Artists are listed in alphabetical order
Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University
USA - A 25 Year Retrospective
Date and Time: Sat May 11, 2:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information: Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
A milestone celebration of the Ensemble under its founder and director Dr. John Calloway. Panel facilitator Luis Medina will interview John about the ensemble’s formation, mission, history and numerous accomplishments. Former students and colleagues will also share their memories. But live music will be the main feature of the presentation!
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Agua Pura
USA
Date and Time: Sat May 3, 8:00pm
Duration: 140 minutes with intermission
Location: 2243 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: Bissap Baobab
Ticket Information: Early Bird: $16, Advance: $20, Door: $25 Appetizers, Cocktail, Reserved Seat: $35
Agua Pura plays a mix of traditional Cuban music, Cumbia, Salsa, Timba, and R&B fusion. The band members are all femme/queer musicians and their mission is to create a safe space for femme/queer musicians to express themselves and connect to their ancestry. ¡Ay que sigue la salsa Mamá!
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Amelia Romano Trio
USA - Modern Minds
Date and Time: Sat May 11, 2:30pm
Duration: 75 minutes with intermission
Location: 2698 Folsom St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: Red Poppy Art House
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Having completed a masters in classical lever harp performance in 2023, Amelia Romano continues her quest to seek out and perform the repertoire of living female composers. This program features string trio adaptations of solo harp music written by living creatives, based in Germany, Denmark, France, Scotland and the Bay Area.
Fanfare Zambaleta
USA
Date and Time: Sun May 5, 7:30pm
Duration: 180 mins with intermission
Location: 2243 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Bissap Baobab
Ticket Information:
General Admission: Free
Appetizers, Cocktail, Reserved Seat: $35
Fanfare Zambaleta (roughly meaning crazy street party with brass) is an eight piece Balkan Brass band specializing in spirited music of the Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and especially the Romani people. Combining a love of the classic brass bands of the past with the modern sounds coming out of the Balkans, Fanfare Zambaleta brings an irresistible blend of old and new to get you dancing! They've learned from some of the greats including Demiran Ćerimović, Džambo Aguševi Orkestar and Nizo Alimov (of Kočani Orkestar) and are now embarking on a new journey to write original tunes inspired by their deep love of the music.
The Flex Duo
USA - Interactive Music
Date and Time: Sat May 11, 7:30pm
Duration: 75 minutes, with intermission
Location: 2698 Folsom St, SF. CA 94110
Venue: Red Poppy Art House
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Listen - feel - dance - sing - The Flex Duo featuring Bryan Dyer and David Worm plays arranged songs and creates music spontaneously using their versatility and musicianship. From this becomes an interactive experience where listeners have the opportunity to sing and participate in the performance.
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Gamelan Sekar Jaya
USA - Contemporary and Traditional Gender Wayang
Date and Time: Sun May 12, 2:00pm
Duration: 45 minutes, no intermission
Location: 2868 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Mission Cultural Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Shared Bill with Purnamasari
Gamelan Sekar Jaya’s Gender Wayang Ensemble, led by Guest Music Director Ni Nyoman Srayamurtikanti and featuring Guest Dance Director I Made Suteja will feature a rare performance of Balinese Wayang Wong dance.
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Istanbul Connection
USA
Date and Time: Sun May 12, 7:30pm
Duration: 180 mins with intermission
Location: 2243 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Bissap Baobab
Ticket Information:
General Admission: Free Appetizers, Cocktail, Reserved Seat: $35
Istanbul Connection is a collective of Bay Area musicians who draw their inspiration from the Turkish Maqam, Flamenco, Rumba, Balkan, and Cumbia they are are so deeply rooted in. The group brings its inspiriration and energy to the Balkan Sundays program at Bissap Baobab.
Kombos Collective
USA - Uproot: Music from Asia Minor
Date and Time: Sat, May 11, 7:30pm
Duration: 75 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
This album release concert features modern arrangements that celebrate this vibrant musical heritage, while capturing the refugee experience through song. Uproot weaves histories and personal stories throughout, generating a universal dialogue about the impact of forced migration and building a bridge to the experience of modern-day refugees.
La Zuli
USA - La Zuli - in Concert
Date and Time: Thu, May 9, 8:00 PM
Duration: 90 minutes, no intermission
Location: 2243 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: Bissap Baobab
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $16, Advance: $20, Door: $25 Appetizers, Cocktail, Reserved Seat: $35
La Zuli combines the virtuosic talents of violinist Briana Di Mara and guitarist Anis Sehiri, weaving fresh original melodies and danceable rhythms influenced by music everywhere from Spain to North Africa to the Balkans and beyond. With lush harmonies and improvisations combining with powerful bass and drums, their genre-bending music is unique and uplifting. They are so grateful to be joined by the amazing Josh Mellinger (drums) and Erinn Wilkerson (bass).
