.Special Sections

From a nonexistent singer to some of the founders of European psychedelia, the talented musical acts coming through the South Bay this summer are diverse and impressive. Big-name hip-hop, world-class jazz and buzzy indie rock--it's all happening. There's so much going on, it's hard to narrow down an entire season to a short list of the most essential shows. Still... we tried.

Get a sense of the South Bay's uniquely tech-savvy artistic subculture at the SubZero Festival, where the byword is 'where street meets geek.' For two nights, from 6pm to midnight, SoFA will be a wonderland of artists, performers, musicians and cultural demonstrations. More info at subzerofestival.com.

It's hard to believe 2018 is approaching the halfway mark. It's been nearly five months since the holidays, the days are long, the nights are warm and people are itching to cut loose and have a good time.

In a year when The Avengers made what seemed like their final assembly (prior to disassembling before our horrified eyes), teamwork is the zeitgeisty concept for this summer's films.

It seems that all of Silicon Valley is a stage this summer, as theater companies big and small roll out top-notch productions--from comedies to dramas, classics to contemporary. So, stop by a local black box or head to one of the major regional theaters to take in a show.

So many perks to this place we call home. We're just a short drive from beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring hikes and world-class wine producers. The food is stellar and the nightlife is eclectic. The South Bay continues to breed world-class artists and musicians-and the region's cultural venues regularly host thought-provoking speakers, inspiring exhibitions, top-notch theater and rocking live music.