Newsletter Editor

Ashley Gonzalez

SFIAF May 2022 Newsletter

in this issue

Interview with Chanel Bibene

Chanel Bibene, A.K.A. Byb talks about his inspiration behind Religion Kitendi (Dress Code) and his journey as an artist.

David Brandstätter in San Francisco

David Brandstätter is in San Francisco before his presentation of FRE!HEIT to host the Movements Around Freedom Workshop.

Countdown to June Program

The first event for the Festival's Summer Series and the next installment of The Last Supper Party is approaching soon.

May - June 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

May Interview: Chanel Bibene Talks "Religion Kitendi," and Takes Us Through His Artistic Journey

Chanel "Byb" Bibene on Religion Kitendi (Dress Code)

For this month's newsletter, Ashley Gonzalez interviews performance artist, choreographer, educator, and founder of Kiandanda Dance Theater, Chanel Bibene about the theaters upcoming piece "Religion Kitendi (Dress Code)," for the Festival's Summer Series in July. Chanel talks about his inspiration behind the original score, a critique on high fashion culture with 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.

* Click on the button below to read Ashley's interview with Byb. Click here to watch Ashley's conversation with Byb on YouTube.

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David Brandstätter in San Francisco: The Movements Around Freedom Workshop

German choreographer and performance artist, David Brandstätter will give a free / no-cost workshop for dancers and other performing artists and students interested in exploring different physical and cerebral interpretations of the meanings of Freedom.

Titled, Movements Around Freedom Workshop, the three-hour session will take place at Lines Dance Center. David will engage students with a series of enquiries and questions designed to elicit movement interpretations from concepts of freedom. The session will culminate in developing choreographic phrases from the material developed.

As an option, participants in the workshop will be able present the results of the workshop as part of David and Michelle Jacques’ presentation of FRE!HEIT at CounterPulse on Sunday June 19.

For more information on the workshop and David, click the button below.

More Information

Summer Performances Coming Soon

Summer performances start off with the next installment of the Last Supper Party on June 4!

Entry for the event on June 4 is free! More information here.

Tickets are On-Sale for CHELLE and Friends, David Brandstätter and Kiandanda Dance Theater though the end of the month. For More Details CLICK HERE.

Up Next! May 17 - June 15

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

May 17 at YBCA Theater

LINES Ballet: Senior Showcase

Celebrate the accomplishment and artistry of the Class of 2022! The grand finale to their four-year college journey, the 2022 Senior Showcase brings our seniors to the beautiful YBCA stage in a celebration of artistic achievement. This one-show-only event also features the second-year students of the LINES Ballet

May 20 & 27 at BATS Improv

Scenes of Fortune!

A spin of the wheel sets the scene. Then BATS players jump into action. Will they get "Destiny", "Chance" or "Bankrupt"? We'll all find out at the same time in this unpredictable, fast-paced improvised game show. "Fortune" favors the bold...and it might favor YOU with a prize! Inspired by the show "Jackpot" created by BATS Alum Jason Leal.

May 20 at Freight & Salvage

Niki Jacobs - The Ballad of Mauthausen

Composed by Mikis Theodorakis with Greek poet and slave camp survivor Iakovos Kambanellis, The Ballad of Mauthausen has been translated into Yiddish to be performed by world-renowned singer Niki Jacobs supported by a small yet mighty ensemble (viola, accordian, trumpet, cello).

May 20 - June 4 at San Mateo County History Museum

Feeling Home

The Feeling Home audience will explore themes of rebuilding a home, keeping traditions alive, and facing discrimination in multiple rooms throughout the San Mateo County History Museum. Adult subject matter not recommended for children under 13.

May 21 & 28 at BATS Improve

The Bechdel Test

This original improv show created by Lisa Rowland puts multidimensional, fully fleshed-out, and complicated female characters at the centers of stories. With a mostly female cast, the BATS crew aims to break out of stereotypes often served up in mainstream film and television.

May 21 at SAFEhouse Arts

RAW showcase

Raven Malouf-Renning presents "The Next Mountain To Climb", about climbing out of the physical and psychological pit they found themself in 2021. Abigail Hinson’s takes on the concept of falling from physical, psychological, and emotional perspectives. STEAMROLLER Dance Company examines the choreographer's personal journey with addiction.

May 26 - 29 at Joe Henderson Lab

Jules Leyhe Plays Taj Mahal's The Natch'l Blues

The masterful young blues guitarist honors his mentor and friend, blues icon Taj Mahal, with music from the legend’s hugely influential 1968 Columbia album The Natch’l Blues, accompanied by his Family Jules Band.

May 27 - June 26

The Keeper

The Keeper tells the story of a woman who chooses a solitary existence with a singular purpose- to keep the light. Joy and absurdity abound in this transformative tale about the power of practice and patience.

May 28 & 29 at the School of Arts and Culture at MHP

Rhythm Spirit 2022

San Jose Taiko will be presenting their home concert series. Including special performances by Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan and Cal Raijin Taiko (Saturday) and Stanford Taiko and San Jose Junior Taiko Performing Ensemble (Sunday).

May 29 at Jackson Theater

Nirat-Nirtat : Forever Immersed in Dance

InSyncKathak Dance School and Kathak Guru Anupama Srivastava present

"Nirat-Nirtat : Forever Immersed in Dance," Solo Kathak Recitals by Reva Srivastava, Sia Agarwal, Rishitha Kona, Vyoma Bhanap, and Keya Samant.

Email here to RSVP.

June 3-4 at Joe Goode Annex

Shifting Boundaries: Conversations with Kathak

My Conversations with Kathak focuses on expanding the roots of Kathak to discover new language and
aesthetics. Each piece uses Karishma’s background in Kathak to create a distinct flavor of contemporary dance.

June 10 at Joe Henderson Lab

Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini

A sublimely talented young trombonist and vocalist versed in jazz, Brazilian music and the Afro-Cuban tradition, Bay Area-born Natalie Cressman returns in duo with Brazilian guitarist and singer Ian Faquini with music from their new release, Auburn Whisper.

June 10-11 at New Parkway Theater

Queer Dance Festival - Date Night

Free screenings of new dance films including, "Go Big or Go Home" by Aiano Nakagawa & Heather Stockton. A fantastical fever-dream, time-traveling rollercoaster. Follow two best friends on their journey of self-love, inner teen healing, and fat queer femme friendship.

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.