Content

Kuumba

Featured: Kuumba West African Dance - Tiye Garrett, @__kuumba Join Kuumba at Creekside Socials @creeksidesocials on Friday, July 12, from 6 to 7 pm for an educational West African dance session with live drumming. Tiye Garrett began dancing professionally with the West African dance group Akoma Arts, founded by Keith Hames. When Akoma eventually closed its doors, Garrett tried to fill the void by dancing alone. She quickly realized she needed to share her expression, and the community felt the same way. She founded Kuumba LLC in 2022, emphasizing West African Dance and rhythms, community, and providing spaces for creativity to thrive. ‘Kuumba’ means creativity in the African Language of Swahili and is the sixth principle of the annual celebration of Kwanzaa. That sixth principle guides followers ‘to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, to leave our community more beautiful than when we inherited it.’ That meaning exemplifies Kuumba’s purpose in promoting self-care, fitness, educational growth, and overall wellness through body movement. Kuumba works to create spaces where all are welcome, where there is a sense of belonging, connection, health, and serving others. _______________ Videography by Jezrael Gandara, @jezgand

Blog Feature: A @cinequestorg Sneak Peek at Harsimran Sandhu’s, @simasandhini Short Film Pulp, @pulp_shortfilm Cinequest Film & Creative Festival is back again. And stronger than ever. From March 6th to 17th, over 200 films, celebrity Q&As, and prestigious after-parties will mark the 33rd year of Silicon Valley's premiere film fest. Support Sandhu by watching the shorts program at 9:30AM on March 16th at the Hammer Theatre. If you only attend the festival's feature-length screenings, you'll miss a local gem tucked into the short film program. Pulp, a debut short directed by San Jose native Harsimran Sandhu, is a tale about the immigrant experience. Pulp discusses how many immigrant parents might not know how to express love adequately through words but often show it through their actions. "I fell in love with the imagery of giving someone the bigger half of an orange," Sandhu says as he discusses the film's title and key symbol. "It's a mother eating less so her daughter can eat more… It's 'I want to peel it for you. I want to do the work for you so you can reap the rewards.'" Pulp discusses how many immigrant parents might not know how to express love adequately through words but often show it through their actions. The film also portrays the pull between finding a "responsible" job and following the siren's song of a creative career—a divergence many children of immigrants must navigate. "You're supposed to pay your parents back. You're supposed to take care of them and make their sacrifices worth it—and there's such a clash with the pursuit of your own dreams," Sandhu reflects. "That's something that I've personally struggled with: that balance." Plenty of his peers face the same dilemma. "I've had so many late-night talks with my friends about 'What can we do?' And no one knows the answer," Sandhu says. "We're all figuring it out. There's no blueprint." Read the entire blog: https://bit.ly/pulpsneakpeak (Link in Profile) ____________ Blog by Johann

Featured: Issue 16.2, “Sight and Sound,” Rayos Magos, @rayos_magos 2024 @sjculture Creative Ambassador “I believe that in those moments of cultural exchange, art becomes a powerful vehicle for connection and communication. I feel that art acts as a bridge to connect us with each other, especially when we don’t speak the same language.” -Rayos Magos Each year since 2018, the City of San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs has selected a number of artists in a variety of disciplines to be named creative ambassadors. These artists all have deep roots in the city and have shown creative inspiration in their fields as well as a passion for connecting with the local community through their art. Experience Rayos’ work at Content’s 12th Anniversary Pick-Up Party, 16.2 6p - 10p, Thursday, February 22nd at Creekside Socials 20 Barack Obama Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110 RSVP Here: https://bit.ly/162pup Published by @svcreates ___________________ Written by: Nathan Zanon, @nathanzzzzzzz Photography by: Daniel Garcia, @thecultivator Video by: Nirvana Vijaykar, @whosnirvan

