Masks and Nakamatsu add up to a fun Symphony San Jose opener

The California Theatre was the right elegant setting for Symphony San Jose s opening night Masquerade gala last Saturday Symphony supporters glammed it up for a pre-concert reception that had a touch of added mystery as preponderance of the VIP crowd wore masks for the occasion There were Venetian masks Mardi Gras masks and a inadequate black lace masks with feathers beads colors and the occasional beak adding to the fun Mask-wearing guests mingled during a pre-concert gala reception at Symphony San Jose's opening night Masquerade at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose on Saturday Oct Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group But the one person who would have been recognizable even if he d covered his face was star piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu who was welcomed by the Symphony San Jose audience like the national treasure that he is Under the direction of conductor Nathan Aspinall the San Jose native and Van Cliburn award winner played Rachmaninoff s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and sat down at the bench again after several rounds of ovations for an encore of that piece s largest part well-known section Robert Massey Symphony San Jose s executive and artistic director wasn t sure if this was Nakamatsu s th or th appearance with the orchestra When it comes to Nakamatsu it doesn t matter just keep him coming back The operation also included the appropriately titled Masquerade a piece with a lot of pomp from English composer Anna Clyne and Berlioz s Symphonie Fantastique Massey disclosed he loves to venture the Berlioz piece in October because of its haunting themes especially in its final movement Dream of a Witches Sabbath Symphony San Jose Executive and Artist Director Robert Massey left poses with pianist Jon Nakamatsu center and conductor Nathan Aspinall at the post-concert reception for Symphony San Jose's opening night plan Masquerade at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose on Saturday Oct Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Sounds like it would have fit well with the symphony operation ending this month Symphony Spooktacular on Oct - which will mark the return of fan favorite maestro Peter Jaffe PROHIBITION TALES A speakeasy taproom like Clandestine Brewing in San Jose is the perfect spot for the San Jose Masses Library Foundation to cap off its Banned Books Week exercises On Saturday the foundation will be taking over the taproom at S First St from noon to p m Related Articles Why San Jose s Dia de los Muertos festivities may be quieter this year Activist astronaut shares her story at YWCA s Inspire Luncheon Rock n Roll Half-Marathon to take over San Jose streets this weekend It s going to be a spooky month at the Winchester Mystery House Stephanie Dinkins AI-driven Records Trust transforms San Jose s ICA Banned Books Brews is an all-ages event that will include storytimes an art show trivia on banned books and tours of the brewery There also will be a book fair of banned books and while you could guess the usual individuals like George Orwell s you might be surprised at various of the reading material that s also been taken off shelves How about Charlotte s Web or To Kill a Mockingbird Even Khaled Husseini s award winning The Kite Runner has been banned It s enough to drive a guy to drink Fortunately there ll be particular good beer around Saturday By the way if you want to find out more about Banned Books Week and the San Jose Inhabitants Library s other events surrounding it you can head to www sjpl org banned-books-week FALL FEAST More than people packed in the San Jose Police Officers Association hall for Shop With A Cop Foundation Silicon Valley s Badges and BBQ fundraising event which raised more than to assistance this year s holiday shopping spree for underserved youth I d love to say they all were there because of Shop With a Cop Executive Director Darrell Cortez s charm but it may have had more to do with the dinner grilled up by Bay Area barbecue chef Chuck Matto who appeared on season four of Food Framework s BBQ Brawl Matto s food including a -hour smoked brisket was so popular that his featured auction item a -person barbecue party ended up selling twice With expected spots out there I ll be checking my mailbox for an invitation