News, Tips & Bargains : San Jose to Open Latino Culture Center

A Latino cultural center, billed as the biggest in Northern California, opens Thursday in San Jose.

The $34-million Mexico Heritage Plaza, in East San Jose at Alum Rock Avenue and King Road, has been in the works for more than a decade. It includes a 500-seat theater, a 3,500-square-foot museum, offices for local arts groups and three gardens--one for herbs, one for roses and a traditional Mexican chinampa (floating garden).

Many opening festivities are planned. Following the dedication 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, the center will host a gala fund-raiser 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, with comedian Paul Rodriguez, Sheila E. and other entertainers ($150 per person). Saturday and Sunday will feature free, all-day festivals of food, crafts and music and theater from many world cultures. Rodriguez will also perform at 8 p.m. Saturday ($50 per ticket).

The center has already released a full 1999-2000 schedule of events, including a retrospective of artwork by the brothers Jose and Malaquias Montoya (through Oct. 17), a performance of “The Moor’s Pavane” by the Limon Dance Company (Sept. 17) and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) activities (Nov. 1 to 4). Call (408) 928-5500 for information and (800) 642-8482 for event tickets.