Rays Promo 16.2 Featured: Issue 16.2, “Sight and Sound,” Rayos Magos, @rayos_magos 2024 @sjculture Creative Ambassador “I believe that in those moments of cultural exchange, art becomes a powerful vehicle for connection and communication. I feel that art acts as a bridge to connect us with each other, especially when we don’t speak the same language.” -Rayos Magos Each year since 2018, the City of San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs has selected a number of artists in a variety of disciplines to be named creative ambassadors. These artists all have deep roots in the city and have shown creative inspiration in their fields as well as a passion for connecting with the local community through their art. Experience Rayos’ work at Content’s 12th Anniversary Pick-Up Party, 16.2 6p - 10p, Thursday, February 22nd at Creekside Socials 20 Barack Obama Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110 RSVP Here: https://bit.ly/162pup Become a member or order your copy today. Limited issue exclusive @needletothegrooverecords flexi disc vinyl records are going fast! Order Here: https://bit.ly/162SNS THANK YOU, Partners @creeksidesocials @filcoevents @asieldesign @baryakitchen Issue 16.2 Featuring: Musician - Amara 林, @amaralin__ | Videographer - Victor Aquino, @realitymaniacs | Photographer - Britt Bradley, @nitrate_fox | Rapper - Chow Mane, @chowmane | RecordLabel - Discos Resaca Collective, @discosresaca | Dancer - Srividya Eashwar, @xpressions.sanjose | Artist - Girafa, @longneck4life | Rap Crew - Kid Lords, @kidlords_ | Photographer - Josie Lepe, @josielepe | Artist - Julie Meridian, @juliemeridian | Record Shop and Label - Needle to the Groove Records, @needletothegrooverecords | Illustrator - Shaka Shaw, @fakebusy.art | 2024 San José Creative Ambassadors - Dancer - Alice Hur, @wondhurland - Artist - Pantea Karimi, @karimipantea - Artist - Deborah Kennedy, @deborahkennedyart - Artist - Rayos Magos, @rayos_magos - Storyteller - Yosimar Reyes, @yosirey Published by @sv

Here's the deal: We do not discount the publication price since that would mean we could not pay the artists who contribute to the production or the performers who play at our Pick-Up Parties. As a nonprofit arts organization, @SVCreates, we receive funding from foundations, Santa Clara County, and artists' supportive cities, like San Jose, to produce high-quality print publications AND to pay our writers, photographers, editors, videographers, and designers. Support locals, become a member, and share in telling the stories of South Bay Creatives. We appreciate your support. https://bit.ly/contentmembership (Link in Profile)

Augie WK at SubZERO 2023

Featured: @subzerofestival 2023, Augie WK, @augiewk of @thejamsbrand We are looking back at the annual @subzerofestival that takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of June, organized by @artwalksj. This year Content had the opportunity to spotlight this festival through the artists in attendance. Augie WK is a 3rd generation Mexican-American painter and muralist. His work draws inspiration from the religious art of the high Renaissance. He uses imagery such as stained glass to spray paint visions representing and paying homage to the Chicano experience. @augiewk and @y0yeska partner to form @thejamsbrand , working to brighten neighborhoods through community-oriented designs and artistic freedom. We hope this artist mini-profile from SubZERO Festival 2023 can keep you inspired through July and prepare you for the return of Art Walk SJ. There is no First Friday Art Walk SJ in July. Art Walk SJ returns First Friday, August 4th, with Art Walk SJ & STREET MRKT urban arts faire happening each first Friday through October. Thank you to @subzerofestival and @artwalksj for bringing together the arts community and allowing us to spotlight these artists' work. Stay tuned for the release of more SubZERO Festival artist mini-profiles over the next couple of months. Learn more about South First Fridays @artwalksj & @subzerofestival: https://www.southfirstfridays.com/ (Link In Bio) _______________ Videography by: Destiny Quesada, @Desitnyy @1culture_ #Contentmag #Content #contentpicks #artwalk #firstFriday #AllHail #ProgenitorsOfCulture #AllHailtheProgenitorsofCulture #subzerofestival #subzero #sofa #Sofadistrict #sanjose #art #siliconvalley #artcommunity

