To update information or submit an event, email ACTA.
April
Tourism and Transition: Mai Chau, Vietnam
Life in a rural White Thai minority village of Vietnam
Through April 23, 2005
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth Street, Suite 290
Oakland, CA
“Tourism and Transition” outlines the many aspects of the lives of the White Thai (wearing white scarfs) community living in Mai Chau, Hoa Binh province, Vietnam. “Tourism and Transition” attempts to convey the varied affects of change on the community, both individually and collectively. Included in the exhibit are extensive examples of Thai handicrafts and traditional clothing produced and worn in the village.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
For more information call (510) 637-0462 or visit the Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s website.
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Celebrating Spring: The Chinese Folk Art Way
Through April 30, 2005
Chinese Culture Center
750 Kearny Street , 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
Chinese culture welcomes the arrival of Spring with celebrations that reflect multiple aspects of its cultural traditions. Going beyond the public pageantry of colorful parades, acrobatic performers and exploding firecrackers, is an intensely private expression of cherished dreams and great expectations. Homes are furnished with decorations that are deeply rooted in traditional beliefs, local customs, and cultural practices, which reveal the hopes and fears, connected with the family's activities for the coming year.
“Celebrating Spring: The Chinese Folk Art Way” highlights everyday, folk objects associated with the Spring celebration. Pictures of door guardians posted at entrances protect the family from evil influences. Images of deities from Taoist, Buddhist, and folk traditions offer personal assurances of specific blessings and safeguard from harm. Auspicious symbols convey promises for health, safety, mercy, wealth, success, and all the good things that life may bring. Some are articles and objects used by families during spring celebrations, as well as throughout the year, while others are pictorial representations that range from paintings to embroideries, and prints to woodcuts. This exhibition features folk objects drawn from different regional traditions in China.
Admission: Free
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information call (415) 986-1822, e-mail mike@c-c-c.org, or visit the Chinese Culture Center’s website.
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Classical Arts of Thailand
Through May 1, 2005
Thursday through Sunday
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Samsung Hall
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street -
San Francisco, CA 94102
Vibul and Patchara Wonprasat will demonstrate Thai painting. Visitors can make their own jewelry inspired by the objects in the exhibition The Kingdom of Siam. Thai performing arts will be displayed through video and music in the media area.
Admission: Free with museum admission of $5-$10
Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.,
Thursday 10:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m.
For more information visit the museum website or call (415) 581-3500.
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Generaciones: Three Generations of Mexican Women Immigrants
Through June 15, 2005
San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, CA
“Generaciones: Three Generations of Mexican Women Immigrants” celebrates the similarities and differences among generations, and enhances understanding of the immigrant experience. The San Diego Museum of Man, Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI), film maker Joyce Axelrod, and artist Viviana Lombrozo are collaborating to bring several public programs to the Museum this spring.
Through a grant from the California Council for the Humanities California Story Fund, BLCI is documenting the lives of women from five Mexican immigrant families. Film maker Joyce Axelrod interviewed and videotaped the women—including grandmothers born in Mexico, mothers who were the first generation to emigrate, and daughters born in California. The families were given video cameras so they could document aspects of their own lives. The videos will be incorporated into a documentary that will be shown regularly in the Museum Orientation Center through June 15.
Artist Viviana Lombrozo has been working with the five families to create art that interprets the individual ways family ties are maintained. For example, one family enjoys cooking and sharing traditional foods, and their project will visually depict their family's culinary history. The art projects will be featured in a Main Floor exhibit.
Admission: $6
Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. daily
For more information call (619) 239-2001 or visit the museum’s website.
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Native Voices . . . Honoring the Animals
Through July 2005
The Maidu Interpretive Center & Historic Site
1960 Johnson Ranch Drive
Roseville, CA 95661
The “Native Voices...Honoring the Animals” exhibit presents photographs, audiotapes and videotapes of native people sharing how they honor the animals for providing food, clothing, tools, and regalia.
Admission: $4.00
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
For more information call (916) 774-5934 or visit the center’s website.
