The South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk + STREET MRKT is this Friday, September 3rd! It all kicks off at 7pm and goes 'til late!

Here's some highlights from KALEID Gallery and Phantom Galleries coordinated exhibits:

Coexist & Bisect Two new manifestations by René Lorraine

René Lorraine's latest work is a fascinating take on man coexisting with unfamiliar species, ideals, and life styes that one may find on this earth. Coexist deals with embracing differences between souls and the shells they reside in, and is an unbeatable experience involving a harmonious dance between crisp clean line, and free-flowing watercolor pigments. Bisect is about the challenges one person may have desiring two very different life styles. The delicate graphite mimic's the fine line of having balance and not.

René Lorraine is a graduate of San Jose State University with a BFA in Pictorial Arts, and an A.A in Painting.

Shadows of Light, from the Hidden Sun A vision of the Authentic self by Ras Lowe.

This Art message is about deep personal inner visions, a progressive transmission of sacred information for the 21st. century, from the ancient temples of Egypt, to the jungles of Holy Peru. Remembering every moment in Life is a gift, and is precious, not to be wasted.

Ras Lowe is a graduate from San Jose State University, MA, Urban Planning, and BA, in Black Studies-( African American Studies) He has lived in San Jose since 1969 and is retired currently teaching (Japanese Swordsmanship) Ken-do at SJSU.

(7-9pm) KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street

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Opening Reception: Scrap Facet by Sandi Billingsley
A collection of distinctive monochrome portraiture on rescued & re purposed material.

Good Karma Cafe
37 South First Street

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Opening reception of Gravity by artist Valerie Runningwolf

New encaustic works as well as mixed- media pieces that are of traditional and contemporary ideas that awaken and encourage exploration.

First Fridays are Opera Night! at Caffé Trieste with some of the Bay Area’s best opera singers performing your favorite arias and duets.

Caffe Trieste
315 South First Street

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On view: Freedom. Experience Reality. by abstract artist Nathan Belomy
Phantom Galleries Location: 386 South First Street

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This Friday is also the last STREET MRKT of the season! Live music by Sean Hayes, Lisa Dewey & Lotus Life, and Jhameel plus 40 regional artists and indie vendors 7pm-11pm out on South First Street between San Carlos & San Salvador streets.

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For full listings of all participating venues including Anno Domini, MACLA, San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, South First Billiards, SLG Art Boutiki, Higher Fire Clay, Downtown Yoga Shala, METRO Photo Exhibit and Art Ark, visit http://www.SouthFIRSTFRIDAYS.com!

"Teasing Death" by Christine Benjamin

Come check out zombified donut art from all of the Psycho artists, including Christine Benjamin, Murphy Adams, Simon Salas, Michael Borja, Lacey Bryant, Nicolas Caesar, Sheri DeBow, John Hageman, Valery Milovic, Jen Renzel, Carlos Villez, Michael Foley, Anthony Barbaria, and more!

Reception: Saturday, October 2nd 11AM-4PM
Show runs: October 2nd to November 5th, 2010

Psycho Donuts
2006 S. Winchester Blvd.
Campbell, CA 95008
408-378-4540

The Revue is a groundbreaking variety show hosted by "Mighty" Mike McGee, David Perez, and Tatyana Brown with the musical stylings of The John Staedler Symphony Orchestra.

Join us for Oakland's notorious poet-showman Jamie DeWolf, the dreamy sounds of the South Bay's own Gold Hush, San Francisco's comedian extraordinaire, Mary Van Note and the all new San Jose Poetry Slam.

All poets encouraged to sign up for the slam. WARNING! Slammers must come ready with more than two poems. See slam guidelines below BEFORE COMING TO THE VENUE.

TICKETS (at door only):
Admission is $5 + the roll of a die ($6-$11)

Look sharp! This is a semi-formal event.

Bring a small gift for the Slam Prize Box. (Anything that fits in the palm of your hand.)

Get updates by joining the MoFo group here.

Anno Domini
366 So. First Street
San Jose
408-271-5155
http://www.galleryAD.com

mixed media graphic work by Marina Povalishina

papie-mache by Anastasiya Rakova

Bay Area artists Marina Povalishina and Anastasiya Rakova invite everyone to visit their art exhibition Artists' Playground.