Featured: @subzerofestival 2023, Augie WK, @augiewk of @thejamsbrand We are looking back at the annual @subzerofestival that takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of June, organized by @artwalksj. This year Content had the opportunity to spotlight this festival through the artists in attendance. Augie WK is a 3rd generation Mexican-American painter and muralist. His work draws inspiration from the religious art of the high Renaissance. He uses imagery such as stained glass to spray paint visions representing and paying homage to the Chicano experience. @augiewk and @y0yeska partner to form @thejamsbrand , working to brighten neighborhoods through community-oriented designs and artistic freedom. We hope this artist mini-profile from SubZERO Festival 2023 can keep you inspired through July and prepare you for the return of Art Walk SJ. There is no First Friday Art Walk SJ in July. Art Walk SJ returns First Friday, August 4th, with Art Walk SJ & STREET MRKT urban arts faire happening each first Friday through October. Thank you to @subzerofestival and @artwalksj for bringing together the arts community and allowing us to spotlight these artists' work. Stay tuned for the release of more SubZERO Festival artist mini-profiles over the next couple of months. Learn more about South First Fridays @artwalksj & @subzerofestival: https://www.southfirstfridays.com/ _______________ Videography by: Destiny Quesada, @Desitnyy @1culture_ #Contentmag #Content #contentpicks #artwalk #firstFriday #AllHail #ProgenitorsOfCulture #AllHailtheProgenitorsofCulture #subzerofestival #subzero #sofa #Sofadistrict #sanjose #art #siliconvalley #artcommunity

We are excited to present issue 15.3, “Perform,” Our Summer 2023 release and 63rd print edition. It is our honor to highlight the individuals responsible for generating the creative culture of the South Bay. Congratulations to the 2023 Content Emerging Artists Award Recipients, Photographer & Educator Dan Fenstermacher, Actor & Rapper David Morales, AKA Activepoet, and poet & writer Keana Aguila Labra. This annual issue with the theme “Perform” allows us to explore the creative world outside of visual arts and traverse the range of what it means to be a ‘performing artist.’ We hope that by meeting the creatives featured in this issue, their drive and passion can leap off the page and inspire you as a creative, and supporter of the arts. Order your copy of Content Magazine, 15.3, “Perform” before they’re gone. Better yet, Become a Content Member and never miss an issue. bit.ly/contentmembership (Link in Bio) Issue 15.3, “Perform” Dancer - Alyssa’ Ms Mambo’ Aguilar @ma_mambo | chancellor of the West Valley-Mission Community College District - Bradley Davis | Designer - Carlos Pérez @cpartorigin | Photographer educator - Dan Fenstermacher @danfenstermacher | actor and rapper - Davied Morales, AKA @Activepoet | Singer/Rapper - Ervin Wilson @iamervinwilson | scholar and dance ethnologist - Farima Berenji @farima_dance | Hip Hop Record Label - FRVR Records, Aldin Metovic, Brevin Rowand, Vanessa Vindell @welcometofrvr | Aspiring Photographer - Iris Zimmerman @zimmersnaps | Writer/Poet - Keana Aguila Labra @keanalabra | Painter - Leslie Lewis Sigler @leslielewissigler_artist | Musician - Mike Huguenor @mikehuguenor | Artist Educator - Mitra Fabian @mitrafabian | Artist Rubén Darío Villa - Mr. Fuchila @mr.fuchila | Album Picks - Needle To The Groove @needletothegrooverecords | San Jose Earthquake - Niko Tsakiris @niko.tsakiris | Emerging Fashion Designer - Nyr Acuavera @notnyr | Graduating Architecture/Landscape Architecture - Onna Kel

