Labor Day Weekend – All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Buffet | September 1-3
Come celebrate! The Park will host a special All-You-Can Eat BBQ in the EventsPlaza. The All-You-Can-Eat BBQs will include: Tangy BBQ Chicken, All Beef Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Western Style Chili Beans, Garden Salad, Dinner Rolls, Fresh Cut Watermelon, Ice Cream Novelties and Cola-Cola Soft Drinks. Meals will be served in the South County Picnic Grove. 12pm-1pm – or – 1pm-2pm. Location: GilroyGardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy 95020. Ticket Information: Admission: $29.99-$44.99 Meal: $8-$15 Free for children under 2 http://www.gilroygardens.org/play/upcoming-events/upcoming-events.cfm
Ruckatan – Latin, Reggae, Rock | September 1
The Latin-Reggae-World-Rock group Ruckatan hail from Alameda. These seven members have all contributed to the local Latin Rock scene in the Bay Area and internationally with various Latin, Reggae, and Rock acts. Members hailing from three different continents, infuse their culture and love of their roots into this band called Ruckatan, which includes: Carlos Elizalde on lead vocals and hand percussions; Jose Angel Amador on vocals and keys; Blaine Hoopes on keys, various woodwinds, and vocals; Derek Rolando on congas and timbales; Brian Camara on drums and percussions; Ray Uribes on bass and vocals; and Ed “Loveletter” Elizalde on guitar. They have played countless sold-out shows over the years and have set off the masses into frenzy with their tribal beats. The music is very dance oriented with many Latin, Caribbean, and World flavors. It’s a celebration of life and music. Location: FirehouseArtsCenter, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton 94566. Showtime 8 pm. http://www.firehousearts.org/events/events-list
Mexico Day @ Yerba Buena Gardens (2 Bands) | September 2
Mexico Day features 2 of the most popular and exquisite indie bands of the moment, direct fromMexico City! 1:00 pm. Liquits’ music and Play & Movil Project will perform. Tickets: This is a FREE outdoor program. No tickets or reservations needed. http://www.ybgf.org/cgi-local/Calendar/calendar.pl?selected_datestring=&datestring=&template=event_detail.html&event_id=929&month=9&year=2012
Don Quixote Man of La Mancha – Autumn Opera in the Gardens | September 7
Hakone presents a light opera performance of Don Quixote: Man of La Mancha, featuring tenor Christopher Bengochea, bass-baritone John Minagro, and soprano Sandra Bengochea. There will be a wine tasting preceding the performance and a buffet reception with artists in attendance following the performance. Location: HakoneGardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 95070. Time: 6pm-9:30pm. http://www.hakone.com/main.html
Blondie, Devo | September 11
Iconic punk rock band, Blondie, will be joined by Devo in Saratogathis evening. The Mountain Winery’s historic Winery Building, with its stunning Spanish portal, engenders old-world ambiance and provides a dramatic stage backdrop. The nature of the intimate 2500 seat amphitheater ensures an exceptional experience for star performers and guests alike. Location: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga95070. Ticket Information: $49.50-$129.50 $20 Parking; $15 for carpoolers (3+/car). http://concerts.mountainwinery.com/
S.F. Latino Film Festival 2012 (Cine Mas) | September 13- 28
The 2012 Official Selection of Narrative Features, Documentary Features and Shorts. http://www.sflatinofilmfestival.com/
Maná | September 14
Mana performs live at Oracle Arena. Date: Friday, September 14, 2012 – 7:30pm. Location: Oracle Arena,7000 Coliseum Way,Oakland,CA94621. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00484A7BCA5099?artistid=759223&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=40
Girls Night Out with Crafty Chica | September 15
Meet artist and author Kathy Murillo. Event includes book signing, make and take arts table, and free gift with book purchase. Location: Ay Dios Mio Shop, San Pedro Square Market, 100 N. Almaden,San Jose. Time: 7:30 -10:00 pm. http://aydiosmio.eventbrite.com/
