This weekend in Milpitas, CA

A free, weekly workout gathering for dads in San Jose centers on building a supportive community and pursuing growth physically, mentally, and spiritually. Each meet up includes a group workout followed by time to connect, share, and grab coffee together. Most exercises are bodyweight based, and no equipment is required because some will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring water and good energy.

Bring a yoga mat for a morning workout with Santana Row and lululemon. The class takes place outdoors in Santana Row Park by the chess board area and happens every Saturday. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Celebrate community at the Ohlone College Flea & Community Market paired with a lively Cars & Coffee gathering. Browse a wide range of local vendors and garage sellers offering bargains and handmade creations, distinctive jewelry, antiques and collectibles, toys and games, clothing and skincare, local treats, rare plants, furniture, tools, and more. The free, family friendly car meet with Ohayo Roadsters in Lot G brings coffee, conversation, and a showcase that spans classic favorites to eye catching exotics. Highlights include a no cost kids area with a bouncy house, crafts, and lawn games, along with live music from the Mission Gold Nugget Jazz Band in Lot E. Shoppers can explore Lots D and E, the car meet takes place in Lot G, and complimentary parking is available in Lot C during the event.

Parents and caregivers can explore toddler, preschool, TK and afterschool options at an in-person open house. Tour the classrooms, meet the caring team and learn how the program supports the whole child in a safe, nurturing setting while supporting working families through experienced, compassionate educators. Enjoy an animal show, face painting and rock painting, and take part in an orientation that explains how everything works. Open house discounts are available.

Bring your favorite board game or drop in to learn some new ones at Board Game Day at Milpitas Library. The Fremont Board Gamers will be there to play, meet others, and share different game options. The event runs in the Milpitas Auditorium and is open to ages 18 and up, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

The Throne Card Show brings a premium card collecting experience to the DoubleTree by Hilton in San Jose, welcoming collectors, vendors, families, and hobby enthusiasts from across the Bay Area. Expect a buzzing show floor with more than 140 vendor tables featuring sports cards and trading card games such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic, and others. The focus is on community, with opportunities to buy, sell, and trade, along with giveaways and special announcements. Tickets are available, and vendor space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis once payment is confirmed. For updates and daily giveaways, visit Instagram at @TheThroneCardShow.

Explore the pottery wheel in a welcoming two hour class designed for beginners. Learn to center clay, form simple shapes, and create your own piece, with materials and tools provided. No previous experience is required. Taking place at Colibri Pottery Studio in San Jose, this relaxed hands on session is offered daily and invites you to slow down, spin some clay, and make something you will be proud of.

R&B music and brunch come together at Maslococantina. Complimentary tickets are available, and the event is open to all ages. For table reservations, text 510-706-1997.

Head to Petco for a friendly meet-and-greet with adoptable dogs who are eager to find loving homes. Rescued pups will be there for snuggles and introductions with prospective families. No appointment is required, and you can also arrange a meeting in advance to reserve a particular dog so that pup is ready to meet at the event. Each dog is adopted with health records and thorough veterinary care, including vaccinations, de-worming, flea and tick prevention, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Adoption fees vary by dog and start at $250, and they are partially tax-deductible to help support care for more than 500 dogs. For questions, call or text 888.508.8943.

Legendary drummer Mike Clark assembles a powerhouse of New York post bop and hard bop talent for a performance steeped in tradition and sparked by improvisation. Sharing the stage are saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. Clark first rose to prominence with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where his inventive work on Thrust helped define linear drumming. His grooves have been sampled widely in hip hop, appearing on hundreds of recordings over four decades. Ever active, he champions forward-looking, hard-swinging jazz in the spirit of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. Recent releases include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which reached No. 5 on the Jazz Weekly chart and placed among the top 100 of 2023, and Kosen Rufu with Eddie Henderson, Skerik, and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the current Headhunters with Bill Summers, whose album The Stunt Man has taken the band across the United States, Europe, and Japan. This ensemble has worked together for two years and carries a deep shared history. Oakland-born Craig Handy, a veteran of Roy Haynes and the original Headhunters, shares roots with Clark. Eddie Henderson, who received an early trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, has collaborated with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band, brings blazing technique and fearless creativity. Essiet Okon Essiet, Art Blakey’s last bassist and one of Clark’s favored partners, anchors the group with commanding authority. Their collective journey stretches from the hard bop crucible of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to the funk innovations of the Headhunters, promising music where history, groove, and spontaneity converge.

