Ultimate Shakespeare

If you never thought ultimate fighting and Shakespeare would appear in the same sentence, then you've never met San Jose Rep's artistic director, Rick Lombardo!

In his inaugural production for the company's 2009/10 season, Lombardo deftly adapts Shakespeare's well-known comedy As You Like It to the modern era, complete, yes, with ultimate fighting. The modern staging of the play - with its impressive sets (notably the high-tech screens that create vivid backdrops), lighting and stage direction - brings to mind the brilliance of director Baz Luhrmann's work in the film Romeo & Juliet.

But back to the stage. While the direction and staging are incredible, that's nothing without good acting, and the cast here certainly delivers. Notable performances come from the large roles of James Carpenter as Jacques and Anna Bullard as Rosalind, while Steve Irish is brilliant as the clownish Touchstone, Sepideh Moafi is utterly charming whenever she's on stage, and Jeanette Penley is hilarious as the rambunctious Phebe.

Think you don't like Shakespeare? Let Rick Lombardi convince you otherwise with this superb staging, and get thee to the Repertory theatre, now!

As You Like It plays at the San Jose Repertory Theatre (101 Paseo de San Antonio) through Sept. 27. For tickets call (408) 367-7255, or go to www.sjrep.com

Day Two: Outside Lands Festival -- Portugal. The Man (pics)

Yes, we love this band (see our interview and footage of their Santa Cruz show here). We're fairly certain they will be the most talked-about performance this year... besides, of course, The Mars Volta, which hit the stage in a few hours. Stay tuned for those pics.

Day One: Outside Lands Festival (pics)

For perhaps the first time in history, a sweater was not needed in San Francisco. Maybe it was global warming, maybe it was a heat wave, but most likely it was the scorching music burning up Golden Gate Park on Friday, the first day of the three-day aural orgy.

Highlights for the day included Akron/Family, San Fran's own The Dodos, emo darlings Built to Spill (who heavily influenced Death Cab), Bay Area radio stars Silversun Pickups, The National, and more. Headliners included Incubus and Pearl Jam, whose set was described by one fan as, "It was like church. Everybody was singing along. It was too uncomfortable. We left."

Today (Saturday) is shaping up to be another hot one, both climatically and aurally speaking. Today we'll be checking out Portugal. The Man; Bat For Lashes; TV on the Radio; Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band; Deerhunter; Dave Matthews Band and of course The Mars Volta. Stay tuned...

Bloody Book Event: Thurs. 27 Aug., 7pm at Books Inc., Palo Alto

With Twilight fever having swept the nation over the past few years, and the ongoing popularity of HBO’s True Blood, the mythical creatures that are vampires have never been more mainstream.

For fans of author Richelle Mead, today is a big day as it’s the day they make their Blood Promise. The fourth book in Mead’s New York Times best-selling Vampire Academy series, Blood Promise arrives in bookstores today. And better yet – the writer will be in town later this week to discuss the series with her fans. Catch Mead at Books Inc. Palo Alto (Town & Country Village, corner Embarcadero and El Camino Real www.booksinc.com) this Thursday, 27 Aug. from 7pm.

For more on the series, go to www.vampireacademybooks.com. For more on the author, go to www.richellemead.com.

A bit about Vampire Academy, for those who have been buried too deep in Twilight to investigate other vamp fiction:

Vampire Academy has now over 1.5 million copies in print and has been touted as the series to fill the void for avid Twilight fans. USA Today singled out Vampire Academy as the newest teen series to watch when it asked, “You’ve raced through Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. Now what?” After the thrilling cliffhanger in Shadow Kiss: Vampire Academy Book Three, readers will be clamoring to pick up Blood Promise to determine whether or not love and loyalty run deeper than blood.

Benicio del Toro as Wolfman? Can he pull it off?

Yes or no?

Outside Lands: Pearl Jam, How We Missed You (New Song)

We're getting excited for San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival in a couple of weeks. We're particularly excited to revisit the nostalgia of '90s music when Pearl Jam plays Friday night (Aug. 28). They've got a new album coming out on Sept. 20 called Backspacer, so expect them to play a lot of new stuff, like this track called "The Fixer." Pretty darn good if you ask us. Rock on.

Update: Outside Lands annoucement

We just got word that due to our recent post about a major OSL announcement looming, Another Planet has been inundated with calls. We want to clarify: it will NOT be a major headliner announcement. The line-up for OSL is already set. What we were alluding to is merely a really cool technical addition to the festival this year. So just hold your horses and stay tuned. Thanks!