El Grito Salinas | September 15
Los miembros delcomite cultural de salinas; presidente Alicia Delena, Vice Presidente Arnulfo Ramos, Secretaria Lupe Covarrubias-Martinez, y yo su tesorera, Rocio Hunt.. les hacemos la invitacion al festival anual de celebracion de la independencia de nuestro Mexico.Donde ano tras ano.. tenemos arriba de 30, 000 personas. disfrutando nuestra musica, antojitos mexicano y un dia con la familia. Los esperamos este 16 de septiembre del2012 desde las 12pm hasta las 6pm. Location: Alisal Street, Salinas, CA. http://www.facebook.com/comiteculturaldesalinas.elgrito
Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival | September 15 & 16
The 2012 Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival will feature the talents of local and regional artists, with nearly 175 booths to visit, twenty-five community groups serving international foods, vintners pouring fine wines, micro-brewed beer, and the ever-popular KidsKingdomset inside the picturesque Central Park. Live entertainment will be offered on three stages featuring some of the Bay Area’s favorite performers. In the Pavilion, dance to the sounds of the Joe Sharino Band and other popular bands. At the Meadow Stage, enjoy the talents of community performers. Throughout the weekend in KidsKingdomthere are live entertainers for the youngest members of the family. Sat, Sun: 10am-5pm. Location: Central Park Pavilion – Santa Clara, 909 Kiely Boulevard, Santa Clara95051. Ticket Information: Free. http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=2294
36th Annual Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival | September 16
This event features: many art and crafts booths; a large children’s play area with bounce houses, carnival games, and face painting; a “Gourmet Alley” and a BeerGarden; and much more. There will also be a variety of live performances throughout this family-friendly festival. 10am-6pm. Location: AlmadenLakePark, 15652 Almaden Expressway, San Jose95120. Ticket Information: Free. http://www.almadenwine.com/
Domingo Gigante, An Evening of Stars – VivaFest | September 16
Domingo Gigante! An Evening of Stars is the highlight of the festival as VivaFest! presents a “Super Sunday” of entertainment at the HP Pavilion. Four giants of Latin music–Lila Downs, Mariachi Vargas, Ozomatli and the legendary “Feminist of the Rancheras,” Paquita la del Barrio, with special guests Mariachi Reinas, will be the culmination of the weeklong festival. Location: HP Pavilion,525 W Santa Clara Street,San Jose95113. 7 pm.Ticket Information: $85-$125. http://vivafest.org/
Como Agua Para Chocolate Dinner with Lila Downs | September 17
Join CasaQ at VivaFest for the 20th Anniversary of Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) by indulging in the beautiful foods featured in this award-winning film based on the best-selling novel by Laura Esquivel. This ever-popular movie for romantics and foodies became the highest grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the United States.You’ll dine on an incredible array of courses, featuring all of the fabulous foods represented in the film and book, such as Quail in Rose Petal Sauce, Chiles en Nogada, Pastel Chabela de Boda, Tortas de Navidad, and more mouth-watering dishes. Grammy award-winning folk artist Lila Downs will sit down to discuss her roles in Frida with Salma Hayek and her work on the upcoming broadway musical of Like Water for Chocolate. Organization: Mexican Heritage Corporation. Ticket Information: $250 $150 for CasaQ subscribers. 6:00 pm. http://vivafest.org/
KQED celebrates Latino Heritage Month | September 18
Join KQED and Verizon to celebrate Latino Heritage Month and honor four outstanding Local Heroes in our community. 5:45 pm. http://www.facebook.com/events/495691847112402/
YERBA BUENA – Latino FAMILY DAY | September 23
San Francisco’s biggest daylong family block party with free admission to four leading museums including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, and Children’s Creativity Museum Tickets: This is a FREE outdoor program. No tickets or reservations needed.
