Festival of Cultures Returns to San Jose
Arts Council Silicon Valley is Executive Producer of Four-Day Cultural Event

San Jose, CA., June 8, 2005 – The Festival of Cultures began in 1993 under the title “Performing Arts Series” and “Downtown Arts Series” and was a project developed by the City of San Jose to embrace the richly diverse culture of the San Jose arts community. The 2005 edition of this multi-arts and multi-cultural event is executive produced by Arts Council Silicon Valley with additional support provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley. The Festival of Cultures shines the spotlight on San Jose’s culturally rich artistic heritage through four days of multi-cultural arts performances and is designed to bring the community and ethnic performing arts groups together. The 2005 edition will be presented by the San Jose Jazz Society, renowned for its annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival that bring 165,000 youth and adults to downtown San Jose to enjoy free jazz for four days.

The event will feature 12 performing arts groups from in and around the Bay Area, including jazz, Brazilian, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Brazilian, and hip-hop. It will be held June 9-12 and will bring together San Jose’s diverse cultures under one roof at the California Theater in downtown San Jose, California.

"We are fortunate to live in one of the most richly diverse communities in the world," said Bruce W. Davis, executive director of Arts Council Silicon Valley, the presenting sponsor of the event. "The California Theater will be the backdrop for this unique and distinct group of artists which literally spans the globe on talent, drive and creativity. This event promises to be both thrilling and inspiring for people of all ages and cultures."

Festival of Cultures List of Events:

Thursday, June 9, 8pm "Modern Jazz Meets The Great Brazilian Songbook" a San Jose Jazz Society concert to preview the 16th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, featuring Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela and her ensemble performing "The Great Brazilian Songbook", and special opening with performance by Dahveed Behroozi piano trio performing modern jazz.

Friday, June 10, 8pm "Dance Underground" featuring Visual Rhythm Dance Company and special guests Nu-Origins, Mobility, Bsyde, Jaqueline Herrera

Saturday, June 11, 2pm "Pacific Overtures I" featuring Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra

Saturday, June 11, 8pm "Pacific Overtures II" featuring Abhinaya Dance Company and Kaisahan

Sunday, June 12, 2pm "Rhythm is the Root" featuring Xochipilli Grupo de Santa Cruz and San Jose Taiko