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Club Life Nova Alliança Hall 37 N. 27th St., San Jose; 408.661.4433 By Sarah Quelland JUST OFF East Santa Clara across the street from a McDonald's drive-through and next door to a muffler shop hides an all-ages music venue. The Nova Alliança Hall belongs to the local Portuguese community and typically hosts a variety of local community gatherings and productions. Since at least 2002 though, it's sporadically doubled as an all-ages rock club. It's a great place. There's a high stage framed by rich red curtains. The hall itself is immaculate with wood floors, white walls and a ceiling that has enough character to remove any sense of boxiness. Though it doesn't have a suitable sound system, show organizers regularly call upon Trip Device frontman, guitarist and sound guru Bryan Wright to bring in his professional system and his keen ear ensures the best sound possible coming off the stage. Wright says the building is well-suited to hosting live bands because it's wired well or, in his words, "It's got good power and lots of it!" A wristband system and careful supervision allows the Nova to serve alcohol to the 21-and-over attendees. In an area suffering from a lack of support for venues that attract and appeal to local music fans of all-ages, the Nova proves to be a positive step in the right direction. Coming Up: Jun 18: Man Down Productions presents Insolence, Poltrona, Called to Ruin, Music Box Serial Killer and Killing of Mind Jul 23: Trip Device, Ones and Zeros, A Burning Water and Music Box Serial Killer Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]