|
|
Let us know if you have special information that should be posted here.To update information or sumit an event for the calendar, |
CALENDARTo update information or submit an event, email ACTA. Art of Being Tuareg: Sahara Nomads in a Modern WorldThrough February 25, 2007
Admission: Free Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Photo: Fowler Museum For more information visit the Fowler Museum’s website.
Bamboo Art of JapanThrough February, 25, 2007 Japanese basket artist Kibe Seiho – visiting from Kyushu Island's Oita Prefecture – demonstrates bamboo weaving techniques typical of Kyushu bamboo artists, including the so called “plover plaiting” or chidori-ami. Kibe actively exhibits in the Japan Craft Arts Association, and has won numerous awards for his work. Appropriate for all ages, AsiaAlive is an ongoing drop-in interactive program that features live artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, videos, and books. This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts’ Living Cultures Grants Program, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. Support for ongoing programs on Japanese bamboo arts is provided by the Lloyd E. Cotsen Endowment. Admission: Free with museum admission of $10 For more information visit the Asian Art Museum’s website.
Body Ornamentation: Artistic Representations of Self
Through March 27, 2007 There is no known culture in which people do not paint, pierce, tattoo, reshape, or simply adorn the unique canvas which is the human body. Diverse cultures throughout the world decorate their bodies in countless ways and for various reasons. This exhibit presents the beautiful designs and artwork depicted in body painting, tattooing, scarification, and piercing. While seemingly a modern phenomenon, the practice of permanently adorning the body has been prevalent in societies around the globe for thousands of years, and has been traced back to ancient nomadic gypsies in India and the Middle East. While tribal customs of permanent body decoration have almost disappeared, there are some regions on earth (northeastern India, the Amazon, and southern China, for example) where body ornamentation is still practiced in the same way it has been for generations. In other areas there has been a resurgence of interest in the old ways: throughout the American west, women wore chin tattoos celebrating rebirth and maturity and marking them, in the words of Julian Lang in News from Native California, as "people who had a deep connection to and understanding of our most important cultural knowledge." Today, Indian women in northern California are again bearing tattoos as expressions of cultural pride. Elsewhere, new customs and practices have enabled people to continue the tradition of decorating their bodies using different types of implements and different stylistic devices. (Excerpted from an article by Tori Heflin, Curator of Physical Anthropology) Admission: $6 Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily For more information visit the Museum of Man’s website.
Outside the Box: Quilts with Character
Photo: San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Through April 8, 2007 Culled from a collection of more than 400 quilts, Outside the Box: Quilts with Character demonstrates the wide range of creative and innovative expression available within the realm of traditional quilting. This exhibition includes an intricately executed Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt top made by Mary Tayloe Lloyd Key, wife of the author of the verse that became our national anthem; a stunning one-of-a-kind satin petal bed cover; and geometric works whose design style – quirky and contemporary – anticipates works of a much later time. Literally and figuratively these quilts stand outside the box as examples of individuality, personality and style. Admission: Museum admission, $5-$6.50 For more information please visit the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles’ website
Healing: A Cultural Exploration
Photo: Craft and Folk Art Museum Through April 15, 2007 An exhibition shaped from the principle that human beings from all cultures and religious practices possess the universal desire to create harmony and balance in their lives—to bridge the divide between the earthly and the divine in an attempt to control their destiny—in other words, to heal . Healing: A Cultural Exploration examines ritual objects and symbols used around the globe within curative traditions to relieve troubles for individuals, families and communities. Admission: $5 Museum Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information visit the Craft and Folk Art Museum’s website.
Of Grass and Gold: Nomads of KazakhstanThrough April 15, 2007 
Photo: Mingei Museum The land of Genghis Khan and the crossroads for the major religions, Kazakhstan comes to life through artifacts at the Mingei Museum. Gold, silver, and bronze animal figures from archaeological discoveries, including those at frozen burial sites in Berel (a nomadic region on the border of Russia, Mongolia and China), are on display for the first time in this country. The exhibit also tells the stories behind these artifacts’ recovery, which weaves together the history and culture of Kazakhstan along with its mythology and tradition of craftsmanship. Admission: $6 Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information visit the Mingei Museum’s website.
Makishi: Mask Characters of Zambia
Photo: Fowler Museum Through April 29, 2007 This exhibit features twenty-four masks drawn from the Fowler Museum’s collections, showing the drama and complexity of the remarkable masquerade traditions of the Chokwe, Mbunda, Lunda, Luvale/Lwena, and Luchazi peoples who live in the “Three Corners” region of northwestern Zambia, northeastern Angola, and southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. For more information visit the Fowler Museum’s website.
