artMRKT San Francisco

As the city readies itself for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, artMRKT San Francisco 2012 is excited to announce a series of related exhibitions and discussions during the course of the weekend. Leading museum curators and artists will explore the show’s overall theme of how public structures and art can be metaphors for the American immigration experience and integration of cultures.

For more information, please visit the artMRKT website at art-mrkt.com/sf

San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company continues its 2011-12 season with a thrilling production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar. Directed by renowned actor and playwright Michael Gene Sullivan (San Francisco Mime Troupe) and featuring a small ensemble cast, African-American Shakespeare Company’s version of Julius Ceasar highlights the similarities between the politicians who will say anything, and do anything, to win. This bold interpretation captures the energy of current political landscapes, from front-and-center rallies, protests and conventions, to behind-the-scenes deal making and strategizing.

Set during the ongoing civil wars of West Africa, Julius Ceasar is not just a history play. At a time when partisanship has gone from bombast to blood sport, when patriotism and violence have become commingled, and when the people are so desperate for a leader they will follow anyone who promises them security while playing on their fears, the violent political struggles of Caesar are not history, they are nightly news. Full of passion and intensity, this potboiler about life and death political struggles tells us not only about the dead leaders we see etched in stone or live on TV each night, but also about the people who put them in power in the first place. We are living in a fractured and divided historical moment. The evidence is all around us, and so Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a play more than 400 years old depicting events more than two millennia past, unveils its undeniable and ongoing relevance.

Julius Ceasar plays March 10 through April 1 at the Buriel Clay Theater at the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco. For tickets ($10-35) and more information, the public may call 1-800-838-3006 or visit African-AmericanShakes.org. Parental guidance suggested; may not be appropriate for children under the age of 10.

Blues for an Alabama Sky

It takes a dramatic turn when religion, lies, and sexual orientations collide.

This acclaimed and anticipated tale is set in 1930 Harlem, and touches on hot-button issues such as religion, reproductive freedom and sexuality. The play introduces a rich group of characters, scrambling to survive the early days of the great depression, and make some sense of their overlapping love lives. At curtain, we find Angel and Guy devastated over being fired from the famed Cotton Club. What quickly ensues as the story unfolds is an electrifying jaunt that will keep you on the edge of your seats!

Read more here!

The slideshow to the right provides a peek into some of our events from past years. We hope you’ve been able to participate and enjoy the many cutting edge programs that we’ve produced, like the 85th Anniversary Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald which featured Grammy award-winner Ledisi, backed by the 15-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra at the Palace of Fine Arts. Hip Hop: A World View included partnerships with Alliance Francaise, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and Goethe-Institut to present a sold-out symposium on global hip-hop culture.

We have examined the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the displacement of black families from the Gulf Coast during our 5^th Annual installment in a segment called ”Displacement and Migration,” for which we received national recognition by the U.S. Senate, and celebrated the life and impact of James Brown on young black identity and a musical legacy that helped create and define an entire genre of popular music.

Our events have honored the literary legacy of June Jordan, explored the connections between Marvin Gaye and contemporary dance, highlighted the contributions of Black visual artists, and provided San Francisco students with museum tours, educational workshops, film screenings and much more. Most recently, the first-of-its-kind Culinary Celebration showcased the talents of the Bay Area’s Black chefs and vintners, along with interpretations of traditional soul food by other top restaurateurs.

Stay connected with us and we’ll see you at the next sf|noir event!

sf|noir

Eleven-year-old Woody Watson idolizes his uncle Vincent (Common), who has taken him under his wing since his mother left home in mysterious circumstances. Vincent, a former drug dealer recently released from jail, is trying to establish himself as an entrepreneur and crab-shack restaurant owner. When his bank loan falls through, Vincent is tempted to slide back into street hustling. Trying to figure out a way to get the money he needs, he brings his impressionable nephew along for a ride through the tough streets of Baltimore. As their day spirals into a sequence of odd and increasingly dangerous encounters, Vincent’s resolve to steer clear of criminal behavior and Woody’s faith in his uncle are put to the test.