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Luis Ortega’s Rawhide Artistry:
Braiding in the California Tradition
Through July 4, 2005
Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Art and function intertwine in the work of Luis Ortega. Many California horsemen of the 20th century have used his braided reins and hackamores, marveling at his ability to create horse equipment with just the right flexibility and weight. A fifth-generation Californian, Ortega was known for his intricate and colorful work. This exhibition is a tribute to Luis and Rose Ortega, honoring their accomplishments and their legacy among horsemen throughout the West.
Admission: $7.50
Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
For more information call (323) 667-2000 or visit the museum’s website.
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Woven Legacy: A Collection of Dat-so-la-lee Works,
1900-1921
May 1 through October 31, 2005
Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum
130 West Lake Blvd.
Tahoe City, CA
The collection comprises an exhibition of 62 miniatures and models, woven for Amy Cohn, from 1900-1921. Dat-so-la-lee (Louisa Keyser) became well known for her talent while creating baskets exclusively for Cohn's Emporium Stores in Carson City, NV and Tahoe City, CA, producing over 100 recorded large and miniature Washoe-style baskets, from 1895-1925. Her creations have since become well known and remain a lasting tribute to the artist. This will be the first time Amy Cohn's personal collection will be on public display. This exhibition will feature baskets, personal items, photographs and educational materials.
Admission: $3
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information call (530) 583-1762 or visit the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society website.
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Seasons of Migration: Dance & Music from Cambodia
Dance & Music Ensembles of the Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh
April 8, Davis
April 29, Berkeley
Deeply committed to preserving and reviving the rich cultural traditions of Cambodia, dancer and choreographer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro has created a deeply personal evening of music and dance exploring the cross-cultural experience of migration and "culture shock." Shapiro is one of the first generation of classical dancers to emerge from Phnom Penh's Royal University of Fine Arts (the nation's official arts conservatory) after the Pol Pot genocide, and has received great critical acclaim for her Samritechak — a Cambodian re-imagining of Othello — which recently toured to the Hong Kong Arts Festival and Venice Biennale. Paired with the traditional dance drama Ream Eyso & Moni Mekhala ("The God of Thunder and the Goddess of Lightning"), this program demonstrates how the new emerges from the old and how one brings new perspective to the other. Sophiline Cheam Shapiro was also a master artist in ACTA’s apprenticeship program.
April 8, 2005— 8:00 p.m.
Mondavi Center
UC Davis campus
Davis, CA
Admission: $24-34
For more information visit the Mondavi Center’s website.
April 29, 2005— 8:00 p.m.
Zellerbach Hall - UC Berkeley Campus
Bancroft Way (at Telegraph)
Berkeley, CA
See the UC Berkeley campus website calendar.
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Cambodian New Year
April 9, 2005
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Scottish Rite Center
2455 Masonic Dr.
San Jose, CA 95125
The Cambodian-American community of Santa Clara County will celebrate its 20th annual cultural New Year in an event featuring blessings by Buddhist monks, Khmer classical and folk dances, a children’s fashion show, and a social dance with Sek Meas Band and Cambodian singer Mr. Meas Somali.
Admission: evening program $15
For more information contact kny@wattkhmer.org or visit Cambodian American Resource Agency’s website.
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Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble
April 15, San Pablo
May 19, San Francisco
Filipino rondalla is a traditional string ensemble of the Northern Philippines. In the 16th century the Spaniards brought the "Spanish rondalla." Over the centuries, the Filipinos indigenized the form by infusing it with traditional rhythms of the drums and melodies of the lute, love songs, and lullabies. Herna Cruz, co-director of Likha Folk Ensemble Rondalla, is a mentor in ACTA’s Folk and Traditional Arts Mentorship Initiative.
The Likha mission is to educate and propagate the practice of Philippine folk dance and musical traditions. Founded in 1992, Likha has nurtured a generation of young community dancers, and now has an active roster of over 45 dancers and musicians. Likha is a Tagalog word meaning creation or creativity.
April 15, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Knox Center for the Performing Arts
Contra Costa College
Entrance of El Portal Drive and Castro Street
San Pablo, CA
Admission: Free
For more information see LIKHA’s website or Contra Costa College’s website.
