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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.
Lao Arts with Prince SomsanithThrough April 30, 2006 Admission: Free with museum admission of $10 For more information visit the Asian Art Museum’s website.
Pysanka: Rite of Spring
Museum Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Admission: $5 For more information visit the Craft and Folk Art Museum’s website.
Carrying On: 100 Years of San Francisco Japantown
Through May 31, 2006
For more information visit the National Japanese American Historical Society website.
Our People, Our Land, Our Images
Museum Hours: Monday through Friday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Admission: Free For more information visit the museum’s website.
Circles of Life: Katsina Imagery in Hopi BasketryThrough June 25, 2006 Museum Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; For more information visit the Grace Hudson museum’s website.
Ao Dai: A Modern Design Coming of Age Through July 9, 2006 In the first exhibition of its kind in North America, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, in partnership with the Association for Viet Arts, presents Ao Dai: A Modern Design Coming of Age. The ao dai (pronounced 'ow yie' in the south, but 'ow zie' in the north) is a versatile garment of ancient Vietnamese origin known for its unique beauty and grace. Considered a cultural symbol of Viet Nam, the ao dai is worn by women and men as a fitted tunic-style gown over long, loose-fitting pants. The exhibition features the largest survey ever of historical and contemporary ao dai pieces, many never before seen in by the public, from international designers, collectors and a royal restorer. In recent years, the contemporary ao dai has made its mainstream debut on Hollywood celebrities as well as on the haute couture runways of Paris from top fashion designers including Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Claude Montana and Richard Tyler. Though originating in the mid 18th century as the national dress for both genders, the modern ao dai form only emerged in the 1930s. The exhibition takes the viewer on a journey through the past and present and combines traditional techniques with new global influences that embody both functional and artistic designs, representing the innovative spirit of Viet Nam’s ao dai tradition. The exhibition features the work of prominent Vietnamese ao dai designer, Minh Hanh; fashion designer Le Minh Khoa; Si Hoang, an artist and educator turned ao dai designer; Le Phuong Thao, a Vietnamese-American designer who combines traditional and modern techniques; Trinh Bach, a collector and restorer of royal ao dai from the 19th and 20th centuries; and collector Nam-Son Ngo-Viet. Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Admission: $5 For more information visit the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles website.
Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and SouthwestThrough August 20, 2006
Admission: $7.50 Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit the Southwest Museum’s website.
The Art of Being Kuna: Layers of Meaning Among the Kuna of PanamaThrough September 5, 2006 The Art of Being Kuna: Layers of Meaning Among the Kuna of Panama is a major traveling exhibition that presents a view of the Kuna culture as seen through its expressive arts: the Kuna's central concern for form and beauty in everyday life, narratives, rituals, healing, and visual arts such as Kuna women's molas (textiles). The Kuna people live on the San Blas islands and Atlantic coastline of Panama. The exhibit showcases Kuna culture through a wide range of objects including baskets, wooden objects, molas, and gold jewelry. Large-scale photo panels with supportive descriptive panels and visual documentation, depicted in an environment suggestive of a Kuna village and video stations add depth to the presentation. Admission: $6 Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily For more information visit the museum’s website.
Duk Duk Chaang: The Clamor and Glamour of Chinese OperaThrough September 9, 2006
Passage to Panama: Past to Present
A Chocó house, Darién, Panama, in the 1950s. Through January 2007 Curated by Grace Johnson, Passage to Panama: Past to Present is based on the research, collections, and photographs of William and Evelyn Phillips taken in the 1950s. This exhibit describes the lives and culture of the Guaymí peoples of the mountains of Chiriquí and Veraguas and the Chocó peoples of the Darién in the 1950s. The Chocó, currently known as the Wounaan/Embera people, live along the rivers in the Darién region of Panama. This exhibit centers on their environment and their daily life, including rituals and healing. The Museum's collection of baskets highlights Chocó culture, which is further detailed through displays of wooden bowls, hunting and fishing implements, traditional dress and jewelry, and carved wooden staffs. The lives of the Guaymí, presently known as the Ngöbe, are recounted through their daily lives by looking closely at objects they use in their households, such as gourds and woven hats, as well as musical instruments associated with the balsaría ceremony. The exhibit also looks at how these indigenous groups are affected by other cultures by considering their art and economy, and examining the wide range of contemporary baskets, jewelry, and woodcarvings made for sale. Photographs taken by Dr. Julie Velasquez-Runk and Dr. Philip Young between 1997 and 2004 give a sense of the current life of indigenous peoples of the Darién. Contemporary photographs of Panama and historic and contemporary images of the Panama Canal illustrate life in Panama as it is today. Admission: $6 Museum Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily For more information visit the museum’s website.
