The BentPeter seven-piece band cranked things up as the mercury finally began to drop on Sunday. Dedicated Los Gatos music lovers and their families assembled later than usual.
It’s no surprise the crowd was thin at first, what with the temperature above 90° around the start time of 5pm. Eventually, folks got up and started dancing, in spite of the weather.
The group takes their name from the street corner that they grew up on in San Jose. Band stickers were given out along with drum sticks and glow necklaces. After 21 years together, this tight crew ignored the heat and put on a powerhouse performance. The crowd did not want to leave after the music ended. It was finally cool.
Upcoming shows
The Town of Los Gatos-sponsored Music in the Park happens each Sunday from 5-7pm. And there are just three more Sundays left. Come on down to the Civic Center Lawn area under the tall redwoods and relax outdoors to live tunes.
Aug. 9 – Lindsay and the Cheeks – A five-piece band from South Lake Tahoe, combining a traditional sound with blues, rock and soul, with a dash of country and some southern smoothness. You may hear Lindsay and the Cheeks perform originals such as “Whip World Crash,” “I Cry,” “Go Figure” and “Hippity Dippity.”
Aug. 16 – Miko Marks – Straight out of Oakland. Marks is known for sophisticated sounds. A singer-songwriter-performer, she blends country, blues, rock, gospel and a whole “lotta” of soul. Her song “Feel Like Going Home” is one of the most stirring country-soul numbers you will hear. It’s an incredible voice prefect for the church choir, coffee shops, honky-tonks, juke joints and beyond. Marks sings with hard-won authority. She’s backed-up by The Resurrectors. You may leave this Sunday event of liberating music feeling inspired.
August 23 – Harry and the Hitmen – This very tight and high-energy group is a favorite dance band of Los Gatans. And they will rock your socks off. This is the finale to the Music in the Park concert series. Saying goodbye to summer is hard. Dancing to live music is easy. Just do it, rock on.
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(Faizi Samadani / Los Gatan)
Jazz on the Plazz
The weekly jazz spectacle in Town Plaza Park continues each Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm.
Aug. 5 – Full Spectrum Big Band – This big band will delight jazz fans. Since 1996, they’ve been entertaining audiences with traditional and modern big band sounds. Based here in the Bay Area, this act brings together seasoned musicians who share a passion for keeping jazz alive and current.
Aug. 12 – Smoked Out Soul – They bring a DJ’s approach to a live-musician performance. There is a synthesizer. This performance will fuse and deliver: classic soul, funk and a very “now” sound. You may hear familiar strains with fast-moving undercurrents. Wear your “mod” look with those go-go boots. Is there a mini skirt in your closet?
Note: there is now bike parking available in front of the post office. Ride your bike into town to avoid parking hassles. It is requested not to ride your bikes around the immediate plaza area, as it is full of pedestrians.
Other things to do
GOLD Thursdays
Organized by the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce. Held the first Thursday of each month (so, Aug. 6) from 5-9pm. Head downtown with the family or by yourself for live music and deals at local businesses.
Town of Los Gatos will host a community meeting on wildfire risk and prevention. Everyone is invited, as this is an effort to prevent out-of-control fires and to reduce the community’s wildfire risk. Staff from the Town’s Office of Emergency Management and Parks and Public Works will present about roadside vegetation management in the Wildland Urban Interface. Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9am in the Town Council Chambers at 110 E. Main St.
This is a pop-up marketplace of local artists, small businesses, designers and curators. This month’s market will occur on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 11am-5pm on Montebello Way (Town Plaza Park).
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area at Walk for Wishes takes place on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 15 in Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. Registration is free. The morning includes two walk routes, family-friendly activities, a dog costume contest and more—all in support of local Wish Kids.