Thank you for celebrating @contentmag 63rd print issue with us last Friday @westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad Thank you to all those who attended and helped support local South Bay creatives and Cilker Art & Design students’ boundless inspiration as they progress in their careers. Here’s to highlighting South Bay Creatives! -David & Daniel Special thanks to: @westvalleycollege & @wvcvilkersoad for hosting and co-producing @filcoevents for co-producing @Shakabrewing @bar.goodtime for providing drinks @petiscosadega for providing food Photographs: @soskiphoto Song: “Light” -Dav @activepoet Order issue 15.3 “Perform” while there are still copies left. https://bit.ly/153perform (Link in bio) Issue features - Dancer - Alyssa ‘Ms Mambo’ Aguilar @ma_mambo | chancellor of the West Valley-Mission Community College District - Bradley Davis | Designer - Carlos Pérez @cpartorigin | Photographer educator - Dan Fenstermacher @danfenstermacher | actor and rapper - Davied Morales, AKA @Activepoet | Singer/Rapper - Ervin Wilson @iamervinwilson | scholar and dance ethnologist - Farima Berenji @farima_dance | Hip Hop Record Label - FRVR Records, Aldin Metovic, Brevin Rowand, Vanessa Vindell @welcometofrvr | Aspiring Photographer - Iris Zimmerman @zimmersnaps | Writer/Poet - Keana Aguila Labra @keanalabra | Painter - Leslie Lewis Sigler @leslielewissigler_artist | Musician - Mike Huguenor @mikehuguenor | Artist Educator - Mitra Fabian @mitrafabian | Artist Rubén Darío Villa - Mr. Fuchila @mr.fuchila | Album Picks - Needle To The Groove @needletothegrooverecords | San Jose Earthquake - Niko Tsakiris @niko.tsakiris | Emerging Fashion Designer - Nyr Acuavera @notnyr | Graduating Architecture/Landscape Architecture - Onna Keller @onna.Keller | Painter - Renée Hamilton-McNealy @reneehamiltonfineart | Tattoo Artist - Sefa Samatua @sef_kavafornia | ShaKa Brewing @shakabrewing Published by @svcreates ______ #content #contentmag #westvalley #SouthBay #college #fas

Featured: Issue 15.3, Iris Zimmerman, @zimmersnaps Iris Zimmerman has always been drawn to the creative and is a returning student working on her psychology and studio arts degree. She hopes to pair her portraits with her psychology background to teach people how vital it is to love themselves and how challenging it can be. Join us May 19th, at West Valley College for pick-up party 15.3 and The Cilker School of Art & Design’s annual graduation EXPO. The evening will feature an exposition showcasing the work of students graduating in art, architecture, design, and performing arts, including the Cilker Art & Design annual fashion show and work from other local artists featured in issue 15.3 https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 (Link in Bio) Thank you, Partners! @westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad @filcoevents @ShakaBrewing @Bar.goodtime ________________ Photography by Daniel Garcia @thecultivator #Contentmag #Content #Magazine #photography #westvalley #communitycollege #artanddesign #student #portraits #psychology #SouthBay #saratoga

Featured issue 15.3 'Perform" Mitra Fabian @Mitrafabian Mitra Fabian is a sculptor, installation artist, and educator in sculpture and ceramics at West Valley College. Mitra and West Valley anticipate opening their brand new Visual Arts Building, which will provide students with state-of-the-art classrooms in sculpture, ceramics, animation, painting, and drawing, beautiful classrooms, and lots of natural light. The new building will provide students with an environment that is more akin to private art schools, just in terms of the space, new equipment, and technology we're infusing into the curriculum- all at a community college, with access for the entire community. Find out about Mitra in issue 15.3 “Perform." Save the Date: Content Pick-Up Party, 15.3, 7p -10p, Friday, May 19th at West Valley College Cilker School of Art & Design RSVP at https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 Save the Date: Content Pick-Up Party, 15.3, 7p -10p, Friday, May 19th at West Valley College Cilker School of Art & Design. https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 (Link in Bio) Pre-order issue 15.3 “Perform” Summer 2023 @contentmag 63rd issue. https://bit.ly/153perform Thank you, Partners! @westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad @filcoevents @[email protected] @petiscosadega @velmalicious @soskiphoto

