February 14, 2024
For immediate release

Contact:
Andrew Wood: 415-399-9554 (o) 415-305-1102 (c) [email protected]

Kyndra Gedney: (760) 397-5984
[email protected]

SF International Arts Festival 2024 Music Program

Calendar Editors Please Note
Who: Multiple Musical Artists
What: 2024 San Francisco International Arts Festival
Where: Multiple Venues in San Francisco's Mission District
Date & Time: May 2 - 12, 2024
Tickets: $20 - $35 general admission.
Early Bird Tickets On-Sale February 20, 2024
Box Office and Information: https://www.sfiaf.org or 415-399-9554.

Photos Available on Request

February 1, 2024 San Francisco: San Francisco International Arts Festival (SFIAF) will present more than two dozen different musical ensembles, orchestras and bands as part of this year's program, which will account for 50% of all the artists presenting work at this year's Festival. Half of the concerts will take place at the Festival's primary music venue, the Community Music Center on Capp Street with the others spread throughout the Mission District at a diverse range of venues including Red Poppy Art House, Mission Cultural Center, Bissap Baobab, El RIo and Arcana SF-- with live music also a feature of the dance program at Dance Mission Theater.

The Festival's theme continues to be IN DIASPORA: I.D. for the New Majority. I.D. asks artists to contemplate the changing demographics of the United States of America and / or apply the ideas of social justice to reflect on the conditions of minority, migrant, disenfranchised and/or displaced peoples in other countries and continents.

With the theme in mind, the opening music concert will be a benefit staged by Clyde Leland and Sharif Zakout on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace to raise funds for the people of Palestine. The Egyptian music group, Music In-Takht will also present Palestinian music as a part of their program.

The political situation in another part of the Middle East is the focus of the Navaye Azadi Choir & Ensemble who draw attention to the plight of women in Iran. While the Greek Chamber Music Project focuses on the plight of Jewish refugees with a powerful program of songs from Asia Minor.

Rachel Garlin sings about forbidden love in The Ballad of Madelyne & Therese and Shawna Viraga makes a stand for Trans rights in a shared concert with The Secret Emchy Society.

There is also cause for celebration with Neblinas del Pacifico honoring Afro-Colombian culture through the music of the marimba.

Other cultural celebrations will include Melody of China and John Calloway's 25th anniversary celebration of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University. Another anniverary will be the Indian jazz trio VidyA, who will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a special reunion concert.

Representing Java will be Gamelan Sekar Jaya and Purnamasari in a shared concert at Mission Cultural Center.

Classical music is represented by Amelia Romano, the New Arts Collaboration, Tom Yang and Terry Eder.

South America and Spain are represented by the Sumi Lee Collective (tango ensemble) and Theatre Flamenco de San Francisco respectively.

Finally, this year will also include a number of concerts presented free to the public including the culminating concert of the Festival's Women in Jazz & World Music vocal course led by Dr. Dee Spencer with Michelle Jacques. Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini will play at Arcana SF and the all-women Pandan Leaf Collective at El Rio. Perhaps the most intriguing free concert will be the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble also making their debut on the patio at El Rio for an early evening recital at 6:00pm on Thursday May 2.

The full musical line up (so far) with dates and times is as follows:

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble (USA)
Borealis (60 mins w/o intermission)
El Rio. Thursday May 2, 6:00pm. Tix: FREE
Left Coast presents an eclectic mix of music for an eclectic instrumental ensemble: flute, viola and double-bass. Music by Saariaho, Schulhoff and Komschlies is inspired by physical phenomena, physical experiences and quirky humor. Find out how a double-bass fails to fail in a work designed to fail.

Clyde Leland and Sharif Zakout (USA)
A Benefit Performance for Palestine (90 mins with intermission)
Community Music Center. Thursday May 2, 7:30pm. Tix: $20 - $28
An evening of music, poetry, performance and activism organized by the Bay Area Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace and allies in support of the people of Palestine. Full line-up to be announced.

Shawna Virago (USA)
El Rio. Thursday May 2, 9:00pm. Tix: $12 - $15
Shared Bill with Secret Emchy Society
An evening of trans and queer songs curated by Shawn Virago that twist together folk, alt-country and punk. A shared bill with the Secret Emchy Society, Ed Varga and femme-ce Churro Nomi. Shawna Virago has performed and toured nationally as an out transwoman since the early 1990s.