May 19, 2005 - 7:00 p.m.
Asian Art Museum
Samsung Hall
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Admission: Free with museum admission
This performance is co-sponsored by Kularts and the Filipino American Development Foundation.
For more information visit the Asian Art Museum website.
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Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
April 16—Oakland
April 24—Orinda
May 7—Palo Alto
May 14—Redding
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir is a multiracial interfaith choir that performs traditional black church music.
For more information visit the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s website.
April 16, 2005
Workshop 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Free Concert 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Oakland
27th & Harrison Streets
Admission: $40 in advance; $45 at the door; seniors and youth 12-18: $20 in advance; $25 at the door; scholarships available. To pre-register, or for more information please visit the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir website.
April 24, 2005 - 3:00 p.m.
Orinda Community Church Spring Concert Series
10 Irwin Way
Orinda, CA 94563
For more information call (925) 254-4906.
May 7, 2005 - 7:00 p.m.
Interfaith Network for Community Help Benefit Concert
Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverly St.
Palo Alto, CA
For more information call (650) 941-1360.
May 14, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Cascade Theatre
1731 Market St.
Redding, CA
For tickets contact (530) 243-8877 or visit the Cascade Theatre’s website.
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Barranquilla Baila
April 16, 2005
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Gallery
2868 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
Barranquilla Baila features contemporary and folkloric Colombian dance & percussion.
Choreographed and taught by Beatriz Restrepo, Artistic Director of the Colombian Ethnic Dance Ensemble and Musical Director Mario Vinasco of Tambores de Colombia.
For more information call (415) 821-1155 or visit the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts website.
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Celebrating Khmer New Year – A Special 6th Anniversary Performance
April 16, 2005
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Crawford High School Auditorium
4191 Colts Way
San Diego, CA
Cambodian Dancers of San Diego presents their sixth anniversary performance. There are two types of dance in the Cambodian performing dance repertoire: court dances, classical dance, and folk dance. Many of the Khmer court dances tell stories of legendary myths. Dancers are female and play the roles of the prince, princess, and demon. The dance movements are generally gentle and accompanied by a Khmer traditional orchestra, called the Pin Peat.
Folk dance, on the other hand, is fast moving and vocalized. Folk dance depicts the social life, talents, and hobbies of Cambodian people. Teasing and flirting between male and female dancers are included in the dance to reflect the reality of the fun, friendly gestures of the villagers.
Cambodian folk dances will give the audience an understanding of Cambodian life as it is portrayed in the countryside. Audience members will have the opportunity to learn a few steps of Cambodian popular dances.
Admission: $10; $5 for children under 12
For more information call (619) 733-8187 or visit the Cambodian Dancer’s website.
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Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival
April 16 – 17, 2005
Barnes Park
350 McPherrin Ave.
Monterey Park, CA
Planned and coordinated by community volunteers, the Cherry Blossom Festival features traditional Japanese dancing, taiko drums, martial arts, tea ceremony, and hand-made crafts and food. Other highlights of the festival include games & crafts for children, cultural displays, and the annual Baby Pageant.
Admission: Free
For more information see the Festival’s website.
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38th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
April 16 – 24, 2005
San Francisco Japantown
Post and Buchanan Streets
San Francisco, CA
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival started as a display of Japanese cultural heritage and pride. Throughout the 38 years, it has grown to encompass the many facets of the Japanese community. Throughout the two weekends, the streets of Japantown become a live stage where visitors can experience Japanese dancing, singing, martial arts demonstrations, as well as Japanese delicacies. The U.S./Japan Taiko Festival is held on April 23. On Sunday, April 24, the Grand Parade begins at the Civic Center at 1:00 p.m., proceeding up Polk to Post Street, and ends in Japantown. At the finale of the parade is the Taru Mikoshi ( barrel- shaped portable shrine) that will be hoisted by over one hundred individuals.
For more information see the Cherry Blossom Festival’s website.
