Daily May 19-30 Noon
Jewels in the Square

Union Square
FREE

Presented by MJM Management and SFIAF

Come to Union Square for free site specific shows and outdoor sneak previews of performances by various local and international artists performing as part of SFIAF. The performances include participants in SFIAF's MASH Program. This year's MASH artists are Aura Fischbeck Dance, Dance/Theater Shannon, FACT/SF, Ishika Seth & Dancers, Iu-Hui Chua, Kelly Bowker & Dancers and Nguyen Dance Company.

For a full calendar of SFIAF Jewels in the Square Performances go here

For more information on individual MASH artists go here

To apply to be in MASH 2011 go here

Wed. May 19 8:00pm
The Agatsuma Ensemble (Japan)
Beyond Borders Tsugaru-Shimasen & Jazz Concert
Cowell Theatre, Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by U.S. / Japan Cultural Trade Network & SFIAF.

SFIAF 2010 gets under way with a world class music concert by EMI Music Japan and Domo recording artist Hiromitsu Agatsuma. The show is the only west-coast performance of his 2010 U.S. tour. Agatsuma plays the Tsugaru-Shamisen (a larger shamisen with thicker strings than those used for most other styles), and infuses traditional Japanese sounds with contemporary musical influences of blues, rock, dance music, folk, flamenco and funk. He is breaking new ground with his fresh approach and giving new life to the traditional art form. Accompanying Agatsuma are Yoichi Nozaki on piano and Mikita Hase and Hiroyuki Okada on Wa-daiko Japanese traditional drums.

Agatsuma's performance at SFIAF has been made possible with the support of the Western States Arts Federation's Tourwest program and Arts Midwest.

ARTIST INFORMATION  |  ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Sun. May 23. 4:00pm
Collage, featuring Black Sea Surf (U.S.A.)
Moments (World Premiere)
Cowell Theatre, Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by Collage

Experience the power, energy and joy that is Collage, Boston's award-winning fusion dance company performs its signature high-energy mix of traditional dance forms reinterpreted through contemporary choreography. Their first appearance at SFIAF features some of Collage's award-winning pieces, drawing from the traditions of Eastern Europe. Collage will be joined by Black Sea Surf, a new Balkan band that enlivens the traditional sounds of Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, the Roma, Turkey and more with modern instrumentation and interpretation.

Sun. May 23. 8:00pm
Voice of Roma with Rumen Shopov & the Brass Liberation Orchestra (U.S.A.)
Mahala Live!
Cowell Theatre, Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by Voice of Roma

Authentic Romani music with Rumen "Sali" Shopov & Friends plus big brass chaos from the Brass Liberation Orchestra. Mahala is a Balkan word meaning neighborhoodcommunity. Funded in part by the Creative Work Fund.

ARTIST INFORMATION  |  ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Mon. May 24 7:30pm (pre-concert talk 6:45pm)
Earplay Ensemble (U.S.A. & South Korea)
Ports & Portals (includes World Premiere & West Coast Premieres)
Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by Earplay

SFIAF's longest running presenting partners, the Earplay Ensemble present an international program featuring the world premiere of a new commissioned work by Korea's Hyo-shin Na titled Song of One Lost in the Fog, a piece that bridges California Native American, East Asian and Western cultures. The evening will also feature compositions by Tolga Yayalar, Wayne Peterson and the late Jorge Liderman.

Fri. May 28 7:00pm, Sat. May 29 4:00pm
ShadowLight Productions (U.S.A. & China)
The Good-for-Nothing Lover: Concert Reading with Shadows
Cowell Theatre, Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by ShadowLight Productions

Inspired by the beloved folk song cycle from the Ming Dynasty (16th century China) translated in the late fifties by beat poets C. H. Kwock and Vincent McHugh, the project pays homage to both the Beat Era and the Ming Dynasty utilizing, for example, a stand up bass and a guo-qin (Chinese fretless zither), modern and traditional dances, calligraphy and action painting, as well as singing and spoken word in Chinese and English. In contrast to ShadowLight's previous linear narrative-based works with projection screens, this production will experiment with a non-linear, movement and sound-based storytelling structure. In this new format, The Good-for-Nothing Lover will examine an archetypal state of love and human relations, which are as true today as when the words were first written centuries ago.

ARTIST INFORMATION  |  ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Sun. May 30, 2010 07:30 PM
Wang Fei (U.S.A. & China)
From Before the Tang Dynasty to Today-An Evening of Guqin Music with Wang Fei
Southside Theatre, Building D, Fort Mason Center
$25 Reserved Seating, $20 in advance. Series Discounts Available.
Go Here for Information on discount tickets.
BOX-OFFICE: 800-838-3006
Presented by the North American Guqin Association & SFIAF

Renowned guqin performer Wang Fei takes the audience on a special musical journey that highlights Chinese culture and music ranging from various past dynasties through to the present day. The concert includes renderings of some of the world's oldest known musical scores dating back over 1,400 years to newly composed guqin music and improvisations. Wang Fei will also share the legends and folktales behind the music and use her own commentary and insights to bring ancient works to life. This exciting multidisciplinary production will feature various programs and masters integrating guqin music with Xiao(Chinese bamboo flute), percussion, storytelling, narrative, poetry recitation and Tai Chi.