Walking on the Same Path
October 19, 2007 – October 31, 2007
Korean Cultural Center LA
5505 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, California
Exhibition by Korean patchwork artists Bonghwa Kim and Yejin Cha and
African American quilter Allyson Allen. This is the culminating
presentation of Yejin Cha’s apprenticeship with master artist
Bonghwa Kim as current participants in ACTA’s
Apprenticeship Program. Allyson Allen is a former
master artist in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program.
An opening reception will be held at the Korean Cultural Center LA
on Friday, October 19, 2007, at 6:00 pm.
For more information contact the Korean Cultural Center LA at (323)
936-7141.
top
Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden
Photo: Japanese American National Museum
Through October 21, 2007
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California
Gardens were among the first forms of Japanese culture to gain popularity in the United States. Since their introduction to the American public at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Japanese-style gardens have proliferated across the country.
Landscaping America reveals the personal stories, historical journeys, creativity, and community processes that underlie the surface of the "Japanese garden." This multimedia exhibition highlights how West Coast Japanese Americans drew upon their agricultural and ethnic backgrounds to carve out a viable vocational niche in gardening, and in the process, reinterpreted Japanese garden traditions, and contributed to the diversity of the American landscape.
Curated by ACTA Board Member Sojin Kim.
Museum Admission: $8 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students and children
Museum Hours: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Thursday, Closed Monday
For more information visit the Japanese American National Museum’s website.
top
Evolution of the ‘Ukulele: The Story of Hawaii’s Jumping
Flea
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Craft and Folk Art
Through October 21, 2007
Museum of Craft and Folk Art
51 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, California
Providing an in-depth look at an eclectic musical tool, Evolution
of the ‘Ukulele presents the history, development, fine craft,
and contemporary fanaticism of this instrument. Some of the finest ‘ukuleles
ever crafted will be on display, drawn from local and national private
collections. The exhibition is a centerpiece for a ‘ukulele
music festival on September 7 and 8 featuring a benefit concert.
top
Ancient Roots/Urban Journeys: Expressions for Días
de los Muertos
Photo: Oakland Museum of California
Through December 2, 2007
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, California
The 2007 Días de los Muertos exhibition – the museum’s
14th annual exhibition– reveals a journey between ancient and
current expressions that connect people to an evolving cultural legacy. The
artworks – created by artists, schools, and community groups – range
from traditional Oaxacan-style altars to urban ways of expression,
including graffiti and lowrider culture.
Admission: museum admission, $8 adults, $5 seniors, $5 students
For more information visit
the Oakland Museum of California’s website.
top
Kumeyaay : Indigenous People of Southern California
Ongoing
San Diego Museum of Man
Balboa Park
1350 El Prado
San Diego, California
When Father Junipero Serra entered the San Diego area in 1769, he
encountered a thriving population, peaceful and hospitable. After
conscripting native people to build Mission San Diego de Alcalá,
the Spanish called them Diegueños after the mission, but the
people had their own name: Kumeyaay. Traditional Kumeyaay lifeways
are presented in displays detailing food supplies, dress and adornment,
games, and ceremonies. The Kumeyaay arts of pottery and basketry
are highlighted, and the exhibit has been expanded with a new display
of a traditional Kumeyaay house.
Admission: $8
Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily
For more information visit
the Museum of Man’s website.
October
5th Annual Firecracker Festival
Saturday, October 13, 2007 – 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 14, 2007 – 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
California Theater
345 South First Street
San Jose, California
Presented by the Academy of Chinese Performing Arts. Alicia
Perusse, musical drama director, and David Z. Chen, artistic director.
For more information visit
the Academy of Chinese Performing Arts’ website.
top
A Taste of Folk Music: A Free Folk & Bluegrass Music Festival
Photo: California Traditional Music Society
Sunday, October 14, 2007 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Encino Park
16953 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, California
Held in conjunction with the Encino Chamber of Commerce’s 20th
Annual Taste of Encino Street Fair. Featuring three stages, a
son groom, a storyteller’s tent, and a songmaker’s jam
area
For more information visit
the California Traditional Music Society’s website.
top
Bunraku: The National Puppet Theatre of Japan
Photo: Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Thursday, October 18, 2007 – 8:00 pm
Friday, October 19, 2007 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 20, 2007 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 20, 2007 – 8:00 pm
Aratani/Japan America Theatre
244 S. San Pedro Street
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California
The internationally-acclaimed Bunraku: National Puppet Theatre of
Japan, returns to the United States for the first time in nearly two
decades with a full-length presentation of two classic masterworks
Oshichi’s Burning Love and Miracle
at the Tsubosaka Kannon Temple.
