Music in the Park
Thanks for 23 great years, Music in the Park fans. We'll miss you this summer.
But be sure to attend the Fountain Blues Festival July 14 at St. James Park.
There's a lot of other great Live & Local music coming to downtown this summer. Here are some highlights:
Wednesday-Tuesday– Live music at Poor House Bistro – 91 S. Autumn St. Free. 292-5837
Wednesday-Sunday and Tuesday– Live Salsa, Top 40's & Latin Pop at Azúcar Latin Bistro Mojito Bar & Lounge 71 and 81 E. San Fernando St. (Free Wed-Thurs and before 9:30 p.m. on Fri-Sat; 6-9 pm Sun and Tues). 293-8482
Wednesday, Friday-Sunday – Music at the Blank Club – 44 S. Almaden Ave. 292-5265
Wednesday and Thursday – Live Latin music at Agenda Lounge – 399 S. First St. No cover with dinner. 287-3991
Wednesday-Saturday – Music at the Hedley Club – at the Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa Clara St.
Thursdays – Live music at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub – 25 N. San Pedro St. Free.
Thursday – Live Jazz at the Loft Bar and Bistro – 90 S. Second St. Free. 291-0677
Friday-Saturday – Live music at Mucho's Restaurant and Bar – L 72 E. Santa Clara St. Free, 277-0333.
Friday-Saturday – A Perfect Finish Wine and Dessert Bar – 55 S. First St. Free. 288-6000
Fridays – A New, Eclectic Series of Concerts – San Jose Jazz serves up the best musical variety at the San Pedro Square Market: Blues, Jazz, Folk, R&B, World, Indie, and more. 87 N. San Pedro St.
Monday-Saturday – Live music at the Fairmont’s Lobby Lounge – The Fairmont San Jose, 170 S. Market St. 998-3909
Friday-Saturday and Tuesday – Live music at Caffe Frascati – 315 S. First St. Free. 287-0400
Dec. 9. 2011
SJDA plans fresh downtown summer programming in 2012
The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) announced plans to modify its summer programming and end the 23-year run of Music in the Park free summer concerts at its public board meeting this morning.
“We’re starting to work on new events that will attract more people to our city center, involve our member businesses more and help sustain our organization during difficult economic times,” said Art Bernstein, president of the 25-year-old business association.
The Downtown Association will continue producing or supporting popular summer events including Starlight Cinemas outdoor movies, the Downtown Farmers’ Market at San Pedro Square, South First Fridays Street MRKT and Dine Downtown restaurant week. In addition, SJDA intends to create new programming catering to professionals, residents and families, such as:
- HER city: An after-work event series that engages women in downtown social activities built around food, beverages, networking and beauty and spa services;
- Live & Local: A targeted marketing and promotion effort aimed to take downtown’s emerging status as a live music destination to new levels;
- Powered by SJDA: Partnering with other groups and producers, such as Fountain Blues Festival, SJDA will apply its marketing / promotional / production expertise to new and existing marquee events to help them grow.
“As part of our normal review process, we decided earlier this year that this would be Music in the Park’s last season,” Bernstein said.
SJDA revenues and economic impact to surrounding businesses from the music series decreased this year, while expenses to produce the shows and concerns of businesses increased. At public meetings in June and August, business owners and residents suggested that SJDA “end it or mend it.” SJDA made the decision to focus on new programs rather than attempt to re-make Music in the Park after several board and committee meetings this fall while preserving event concepts that still contribute to downtown’s live music scene.
The association had previously stopped producing the San Jose America Festival, San Pedro Square Brew Ha Ha, Music in the Other Park and SoFA Street Festival after those events ran their course of adding vibrancy to the downtown scene.
Music in the Park started in 1989 as an eight-week, Friday lunchtime series in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The series moved to Thursday evenings in 1990, eventually growing to 13 concerts. In all, SJDA produced 214 free shows featuring international headliners such as Tower of Power and Smash Mouth and long-time local favorites like Pete Escovedo and Greg Kihn.
The series was supported by loyal sponsors and attended by devoted fans that reflected the region’s diverse population and socioeconomic makeup. The series peaked in 2010 when 83,500 people attended the concerts, 37 percent of them coming from outside the city and creating $2.4 million in economic impact.
MERCHANDISE
POSTERS: A limited number of framed posters from past seasons of Music in the Park are available for sale. The posters were created by some of Silicon Valley's best designers. These make wonderful gifts for Music in the Park fans and former attendees. For information, please contact Blage Zelalich.
T-SHIRTS: Silicon Valley Debug produced some cool Music in the Park T-shirts, which are available for sale. Check them out!
The world's biggest stars appeared on the stage at Plaza de Cesar Chavez for 23 years.
View some of our pictures and videos from Music in the Park.
Fun Extras
Silicon Valley De-Bug was at the park each week with screen printing, jump roping, live painting, and other activities. Click here to view their photo gallery.
Watch videos of Taekwondo in Music in the Park.
Posters from many of the 22 previous years of Music in the Park were on display on the fourth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
Music in the Park 2010 Photo highlights
Take a look at 22 years of headliners
Before you come downtown visit sjdowntownparking.com to keep your drive stress-free
Parking: $5 parking after 6 p.m. is available in CITY OF SAN JOSE garages, such as the garages at Third Street near Santa Clara Street and at Market and San Pedro streets. Public lots near the park also offer affordable parking after 6 p.m. For example, Victory Parking at Market and Santa Clara streets has $5 after 5 p.m. on Thursday. Parking informational signs on city streets will guide you to the nearest city lot or garage.
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