The infamously haunted Chuck E. Cheese at Tully + 101. | Photo by Benny Villareal
While stuck in traffic on northbound 101 through South San Jose, you truly can’t miss Tully Road’s most infamous landmark: the three massive, multi-story windows topped with sloping, pointy skylights — and the 30-ft statue of Chuck E. Cheese.
It might be hard to imagine the building as anything other than the home of quirky animatronics and pizza, but originally, it housed the Magic Village Toy Store. Let’s dive into the decades before it housed the iconic Chuck E. Cheese.
The man behind the toy store
To a certain generation of San Joseans, the name “King Norman” will elicit vivid memories of Saturday mornings, bowls of cereal, and yearnings for the latest and greatest toys.
The King Norman Show aired from 1954 to 1961 on KGO-TV, and featured the titular monarch (née Norman Rosenberg), with royal robes, crown, and scepter. The show consisted of Norman giving advice to an audience of children and showcasing various toys from his store.
In 1974, King Norman opened the Magic Village Toy Store off Tully Road and those three massive, multi-story windows housed towering toy soldiers...
Alton Brown Live: “Last Bite” | 7 p.m. | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts | $86+ | The TV personality, author, and food scientist reflects on his career while sharing culinary hacks and singing in this variety show that’s a feast for the senses.
2025 Latinx Art Now! | Through Saturday, May 17 | 12-7 p.m. | MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana | Free | This exhibition showcases contemporary Latinx art from the Bay Area and beyond.
Aries Spears | Friday, April 4-Sunday, April 6 | Times vary | San Jose Improv | $38 | You’ll remember this quick-witted actor + comic from his time as a regular on the hit sketch series “Mad TV.”
Saturday, April 5
Bay Area Young Survivors 5K | 8 a.m. | Campbell Park | $45 | Join Bay Area Young Survivors for their inaugural Steps for Strength walk/run to raise funds for local breast cancer survivors.
Easter Bunny Photos with Your Pet | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Santana Row | $10 | Bunny, meet doggy. Bring your pet to snap a holiday pic, with proceeds supporting Humane Society Silicon Valley.
Sunday, April 6
D.C. United vs. San Jose Earthquakes | 2 p.m. | PayPal Park | $29+ | Score a commemorative pennant giveaway to celebrate this highly-anticipated MLS 30th Anniversary Game, see former players from 1996, and buy throwback San Jose Clash merch.
Monday, April 7
ABRA Cadabra: A Tribute to ABBA | 7:30 p.m. | Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, Santa Cruz | $46+ | If you love ABBA, this tribute show is for you, dancing queen.
Tuesday, April 8
Cirque du Soleil: “ECHO” | Tuesday, April 8-Wednesday, April 9 | 7 p.m. | Under the Big Top | $148+ | This production explores the connection between humans and the animal kingdom through the story of Future and her best friend Ewai.
Following Cal Fire’s release of new statewide fire hazard maps based on factors like fuel loading, slope, and weather, San Jose unveiled an updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for its local response areas. Check the map to see which zone you’re in.
Open
Get in, we’re going shopping.Jagalchi — a 75,000-sqft Korean food emporium — is now open in Daly City’s Serramonte Center, about a 50-minute drive from SJ. The market features fresh seafood, a street food alley, a butcher’s station, and K-beauty products. It’s open daily, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (The Mercury News)
Development
San Jose City Council voted to move forward with the next steps of the Diridon-Airport Connector to streamline travel to San Jose Mineta International Airport. The project will now refine its ridership forecasts for the autonomous shuttle pods, finalize the route’s alignment, and develop a funding plan.
Transit
After a 16-day strike, VTA partially reopened its light rail service this week. The Orange Line resumed from Alum Rock Transit Center to Mountain View, followed by some service on the Blue Line. The Green Line is expected to be up and running again soon, and bus service is 100% restored. (ABC7)
Festival
After a five-year hiatus, a scaled-down version of Gilroy’s beloved Garlic Festival will return Friday, July 25-Sunday, July 27 with garlic dishes + live music at Gilroy Gardens. Capacity will be limited to 3,000 pre-sold tickets per day. If this sounds a-peeling,tickets go on sale Saturday, April 19. (San Jose Inside)
Concert
Music in the Park added two more shows to its 2025 lineup. Hard rock legends Blue Öyster Cult will shred at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez concert series on Friday, Sept. 19, and early bird tickets are available now. On Sunday, Sept. 21, rising Vallejo rapper LaRussell will take the stage.
Sports
Bay FC fans, this one’s for you. The NWSL team announced theme nights and giveaways for its 2025 home matches. We spy a bucket hat freebie at Women’s Empowerment Night on Sunday, April 13, and a clear fanny pack giveaway during the Juneteenth match on Friday, June 13. Grab tickets.
Arts
San Francisco Bay Area’s official FIFA World Cup ‘26 poster has arrived. The colorful design by artist LeRoid David focuses on “bridging cultures, cities, and the world through football.” The posters go on sale Saturday, April 19 — register your interest. Levi’s Stadium will host six World Cup matches in 2026.
Community
San Jose Day is 10 days away. Several community events will lead up to the big day, including 408 Flash Tattoo Day on Tuesday, April 8. Some SJ tattoo shops will offer exclusive designs and deals on ink, including Black Suit Tattoo, Current Tattooing, and Always Create Tattoo Studio.
Plan Ahead
Mayor Matt Mahan will deliver the State of the City address on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Arena Green East Park. A community picnic will follow with music, free food trucks, and games. RSVP here.
Try This
Have you checked out Unzipped Gardens in downtown SJ? The temporary outdoor roller rink and beer garden is open every weekend through Sunday, May 25 at 350 S. 2nd St. where a towering art sculpture has sat since 2021. Grab tickets and roll over while you can.
Community
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City Guide
City Guide
🍹Marg our words: It’s happy hour
We’re talking ‘bout some *whisky* business. | Photo via @oflatspub
For our glass half fullkinda people, happy hours in San Jose are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn thatfrown upside down.
Off the vine
EMC Seafood and Raw Bar | Daily, 3-6 p.m. | Pair $8 glasses of house white or red with $2 oysters, $9 sushi rolls, and other bites ranging from $6 to $16.
Keeping spirits up
O’Flaherty’s Pub | Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. (excluding SAP Center event nights) | You must have the luck of the Irish — this downtown staple offers $7 shots of Jameson, best paired with the spot’s belovedcurry fries and maybe some karaoke.
Hungry for meal deals
San Pedro Social | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Grab discounts on drinks plus food deals like the $15 slice + pint combo, $7 fried ravioli, and $10 spicy chicken sliders.
Chic drawstring denim pants. The roomy, straight-leg design keeps these jeans comfortable and casual, while the drawstring cinch ensures they fit snugly around your waist. Bonus: Shop this Madewell version.
We still can’t stop thinking about the energy at last weekend’s sold out block party outside city hall organized by San Jose Foos. EDM DJ and music producer Fisher performed on the main stage and with East Santa Clara Street closed to traffic and everyone dancing, some locals said the party felt like “a movie.”Way to show up, SJ.
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