Featured: Issue 15.3, Davied Morales, @activepoet Every year, @SVCREATES recognizes the region’s finest early-career artists through the Content Emerging Artist Award. These artists are committed to developing their art forms and enriching the greater Santa Clara County region with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and service. Featured in upcoming Issue 15.3, “Perform,” rapper and actor Davied Morales, AKA Activepoet, is one of three 2023 Content Emerging Artists, receiving $5,000 to continue the development of his art form in addition to being recognized for his unique artistic vibrancy. San José-born Davied Morales has worked for numerous Bay Area theater companies, appeared on television and film, and amassed a large social media following. He hopes to be an example and pillar of support for Bay Area creatives by manifesting genuine positivity through his craft. Davied also works as an improv facilitator for San Jose’s Red Ladder Theatre Company, leading workshops for men and women experiencing incarceration. “I want to inspire people who look like me and let people know that they can do it too.” -Davied Morales. The 2023 SVCREATES Content Emerging Artist Award winners will be celebrated at the Content Magazine Pick-Up Party on Friday, May 19, in conjunction with West Valley College’s Cilker Art + Design Expo. Learn more. https://bit.ly/pickupparty153 (Link in Bio) Pre-order issue 15.3 “Perform” Summer 2023 Out 63rd issue! https://bit.ly/153perform Thank you, Partners! @westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad @filcoevents @ShakaBrewing @Bar.goodtime ________________ Written by David E. Valdespino Jr. @thedaveed Photography by Daniel Garcia @thecultivator @redladdertheatre @svcreates #Contentmag #Content #Magazine #actor #Theatre #rapper #Hiphop #voiceacting #Contentemergingartist #contentemergingartistaward

Featured: Issue 15.3, Keana Aguila Labra, @keanalabra Every year, @SVCREATES recognizes the region’s finest early-career artists through the Content Emerging Artist Award. These artists are committed to developing their art forms and enriching the greater Santa Clara County region with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and service. Featured in upcoming Issue 15.3, “Perform,” Cebuano Tagalog Pilipinx poet, editor, and writer Keana Aguila Labra is one of three 2023 Content Emerging Artists, receiving $5,000 to continue development of her art form in addition to being recognized for her unique artistic vibrancy. Keana’s poetry typically begins with a thought or emotion that crystallizes in a moment and is jotted down as a note for later interrogation. “I try to sit with myself in meditation, write down snippets, and continue returning to them. I think of them as my children,” she explains. “I don’t rush a piece if it is about very intimate emotions. I like to keep the original snippets to see how I refined them over time, thinking about craft, intention, negative space, and the flow of the line.” The 2023 SVCREATES Content Emerging Artist Award winners will be celebrated at the Content Magazine Pick-Up Party on Friday, May 19, in conjunction with West Valley College’s Cilker Art + Design Expo. Learn more. Pre-order issue 15.3 “Perform” Summer 2023 @contentmag 63rd issue. https://bit.ly/153perform (Llink in Profile) Thank you, Partners! @westvalleycollege @wvccilkersoad @filcoevents @ShakaBrewing @Bar.goodtime ________________ Written by David E. Valdespino Jr. @thedaveed Photography by Daniel Garcia @thecultivator @Sampaguitapress @mariasatsampaguitas @sccyouthpoetlaureate #Contentmag #Content #Magazine #poet #poetry #writing #editor #creativewriting #filam #Cebuano #filipinx

Video podcast dropping next week! We sat down with Haley Cardamon, organizer of @sanjoseday to chat about what she has been up to. The Fifth Annual San José Day is happening Saturday, 4/08 @schoolatmhp | Register at http://bit.ly/SJDay2023 (link in bio) _________________________ #content #siliconvalley #art #community #408day

