October 31

Frightfully Festive 

How will you celebrate your creativity tonight? Post a picture of your halloween costume, decoration or favorite spooky culinary treat. Remember to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: The WeCreate408 creative challenge ends today, but don't stop creating! Keep exploring your creativity 365 days a year because when we express our creativity, we build powerful connections with ourselves, with our community and the world around us.  

ESPAÑOL
Graphic of pumpkin and treats

October 30

Sing It Loud, Sing It Proud

Warm up those vocal chords and sing your favorite tune. Take a picture or record yourself. Don't forget to tag #WeCreate408.  

Looking for more? Suggested event:  

Hear virtuoso singing with a sweet twist; check out Hansel and Gretel by Opera San Jose opening 11/16. Get a sneak peak with a free one-hour preview on 11/5 at noon in the third floor rehearsal hall of the California Theatre. Learn more at https://www.operasj.org. @OperaSanJose  

Image of Opera singers

October 29

Joyful Journalist

Interview a friend or family member and create an audio file, video or a short story of the events that shaped who they are. Remember to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Follow the creative pulse of the South Bay and connect with other creative individuals by checking out Content Magazine online or in print. Their issue release "Pick-Up Parties" are always a blast, learn how to get an invitation at http://content-magazine.com/ @ContentMag  

Graphic of pen

October 28

Drum Roll, Please

Share a short video or sound byte of your best drum roll or rhythm. No drums necessary - pots, tables, boxes, pillows, etc are all welcome! Most inventive instrument(s) receive a San Jose Taiko sticker. Remember to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Celebrate Halloween in Japantown and enjoy this family-friendly community-supported event featuring live taiko drum performances by San Jose Taiko, arts and crafts activities, and, of course, trick-or-treating. Supported in part by the Knight Foundation. @sanjosetaiko @knightfdn  

Image of taiko drum players

October 27

Mobile Mural

Take a picture of your favorite street art or mural in San José and tag #WeCreate408.  

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Grab your bike and join Pow Wow San Jose today (10/27) for a bike tour of all the new murals created during the week-long POW! WOW! San Jose Music and Mural festival. The bike tour leaves at 11:00 a.m. from 6293 San Ignacio Avenue. Go to www.powwowsanjose.com for a map of mural locations. @powwowsanjose  

Image of mural of child riding bike

October 26

Living Inspiration

What's inspiring you now? Snap a photo/video or write a brief statement of what (or who!) inspired you. Don't forget to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Give a shout out to those fierce arts education warriors, specifically our pre-K and elementary school teachers who are convening today at the San Jose Museum of Art for The Marion Cilker Conference for Arts in Education. This annual conference is cohosted by SJSU Lurie College of Education and Artspiration, a Santa Clara County Office of Education initiative that connects educators with training, tools and resources to integrate the arts into classroom learning. @Artspiration  

Graphic of paint brush

October 25

7 Wonders of San Jose

Snap photos of your favorite buildings in our city that many of us take for granted. Ornate historic buildings downtown? Cute house in your neighborhood? The apartment building that makes you think of a story? Remember to tag #WeCreate408.  

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Discover the freshest in local fruits and vegetables, as well as hand-crafted delights by local artisans at San Jose's Downtown Farmers' Market from 10am to 2pm on Fridays from May to November at San Pedro Square between Santa Clara and St. John streets. This market is operated by the San Jose Downtown Association who also produces many exciting events in the downtown including Music in the Park, Starlight Cinemas and Downtown Ice which opens 11/16. @sjdowntown  

Image of San Pedro Square Sign

October 24

Book It

What’s your favorite book? Write a one-sentence plot summary to share or design a new book cover. Post and tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Find your new favorite book at a San Jose Public Library book sale. This Saturday (10/26) you can get books at bargain prices at the following libraries: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Main Library, Joyce Ellington, Evergreen, Edenvale, Vineland, and Village Square Branch Libraries. If you miss Saturday, the sale at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Library will continue on Sunday.  

