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San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Weeknd at Levi's Stadium: What to know before the Santa Clara concerts
Fresh off a record-breaking seven-night run at Los Angeles County's SoFi Stadium, The Weeknd is set to bring his After Hours Til Dawn tour to Levi's Stadium this week. With more than 200,000 fans attending his Southern California shows alone, the global R&B megasta, born Abel Tesfaye, continues to solidify his place as one of the most dominant live performers of his generation. For Bay Area fans planning to catch the spectacle in Santa Clara on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8-9, here's what you need to know. How do I get to Levi's Stadium? Levi's Stadium is about 40 miles south of San Francisco and can be reached via Highways 101, 237 and I-880 — though traffic is notoriously bad on event days. Public transportation is highly encouraged. VTA light rail and bus service provide direct connections throughout Santa Clara County. Caltrain riders can transfer to VTA at Mountain View. BART users can switch to VTA at the Milpitas station. Capitol Corridor and ACE trains are options for fans traveling from farther away. Rideshare drop-offs are available near the venue. Bike valet is also offered for cyclists. Where can I park? Who's performing? The Weeknd headlines, supported by opening acts Playboi Carti and Mike Dean. Tickets begin at $73. What's on the setlist? Expect a marathon four-hour performance spanning The Weeknd's career — from breakout hits like 'House of Balloons' and 'The Hills' to newer tracks off his chart-topping 2025 album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' including 'São Paulo,' 'Baptized in Fear' and 'Open Hearts.' There may even be a couple of collaborations with Playboi Carti and a nod to Metro Boomin's 'Creepin'.' Can I eat nearby? Dining options near Levi's Stadium are somewhat limited, but the nearby Mercado Shopping Center offers several convenient choices for a quick bite, including In-N-Out Burger, Panda Express, Subway, Pho Hoa and Tomatina. For those seeking a sit-down meal before the show, popular nearby restaurants include Pedro's Restaurant & Cantina at 3935 Freedom Circle, El Torito at 2950 Lakeside Drive, and Birk's Restaurant at 3955 Freedom Circle. Two additional upscale options — Puesto and Il Fornaio — are both located at 2752 Augustine Drive. Inside the stadium, fans will find around two dozen cashless concession stands serving local favorites such as Super Duper Burgers, Slice House Pizza and Starbird. For those carrying cash, reverse ATMs are available to convert it to a prepaid card. What's the bag policy? Only clear bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches are permitted. Small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, are allowed. There are no lockers, so pack light. What items are prohibited? Skip the signs, banners, glow sticks, selfie sticks and light-up outfits. Power banks and phone charging cases are allowed. Can I tailgate? No. Tailgating and loitering without a ticket are not allowed in stadium lots. What's the weather forecast? Expect mostly clear skies, with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Pack sunscreen for the daytime and a light jacket for the cooler nights, which are expected to dip in the mid-50s. With a sprawling 68,500-seat capacity — and the ability to expand to 75,000 — Levi's Stadium is bracing for a weekend of spectacle, sound and stardom. Just don't be surprised if the lines at In-N-Out stretch longer than the setlist. The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn 2025 setlist Here's the full setlist for The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn 2025 tour, as performed during his recent shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. 'The Abyss' 'Wake Me Up' 'After Hours' 'Starboy' 'Heartless' 'Faith' (performed during the outro of 'Heartless') 'Take My Breath' 'Sacrifice' (Swedish House Mafia Remix) 'How Do I Make You Love Me?' 'Can't Feel My Face' 'Lost in the Fire' (Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd) 'Kiss Land' (shortened) 'Often' 'Given Up on Me' 'I Was Never There' 'Given Up on Me' (reprise) 'The Hills' 'Baptized in Fear' 'Open Hearts' 'Cry for Me' 'I Can't F—ng Sing' 'São Paulo' 'Until We're Skin & Bones' 'Timeless' (with Playboi Carti) 'Rather Lie' (with Playboi Carti) 'Creepin'' (Metro Boomin cover) 'Niagara Falls' 'One of the Girls' 'Stargirl Interlude' 'Out of Time' 'I Feel It Coming' 'Die for You' 'Is There Someone Else?' 'Wicked Games' 'Call Out My Name' 'The Morning' 'Save Your Tears' 'Less Than Zero' 'Blinding Lights' 'Without a Warning' 'Reflections Laughing' 'High for This' 'House of Balloons' 'Moth to a Flame' (Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd)
San Francisco Chronicle
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Metallica at Levi's Stadium: What to know before the Bay Area concerts