AprilKorean Storytelling and Music April 27, 2006 - 7:00 pm Experience pansori, a Korean storytelling tradition, in this program featuring live music by Korean composer Chan Hae Lee. Admission: $10
Cambodian Classical DanceApril 27, 2006 The exquisite and stylized form of classical dance of Cambodia, considered
the culture's most precious art form and developed as a vehicle of
worship in the temples of ancient Angkor, will be presented by Sophiline
Cheam Shapiro, a graduate of Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom
Penh. Sophiline Shapiro was a former master in ACTA’s
Apprenticeship Program. Reservations required. Light refreshments
and wine served. For more information call (714) 567-3679 or visit the Bowers Museum website.
Experience Egypt April 27, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. The Arab Cultural and Community Center presents Egyptian Cultural Night featuring Egyptian food, music, and cultural presentations. Admission: $10 For more information visit the Arab Cultural and Community Center’s website.
KITKA in ConcertApril 28-29, 2006 KITKA, a women’s vocal ensemble performing Eastern European women’s vocal traditions, will perform with Bulgarian Folkloric Soprano Tzvetanka Varimezova. For more information visit KITKA’s website.
Masters of the Steel Drum
For more information visit Humboldt State’s Center Arts website.
A Night in Chile
Admission: $45 – 65 For more information visit the museum’s website.
The San Francisco Scottish FiddlersApril 29, 2006 – 7:30 p.m. Guided by their director, noted fiddler Alasdair Fraser, The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers draw their repertoire from the Scottish musical tradition. They learn tunes that have been passed down from the Highlands and Western Isles, the northeast of Scotland, and Shetland. Many tunes also come from the great Scottish fiddling tradition that flourishes in Cape Breton Island off the northeast coast of Canada. Admission: $20 For more information visit the Nevada County Arts Commission’s website.
Youth World Music Festival Admission: $10 For more information visit Door Dog Music’s website.
Legend of Chinese MusicApril 30, 2006 “Legend of Chinese Music” is a well planned series of education programs about Chinese music and instruments. The program will be presented by the musicians of Melody of China. Admission: Free For more information visit Melody of China’s website.
MayLos Hermanos HerreraMay 4, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s website.
Fiesta PoblanaMay 5, 2006 – 8:00 p.m. In recognition of the Battle of Puebla with the French, which is the historic motivation for today's Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Centro Cultural de la Raza hosts an evening of Poblana culture featuring Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan presenting dances from the state of Puebla, site of the Battle of Puebla, and a chicken Mole Poblana dinner. Admission: $10 For more information visit the Centro Cultural De La Raza’s website.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Cinco de Mayo CelebrationMay 5, 2006 This fundraiser for the San Francisco Carnaval celebration features Spanish Dance Arts members Danica Sena and Claudio Santomé, Zenón Barrón of Ensambles Ballet Folklorico, Vanessa Mosqueda of Mixtiso Hip Hop, and Stephanie Owen of Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts’s Youth Dance Troupe. Admission: $5 For more information visit the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts website.
Cinco de Mayo and La PeñaMay 5, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. This year Arte Américas in Fresno celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a performance by Melissa Cortez, who sings mariachi ballads and other traditional Mexican songs. Admission: $5 For more information visit Arte Américas’s website.
