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Downtown SJ for the Holidays

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• Special this year
• Events and Performances: December/NYE I January
• More Holiday Fun
• 2009 Downtown San Jose for the holidays brochure

The holiday season is winding down to an end but not without New Year's Eve celebrations. Ring in the new year in downtown San Jose, where there are endless options for a fun-filled evening.

If a good dinner and drinks with friends is all you need, there’s plenty of that to be had too. Dining selections abound with New Year specials and menus. Check out downtown dining to get started.

There is still plenty to do in downtown San Jose. The “Star Trek” exhibit at The Tech Museum of Innovation shows how fantasy can turn into reality. And the works of great American talents Ansel Adams and Chuck Close are at the San Jose Museum of Art.

New districts and discoveries are just a short walk in any direction from the hub of all these activities. Everything is within easy walking or pedicab-ride distance.

To make navigation even easier, Groundwerx ambassadors in spiffy green hats and clothing are ready to share a wealth of information, directions and restaurant recommendations to visitors

To plan ahead, visit www.sjdowntown.com. Before heading downtown visit www.sjdowntownparking.com for a stress-free drive. 

Don't forget to sign up for Downtowner Online, a weekly calendar of downtown events sent to your e-mail

Downtown favorites 

Christmas in the Park
Through Jan 1- Celebrating 30 years of “Joy and Magic” with more than 60 animated displays, thousands of glittering lights and the gigantic Community Giving Tree. Visit with Santa and enjoy nightly entertainment. Tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, off Market and San Carlos streets. 995-NOEL

Downtown Ice
Through Jan 18 - Downtown Ice’s extraordinary circular rink provides a perfect setting for skaters who glide under the stars and twirl around 32 twinkling palm trees. Also, make a dream come true for underserved youth by making a donation to the KidSkate program. Open daily, including New Year's Eve (noon-10pm) and New Year's Day (2pm-midnight), through Jan. 11. Circle of Palms, between the Fairmont Hotel and the San Jose Museum of Art. $13-$15, 279-1775 ext. 44

Winter Wonderland
Through Jan 1- From the giant gondola towering 10 stories to the classic carousel, families are attracted to the festive arcade of rides and attractions.   Park Avenue and Paseo de San Antonio. Hours of Operation

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Special this year

Through Jan 31, 2010 - Star Trek: The Exhibition
Where science meets science fiction. The world's most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek objects. Celebrate the creative spirit of the series that inspired many of today's modern marvels. The first and only Bay Area experience! The Tech Museum of Innovation. 294-8324

Through March 22, 2010 - American talents Ansel Adams and Chuck Close
The works of Chuck Close who has revolutionized both contemporary portraiture and printmaking and Ansel Adams a giant in the field of landscape photography and a native Californian.  San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St. 271-6840

Ongoing - Take a pedicab ride
Pedicabs will be available to cart and wheel people to and fro.  Eco City Cycles pedicabs are generally out Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. and can be found on other busy days and at Sharks games.  For the holidays, pedicabs will offer special rides around Christmas in the Park each night starting at 6 p.m., said owner Robert Orner. 771-7723

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Events and Performances

Note: F is for Family

DECEMBER

F - Dec. 28 –30 — “Giving Back” Days
During this season of giving, families explore ways to “give back.”  Fun activities help children think about how they can help others. Please bring a donation of non-perishable food and/or a blanket to support community members in need.  Children’s Discovery Museum; 298-5437; www.cdm.org

F - Dec. 31 — Noon Year’s Eve
Celebrate the arrival of 2010 by creating noise-makers, decorating party hats, making New Year’s resolutions and participating in a “countdown,” complete with family hugs and colorful balloon drop. Noon. Children’s Discovery Museum; 298-5437; www.cdm.org

NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS

A Perfect Finish Wine and Dessert Bar – NYE Party –  Live music by The Board of Directors, free hors d’oeuvres from 6-9 pm, and part favors.  6 pm.  55 S. First St.  Free, 288-6000 or apfwinebar.com 

Agenda Lounge – “2010 NYE Explosion” – Two dance floors, live DJs, party favors, champagne toasts, balloon drop and complimentary mini breakfast buffet at 1 a.m. ($25-$229). 399 S. First St. Free.  287-3991 or agendalounge.com 

The Brit – “2010 Champagne Shindig” – Live music, dancing, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.  173 W. Santa Clara St.   278-1400 britanniaarmsdowntown.com 

