#art-boutiki

#art-boutiki

As I plopped down on one of the comfy couches, families were already pouring into the place. Kids scampered everywhere. Musicians, artists, librarians, college students, retired county employees and veteran downtown shopkeepers all gathered to celebrate their memories of this outré outpost. Within 10 minutes of me sitting down, numerous attendees drew me into conversations about local comic book history, surf bands and the various locations of San Jose Office Supply 40 years ago.

Every week for the past month or so has been bittersweet because every week San Jose grows one step closer to the closing of one of the area's best venues, Art Boutiki. However, as their final days draw near, the venue continues to host an array of unique local artists, and this week-three days before their doors shut forever-is no different.

Hailing from San Jose, Sweet Hayah is one of the area's hidden gems. Their blend of soul, Latin, and rock form a sound that is purely unique to California. Over their past decade as a band, Sweet Hayah has played with some of the greats in the genre like Brenton Wood, Roddy Radiation (The Specials) and Robbie Krieger (The Doors).

"Getting to meet him-and the same with Matt Skiba [Alkaline Trio]-and 'see how the sausage is made' humanizes them," Moore explains.