Bunraku is often described as an art of threes, a combination of joruri ballad narration, shamisen instrumental music and ningyo
tsukai puppet
manipulation. Each of these art forms take years to master; culminating
in the intersection of movement, words and music that is bunraku. The
awe inspiring unity achieved by three puppeteers working in unison
- one for the right arm and head, one for the left arm and body, and
one for the legs - will enchant any audience. Bunraku puppets
weigh anywhere from ten to fifty pounds, and are capable of a full
range of expressions through the manipulation of their eyes, eyebrows,
and mouths, and the graceful movements found in their hands, arms,
and legs.
For more information visit the Japanese
American Cultural & Community Center’s website, or
contact them via email.
top
Central Valley Dance Conference
October 19-20, 2007
Fresno Memorial Auditorium
2425 Fresno Street
Fresno, California
An event created by dancers for dancers, this is an opportunity to
exhibit dance as both an art form and as cultural heritage. Includes
performances by African, Mid-Easter, Zumba, Filipino, Irish, Hmong,
Japanese, South Indian, and Mexican dance troupes.
Admission: $15
For more information visit
the Central Valley Dance Conference’s website.
top
LIKHA 15th Anniversary Show and Expo
Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 2:00 pm matinee, 7:00 pm gala
Cowell Theater
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, California
Join LIKHA as they mark their 15-year milestone.
LIKHA Pilipino Folk Ensemble celebrates Philippine culture through
music and dance. LIKHA has served the community since 1992 under
the artistic direction of Rodolfo C. Soriano, former dance soloist
with Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company.
For more information, visit LIKHA's
website.
top
Mid-Autumn Festival
Photo: Autry National Center
Saturday, October 20, 2007 – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, California
Every fall the Chinese celebrate a harvest festival called the Mid-Autumn
Festival (sometimes known as the Lantern Festival). Dating back over
three thousand years, it celebrates the abundance of the summer’s
harvest and community togetherness. Chinese immigrants brought the
festival to America, and it is still celebrated here as well as in
Chinese communities all over the world.
This event will feature traditional Chinese foods, including the all-important
mooncakes. Guest panelists will discuss the origins and mythology behind
the festival, similarities and differences in regional celebrations,
and its history in America.
Panelists include Jet Tila, renowned chef and Asian food consultant,
and Dr. Yong Chen, associate professor of history at UC Irvine.
Admission: $40/$30 members. Reservations required. Please
call (323) 667-2000, ext. 250.
For more information visit
the Autry National Center’s website or call (323) 667-2000.
top
Memories of Oakland Chinatown
Saturday, October 20, 2007 – 2:00 pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th Street, Suite 290
Oakland, California
The Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) is in the first phase of
a venture called the Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project (OCOHP). This
is the first intergenerational oral history project in Oakland’s
Chinatown. In phase one of the OCOHP, ten youth are conducting
interviews with ten elders.
On October 20, the OACC will host a public event to share the amazing
stories, insights and artifacts unearthed through this project. The
project’s exhibition is also opening on this day.
Much of Oakland Chinatown’s rich history lives within the memories
of community elders. OACC has instituted the OCOHP to capture
the living history of Oakland Chinatown. The overarching goals
of this project are to preserve the cultural legacy of Chinatown, increase
the understanding between the youth and their elders, and empower the
citizens of Oakland Chinatown and beyond.
Sharing of stories is a powerful way to bridge the gap between individuals. The
elders share stories that illustrate the history of Chinatown, Asian
American migration, urban renewal, and cultural legacy. These
stories are missing in school curriculum and elsewhere. This
project is unique by making this undocumented history alive. “Young
people are interviewing elders because the goal of the project is to
bridge the generations. Sharing of the elders’ life stories
is a powerful way to help youth understand their own cultural history
and legacy. This project also helps the elders reflect on their
own legacy, history, and the values they want to pass on.” says
Anne Huang, the Project Director and former Executive Director of the
OACC.
