Visitors to San Jose will be in for an interesting — and perhaps confusing — experience Sunday thanks to the second edition this year of Viva CalleSJ, the program that closes about six miles of city streets to cars and trucks and lets cyclists, skaters, scooters and strollers roam free.
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The route, “Greetings from San Jose,” will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. has endpoints and activity hubs at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Tully Road and the historic Japantown neighborhood. It connects through downtown San Jose, with activities like bands, food trucks and bike repairs also at St. James Park and the Biblioteca Latinoamericana on South First Street.
And whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, you’ll be able to see a particularly historic slice of San Jose.
Our Japantown is one of just three remaining in the United States and includes the majestic San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and Heinlenville Park. Generations of residents have walked beneath the landmark arch at the entrance to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, a popular venue for events — including the Santa Clara County Fair — for more than 80 years. And St. James Park is filled with its own history, surrounded by historic churches and including memorials to both President William McKinley and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
And if you’re just looking to get around Viva Calle, there are several vehicle crossing points along the route. You can get more information at www.vivacallesj.org.
DUCKS AHOY: Dean McCully, Commander of Fun at the South Bay Yacht Club, is getting the word out about the 122nd-ish Opening Day on the South Bay in Alviso on Saturday morning. The Alviso Marina is San Jose’s connection to the San Francisco Bay, and it’s also home to the South Bay Yacht Club — which has been around since 1888.
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The morning will start with a pancake breakfast ($15 for adults and free for kids) at 9 a.m., followed by a rubber duck race at 11 a.m. and a parade of decorated boats at noon. Given the recent hot weather, it should be a great day to be near the shore. Get more information or buy tickets to the breakfast at southbayyachtclub.org/events.
WELCOME RETURN: Twenty years ago, Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose founder Emily Ray and community leader Manuel Bettencourt partnered to bring a program of Portuguese classical music to San Jose. That tradition continues Sunday with “Music of Portugal,” a free concert at Five Wounds Portuguese National Church that Ray will return to conduct.
The program will include works by two living Portuguese composers, Tiago Derriça and Pedro Macedo Camacho, and will feature baritone soloist José Corvelo, who is coming to San Jose from Lisbon. The concert begins at 3 p.m.
It’s not the only cultural celebration this weekend, as the annual Dia de Portugal festival will take place Saturday June 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at History Park, home to the Portuguese Historical Museum. The festivities will include Portuguese food, music and a traditional parade. You can get more information at diadeportugalca.org.
BLUES BONANZA: KSCU, Santa Clara University’s radio station, will celebrate 40 years of playing the blues Sunday at Poor House Bistro in San Jose’s Little Italy district. The celebration will go from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the Benton Street Blues Band (and a few special guests) playing. There’ll also be some CD giveaways, and some lucky music fan will walk away with two free tickets to the June 27-28 Fountain Blues & Brews Festival.
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