Silicon Valley

[Drunk Monk]

4 br + 4 ba inside 1741 sq ft? That’s a lot in a small footprint.

Funny how our childhood neighborhood has become Ultra Fancy and ridiculously expensive.

Not just our old 'hoods. Everything is ridiculously expensive now.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Not you; you're still affordable.

[King Bob]

There was another one, only 384 sq ft that went for over the asking of 1.7 mil. But it's a 7841 sq ft lot. It's just off Stevens Creek, past Blackberry Farm going uphill toward Foothill.

As for Boba, I say no to cheese. But yes to grass jelly. I also say no to Boba Guys; theirs is meh. Plus I prefer to avoid chains if I can. I like Fantasia in Vallco Village, but I'm not out that way much.

[Drunk Monk]

Sci fi-themed bar and grill to reopen in downtown Campbell
Owners want new 7 Stars to have same feel as old San Jose location

After closing 7 Stars in San Jose in 2021, owners Paul and Marya Cunha are getting ready to reopen their sci fi-themed bar and grill in downtown Campbell later this summer. Apparently, patrons are also ready to return: A Kickstarter campaign by the couple to raise money for the reopening almost tripled their goal of $15,000, with 171 backers pledging approximately $40,000. (Courtesy photo)
by LISA THORN
UPDATED: July 15, 2024 at 4:17 p.m.

A restaurant and bar for sci-fi fans is reopening at 400 E. Campbell Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Lvl Up. The expected opening for 7 Stars Bar and Grill is later this summer.
Named after the seven members of owners Paul and Marya Cunha’s family, 7 Stars features science fiction-themed trivia, art and décor.
“It’s a place for all fandoms,” said Marya Cunha. “We encourage everyone’s different ones.”
The Cunhas hosted trivia nights at 7 Stars’ former location in San Jose, with themes including “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and the Marvel cinematic universe. Fans of shows like “Game of Thrones,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The Mandalorian” would gather at the bar and grill for TV watch parties.
They had themed karaoke nights where customers were encouraged to cosplay, as well as May the Fourth celebrations and Halloween parties.
“We always say I reach for the stars and he keeps my feet on the ground,” said Cunha of her husband. “Without me it’d be too safe, and without him it would be too outrageous.”
The Santa Clara residents are planning a robust menu for the new location and are excited that there is a farmers’ market on the street in front of their restaurant. They plan to repeat the custom menus and drinks they previously created for customer events. They would also like their new space to be more family friendly during the day and have the evenings after 8 p.m. be for patrons 21 and up.
They have declared 7 Stars as a safe zone for all people, regardless of color, race, religion, gender expression/identity or who you love, Cunha said.
“We pride ourselves on how we train our staff,” she added. “Once we set the tone, we attract the customers we wanted to attract. We want everyone to feel welcome.”
The Cunhas closed their previous location on Bascom Avenue in 2021 due to their lease being up and uncertainties surrounding the COVID pandemic. The bar and grill had a 10-year run in San Jose.
They’d been looking for a new location, although they did not expect the search to take over two years. The Cunhas were in escrow for one location and spent almost $15,000 on permits and legal fees only to have the deal to fall through.
“We looked at many other places while waiting,” said Paul. “This is the one place that doesn’t need anything; it’s ready for us to move right in.”
The Cunhas hope that the 3000-square-foot restaurant and bar will offer the same experience for customers as at the previous location, although some previous trivia themes were dependent on staff knowledge.
“The Disney one was crazy; we had no idea how popular that would be,” said Marya. “We had to turn people away at the door.”
Both owners had early connections with the “Star Wars” franchise, including seeing some of the first three original movies at the Century theaters. Marya has a family friend who worked on the original “Return of the Jedi” film. The Cunhas had a “Star Wars”-themed wedding with Jedi robes and lightsabers.
Nonetheless, the couple says the restaurant’s décor happened organically.
“I pulled my toys out of the shed; that’s how it started,” said Paul Cunha. “And it’s just grown over the years.”
“We could always tell if someone was new to the bar,” said Marya, “because they would wander around looking at things.”
Customers also pose for pictures in front of the giant model of Jabba the Hut.
“Apparently [Jabba was] a ‘Pokémon Go’ stop before we even knew what that was,” said Marya.
The Cunhas launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign in May to raise money for the restaurant’s reopening. With a goal of $15,000, the fundraiser surpassed expectations with 171 backers pledging approximately $40,000.
“We did very well,” said Paul.
One of the Kickstarter prizes was a behind-the-scenes tour of the new bar and restaurant, which is why the Cunhas hadn’t posted any pictures of the interior on social media as of press time.

This place used to be across from a nice Ethiopian restaurant and a large porn shop. It was a bit of a dive bar, but being the geek that I am, I went a few times, even took some visitors there. I am happy to see it reborn and will check out the new digs at my earliest opportunity.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Good on them for bringing back The Weird to that beige stucco hellhole (Silicon Valley)

[Drunk Monk]

It's not that weird really. It's geeky. Always got sci-fi playing instead of sports.