The art show will include graphics, painting on wood, collages, papie-mache , dolls, toys and much more!

Open studio/ Art show: Artists' Playground
date/time: Sundays, September 12th & 19th, 11am-5pm
location: the artists' studio and home, 1078 Polk Ln, San Jose 95117

Refreshments will be served.

Learn to Play

When life is a game, how do you learn to play?
Games, an expression of art and life, can bridge the gaps between cultures, and be a common language that brings communities together. Game makers tell compelling stories about their lives or the world. Learn to Play includes video, board and social games by indy game designers. The exhibition offers a selection of poetic, artistic, and artful games that embody the qualities of human existence, focusing on the experience of playing and learning to play. The characteristics of these games echo human nature, teaching us who and what we are, or can be, so we can explore life directions driven by our choice and conscience.

As conduits for bridging or separating cultures, games can be used to bring communities together for improvement of economic and social conditions, or to exploit communities through political maneuvering. The games selected span the range from quick play to epic games requiring many hours to complete; they range from personal growth to those used for socially conscious purposes.

Learn to Play is also a challenge. We invite people of all backgrounds to experience and create games that express social and emotional relevance. During the course of the exhibition, workshops will be held to teach basic game design tools. At the end of the workshops we will have game challenges from which work may be curated into the exhibition.

Come play some games and/or create your own!

Exhibition dates: October 4 – November 24, 2010
Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College

Preview events to coincide with ZER01:
Friday Sept 17 After work: Game Challenge and Workshop
Saturday Sept 18: Exhibition (Selected Works)
Saturday 5pm: Deadline for digital submissions
Saturday Evening: Speed judging & awards

Reception with the Artists:
Tuesday, November 9, 5:30-8:00pm.
Schedule of events to include night and weekend programs.

Artists include Andrew Y Ames, Jim Babb of Socks Inc., April Banks, Brenda Brathwaite, Yunan Cao, Terry Cavanagh, Joe DeLappe, David Elliott, Jake Elliott, Mark Essen, Catherine Herdlick, Rod Humble, Molleindustria, Jason Rohrer, Susana Ruiz of Take Action Games, Adam Saltsman, Kelly Santiago and Jenova Chen of thatgamecompany, Jonatan Söderström, Superbrothers, La Mar Williams II, Robert Yang, the City of Cupertino, and more.

Curated by James Morgan and John Bruneau, with Jan Rindfleisch

For more information, please visit: http://learn.toplay.us/

art work by Carlos Villez

Dia De Los Muertos Art Show at Sonya Paz Gallery in Campbell

Local artists interpret their ideas of "Day Of The Dead"! Artists include: Deb Barba, Omar Barba, Christine Benjamin, Rene Berglund, Nicolas Caesar, Heather Courtney, Jen Norton, Sonya Paz and Carlos Villez.

Reception: Saturday, October 23rd 7-10PM
Show runs from Oct. 23rd - Oct. 29th 2010

SONYA PAZ FINE ART GALLERY
195 East Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: 408.378.5000

art work by Christine Benjamin

We hope to see you on Thursday, September 16, 2010. (any other day after, you'll be late...and laughed at).

The event is FREE to all, though there are also plenty of things you can buy!

MUNCH on donut samples
WATCH some comedy from the crew at ComedySportz at any of the special mini-shows presented in the ComedySportz theater
EXPLORE the newly transformed space
SEE/purchase the crazy art from local artists such as Christine Benjamin, Murphy Adams and many more
TAKE PHOTOS in the Padded Pfoto Cell- New and improved!
PURCHASE the beloved donuts or coffee and smoothie concoctions from the Full Service coffee bar
MEET the Nurses from Psycho Donuts and Comedians from ComedySportz
ENJOY hanging out at the indoor Donut Asylum or on the outdoor Psycho Patio

Downtown San Jose Launch Event: Thursday, Sept. 16th · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Psycho Donuts San Jose & ComedySportz
288 S. 2nd Street
San Jose, CA

“HIDDEN CITIES”
Juried by: Lisa Phillips, Director of New Museum, NYC

Exhibition Venue:
New Century Artists Gallery
530 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10001

Show Dates: February 1 to February 12, 2011
Women’s Caucus for Art Reception with the artists: Friday, February 12, 2011 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

"Hidden Cities" - No matter our place in society, we all have our Hidden City , a place of refuge from gender, race, class and sexual exclusions, a place that shapes the feminist viewpoint. Some cities, like wrapped boxes, conceal unexpected gifts, others are riddles and lyrical abstractions. These are performative spaces where we may imagine retribution for injustices, righting wrongs or conversely, delving into the dark side.