Cambodian New Year Dance PerformanceMay 6, 2006 The Cambodian Dancers of San Diego present Comrade Daughter, a traditional dance and theatrical performance that tells the story of a young woman living during the Cambodian Communist regime. Admission: $13 For more information visit the Cambodian Dancers of San Diego’s website.
17th Pacific Islander FestivalMay 6 – 7, 2006 The Pacific Islander Community Council presents the 17th Pacific Islander Festival celebrating Tonga and the Tongan community. The event features performances, traditional arts demonstrations, storytelling and exhibits. Admission: Free For more information visit the Hawaiian Inter-Club Council of Southern California’s website.
Old Town Fiesta Cinco de MayoMay 6 – 7, 2006 This event features more than 200 performers at eight venues of entertainment
and booths featuring hand made crafts and regional cuisine. A highlight
includes the “My Ancestor’s Village,” a traditional
Kumeyaay community created by the Barona Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit the San Diego Art and Sol website.
Music and Dance of Bali
Rangoli Annual Dance ShowcaseMay 7, 2006 Rangoli Foundation for Art and Culture presents its annual dance showcase featuring students of Malathi Iyengar. Malathi Iyengar is a former master artist in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program. For more information visit the Rangoli Foundation for Art and Culture’s website.
T.N. Krishnan in Concert
Admission: $25 For more information visit the Music Circle’s website.
From Farfel to Falafel: Food, Wine and Jewish CultureMay 14 – 16, 2006 This event is a three-day, cross-disciplinary conference on food and wine in Jewish culture from biblical antiquity to the present day. The conference includes scholarly sessions, food sampling, wine tasting, film screenings, and musical offerings. The conference, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the Jewish Studies Department at UC Davis, the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine, and the Judah L. Magnes Museum. For registration information visit the UC Davis Jewish Studies Department website.
Wayang Bali
For more information visit the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts website.
Spirit of Brazil: Danças dos GuerreirosMay 19 – 21, 2006 ABADÁ – Capoeira San Francisco’s Danças dos Guerreiros (Warrior Dances) Festival will present the traditional Brazilaian genres of capoeira, jongo and maculelé. Unique to Brazil, these three folk dances and music forms are linked by their origin on slave plantations in Portuguese-colonized Brazil. Each is a distinct folk art with a unique cultural role and identity, yet they share similarities stemming from their historical origins in the daily lives of slaves and freed Africans in Brazil. Danças dos Guerreiros will emphasize the shared African traditions that shape and define each of these traditional arts. The Festival is partially funded by ACTA’s Living Cultures Program. For more information visit ABADÁ’s website.
California Herdeljezi Festival 2006May 20, 2006 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 (VOR) 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 exemplify the way in which VOR creates 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 VOR's efforts on behalf of the Roma in/from Kosovo, to educate the public and international organizations about their plight and to provide them with humanitarian aid. The Herdeljezi Festival 2006 is partially funded by ACTA’s Living Cultures Program, in partnership with the Fund for Folk Culture, the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. For more information visit Voice of Roma’s website.
Asian-Pacific Heritage Month ProgramsMay 21, 2006 Asian Oboes and Shawms – 12:00 p.m. Japanese Swordsmanship – 1:00 p.m. Chinese Tai Chi – 2:30 p.m. As a mental and spiritual discipline, tai chi has been part of Eastern
philosophy for thousands of years. Master George Xu focuses on the
health benefits of tai chi. He illustrates breathing exercises and
meditative movements designed to increase the body's energy and flexibility
and improve muscle and skeletal strength.
The Tamburitzans of Duqesne UniversityMay 23, 2006 – 8:00 p.m. Admission: $14 – $21 For more information visit the Artsopolis website.
Ulan Bator Throat Singers from MongoliaMay 25, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. Badma Khanda, classically trained and honored musicians, will perform traditional Mongolian romance, long song, throat signing, and music on unique Mongolian instruments. A brief film will be shown prior to the performance. Admission: $15 For more information visit the Bowers Museum website.