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San Francisco Festival of the Mandolins
April 17, 2005
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Croation American Cultural Center
60 Onondaga Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112
Performing will be Aurora Mandolin Orchestra which is among the last large mandolin orchestras in Northern California. Formed in 1970 by Gino Pellegrini, Aurora has regularly performed for various festivals and community events. Zighi Baci will play dance music—in the Italian “Ballo Liscio” style: waltzes, mazurkas, polkas, rhumbas, tangos, tarantellas, paso dobles, jotas, and marches. The Instant Klezmer Mandolin Orchestra is a newly-formed ad hoc ensemble comprised of mandolin players from many of the Bay Area's klezmer groups. They play a mixture of lively and stately tunes from the Yiddish dance music repetoire.
The concert is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The performers will offer workshops from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Festival goers are invited to bring a mandolin at 12:00 p.m. to join the BYO Mandolin Orchestra.
Admission: $15
For more information call (510) 649-0941 or visit the Center’s website.
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Sonoma County Self-Portrait: Collections of Folklore and Folklife at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College
April 21, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
Sonoma County Museum
425 Seventh Street
Santa Rosa, CA
William Spires, Professor of Anthropology at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) will present a slide lecture on the special folklore and folk life collections of Dr. Hector Lee of Sonoma State University and Dr. Dianne Smith of SRJC. Between them, these collections are a unique repository of oral history and folk memory reaching far back into the 19th century and extending to the present day traditions of workers and immigrants. The presentation will survey the collections, illustrate them with examples, and make suggestions for their use as public resources.
William Spires’ areas of scholarly work span the fields of anthropology, historical archaeology, ethnography, American labor history, folklife, folklore, and traditional music of North America.
Admission: $7.50
For more information call (707) 579-1500 or visit the museum’s website.
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Talking Heads: A Tabla Performance by Anuradha Pal
April 21, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Samsung Hall - Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
The Society for Art and Heritage of India launches its young professional program with this concert. A disciple of the world-renowned tabla maestros, the late Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pal has performed extensively around the world.
Admission: $10 (includes museum admission after 5:00 p.m.)
Tickets available beginning March 21, 2005 from the Asian Art Museum website or at the Admission Desk. For more information call (415) 581-3500.
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US – Japan Taiko Festival
April 23, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Kabuki Theater
Post and Fillmore Streets
San Francisco, CA
The festival will feature performances by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, San Francisco Taiko Dojo, San Francisco Taiko Dojo Rising Starts and special guests from Japan Sakai Furusato Taiko, Wake Kiyomaro Taiko, and Asunaro Taiko.
For more information call (415) 928-2456 or visit San Francisco Taiko Dojo’s website.
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4th Annual Encuentro de Jaraneros
April 23, 2005
12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Plaza México
3100 E. Imperial Highway
Lynwood, CA
Los Angeles’ 4th annual Encuentro de Jaraneros – literally “Meeting of Jarana Players,” is a festival celebrating the driving, high-spirited jarocho music and dance of Veracruz, Mexico. It is called an “encounter” or “meeting” rather than a festival because it’s open to anyone who wants to play. This year’s headliner is the son jarocho ensemble Tlen-Huicani, led by maestro Alberto de la Rosa and based at the University of Veracruz in the state’s capital, Jalapa. Other scheduled acts include more than 16 groups from Southern California including Son del Centro, Conjunto Jardín, Son Real, Conjunto Alma Grande, Xochisoneros, Tenocelomeh, Las Conchitas del Mar, Los Tigres de la Sierra, Xoloitzcuintli, Sol y Mar and Costa Verde.
The event is produced by a coalition of musical groups and organizations under the banner of the Movimiento Jaranero de California (Jarana Players Movement), which is patterned after the annual Encuentro de Jaraneros in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz. Sponsoring organizations include the Club Veracruzano de California and Plaza México. For more information please visit Encuentro's website or call (323) 664-3982.
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Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival
April 23 – 24, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Memorial Park
Stevens Creek Boulevard and Mary Ave.
