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“…this fabulous festival truly represents the diversity that makes San Francisco so great. ”
– Jason Victor Serinus, SF Examiner |
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Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu |
Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu + Special Guests
Saturday, May 2, 1–2:30pm
Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, Patrick Makuakane's dynamic Hawaiian dance company, presents a program of visually captivating hula. In its only full-length San Francisco performance this year, the company will feature a rich blend of traditional and contemporary forms of hula, showcasing a delightful combination of signature pieces and audience favorites in the hula kahiko, hula 'auana, and hula mua styles. Performances are given in a "talk-story" format, incorporating narration and dance to provide a rich cultural context.
“There is nothing quite like the lilting flow of it all.”
– New York Times
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INTRODUCING
Let’s Go Dance @ Jessie! Series
Jessie Square turns into a downtown open-air dance party with live bands playing groovin’ rhythms, from polka to salsa, swing to bhangra, and beyond. Jessie Square is located next to St. Patrick's Church and the Contemporary Jewish Museum. First Thursdays of the month – come early for the dance lessons, stay late for the dancing!
Kugelplex
Thursday, May 7, 6–7:30pm, Jessie Square
Join the fun as Kugelplex plays wild, soulful dance music, featuring lessons by Yiddish dance maven Bruce Bierman. The West Coast's rockin'-est purveyor of klezmer and old-world party music, Kugelplex is Jason Ditzian (clarinet), Rob Reich (accordion), David Rosenfeld (mandolin, violin, badchan), Marguerite Ostro (violin/vocals), Eugene Warren (bass), Michael Pinkham (percussion) and Jewlia Eisenberg (vocals). Kugelplex is presented in conjunction with the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s exhibition Chagall and the Artists of the Russian Jewish Theater, 1919-1949. Come early for Klezmer dance lessons!
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Kugelplex |
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 Georges Lammam
Naser Musa
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The Glories of Arab Music
Georges Lammam Ensemble featuring Naser Musa
Saturday, May 9, 1–2:30pm
Arabic music, from Moroccan gnawa to Egyptian classical music, from Algerian rai to Lebanese zajal singing, reflects the diversity of cultural expression across the twenty-two countries that make up the Arab world. In spite of regional differences, however, there are common structural and aesthetic elements that make each of these traditions recognizable as Arabic. Today's concert sheds a light on the different geographic, historical, linguistic and cultural influences that have resulted in one of the world's great musical traditions.
Georges Lammam has performed since the age of 15. Of Palestinian descent, he is well-known in the Middle East and the United States as a solo violinist exemplifying the Arab style of instrumental improvisation and lyricism. Mr. Lammam is well-versed in the beautiful repertory of classical and popular Arabic music and is a well-regarded teacher of violin and Arabic singing.
Special guest, Naser Musa is recognized as an oud (Arabic lute) virtuoso and a talented singer and composer, as well as specialist in the khaleejy music of the Arabian Gulf region. Born in Jordan and now based in Los Angeles, he has composed, arranged, and recorded numerous projects in the Middle East and the U.S. He was a featured soloist with the Cairo Orchestra during its 2005 U.S. tour with Grammy winners Youssou N’Dour of Senegal, and Egyptian producer and arranger Fathy Salama.
Presented with the Arab Cultural Center of San Francisco.
(Narrated program)
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Artists Guild
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Artists Guild
Saturday, May 9, 9am–5pm, East Garden
The Artists Guild of San Francisco is the oldest outdoor art collective in the country. |
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Direct from Taiwan!
O-Kai Singers + Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble
Sunday, May 10, 1–3pm
The O-Kai Singers, founded in 2004 with members from the Atayal tribes in Taiwan, has won numerous awards in major a cappella competitions in Taiwan as well as in Europe. The O-Kai Singers has performed in many major cities in Taiwan, European countries and the U.S. to rave reviews.
The Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble consists of six renowned Taiwanese musicians, directed by lead singer and guitarist, Mr. Hsieh. Other ensemble members include singers, guitarist, flutist, and erhu fiddler. The group performs and adapts popular multicultural Taiwanese folk songs as well as western music.
 Sponsored by the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California, as part of the annual Taiwanese American Cultural Festival celebrated in the Bay Area during the Asian Pacific Heritage Month of May.
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O-Kai Singers |
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ShadowLight Productions Wayang Bali |
ShadowLight Productions Wayang Bali
Sunday, May 16, 8–9pm
Wayang Bali, the Balinese shadow play, is one of the most exciting undiscovered events of world theater. Until recently, language barriers have kept its drama and humor hidden from the world at large. Larry Reed and his gamelan musicians make it possible for Western audiences to enjoy this classical form of storytelling. Plots for the shadow play are drawn from the Mahabharata myth cycle, in which five brothers are pitted against one hundred jealous cousins in a struggle for power involving gods, demons, magical weapons, and the inevitable beautiful princess. Wayang Bali has been awarded the UNIMA-USA Citation for Excellence, puppetry's highest award.