SJZ High School All Stars features three-time Grammy Award nominee Gretchen Parlato, a jazz vocalist celebrated for an intimate, Brazilian influenced style. Her catalog includes Flor and Lean In, both recognized by the Grammys and acclaimed internationally. Earlier highlights include Live in NYC, which brought her first nomination after strong notices from DownBeat and a No. 1 spot on the iTunes best music video list, The Lost and Found, honored with more than 30 awards including top vocal album in the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll and iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, and In a Dream, praised by Billboard in 2009. Parlato’s career also reflects long-running collaborations with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton, with Guiliana known for work with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau and St. Vincent, and Hampton for collaborations with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright.

A community effort in downtown San Jose gathers at St James Park to share vegetarian meals with anyone who is hungry. The focus is on compassionate giving, and only vegetarian food is requested. The plan often involves purchasing vegetarian items from Taco Bell, then bringing the small, individually bagged meals and water to the park for distribution. Donations of cash or vegetarian food are welcome. Contributions sent via Zelle to linktovj1985@gmail.com are used to purchase $5 meal bags from Taco Bell, and the organizer shares receipts. Pickup of home cooked vegetarian food can also be coordinated. Organized by Vincent Amaladoss. For questions or coordination, contact 614-772-2743.

Mini Aces Intermediate serves players ages 6 to 8 who already have tennis experience and want to take the next step in a positive, motivating setting. Each session blends dynamic drills, rally play, and game-based activities to build consistency, movement, coordination, and court awareness. The approach nurtures growth and confidence and deepens understanding of the sport while keeping learning engaging and fun. A Euro School of Tennis membership provides priority access to classes, discounted rates, flexible hold options, and convenient automatic payments. It offers a steady path for young athletes to continue their tennis journey and develop a lasting love for the game.

Swap healthy plants and cuttings at this first indoor summer swap at Sports Basement (Almaden). Participants are encouraged to label every item, bring a table for display if desired, and note that six tables will be available at the venue. Please leave pets at home, and bring a few cleaning supplies to help with cleanup if possible. Two styles of swapping will be available: Open Trade, where you leave a plant and take a plant, and Direct Trade, where specific plants are exchanged by mutual agreement. Those without a table can display plants using a wagon, box, blanket, or another creative option. A box or container is recommended to carry new plants home safely. Questions are welcome. Thanks to Jessica for creating the flyer.

Concerts on the Plaza presents a free, family-friendly performance at Niles Town Plaza with Jinx Jones and the Kingtones delivering high-energy rockabilly. Pack lawn chairs and blankets and bring the whole family for a relaxed afternoon of live music in Niles.

Afro-Cuban All Stars brings the spirit of Cuba’s golden age to the stage, a renowned orchestra that helped carry the Buena Vista Social Club to worldwide prominence and remains among the most acclaimed groups in Cuban music history. Created by producer and bandleader Juan de Marcos González, the ensemble has earned four Grammy nominations and has propelled many of its musicians to international renown. In the mid 1990s, De Marcos assembled luminaries Ruben González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo as a salute to classic Cuban sounds, igniting a worldwide revival. The orchestra later appeared in Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated Buena Vista Social Club documentary and other films. Today the group continues to evolve, blending contemporary Cuban styles and welcoming new generations while staying rooted in son, bolero, and guaracha. The Times of London has credited the ensemble with influencing the future of Cuban music. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep ties to Havana’s musical culture, still leads the orchestra with the vision that launched a landmark global success.

Celebrate the close of summer with a complimentary swing dance lesson outdoors at Niles Town Plaza. Start with the outdoor summer concert, then keep the evening going with an instructor-led session beneath the sky. No prior experience or partner is required, so participants of every level can step in confidently. Beyond the lesson, it is a chance to enjoy Niles, meet new people, visit nearby shops, and grab a meal from local restaurants. The event is free to attend, welcomes all skill levels, and has ample parking close by. A lively way to cap the season with music, movement, and shared good energy.

Celebrate the music of legendary duo Shankar-Jaikishan at a live musical tribute where a cast of performers reimagines classic Bollywood film melodies with a mix of soulful ballads and lively, foot-tapping rhythms. The experience blends cinematic nostalgia with fresh energy, set at ICC Milpitas in the Bay Area.