Admission: Free
For more information, please contact Anne Huang, Project Director, via
email or at (510) 520-3348.
top
Un Zaptateado Chicano
Photo: Danza Floricanto/USA
Saturday, October 27, 2007 – 8:00 pm
Luckman Fine Arts Complex
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
The Mexican state of Veracruz has a rich and complex musical heritage. African,
Caribbean, Spanish and indigenous Mexican influences have fused to
create a powerful, syncopated musical tradition. Significant
in this tradition is the zapateado – the percussive individual
expression of a dancer’s footwork. Much like flamenco and
tap, the zapateado functions as both instrumentalist and dance.
In Un Zapateado Chicano, Rhythmic Footprints, Gema Sandoval’s
18-member company, with music direction and original music by Cesar
Castro – takes the audience on an exploration of the music and
dance of Veracruz from the folkloric beginnings to contemporary life.
This project has been made possible in part by ACTA’s
Traditional Arts Development Program.
For more information visit the
Luckman Fine Arts Complex’s website or email
Danza Floricanto/USA.
top
Los Cenzontles
Photo: Los Cenzontles
Saturday, October 27, 2007 – 8:00 pm
El Campanil Theater
602 West Second Street
Antioch, California
Los Cenzontles ("The Mockingbirds") is an 8-10 member Mexican
folk ensemble that celebrates the innovation and imagination of traditional
Mexican music and dance, weaving together centuries-old musical traditions
with contemporary sounds of the world stage. Under the direction
of Grammy-nominated producer Eugene Rodriguez, this group presents
authentic and gutsy interpretations of traditional, vernacular, and
original music in a uniquely personal manner.
Based at the Los Cenzontles Mexican Cultural Center in San Pablo, California,
the musicians have frequently performed as guest artists with
such groups as Los Lobos, Los Tigres del Norte, and Mariachi Los
Camperos de Nati Cano. In 2004, the troupe was the subject of
a PBS documentary, “Pasajero, A Journey of Time and Memory.”
Los Cenzontles features four distinct styles of regional Mexican music
and dance, each with its unique instrumentation and costumes. These
styles include:
Traditional Mariachi, lead by 72-year-old Julian Gonzales from Jalisco,
feature two violins, guitarron, vihuela, male and female vocal duets,
and accompanying dancers (one couple) improvising on a tarima in the
long-forgotten rural style.
Son Jarocho of Veracruz, with roots in West Africa, Baroque Europe
and the Caribbean, features music played on the small eight-or 10-string
guitar called the jarana and the little four-string requinto. Son
Jarocho provided the music for community celebrations known as fandagos
in which the music and the percussive heel dance known as zapateado
could go on all night.
Tex-Mex Conjunto features rancheras, gut-wrenching songs of lost love
from the Mexican countryside performed by two female and one male vocalist
and backed by saxophone, violin, string bass and drums.
Pirecuas and Sones of Michoacan are lilting love songs of the indigenous
Michoacan from Central Mexico which feature female vocals, string bass,
violin, clarinet, and guitar.
Admission: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 children
For more information visit
Los Cenzontles’ website or El
Campanil Theatre’s website.
top
Traditional Kathak Solo by Farah Yasmeen Shaikh
Photo: Chitresh Das Dance Company
Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 6:00 pm
ODC Theater
3153 17th Street
San Francisco, CA
Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, disciple of Kathak Maestro Pandit Chitresh Das,
performs a traditional Kathak solo.
Farah has toured throughout the U.S. and India as a member of the
Chitresh Das Dance Company. Now, she will perform the most traditional,
challenging and exciting form of Kathak, the traditional Kathak solo.
The thrill of the Kathak solo comes from upaj (improvisation); one
never knows what will come next! In order to present the depth
of this tradition, the dancer must be skillful in tayari (technique
in footwork, pirouettes and movement), layakari (performing and improvising
intricate rhythms) and khoobsurti and nazaakat (beauty and subtlety
of movement and expression).
Accompanied by Salar Nader on tabla, Ben Kunin on sarod and Gautam
Tejas Ganeshan on violin. Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is a current apprentice
to master artist Chitresh Das in ACTA’s
Apprenticeship Program.