New this year to Outside Lands Festival 2009 in San Francisco

Yesterday, we had a chat with Outside Lands fest promoter Allen Scott of Another Planet Entertainment. At the moment, we're sitting on a huge announcement that we think will make music fans drool with excitement. Unfortunately, we have to sit on this "off the record" tidbit for a little bit longer. But believe us, it's awesome! So stay tuned.

In the meantime, we do have some info on what's new this year at OSL.

1. Last year, Radiohead was the first band ever to play in Golden Gate Park at night. Tom Petty and Jack Johnson soon followed. Previously, live music at the park was shut off at 7pm. Not sure why. Scott says it was due to some outdated city ordinances.

This year, Scott says an additional stage will offer music after dark. So, he says, an hour into Pearl Jam's set on Friday, Aug. 28, you can walk over and see Thievery Corporation; and an hour into Dave Matthews set on Sat. Aug. 29, you can go see The Mars Volta. Pretty cool stuff.

2. Also, a mind-blowing tent -- wood and glass interior -- called The Barbary was added in the back of the polo fields. This cabaret-themed mecca is a "freak show" of sorts, according to Scott. It will feature local bands, comedians, artists and more.

3. The bicycle valet was expanded this year from 3,000 to 4,000 bikes. And SF-based Bauer's charter buses -- they provide service for Google employees -- will be providing shuttle service throughout the city.

4. Scott said a goal of OSL is to offer 100 percent local vendors at the festival. Last year, 40 percent of the vendors were local. This year, Scott says 70 percent of all vendors will be from San Francisco. It's the only festival that comes close to this local angle.


By the way, do you know why it's called Outside Lands Festival? In the 19th Century, the Sunset District, East of Van Ness, was all sand dunes. It was referred to as the "Outside Lands."

Stay tuned for more!

Upcoming: Outside Lands Festival (Interview with Tenacious D and Dave Matthews)

As many of you probably know, we will be front and center at this year's Outside Lands Festival, a three day music fest featuring the likes of Pearl Jam, Incubus, Black Eyed Peas, The Mars Volta, Modest Mouse, The Dead Weather, Dave Matthews Band and Tenacious D.



We'll be snapping pictures and recording the greatest Flip-ing video footage ever! In preparation of our descent down the music rabbit hole, we had the privilege of chatting with Jack Black and Kyle Glass (a Walnut Creek native) of Tenacious D, as well as none other than Dave Matthews himself.

But let's be clear about our conversation. To those who aren't privy to the inner workings of the press, please allow us to besiege a bit of disappointing and unglamorous knowledge on you fine folks. Our conversation with these gods of rock was part of a collective phone conference with publicists and other journos. What transpires is usually a muddy conversation wherein the subjects get to rant and rave and goof around while we journos can just listen and wait our turn (Example: press star 1 to get in line to ask a question). Full transcript at the end.

Nevertheless, Jack Black is hilarious, even on the phone.


On Modest Mouse:

Jack Black: We burned some mother down that night. And Modest Mouse was all up our butt

wanting to hang with us, and we’re like who are you chumps? We got to go hang with like the Mayor

of Texas. If I could turn back time, I would crawl right up their butts and create a rip in the time butt

continuum.

On plans to rock San Francisco on Aug. 30:

Jack Black: Oh. And yes, we’re going to close it out, and I just want to say one thing. If there’s any dogs barking on the day August 30 before we go on, don’t be alarmed. That’s just them sensing the earthquake of rock that’s coming. Dogs have an innate sense when a gigantic rock storm is coming. That’s all it is.

I’m seriously afraid for California because we haven’t rocked for a while. We haven’t rocked since Redding and London, and there’s so much buildup that when we let loose, it may – it may shake the foundations of the – what’s that fault line ((inaudible))?

Kyle Glass: San Andréa’s?

Jack Black: The San Andreas. And California may be shaking loose from the rest of the country. And the question is when that crack in the earth happens and it comes between your legs, where are you going? Are you going with America, or are you going to jump on California Island? You have to make a (split-cision) decision, or else you’re going down in the lava.

Download the full interview with Jack Black, Kyle Glass and Dave Matthews here.

View a video of DMB's new video Funny the Way It Is here. (Sorry, Youtube has disabled the embeds).

And keep checking back for upcoming OSL coverage!

Have a Ball Golf Tourney happening NOW in Sunnyvale!

Tourney staff checks in participants

The "Have a Ball” Golf Tourney is happening right now (July 17) at Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course, 605 Macara Ave., Sunnyvale (408) 738-3666. Get there quick to join the party!