A true icon of American music takes the spotlight, celebrating a voice that has shaped R&B, pop, and gospel for six decades. The Philadelphia-born star first reached the charts in 1962 with The Bluebelles, then earned worldwide recognition with the boundary-pushing trio Labelle. Launching a solo career in the 1970s, she created enduring favorites like the R&B No. 1 "If Only You Knew" and the crossover hit "On My Own" with Michael McDonald, bringing home American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and many other accolades. The 1974 anthem "Lady Marmalade" remains a daring, influential classic that still resonates. Her work reaches beyond the stage, including appearances in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and a food and lifestyle venture, Patti's Good Life. Few performers can match her vocal fire, versatility, and staying power across genres, and her shows continue to be powerful and electrifying.

Careless Whisper turns Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden) into an '80s time capsule, complete with big hair flair, throwback fashion, and detailed costumes. The show highlights the decade’s rock and pop favorites, delivered by a touring tribute group that performs nationwide for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Admission is collected at the door.

Add a little soul to summer with Soulful Sunday at Urban Sanctuary and Recovery Café in downtown San Jose, a short stroll from the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, The Art of the Protest Song, presents jazz interpretations of eight memorable protest songs performed by a quintet featuring Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and vocalist Miranda Perl. Guests can begin with coffee and a light mini brunch, enjoy a free concert, then gather for a coffee hour in the café. Before and after the music, Recovery Café San Jose next door offers a look at how the community supports people recovering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. The concert and coffee hour are free, and the Sunday collection will directly benefit the programs of Recovery Café San Jose.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra brings a sweeping, 20-piece sound built from the West Coast ska community, powered by a horn lineup roughly triple the size of a typical ska band. After fifteen years, they remain a commanding force in traditional ska, with headline appearances at major festivals and renowned stages across the United States and Europe. The ensemble features players connected to The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more, and has worked with celebrated vocalists such as Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Greg Lee and Alex Desért of Hepcat, and Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers, reflecting their stature in ska and reggae. Their fifth album, Fire & Water, arrived in 2025 and marks their most expansive studio project to date, offering 16 tracks of originals and covers rooted in early 1960s Jamaican tones, arranged with rich orchestration that includes a full string section. It captures a group that honors vintage foundations while pushing the music forward.

In honor of the Miles Davis centennial, bassist and composer Marcus Shelby leads his nine-piece Bay Area nonet in a complete rendering of Birth of the Cool using the original instrumentation. Shelby’s background includes the Charles Mingus Scholarship to CalArts, composition studies with James Newton, bass studies with Charlie Haden, and leadership as Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz. His work spans large-scale compositions rooted in African American history and social movements, including oratorios dedicated to Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s album Soul of the Movement reached No. 2 on national jazz radio in 2011. He composed the score for Anna Deavere Smith’s HBO film Notes from the Field and is the voice of Ray Gardener in the Oscar-winning Disney Pixar film Soul. Birth of the Cool grew out of a collaborative circle of innovative musicians, composers, and arrangers rather than a single session. The Marcus Shelby Nonet features the Bay Area master players who also form his New Orchestra, which has five recordings. Hear one of jazz’s defining works presented as it was first imagined, interpreted by leading musicians from the region.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin delivers a performance that stays with you. Nominated for five Grammy Awards and known for a warm, singing tone often likened to Johnny Hodges, she weaves jazz, funk, and R&B, moving from straight-ahead tradition to music with a social lens. A Washington Heights native, she refined her craft with Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and became a sought-after collaborator with Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Her 2020 release Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and former Coltrane sideman Reggie Workman. Phoenix followed in 2023, produced by Carrington, earning three Grammy nominations and drawing wide praise. After a serious car accident in 2021, Benjamin returned with renewed strength and curiosity, channeling resilience into bold, evolving shows. Her latest project, Phoenix Reimagined, captures Phoenix recorded live in studio at The Bunker in Brooklyn, adds three new songs, and blends spontaneous, in-the-moment energy with high-fidelity sound. Expect a set that celebrates life and ongoing growth.