Guatemala! Celebrations of Weaving
Ongoing Guatemala! Celebrations of Weaving showcases textiles made by women of the Mayan villages in Guatemala. The exhibit includes examples selected from 30 villages located throughout the country. For ages before the Spanish arrived in Guatemala in 1524, the Ancient Mayan people wore clothing that they made on backstrap looms. This tradition has survived with their descendants in the mainly rectangular handwoven garments worn today. These include a woman's upper body garment called a huipil, skirts that can be wrapped around the body or tubular ones that can be stepped into, utility cloths called servilletas for everyday use and for ceremonies, and men's or women's headcloths called tzutes. They also make men's kilts (rodilleras), men's pants, women's shawls (rebozos and perrajes), sashes, and hair ribbons, all woven by hand. Men from some villages also knit wool carrying bags for themselves and for their sons. The clothing items shown in this exhibit were chosen principally for their beauty. Some were woven for daily wear, but most are special garments made to wear to fiestas, to funerals, for masses and weddings, and for cofradía, the religious ceremony unique to Guatemalan Indians. The women spend extra time and effort on clothing that they and their family members can wear to these events, making it more elaborate than clothing for everyday wear. Admission: $6 Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily For more information visit the Museum of Man’s website FebruaryLian EnsembleFebruary 17-18, 2007 Sounds of L.A. is an annual concert series that explores our city's varied musical geography, celebrating the work of masters as well as up-and-coming musicians from around the globe. The Lian Ensemble fuses the traditions of mystical Persian music with the contemporary sensibilities of postmodern jazz. The nine-member group of virtuoso multi-instrumentalists presents a mix of melodies and musical styles played on traditional and modern instruments including flamenco guitar, Cuban box drum, and Middle Eastern lute and flute. Percussionist Houman Pourmedhi is a master in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program. For more information visit the Getty Center’s website.
San Francisco Tamburitza FestivalFebruary 17 – 18, 2007 Tamburaški Orkestar Momci will be featured. Hall of Fame Tamburitza player, Ken Kosovec formed Tamburaski Orkestar Momci with Joe Matievich David and Dennis Skaro, Frank Corak, David Kosovec, and David Ranilovich. The Festival will include a welcome dance, concerts and tamburitza workshops. Admission: $15 For more information visit the Croatian American Cultural Center’s website.
Vietnamese Spring Festival & ParadeFebruary 18, 2007 Vietnamese Cultural Festival and Parade celebrates the traditions and festivities of the Vietnamese culture through authentic food, lion dances, entertainment and a parade with local marching bands and a variety of floats and entries. Admission: Free For more information visit the Artsopolis website.
Aashish Khan and Swapan ChaudhuriFebruary 18, 2007 – 11:00 a.m. Swapan Chaudhuri and Aashish Khan have a long history. As boys they lived on the same street in Calcutta and used to practice together. From the age of five, Swapan's principal teacher was Santosh Krishna Biswas, an exponent of the Lucknow Gharana. Swapan is in great demand as a soloist and as an accompanist. He plays all over the world, averaging 200 concerts a year. As a soloist and accompanist, Swapan has traveled throughout Europe, North and South America, and Asia accompanying maestros such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Amir Khan, Vilayat Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Jasraj, Balamurli Krishna, and Amjad Ali Khan. Admission: $25 General For more information visit the Music Circle’s website.
Turning HeartFebruary 18, 2007 An evening of Sufi music, poetry, and whirling with the Yuval Ron Ensemble. Featuring the whirling dervish of the Mevlavi Order, Aziz. Also featuring Arabic vocalist Najwa Gibran and duduk musician Yeghish Manukyan Admission: $15 advance purchase, $20 at the door. To purchase tickets please call 818-505-1355 or email info@yuvalronmusic.com. For more information visit Yuval Ron Music’s website.
Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras: SaboresFebruary 21- 22, 2007 - 8:00 p.m. Sara Baras is a flamenco dancer who won Spain's most prestigious dance award, the National Dance Prize, in 2003. She was also named "Face of Andalusia" in 2002, and recently broke box office records during her five-month run in Madrid. Dedicated to Baras' mother and first dance teacher, Concha Calero, Sabores (Flavors) showcases the many styles and flavors of flamenco. Admission: $30-70 For more information visit the UCLA Live website.
Kenny Endo Taiko EnsembleFebruary 23, 2007 – 8:00 p.m. Kenny Endo blends traditional Japanese taiko with global musical influences. He performs on instruments that range from small hand drums to others standing almost seven feet high. Members of Stanford Taiko join Endo and his ensemble. Admission: $20-$44 For more information visit the Artsopolis website.