Check out the Photo Booth images from last week Pick-Up Party from @soskiphotobooth Good times! Celebrating 11 years! 61 issues of local creatives! Issue features- Tattoo Artist, Danny Fernandez @dannyfernandezart MANOS, Jimmy Castañeda @manosgilroy Visual Artist, Trinh Mai @Trinhmaistudios Painter, Angela Johal - @johal_geometrics Photographer, John Todd @johntoddimages San Jose Photo Walk, @sjphotowalk & @thepolaroidjay Julie Chon, @juliehchon Diana Mae, @polaroidsfrommetoyou 35mmallie, @35mmallie Yvonne Yeh, @yvonne Sheldon Chang @socialwavephotographer Stylist, Kelly Peters @sheworeopium Gathering Artisans Collective, James, Clarice, & Jafar Green @gatheringartisanscollective K-Cafe, Kayla Dinh @kcafeteahouse Mama Kin, Andrew Saman @mamakinsj Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus @SVGMC Flautist/Teacher, Azeem Ward @azeemward Raue, Paige Kalenian & Jax Huckle @rauemusic Album Picks, Needle to the Groove @needletothegrooverecords Published by @svcreates

Issue is out! Issue 15.1 "Discover" Winter 2022 61st issue! Featuring: Thatfool Al (Alex Estrada)| Andrew Espino of 1Culture | Consuelo Jimenez Underwood | Hero Tent | Ian Santillano | John Mavroudis | Phil Leonard "Syrarium Studios" | "Reclamation: Art and Culture of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council" featuring Monica V. Arellano | Wisper | SVCreates Arts Leadership Roundtable: Anna Watts, Executive Director of Starting Arts; Joshua Lanam, Executive Director of Vivace Youth Chorus; Pedro Aquihua Perez, Second Palabra of Calpulli Tonalehqueh; Rosalinda Sanchez, Executive Director of The Audacity Performing Arts Project; Sinjin Jones, Executive Director of Pear Theatre; and Verónica Meza, Artistic Director of Teatro Nahual Become a Member and support sharing the the stories of South Bay Creatives https://bit.ly/contentmembership __ @addisonmo_ @alyssarhaye @aquihua.perez @arabelaespinoza @artbymichelejubilee @audacityperform @dang_void @Eestarrious @egd.io @ian_santillano @joshualanam @kingnegritude @monicavarellano @muwekmaohlonetribe @shop1culture @sinjinjones @Syrarium @teatronahual @thatfoolal @thedaveed @three.legged.cat @wispertfl @zenpop @printisdeadpod @stackmagazines @coffeetablemags @magculture @issuu @adobe Music by JackPavlina

Let's celebrate! Join us Wednesday, December 7th at San Pedro Social. Featured in upcoming Issue 15.1 “Discover,” Monica V. Arellano and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council will offer a Welcome Declaration to their Ancestral Tribal Area, Needle to the Groove and Ian Santillano will perform live, and Syrarium Studios, Wisper, and Zenpop will have their art on display. We look forward to hanging out, playing arcade games, karaoke, and bowling with you. RSVP - https://bit.ly/pup151 (link in bio) The first 150 Content Members to arrive will receive a holiday gift bag with goodies from 3Below, Academic, Camino Brewing, Juice Co. LG, and San José Museum of Art, along with a complimentary beverage as a toast to their support of Content Magazine and the greater local arts community. This event is open to all and free to attend. The venue is all ages until 8p. After 8p it is 21+. Music by Ian Santillano, "Luv" @ian_santillano @zenpop @wispertfl @syrarium @muwekmaohlonetribe @needletothegrooverecord @3belowtheaters @academiccoffeeco @caminobrewingcompany @juicecolg @sanjosemuseumofart

@SVCreates is on a mission to strengthen and empower the local arts ecosystem through a suite of resources called ArtsWeb. One of the six art leaders feature in issue 15.1 is Joshua Lanam, Executive Director Vivace Youth Chorus. @vivaceyouthchorus Joshua joined Vivace Youth Chorus in 2016 as the organization’s first executive director. With his personal experiences in arts management and strategic planning, he guided Vivace Youth Chorus toward institutional change by fostering conversations between disparate groups. “Mindshare helped me overcome the notion of self-doubt, to realize that I am not an imposter and have something to add to this conversation.”_Joshua Lanam Pick-Up Party Dec 7th at San Pedro Social. @sanpedrosocialsj https://bit.ly/pup151 Written by @alyssarhaye Photography by @thecultivator