Blank Club – NYE 2010 “Atomic” – Live DJ playing Indie, 80’s, New Wave and more.  9 pm.  44 S. Almaden Ave. $10, 292-5265 or theblankclub.com

Dive Bar – NYE Party – Celebrate NYE with DJ Venom spinning old school funk, Hip-Hop, R&B and Top 40 featuring special guest Jayrawk and a champagne toast at midnight.  78 E. Santa Clara St.  Free before 9 pm/ $10 cover after, 288-5252 or sjdivebar.com 

Fairmont’s Lobby Lounge – NYE in the Lobby Lounge – Live pianist, music and dancing, midnight balloon drop and world wide NYE celebration on the big screen.  6:15 pm-1 am.  The Fairmont San Jose, 170 S. Market St.  Free, 998-3960 or fairmont.com/sanjose

Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge – 2009 NYE Party – Celebrate the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight, balloon drop, open bar, hors d’oeurver stations and several DJs mixing all night.  8 pm. Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge, 99 E. San Fernando St. $75-$125, 998-9998 or fultralounge.com 

Hedley Lounge – NYE Party – Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Black Pearl performing live, champagne toast and party favors. 8:30 pm-12:30 am.  Hedley Lounge, inside Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa St.  $25-$30, 286-1000 or hoteldeanza.com

The Improv – Comedian Jo Koy – Bring in the New Year with laughter.  New Year’s Eve show has a dinner package, includes champagne toast. 7 pm and 10 pm.  62 S. Second St. $50-$75, 280-7475 or symfonee.com/Improv/sanjose/home/index.aspx 

Miami Beach Club – Red and Gold New Year’s Party – Party with live band “Feugo Latino,” complimentary glass of champagne and bottle service available .  8-10 pm $10 cover.  Wear red and gold and get half off your entrance after 10 pm.  417 S. First St. 242-9621 yourmiamibeachclub.com

Morocco’s Restaurant – “Happy Bubbly 2010” – Music by Benjamin and Stephanie.  5 pm.  86 N. Market St.  $50-$90, moroccosrestaurant.com

Motif Ultra Lounge: NYE 2009 “Ice” – Motif offers bottle service, hors d’oeurvers, drink specials and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight with balloon drop.  Wear your fashionable white attire.  8:30 pm.  189 S. First St.  $20, 279-1888 or motiflounge.com 

O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub –  “NYE 2010 Double Header” – Toast to Ireland at 4 pm and toast again at midnight feat. Complimentary champagne toast and party favors.  4 pm and midnight .  25 N. San Pedro St.  Free, 947-8007 or oflahertyspub.com

Pearl Nightclub – “NYE 2010 Extravaganza” – Pearl Nightclub will be transform into New York City with thousands spent on décor and feature party favors, champagne toast, confetti drop, music and dancing.   8 pm.  8 S. First St.  $35 pre-sale tickets, 279-4444 or pearlsj.com <>

Poor House Bistro – NYE Party – Isis and The Cold Truth, Velvet Plum featuring Lara Price.  RSVP Required, ticket includes 2 drink tickets Appetizers, dinner, dessert and Champagne at midnight. 7 pm-12:30 am.  91 S. Autumn St.  $40, 292-5837 or poorhousebistro.com 

Sabor Tapas Bar and Lounge – NYE 2010 – Celebrate NYE with resident DJ’s Rated R,  DJ Remedy, Shey Love and Isaac B spinning hip-hop, top 40 and sexy house.  Several packages to choose include buffet dinner, cocktails, premium liquor and champagne. 72 N. Almaden Ave.  $35-$450, 287-1737 or saborlounge.net

San Jose Bar and Grill – MTV Video Music New Years – Live master video mixer.  Cover charge includes a chance to win hotel and air fare for two to Las Vegas.  85 S. Second St. 286-2397 or sanjosebarandgrill.com

South First Billiards – “New Year’s Party – DJ Frank Prez.  420 S. First St.  294-7800 or sofapool.com 

Toon’s – NYE Extravaganza – DJ Tito Bell and Danny V, live count down, balloon drop and champagne at midnight.  52 E. Santa Clara St.  VIP Bar 9-10 pm; $10 cover before 10 pm.  292-7464 or toonsnightclub.com 