“...genius with light and motion”
– Oakland Tribune
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The Sephardic Music Experience featuring Kat Parra
Saturday, May 23, 1–2:30pm
Jazz vocalist Kat Parra explores the exciting and vibrant music of the Sephardic Jews, inviting the listener on a journey, traveling from the Iberian Peninsula, with all of its Moorish influences, across the ocean into Latin America. In aiding in the preservation of Ladino, a dying language of the Spanish Jews, it is Parra’s hope to inspire and lift the universal consciousness into a conversation of hope and peace among all religions and cultures of the world. Parra will be joined by musical director and pianist Murray Low, Masaru Koga (woodwinds), Stephanie Antoine (violin), Peter Barshay (acoustic bass), Katja Cooper (drums) and Paul van Wageningen (drums). (Narrated program)
“Her voice, rich confident and inviting, enthusiastically floats over these toe-tapping salsas. Traditional tunes… have an invigorating mix of Mediterranean charm and Lambert Hendricks and Ross linguistic gymnastics.”
– George W. Harris, JazzWeekly.com |
Kat Parra
Photo: Michelle Longosz ©2007 |
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Circus Bella
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Circus Bella
Saturday, May 30, Noon & 2:15pm, meet the artists following 2nd show
The band strikes up and the show begins! Acrobats bound through the air! The funambulist runs across the rope! Props are flying everywhere! The strong man is beat-boxing! Is a clown running the show? Who is the beauty up in the air? We invite you to be carried away by Circus Bella, a one-ring circus set to the sounds of the Bella All-Stars. The show combines contemporary performance with the rich tradition of the American Circus and features acrobatics, juggling, slackwire, beatboxing, eccentric performance, aerial artistry, and musical mastery.
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SPECIAL PROJECT
La Rumba No Es Como Ayer (Rumba is Not Like Yesterday)
May 5 – June 16
Taught by John Santos, and presented in partnership with SFJAZZ and MoAD, this low-cost lecture series delves into the evolution, anatomy, and relevance of the Cuban rumba. YBGF e-News subscribers: For ticket discounts, please call YBGF office, 415-543-1718, for Promotion Code and instructions.
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John Santos
Photo: Dennis Scherzer |
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*BUZZ*ing around the Gardens |
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Liuli Anniversary Event, April 24 to May 10 (Mother's Day)
Liuli Glass Art Gallery revives ancient Chinese craftsmanship in downtown San Francisco. For more information please visit www.liuli.us or call 415-979-9588. |
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World Savvy's Global Youth Media and Arts Festival, Zeum, May 9
World Savvy's Global Youth Media & Arts Festival celebrates the creativity and vision of over 500 Bay area youth artists as they address the theme, "Immigration and Identity" through art, media and performance. Youth artists will be present and will share original art, poetry and performance. Perfect for the whole family! Please visit the Zeum website for more information.
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Jewels in the Square, Union Square, April–October
80 FREE events over the summer in the heart of downtown San Francisco, including Lindy in the Square, Night Caps Blues Band, Moon Alice, Salsa in the Square, and Film Night! Click here for a schedule of events.
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Oy Vey! Thursday, Contemporary Jewish Museum
1st Thursday of the month, June–September
Begin each month with a unique and stylish atmosphere at Oy Vey! Thursday at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Unwind with a signature cocktail, listen to music, kvetch with friends, and see some art! For more details, please visit the CJM website.
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YBG "Learning Days" Series
The Learning Garden offers programming every Sunday morning, with a larger special event on the last Saturday of each month. Download the current schedule.
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YBGF Goes 2.0
   Find pictures of artists, video clips of performances, and up-to-date information on our season. Check us out on MySpace and Facebook. You can also follow us @YBGF on Twitter for event reminders and up-to-the-minute updates on weather and more! |
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Season Sponsors
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Support our 2009 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival sponsors.
Sponsors make possible all the FREE public programming in Yerba Buena Gardens.
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About the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents classical, world and jazz music, contemporary and traditional dance, theater, children’s and family programs, and cultural events reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the region. Artistic excellence, inclusion, diversity, and innovation are at the heart of our mission. As the only curated arts park fully dedicated to the long-term presentation of free arts and cultural programs, Yerba Buena Gardens has a unique place in the cultural landscape of San Francisco.
Yerba Buena Gardens is located on Mission between 3rd & 4th Streets in downtown San Francisco, approximately 2 blocks from the BART/MUNI Powell or Montgomery Street stations. MUNI bus lines, CalTrain, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and AC Transit all make convenient stops near the Gardens.
All programs are free with open seating; however, chair seating is limited. We recommend attendees dress in layers and bring blankets, picnics, and low lawn chairs for optimum comfort. YBGF caps and new limited edition t-shirts designed by world-renowned SF artist Michael Rios (1st in our series of artist-designed t-shirts) are available for a small donation.
NO PETS PLEASE. ADA accessible.  |
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Yerba Buena Gardens Festival | Yerba Buena Arts & Events
760 Howard Street | San Francisco, CA 94103 | 415-543-1718
www.YBGF.org |
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