I wish the food & drinks were better there.

[thatguy]

South Bay movie fans rejoice!

https://drafthouse.com/sf/news/alamo-dra...ere-hiring

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE MOUNTAIN VIEW OPENS JUNE 16TH
By John Smith | May 12, 2025

This summer, two former Showplace ICON theaters in Santa Clara and Mountain View are set to be transformed in “reel” time. Both new Alamo Drafthouse locations are now hiring nearly 300 positions.
Mountain View, CA — May 12, 2025 — On Monday, June 16th, Alamo Drafthouse Mountain View will open for the first time at The Village at San Antonio Center, just in time for the openings of the hotly anticipated horror sequel 28 YEARS LATER and Disney / Pixar’s ELIO. Dates have yet to be finalized for the other new Silicon Valley location at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, but it’s expected to open later in June. With opening plans in place, hiring has begun for the Mountain View theater via careers.drafthouse.com, with Valley Fair soon to follow. Alamo Drafthouse expects to hire nearly 300 positions across both locations.
[url=http://careers.drafthouse.com/][/url]
Announced last December, the two Silicon Valley locations are the company’s first expansion in Northern California since taking over San Francisco’s historic New Mission theater in 2015. The new locations are the two largest in the company’s history, each having three state-of-the-art auditoriums in The Big Show premium large format, boasting vivid laser projection technology and immersive Dolby Atmos digital sound. Opened in the late 2010s as Showplace ICON locations, each has been remodeled and refurbished to create the premier destination for film lovers in Northern California.





“You’ll sit back in brand-new recliners, sip an ice-cold local draft, and order an awesome chef-inspired meal served to your seat,” says Michael Kustermann, CEO at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. “With our ad-free preshow, short trailer reels, and our ongoing commitment to banning talking and texting in the theater, this is where you’ll want to see blockbusters like 28 YEARS LATER, JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH and SUPERMAN.”

When the theaters open this summer, both locations will initially resemble their former Showplace ICON incarnations… but not for long. Alamo Drafthouse’s development team spent the past six months reworking the “under the hood” operating model, refurbishing and renewing equipment, and installing brand-new leather recliner seats in each auditorium. Throughout the summer, a number of additional aesthetic features will be added to each theater, from lobby activations to exciting top-secret partnerships.

“We’ve got so much planned for these locations this year, so rather than make our guests in Silicon Valley wait and miss one of the best movie summers in years, we’re opening up early with a ‘sneak preview’ of what’s to come,” says Chaya Rosenthal, Chief Marketing Officer. “Over the next few months, you’ll see these theaters change and evolve in very, very exciting ways.”

Alamo Drafthouse screens more films each year than any other major exhibitor. In 2024, the circuit screened 1,728 films across its system, 52% more than AMC and 101% more than Cinemark. The new theaters signal the company’s belief in the primacy and durability of the theatrical experience. After an ebb in year-to-year box office in Q1 2025, the domestic market has been reinvigorated thanks to over-performances from box office sensation MINECRAFT and the astounding success of SINNERS, directed by Oakland native (and star of a recent Alamo Drafthouse ‘Don’t Talk’ PSA) Ryan Coogler.

“We have the honor of relaunching these beloved locations during one of the greatest movie summers in years, with a slate that includes 28 YEARS LATER, the new JURASSIC WORLD and James Gunn’s SUPERMAN,” says John Smith, Marketing Director for the new Silicon Valley theaters. “But we’re about more than just big-screen spectacle. This year, we’ll also be able to bring audiences Paul Thomas Anderson’s insane looking new film ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, our favorite lunatic Yorgos Lanthimos’ BUGONIA, and a wide-ranging slate of the alternative content that Alamo Drafthouse is known for.”

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Wow! We gotta go!!!

[thatguy]

Summer Concert Series
Thursdays, June 12 to August 21
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Memorial Park Amphitheater
Join Cupertino Parks and Recreation for another summer of free community concerts at the Memorial Park Amphitheater. Bring your family, friends, and a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy live performances from talented local bands.

June 12
Cupertino Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band

June 19
Misguided Saints
An acoustic and electric rock band combining their own original tunes with songs from the 60s through 00s.

June 26
Dust Flower
DustFlower plays a great mix of toe-tapping, sing-along Country and Rock n' Roll tunes.

Friday, July 4 - 10:30 a.m. to noon
The Billy Martini Show
A high energy band playing funk, R&B, soul, and rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

July 10
Maya Latin Tribute Band
Maya is a Latin tribute band that specializes in high-energy dance music, featuring the music of Selena, La Sonora Dinamita, Ritchie Valens, Santana, Shakira and more.