Cupertino, CA
The 22nd Annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival honors the Sister City Relationship with Toyokawa, Japan. The festival features Japanese and American food, taiko drum groups, classical Japanese dancers, martial arts schools, musical groups, and cultural displays. There will also be a large koi fish display, a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration, and over sixty arts and crafts booths. Ohtori No Kai USA Okinawa Dance Academy will perform at the festival at 2:45 p.m. The director of Ohtori No Kai, Noriyoshi Arakaki, is a master in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program.
For more information call (408) 257-7424 or visit the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister City Program website.
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Lithuanian Straw-work
April 30, 2005 - 1:00 p.m.
Main Floor Exhibit Area
California Academy of Sciences
875 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
Alberta Astras and Mary Currier demonstrate the techniques of Lithuanian straw-work, fashioning geometric shapes from flattened wheat shafts. Many of the designs, such as lattice mobiles, stars, and snowflakes, are customarily used as ornaments on the Lithuanian Christmas tree.
Admission: Free with museum admission of $2-7
For more information see the museum website or call (415) 321-8385.
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May
Gypsy Crossings
May 1—Los Angeles
May 5—Santa Cruz
May 6—Davis
May 8—Berkeley
Taraf de Haïdouks, who's name translates as "band of brigands," are gypsy lautari (traditional musicians) from the small Romanian Village of Clejani. A dozen instrumentalists and singers ranging in age from 20 to 78 who live by and for their music, which punctuates all the important events of the village's social life: christenings, weddings, burials, harvests. Their mix of local styles, representing the richness of the Romanian folk tradition, ranges from heartland ballads to fiddle dances. The group was included on the sound track of the 1992 film Latcho Drom.
May 1, 2005 - 7:00 p.m.
Royce Hall
UCLA Campus
Los Angeles, CA
Admission: $22, $35, $45
For more information visit UCLA Live’s website.
May 5, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA
Admission: $23, $27
To purchase tickets (831) 459-2159 or visit the UC Santa Cruz ticket office.
May 6, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Jackson Hall
Mondavi Center
UC Davis Campus
Davis, CA
Admission: $13 - $36
For more information visit the Mondavi Center’s website.
May 8, 2005 - 7:00 p.m.
Zellerbach Hall
Zellerbach Hall - UC Berkeley Campus
Bancroft Way (at Telegraph)
Berkeley , CA
Admission: $22, $30, $42
For more information see the UC Berkeley campus website calendar.
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The 9th Annual California Herdeljezi Festival
May 6th, 2005, 6:30 p.m.
May 7th, 2005, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sebastopol Community Center
390 Morris Street
Sebastopol, CA
Herdeljezi is a traditional Romani neighborhood celebration announcing the end of the cold, indoor season and the renewal of outdoor, nomadic life. In 1997 Voice of Roma, a past participant in ACTA’s Traditional Arts Development Program, created the first Herdeljezi Festival in California. It was designed as a means of preserving and sharing the cultural traditions and folk arts of the Romani people in the United States, while building a sense of community among the friends and neighbors who help to make it happen. Since then the Herdeljezi Festival has become an annual event that draws larger crowds each year. Nine years later, the Herdeljezi Festival continues to help Voice of Roma create a sense of "mahala" (community-neighborhood) infusing it with the traditional music, songs, dances, stories, foods, crafts, literature and customs of the Roma. Both events benefit Voice of Roma's efforts on behalf of the Roma in/from Kosovo by educating the public and international organizations about their plight and providing them with humanitarian aid.
For more information visit Voice of Roma’s website.
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Fandango Without Borders
May 7th, 2005, 8:00 p.m.
Luckman Fine Arts Complex
California State University Los Angeles Campus
Los Angeles, CA
Danza Floricanto/USA’s artistic director, Gema Sandoval, and Quetzal’s music director, Quetzal Flores, present Fandango Without Borders, a celebration of Mexican folk dance inspired by the music of Veracruz, Mexico. This artistic journey of dance, music, and song spans the era of the “large” folk dance companies to the current Mexican folk dance and music craze that has found its way into diverse communities across America. This cultural exploration highlights the resurgence of the son jarocho, reaffirming the indigenous and African roots in Mexican music and dance, and the seminal influence of the “Chicano Sound.”