Left Coast Chamber Ensemble
USA - Borealis
Date and Time: Thur, May 2, 6:00pm
Duration: 50 minutes, no intermission
Location: 3158 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: El Rio
Ticket Information:
FREE
Left Coast presents an eclectic mix of music for an eclectic instrumental ensemble: flute, viola and double-bass. Music by Saariaho, Schulhoff and Komschlies is inspired by physical phenomena, physical experiences and quirky humor. Find out how a double-bass fails to fail in a work designed to fail.
Los Nadies
USA - Los Nadies at SFIAF - La Casa de Los Sentidos
Date and Time: Sat, May 11, 5:00pm
Duration: 120 minutes with intermission
Location: 2649 Folsom St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: La Casa de los Sentidos
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $12: Advance: $15; Door: $18
Los Nadies weave together a wide array of Latin American rhythms with rock, creating a unique and sophisticated danceable fusion that includes Rumba Flamenca, Cumbia, Afro-Cuban, Peruvian & Brazilian music, Reggae and South American folklore with poetically and politically infused lyrics. Their music often mirrors and reflects the Latino experience in a globalized US, with immigrant roots hailing from Argentina, Bolivia, Perú, and the Bay Area.
Matthew Montfort & Teja Gerken
USA - Global Guitar Summit
Date and Time: Fri May 10, 7:30pm
Duration: 75 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp St, SF, CA
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
American scalloped fretboard guitar and world fusion music pioneer Matthew Montfort and German fingerstyle guitarist extraordinaire Teja Gerken perform new arrangements of classical works, Celtic music, Indian classical, contemporary compositions, popular songs, and much more.
Melody of China
USA - Deep Roots
Date and Time: Sun, May 5, 6:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes with intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street SF, CA, 94110
Ticket Information: Community Music Center
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
A colorful and exciting program spanning various regions of China performed by virtuoso musicians on traditional instruments: erhu; yangqin; guzheng; pipa; sheng; dizi and paigu. The program features guest artist Rachel Xu on cello and a new work, The Enchantment of Dance by composer Phil Young.
Music in-Takht
USA - Beyond Lyrics: Egypt's Legacy of Instrumental Music
Date and Time: Sat, May 4, 7:00pm
Duration: 75 minutes with intermission
Location: 2698 Folsom St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: Red Poppy Art House
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Led by Egyptian-American violinist, Basma Edrees, Music In-Takht presents a captivating concert exploring Egypt's instrumental musical legacy linking traditional and contemporary compositions. In addition, in solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinians for freedom and justice, this concert will also feature works by Palestinian composers.
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini
USA - Sotaques Brasileiros
Date and Time: Sun, May 5, 7:00 PM
Duration: 60 minutes with intermission
Location: 2512 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Arcana
Ticket Information:
FREE, RSVP recommended
San Francisco-born Natalie Cressman, a sublimely talented young trombonist and vocalist, returns to her hometown with Brazilian guitarist and singer Ian Faquini to present a uniquely intimate duo collaboration, drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition.
Neblinas del Pacífico
USA - Marimba Music from the Pacífico Afro-Colombiano
Date and Time: Sat, May 4, 8:00pm
Duration: 120 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Neblinas del Pacífico weaves a sonic tapestry of marimba de chonta music from the Afro-Colombian Pacific coast: music of rivers and mangroves, of percussive polyrhythms and multi-part harmonies, of spirituality and everyday life, of ancestors and tradition, of celebration and resistance.
New Arts Collaboration
USA - KEYSCAPES 2024: New Identity in Improvisation for Piano and Percussion
Date and Time: Sunday, May 12, 2:000pm
Duration: 75 minutes with intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Featuring pianists Ting Luo, Motoko Honda and Kevin Lo with percussionist Kevin Corcoran. Experience the enchantment of dynamic duets and trios, culminating in a powerful quartet performance. A dynamic concert where each performer presents their unique interpretation of new identities in contemporary and improvisational music.
Pandan Leaf Collective
USA - Until Now: The Women Who Shape Us
Date and Time: Thu May 9 6:00pm
Duration: 60 minutes, no intermission
Location: 3158 Mission St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: El Rio
Ticket Information: FREE
The Pandan Leaf Collective is a group comprised of four independent Asian American women singer-songwriters (Katherine Park, Lisa Graciano, Frances Ancheta and MJoy). They will present a special concert of songs inspired by the women who shape our lives. Photo by Douglas Despres.