Fresh off record-breaking shows and even a registered seismic event, Metallica is bringing its globe-spanning M72 World Tour back home to the Bay Area. Expect massive crowds, a signature in-the-round stage and a setlist spanning four decades when Metallica takes over Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Friday, June 20 and Sunday, June 22. Everything you need to know — set times, parking, what to bring and what to leave at home — is covered in the Chronicle's FAQ. How to get to Levi's Stadium? Public transportation is highly recommended. VTA light rail and buses connect much of Santa Clara County. Caltrain riders can transfer to VTA at Mountain View, and BART riders can connect at Milpitas. Capitol Corridor and Altamont Corridor Express trains also serve fans from farther out. Rideshare drop-offs are available near the stadium. Bike valet is also available. Is there parking at the venue or nearby? Parking is available on-site, shared with California's Great America amusement park, as well as in nearby private lots along Great America Parkway. Advance parking passes via Ticketmaster are strongly advised to guarantee entry. What to expect Metallica will perform two entirely different setlists across the two nights. The opening acts for Friday are Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills, while Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies kick the night off on Sunday. Levi's Stadium has an 11 p.m. curfew on Fridays and Saturdays for up to five non-NFL events per year. Weeknight and Sunday curfew is 10 p.m., but the venue secured a waiver from the city to extend this Sunday's show until 11 p.m. Expect Metallica's performance to run until curfew — and be prepared in case the band runs over that time. Where to eat before, during or after the show Dining options near the stadium are limited, but nearby Mercado Shopping Center offers good alternatives. Among the eateries are Tomatina, Pho Hoa Noodle Soup & Janzen Tea, In-N-Out Burger, Panda Express and Subway. Other options in the vicinity include Pedro's Restaurant & Cantina (3935 Freedom Circle), El Torito (2950 Lakeside Drive) and Birk's (3955 Freedom Circle), Puesto (2752 Augustine Drive #110) and Il Fornaio (2752 Augustine Drive #120). Inside Levi's, there are about two dozen cashless concession stands featuring local favorites like Super Duper Burgers, Slice House Pizza and Starbird. Reverse ATMs are available to convert cash to a card. After the concert, late-night fast food is your best bet, but expect lines — and maybe even a spontaneous 'Enter Sandman' singalong while you wait. What is the capacity at Levi's Stadium? Levi's Stadium holds 68,500 people, with room for more than 75,000 during special events. The lower bowl alone seats about 45,000, and there are more than 8,500 club seats and 165 suites. What is the bag policy? There are no lockers or designated areas to check your bag at Levi's Stadium, so carry only what you need. Visitors are permitted to bring in approved clear bags not exceeding a size of 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Approved bags include backpacks, fanny packs, purses or 1-gallon clear plastic Ziploc-type bags. Small clutch bags, approximately the size of an adult hand (4½ inches by 6½ inches), are also allowed. What items are prohibited inside the venue? Leave confetti, glow sticks, signs, banners, light-up costumes and selfie sticks at home. Phone charging cases and small power banks are allowed, though charging stations are available at guest services. Is tailgating allowed? Tailgating is not permitted, and non-ticket holders are not allowed to gather in parking lots or surrounding areas. There are no external viewing areas provided. What to expect from the weather Expect mild, sunny conditions for the shows, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s and overnight lows around 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday may be slightly warmer, near 78 degrees. With little to no rain and only light marine cloud activity expected, fans should enjoy ideal conditions for an outdoor concert. Just don't forget the sunblock. Metallica Takeover events The Metallica experience goes beyond the stage, with a week of fan-focused activities around the Bay Area: M72 Pop-Up Shop (June 19-22) 55 Holger Way, San Jose Shop exclusive merch, including a limited vinyl edition of 72 Seasons, screen-printed posters, skateboards and new collaborations. Open 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (Sunday until 6 p.m.). One item per customer, per day. Special Events on June 21, unless noted: 'Metallica Saved My Life' film sneak peek: 7 p.m. AMC Mercado 20, 3111 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. Metallica Film Fest: 11:30 a.m. Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson St., S.F. The Art of Squindo: 2:30 p.m. Manny's, 3092 16th St., S.F. Trivia Night with Steffan Chirazi: 6 p.m. Lion's Den Lounge and Bar, 57 Wentworth Place, S.F. …And Tributes for All (Damage Inc. & Motorbreath): 8 p.m. Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., S.F. Community and Charity Events: Loaves & Fishes Volunteering: June 20. Various shifts across three Bay Area locations. American Red Cross Blood Drives: June 16-20 in San Francisco; June 18 at Levi's Stadium. 21+ Tasting Event: Blackened x Drew Estate with Rob Dietrich: 4-8 p.m. June 21. Morgan Hill Cigar Company, 16375 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. Metallica M72 setlist 'Creeping Death' 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' 'Hit the Lights' 'King Nothing' 'Lux Æterna' 'Screaming Suicide' 'Broken, Beat & Scarred' 'The Day That Never Comes' 'Fuel' 'Orion' 'Nothing Else Matters' 'Sad But True' 'One' 'Seek & Destroy' 'Master of Puppets' 'Enter Sandman'
