From 11am until 5:30pm, there will be loads of fun events to celebrate Independence Day in downtown Los Gatos. The town has a flyer with detailed information on the entertainment (music, dancing, games) and more. Happy Fourth of July!
The music, which played from 6:30pm to a little past 8:30pm, was fantastic. Dennis Rowland is an engaging performer, both when singing and when chatting with the audience. The Full Spectrum Jazz is an awesome band by itself, but also worked in perfect sync with Mr. Rowland.
The crowd stayed to the end despite some fairly cool winds blowing in through the pass from Santa Cruz, especially after sunset (microclimates: it was warm and nearly windless out in Belwood, so the temp change caught me by surprise - next time, I'll remember to bring layers). Loads of booths ringed the periphery, enabling concert attendees to buy a little food (oysters, anyone?), wine or coffee. Patrons at Willow Street, just on the other side of North Santa Cruz Avenue, got to enjoy patio dining enhanced by great jazz. Not a bad way to take in the music!
Blankets are no longer permitted as they were causing loads of damage to the lawn, and most of the concert goers seemed aware of this and came prepared with soccer-viewing type chairs. This seemed to actually improve the overall situation as more people fit into the lawn area with chairs rather than a patchwork quilt of towels and blankets.
Many thanks to all the sponsors who make Jazz on the Plazz possible. See you next week!
In case you misplaced the mailing or haven't heard, West Valley Collection & Recycling is collecting an unlimited number of items from your curb at no additional cost for one day only. That day is Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6am.
Summer in Los Gatos is a joy - there's so much to do, and most of it doesn't cost a dime, thanks to the generosity of many sponsors. There are three free music concert series in Los Gatos, and together they provide a wide spectrum of musical styles and entertainment. Included are jazz, classical, rock & roll tribute bands, and much more.
Below please find the combined schedule - I have done my best to make it accurate but cannot guarantee anything so please double check with the website for each of the series. If you're here over Independence Day weekend, you're in for a double treat as there are 2 concerts on July 4th!
For general information about Music in the Park, Jazz on the Plazz and Vasona Vibrations, please see their websites:
Below please find the combined schedule of musical events in Los Gatos as planned with links to the musicians' websites when possible. Music in the Park will have local talent do lead-in music from 4:15 to 4:45 to get the ball rolling.Please arrive early to the shows to get a great spot!
Additonaly, on August 15 & 16 there's the Fiesta de Artes at the Civic Center, and music will be there as well.
And finally, the Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival is another fun (though not free) event to put on your calendar. Performances run from mid-July to early August and are held at Oak Meadow Park.
Enjoy the summer! Whether you live in Los Gatos, Saratoga, San Jose, or anywhere in Silicon Valley, the many events, mostly free, are a wonderful draw to our town. See you there!
Do you love a good mystery, a good scavenger hunt, or a good fundraiser? Now's your chance to join in the fun and support the incredibly good work of Eastfield Ming Quong by participating in the Silicon Valley Caper benefit on Sunday, May 3rd.
This is not your typical scavenger hunt! No, this scavenger hunt is one in which you'll be chauffered in a limo while you chase down the clues and solve the mystery! Register in groups and enjoy the day together!
If you are not familiar with the good work of Eastfield Ming Quong, it's a non-profit agency which helps children in crisis. EMQ has some services and facilities here in Los Gatos but serves all of Santa Clara County. You can read about EMQ at emqff.org.
Los Gatos is plenty green these days after so much recent rain, and today the weather is pleasant so get out and enjoy yourself!
CB Hannegan's (208 Bachman Av., almost at N. Santa Cruz Ave.) is again doing an all day blowout from 11am to midnight today. As always, there will be live music, Irish food & drink. Cost is $50 per person. (If you go during the daytime, please pay attention r.e. parking - in the residential area, parking is restricted in the evening to residents with stickers on their cars!)
Need more to do? Here's a very comprehensive list of St. Patrick's Day activities and events around Silicon Valley:
There's plenty to do in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell, San Jose and nearby areas within Silicon Valley. But if you've got the "winter blahs", maybe you could use a few suggestions.
The Museums of Los Gatos (2 locations) showcases art (Tait location) and history (Forbes Mill location)
The Art Museum of Los Gatos Current art show is Painterly Painting: The Next Level
4 Tait Avenue, Los Gatos CA
Now through February 28th 2009
Also, art classes are offered through the museum too. One offering is a Life Drawing Class, which happens on Tuesdays from 2:30 - 5pm, ongoing, drop in basis. $14 per session (uninstructed, no registration required). Call 408 395-7375 for more information.
The History Museum of Los Gatoshas rotating and travelling exhibits. Right now the featured exhibits are the car dealerships of Los Gatos).
75 Church St off E. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.395.7375
Open Wednesday – Sunday, Noon – 4pm
The museum also offers a self guided walking history tour of Los Gatos too. It's about a 45 minute walk and worthwhile!
San Jose Repertory Theater ("The Rep") is a great downtown SJ venue. Check out the current performances on the Rep's website. Featured now: A Picasso. (See a bit of it online at their site.)
Want to expose your kids to the stage? Try the Children's Musical Theater of San Jose. They run summer camp programs too (my kids did that about 10 years ago). Starting on February 26th is the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
San Jose State isn't just for college kids. The arena holds a variety of events, including a diverse array of sports as well as other entertainment offerings. Check out the current events here.
Lest we forget... Stanford University isn't too far away and likewise shares many wonderful events with the community, which you can check out online.
If the weather's good, go explore a park. The Santa Clara County Parks Department has 28 parks, many of them quite large and great for hiking. Check them out!
Have fun. Feel free to share your favorite local event here in the comments section!
A blog about Los Gatos real estate, homes, houses, condos, townhomes, housing market, neightborhoods, history, events, businesses, parks, schools, photos, issues, and lifestyle.
Mary Pope-Handy
Realtor, CRS, ABR, SRES, E-PRO
Luxor Real Estate Group
Mailing Address for Mary: PO Box 440 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0440
877 397-5391 (office/toll-free)
Do you love a good mystery, a good scavenger hunt, or a good fundraiser? Now's your chance to join in the fun and support the incredibly good work of Eastfield Ming Quong by participating in the 
Los Gatos is plenty green these days after so much recent rain, and today the weather is pleasant so get out and enjoy yourself!
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