Graphic of book

October 23

Music and Me

What was your first memorable encounter with music? Sing a song or draw a picture of how it made you feel and tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Save the date for another memorable music experience, Mission Chamber Orchestra is performing on 11/2 at 7:30pm at the Hammer Theatre Center. Known for presenting classical performances that are accessible and affordable, Mission Chamber Orchestra is a joy for first-time concert goers as well as those who already love classical music. @MissionChamberOrchestra  

Graphic of maracas

October 22

Compose Yourself

Whether you call yourself a musician or not, write a song today. Start to finish. Bonus points if you also record it. Tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Come experience the beauty of traditional Chinese instruments performed live by Aimusic School's young musicians during their open rehearsal on 10/26 in the Fine Arts Center A112 at San Jose City College from 8pm to 9pm. Aimusic trains young musicians in traditional Chinese and European instruments. If you're interested in learning, Aimusic offers new students heavily discounted and almost free tuition for their first year.  

Image of traditional Chinese musicians

October 21

Build It

Get creative by building the tallest structure you can with 5 pieces of letter-sized paper and tape. Post a photo showing the height. Don't forget to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Find more STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART, Math) challenges at The Tech Interactive with family-friendly interactive exhibits, experimental labs and design challenges to expand your creativity and inspire the innovator in you. @TheTechInteractive  

Image of children in hardhats

October 20

Stage a Scene

Grab a script, family and friends. Stage a scene. Take a picture or record it and tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Dress up, sing along, act it out, get into the drama with the high-energy cult-classic, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, performed live by San Jose Stage through 11/3. Don't miss this immersive rock-musical that will have you doing the “Time Warp” again and again. @SanJoseStage  

Graphic of tragedy and comedy masks

October 19

Exhibition Express

What art exhibit has opened your eyes and stayed on your mind? Snap a photo, re-create it in a drawing, or write about it. Remember to tag #WeCreate408.  

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See what you think at San Jose Museum of Art, check out the exhibitions and stay for the thought-provoking talk about the pioneering virtual reality artwork "Beyond Manzanar" by artists Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand as part of the Creative Minds program today (10/19) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. P.S. Mark your calendar - the Museum is free from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the 1st Friday of the month as part of Facebook First Fridays. @SanJoseMuseumofArt  

Image of man and child painting together

October 18

Heart of a Hero

Whom do you admire? Write a poem or draw a picture in their honor. Bonus if you share it with the one you admire. Remember to tag #WeCreate408.  

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Join us in honoring San Jose's art heros at the Cornerstone of the Arts celebration at the Hammer Theatre Center tonight (10/18) at 5:30 p.m. The San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs produces this free event annually to honor the arts community and recognize individuals, artists, and businesses that have made a significant local impact in the arts. 

Image of a woman and child dancing and singing

October 17

Shakes and Sounds of San José

What song or dance move reminds you of San Jose? Record it and share it, tagging #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Enjoy a combination of live music and dance by two renowned San Jose arts organizations, sjDANCEco and San Jose Chamber Orchestra, as they come together for a special performance this Friday and Saturday (Oct 18-19) at the California Theater. sjDANCEco will present two new works, which had their national premiere at the Kennedy Center. @sjDANCEco and @SanJoseChamberOrchestra  

Image of people dancing in costume

October 16

 Cultural Creation  

What cultural tradition do you love sharing with others? Share a picture and tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Experience the magic of San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild's longest-running and largest Día de los Muertos Celebration with a procession & &estival on Sunday (10/20), featuring music, dance, theater, art-making, and song. The procession starts at City View Plaza at noon, across the street from Plaza de César Chávez Park,and culminates with a free outdoor festival behind the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. An exhibit of traditional and contemporary visual arts and altars by local and Bay Area artists is also on view through 11/8 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Library. @sjmultiartguild 

Image of child with Day of the Dead face paint

October 15

Scavenger Hunt

What's your favorite place in San Jose? Share a clue in the form of a riddle, tagging #WeCreate408.  