Artists are invited to explore their idea of their Hidden City, real or imagined, in an array of media. The theme may be broadly interpreted from an activist, political or personal context. Convince the viewer of its viability, a live space filled with passion and imagination.

Eligibility: Open to all women artists. Work must not have been previously exhibited in any exhibition sponsored by National WCA.

Entry Deadline: Friday, November 19th, uploaded by 11:59 PM PST.
For instructions and fee information, download the prospectus here.
Submissions: All 2D and 3D submissions are to be made online at: www.nationalwca.org Artists may submit up to three pieces of work.

ABOUT THE JUROR: Lisa Phillips, Director of the New Museum of Contemporary Art, NYC
Lisa Phillips was appointed Director of the New Museum in December 1998, and arrived in April 1999. She is the second person to occupy that post in the museum’s 30 year history. Since it’s founding in 1977, the New Museum has had a unique role in the New York art world as a leading destination for new art and new ideas and is Manhattan 's only dedicated contemporary art museum. She lectures on contemporary art at museums throughout the world and has served as a Visiting Critic at Yale University and as a panelist and juror for the National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Public Art Commission, and the Fulbright Fellowship Review Committee.

On the heels of the highly successful Oversocial MoFo Revue, Mike McGee performs his one man show In Search of Midnight on Monday, September 20th at 7pm at Barefoot Coffee Bar.

Adapted from his popular book by the same name, Mike uses stand-up comedy, poetry, puppets and spoken word to share stories of family, love, triumph and defeats, never letting us forget that life is a gift. He tells the story of his birth, diagnosis of Spina Bifida, and the moment when he realized he could make anyone laugh.

Barefoot Coffee Bar
5237 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara

(awesome poster above is by Ben Henderson.)

TWO BUCK Tuesday September 21, 2010
$2 Art Sale begins at Noon
Main event starts at 7p.m.
Curated by Drew Clark

Seriously, what else are you doing Tuesday night? Come out, enjoy some of the cool culture that the San Jose art scene has to offer! Where else will you find not only $2 dollar original artwork from local artists, but also ...

LIVE ART!

Timothy Tsun - Discovery, the "Humanature" (the relationship between human being and nature), is the theme of my art. I am always observing the shapes and texture of tree trunks, which I utilize to make the connection to human forms. http://www.timtsun.com/

Michael Foley will be there making $5 portrait transformations, creating stylized portraits you'll not find anywhere else.

Michael Foley is an artist from the San Francisco bay area whose works show nationally and internationally. First discovered by scientists after the great quake of 1906. Believed to be the cause of the catastrophe it was decided that he would be placed deep in the arctic sea to be forgotten. Seventy-Two years later he resurfaced and returned to California to exact his revenge on civilization through the use of art and his poorly scripted interpreted dance and slam poetry.
http://www.onibatsu.com

MIND EXPANDING SPEAKING SERIES

MoGo BBQ is a mobile food truck company serving up Koreanstyle BBQ in our taco truck serving the San Francisco Bay Area: San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, Palo Alto, and more. They bring you the convenience of affordable gourmet food combined with good ol? Korean family recipes handed down to them, resulting in portable street food fare. Take your pick from our Short Rib Tacos to our Spicy Pork Quesadillas—they?re all up for the tasting'.

Russell Targ is a physicist and author who was a pioneer in the development of the laser and laser applications, and was cofounder of the Stanford Research Institute?s investigation into psychic abilities in the 1970s and 1980s. His work in this new area, called remote viewing, was published in Nature, The Proceedings of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Targ has a B.S. in Physics from Queens College, and did graduate work in physics at Columbia University. In 1997 Targ retired from Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Co. as a senior staff scientist.

