Disclosure: I was invited on a San Jose FAM Trip to experience all that San Jose has to offer. All opinions are my own.
Center for Performing Arts
When walking around Downtown San Jose, it’s impossible to not notice the elements of art and culture found throughout the city. First, beginning with the 4 historic theaters that Team San Jose has taken over since 2004. These 4 historic theaters have truly elevated the Historic Downtown Area by bringing in various national acts to theaters around town.
The Center for Performing Arts is where a lot of the Broadway Musicals are performed throughout the year. Within the next year there are some pretty big acts coming to town including Wicked kicking off the week ahead and next summer; The Book of Mormon is coming to town.
Wicked: August 27-Sept. 14th (Seriously people, WICKED!!)
Jerry Seinfeld: Oct. 16
Cirque Dreams Holidaze: Nov. 25 through Nov. 30th
Cinderella: The Musical: March 3rd through 8th, 2015
Rain: A Tributes to the Beatles: March 27th through 29th, 2015
Once: April 21st through 26th, 2015
The Book of Mormon: June 30th through July 12th, 2015 (This one is on my list!)
California Theater: This historic theater will truly floor you as you enter through the main theater doors. Often a big component of Opera San Jose and Symphony Silicon Valley.
California Theater
Opera San Jose: Rigoletto: Sept. 6 through Sept. 21st
Symphony Silicon Valley: Italian Tour: Sept. 27th and 28th
C.S. Lewis “The Great Divorce: Oct. 10th and 11th
Ballet Phillippines Masterpieces: Oct. 12th
Tomislav Bralic & Klapa Intrade : Oct. 19th
Symphony Silicon Valley: Beethovan and Brahms: Oct. 25th and 26th
This is also where we took in a few performances during San Jose’s Jazz Summerfest. Seeing San Jose Taiko with the Bangerz was a favorite performance from the festival weekend. And taking in more soothing sounds from the Hot Club of Detroit gave us two very different experiences at the California Theater.
City National Civic:
City National Civic. Photo Credit: Aron Cooperman
The City National Civic, formerly known as the San Jose Civic Auditorium is a sports and concert venue utilized throughout San Jose located directly across the street from the San Jose Convention Center, and in close proximity to many Downtown area hotels including the St. Claire, Four Season, Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, and The Fairmont. Some upcoming performances include:
Rob Zombie: Sept. 16th
Crosby, Stills & Nash: Sept. 19th
Diana Ross: In the Name of Love Tour: Sept. 25th
Judas Priest: Nov. 16th
Mythbusters: Behind the Myths Tour: Dec. 18th
Disney Junior Live on Tour!: January 2nd, 2015
So You Think You Can Dance Tour: Jan. 29th, 2015
This is also the venue where we took in a performance of George Lopez. A night of laughs that was completely worth it. Where I easily learned the term of #degrets and what being an #OTM (other than Mexican) truly meant. The seats aren’t that uncomfortable, and you can purchase drinks at the concessions or up in the Sky Bar, located on the Mezzanine level, before heading to your performance. Please note that this venue isn’t very camera friendly though so leave the cameras at home.
City National Civic Seating Venue
Montgomery Theater:
Montgomery Theater
If you’re looking for more of a traditional playhouse venue, let me introduce you to the Montgomery Theater where CMT’s (Children’s Musical Theater) performances occur throughout the year. Another historic theater that sweeps you off your feet the minute you walk into it.
Upcoming performances include:
Oct. 4th-12th: Lyric Theater: Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Utopia Unlimited.”
Oct. 18th: Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience
Oct. 19th: Sex, Swagger and Swing! Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin Celebration
Nov. 1st: Pink Floya Concert Experience Starring House of Floyd
Nov. 14th through 23rd: CMT The Sound of Music
Feb. 26 through March 1st, 2015: CMT: Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Needless to say, if you want to be entertained throughout the Bay Area, taking in a performance in historic downtown San Jose is the place to go with their beautiful venue spaces.