Secret Emchy Society (USA)
El Rio. Thursday May 2, 9:00pm. Tix: $12 - $15
Shared Bill with Shawna Virago
Equal parts Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Billy Bragg, and Waylon Jennings, Secret Emchy Society embraces the boot-stomping, heart-breaking duality of California Country music. Recognized by TheBoot.com among the Top Ten Queer Country Bands, this quadruple nominee for Best Live Band in the Bay delivers a rebellious, authentic honky-tonk experience that challenges modern country norms.

Students of WJWM, Dee Spencer Trio with Michelle Jacques (USA)
Women in Jazz & World Music Graduation Concert (60 mins w/o intermission)
Community Music Center. Friday May 3, 7:00pm. Tix: FREE
Presenting the work of legendary women singers epitomizing the classical American songbook. This concert is the culmination of a free four-week vocalist training intensive for 15 – 24 year old singers led by Dr. Dee Spencer from San Francisco State University. Join with students, family and friends as we celebrate the second successful cycle of the program.

VidyA (USA)
VidyA Reunion Concert | Carnatic Jazz (60 mins w/o intermission)
Community Music Center. Saturday May 4, 3:30pm. Tix: $20 - $28
VidyA naturally expresses the essence of Carnatic music and jazz through a unified trio of tenor saxophone, acoustic bass and drums. The VidyA Reunion Concert is a joyful rejoining of these musical brothers to make inspiring new music. Featuring Prasant Radhakrishnan (tenor sax), David Ewell (bass) and Sameer Gupta (drums).

Music In-Takht (USA)
Beyond Lyrics: Egypt's Legacy of Instrumental Music (75 mins with intermission)
Red Poppy Art House, Saturday May 4, 7:00pm Tix: $20 - $28
Led by Egyptian-American violinist, Basma Edrees, Music In-Takht presents a captivating concert exploring Egypt's instrumental musical legacy linking traditional and contemporary compositions. In addition, in solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinians for freedom and justice, this concert will also feature works by Palestinian composers.

Neblinas del Pacifico (USA)
Marimba Music from the Pacífico Afro-Colombiano (120 minutes w/o intermission)
Community Music Center. Saturday May 4, 8:30pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Neblinas del Pacífico weaves a sonic tapestry of marimba de chonta music from the Afro-Colombian Pacific coast: music of rivers and mangroves, of percussive polyrhythms and multi-part harmonies, of spirituality and everyday life, of ancestors and tradition, of celebration and resistance.

Melody of China (USA)
Deep Roots (2021, San Francisco Premiere) (90 mins. With intermission)
Community Music Center. Sunday May 5, 2:00pm
A colorful and exciting program spanning various regions of China performed by virtuoso musicians on traditional instruments: erhu; yangqin; guzheng; pipa; sheng; dizi and paigu. The program features guest artist Rachel Xu on cello and a new work, The Enchantment of Dance by composer Phil Young.

Navaye Azadi Choir & Ensemble (USA)
Women, Life Freedom Concert (90 mins. with intermission)
Community Music Center. Sunday May 5, 6:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Navaye Azadi is a group of activist musicians, singers, and actors, who support the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran that escalated in September 2022 following the murder of Mahsa Amini by the Iranian regime.

Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini (USA)
Sotaques Brasileiros (60 mins w/o intermission)
Arcana SF. Sunday May 5, 7:30pm. TIX: FREE
San Francisco-born Natalie Cressman, a sublimely talented young trombonist and vocalist, returns to her hometown with Brazilian guitarist and singer Ian Faquini to present a uniquely intimate duo collaboration, drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition.

East European Folk-Life Center (USA)
Balkan Sundays (180 minutes with intermissions)
Bissap Baobab. Sunday May 5 & 11, 7:30pm. Tix: $35 including dinner
Conclude the Festival’s program each week with live music from Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and beyond courtesy of Sean Tergis and the East European Folk-Life Center. Dancing encouraged!

Pandan Leaf Collective (USA)
Until Now: The Women who Shape Us (60 mins w/o intermission)
El Rio, Thursday May 9, 6:00pm. Tix: FREE
The Pandan Leaf Collective, a group comprised of four independent Asian American women singer-songwriters (Katherine Park, Lisa Graciano, Frances Ancheta and MJoy), present a special concert of songs inspired by the women who shape our lives.