Randall King co-founded San Jose Stage Company in 1983 and has served as the Artistic Director for the past nineteen years. Under his direction, the Company has produced over one hundred twenty-five stage plays and musicals and premiered thirty-nine new works, including nine World Premieres. Most recently, Randall directed ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, A TUNA CHRISTMAS and GREATER TUNA and the Company?s original and return engagement of IDOLS OF THE KING at the California Theatre. In addition to directing,

Randall is an award-winning actor, most recently appearing with the Company as Milan and The Waiter in ROCK ?N? ROLL. He has performed in leading roles at many theaters, including San Jose Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company and the Alaska Theatre Festival, among others. Randall has worked with Francis Ford Coppola, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Bay, among others, and has also appeared in numerous television projects.

PERFORMANCE & DEMONSTRATIONS!

Keith Bunnell is a ceramic artist based here in Silicon Valley. He focuses on what he refers to as "the dark side of pottery, bringing out the true fear that resides within the clay."

Body painting by Trina Merry
Trina Merry, an American artist, currently lives in the Bay Area in a little town called Willow Glen. After receiving her BA in Communications/Media from Azusa Pacific University, she worked for companies like Sony, Paramount, Icon Productions (Mel Gibson), Yamaha, & Showtime's Golden Globe nominated TV Show "Sleeper Cell" (art department). She is truly a multi-media artist working in paint, video/film, installation & performance.

LIVE MUSIC!

Gianfranco & Friends - It all started for the love of the accordion sound and the passion of meeting the very friendly local musicians. Gianfranco had courage to ask them, one at a time, to do some notes together. The first he had asked was Kate and the answer was a curious: "Marimba and accordion? Yes...When?...Where?". A few weeks later he asked Jessica, and the answer was just lovely: "Piano and accordion?...Do they have a piano there?...OK...When?". Well.....We did our first notes at the Caffé Trieste and I continue to do notes at the caffé every second Friday of the month with all my friends musicians. That's how "Gianfranco and Friends" came alive around San Jose.

TWO BUCK Tuesday- September 21st, 7-10pm FREE and open to the public.

KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947-1785

The Women & Girls 2010 Thriving in the New Economy Summit is calling for workshop proposals.

The Office of Women’s Policy, in partnership with the City of San Jose and community organizations throughout Santa Clara County will be hosting a summit titled “Women and Girls 2010: Thriving in the New Economy” on Dec. 2-4, 2010. Three hundred decision-makers and youth and adult advocates will be convened for high-energy dialogue and action planning to improve the economic status of women and girls in Silicon Valley.

Our vision for Silicon Valley is a community environment where women and girls are valued, safe and have opportunities to thrive. The goal of the summit is to create a common agenda for action, focused on 4 key areas that affect the economic security of women (education, economics, health and violence against women) and follow-up to track our efforts and achievements to ensure women and girls in our community have true equity and access to opportunity and advancement in the new economy.

We are reaching out to local organizers and artists who believe the arts are power, voice and advocacy. As we launch efforts that will advance women and girls for generations to come, we need artists who want to partner with us and who believe that the arts are not only contribute to the aesthetic and cultural quality of life in Silicon Valley, they are fundamental to creating a diverse, sustainable, desirable community environment.

We invite proposals for experiential and/or performance-based workshops that focus on writing, storytelling, drama, songwriting, drumming, digital design, and other forms of art expression. We support proposals that focus on social change. Because we strongly committed to including individuals from diverse backgrounds, we encourage proposals from people of color and from presenters of many ages.

Download the PDF for more information here.

KALEID Gallery presents new solo exhibitions by Mariana Barnes and John Eric Paulson on Friday, October 1st, 7-9pm.

Ancient Art, Modern Twist by Mariana Barnes.
Mosaics have been used in artwork around the world for thousands of years. Mariana Barnes has adapted this ancient art form into her mosaic-like style of painting. She gathers inspiration for her work from the art and symbols of past and present civilizations, combined with the patterns she sees in nature and everyday objects. She uses geometric and nonlinear designs, complementing them with iridescent tones and
luminescent colors.

The process of her art is meditative. She strives to make art that is calming and peaceful and art that speaks with candor and passion. Her work is intended to be healing -to spark a sense of well being in the viewer.

About the artist: Mariana Barnes is a self taught artist who has been painting for over 20 years. Her many interests such as science, music and writing have also played important roles in her life, and each finds a way into her art.

