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Downtown San Jose You're Invited

Metro Music in the Park

Metro Music in the Park, presented by Dos Equis beer

OUR 20TH SEASON continues  July 24 with Vanessa Carlton

Take a look back at 19 years of headliners

20th Anniversary Contest winners announced.  See below. 

San Jose summers wouldn't be the same without Music in the Park, Downtown's most anticipated concert series. Come out to enjoy alternative, R&B, reggae, rock and jazz in free Thursday night performances.

In 2008, get ready for the 20th season, nine consecutive weeks of free shows, each Thursday, July 10-Sept. 4

5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
(Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos streets)

Dos Equis beer (Stay Thirsty My Friends) returns as presenting sponsor of Music in the Park for 2008.

Food and beverages are available at the park. Be sure to visit the Lounge in the Park, which is open to the public, and enjoy sangria, beer and wine.

See more information for concert-goers below.

2008 dates:

July 10:  Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Latin Jazz)
peteescovedo.com

The legendary Latin jazz musician returns for his 14th performance at Music in the Park, the most performances ever by any musician at the series. An artist in every form, Escovedo has played music and painted since the age of 16.

Here's a picture from our opening show.

Opener:  Rojas Band (R&B / funk) -- This nine-piece band comes complete with horn section and members who have performed with Kool & the Gang, Con-Funk-Shun, Pete Escovedo, Cameo and Tower of Power. myspace.com/rojasband

July 17:  Flogging Molly (Alternative Irish Rock)
floggingmolly.com

Flogging Molly challenges conventionalism, entertaining fans around the world with their unique brand of music.  The accordion and mandolin are as instrumental to their sound as the guitar and drums.  What started as performances in crowded bars has grown into regular appearances on the Warped Tour in addition to their annual St. Patrick’s Day tour.    

Opener:  Ludo (alternative rock)

July 24:  Vanessa Carlton (pop/rock/jazz)
vanessacarlton.com

The three-time Grammy-nominated artist debuts her third studio album, "Heroes and Thieves," to be released in October. At the start of her career, Carlton’s hit single “A Thousand Miles” reached the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart.  Get a sneak peek and hear some of her new songs live, only at Music in the Park.

Opener:  Dusty Rhodes and the River Band (indie folk/rock) 

July 31:  Junior Reid with Andrew and Wada Blood (Roots Reggae)
myspace.com/juniorreid

Junior Reid released his first single at the age of 14. Since then, he has pursued a career in reggae with both solo and group successes.  Reid tapped into the hip hop genre and has worked with some of its biggest talents.

Opener:  Reggae Angels (reggae)

Aug. 7:  Lenny Williams and Special Guest D'Wayne Wiggins (contemporary R&B)
lennywilliams.com

myspace.com/dwaynewiggins

Both natives of Oakland, Lenny Williams and D’Wayne Wiggins have left their mark on the R&B industry.  Lenny’s big break as the lead singer of Tower of Power helped pave the way to following solo successes including the mega-hit “Cause I love You.”  Williams has performed a total of five times at Music in the Park with Tower of Power and as a solo act.  D’Wayne Wiggins is best known for his part in the 90s’ chart-topping group Tony! Toni! Toné!  His talent continued to cultivate some of the music industry’s best including Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx and more.  This is Wiggins’ second consecutive performance at Music in the Park.   

Aug. 14:  Rocco DeLuca & The Burden (high energy blues/folk rock)
roccodeluca.com

In Rocco DeLuca's childhood, jam sessions and life on the tour bus was the norm. His father was a touring guitarist for Bo Diddley, so DeLuca learned guitar at a young age.  The result is a blues rock sound infused with a punk element.  DeLuca's songs are an honest expression of his life experiences.

Opener: Five A.M.  

Aug. 21:  White Album Ensemble (Beatles tribute)
whitealbumlive.com

This is the band's fifth appearance in as many years at Music in the Park. They will reprise their sets of "White Album" in honor of the album's 40th anniversary.

Aug. 28:  Regaae Artist TBA

Sept. 4:  The Last Goodnight (Rock/Pop) plus renown Ska/New Wave artist TBA August 1
thelastgoodnight.net

The Last Goodnight came together during their budding high school years but their debut album “Poison Kiss” is a testament that their sound has grown up along with them.  Lead singer Kurtis John experimented with music at a young age with his blind but musically inclined father as his mentor.  With multiple influences, their music has a universal appeal that both punk and pop fans alike will enjoy. 

20th anniversary contest

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the 20th anniversary contest organized by the Downtown Association and Metro Newspapers. Winners were announced at the July 10 concert with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra.  Michelle Fisk of Felton won the Vespa LX50 scooter from San Jose Vespa.  She matched seven of her favorite all-time Music in the park acts with those of the Metro newspaper music writers.

Jill Saunders of Campbell won a drawing for the second prize, two tickets from Southwest Airlines, good for anywhere Southwest flies.  Third-prize winners Robert Herrera of San Jose, Ligia Oliviera of San Jose and Pete Smith of San Jose won guitars from Guitar Center.  They all matched six of nine, with Saunders' name selected from a bowl for the second prize.  A random drawing of entrants also occurred for free pizza from Pizza My Heart restaurants.  

Metro’s picks of the top nine performances include: The English Beat, Smash Mouth, Pete Escovedo, Greg Kihn Band, John Hiatt, Calexico, Toots and the Maytals, Booker T Jones Band and White Album Ensemble.

From the contestants’ viewpoint, the top shows were by Tower of Power (42 percent), Smash Mouth (41.4 percent), Pete Escovedo (38.6 percent) and Greg Kihn (25 percent).

Click here for complete information about the winners. 

Here are the 19 years of headliners.  Every headliner received at least one vote from fans for best performance ever, a testimony to the great diversity of the series over the years.

Information for concert-goers:

Parking: $2 parking is available after 6 p.m. in lots at Second and San Fernando streets; the Pavilion Garage on Second Street; Second and San Carlos streets; Second and St. James streets; Third and San Fernando streets; and Market and San Pedro streets 

• Please bring a blanket or lawn chair
• No alcoholic beverages may be brought onto the Plaza de Cesar Chavez grounds
• Guests are subject to search
• No filming or audio recording of the artists during their performances is permitted
• No barbecues, large coolers, cans or bottles are permitted
• No pets allowed (except for service animals)
• All metered parking adjacent to the park will be enforced
• New this year by city ordinance: No smoking in the park

Directions:

From the East Bay
Take I-880 South
Exit 280 South
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Campbell
Take Highway 17 North
Exit 280 South
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Milpitas, Pleasanton
Take I-680 South
I-680 becomes I-280 North
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Francisco
Take Highway 101 South
Exit Guadalupe Parkway (Highway 87)
Take San Carlos exit and turn left onto Park

From Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Watsonville, Salinas and Monterey
Take Highway 101 North
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market 

Thanks to our 2008 sponsors:

(Click on logo to view website)