Sheldon Candis’s semi-autobiographical dramatic thriller brings him back to his hometown of Baltimore, where he parses the city’s violent criminal underworld with the help of a star-studded cast that includes Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles Dutton and familiar faces from the iconic Baltimore-set HBO series, The Wire. LUV is not only the tale of a boy who struggles to find his identity without his mother but also a heartfelt lesson about self-reliance, pride and survival in one of America’s toughest urban environments. For tickets and showtimes visit festival.sffs.org (USA 2011, 95 min)

San Francisco International Film Festival
Presented by The San Francisco Film Society
April 19- May 3, 2012

Master jazz film archivist Mark Cantor continues to delight audiences as he hosts screenings of clips from his extensive private collection of historical jazz films. Enjoy Cantor’s lively narration and a complimentary buffet during intermission.

Ebony and Ivory: A Night of Piano on Film
Melody, harmony and rhythm are all at the command of the pianist who masters this “most complete” of musical instruments. This screening includes performance clips of some of the great masters of the jazz piano: Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Mary Lou Williams, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck and more.

Get tickets here.
General Admission $25 | Student $12

Saturday, May 5
Starts at: 8:00 pm

Face of the Son

Location: 867 Valencia Street between 19th & 20th

Artist Statement:

Ruben Morancy, is a Haitian-born self-taught artist from Port-Au-Prince. I started painting at the very early age of eight after having visited the Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince, the artists there always seemed so happy holding their paint brushes and creating paintings that are based on legends or stories from generations past. My approach to art is very similar in thought to my fellow countrymen, but not in style. I believe that the strongest art is born out of necessity, to borrow a phrase from Herman Hesse. I have always been fascinated by the shapes and colors of things. Literature plays a major part in what I do, I am an avid reader and observer. I am a big fan of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Miro, Henri Darger and Joseph Yoakum. I am moved by the profound nature of “Outsider Art,” simple, imaginative.

This current exhibit is a tribute to one of America’s literary giants, James Arthur Baldwin. A prolific writer, artist and playwright. He embodies the essence of the consciousness of this country, or lack of. I am pleased to share with you my thoughts on canvas of Jimmy, as many of his friends called him.

Pisco Latin Lounge

Throughout February Pisco Latin Lounge will celebrate Black History Month with the flavors of Afro-Peruvian culture and music! Wednesdays – on February 8, 15 and 29 – Pisco Latin Lounge will be offering Pisco cocktail specials from 5:00-8:00pm for $6.00 each, Red and White wine specials for $5.00 and they will also have food specials focusing on the African influence of Peruvian cuisine. All music (audio and video) will be be afro-peruvian based, and will be incredibly special.

Celebrate

sf|noir, the San Francisco Unified School District, SF Education Fund and Citizen Hope invite you to be a part of a great day of service and help inspire a love of reading for thousands of elementary school children.

What: Hundreds of volunteers read out loud a book by a black author and/or illustrator in elementary school classrooms across San Francisco.

When: Friday, February 24, 2012. Start time is 9:00 or 10:00 am depending on school site. The duration is 30-60 minutes.

Where: Elementary schools throughout San Francisco. School assignments are given to you at the brief training.

Why: Celebrate black contributions to literature
Inspire a love for reading

How: Sign up online or via phone 415.749.3700. There is a brief training required. At the training you will learn tips on reading aloud and be assigned to a school site. We provide a list of suggested books by grade level. You can borrow your book from the library or purchase your book and donate it to the class.

Workshop dates
Location: San Francisco Education Fund offices, 1550 Bryant Street, Suite 650, San Francisco
Time: the workshop is offered two times per date 6pm and 7pm.

Tuesday, January 31
Wednesday, February 1
Thursday, February 2
Tuesday, February 7
Wednesday, February 8
Thursday, February 9
Monday, February 13
Wednesday, February 15
Thursday, February 16
Tuesday, February 21
Wednesday, February 22

SIGN UP NOW

Master jazz film archivist Mark Cantor continues to delight audiences as he hosts screenings of clips from his extensive private collection of historical jazz films. Enjoy Cantor’s lively narration and a complimentary buffet during intermission.

Jazz Dance
Jazz Dance comes in two varieties: social dance (Lindy hop, Jitterbug and the like), and performance dance (tap and its many variations). Tonight’s program covers both, with big-name stars like Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers alongside the lesser known, including Juanita Pitts, Slick and Slack and the Clark Brothers.

Click here to purchase tickets
Public $25 | Student $12

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Starts at: 8:00 pm