Cory Wong, a Grammy Award-nominated guitarist, producer, variety show host, and podcast host, brings a high-energy show powered by the tight, rhythmic guitar voice that drives both his solo work and his roles in Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers. He has also built a reputation for selling out iconic venues around the world. Beyond the guitar, he highlights production, songwriting, arranging, and bandleading as central to his creative identity. His album Lost in the Wonder has drawn praise for its lush sound and expert playing, arranging, and production, arriving after his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest titled Starship Syncopation. His music reaches screens as well, from composing the theme for the CBS late-night series After Midnight to a Spy x Family Season 2 theme that reached number one in Japan. His signature gear line includes a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, guitar pickups, and an Apple Producer Pack. Audiences can anticipate a Fest set that is as entertaining as it is technically impressive.

ICC and Javanika present a large Bay Area Antakshari competition at India Community Center, moving the beloved at home music game onto the stage. Look forward to nostalgia, lively singing, and friendly competition as groups and individuals take part. Entry is $50 for a group of four and $15 for an individual, with cash prizes to be won. Even shy singers might discover hidden talent, and playful family rivalries could begin.

Instant Alter brings a forward-looking fusion sound shaped by New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both veterans of Stanley Clarke’s band. Their music weaves jazz, rock and soul with storytelling and the vibrant character of Brazilian Tropicália for a fresh, contemporary blend. Modeste, known for his work with the late Wallace Roney, is currently touring with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall. His distinctive tone appears on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and he is featured on Stanley Clarke’s upcoming album. A student of drummer and producer Lenny White, he brings a curious, exploratory energy to the stage. Agrama is a singer, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist whose warm, powerful voice carries stories of love and belonging. The granddaughter of Chilean star Antonio Prieto, she has performed and recorded with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down, and her 2017 album The Heart of Infinite Change includes contributions from Thundercat, George Duke, Austin Peralta and Stanley Clarke. With rising talents Brandon Rose, Jermaine Paul, Miguel Russell and Myles Martin completing the lineup, the ensemble channels a progressive spirit that feels both imaginative and restorative.

A devotional music program featuring vocalist and violinist Vivekanandan, an artist from Kerala, performing with the Bay Area Music Team. Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu melodies will be presented with a live orchestra in a peaceful, spiritual setting. The evening supports the vision of the Guruvayoorappan–Ayyappan Temple Project in the San Francisco Bay Area. Highlights include collaborative performances, interactive musical segments, and songs across multiple Indian languages. This celebration of music, devotion, and community contributes to a lasting spiritual legacy for future generations, and welcomes devotees, music lovers, and supporters of this meaningful initiative.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring a New Orleans sound led by Troy Andrews, who has championed his hometown’s music since childhood. He stepped onto the Jazz Fest stage at age four with Bo Diddley, led his own brass band by six, and by his early twenties was releasing acclaimed, chart-topping records while appearing at the White House, Madison Square Garden and the 2025 Super Bowl. His career includes tours with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza, a Grammy Award and collaborations with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz and Ringo Starr. Andrews founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to expand youth music education and has written two children’s books, with the first earning a Caldecott Honor. Back home he rides a giant float in an annual Mardi Gras parade, curates the Treme Threauxdown that has welcomed guests like Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples and Leon Bridges, and has taken on Jazz Fest’s final set. His 2011 Summer Fest appearance continues to be discussed. The 2022 album Lifted, recorded live at Buckjump Studio, captures the crackling energy of his shows with sounds that are boisterous, joyful and rooted in New Orleans.

A showcase of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, and traditional songs features four-time Grammy winner George Kahumoku Jr., six-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho, and two-time Grammy winner Tia Carrere. Their music reaches audiences around the world, celebrating the islands’ sound and storytelling. George Kahumoku Jr., often called the Renaissance Man of Hawai‘i, is a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer, and a multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano Award recipient. He produces a weekly Slack Key Show on Maui that has highlighted top island musicians for more than two decades. His artistry draws on 19th century roots, when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele and Mexican cowboys brought guitars and ranching traditions to Hawai‘i. Daniel Ho is a versatile multi-instrumentalist on ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and vocals. Of his six Grammys, four recognize his work producing Kahumoku’s award-winning projects, and two came from collaborations with Tia Carrere. Carrere gained early fame in Wayne’s World and later appeared in film and television, including Lilo & Stitch and Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday. She returned to Hawaiian music with Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together, these artists honor tradition with exceptional musicianship and vibrant compositions, offering a performance widely celebrated for capturing the spirit of aloha.