Nancy Pearson, co-chair of the award-winning Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival, which took place this past weekend, reported that the brand new Bubbly Lounge was “a huge success.”
A white picket fence surrounded the area. Inside, round-white tables and chairs were set up close to the main stage.
However, some of the greenery from the table arrangements went missing.
Now in its 54th year, this festival celebrates art, entertainment, crafts, edible treats and live music. It used to be held in Old Town, behind what was California Cafe (now Telefèric Barcelona). It now takes place on the Civic Center lawn.
There was plenty of food, drink, shopping, dancing, socializing and viewing—maybe buying original hand-painted artwork or photographs.
Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos started the event production in 1996. It was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but fired back up in 2021. Over the 2025 two-day festival, attendance was estimated at 20,000. This year’s crowds came close to that figure, organizers said.
From the opening national anthem sung by Michelle Giocopuzzi on Saturday to the 10-piece headlining group, The Houserockers, on Sunday afternoon, live music filled the air.
On Saturday, attendees enjoyed JADe Acoustic Trio, then Tsunami, RPM Band and the closer, the Megatones.
On Sunday, Hoot N Holler opened things up, followed by the Fishhook and the Johnny Neri Band. Then Mayor Rob Moore introduced the Houserockers, who turned the proverbial volume up a notch. The crowd spilled out onto the streets during the grand finale.
Paul Kent (guitar, vocals) joined Dave Byron (guitar, vocals), Nick Chargin (keyboard, vocals), Chris Beveridge (bass, vocals), and George Brandau (drums).
Their horn section consists of Mike McWilliams (trumpet), Al Gonzales (trumpet), Jon Hassan (baritone sax), Jo Major (sax) and Mark Proudfoot (trombone).
Brandau laid the foundation with a dancey beat. The grass was crowded with onlookers rocking on. The Houserockers‘ rock n’ roll-eclectic selections included rock classics and modern day favorites. This tight group, “knocked it outta the park.” At Fiesta closing the Houserockers called all those marvelous, wonderful, hard working, community minded Kiwanians to the stage. Rock on Kiwanians.
This free community event was organized by the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos. All beverage and food proceeds go directly back into supporting local youth scholarships and programs.
Plenty of artists displayed their works—different mediums and assorted subjects. In the open air tented stalls, nearly 200 regional artists, craft vendors, as well as food businesses plied their wares. There was unique and stunning jewelry, hand carved wooden bowls, hanging mobiles that move in the breeze.
The funds raised support scholarships for at-risk youth, Kiwanis’ Special Games for special needs kids throughout Silicon Valley, student leadership programs, back-to-school supplies for underprivileged children and more.
Coming up for the Kiwanians: the Los Gatos Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13—again at the Civic Center.
