Newsletter Editor

Ashley Gonzalez

SFIAF June 2022 Newsletter

in this last issue before our September return

Chanel Byb Bibene in San Francisco

Artist highlights from past interview and press release. Including the dance educator, choreographer, and performer, Byb's media coverage for the upcoming show.

Countdown to July Program

The world premier of Kiandanda Dance Theater's Religion-Kitendi (Dress Code) is approaching.

June-July Community Calendar

Selected local events for the coming month

Volunteer for SFIAF

Join the team and get free tickets to our events! For more information CLICK HERE

Byb on
Religion Kitendi: Dress Code, Some Highlights

Last month, Ashley interviewed choreographer, educator, and founder of Kiandanda Dance Theater, Byb Bibene about the company's premiere of "Religion Kitendi: Dress Code," for the Festival's Summer Series in July. Chanel talked about the inspiration behind the evening length production, which is a critique on high fashion.

Working with composer and musician Manolo Davila and artistic advisor and dancer Latanya D. Tigner, the three set out to portray the movement La Sape and its sociopolitical significance through music, dance and dialogue.

* See Kiandanda Dance Theater's performance for the Festival's Summer Series Friday, July 1, and Saturday July 2 at 8 p.m. Get tickets here.

* Read Ashley's interview with Byb.

* Watch Ashley's conversation with Byb on YouTube.

Press Release

Hear What the Media has to say about Byb and Kiandanda Dance Theater's Religion Kitendi (Dress Code)

Byb's media appearances, Africa Mix, the San Francisco Examiner, and the Mercury News speak with Byb.

* Listen to KALW Radio Africa Mix interview our upcoming summer series artist

* Read James Salazar of the San Francisco Examiner interview Byb on his latest piece

* Read Aimee Ts'ao of the Mercury News take on our Summer Series

* Click the button below for more media coverage featuring Byb

Media Coverage

Coming Soon, Summer Series

Continuing the Summer with the world premier of Kiandanda Theater's Religion Kitendi (Dress Code) in July

Summer Series Tickets are On-Sale for Kiandanda Dance Theater's world premier of Religion Kitendi (Dress Code) on July 1-2. For More Details CLICK HERE.

David Brandstätter's show has been postponed to October 7-9 at CounterPulse

Up Next! June 17 - July 15

Here are Ashley's selections of Bay Area performance highlights for the coming weeks.

June 17-26 at Dance Mission Theatre

Mission in the Mix

Micaya presents, Mission in the Mix featuring SoulForce Dance Company, Micaya's workshop classes and many special guest performers such as TurfForce, Elemental Remix, Frederika Keefer, Bliss Dance Company, Alli Fritz and Friends, etc.

Tickets

June 17-19 at Circus Center

The Secret Garden

After an epidemic leaves Mary orphaned, she is sent to live with her estranged Uncle in a Manor filled with mysteries and secrets. But when Mary discovers the Gardens outside, a world of possibilities are opened. The Secret Garden is a new theatrical circus based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Tickets

June 17-19 at Boyer Theatre

The Sound Inside

Don't miss the final show of the MTC 2021-2022 season – the West Coast Premiere of Adam Rapp's six-time Tony nominated thriller THE SOUND INSIDE! San Francisco Chronicle promises this taut thriller will "enchant," and Aisle Seat Review emphasizes "“Brilliantly written, brilliantly directed, and brilliantly performed."

Tickets

June 18 at Plethos

Uncorked Comedy

Host Priya Guyadeen will be bringing a lineup of seasoned comics who have been seen on stages all over the Bay Area. Headliner Phil Griffiths is a Plethos favorite who has brought the laughs and been our most requested comic since 2018. This will be a double headliner show with comedian Shawn Felipe.

Tickets

June 18 at Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens

Yerba Buena Garden Festival Presents: Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu: I OLA

The graceful Hawaiian art form hula manifests and sustains communal bonds, and after two years of struggling against isolation Nā Lei Hula’s I OLA! celebration embodies the enduring ties that have sustained the company through the pandemic. Free.

Event information

June 18 at The Lark Theater

Indo Jazz Ensemble

Composer/arranger/pianist Mariah Parker brings her stellar Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble together, featuring Grammy award winner Paul McCandless (woodwinds), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Kash Killion (bass), and special guest artist Grammy award winner percussionist Mark Walker.

Tickets

June 18 at Berkeley Piano Club

Émigrés & Exiles in Hollywood: Encore!

Reprising favorites from E4TT’s much-loved exploration of music by émigré composers who fled to Hollywood in the 1930s/40s and are credited with establishing today’s movie sound, along with Polish composers of the same era.

Tickets

June 23 at The Gregangelo Museum

Let's Do Lunch!

Thursdays at the Gregangelo Museum are our studio day. A collective of fascinating local and international artists convene to create the art, stories, costumes, and entertainment for upcoming shows and installations. For the first time, we are extending a ‘backstage’ invite to YOU to join our exclusive, artist-only, lunchtime mixer.

Tickets

June 25 at Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens

Circus Bella’s Flip * Flop * Fly

Circus Bella returns to Yerba Buena Gardens with a new open air outdoor show: Flip * Flop * Fly. In their triumphant 13th season, Circus Bella features an array of the brightest Circus talents from the Bay Area and beyond to delight and amaze audiences of all ages in an unforgettable and beloved family event. Free.

Event Information

July 9 at Fort Mason's Cowell Theater

Moband in San Francisco

Please join us for a delightful presentation by band members Mohammad Khodadadi, Mohammad Talani (guitar, arrangement), Yahya Alkhansa (percussion), and Safa Shokrai (bass). Moband will present Persian folkloric music, focused on dance music and love songs which have been systematically suppressed and banned in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Tickets

July 9 at Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens

SF Uke Jam: Summer Ukesplosion!

The ukulele is truly the people’s instrument, and SF Uke Jam is the Bay Area’s leading force bringing fans of the diminutive instrument together. Come join the SFUJ community for an afternoon uke-apalooza in the summer sun with a program showcasing the region’s foremost ukulele talent, a community strum-and-sing-along (bring your uke!) and special hula performances. Free

Event Information

July 14 at Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens

The Alaya Project

Indian-American percussionist and composer Rohan Krishnamurthy has staked out fertile soil where ancient Carnatic musical forms flow into the improvisational fields of jazz. Requiring both hand and stick techniques, the self-designed kit is at the center of The Alaya Project, an Indo-jazz-funk experiment with world-jazz luminaries Prasant Radhakrishnan (saxophone) and Colin Hogan (keyboard/accordion). Free.

Event Information

If you are a performing artist with an outdoor event or an arts organization with performances taking place in the next two months, email [email protected], to be considered for future calendar listings.