Computing power, our valley’s contribution to modern times, is now shifting into a higher gear, disrupting and reinventing just about everything we know. Once a year, Creative Convergence Silicon Valley—C2SV—hosts independently organized discussions about the rapid march of technology and related subjects, such as privacy, diversity, gender and economic inclusion. Also this week:The Alternative Press Expo, The Warriors at SAP Center,Discussing Altamont at Studio Bongiorno, and Beauty a new exhibit at SJMA from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Outside Mullingar
Wed, 8pm, $35-$59
Mountain View Center for Performing Arts
Sometimes the fences we put up to keep others out, turn us into shut-ins. Outside Mullingar tells the tale of two unrequited lovers and neighbors in rural Ireland. Due to family disputes and a bitter land feud, Rosemary has been unable to convey her feelings to Anthony. Penned by playwright John Patrick Shanley—known for his Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning Doubt—Outside Mullingar is a lighthearted romantic comedy about recalcitrance, regret and the power of love to overcome it all. The play runs through Oct. 30. (JT)
Atlas Obscura
Wed, 7:30pm, $10-$45
Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park
Ever wondered where to find glow worm caves or the world’s largest wind tunnel? The latter is right here, in our own backyard, at Moffett Field in Mountain View. Praised for his chronicling of some of the world’s most obscure locations, Atlas Obscura contributing writer Dylan Thuras will be in town to share his stories with the Bay Area’s very own explorer of curiosities, Mary Roach. The author of seven science books including Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers and Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, will discuss and the world’s lesser-known peculiarities with Thuras. (JT)
Subterranean Ghosts
Fri, 7pm, Free
Palo Alto Art Center
Victoria Lautman’s unorthodox background, lack of journalistic training and a surplus of passion and knowledge about the contemporary art world has made her one of the most interesting art correspondents of our time. Lautman’s latest “obsession” is exploring ancient Indian stepwells—used mainly for storing water, but also for providing a break from the heat and even for spiritual purposes. Lautman is educating the public on why stepwells are disappearing or turning into decrepit remains in hopes of garnering enough interest to start a preservation process. Lautman will share photos and discuss the history and future of these stepwells. (MH)
MAKJ
Fri, 10pm, $20-$25
Pure Lounge, Sunnyvale
In an age where too many DJ “performances” amount to little more than the pressing of buttons to initiate pre-recorded tracks, Los Angeles-based Mackenzie Johnson—known as MAKJ on the ones and twos—stands out as a craftsman of the turntable. He scratches, beat-matches and improvises on actual vinyl. Boasting a growing fan-base and popular collaborations with Bassjackers and Lil Jon, MAKJ mixes a variety of electronic music, incorporating contemporary EDM sounds, house, and trance influences with older DJ-ing techniques. Although he’s been scoring bigger gigs of late, MAKJ still prefers more intimate venues. (TM)
Discussing Altamont
Sat, 7:30pm, Free
Studio Bongiorno, Santa Clara
Considered by rock historians as the antithesis of Woodstock, the Rolling Stones’ free concert—held Dec. 6, 1969 at Altamont Speedway—ended in tragedy when a fan with a gun, was stabbed to death by a member of The Hell’s Angels. Joel Selvin, acclaimed rock journalist and writer of Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock’s Darkest Day will chat with Sam Cutler, the famed tour manager for the Stones and Grateful Dead, and author of You Can’t Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates. (JT)
Beauty
Sat, 11am, $5-$10
San Jose Museum of Art
Design, aesthetics and innovation come together at this new exhibit, presented by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Considered a technological mecca, Silicon Valley is home to some of the most daring innovators—and designers—of our time. The exhibition will feature 280 works by 57 internationally acclaimed designers from 27 countries. A variety of projects will be on display from architectural design to fashion and new material technologies. The guiding principal of the exhibition is to attempt to boil beauty down to its purest aesthetic qualities. By divorcing form from function, shape and color will take center stage. (JT)
If Looks Could Kill
Sat, 6pm, Free
The Arsenal, San Jose
This might just be the most dangerous art exhibit you’ll see all year. It seems Adam Porwol paints with a death wish. Why else would he use poisonous and even radioactive paints—almost exclusively—for the works in his first solo show? Using antiquated and dangerous paint-making methods, like hand-mixing egg tempera with arsenic and lead, Porwol puts his life on the line for his art. “If Looks Could Kill” is a series of beautiful, seductive, and even deadly female portraits. There’s no need to fear, however. The paintings will be sealed and safe to view. (TM)
Alternative Press Expo
Sat, 11am, $12-$17
San Jose Convention Center
Founded in 1994 by Dan Vado, the Alternative Press Expo is an event where independent publishers and cartoonists alike can showcase their books and artwork. After being held in San Francisco for 15 years, The Alternative Press Expo (or APE for short) is now primarily held in San Jose. This year, guests can meet acclaimed authors and cartoonist Gene Luen Yang and Jimmie Robinson as they showcase their work. Yang is known for his prize-winning book Boxers & Saints, while Robinson is known for his mini-series Bomb Queen. (TJ)
Ebb Tide
Sat, 7pm, Free
Seeing Things Gallery, San Jose
Fall is here and it’s time to relish in softer light and warm, glowing pastels. The work of David Imlay is ideal for this season, as the days grow shorter and the world is enveloped in fuzzy hues of brown and orange. Most of Imlay’s work is focused on mundane and banal scenes—of Eichler homes in Palo Alto or Volkswagon minibuses parked at the beach—all of them glimpsed through a foggy, yet photorealistic, filter. The resulting images feel as if they were drawn from half-remembered dreams, and as such are imbued with a weight and significance that only dreams can have. He shares the gallery with visual artist Ana Carolina. (NV)