Originally from Argentina, she has been exposed to a sophisticated Latin American culture, where art and music are highly regarded and are a normal part of everyday life. All of the color and energy of her Latin American background nourish the paintings she creates.

Italy Today by John Paulson
Thousands of years of history have produced the beautiful country of Italy. Visitors are pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the Italian culture. Italy is a young country. It became a unified nation in 1861. John's first trip to Italy was in 2001. The enchantment he felt has drawn him back many time since. This exhibit will hopefully bring the same feelings to you, the viewer.

About the artist: Photography has been John's passion and profession for the past 34 years. He has a B.A. degree in Art from San Jose State University and has been awarded both the Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America.

In 1997 John began pursuing digital images in his work. John's current works have evolved form his travels in the Mediterranean. Capturing hte basic beauty of the land and enhancing its drama is what he enjoys best.

Artists' Reception: Friday, October 1st, 7-9pm.

Part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk. Visit http://www.southfirstfridays.com for full event information.

Music by Gianfranco Paolozzi & Friends and light fare by Fundamental Gourmet.

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
San Jose, CA
www.kaleidgallery.com

My Favorite Nightmares An Art Show curated By Lacey Bryant

Nightmares. As creepy or repulsive as they may be, they fascinate us. They linger in our minds long after we've woken, leaving us distracted by thoughts of otherworldly fears. It is often the strange things that play in our heads at night that inspire us to create upon waking. Sometimes these unsettling dreams are rearranged from the events of our daily lives; our brains putting them into a senseless order, helping us to see our thoughts from an inside out perspective. Other dreams seem to make no sense at all and yet perhaps it is this “otherness” that causes us to dwell, at times giving rise to an almost a manic need to recreate the scenes that dance across our sleeping eyes, if only to have some relief once the images have been transferred to the canvas.

When we celebrate the bizarre terrors which overtake us in our sleep we are able to see what base fears we share. This will be a show of real and imagined nightmares, monsters, things that go bump in the night or cause us to gasp awake. The reoccurring night terrors that we just can't get enough of. An admission that we kind of like to be scared.

Receptions on Halloween, October 31 7-11pm & November 5 8-11pm

Exhibit dates: October 31-November 25.

WORKS San Jose
451 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Gallery: 408-286-6800
Voicemail:408-300-6405
gallery@workssanjose.org

Music By:
Deathat, J Swizza, and Dax Tran Caffee

Featuring Artwork By:
Alda Mendoza, Andrew Goldfarb, Barbara Weiss, Bee Adams, Ben Shuts, Christine Benjamin, Dax Tran-Caffee, Deb Barba, Donna Eck, Elaine Baculi, Erikka Hugger, Freddie Vega, Glenn Domingo, Helen Laishley, Jaclyn Alderete, Jasper Thomas, Jen Renzel, Jena Hosking, John Kurtyka, John Renzel, Joshua Marcotte, Julie Bilyeu, Karen Carlo Salinger, Kate Saturday, Keith Bunnell, Kevin Deaton, Kimberly Gebert, Kimy Martinez, Kurtis Rykovich, Lacey Bryant, Lily Mae Martin, Lydia Rae Black, Matthew Seigel, Mary Coleman, Michael Buscemi, Michael Foley, Michelle Waters, Mike Borja, Natacha Est Gauchere, Nicolas Caesar, Patti Garcia, Peg Grady, Pinelopi Vassilaki, Reiji Hirayama, Shannon Amidon, Steevn Reece, Stefan Thompson, Steve Belmarsh, Steven Rubalcaba, Timothy Tsun, Victoria Q Legg, Yumico

Congratulations to KALEID Gallery artist Dotti Cichon for her exhibit in Finland!

Butterflies in the Shadow of a Factory
Urban Entomology
Photographs by D. Cichon California USA
Exhibit dates: October 5 - October 30, 2010

Mikkolan Navetta Gallery
5 Central Avenue
36760 Luopioinen
Finland

artwork by Darlene Boyd

You are invited to attend the artists' reception and awards ceremony for the nationally acclaimed SCAL "Go Figure!" Juried Exhibition for 2010.

Art Opening: Saturday, October 30, 3-5p.m.

Exhibition Dates: October 23 to November 21, 2010

Gallery Viewing Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday Noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 9506