Admission: $15
For more information visit Chitresh
Das Dance Company’s website.
top
Honoring the Memories: Dia de los Muertos Fruitvale Festival
Photo: The Unity Council
Sunday, October 28, 2007 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fruitvale Village Plaza
Along International Boulevard
Between Fruitvale Avenue and 40th Avenue
Oakland, California
Featuring nine city blocks, four stages, live entertainment, hand
crafted arts, international food, and – of course – Día
de los Muertos altars.
The Unity Council's Dia de los Muertos Fruitvale Festival has been
inducted by Congresswoman Barbara Lee into the United States Library
of Congress as a “Local Legacy” for the State of California. Admission
is free to the public.
For more information visit
the Unity Council’s website.
November
Day of the Dead San Francisco
Friday, November 2, 2007 – 7:00 pm
24th & Bryant
Mission District
San Francisco, California
Day of the Dead San Francisco is a community event that has been happening
for the last 29 years. There are many organizations and people
that contribute to the richness of this event.
The annual procession, lead by Rescue Culture Collective, will be
on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 7:00 pm at 24th & Bryant, in the
Mission District of San Francisco. The procession will end in
Garfield Park at the Festival of Altars 8:30 pm at 26th & Harrison.
Please bring flowers, candles, and remembrances of your loved ones
for our community altar. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information visit
Day of the Dead San Francisco’s website.
top
The 13th Annual California Indian Storytelling Festival
Saturday, November 17, 2007 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
San Leandro Public Library Theater Center
300 Estudillo Avenue
San Leandro, California
The 13th Annual California Indian Storytelling Festival will bring
together Native storytellers from throughout California, with special
guests from Hawaii. The festival program includes storytelling
performances, panel discussions, and other presentations on indigenous
oral traditions, folklore and storytelling.
Festival workshops are recommended for adults and teens, ages 15 and
up. Storytelling and music performances are recommended for adults
and children ages 8 and up.
Admission: at the door only, $15 general, $10 elders/students/children,
$15 dinner with the storytellers
For more information visit
the California Indian Storytellers Association website.
top
Native Harvests
Photo: Autry National Center
Saturday, November 17, 2007 – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, California
From the Green Corn Festival in the plains to the Saguaro Harvest
Celebrations in the Southwest and the many Harvest Moon Festivals throughout
the country, Native American food harvests highlight the best of traditional
culinary celebrations. Guests at this event will sample native delicacies
from throughout the country, while guest panelists discuss harvesting
and food preparation techniques, as well as the histories of various
Native American festivals.
Panelists include Beverly Cox, food editor for Native Peoples magazine,
Nephi Craig (Navajo/White Mountain Apache), Chef Founder of the Native
American Culinary Association, and Dr. Rebecca Hernandez (Mescalero
Apache) from the UCLA American Indian Studies Center. The exhibition
Picturing the People will be open during the event.
Admission: $40/$30 members. Reservations required. Please
call (323) 667-2000, ext. 250.
For more information visit
the Autry National Center’s website or call (323) 667-2000.
top
Prithvi: The Earth
Photo: Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose
Saturday, November 17, 2007 – 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 18, 2007 – 4:00 pm
Mexican Heritage Plaza
1700 Alum Rock Avenue
San Jose, California
Presented by Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose. The concert
will feature stoires on the Earth from mythological to contemporary
times. Orginal music composed by Asha Ramesh. Original
choreography by Mythili Kumar and Rasika Kumar.
This project has been made possible in part by a grant from ACTA’s
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: $15 general, $10 students and seniors, $45 family of four
For more information visit the
Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose’s website.
top
San Francisco Croatian Festival
Sunday, November 18, 2007 – 2:00 pm
Croatian American Cultural Center
60 Onondaga Avenue
San Francisco, California
Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent
Society.
Sinovi of Chicago will join Bay Area performing groups for an all-day
celebration of music, song, and dance. Sinovi (“the sons”)
began performing together in 1979 when they were still in high school. Alumni
of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, they are renowned throughout
the country for their fun-loving and colorful performances that are
rooted in a deep knowledge and love of tamburitza music. The
members are Joe Gornick, bass; Nick Gornick, bugarija; Steve Kirin,
prim; Mark Oreskovich, brac; and Tom Vucinic, brac. Their program
will include both traditional tamburitza repertoire and original compositions
by members of the group.
Admission: $10
For more information visit
the Croatian American Cultural Center’s website.
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.
top
)