[ Music Index | San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]

Eternal Flames: The Bangles, shown here in a vintage photo, make it a Manic Tuesday by headlining the EHC benefit concert on the eve of the America Festival. Go Fourth San Jose throws its annual all-day party for Independence Day ON THE MOST revered holiday of barbecues, apple pie and pyrotechnics, the San Jose America Festival has always offered a good incentive for valley folk to let the Weber--and the illegal cherry bombs--go unlit, at least until another day. The annual free Fourth of July bash offers a celebration of Silicon Valley's diversity that includes an array of international food and drink, arts and crafts vendors and a children's area featuring hands-on art and multicultural craft projects. The festival has a variety of music going on all day long on three stages. Everything from R&B to swing to Japanese drumming promises a good time for everyone, and all in the name of a good cause: the festival benefits the Emergency Housing Consortium (EHC), which offers programs aimed at ending homelessness in the valley. The grand finale of the day's entertainment is, of course, a fireworks display. For those who'd like to get the party started early, '80s pop band the Bangles will headline a special benefit concert for the EHC the night before the festival, on Tuesday, July 3, starting at 4pm in Discovery Meadow. Admission is $10. Nicky Love, Michelle Branch and Kina open the show. The festival kicks off at 11am on July 4, and goes on till the last firework goes off (that's some time around 10pm) at Discovery Meadow, Guadalupe River Park, Woz Way and San Carlos streets, San Jose. Admission to the festival on Wednesday, July 4, is free. For more information, call 408.294.2100, ext. 444, or see www.americafestival.com. America the Bountiful: Among the diverse lineup of festival entertainment (clockwise from left) are Mexican folkroloric dance troupe Los Lupeños de San José; reggae band John Brown's Body; blues/roots vocalist Nina Storey. July 4 Festival Schedule Main Stage 11am: Los Lupeños, traditional Mexican dance and music 12:45pm: San Jose Taiko, Japanese drummiing 2:30pm: Nina Storey, roots 4:15pm: John Brown's Body, reggae 6pm: Quetzal, Chicano soul 7:45pm: Ricardo Lemvo, Afro-Cuban music 9:30pm: D'Midas International, Carnaval-style dance and music 9:45pm: Fireworks display Fountain Stage Noon: Wazabe Blue, jazz 2pm: Firme, Latin/ska/rock 4pm: Marcus Shelby Orchestra, swing 6pm: Samba Da, Brazilian music Micro Stage 12:30pm: Lon Lopez Band, soul/rock 2:30pm: Wally Schnalle Quartet, jazz 4:30pm: Hot Town Jubilee, '30s-style jazz 6:30pm: Johnnie Cozmik, R&B [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]