Thursday, June 30
Natural Vibrations and The Bangerz at Music in the Park
Go big or go home? San Jose DJ crew The Bangerz does both. From its status as official DJ for America’s Best Dance Crew winner Jabbawockeez to the earth-shattering performance with San Jose Taiko at last year’s SubZERO festival, this six-man crew gets heads bobbing wherever it goes with bass-heavy beats. The Bangerz will warm up the crowd for Hawaiian reggae group Natural Vibrations at for Music at the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez on Thursday.

Thursday Songz at Good Karma
Thursday night is prime time for free live music in San Jose. Vegan café Good Karma hosts an open mike night on Thursday evenings that attracts a smaller, more intimate alternative to Music in the Park. Plus, the café boasts eleven beers on draft, which may outnumber the choices available for food.

Friday, July 1
Habana Blues at San Jose Peace and Justice Center
The San Jose Peace and Justice Center presents a free screening of award-winning film Habana Blues as part of its Latin film series. Habana Blues (2005, NR) depicts two Cuban musicians struggling to make it big and finally leave Cuba. But when two music producers offer them the chance to leave the country for Spain, they must choose between fame and family. Because the San Jose Peace and Justice Center is offering Cuban food, music, and a presentation on the history of Cuba, the suggested donation for this event is $5-10.

Opera Night at Caffe Trieste
The first Friday of every month (except August) is Opera Night at Caffe Trieste. The downtown hangout teams up with Mission City Opera to present live opera and other musical performances. This week, the First Street Singers perform.

Saturday, July 2
Lift Off exhibition opening at San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art
San Jose State’s Master of Fine Arts 2011 graduates present their work at the ICA. This year’s exhibiting artists include: James Allison, Roderick Ayers, Eric Baral, Nicole Ballere-Callnan, Ryan Carrington, Steve Davis, John Eames, Jessica Eastburn, Ron Garavaglia, Alex Gibson, Dana Harris, Evan Hobart, Melody Kennedy, Presely Martin, Timothy McIntosh, Windy Rhoads, Nancy Sevier, and Nick Tranmer.

“Museums on Us” free admission days for Bank of America customers
Every month, Bank of America’s “Museums on Us” program offers free admission to museums across the country, including two in San Jose. On the first weekend of every month, the Tech Museum and the San Jose Museum of Art are free for Bank of America customers. Exhibits at the Tech Museum include a giant, interactive version of Google Earth. This weekend is the last chance to see the modern photography exhibit at the Museum of Art, which closes on July 3.

Sunday, July 3
Sunday Morning Art Show at Caffe Trieste
After one of Caffe Trieste’s cappuccinos, bleary eyes can awaken to the local art that adorns the walls at Caffe Trieste. Sandi Billingsley’s rich, fantastical paintings are on display through July.

Celebrate America at Shoreline Amphitheatre
There’s something missing from many of the 4th of July celebrations in San Jose: epic fireworks shows. Celebrate America is an all-day event featuring a nighttime fireworks show, as well as climbing walls, a skate park, a mechanical bull, and live music performances by Bethel Church’s many choirs.

Monday, July 4
Kidical Mass in the Glen
Ever driven by a mass of rowdy bikers drinking, crashing, sweating, and jousting in parking lots? While Willow Glen’s Kidical Mass might be partially inspired by such raucous congregations as Critical Mass and Bike Party, in this case the apple falls pretty far from the tree. Families will gather for an Independence Day ride in a safe, fun atmosphere that promotes clean forms of transportation. Bikes, unicycles, strollers, rollerblades and pedestrians are all welcome.

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest
The official fireworks show in San Jose begins at the Municipal Stadium after the San Jose Giants game, but a free show can be found a short drive away. Morgan Hill’s Freedom Fest is an all-day 4th of July celebration that starts off with a pancake breakfast and ends with a fireworks show at dark.

Tuesday, July 5
Oscar Pangilinan Quartet at Santana Row
Jazz saxophonist Oscar Pangilinan leaves his usual post at the DeAnza Hedley Club Lounge to perform at Straits restaurant in Santana Row. Pangilinan performs with Brian Ho on piano, Fred Paclibon on bass, and Sutton Marley on drums. Expect to hear “straight-ahead” jazz, a genre from the 1930s and 40s that Pangilinan specializes in.

Wednesday, July 6
The Big Lebowski at SoFA District
Bring out the bathrobes, it’s time for The Big Lebowski (1998, R). The Starlight Cinemas free movie screening is in the SoFA District between South First and William streets. Pre-movie entertainment, which starts at 7pm, includes a costume contest and music by Bobby Joe Ebola and the Chicken MacNuggits.

Calvin Johnson at Black and Brown
Black and Brown brings Calvin Johnson to their store on Wednesday evening. Pop fans will enjoy the lineup, which includes Sourpatch, Joey Casio, Palms Spring, and Soft Knife. Sourpatch, which is based in San Jose, is a 90s pop worship band in the vein of west coast twee-pop bands like Tiger Trap and Beat Happening. This event is free, but a $3-5 donation is suggested.

Sourpatch