Santa Clara hosts showcase of arcade games, pinballmachines
It’ll be a gamer’s heaven in Santa Clara this weekend, as California Extreme returns to feature hundreds of classic pinball machines and arcade games. And once you pay admission to the show at the Hyatt Regency, all the machines are on free play.
Pinball and arcade games have been back in the spotlight, as kids of the 1970s and ’ 80s have been rediscovering their quarter- driven youth. Arcade bars like LvL Up in Campbell and the upcoming Miniboss in downtown San Jose have been a hit catering to these fans, who often bring in their own kids to introduce them to games like Galaga, Asteroids and Centipede.
California Extreme started more than 20 years ago, well before the current craze, but it’s definitely riding the wave. Pinball’s enduring popularity has reached the point that Stern, the last machine manufacturer in the country, has a pro tournament circuit with this weekend’s event at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara as one of its 20 stops. There also will be tournaments for Street Fighter, Jackie Chan Fists of Fire and an entire suite of Donkey Kong games.
The show opens at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available only at the door at this point. Admission is $40 for Saturday, $30 for Sunday and $60 for the weekend, with kids 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, getting in for half-price. Come prepared as only cash and checks will be accepted — but on the plus side, you can leave your quarters at home. Get more details at www.caextreme.org.
ANNIVERSARY BLOCK PARTY IN SAN JOSE
» Antioch Baptist Church and the African American Community Service Agency are opening their doors for a community block party Saturday that will celebrate milestone anniversaries for both.
Antioch Baptist was founded 125 years ago and has been an incubator for many of San Jose’s African American leaders. Some of those — including
Inez Jackson and Henry Gage Sr. — were among the group that founded what was then known as the Afro-American Community Service Agency in 1978. Today, the agency — led by Executive Director Milan Balinton — continues to provide programs for the city’s black community, from health and wellness and young adult education to computer training.
The church and the center are across the street from each other at the corner of North Sixth and Julian streets, and Saturday’s celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will span both sites, with lots of food, music, tours and a bounce house for kids. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager are scheduled to present commendations to both organizations. CUTS FOR A CAUSE » Stylist Patrick Lomantini has been traveling the country with BarkAID, the nonprofit he founded to cut hair and raise money to help animals. He brings the tour to downtown San Jose’s Paul Mitchell School on Friday, and the proceeds from $15 haircuts — for people, not pets — will be donated to the Silicon Valley Pet Project. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 669-342- 5032, and walk-ins at 130 S. Almaden Blvd. will be accepted if available.
Don’t need a haircut? Scott’s Seafood is also donating its proceeds from special $5 Tito’s vodka drinks that are being offered as a “Yappy Hour” special Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. And dogs are welcome — on Scott’s Seafood rooftop patio.