Alebrijes are small, jewel-like Mexican folk art sculptures traditionally made from papier-mâché or wood.
This week, large-scale versions of these creatures will come alive in a touring exhibit, Alebrijes en San Jose, that will be on view in Plaza de Cesar Chavez during the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. And the good news is that these monumental sculptures will continue to stand sentinel in the park until Sept. 28.
Other events will be happening in the park while the alebrijes are on view, including Ritmo y Colores, a festival on Sept 6 that will include a procession, live music from Las Cafeteras and a drone show. There will also be outdoor movie nights, a glass-blowing demonstration by the Bay Area Glass Institute on Sept 8, and a closing celebration on Sept 28 featuring Afro-Latin band La Misa Negra.
Thu, Aug 7
The Haberdasher Shows—A music residency, pop-up photo exhibits and drink specials on the first Thursday of the month.This week: Bennett Roth, Jonathan Borca, Mark Arroyo and friends. 21 and over. Free. Aug 7, 6-10pm. Haberdasher, 43 W San Salvador St, San Jose. haberdashersj.com
Soul Kiss—Live music continues at the Campbell Summer Concert Series. Free. Aug 7, 6:30-8pm. Orchard City Green, Civic Center Drive and N. Central Avenue, Campbell. campbellca.gov
Emma—This production written by Kate Hamill and directed by Erin Southard offers a fresh take on Jane Austen’s beloved pre-feminist heroine. $31-$61. Shows this week: Aug 7-8. Through Aug 31. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org
Movies on the Square—Redwood City’s weekly movie night continues with two screenings. A short from the BraveMaker Film Festival will play first, followed by Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Free. Aug 7, 8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
Fri, Aug 8
The Hitmen—Enjoy a mix of funk, soul, disco and Latin at the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series. Free. Aug 8, 5:30-9:30pm. Downtown Amphitheater, Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. morganhillchamber.org
Los Amigos—Live music in the Music in the Square Summer Series. Free. Aug 8, 6-8pm. 4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose. instagram.com/evergreenvillagesquare
Music on the Square—This week’s musical offering: Orquesta Dharma delivers a fusion of jazz, Afro-Cuban and Latin American sounds. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free. Aug 8, 6-8pm. Courtyard Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
New Works Festival—TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is in the midst of its 22nd annual New Works Festival, which lets audiences get a look at new plays and musicals in their early stages of development. The kick-off reception takes place at 6pm on Aug 8 at the Lucie Stern Ballroom followed by these readings: Alice, Formerly of Wonderland, Emmy Award winner Mark Saltzman’s a cappella musical, Aug 9 and 13 at 7:30pm and Aug 16 at 3pm; The Bridge, a new musical about a true story behind the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, Aug 10 at 3pm, Aug 15 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at 7pm; Malcreados, by Christopher Oscar Peña, Aug 12 at 7:30pm and Aug 16 at noon; The Employee Dharma Handbook, Geetha Reddy’s workplace comedy, Aug 14 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at noon; and Vienna, a new musical from Come From Away creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Aug 16 at 7:30pm and Aug 17 at 3pm. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. Festival passes: $90; single tickets, $25. 877.662.8978. theatreworks.org
Sat, Aug 9
Saturdays: Kids Rock!—This free outdoor concert series for kids will feature James Henry’s House of Samba Kids, which will get the crowd moving, grooving and learning through rhythm, percussion, and global beats. Free. Aug 9, 10am-noon. Courthouse Square, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
H.M.S. Pinafore—Lamplighters Music Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved operetta, filled with hummable tunes and a satirical plot that still resonates today, poking fun at patriotism, party politics, the military and—perhaps most relevant—the rise of unqualified people to positions of authority. A “Queen V Photobooth” will be open to all patrons, and the Lamplighters are inviting all to dress in “Sailor Chic.” $35-$95. Aug 9-10, 2pm. Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St, Mountain View. lamplighters.org
The Groove Doctors—The high-energy party band plays in Redwood City’s live music series Sounds of the Shores. Free. Aug 9, 5pm. Marlin Park, 500 Cringle Drive, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
The Two Gentleman From Verona—The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival brings this captivating play to Redwood City for three weekends. Free. This week, performances are Sat-Sun, Aug 9-10, 6pm. Continues through Aug 24. Red Morton Park, 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org
National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire—Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster star in the Tennessee Williams drama, filmed live during a 2014 production at the Young Vic Theatre. $16-$23. Aug 14, 7pm. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. hammertheatre.com
Richard III—Framed with traditions of film noir and featuring an all-female and nonbinary cast, this production by Silicon Valley Shakespeare takes an innovative look at the Bard’s familiar tale of treachery. Running through Aug 29. $31-$61. Shows this week: Aug 9-10. Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga. svshakespeare.org
Wed, Aug 13
Vines & Vibes—The Top Secret Band plays at Guglielmo’s summer concert series. Free. Aug 13, 3-4pm. Guglielmo Winery, 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. guglielmowinery.com
Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz—Vocalist Clairdee performs. Free. Aug 13, 6:30pm. Town Plaza, West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com
Sammy Obeid: No Place Like Fremont!—The writer and stand-up comedian performs live. $39.19-$60.54. Aug 13, 7pm. Fremont Clubhouse, 4020 Technology Place, Suite 1, Fremont. eventbrite.com
