2005 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS: David Perry/Barbara Webb - David Perry & Associates
(415) 693-0583

A NEW PROGRAM IN 2005
The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Announces
Music in the Gardens 101 - Narrated Family Concerts
Selected Saturdays, through October, 2005
Esplanade Gardens, Mission & Third Streets, San Francisco
ADMISSION FREE!
Saturday, June 18, 2005, 1 - 2pm
"Calcutta to California: The New Maihar Band"

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. May 16, 2005. The 2005 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents the second in a series of narrated family concerts in Yerba Buena Gardens from 1 to 2 pm on June 18, 2005 at 1 pm."From Calcutta to California: The New Maihar Band" features The New Maihar Band performing the music of the legendary maestro Ali Akbar Khan. The Ensemble was originally inspired by the experiments of Ali Akbar Khan's father, Baba Allauddin Khansahib, who created the Maihar Band in India with young World War 1 orphans whom he trained to play classical instruments.

Weaving traditional Indian melodies and rhythms into a dynamic orchestral texture, the New Maihar Band presents original compositions by Maestro Khan (who, with composer George Ruckert, has created over 30 works for the ensemble) combining the contemporary energy of modern music with the deep insights of an ancient tradition. Members include Wallace Harvey and Jackie Godden, voice; Manose Newa, bansuri flute; John Riedel, bass; Christopher Ris, sarod; John Rothfield, violin; Max Rossmassler, guitar; and "Bubai" Debopriyo Sarkar, tabla. The performance is moderated by Robin Sukhadia.

Upcoming programs in the Music in the Gardens 101 Series are the 15-piece Marcus Shelby orchestra exploring American jazz (JULY 16); Melody of China performing classical, contemporary and folk music of China (AUGUST 20); Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band's take on the history of Chicano Music (SEPTEMBER 17); and the 50-member Gamelan Sekar Jaya performing the wondrous rhythms of Bali (OCTOBER 1).

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, which takes place from May through October, features over 150 events, including classical and jazz concerts, opera, performance art, international music concerts, dance performances, children's programs, theater, visual arts, puppet shows, cultural festivals, and special events.

All performances and events are free and open to the public, drawing an audience of San Francisco and Bay Area residents, tourists, and convention attendees that numbers more than 100,000 each year.

Free Artistic and Cultural Programming in Yerba Buena Gardens is made possible through the generosity of The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency; The Bernard Osher Foundation; The James Irvine Foundation; The JPMorganChase Foundation; MJM Management Group; The National Endowment for the Arts; The San Francisco Arts Commission; The San Francisco Foundation; The WA Gerbode Foundation, The Walter & Elise Haas Fund; The Zellerbach Family Foundation; and individual contributions. We gratefully acknowledge in-kind contributions from Steefel, Levitt, and Weiss; LaserCom Design; The San Francisco Marriott; Metreon; San Francisco Chronicle; San Francisco Downtown Magazine; San Francisco Bay Guardian; and JC Decaux.

Yerba Buena Arts & Events, producer of The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is located at 760 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Phone (415) 543-1718; Fax (415) 543-1755; website: http://www.ybgf.org.

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Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

produced by Yerba Buena Arts & Events

Mailing Address:
760 Howard Street
San Francisco CA 94103
Phone: 415 543 1718
Fax: 415 543 1755
info@ybgf.org
www.myspace.com/ybgfestival