2006 Highland GamesMay 27 – 28, 2006 The United Scottish Society presents the annual Highland Games.
The event will feature piping, drumming, dancing and traditional athletic
competitions.
Carnaval San Francisco Festival and Parade 2006May 27 - 28, 2006 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. 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.
A Journey to China – Chinese Youth Arts Festival May 28, 2006 – 3:00 p.m. "A Journey to China" - Chinese Youth Arts Festival features the music and performing arts students from Alice Fong Yu Alternative School in San Francisco performing Chinese music, percussion, dance, brush painting, martial arts, lion dancing, and more. Combining direct documentary film footage shot by this year’s 8th Graders’ visit to China with special sets and lighting design, master Chinese artists from different disciplines work together with these young artists to create a highly original multi-dimensional stage performance. Admission: $10 For more information visit Door Dog Music’s website. JuneMelody of China with Del SolJune 2, 2006 – 8:00 p.m. Melody of China performs traditional Chinese music. This performance features the world premiere of recent works by two local composers, Kui Dong and Duo Hang performed with guest percussionist Chris Froth and Del Sol String Quartet. Admission: $20 For more information visit Melody of China’s website.
Shaab-e Shiraz – Nights of Shiraz
For more information visit Ballet Afsaneh’s website.
The Craft of Storytelling with Master Storyteller Charlie ChinJune 5 – 26, 2006
William David Chin, better known by his nickname, "Charlie," has
been performing, composing, writing, and teaching for over 30 years.
The emerging Asian American Movement caught his interest in 1970 and
he teamed up with musicians and political activists, Chris Iijima and
Nobuko Miyamoto to form a trio that would tour the U.S. and record "A
Grain of Sand," the first Asian American musical album. They have
recently reunited to perform Reunion Concerts in California and Massachusetts. Admission: $60 for four workshops For more information visit the Chinese Historical Society of America’s website.
23rd Annual Indian FairJune 9 – 11, 2006 For the past 22 years the San Diego Museum of Man has continued the tradition of presenting an American Indian art show and juried art competition in Southern California. This year more than 75 Native American artists will offer hundreds of original and unique examples of their art. Included will be Maggie Keams from Phoenix, who last year was awarded a prize in the beadwork category of the juried competition. Ms. Keams is Navajo and specializes in beaded bracelets, belts, hat bands, and other jewelry. Also exhibiting will be Del Mar artist Larry Pacheco, who works in silver and gold jewelry. Frances and Bennard Dallasvuyaoma (Frances is Hopi and Bennard is Pima and Hopi) artists whose jewelry is a dramatic blend of both ancient and contemporary traditions, techniques, and materials, will again show and sell their creations. Headlining this year's entertainment will be Irene Bedard, Inupiat Eskimo and Cree, best known as Disney's voice of Pocahontas. She was featured in the film Smoke Signals and delights audiences of all ages with her music that has been described as "Native Rock." For more information visit the museum’s website.
Music & Dance of BaliJune 10, 2006 – 8:00 p.m. Playing on a variety of gamelan, the musicians of Gamelan Sekar Jaya
will perform the music of Bali, filled with complex rhythms and the
sounds of tuned gongs and drums. They will be led by I Made Arnawa
and joined by special guest artist, Dewa Putu Berata. For more information visit Gamelan Sekar Jaya’s website.
28th Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
For more information and to view a list of performers visit World Arts West’s website.
Mongolian Throat Singing PerformanceJune 11, 2006 – 2:00 p.m. Classically-trained singer Badma Khanda and her band will perform traditional Mongolian throat singing. Seating is limited and prior reservation is required. Admission: $15 For more information visit the Pacific Asia Museum’s website.
Cuba: La Familia Son
For more information visit the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival website.
All American Tattoo FestivalJune 16 – 18, 2006 Forever Tattoo and INK are presenting the Fifth Annual All American Tattoo Festival. The 2006 show will feature top tattoo artists from around the world. There will be tattooing, tattoo contests, vendors, art fusion and entertainment. For more information visit the festival's website or call 530-626-8383.