To purchase tickets call the box office at (323) 343-6600 or visit the Danza Floricanto website.
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Gamelan Sekar Jaya
May 7—San Francisco
May 14—Point Reyes Station
Gamelan Sekar Jaya is a fifty-member ensemble of musicians and dancers, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, that specialize in the performing arts of Bali, Indonesia.
May 7, 2005 - 8:15 p.m.
Noe Valley Ministry
1021 Sanchez Street (near 24th St.)
San Francisco, CA
For tickets call (415) 454-5238 or visit the Noe Valley Ministry’s website.
May 14, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Dance Palace
Corner of 5th and B Street
Point Reyes Station, CA
Admission: $14 advance; $16 at the door
To purchase tickets visit www.tickets.com.
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Los Cenzontles
May 13, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Freight and Salvage Coffee House
1111 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA
Los Cenzontles (the Mockingbirds) explore the wide range of vernacular Mexican music.
The show begins with a celebration of the variety of Mexican music, weaving together traditional with contemporary sounds, from tropical sones jarochos of Veracruz to the pirecuas of indigenous Michoacan, from traditional mariachi with foot-stomping zapateado dancing to rancheras from the Mexican countryside.
In a separate set, Los Cenzontles is joined by Julian Gonzalez, a former master in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program, has a two decades old history of teaching traditional arts as a means of strengthening youth, their families, and the local community.
Admission: $18.50
For more information call (510) 548-1761.
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Music in the Park Featuring Mariachi Music
May 14, 2005
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sycamore Grove Park
Mt. Washington
Figueroa Ave. (just South of Ave. 50)
Los Angeles, CA
Mariachi Los Toros, a new mariachi group fresh from the Hollywood Bowl’s Mariachi USA festival will perform. The dance group Grupo Sabor de Mexico will open the event.
Admission: Free
For more information call 323.221.2164 or visit the Southwest Museum’s website.
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Korean Musical Ceremony with Byung Ki Hwang, Aeju Lee, Hi Kyung Kim, Tandy Beal, Elliot Anderson, and Ensemble Parallèle
May 18, 2005, 8:00 p.m.
Palace of Fine Arts Theater
3301 Lyon
San Francisco, CA 94123
This two-part performance is composed of traditional and contemporary works that explore the topics of death and rebirth, the soul’s journey after death, and transformation of the spirit. The evening includes a post performance reception hosted by the South Korean Consulate General. This event is co-presented by San Francisco International Arts Festival and Korea Times.
Admission: $25 or $35 reserved seats.
To purchase tickets contact the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Box Office or call (415) 978-ARTS. For more information visit the Asian Art Museum’s website.
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Chinese Vegetable Carving
May 21, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
California Academy of Sciences
Main Floor
875 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
In the hands of Chinese chef and culinary artist Jimmy Zhang, ordinary vegetables and fruits are transformed into edible works of art. Carved in the form of animals, flowers, birds or insects, these miniature sculptures are used as a decorative food garnish or an elaborate table centerpiece.
For more information see the California Academy of Sciences website or call (415) 321-8385.
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Textiles from the Pacific Islands: Polynesian Barkcloth and Hawaiian Featherwork
May 21, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
California Academy of Sciences
Academy Classroom
875 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
Polynesian Barkcloth Textiles
Polynesian Barkcloth Textiles (tapa) are created throughout the Pacific Islands and play an important role in the social life of island people. As a prized commodity, tapa can serve as a ritual gift to a person of status or can be made into garments for ceremonial occasions. Tapa-making is an activity reserved for women, and the familiar sound of wooden mallets pounding the raw fibers into cloth can be heard from early morning until sunset throughout the Islands.
Two presentations of tapa cloth, from Tonga and from Hawaii, will take place simultaneously, allowing visitors to compare the techniques, tools, and regional motifs of two cultural traditions. For example, Tongan tapa is a canvas for freehand painted designs, whereas Hawaiian barkcloth uses a printing method for applying dyes. Siu Tuita and members of the 'Otufelenite Tongan Community of the Bay Area, demonstrate the process of creating tapa (called ngatu in the Tongan language) using hand-carved wooden beaters. They are joined by Kaleo DaSa and the Kapa Hui group, presenting the Hawaiian version of tapa (called kapa), made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree.