Developed by two-time testicular cancer survivor, Bob Hammer, this appropriately-named golf tournament has raised more than $500,000 for cancer research in the past four years. Hammer started the foundation after meeting Lance Armstrong’s oncologist, who encouraged Hammer not to have surgery that would have prevented him from having children. Long story short, Josh Hammer, Bob’s naturally conceived son, is now five years old.

Photos from San Jose's OBON festival

Home Is Where the Shark Is…

A heartwarming story to start the week: A Peninsula family last week became the new owner of the Sharks Playhouse, courtesy of Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP) with the support of the Sharks Foundation.

We ran a feature a few issues ago in The Wave [Vol. 09, Iss. 08] about RTP’s Dreams Happen playhouse project – where every other year, 15 pint-sized dream homes are sold or raffled off to fund the organization, which helps low-income families rehabilitate their homes and community facilities. One of the playhouses was Sharks themed, and it was this house that was raffled off for $10 a ticket.

In a poignant twist of fate, the winning ticket belonged to Will, an eight year-old twin boy who only days earlier had lost his father to a three-year battle with cancer. Will, his twin Carl, and their four-and-three-quarter year-old sister Sarah were all big Sharks fans, as was their dad, and one of the last things they did with their father before he fell sick was go to a Sharks game.

Even more fateful, the winning ticket was drawn on June 6, which would have been Will’s parents’ 11th wedding anniversary. "Winning felt like a message on our anniversary," said Will’s mom Daisy. "I can't help but think my husband had something to do with it. This is a difficult time in [the kids'] lives but now, when they look at Shark House, they will think of their dad and know good things can still happen."

To celebrate this moving story, many people were on hand to see the Sharks playhouse take up its new home last Wednesday, July 8. Crane services were donated, and dramatically hoisted the 12-foot playhouse into the backyard, while Sharks players Torry Mitchell, Joe Paveiski and Devin Setoguchi were on hand to help the kids get to know their new playhouse. Will, Carl and Sarah's father's personal hockey skates will be placed inside Shark House in his memory.

Voodoo Lounge is Swinging

You'll soon be reading our rants and raves for Voodoo Lounge in the upcoming Readers' Choice issue, out July 22. The reason is simple: the Downtown San Jose venue is making relentless efforts to bring back the live music scene to the South Bay. What better way to accomplish such a feat than by bringing the swinging? On Friday, July 10, check out Royal Crowne Revue, with support from The Pimpsticks. You can purchase advanced tix here. See ya there.

New restaurant opens in Redwood City

Tonight marks the opening of Donato Enoteca, a new restaurant in downtown Redwood City. On Friday night, we had the pleasure of sampling the traditional Italian fare and we're still drooling over the marinated lamb skewers with olives; braised wild boar (our favorite); hand-made pizzas, amazing shrimp, and a bit of the exotica with squid ink risotto. Artisan olive oils play a large part in the cuisine, which prompted a tasting sampler on the menu of multiple olive oils.

Other highlights are the more than 80 Italian wines and a stunning grappa collection, the most abundant we've ever seen in a restaurant. The open-air kitchen adds an intimate touch. It allows you to watch the talented Chef Donato Scotti work his magic. Scotti has worked at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Del l'Angelo in Italy and at La Strada in Palo Alto more recently.



Here are a few other menu items: Carpaccio di Polipo – thin-sliced fresh poached octopus with olive oil, celery root and red rock salt ($8). Foiade di Funghi – organic buckwheat pasta with mixed wild mushrooms, garlic, parsley and Grana Padano ($12); and Bigoli e Coda – braised Neiman Ranch ox tail, Sangiovese, tomato, asparagus tips and “bigoli” pasta ($14). Costoletta Alla Milanese – pounded white veal chop breaded and golden with arugula and heirloom tomato salad ($23); Orata e Crostacei – Mediterranean sea bream sautéed with prawns, mussels, clams and tomato sauce ($18).

Interview and live video of Fremont's I The Mighty @ Voodoo Lounge, by Nick Veronin

Glasvegas, Von Bondies, Audrye Sessions at The Blank Club

Local radio station 104.9 must be doing something right. They've brought some really good acts to Downtown San Jose's The Blank Club recently. Last night was Scottish megastars Glasvegas, supported by Detroit rockers Von Bondies (their song "Come On" is featured on the Rescue Me TV show; Jack White of The White Stripes punched the lead singer in the face, etc.) and local boys Audrye Sessions, which had an amazing set. As always, The Wave was there to capture it all.

Exclusive invitation to ARITZIA pre-sale!