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
AI teaching assistant shows real promise at S. Korea tech university KAIST
South Korea's top science and engineering university has rolled out a custom-built AI teaching assistant to help students in large graduate courses, and early results show it helped reduce repetitive student questions while encouraging more active, self-directed learning. At Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, a team of researchers led by AI graduate school professor Choi Yoon-jae and design professor Hong Hwa-jung developed a virtual teaching assistant, or VTA, that can answer student questions at any time, with responses tailored to specific lectures and coursework. The tool was piloted last fall in a programming class for AI, taken by 477 graduate students. It's the first time such a system has been tested at scale in a Korean university setting. What sets the KAIST VTA apart is that it isn't a generic chatbot. Instead, it runs on what's called a retrieval-augmented generation model, which pulls directly from course materials like slides, coding exercises and lecture videos. When students ask a question, the system finds the most relevant content and formulates a response based on that context. This means answers are grounded in what's actually taught, not just generated from a general AI model. Over 50 percent of students used the system regularly during the 14-week semester, generating nearly 3,870 questions and answers. Students without a strong background in AI or coding were among the most active users, suggesting the VTA helped close knowledge gaps for those new to the subject. These figures come from internal usage data collected by KAIST during the semester. The system didn't just benefit students. According to lead TA and doctoral researcher Kwon Soon-jun, it reduced the number of routine questions from students, such as basic concept definitions or explanations already given in class. That allowed human teaching assistants to focus more on deeper, more complex issues. Compared to the previous year's course, the volume of questions requiring direct responses from TAs dropped by around 40 percent, based on data compiled by Professor Choi. Students also appeared more comfortable asking questions through the VTA than to human TAs, especially when it came to theoretical topics. Surveys conducted by Choi's research team before, during and after the course showed that students became increasingly confident in the system's reliability, and those who had been hesitant to speak up in class reported higher satisfaction levels when using the AI assistant. The VTA's source code has been released publicly on GitHub to encourage adoption by other educators and researchers. The work was also accepted to the Industry Track at ACL 2025, one of the leading international conferences in natural language processing
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Work on new paid Express Lanes on San Jose highways will begin soon
The Valley Transportation Authority said work on creating new paid Express Lanes on part of Highway 85 and Highway 101 will begin on Friday. The paid Express Lanes will replace single carpool lanes from the Highway 101/Highway 85 interchange to Highway 87. Conversion work will include the Highway 101/Highway 85 Direct HOV to HOV connector ramps and the Highway 101 approaches. VTA said it is part of Phase 4 of the Express Lanes Project. Work on Phase 4 of the Express Lanes Project will begin on Friday, June 6, 2025, the VTA said. Valley Transportation Authority Express Lanes can be used by HOV vehicles and motorcycles for free, but non-HOV vehicles must pay a toll with a FasTrak transponder. The toll price is based on traffic, with more traffic increasing the price. Highway 85 Noise Reduction Work on a different project will begin on Friday as well. The VTA said its Highway 85 noise reduction program will break ground. Highway 85 in Mountain View, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and South San Jose will get new pavement that reduces noise generation, the VTA said.
Business Journals
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
VTA buys downtown San Jose building for more than $60M
The VTA now owns 488 South Almaden Blvd., which last sold for more than twice the price, at $155 million. The former owner, Menlo Park-based Lane Partners, bought the 380,000 square-foot building from Oracle Corp in 2021.
