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Downtown San Jose You're Invited

Arts

The downtown San Jose community takes pride in the diversity and quality of arts offered. From small galleries and stages to a large concert arena, downtowners can usually find something creative and extraordinary to do any night of the week. We strive to constantly nurture our arts scene, whether that means bringing in an international exhibit adding another violinist or presenting a free, headlined outdoor music concert.

Our passion for the arts is what allows the South First Fridays gallery walk to occur in SoFA the first Friday of each month. It's what keeps 'em coming back to the San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Jose Stage or City Lights. It's what allows big-name productions to stage a production for a few weeks at the Center for the Performing Arts. It's what brings opera and symphony lovers to the restored California Theater, where on off-nights old classic movies are shown, complete with organ accompaniment. During our walks through downtown, one may stop and enjoy a spoken-word competition, jazz in a restaurant or bar lounge, or indie film at Camera 12 Cinemas.

With a great arts scene comes great resources. The Downtowner Online, a weekly compilation of all that's happening, downtown, is complemented by Artsopolis.com, which provides details and ticket information.

Find more information of downtown performing arts groups below in addition to select museums and galleries. For a comprehensive list of museums and galleries, click here.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose
1717 Technology Drive, (408) 453-7108

As the largest producing theatre company in Northern California and one of the oldest in the United States (founded 1934), American Musical Theatre of San Jose (AMTSJ) continues to dazzle audiences at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. 

Ballet San Jose
40 N. First St., (408) 288-2820

Spearheaded by Dennis Nahat, the company of 30 ballet dancers from 12 countries travels the world armed with a repertoire of more than 120 traditional and modern ballets.  It remains one of the only major ballet companies to run an associated professional ballet school.  Ballet San Jose performs to more than 60,000 theatre attendees every year at the Center for the Performing Arts.    

Children's Musical Theater San Jose
1401 Parkmoor Ave., (408) 288-5437

The Children's Musical Theatre of San Jose (CMT) has served San Jose for more than 40 years, with more than 60,000 young people participating in its productions.   Now one of the nation's largest youth musical theater  and training program of its kind, the show goes on at the CMT's permanent home, Montgomery Theatre.   

Northside Theatre Company
848 E. William St., (408) 288-7820

The Northside Theatre Company (NTC) is known for new play development and redefining the integrity and importance of small theater organizations.  NTC performs in the intimate setting of the Black Box Theatre, giving audiences a chance to get up close and personal with the show and the actors.   

Opera San Jose
2149 Paragon Drive, (408) 437-4450

Opera San Jose celebrates 25 years of opera with its silver anniversary 2008-2009 season staged in the beautiful and historic California Theatre.  Offering a unique resident company , Opera San Jose contracts professional artists in the first years of their singing careers - creating high-quality theatrical and musical performances.   

Renegade Theatre Experiment
1346 The Alameda Suite 7-265, (408) 351-4440

The Renegade Theatre Experiment (RTE) began with a group of Santa Clara University Students who realized they would rather perform together then audition for separate shows.  RTE strives to create bold works of art that speak to the audience.  All performances take place at the Historic Hoover Theatre.     

San Jose Chamber Music Society 
72 N. Fifth St., (408) 286-5111

A community-based non-profit organization, the San Jose Chamber Music Society (SJCMS), produces affordable but high-quality concerts in Le Petit Trianon Theatre.  The society was created to promote chamber music in the South Bay and continues this mission through music apprenticeship, experience and education.   

San Jose Chamber Orchestra
72 N. Fifth St., (408) 295-4416 

Conductor and founder Barbara Day Turner's resume of more than 40 operas and 50 musical theatre pieces ensures that the San Jose Chamber Orchestra delivers creative and engaging programming.  Most performances take place in the Le Petit Trianon Theatre where music "envelopes the audience and players."    

South Bay Guitar Society
72 N. Fifth St., Suite 18, (408) 292-0704

The South Bay Guitar Society (SBGS) was formed to create public awareness in the arts, particularly the classical guitar.  With offices based in the Le Petit Trianon Theatre, SBGS continues to bring national and international artists to the venue.  

Symphony Silicon Valley
P.O. Box 790, (408) 286-2600

Symphony Silicon Valley's artists, all nationally recruited and local residents -- with an average performance tenure in San Jose of over 20 years -- are recognized as among the best in the greater Bay Area.  Each season brings eight programs, sets of two or three concerts each, to the California Theatre plus additional seasonal concerts.     

Tabard Theatre Group, Theatre on San Pedro Square
29 N. San Pedro St., Suite 200, (408) 979-0231

The Tabard Theatre Company presents professional shows that are suitable and appropriate for all ages.  Additionally, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to non-profit organizations that are thematically related to the shows and often includes food or clothing drives during its productions.  The Tabard Theatre Company is the managing and resident theatre company at Theatre on San Pedro Square.   

Performing Arts Venues 

California Theatre
345 S. First St., (408) 792-4145 

Center for the Peforming Arts
255 Almaden Blvd, (408) 792-4145 

Civic Aditorium
San Carlos Street at Market Street, (408) 792-4145

Historic Hoover Theatre
1635 Park Ave., (408) 535-4747

Montgomery Theatre
271 S. Market St. (408) 792-4145 

Le Petit Trianon Theatre
72 N. Fifth St., (408) 995-5400