ½ lb. cheeseburger

Morton’s, the Steakhouse – 177 Park Avenue
Enjoy “Power Hour” in this sophisticated and luxurious oasis.
Daily – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and 9pm to close
$5 beers, $6.50 wines, $7.50 “Mortinis” and cocktails
$6 and $7 Bar Bites – iceberg wedge bites, mini crab cake BLTs, smoked salmon pizza, sliders, petit filet sandwich

San Jose Bar & Grill – 85 S. 2nd Street
A lively crowd for the young and young at heart.
Monday – Friday, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Drink specials - $2 PBR, $2.50 Bud Lights, $3.50 drafts and well, $5.50 call, $1.00 off premiums
Daily slider, appetizer, burger/sandwich, and salad special - $7 - $9

The Grill on the Alley – 172 S. Market Street
Feel like a member of the Rat Pack with a warm and inviting ambience reminiscent of a 1940’s dinner clubs.
Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Friday – Saturday, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$5 Draft Beer and Well Drinks
$3, $5, $6 Small Plates – potato skins, calamari, popcorn shrimp, loaded mac & cheese, crab cake or Kobe sliders

Join the San Jose Downtown Association as it celebrates 25 years with a gala celebration this Saturday, October 22 at the US Armory in downtown San Jose. The festivities begin at 7:00 pm with a cocktail reception and dinner with food provided by some of San Jose’s favorite restaurants – Billy Berk’s, Eulipia, Mezcal, Morocco’s, and Paolo’s to name a few. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by three musical acts: Corpus Callosum – a seven-piece performance group; Sabrasito – an acoustic trio and a 5-piece rock and Latin ensemble that is sure to keep the dance floor hopping; and Chatos 1013 – a local DJ that will spin tunes late into the evening.

The highlights of the evening are sure to be the silent and live auctions. Silent auction items include trips to Maui and Mexico, tea with Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi, dinner for 10 at Emile’s, 49er and Sharks tickets, and much more. The Live auction features a behind-the-scenes VIP treatment for two at an episode of Season 11 of Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey, including airfare.

The evening is sure to be a rich celebration and retrospective of the places and faces that have, and continue, to shape downtown San Jose. Don’t miss it!

What: San Jose Downtown Association’s 25th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser

When: Saturday, October 22, 7:00 pm

Where: San Jose Armory
240 N. Second Street in downtown San Jose

For tickets contact Ellen Lee at (408) 279-1775 x310 or elee@sjdowntown.com, or go to sjdowntown.com/25th.

If you’ve ever thought about moving to a high-rise residential complex in downtown San Jose but are aren’t sure you want to buy before trying downtown living, why not think about renting? Silicon Valley Lofts & Condos has several 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos available for rent.

Three units are available at the Park Townsend complex. They range in size from 1583 – 2000 square feet – probably the largest condos you’ll find in downtown San Jose. All the units feature granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchens, walk-in closets, large bathrooms, in-unit laundry, and plenty of storage. They all come with 2 parking spots. Park Townsend is a secure building with secured underground parking, a pool and hot tub, fitness room, and social room with full kitchen. It’s within walking distance of everything downtown San Jose has to offer – restaurants, bars, theater, sports, and special events.

We also have a condo available for rent at the historic Plant 51 on The Alameda in downtown San Jose. The condo is 1200 square feet and features hardwood floors throughout, a beautiful kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, and a custom file backsplash. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, and the master bath features a tile floor, granite counter, and large tiled shower. There is an in-unit full-sized washer and dryer. Plant 51 is a very cool building. The builders wisely kept the old brick facade of the original cannery. It features lushly landscaped outdoor spaces including a BBQ area, several outdoor dining and seating areas, outdoor fire pits, a bicycle storage room, and a very modern fitness room with separate studio and locker room. Cahill Park and Diridon Station are in the Plant 51’s backyard, and the HP Pavilion is one block away.

So come to downtown San Jose and find out what people in-the-know already know – downtown San Jose is a great place to live!

The grass-roots music festival Left Coast Live returns to downtown San Jose Saturday, October 8, 2011. In its 3rd year, Left Coast Live is an annual, all-ages music festival which showcases national and local acts in the downtown San Jose area, establishing Silicon Valley as a regional destination for live music. Now in a new home on Post Street between 1st and Market Streets, Left Coast Live will feature 25+ bands performing on three outdoor stages and partner venues.

Left Coast Live is again on the cutting edge of the local music industry. Headliners The Limousines are an indietronica band out of the East Bay. Made up of multi-instramentalist/producer Giovanni Giusti and songwriter/vocalist Eric Victorino, the duo has gained international fame, thanks in part to the release of their singles Very Busy People and Internet Killed the Video Star. Their first full-length album, Get Sharp, was released in July 2010, to critical acclaim. They recently completed a nation-wide tour opening for Neon Trees (another Left Coast Live alum) and have appeared at several major festivals this summer including SXSW, The Bamboozle, Sunset Strip Music Festival, and Outside Lands. Other headliners include the Postelles, a band Rolling Stones hailed as a “band to watch”; funk band Orgōne; Latin freestylist Chico Mann; and sultry songstress Mara Hruby.

Left Coast Live is also bringing back the fan favorite Silent Disco. Picture a giant disco ball hung in the middle of the street complete with lights and fog machine. Then imagine not being able to hear a thing; all you see are hundreds of people dancing in complete silence. All you have to do is pick up the Silent Events personal wireless headset and join in on the fun!

The Urban Food Zone will feature many of San Jose’s favorite food trucks – O’Mi Ninja will be serving up Vietnamese street food; Bigg Shimp’n features shrimp done every which way – friend, boiled, in tacos and bahn mi; and Hiyaaa Roll serves sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls. These are just a few of the tasty treats you’ll find at Left Coast Live. The Beer Garden, courtesy of Good Kharma Vegan Cafe, will be serving up your favorite craft brews from some of the most inventive brew masters around. This year’s offerings include: Lagunitas IPA, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Flying Dog-Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA, North Coast Pranqster, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat, Trumer Pils, Allagash White, Humbolt Brewing Company Hemp Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Company California Pale Ale, Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter, North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner. We will also be serving some Belgian bottled beers, including Tripel Karmeliet, Duchesse De Bourgogne, Chimay Red, and Delirium Tremens.

Be sure to stop by the Left Coast Live Record Swap presented by Streetlight Records. The swap will be located on the corner of Lightson and Post Streets. Several different vendors will be selling LPs, 45s, DVDs, CDs, comics, graphic novels and more

Your paid wristband ($15 presale/$20 at gate) is good for entrance into the Saturday night outdoor concert with 3 stages and Silent Disco, and exclusive Left Coast Live downtown venues. CASH ONLY will be accepted at the gate on Saturday night. Visit www.leftcoastlive.com to purchase tickets online.

What: Left Coast Live Music Festival

When: Saturday, October 8, 2011. Gates open at 3:00 pm, with performances starting at 4:00.

Where: Post and Lightson Streets between 1st and Market in downtown San Jose.