May is a great month to live in the Bay Area, the weather is usually great (thank you, global warming), and for the last few years, we've been blessed with a world-class international arts festival. Don't take this kind of programming for granted, these kinds of festivals are hugely expensive, and producing them is a daunting task. This year, the San Francisco International Arts Festival's theme is the African Diaspora, and it's directed by Rhodessa Jones, a local theatre director/activist icon. In addition to an inspiring line-up of international artists, the festival also features several local dance artists, including Dimensions Dance Theater and Robert Moses. Also, many of the events this year are free (see sidebar).
"The African Diaspora became one of the largest and most complex movements of people the world has experienced," said SFIAF artistic director Jones. "We want the festival to celebrate cultural differences while honoring common origins, and also to honor subsequent African migrations and cultural developments."
Kicking off the festival this year are local superstars Zaccho Dance Theatre presenting a site-specific installation at the San Francisco International Airport's International Ticketing Hall (May 16, 18-20). Choreographer Joanna Haigood has created a commission called Departure and Arrival, focusing on the historical, social and cultural implications of the African Diaspora in the United States. The piece incorporates the airport's architecture with aerial dance, video projection and a music/text score. It's a visual and textual essay that chronicles the lives and contributions of Africans and African American in America, free to the public. According to the SFO government affairs officer Peter Nardoza, "This sort of collaboration showcases SFO as an iconic cultural destination for San Francisco and beyond." Haigood is known for creating work that is centered on making aerial dances that use natural, architectural and cultural environments for inspiration that become an extension of their surroundings.
Another international company performing at the Project Artaud Theatre is Circus Baobab (May 23-26), a French-trained, Guinean nouveau cirque company that will be making their United States debut. Their production of The Jumping Drums depicts a group of young Guineans who leave their village and travel to the capital of Conakry in search for adventure. "Every year, the Festival is privileged to present the US debut of sensational artists from around the world," said Jones. "I have no doubt that Circus Baobab will take San Francisco by storm with their explosive energy and awe-inspiring acrobatics." Formed in 1998, the Circus Baobab Company is the first aerial contemporary circus group to come out of Africa, and their work is shaped by the strong musical, dance, acrobatic and singing traditions in that region.
Other festival highlights include Cultural Odyssey's Underground Cabaret (hosted by Idris Ackamoor), international theatre presented by the AfroSolo Theater Company, five modern dance companies (including Dimensions and Robert Moses, plus two companies from South Africa and one from Congo), hip hop theatre (Representa!), the Cultural Heritage Choir (with the British choir Black Voices) and a series of performances at Union Square (Jewels in the Square ).
The festival also features a complete visual arts component coordinated by ARTworkSF, a film program curated by the San Francisco Black Film Festival, and education and academic programs targeting underserved communities.
SF International Arts Festival 2007 (May 16-27). Tickets at Union Square's TIX Central, or (415) 439-2456. Info: www.sfiaf.org.
SFIFF highlights
The Keiskamma Altarpiece at Grace Cathedral, through May 27 (free).
Photographers Ananias Leki Dago and Bayete Ross Smith at SF City Hall, through June 22 (free).
Thursday, May 17-Sunday, May 27
Jewels in the Square, at Union Square, presents dance, music and theatre (free).
Thursday, May 17-Sunday, June 3
Breaking Ice at ARTworkSF Gallery and SF Main Library (free).
Thursday, May 17
Aurelio Martinez, Garifuna Music from Honduras at YBCA.
Friday, May 18
Idris Ackamoor Ensemble and Takfarinas (Amazigh Yal music from Algeria) at YBCA.
Friday, May 18-Sunday, September 23
Lens on Life: From Bamako to San Francisco at MoAD, the African American Arts & Culture Complex and The Women's Building.
Saturdays, May 19 & 26
Saturday's Children: The Life of the Mind, academic symposium at SF Main Library (free).
Sunday, May 20
The Cuba Variations with SF Chamber Orchestra at Brava Theater Center (free).
Monday, May 21
Earplay Ensemble's Dancing with the Shadow at Herbst Theatre (free).
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 22 & 23
SFIAF Film Series at MoAD