Rachel Garlin (USA)
The Ballad of Madelyne & Therese (2023)
El Rio, Thursday May 9, 8:00pm. Tix: $15 - $20
A soundtrack for the story of forbidden love. Songs artfully slung together with hemp-rope and heart. Delivering notes from the present day, but also subtly illuminating the year 1940 when certain couples - like Madelyne and Therese - could only love each other undercover, in code, in the margins of bars, or bravely and occasionally, right under the stars. Followed by period dance party with DJ Rockaway.

Tom Yang & Terry Eder (France & USA)
Trip'n'n Winter, A Fresh Look at Schubert's Winterreise (2017) (75 mins w/o intermission)
Community Music Center. Thursday May 9, 8:00pm. Tickets: $20 - $28
Singer and choreographer Tom Yang and concert pianist Terry Eder present Franz Schubert's most famous song cycle, composed in 1827, the year before the composer's death at 31 years old.  "Trip'n'n Winter" is Tom's ongoing project, "looking for the light" in this cold, bleak world of ice and snow...and rejection.

Ancient Future (USA)
Global Guitar Summit with Matthew Montfort and Teja Gerken (75 mins. with intermission)
American scalloped fretboard guitar and world fusion music pioneer Matthew Montfort and German fingerstyle guitarist extraordinaire Teja Gerken perform new arrangements of classical works, Celtic music, Indian classical, contemporary compositions, popular songs, and much more.

Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University (USA),
A 25 year Retrospective (90 mins w/o intermission)
Community Music Center. Saturday May 11, 2:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
A milestone celebration of the Ensemble under its founder and director Dr. John Calloway. Panel facilitator Luis Medina will interview John about the ensemble’s formation, mission, history and numerous accomplishments. Former students and colleagues will also share their memories. But live music will be the main feature of the presentation!

Amelia Romano Trio (USA)
Modern Minds (70 mins. with intermission)
Red Poppy Art House. Saturday May 11, 2:30pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Having completed a masters in classical lever harp performance in 2023, Amelia Romano continues her quest to seek out and perform the repertoire of living female composers.  This program features string trio adaptations of solo harp music written by living creatives, based in Germany, Denmark, France, Scotland and the Bay Area.

Greek Chamber Music Project (USA)
Uproot (2023) (75 mins. w/o intermission)
Community Music Center, Saturday May 11, 7:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
The Greek Chamber Music Project (GCMP) presents Uproot, a powerful program of Greek songs from Asia Minor. This album release show features modern arrangements that celebrate this vibrant musical heritage, while capturing the refugee experience through song. Uproot weaves histories and personal stories throughout, generating a universal dialogue about the impact of forced migration and building a bridge to the experience of modern-day refugees.

The Flex Duo (USA)
Interactive Music (70 mins. with intermission)
Red Poppy Art House. Saturday May 11, 7:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Listen - feel - dance - sing - The Flex Duo featuring Bryan Dyer and David Worm plays arranged songs and creates music spontaneously using their versatility and musicianship. From this becomes an interactive experience where listeners have the opportunity to sing and participate in the performance.

New Art Collaboration (USA)
KEYSCAPES 2024: New Identity in Improvisation for Piano and Percussion (World Premiere) (60 mins. w/o intermission)
Community Music Center, Sunday May 12, 2:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Featuring pianists Ting Luo, Motoko Honda and Kevin Lo with percussionist Kevin Corcoran. Experience the enchantment of dynamic duets and trios, culminating in a powerful quartet performance. A dynamic concert where each performer presents their unique interpretation of new identities in contemporary and improvisational music.

Gamelan Sekar Jaya (USA)
Mission Cultural Center. Sunday May 12, 2:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Shared Bill with Purnamasari
Gamelan Sekar Jaya’s Gender Wayang Ensemble, led by Guest Music Director Ni Nyoman Srayamurtikanti and featuring Guest Dance Director I Made Suteja will feature a rare performance of Balinese Wayang Wong dance.

Sumi Lee Collective (USA)
Contemporary Tango Concert (90 mins with intermission)
Community Music Center. Sunday May 12, 6:00pm. Tix: $20 - $28
Pianist, Sumi Lee brings her ever-evolving collective of Bay Area and international Tango-istas back to the Festival for a closing night concert and milonga.

Photos Available on Request