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If you like games, join the Japanese American Museum of San Jose this Sunday (10/20) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in celebrating the intersection of culture and sports on the anniversary of 1964 Tokyo Olympics, with a free festival of Japanese sports and cultural demonstrations. There will be relay races (Undokai) for the kids and other fun interactive games. Everyone is welcome! @jamsjoffical  

Image of kids playing

October 14

Mixtape Monday

What’s your #WeCreate408 playlist? Share and tag #WeCreate408.  

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What would make your San Jose playlist better? How about hearing it performed live?! San Jose Jazz invites you to join some of San Jose's star musicians in sharing their hometown pride with live performances on the San Jose Jazz Boombox Truck as part of the Do You Know San Jose? series. Come out this Saturday (10/19) for the Do You Know San Jose: POW! WOW! Edition from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the corner of 2nd and San Carlos and celebrate the opening night of the popular music and mural festival. @sanjosejazz  

Image of DJ

October 13

Move It

If you've got a body, you can dance. Capture it in a drawing, photo or video and tag #WeCreate408.  

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Learn traditional Cambodian dance and join the students of the Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe today (10/13) for free dance lessons at Tully library from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All ages welcome! If you miss today, lessons are offered twice a month.  

Graphic of Boombox

October 12

Pumped for Pumpkins

Get festive and decorate a San José-themed pumpkin with family and friends! Remember to tag #WeCreate408.  

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Buy your pumpkin at Pumpkins in the Park today (10/12) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Discovery Meadow in Guadalupe River Park. Presented by Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Pumpkins in the Park is a family-friendly harvest fair featuring a giant pumpkin patch, children’s concert, costume parade, carnival games, and yummy treats. @GuadalupeRiverParkConservancy  

Graphic of pumpkin

October 11

Tune Up

Calling all musicians! It doesn't matter what you play or how often you rehearse. Tune up and express yourself. Take a picture or record it, tagging #WeCreate408.  

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Witness virtuoso classical guitar by one of today's most acclaimed young guitarists, Andrea González Caballero, performing at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (10/12) in program hosted by South Bay Guitar Society at the First United Methodist Church in downtown San Jose. @SouthBayGuitarSociety  

Graphic of guitar

October 10

408 DIY

D-I-Y! Design, make or build something using your computer or phone, audio and video, and/or traditional arts and crafts supplies. Tag #WeCreate408.  

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Get inspired by the textile art at San Jose Museum of Quilts & &extiles (SJMQT). Got worries? Don't we all! Head to the SJMQT and make your very own worry doll. Being creative with others can bring joy and peace! Be sure to also check out their current exhibitions. Today only (10/10), mention #WeCreate408 to receive FREE admission! The Museum be open until 10:00 p.m. in connection with #ArtAfterDark so drop by and craft your worries away! @sjqmt  

Image of woman weaving

October 9

And… ACTION

What’s your one- to five-minute San José story? Say it, write it, share it along with a photo, or record it on video. Don't forget to tag #WeCreate408. Looking for more? Suggested event: Check out the exhibition "On Film: Capturing the Then and Now" now on view at MACLA featuring work by Latinx artist telling stories of diasporas and community resilience. Youth are invited to register now for MACLA's free fall multimedia workshop series. Starting 10/28, youth will explore relevant social issues while learning photography, video, sound production, visual and performing arts techniques. @macla_sanjose  

Image of teenagers with cameras

October 8

Making Memories

What’s one of your best childhood memories? Draw your memory or post a photo that evokes the experience, tagging #WeCreate408.  

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Make new memories and take a drawing lesson with a friend. Chopsticks Alley invites you to a bilingual (Vietnamese and English) drawing lesson on 10/10 at the Vietnamese American Cultural Center (2072 Lucretia Ave. San Jose). The class is organized by Bent Boat Art and taught by artist Ouater Sand. Pencils and paper will be provided. The class is held every Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @chopsticksalleyart  

Image of child drawing

October 7

Special Ingredient

What's the one ingredient you can't do without? Share your favorite recipe using this ingredient and tag #WeCreate408.