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. http://www.ybgf.org/cgi-local/Calendar/calendar.pl?selected_datestring=&datestring=&template=event_detail.html&event_id=911&month=9&year=2012
An Evening with Amy Tan – Author Encounter | September 27
The beloved author of The Joy Luck Club, Saving Fish from Drowning, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, and The Kitchen God’s Wife joins a lively conversation about the intersection of science and creativity. She will be interviewed by Louann Brizendine, M.D., author of The Female Brain and The Male Brain.7:30. Location: Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto94303. Ticket Information: $22-$35. http://www.paloaltojcc.org/cultural-arts/author-encounters/
George Lopez | September 28
Comedian George Lopez takes the stage for a comedy show. Time: 7:15pm Where: BobHopeTheatre, 242 E Main St., Stockton, CA 95202 Show time: 8:00pm. Tickets Available Now $39.50-$52.50. http://goldenvoice.com/shows/details/?id=37011
Taste of Morgan Hill | September 29 & 30
Enjoy the flavors of local restaurants, wineries, breweries, musicians, and artisians in an exciting festival atmoshere. There will be two stages of live music; a Kids’ Zone with rides, crafts, and children’s entertainment; a custom and classic car show; a quilt show, and more! 10am-6pm. Location: Morgan Hill. Ticket Information: Free. http://www.morganhill.org/tasteofmh/taste.htm
Chinese Moon Festival | September 30
The Moon Festival is celebrated by billions of people, who celebrate it with dances, feasting, and moon gazing. Delicious moon cakes are a traditional treat, as well. At this special event, you can enjoy arts, crafts, cultural and music performancs, storytelling, Lion Dancers, bamboo painting, calligraphy, chess, poetry, and much more. 1pm-5pm. Location: Chinese Cultural Garden ,OverfeltGardensPark368 Educational Park Drive, San Jose, 95133. Ticket Information: Free. http://www.chineseculturalgarden.org/moonfestival.htm
Otter 501 – Documentary Screening | September 30
Otter 501 chronicles the remarkable true story of an orphaned baby sea otter rescued on the Calfornia coast and brought to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. Recommended for students and adults–families are welcome. Call Reference to reserve a space at this free documentary screening.2 pm. Location: Central Park Library – Santa Clara, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara 95051. Ticket Information: Free. http://library.santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=8
Mexicanisimo through Artists’ Eyes |April 1- September 23
The San Jose Museum of Art is featuring an exhibit highlighting Mexican and Mexican-American artists as they contrast the traditional art with the cutting-edge. These artists draw inspiration fromMexico’s deep well of visual culture, referencing folk art, popular culture, and vernacular craft traditions as well as contemporary idioms. Visit http://www.sjmusart.org/mexicanisimo-through-artists-eyes
La Raza Comica: Art Museum | Now – September 30
A major art exhibition focusing on Latinos in comics: La Raza Comica: A Celebration of the Latino American Experience in the Comic Arts.This exhibition features original works by artists including legendary underground cartoonist Spain Rodriguez, Lalo Alcaraz, Isis Rodriguez, Rafael Navarro, Richard Dominguez, Grasiela Rodriguez, Javier Hernandez, Jaime Crespo, Jose Cabrera and Mario Hernandez. The Latino Comics Expo was co-founded by Ricardo Padilla and Javier Hernandez to provide a showcase for Latino creators and others to share their work with the public. Cost: FREE.CartoonArt Museum|655 Mission St San Francisco. http://cartoonart.org/2012/04/la-raza-comica-a-celebration-of-the-latino-american-experience-in-the-comic-arts/
Caras/Cuentos: Art Exhibit | Now – January 6
The new exhibit at FortMason’s Mexican Museum features multimedia pieces, ranging from photography to sculpture, and showcases the mystique of portraiture through nearly 30 pieces representing a wide range of Latino cultural expression, from pre-Hispanic to Chicano art. “Caras/Cuentos,” or “Masks/Faces,” aims to provoke discussion of Latino identity in a culturally fragmented society. Location: The Mexican Museum Fort Mason Center, Building D, at Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F. open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (415) 202-9700.