The fashion forward femmes of Silicon Valley joyously heralded the arrival of Canadian boutique Aritzia at Westfield Valley Fair in late 2007. The female contingent at The Wave has been shopping there regularly ever since, so it's our privilege to share with you a special pre-sale invitation from our good friends at Aritzia.

Simply print or download the vouchers below and bring them to the store for 20-50% off Spring/Summer must-haves from the store's assortment of edgy, trend-conscious labels.

Please join us at our special Private Pre-Sale June 12-17th, 2009. Shop our discounts before anyone else. Up to 20 - 50% off! Simply print out this invitation and present at the time of purchase. Find the nearest Aritzia here. Click here to invite your friends & family to the Pre-Sale and enter for a chance to win a $2500 Shopping Spree at Aritzia! One winner will be awarded per store. *Printouts must be presented at the time of purchase. No exceptions. *Offer valid at the following US Aritzia locations only: Aritzia Bellevue Square (Bellevue), Aritzia Valley Fair (Santa Clara), Aritzia Washington Square (Portland), Aritzia San Francisco Centre (San Francisco), Aritzia Water Tower Place (Chicago), Aritzia Northbrook Court (Chicago) Click here to subscribe to Aritzia's email newsletters. www.aritzia.com Aritzia | 611 Alexander Street, suite 327 | Vancouver, BC | V6A 1E1

The sale starts tomorrow, Fri. June 12, and runs through to Wed. June 17.

See you there!

Dine Downtown is an appetizing hit

We just got word from the San Jose Downtown Association that the inaugural Dine Downtown event in San Jose is a huge success. The event goes through Saturday, June13, making this the last weekend to sample some of the best food Downtown has to offer. For a complete menu guide to the three-course prix fixe dinners, go here.

Here's what some of the restaurants are saying about this amazing epicurean event:

Morocco's – Sham and Jay
Dine Downtown has been a blessing for our operation and we both are so thankful for it. From the bite kick off and the amazing traffic it generated. So many downtowners were so surprised to find out about us and that we have been around for 1 year. This event has allowed Morocco's to be advertised at levels that we just can not afford. Thank you once again for this great event.

Downtown Britannia Arms - Margaret
We didn't do as much at weekend as we did during the week. But still good.

Paolo’s - Carolyn
Seems that the promotion is going well although I have to say it is harder to gauge last week since there was a speaker at the CPA on Thursday and Bocelli at the Arena on Saturday which made those nights huge and may skew the stats a bit. This week may be more of a true indicator.

Inside The Grill on the Alley, by Chris Schmauch

The Grill - John
Over the weekend, they served more than 100 prix fixe dinners. They had a good turn out for the city bites which they served in their bar area. A lot of people asked for their menus. Overall the promotion is going well.

Mortons - Frances
They have served more than 100 prix fixe dinners so far.

Billy Berk’s - Brad
It's going very well for us, so far. I am thinking of how to do this year round.

PF Changs - Todd
They had a great weekend. On Sunday night, the manager talked to at least 10 tables that were there because of the promotion, and that was only during a short window of time.

Inside A.P. Stump's, by Chris Schmauch

AP Stumps - Shona
We have been very busy with restaurant week- which is great! They’ve had to alter their menu a little to keep up with the prix fixe orders and have already gone thru 100 customer surveys.

Fahrenheit - Eric
Its going great for us. We have seen a good 25% increase in food sales last week, with many tables per event coming in specifically for this program. We have done many programs with the downtown association over the past 4 years, and this has been the most successful by far.

SubZERO festival in Downtown San Jose

After gloomy weather the skies cleared up in time for the SubZERO art festival in San Jose's SoFA district. The blocked streets made way for dozens of booths and vendors, a couple of stages for live music, and of course tons of live street art, from performers to painters to just plain strange folk doing strange things. The SJ Fixed crew has a cool booth set up. During the early evening hours they had the largest crowd by a long shot, packing the street with bikes. The fest is still going on, so if you're reading this and it's still Friday, June 5, you should pack up and head to Downtown San Jose, as the street fest goes strong until around midnight. And as soon as the sun goes down, it's going to get even wilder. See you all there!

Be a part of the Exit: Stage Left live stream!

For those who don't know, EXIT: Stage Left will stream their season finale LIVE on the internet, something that has never been done before for a show like this. To be a part of the live broadcast audience filmed at San Jose State University, email tickets@lowrytheatercompany.com to request tickets. To read The Wave article about the show and the live event, go here. In the meantime, check out this quirky video of the event starring EXIT director Sinohui Hinojosa and lead actor Michael Navarra.