Hawaiian Featherwork
In ancient times, Hawaiians excelled in the artistry of applied featherwork, fashioning capes and helmets (reserved for male chiefs) and leis (worn by royal women). Herman Tachera continues this legacy, creating colorful hatbands and leis from pheasant, peacock, and dyed goose feathers. He is assisted by Mike Vieiera.
For more information see the California Academy of Sciences website or call (415) 321-8385.
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Japanese Origami
May 21, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
California Academy of Sciences
875 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
Visitors will learn about the cultural meaning of this traditional Japanese craft from Vicky Mihara and other master origami artists while folding their own origami figure to take home.
For more information see the California Academy of Sciences website or call (415) 321-8385.
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Pacific Rim Street Festival
May 22, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Old Sacramento, CA
When the 13th anniversary Pacific Rim Street Fest convenes in Old Sacramento, a menu of Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Chinese and Thai foods will share the program with Asian martial-arts masters, acrobats, Gamelan Sekar Jaya and others. For thirteen years the festival has displayed the diversity of many Pacific Rim cultures through cultural programs, entertainment, art and food. The event seeks to enhance the community's knowledge of Asian/Pacific Island cultures. Each year an aspect of Asian culture is featured as the theme of the festival. For the year 2005, the theme is "Flowers of Asia and the Pacific".
For more information visit the Pacific Rim Street Festival’s website.
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Carnaval San Francisco 2005
May 28—29, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Harrison Street between 16th and 23nd Streets
Carnaval Parade
May 29, 2005, 9:30 a.m.
Begins at Bryant & 24th Streets and proceeds down Mission to 17th Street
Carnaval San Francisco showcases Latin American and Caribbean cultures with a diverse array of food, music, dance and artistry, including works created by the community of Mission District residents and Bay Area artists. This year’s celebration brings even more cultural diversity to the party, featuring traditions from Africa, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, Polynesia, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and more.
Conceived 27 years ago by a group of local musicians, artists and residents eager to bring the spirit of Latin American and Caribbean culture to San Francisco, Carnaval San Francisco is produced by the Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and is supported by San Francisco’s Grants for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information visit Carnaval San Francisco’s website.
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Islamic Magui Master Artists Music and Dance Workshops
Presented by Kularts
May 23 – June 3, 2005
San Francisco, CA
Kularts presents Islamic Magui Master Artists Music and Dance Workshops through the Philippine Master Artists In Residence (PMAIR) program, a month-long residency of Philippine master artists to create meaningful and engaging exchanges with education institutions serving both Pilipino American and the arts communities. The residency model of community-based tours impact the American-Pilipino community tremendously, particularly in California, where there are one million American-Pilipinos and Philippine immigrants, the highest concentration of Pilipinos outside of the Philippines.
Private or sem-private music intensive workshops are available, as well as three-hour dance workshops. Registration deadline is May 2, 2005. To register, download, print, and complete the registration form and mail to Kularts using the address provided on the registration form.
For more information contact Kularts at (415) 239-0249 or visit their website.
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Kularts Philippine Tribal Tour 2005
July 20 – August 11, 2005
Application Deadline: May 16, 2005
Kularts has announced another Philippine Tribal Tour for this summer, with new areas and trival cultures to visit. The tour will feature a hands-on field study, custom-designed for participants to explore Mindanao’s ancient and contemporary arts and culture. The tour provides opportunities to interact with the community leaders, tribal master artists and spiritual guides of Blaan, Maranao, Manobo, Tedoray, Tiboli, Taga Kaulo and Maguindanaon peoples. Three travel options are available and include:
Option I: July 29 - August 4, 2005 Marawi-Lake Sebu-Sarangani
Option 2: August 5-11, 2005 Tawi-Tawi Only
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County & Regional Calendars
A calendar of Festivals and Celebrations in San Diego is available from the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
Let us know if you have special information that should be posted here.
To update information or submit an event for the calendar,
please email ACTA.
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