Bacon and Beer Classic will have stadium sizzling
San Jose Municipal Stadium will be sizzling Saturday with the Bacon and Beer Classic, which sounds like the most decadent pairing since Reese’s put together chocolate and peanut butter. More than two dozen breweries and about that many restaurants will have a presence at the event, providing beer tastes and bacon- inspired cuisine in the confines of the San Jose Giants’ classic home.
A host of judges — including Pete’s Brewing Company founder Pete Slosberg, Gordon Biersch co- founder Dan Gordon, Brown Sugar Kitchen Executive Chef Tanya Holland and “Top Chef” competitor Keriann Von Raesfeld— will be prowling the grounds to bestow awards on the best beers and bites.
You can chow down during one of two sessions: brunch ( noon to 3 p. m.) or evening ( 7 to 10 p. m.). Admission for each session ranges from $ 19 for teens to $ 99 for a VIP ticket that grants a one- hour head start on the crowd. Buy tickets and get details on who is participating at www. baconandbeerclassic. com.
UNCOMMON CROWD: When it comes to diverse crowds, Drew Clark has seen them all at the Commons, the classical music and arts series he produces in downtown San Jose. “We get young hipster kids and seniors, crust punks and tech bros,” Clark said. “I am amazed at how inclusive classical music can be.”
No doubt there will be another eclectic bunch when the Commons opens its 2015 season Friday with “The Vernal Equinox,” a showcase of Bay Area music, dance and art in the Circle of Palms outside the San Jose Museum of Art. The lineup includes melodic synth- pop musician ContainHer, violinist Isaiah Pekary, dancers Grace- Anne Powers and Austin Moholt- Siebert and the 20- piece San Jose Jazz High School All- Stars.
The show, scheduled to run from 6: 45 to 9: 15 p. m., is family- friendly and free thanks to funding and support from the Knight Foundation and the San Jose Downtown Association.
A FEAST FOR ST. JOSEPH: The Catholic Church celebrates Thursday as St. Joseph’s Day, and that resonates in the saint’s namesake city San Jose. The Italian- American Heritage Foundation will again celebrate with its traditional St. Joseph’s Table luncheon at its cultural center at 425 N. Fourth St. Gene and Joanne Sanfilippo and Larry and Kathy Lohman are the chairs of this year’s event, which features a meatless luncheon and homemade Italian pastries.
The lunch, which starts at 11 a. m. with a blessing, is free to anyone who stops by, though donations will be collected to support the Salvation Army, Our Daily Bread and the foundation’s own programs.