African Drum WorkshopFebruary 24, 2007 Taught by master Ghanaian drummers Kwashi Amevuvor and Agbi Ladzekpo. Practice and theory of Ewe drums, Ashanti bell rhythms, and Dagomba talking drums. Kwashi Amevuvor and Agbi Ladzekpo recently completed an apprenticeship in Ghanaian Ewe drumming as a part of ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program. In this workshop, they will share what was learned during their apprenticeship. Admission: Free For more information visit Bang-A-Drum’s website or call 323-936-3274.
The Annual Brazilian Carnaval 2007February 24, 2007 This year’s theme is “Peace in the World… Samba not War.” Performing are Katia Moraes & Pure Samba with classic sambas, marchinhas, and frevo; Sambadá with vocalist Dandha Da Hora and special guests Marcio Peter and Waghner Abuter from Ilé Aye; Oyá Brazil Samba Show with Daniela Brasil; Sambajah; Ki-Xego Axé Dancers; and DJ Izael. Admission: $38-$60, all ages, group discounts available For more information and ticket purchases visit Brazilian Nites’ website. MarchChitresh Das Dance Company
Chitresh Das Dance Company March 1, 2007 – 7:00 p.m. The Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC) & Chhandam School was founded in 1980 and is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and education of Kathak dance and Indian Culture. Based in San Francisco, the company performs internationally and most frequently throughout the US, Canada and India. The Chitresh Das Dance Company's mission is to produce exemplary traditional, innovative, and collaborative works of North Indian classical Kathak dance; increase awareness of Kathak dance; to train future generations and build local, national and international community support for the Kathak tradition. Chitresh Das is a current master in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program. Admission: Free with museum admission of $5 (after 5:00 p.m.) For more information visit the Asian Art Museum’s website.
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Photo: Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade March 3, 2007 The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in the country. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be one of the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Over 100 units will participate in the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade. A crowd favorite is the spectacular Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”). It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane, to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco. Admission: Free For more information visit the Parade’s website.
Preserving the Spirit: Indian Doll MakingMarch 3 - 4, 2007 -10:30 a.m. Traditionally, Indian dolls were made either out of clay, tule, or corn. Eva Salazar (Kumeyaay), a former master in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program (insert link: http://www.actaonline.org/grants_and_programs/apprenticeships/2001/salazar.htm) will teach the art of doll making. This is a two-day course that will incorporate sewing and basket weaving. Admission: $20 For more information visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
Teatro de la Tierra’s “A Yellow Rose From Texas – Emma Tenayuca”March 3, 2007 March 4, 2007 March 9, 2007 March 10, 2007 Labor organizer and civil rights leader Emma Tenayuca helped Mexicans achieve a sense of unparalleled confidence and group pride as racial minorities in the 1930s. Her legacy is that she challenged an important enterprise, the power structure of San Antonia city government; called for equity pay for equal work during a difficult time of wage differentials, the Depression; and articulated the integral issue of Mexican American identity. Writer/director Augustín Lira and producer Patricia Wells-Solórzano tell Emma’s story through drama, music, and narrative. The actors and musicians of Teatro Inmigrante take you through a journey about a life of an extraordinary woman: a firebrand for social justice, Emma Tenayuca defended the people and community that she loved, against all odds and enemies. This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts’ Living Cultures Grants Program, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. Admission: $5-$8 For more information call (559) 237-3016.
NandanarMarch 4, 2007 Danced, sung, and choreographed by Dominique Delorme. Music by V.S. Muthuswamy Pillaï, T.V. Gopalakrishnan, The Ghyuto Monks, and Peter Gabriel. Lyrics by Gopalakrishna Bharati, excerpt from “Nandanar Charithram.” Admission: $10 – $15 For more information email the Ektaa Center or call 949-874-3662.
Diamano Coura's 12th Annual "Collage des Cultures Africaines"March 8 – 11, 2007 This weekend includes dance and drum workshops, performances, and symposia. This project has been made possible in part by a Living Cultures grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. For more information visit Damano Coutra’s website.
The 22nd Jewish Music FestivalMarch 8-25, 2007 The Jewish Music Festival will hold its 22nd season, bringing to the Bay Area leading international artists of Jewish music from around the world. Performing this year are Michael Alpert, Peter Apfelbaum, Avi Avital, Steven Bernstein, The Bridge Players, Dan Cantrell, Duo46, Ensemble Lucidarium, Kitka, Klezmer Bueno Aries, Jorge Liderman, Noa, Pharoah’s Daughter, Dushan Ristic, and Rumen Shapov. Concerts and events will be held throughout the Bay Area during the month of March. The Festival will conclude on Sunday, March 25, 2007, with an all-day Community Music Day from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Activities will include a local artist showcase, a children’s concert, an instrument “petting zoo,” interactive workshops and performances, and a poetry slam. The Community Musical Day will be held at the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, California. This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts’ Living Cultures Grants Program, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. Admission: Each event ticketed separately, $10-$50 For more information, including a complete list of the Festival’s concerts and events, please visit the Jewish Music Festival’s website.