Purnamasari
USA - Amazeum+
Date and Time: Sun May 12, 2:00pm
Duration: 30 minutes, no intermission
Location: 2698 Folsom St, SF, CA 94110
Venue: Mission Cultural Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Shared bill with Gamelan Sekar Jaya
The story of an elderly woman and her great-great-granddaughter living on an artificial island orbiting the sun. Refugees waiting to inhabit a new planet, an imagined community of people born in outer space. And a metaphor for displaced populations amidst the collapse of global systems on Earth.
Rachel Garlin
USA - Rachel Garlin concert + DJ Rockaway dance party
Date and Time: Thu May 9, 8:00pm
Duration: 120 minutes, no intermission
Location: 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: El Rio
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $15: Advance: $20; Door: $25
Rachel Garlin teams up with DJ Rockaway for a night of LGBTQ+ original production - starting with a concert and ending with a dance party.
Secret Emchy Society
USA - Inclusive Country Music
Date and Time: Thu May 2, 9:00pm
Duration: 120 minutes with intermission
Location: 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: El Rio
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $12: Advance: $15; Door: $15
Opening for Shawna Virago
Secret Emchy Society’s raw and authentic music offers up a brand of americana music that's as traditional as they come. 'First Lady of Queer Country' Cindy Emch is known for her distinct voice and ability to spin tales of chosen family, true love, and life on the road.
Shawna Virago
USA - Blood In Her Dreams
Date and Time: Thu May 2, 9:00pm
Duration: 120 minutes with intermission
Location: 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: El Rio
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $12: Advance: $15; Door: $15
With Secret Emchy Society, Eddie & the Heartbeats and Churro Nomi
Blood In Her Dreams is the record release party for Shawna Virago's album of the same name. A night of queer punky tonk music featuring the Secret Emchy Society, Eddie and the Heartbeats, Churro Nomi and Shawna Virago.
Students of WJWM, Dee Spencer Trio with Michelle Jacques
USA - Women in Jazz & World Music Graduation Concert
Date and Time: Friday May 3, 7:00pm
Duration: 75 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
FREE
Presenting the work of legendary women singers epitomizing the classical American songbook. This concert is the culmination of a free four-week vocalist training intensive for 15 – 24 year old singers led by Dr. Dee Spencer from San Francisco State University. Join with students, family and friends as we celebrate the second successful cycle of the program.
Sumi Lee Collective
USA - New Sounds in Tango: A Concert of Contemporary Tango Music
Date and Time: Sun May 12, 6:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes with intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Pianist Sumi Lee and her colleagues will present original compositions and nuevo tango pieces, taking a musical journey from the mid-20th century to the present. An excellent opportunity to discover the new wave of contemporary tango music and experience these young musicians taking tango in exciting groundbreaking directions.
Theatre Flamenco de San Francisco
USA - Pasajes Flamencos
Date and Time: Fri May 10, 8:00pm
Duration: 75 minutes, no intermission
Location: 3316 24th St, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Dance Mission Theater
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Directed by the visionary Carola Zertuche, this captivating production seamlessly blends innovation with tradition. A mesmerizing performance combining a unique fusion of modern creativity and the rich, authentic roots of flamenco. Pasajes Flamencos transcends boundaries, inviting the audience on a spellbinding journey through the heart of this passionate and timeless art form.
Tom Yang & Terry Eder
France, USA - Trip'n'n Winter, A Fresh Look at Schubert's Winterreise
Date and Time: Thu May 9, 8:00pm
Duration: 75 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
Singer and choreographer Tom Yang and concert pianist Terry Eder present Franz Schubert's most famous song cycle, composed in 1827, the year before the composer's death at 31 years old. "Trip'n'n Winter" is Tom's ongoing project, "looking for the light" in this cold, bleak world of ice and snow...and rejection.
VidyA
USA - VidyA Reunion Concert
Date and Time: Sat May 4, 3:30pm
Duration: 60 minutes, no intermission
Location: 544 Capp Street, SF, CA, 94110
Venue: Community Music Center
Ticket Information:
Early Bird: $20: Advance: $25; Door: $28
VidyA naturally expresses the essence of Carnatic music and jazz through a unified trio of tenor saxophone, acoustic bass and drums. The VidyA Reunion Concert is a joyful rejoining of these musical brothers to make inspiring new music. Featuring Prasant Radhakrishnan (tenor sax), David Ewell (bass) and Sameer Gupta (drums).