Japanese Cultural FairJune 17, 2006 For more information call (831) 462-4589 or see the Japanese Cultural Fair’s website.
Wearable Beauty: Pacific Asia Museum Celebrates Clothing & Costumes
Admission: Free with museum admission of $7 For more information visit the Pacific Asia Museum’s website.
Sogetsu Ikebana School DemonstrationJune 24, 2006 Madame Yoshu Miyahara, Director of Sogetsu Ikebana School in Los Angeles, leads a special demonstration on how flower and plant materials can be transformed into sublime tributes to nature. Participants can witness the creation of elaborate three-dimensional artistic expressions. For more information visit the museum’s website.
16th Annual California Indian Basketweavers Association GatheringJune 24, 2006 The California Indian Basketweavers Association (CIBA) Gathering brings together California Indian basketweavers from all over the state. This event is open to the public and features basketweaving demonstrations, panel discussions, cultural demonstrations, and CIBA’s fundraiser donation drawing. Admission: Free For more information visit the California Indian Basketweavers Association’s website.
33rd Annual San Diego Scottish Highland Games & Gathering of the ClansJune 24 – 25, 2006 The event features highland dancing, drum major, bagpipe and drumming competitions, sheep dog trials, Scottish county dancing, Scottish food and drink. Featured performers include Wicked Tinkers, Men of Worth, Oceans Apart, Molly’s Revenge, and Beth Gay. For more information visit the event’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, |
Lao
Prince Nithakhong Somsanith is one of the last gold thread embroiders in the
ancient tradition of the court of Luang Prabang, the former kingdom of Laos.
Now internationally renowned for his art, Prince Somsanith started his apprenticeship
at an early age with his grandmother. 
This
exhibit, designed by Naganuma and Associates and curated by the National
Japanese American Historical Society, explores the experience of Nikkei
(persons of Japanese descent who have immigrated or are living abroad)
in San Francisco with images, old newspaper articles, documents and
objects framed by personal stories and historical information. It addresses
the history through these themes: The First Issei; Settlement; Born
From Ashes; the 1920’s; Japantown’s Heyday; War and
Displacement; Homecoming; Urban Renewal; 1970’s Activism, and
1980’s to Today.
Through
June 23, 2006
This exhibit illuminates the world of Hopi people through historic
photographs, textiles, ceramics, and most centrally, an examination
of their basketry plaques. The Hopi primarily live in northeastern
Arizona, in adobe pueblo villages perched on three mesas. Corn farmers,
in an unpredictable and arid area, they depend on the beneficent intercession
of spiritual guardians they call katsinam,
or what is more commonly called kachinas. The katsinam help
the seeds to germinate, the crops to grow, and most importantly, bring
the necessary water, in the form of snow and rain. While Hopi people
are well known for their skill and artistry in creating ceramics, jewelry,
and most especially, kachina dolls,
little attention has been paid to Hopi wicker basketry, and even less
to the use of katsina imagery on this medium. 
This
exhibit offers a comprehensive overview of the history of Chinese Opera
from ritualistic shamanism to developed theater. From
May 18-20, 2006, at the Chinese Culture Center, composer Gang Situ
and the Chinese Culture Foundation will premiere a new Cantonese Opera
entitled, The Grand Seducers: Giovanni
Meets Xi-men Qing.
April 29, 2006
April 29, 2006 – 8:00 p.m.
April 30, 2006 – 3:00 p.m.
May 7, 2006 – 1:00 p.m.
May 7, 2006 – 11:00 a.m.
May 19 – 20, 2006 – 8:00 p.m.
June 3, 2006 – 7:00 p.m.
This class will be offered as a training program consisting of four
sessions, each session being two hours. Participants in the program
will be interviewed as possible trainees and professional Storytellers
will be auditioned to confirm their work is suitable for the program.
The goal of the program is provide a pool of Storytellers and Re-enactors
for Chinese Historical Society of America events and programs both
at the site and at other venues.
June 10 – 25, 2006
June 15, 2006 – 12:30 p.m.
June 17, 2006 – 10:00 a.m.