Sonoma County Bluegrass FestivalMarch 10, 2007 This one day event co-sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association and the Sonoma County Folk Society will feature Any Old Time String Band, Adobe Creek with Keith Little and Ed Neff, Rustler’s Moon with Kathy Kallick and Bill Evans, High Country, Sidesaddle and Company, old time banjo of Dan Levenson, and traditional mariachi music by Los Cenzontles. Admission: $25-$28 For more information visit the California Bluegrass Association.
8th Annual Southern California Indian Storytelling FestivalMarch 17, 2007 The California Indian Storytelling Festival (CISA) and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum partner again to host this cultural event. California Indian storytellers will showcase storytelling festival presentations and performances based on indigenous oral traditions and language. This year’s event will also include basket weaving circles, children’s story time, and Native American vendors. Admission: Free For more information visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
Native American Uses of Southern California Plants: A Botanic WalkMarch 17, 2007 Taught by Barbara A. Drake and Lorene Sisquoc, This one-day workshop explores how indigenous peoples of Southern California used local plans in their daily lives. Participants will take a botanic walk around Lake Perris identifying and learning about the variety of plants used by local tribes to create useful products such as soap, brushes, and cordage. Participants will have the opportunity to create a seed beater fan and learn how various seeds were collected and processed. Fee: $75 For more information visit the California Indian Basketweavers Association’s website.
Radio Bilingüe’s 25th Annual ¡Viva el Mariachi! Festival & WorkshopsMariachi Workshops The annual ¡Viva el Mariachi! Festival Workshops is an opportunity for students of mariachi music to learn new skills and techniques from professional mariachi musicians. The workshops, open to ages 10 and up, offer instruction for beginners, intermediate and advanced musicians on traditional instruments – violin, vihuela, guitar, guitarrón, and trumpet. Instruction is also offered to students of voice. Advanced instruments will be taught by El Gran Maestro Nati Cano and his Mariachi Los Camperos. Intermediate instruments will be taught by Maraichi Mujer 2000. Voice and beginning instruments will be taught by Juan Morales and Mariachi Tenochtitlán. Registration is required. The early registration fee of $40 is valid through February 9, 2007. After that, the registration fee increases to $60 through March 9, 2007. From March 11 through March 26, 2007, fees increase to $80. Workshop registration fees include one day of instruction, sheet music, and admission to the festival the following day. Also, all students may participate in the Festival program. Class size is limited, so register early! For more information, visit Radio Bilingüe’s website or call (559) 455-5763. Sunday, March 26, 2006 Radio Bilingüe’s 25th Annual ¡Viva el Mariachi Festival! features Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi México de Pepe Villa, Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Mujer 2000, José Gutiérrez y Los Hermanos Ochoa, and Grupo Arpex. Tickets range from $7 – $42, and tables of 10 can be purchased for $600 – $1,500. A special Mariachi Mass, free to the public, will be held that morning at 7:45 am at St. John's Cathedral located at 2814 Mariposa St., Fresno, California. To purchase tickets for the festival, visit the Ticketmaster website or call Radio Bilingüe at 559-455-5763. For more information, visit Radio Bilingüe’s website.
Native American Uses of Southern California PlantsMarch 30-31, 2007 Taught by Barbara A. Drake and Lorene Sisquoc, this workshop explores many ways that the indigenous peoples of Southern California used local plants in their daily lives. Emphasis is on how local tribes processed and used seeds and made soap, brushes, and cordage. These activities include processing yucca root and soaproot (amole) into soap products; using traditional techniques to make broom and brushes from pine needles, soaproot fibers, yucca and wild teasel; and creating a seed beater fan. Fee: $130, plus $12 materials fee payable to the instructor For more information visit the California Indian Basketweavers Association’s website.
County & Regional CalendarsA 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, |
The “art” of being Tuareg, a semi-nomadic
people of Niger, Mali, and Algeria, has fascinated travelers and scholars
alike throughout history. Art
of Being Tuareg, the first major U.S. exhibition on Tuareg art and culture,
considers the history and evolution of these peoples by exploring silver jewelry,
leather works including purses, bags, and saddles, and other highly decorated
items crafted by them.
