Super Bowl LX weekend has arrived in the Bay Area, including in San Jose, where the city is kicking off the weekend with some major performances. “The Big Game Weekend Block Party” on Friday night was headlined by Oakland RB artist Kehlani, who is fresh off her first two Grammy wins. The open ing acts that preceded her included many Bay Area DJs, singers, musicians, and rappers. Salena Nguyen, who is known as ‘Salenie’ when she DJs, performed alongside Geo, a Bay Area harpist. The two have been collaborating recently and also plan to perform on Sunday at the Super Bowl Game Day experience at Levi’s Stadium. “I think the culture that is brewing and has been here forever is having a surge right now,” Nguyen said of Bay Area music culture. “I’m getting chills as we say this, there’s like a surge of energy and something is happening, I can’t explain it,” she continued. Artist Fijiana, who grew up in Richmond, also performed at the block party. She was thrilled to be included in this show. “I was like, ‘Of course!’ This is a dream, this is the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed for,” she said. For the people visiting the Bay Area from out-of-town this weekend, Fijiana said, “I just hope that they really take in Bay Culture, that we are so diverse, especially in the climate of this country right now.” Fijiana closed out her set with the song ‘Welcome to the Bay,’which she says is her ode to the Bay Area. All of the people attending the show who spoke with NBC Bay Area were Bay Area residents, excited to see some local talent. Many showed up specifically to watch Kehlani perform. “I’ve been a fan of Kehlani’s since she first started off,” explained Vinny Maxwell of Pittsburg, who didn’t want to miss this chance to see the star. Organizers said around 8,000 attendees were expected at this show. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan noted that this level of activity wasn’t happening in downtown San Jose when the Super Bowl came to Santa Clara 10 years ago. He said the activity downtown from events like this is very welcome. “This is just exactly what we were hoping for, people coming downtown, rediscovering their downtown,” Mahan said. Another block party is scheduled for Saturday in downtown San Jose, featuring DJ Dom Dolla. ...read more read less