Monday:
Magic Makers and Rhythm Makers Benefit
Founded by David Ladd Anderson in 2008, Magic Makers is akin to the program depicted in the Jack Black film School of Rock but for developmentally challenged students. “The idea was that music was a common thread for children to grow, gain strength, share joy and create awareness for themselves, family members and the community at large.” The theme for this year’s annual concert: “I’ve Got Sunshine.”

Tuesday:
Pub Stumpers Trivia
The Brit on Almaden in south San Jose has the best weekly pub trivia night in town. Teams battle it out over Name That Tune (points for both the artist and the song title) and What’s In This Picture. Be forewarned; the winningest team typically drinks the fewest beers, thus disproving the “buffalo theory” of urban lore.

Wednesday:
Lian Gouw
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Lian Gouw grew up speaking Dutch. English became her second language when she emigrated with her family and after taking creative writing workshops she found herself writing in English. Her novel, Only a Girl, is about three generations of Chinese women struggling for identity against a political backdrop of World War II and the Indonesian Revolution.

Thursday:
Music in the Park: The Original Stone City Band with So Timeless
Neo-soul progeny So Timeless join the The Original Stone City Band—the funky musicians behind Rick James, Smokey Robinson and the Temptations—in week two of the Music in the Park free summer concert series at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Pizza My Heart, Asmara’s Hot Dogs, Angelou’s Taqueria, and the Treatbot provide the eats.

Friday:
Jim Jeffries
Jim Jeffries is Australian for funny. He thinks people who don’t drink are boring because all of their stories end with finding their way home. He’s best known stateside for his HBO special I Swear to God. After moving from London to Los Angeles, Jeffries enlisted the help of Eddie Ifft and Jason Auer on a twice-weekly podcast advertised as “darker than Oprah.”