Voodoo Lounge – NYE with the 80’s Babies – Live DJs. 10 pm. 14 S. Second St.  286-8636 or voodooloungesj.com

WET Nightclub – NYE 2010 Live with Ray J – Celebrate NYE recording music artist Ray J.  VIP table and bottle service available.  9 pm.  Wet Nightclub, 396 S. First St.  $20 guest list for the first 100 before 9:30 pm.  $45-$55 tickets, 282-8938 or www.wetsj.com 

JANUARY

F - Jan. 9 – 10 — Celebration of “El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos” Three Kings
A traditional Three Wise Kings party, complete with Rosca de Reyes bread, papel picado crafts, community performers and appearances by the Three Wise Kings. Children’s Discovery Museum; 298-5437; www.cdm.org

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More Holiday Fun

Galleries

F - Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 S. First St., 271-5155; www.galleryAD.com

Dec. 4 – Jan. 9— Fresh Produce annual invitational group exhibit and sale.Works of urban contemporary art by more than 40 artists all priced $250 and under.

F – MACLA / Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana
510 S. First St., 998-2783 main; 287-5819 gallery; www.maclaarte.org

F - The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
560 S. First St., 408.283-8155; www.sjica.orgm

through Jan. 23 — Afterlife, guest curated by Kathryn Funk
through February 20 — Theodora Varnay Jones: Manifold

F - Works/San Jose
451 S. First. St., 286-6800; www.workssanjose.org

Through Dec. 6 — 2008 Art Auction Exhibition of Artists
Dec. 6 — 2008 Art Auction and Reception

Museums

F - Children’s Discovery Museum
180 Woz Way, 298-5437; www.cdm.org

Nov. 21 – Beijing Opera
Jan. 18 — Martin Luther King celebration

F - Peralta Adobe - Fallon House Historic Site
175 W. St. John St., 993-8300; www.historysanjose.org

Nov. 29 — San Jose Birthday Celebration

F - San Jose Museum of Art
110 S. Market St., 294-2787; www.sjmusart.org

Through Dec. 13 — Alexander Calder: Color in Motion
Through Jan. 10 — Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaborationn
Through Jan. 31 — Variations on a Themen
Through Feb. 28 — Ansel Adams: Early Worksn
Dec. 22 – Jun. 6 — Juicy Paintn

F - San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
520 S. First St., 971-0323; www.sjquiltmuseum.org

Nov.17- Feb. 7— Still Crazy and Reincarnation: The Crazy Collage Aesthetic of India & Japan, an exhibition exploring 'crazy' design through 1920-1950 Japanese kimonos and contemporary Indian crazy quilts made with vintage Indian fabrics.
Dec. 6 and Jan. 10 - Kids Create, a hands-on art program

F - The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 S. Market St., 294-8324; www.thetech.org

Through April 11 – Star Trek: The Exhibition

Movies

Camera 12 Cinemas
201 S. 2nd St., 998-3300; www.cameracinemas.com

Downtown’s 12-screen, state-of-the-art movie theater specializes in current Hollywood and independent films. Open daily.

Camera 3 Entertainment
288 S. 2nd St., 998-3300; www.cameracinemas.com

Downtown’s two-screen art-house theater specializes in exclusive foreign, independent and documentary films. Café Too! features concessions, specialty menu items, coffees, desserts, salads, beer, and wine. Open daily.

F - The Tech Museum’s Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater
201 S. Market St., 294-8324;

www.thetech.org The ultimate movie experience.

Comedy Clubs

F – ComedySportz Camera 3,
288 S. 2nd St., 408-985-LAFF; www.comedysportzsanjose.com

Two teams of improvisors compete in a head-to-head battle for laughs and points. Suitable for all ages. Showtimes: Friday 9 p.m. and Saturday 7 and 9 p.m.

San Jose Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre The Jose Theatre
62 S. 2nd St., 280-7475; www.improv2.com

America’s premiere comedy showcase and restaurant hosts Michael McDonald, Alonzo Bodden, Tom Arnold, Jo Koy on New Year’s Eve, the Filipino Kings of Comedy and others.

Sports, Events & Entertainment

F - Nov. 20 - Jan. 30— San Jose Sharks Catch a professional hockey game this season. The Sharks are in town with 22 exciting home games in 70 days. HP Pavilion. 287-9200; www.sjsharks.com

At the arena- HP Pavilion

Jan. 15 and 17 – Harlem Globetrotters

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