Let’s be honest: in a world saturated with digital noise, it would be easy to let seventy issues of a small local arts publication go unnoticed. Even on a dreary rain-soaked night, San Jose City Hall’s Rotunda was a lively hub of local talent and community engagement. Pick-Up Party 17.2, “Connect,” hosted a diverse roster of talent while celebrating Content’s seventieth issue and honoring the contributions of Vietnamese American creatives living and working in the South Bay.
Attendees were treated to performances that spanned the artistic spectrum. New Ballet SJ provided a graceful display of classical and contemporary dance, while LOLAH, with her rock and roll sound, injected an energy into the room that most wouldn’t expect from a single musician. Dad Bod Rap Pod opened the evening with a cultural exchange presentation that outlined their journey to Saigon before they transitioned straight into DJ sets, proving that even a city hall has some rhythm.
Displays Vĩ Sơn Trịnh added a layer to the celebration, showcasing the breadth of talent featured in the magazine. Food and drink were, as expected, present, with the first 150 Content members snagging the complimentary perks—a classic move to incentivize loyalty.
The magazine itself highlighted the contributions of Vietnamese American artists and creatives, offering a glimpse into the diverse creative landscape of the South Bay. Creatives from Binh Danh, Vanessa Vân-Ánh Võ, and Viet Thanh Nguyen to Vampy, Vinh G. Nyguyen, and Hết Sẩy Food Truck illustrated a wide range and various forms of self-expression.
Even if the outside weather was trying its best to dampen the mood, our community came together to party and celebrate indoors. It’s a testament that despite living in a world saturated with digital noise, nothing compares to the physical–Meeting in person, live music, and print. It was great to celebrate this herculean 70th issue, and we are looking forward to celebrating each future issue from our 71st to the 80th and beyond.
Join us on Friday, May 16, 2025, at West Valley College in Saratoga for Pick-Up Party 17.3. There will be performances and displays from creatives featured in previous magazines and from our upcoming Issue 17.3, “Perform.” This party will continue our annual collaboration with The Cilker School of Art & Design EXPO–an exhibition featuring current and graduating student work across the Architecture, Design, Visual, and Performing Art programs. Save the Date.
Under the light-strung trees of Mexican Heritage Plaza in East Side San José, the South Bay arts community celebrated the release of Content Magazine issue 16.4, “Profiles”, and 2024 Content Emerging Artists Esther Young and Elba Raquel. The August 22 Pick-Up Party was an event only San Jose could cultivate–a meeting point for diverse cultures, technological optimism, and a collective commitment to the community.
The School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza hosted a living issue of Content Magazine with nearly all 29 featured creatives in attendance. Starting at 6:30 p.m., guests and featured artists mingled. DJ Hen Boogie kicked off the party with his genre-blending beats. Artists from the issue shared their prints, fashion, writings, and music. Guests could even take home dried sage to plant. The plaza’s indoor gallery was activated with support from Works/San José and exhibited photography, mixed media, and sculptural works directly from the magazines’ pages.
Even the food and drink at the party reflected the South Bay’s creative diversity. Mama Roc’s Kitchen brought a variety of Puerto Rican flavors, and Sushi Roku Palo Alto offered a sampling of their high-quality rolls and sashimi. Goodtime Bar, located at Fountain Alley in Downtown San Jose, also popped up and had a selection of local natural wines for guests to taste.
As the sun set, a crowd gathered to watch a belly dancing performance from House of Inanna. Afterward, The Cultivator of Content Magazine, Daniel Garcia, stepped up to the stage to announce the recipients of Content’s 2024 Emerging Artist Award. Musician Esther Young and painter Elba Raquel accepted their awards, each designed by Local Artist Joe Miller, to camera flash and applause. The Content Emerging Artist Award recognizes early-career artists and provides $5,000 in unrestricted funding to support their creative work. After accepting her award, Young took to the stage, opening her set with an ethereal cover of Adrienne Lenker’s ‘Anything.’
The party provided a space for artists to forge connections and set the foundation for future collaboration. The School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza is a communal hub for celebration, organization, and art. In that way, the atmosphere reflected Content’s mission–both open and intimate, a true celebration of San Jose’s community and its commitment to the arts.
Join Content Magazine for Pick-Up Party 17.1, “Discover,” on Friday, November 22, at The Santa Clara County Fairground Fiesta Hall. The night is produced in partnership with San Jose-based 1Culture Gallery and will be a showcase for street art and culture in the South Bay.