July 17
The Blind Pilots
The Blind Pilots have been rocking the Bay Area for over 20 years. Their wide range of music includes covers of 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, Classic Rock, Pop, Disco, Punk, and Funk.

July 24
Joint Chiefs
A premier dance band in California, captivating audiences with electrifying performances and infectious grooves. Element of Classic R&B, Funk, and Soul creates their signature sound.

July 31
Phil ‘n the Blanks
A San Francisco Bay Area dance music cover band, specializing in high energy classic rock, modern rock and country rock. Voted by CBS SF Bay Area as One of the Bay Area's Best Cover Bands.

August 7
Livewire
A high-energy dance cover band based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

August 14
The Sound Project
With roots in jazz, rock, R&B, funk and soul, The Sound Project band is incredibly versatile – performing a wide range of hits from multiple genre and decades.

August 21
Snarky Cats High-EnergyA high-energy rock and roll party band known for their anti-cover, cover band approach, playing music from the Monterey Pop and Woodstock era, 70s rock, and Motown/Stax artists.

--tg

Ed Note: Fixed it so you can read it.

[Drunk Monk]

Thursdays are also the live music at Abbott Square and the beach by the Crow’s Nest.

It’s also when I have my weekly iaido lesson.

[Drunk Monk]

The Newest Alamo Drafthouse Is a World-First Godzilla Cinematic Experience
Alamo Drafthouse and Toho are teaming up for for a major new partnership... starting with a Godzilla-themed theater.
By James Whitbrook  Published June 23, 2025 | 

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© Alamo Drafthouse/Toho
[url=https://gizmodo.com/you-wont-find-the-m3gan-chatbot-at-the-alamo-drafthouse-2000589279]Alamo Drafthouse is working on a multi-year alliance with Toho that will bring with it new merch and special Godzilla programming—and it’s kicking off today with the opening of a new Drafthouse theater in California that will become the world’s first fully Godzilla-themed cinema.
io9 can exclusively reveal the first details about Drafthouse and Toho’s new partnership, which formally kicks off with today’s opening of the Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair, at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.  The new theater, one of two new Drafthouses opening in Silicon Valley this summer, features a a two-story window projection of Godzilla at the front of the theater, welcoming customers into a theater decked out with Godzilla theming.


At open, the Drafthouse Valley Fair will feature Bar Odo on its second floor, a tribute to Godzilla’s classic home in Odo Island, featuring a series of Godzilla-themed speciality cocktails alongside a regular rotating service of craft beers. But in the future, it’ll expand with display area including two massive statues of the heads of Godzilla and Mechagodzilla. To celebrate the launch, the Valley Fair location will also run a special series of Kaiju cinema screenings throughout July, including Destroy All Monsters the week of 7/5, Godzilla vs. Hedorah the week of 7/12, and Mothra the week of 7/26.
But the Drafthouse Valley Fair isn’t the only way Alamo and Toho are celebrating their new partnership. Available to pre-order starting today with a t-shirt and mug designed by renowned poster artist Tom Whalen, Alamo will launch a new Kaiju-themed merch line.




The line will expand later this year when the two companies celebrate Godzilla’s 71st birthday this November to include even more goodies, including pin badges, blankets, hats, and an exclusive Mothra mug designed by Drafthouse art director Scott Sugiuchi. And of course—because it wouldn’t be a movie theater story in 2025 without it—there’ll be a Godzilla-themed popcorn bucket.
The Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair opens in Santa Clara today, June 23.

so tempting...

[Greg]

Do it. You know you want to.

[Drunk Monk]

I definitely want to - I’ve never seen a classic Godzilla flick on the big screen. Plus I’ve had great experiences at Alamo Drafthouses.

Valley Fair was going upscale last time I was there. Lots of high end restaurants. Tempting.

[thatguy]

Alamo Drafthouse - Mtn View (San Antonio Shopping Center in the former Icon Theater)

I went to see 28 Years Later with my friend Jerry. We were trying to coordinate dates/times, but leaning on Tues, so I kept the seating page open for a few days and noticed that the available seats didn't seem to be changing day to day. I got tix the day before. Only $18+fee!  I thought it might be an opening special, but no, every Tues, tix are $9!

The stairs were blocked off with tape. Main theater on the bottom floor, theaters 2-3 upstairs, bar/food 3rd floor (more screens, too?)

We ordered some food/drinks about 20min before the show, but the bar tender was having extreme difficulties with the order entry system. Got them with about 3min to spare. Settled into an almost empty theater in some choice seats. Very comfortable. Decent sound. This was the high end quality screening, but I think it didn't agree with the film's quality but I'll do a movies review separately. 

Ordered some chili garlic popcorn and beers during the screening thru their stealth seat ordering system. Comparing this to the at-seat dining experience of the AMC in Sunnyvale, I think this is better and when the staff is fully trained up, this will probably be my go to theater. 

I'm looking forward to more shows there in the future. 

--tg