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For another classic recipe, join Teatro Visión at School of Arts and Culture for the classic Day of the Dead theater production, MACARIO. Full of dance and song, MACARIO tells the story of a poor woodcutter, whose sole dream in life is to experience a day without hunger. Performed in Spanish with English supertitles, the production runs from 10/10 through 10/20. @teatro_vision 

Image of two boys cooking

October 6

Be True

To thine own self be true. What represents your truth? Make something or post a pic that represents you or an issue you care about. Don't forget to tag #WeCreate408.

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Join Silicon Valley Shakespeare and Buck Hill Productions tomorrow night (10/7) Cafe Stritch for ShakesBEERience: "a pub, a pint, and a play," where professional actors will perform what's likely the funniest Titus Andronicus you'll ever see. Free and open to the public! For the younger crowd, Silicon Valley Shakespeare also offers Shakespeare Camps, in-school workshops and always gives FREE admission to youth 17 and under to all their mainstage productions. @siliconvalleyshakespeare 

Image of a woman in a play sword fighting

October 5

Green Thumb

Snap a photo or draw a picture of your favorite garden or flower arrangement, tagging #WeCreate408. 

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Start your Saturday with a breath of fresh air and head over to Veggielution today (10/5) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and enjoy fresh vegetables, gardening, and art workshops for the whole family as part of Veggielution's First Saturday offerings. @veggielution


Image of people working in garden

October 4

You Had Me at Hello

Create a greeting card, handshake or another way to say Hello to connect today. Post a photo or video of your greeting, tagging #WeCreate408.

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Make it a Downtown San Jose weekend! Tonight, stroll along South First Street downtown and check out the SoFA First Friday art walk or Facebook First Friday at the San Jose Museum of Art. Then on Saturday, travel the streets of Tokyo without leaving San Jose by bringing the family to the Children’s Discovery Museum for the opening of the Museum’s newest cultural exhibit “Hello from Japan!” It's a great time to make new friends and connect with your besties. @purplemuseum @sofafirstfriday @SanJoseMuseumofArt

image of two children with cartoon speech bubbles

October 3

Dance Off

Grab your friends, grab your portable speaker and get outside and dance! Snap photos or video, tagging #WeCreate408.

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Can't get enough dance? Head to Plaza de Cesar Chavez for City Dance tonight (10/3). Live music and free Merengue and Cumbia lessons from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You're also invited the New Ballet's Masquerade Ball on 10/13 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy an unforgettable party with prizes for best costumes at a spectacular Halloween Gala for the entire family. Thanks to a generous donor, WeCreate408 participants who purchase tickets today (10/3) can score half off using the code, NBSWeCreate408, so dance the night away and celebrate in New Ballet's new home at the Corinthian Ballroom Building. @newballet.sanjose 

Two male dancers leaping

October 2

Collectible Collective

Antiques, curios, or just that thing you like to collect…. Share a picture of how your collection reflects your spirit, tagging #WeCreate408.

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Add to your collection and check out the Bay Area Glass Institute's pumpkin patch of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted glass pumpkins at Santana Row this weekend (Oct 5-6). Want to make your own glass pumpkin? Bay Area Glass Institute offers regular classes at its studio in History Park. @bayareaglassinstitute  

Image of a glass pumpkin

October 1 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Everything is better when shared. Tell a friend about this 31 day creative challenge and invite them to cheer you on. Create a logo for yourself and post a picture, tagging #WeCreate408. 

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For more teamwork, check out the theater production of THE WOLVES at City Lights Theater. Set on an AstroTurf stage, the play follows a team of young women soccer warriors. Playing through 10/20. Mature language. @citylightstheater 

Image of women soccer players

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