Downtown San Jose: Silicon Valley's City Center | Music in the Park presented by Dos Equis and Metro Newspapers

Music in the Park presented by Dos Equis and Metro Newspapers

Dec. 9. 2011

An announcement regarding Music in the Park

SJDA plans fresh downtown summer programming in 2012

The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) announced plans to modify its summer programming and end the 23-year run of Music in the Park free summer concerts at its public board meeting this morning.

“We’re starting to work on new events that will attract more people to our city center, involve our member businesses more and help sustain our organization during difficult economic times,” said Art Bernstein, president of the 25-year-old business association.

The Downtown Association will continue producing or supporting popular summer events including Starlight Cinemas outdoor movies, the Downtown Farmers’ Market at San Pedro Square, South First Fridays Street MRKT and Dine Downtown restaurant week. In addition, SJDA intends to create new programming catering to professionals, residents and families, such as:

HER city: An after-work event series that engages women in downtown social activities built around food, beverages, networking and beauty and spa services;
FUNday SUNday: A weekend series for families that leverages San Jose’s perfect weather and rich cultural diversity, combining music, dance and interactive activities;
Sounds of Summer: A targeted marketing and promotion effort aimed to take downtown’s emerging status as a live music destination to new levels;
Powered by SJDA: Partnering with other groups and producers, SJDA will apply its marketing / promotional / production expertise to new and existing marquee events to help them grow.

“As part of our normal review process, we decided earlier this year that this would be Music in the Park’s last season,” Bernstein said.

SJDA revenues and economic impact to surrounding businesses from the music series decreased this year, while expenses to produce the shows and concerns of businesses increased. At public meetings in June and August, business owners and residents suggested that SJDA “end it or mend it.” SJDA made the decision to focus on new programs rather than attempt to re-make Music in the Park after several board and committee meetings this fall while preserving event concepts that still contribute to downtown’s live music scene.

The association had previously stopped producing the San Jose America Festival, San Pedro Square Brew Ha Ha, Music in the Other Park and SoFA Street Festival after those events ran their course of adding vibrancy to the downtown scene.

Music in the Park started in 1989 as an eight-week, Friday lunchtime series in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The series moved to Thursday evenings in 1990, eventually growing to 13 concerts. In all, SJDA produced 214 free shows featuring international headliners such as Tower of Power and Smash Mouth and long-time local favorites like Pete Escovedo and Greg Kihn.

The series was supported by loyal sponsors and attended by devoted fans that reflected the region’s diverse population and socioeconomic makeup. The series peaked in 2010 when 83,500 people attended the concerts, 37 percent of them coming from outside the city and creating $2.4 million in economic impact.

SJDA and the city have begun talks to identify the city’s commitment to the new programs. The city and Redevelopment Agency have contributed in the past to SJDA’s events, including Music in the Park, through grants and contracts.

Fun Extras

Our Sponsors

MIP Poster History

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MERCHANDISE

POSTERS: A limited number of framed posters from past seasons of Music in the Park are available for sale. The posters were created by some of Silicon Valley's best designers. These make wonderful gifts for Music in the Park fans and former attendees. For information, please contact Blage Zelalich.

T-SHIRTS: Silicon Valley Debug produced some cool Music in the Park T-shirts, which are available for sale. Check them out!

The world's biggest stars appeared on the stage at Plaza de Cesar Chavez for 23 years.

View some of our pictures and videos from Music in the Park.

Fun Extras

Silicon Valley De-Bug was at the park each week with screen printing, jump roping, live painting, and other activities. Click here to view their photo gallery.

Watch videos of Taekwondo in Music in the Park.

Posters from many of the 22 previous years of Music in the Park were on display on the fourth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

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Highlights

Music in the Park 2010 Photo highlights

Take a look at 22 years of headliners

Music in the Park Information

Before you come downtown visit sjdowntownparking.com to keep your drive stress-free

Parking: $5 parking after 6 p.m. is available in CITY OF SAN JOSE garages, such as the garages at Third Street near Santa Clara Street and at Market and San Pedro streets. Public lots near the park also offer affordable parking after 6 p.m. For example, Victory Parking at Market and Santa Clara streets has $5 after 5 p.m. on Thursday. Parking informational signs on city streets will guide you to the nearest city lot or garage.

Thanks to our 2011 Sponsors:

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