Painting the town: Our guide to 12 murals in San Jose
Local Color is a nonprofit organization responsible for over 200 murals in San Jose. | Photo by SJtoday Staff
We all know that San Jose has a vibrant art scene – and we’re not just talking about the San Jose Museum of Art or the Anno Domini Gallery. One of our all-time favorite galleries? San Jose itself.
Teal Town is home to a number of meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, we’re sharing where to find murals that really paint a picture of our city.
The gorgeous "¡Alebrijes!” mural on the side of the Mezcal restaurant in San Jose.
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Photo by SJtoday Staff
¡Alebrijes!, 25 W. San Fernando St., San Jose | By Francisco Franco
Brilliant and colorful, on the side of the Mezcal restaurant, this mural pays tribute to Mexican folk art, the spirituality of the Oaxacan region of Mexico, and the Zapotec people’s artistic and culinary traditions. The figure in the mural is the patron goddess of the plant from which mezcal is made, Nuestra Señora Immaculada de Juquila.
Homage, 135 E. Santa Clara St. | by Chris Duncan and Paul Urich
A tribute to African American sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith, the gold and bronze medalists from the 1968 Olympics, who raised black-gloved fists during the national anthem. The San Jose State alums’ silent protest was also immortalized as statues on campus.
The towering visage of the late Supreme Court Justice looks down upon W. Santa Clara St.
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Photo by SJtoday Staff
Notorious RBG, 2 W. Santa Clara St. | By Chuba Oyolu
A towering mural overlooking downtown’s busy Santa Clara Street, the work, commissioned by the building, depicts the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The artist says he was inspired by the late justice’s work ethic + tireless commitment to her ideals.
Spirit of Generosity, Love, and Inclusion, 938 The Alameda | By Serge Gay Jr.
This bright and colorful mural showcases the many sides and struggles of the building’s namesake. William Price, who performed under the stage name “Billy DeFrank,” was an LGBTQ+ activist and community organizer in San Jose in the 1970s.
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” | Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | The Tech Interactive, 201 S. Market St., San Jose | $13.13-$19.89 | Taylor Swift attire and friendship bracelets are encouraged at this showing on a larger-than-life screen.
Hip Hop Made The Bay | Friday, Nov. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $45-$150 | Get ready to jam out with Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, E-40, Warren G, The Luniz, MC Magic, and Amanda Perez.
Saturday, Nov. 4
San José Roots | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 1 p.m. | San Pedro Square Market, 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy hands-on activities from the Spanish and Mexican eras, community booths from local historical and cultural organizations, with cultural performances in collaboration with Mosaic America.
Culture Night Market: Dia De Los Muertos Tribute | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 4-10 p.m. | Alum Rock Village, 3130 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | Free | Find diverse vendors, delectable food trucks, folklorico dancers, kids’ activities, and so much more at this cultural tribute festival.
San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $53-$510 | Team Teal goes head-to-head with former Shark Erik Karlsson and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sunday, Nov. 5
Alum Rock Village Farmers’ Market | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 8 a.m. | 57 N. White Rd., San Jose | Free | Enjoy artisan vendors, fresh fruit + veggies, and music at this weekly market.
San Jose Water Lantern Festival | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 3:30-7:30 p.m. | Almaden Lake Park, San Jose | $26.98-$55.99 | Experience this mesmerizing event where thousands of decorated lanterns light up the night.
It’s almost time to set the clocks back. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 5. Many states including ours have made moves to address time change, but for now look forward to that extra hour of sleep. To help reduce crashes, San Jose’s DOT will place message boards across the city.
Edu
Tech giant Adobe announced their “Adobe for All” initiative, pledging $1 million grants to San Jose State, Bowie State, and Winston-Salem State (shoutout to our colleagues at WStoday) universities. Adobe says they’re hoping the grants help cultivate a new generation of diverse talent, and broaden access to digital literacy. (The Mercury News)
Concert
You got it (the 80’s stuff)... New Kids on the Block are coming to Shoreline for their “2024 Magic Summer Tour” July 3, 2024. They’ll be joined by Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tickets went on sale this morning. (ABC7)
Traffic
Caltrans is closing both directions of I-680 between I-580 and SR-84 from tonight at 9 p.m.-Monday, Nov. 6, at 4 a.m. Detours will have you drive from I-880 through Castro Valley, or SR-84 to Livermore. Here’s a map of the project. (SF Gate)
State
Regulators have delayed the decision on PG&E’s rate hike proposal until Nov. 16 to study the issue. PG&E is looking to raise rates by 22%. San Jose voted last month to explore its own city-run electric utility, but that is still in the exploratory phase. (NBC Bay Area)
Real Estate
The former Fry’s Electronics building off East Brokaw Road may soon become housing. Last week, the developer obtained City Council approval to develop a seven-building tech campus on the site. Now, they’re planning to turn the 19.7 acres into over 1,200 new residential units. The timeline is still unclear. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Biz
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner — Nov. 25, to be exact. What local businesses will you be supporting + which local deals should we check out? Let us know and we may feature your recommendation in an upcoming newsletter.
Finance
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Wellness
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The Buy
The Buy 11.03.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A party host gift for your weekend plans (do we spy a puzzle?).
Point2Homes recently ranked San Jose the third-scariest housing market in California, behind Sunnyvale and Escondido. Makes sense, considering how many of us would seriously consider that condemned Vista Park home.
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