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🎬 Lights, camera, action
Are you ready for this year’s exciting lineup of films? | Photo via Cinequest
Shhh… the movie is starting.
Cinequest — Silicon Valley’s annual indie film festival — returns Tuesday, March 11-Sunday, March 23 with an exciting lineup of screenings and premieres, panels, and special events. Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect for the 2025 edition.
The films
This year’s schedule includes an opening night screening of “The Luckiest Man in America” starring Paul Walter Hauser and the closing night screening of “The Friend” starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray + Constance Wu — both at the California Theatre.
In between, attendees can screen dozens of other films— from dramas and comedies to documentaries and shorts — at 3Below, Hammer Theatre Centre, and California Theatre.
Disney On Ice presents: “Magic in the Stars” | Thursday, Feb. 27-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | SAP Center at San José | $33+ | This ice skating performance will travel through all kinds of classic Disney + Pixar tales, from “Encanto” and “Toy Story” to “Frozen 2" and “Moana.”
Louis Katz | Thursday, Feb. 27-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club, Sunnyvale | $25 | Comedy industry legends like Dave Attell, Ali Wong, and Marc Maron love Katz’s work, and this is your chance to check him out live.
Friday, Feb. 28
“Rock of Ages: Teen Edition” | Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 9 | Montgomery Theatre | $36 | Children’s Musical Theater presents its adaption of the rock ‘n’ roll tale set in the 1980s when hair bands like Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi + Whitesnake ruled the stage.
Saturday, March 1
Henderson Silver Knights vs. San Jose Barracuda | Tech CU Arena | 6 p.m. | $22+ | It’s Renaissance Night at the arena — catch our home team in armored-themed sweaters that’ll be auctioned off live after the medieval match.
San Jose Jazz: 2025 Winter Concert Series | Saturday, March 1 | 8 p.m. | SJZ Break Room | $15 | Hear live local music in this jazzy series — tonight’s spotlight is on the Dana Salzman Band.
Goodies: 2000s Hip-Hop Nite | 9 p.m. | The Ritz | $26+ | Let me see you, one-two step — dance the night away to jams from the early 2000s, just like you used to.
Monday, March 3
IL VOLO | 8 p.m. | San Jose Civic | $87+ | Amid their world tour, this Italian operatic pop trio headlines SJ with their “popera” stylings.
Tuesday, March 4
SJSU Art Galleries Lecture | 5-6 p.m. | Art Lecture Hall, Art Building Room 133 | Free | Hear from Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, a multidisciplinary visual artist, writer, performer, and healer known for examining how history affects our contemporary world.
Jeopardy Bar League | 7-8 p.m. | Three Sisters Whiskey Bar | Free | What is... a really fun night? Bring your crew and test your knowledge at this trivia night inspired by the beloved quiz show.
Wednesday, March 5
Friends of the Campbell Library Vintage Jewelry Sale | 5-8 p.m. | Lobby of Orchard City Banquet Hall, Campbell | Cost of purchase | Browse classic pieces at this fundraiser for the Love Our Library Campaign in support of Campbell Library renovations.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
Local job boards are a total game-changer — for both job seekers and businesses. Instead of sifting through endless listings, they focus on quality over quantity, connecting employers with candidates who actually want to work in the area. That means fewer relocation headaches and better retention.
For big and small businesses, it’s a smart way to connect with candidates who understand the local community and culture. Plus, hiring locally usually means a faster, smoother hiring process. Whether you’re looking for a job or trying to fill one, SJtoday Job Board keeps things simple, practical, and close to home.
Cal Fire is updating its Fire Hazard Severity maps for local jurisdictions, and its new Bay Area maps were released this week. In San Jose, the “very high hazard” acreage increased to 7,142 — up from 3,310 acres in 2011. Another 15,767 acres were deemed “high hazard” and 5,494 “moderate hazard.” (The Mercury News)
Civic
Eight years after the devastating Coyote Creek floods, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has unveiled a $117 million flood control project. The infrastructure includes flood walls along 8,500 ft of Coyote Creek between Interstate 280 and Old Oakland Road, some of the areas hit hardest by the 2017 flood. (The Mercury News)
Opening
Voyager Craft Coffee closed its San Pedro Square Market location, but when one door closes, two doors open. Voyager will open a new location next month on West St. John Street, less than 100 ft from its shuttered shop, plus a new Park Avenue cafe on Wednesday, March 5.
Closing
After 76 years in business, San Jose’s beloved Olivera Egg Ranch will close on Monday, March 31. The family-owned ranch is known for its drive-thru used by loyal customers picking up fresh eggs. The Olivera family said the egg industry has become increasingly unpredictable and challenging over the past few years. (The Mercury News)
Edu
Despite increased enrollment and high interest in its revamped, AI-focused College of Information, Data and Society, SJSU is expecting more budget cuts in the 2025-2026 school year, likely ~8% for each department. This comes in addition to the $58 million in cuts SJSU has already faced over the past two years. (NBC Bay Area)
Community
The De Anza Park playground is fenced off and closed for renovations through at least the end of March. The project will remove and replace damaged playground equipment and the rubber resilient surfacing. In the meantime, visit the nearby Almaden Winery Park or Lone Hill Park.
Sports
Soccer season has arrived. The San Jose Earthquakes kicked off their 2025 season last weekend with a 4-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. The MLS team will play their next home games at Paypal Park on Saturday, March 8 + Saturday, March 15. Get tickets.
Try This
Bay FC will host a free 2025 season kickoff event this Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Paypal Park. Fans will get to check out the club’s new kit and vote on one of two flavors for a team-inspired craft beer coming out later this season. RSVP for the event.
Cause
Mayor Matt Mahan’s team will host a community beautification event along the Guadalupe River Trail and Arena Green Park on Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m. RSVP here to paint, plant trees, and spread mulch; the revitalization group will meet at 60 Delmas Ave.
Plan Ahead
History Park will host its annual Women’s Heritage Day celebration on Saturday, March 22, 12-4 p.m., to honor the contributions of women throughout Santa Clara Valley’s history. The free festivities will include craft stations, live performances, food vendors, a book fair, and a women-owned lowrider exhibit.
Finance
Top firms like SoftBank already invested in Pacaso, the startup disrupting the $1.3 trillion vacation home market with co-ownership. By handing keys to 1,500+ homeowners, Pacaso earned over $100 million in gross profits. Now, they’re going global. Invest for $2.70 per share by Thursday, Feb. 27.‡*
Shop
Mood’s Rapid Onset THC Gummies take effect in as little as five minutes — no lighter, lingering smells, or coughing required. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
‡This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com.
City Guide
City Guide
🏙️ Showing small businesses some love
Downtown San Jose’s skyline continues to stun. | Photo via @thevacantroom
Here at SJtoday, you may already know we’re big on celebrating local, especially our city’s small businesses. Which is why a week dedicated to highlighting the heart of our communities is right up our alley.
Enter: Small Business Week — a national initiative that acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of small businesses — that we’ll be celebrating from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10.
We want to join in on the celebrations by highlighting some of the best small businesses in our city.
This is where we need your help.
If you own a local small business or know someone who does, celebrate Small Business Week with us by filling out a form about your business. We’ll be selecting businesses to feature in our newsletter that week. Psst: There’s no charge to participate.
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Your contributions and words of kindness + encouragement truly mean the world to us. We’ll be using your donations to continue creating more of the local stories you love and ensuring we can remain a free resource for all.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio.
The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.
†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by 6AM City. It is commonly advised to read a company’s terms & conditions and instructions for use before trying new products.
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