By Magdy Zara
During the San Francisco International Arts Festival, the SF Ballet Folklorico Ensemble presents: Sones y Tradiciones, which is a vibrant production full of rhythm and color that manifests the customs of the indigenous people of Mexico.
According to the organizers of the event, this will be an evening of Mexican sones, a traditional musical style with origins in Spanish, African and indigenous rhythms. Accompanied by dances from many regions of Mexico.
They explained that “Ensambles” is a unique dance ensemble, comprised of a diverse group of talented dancers who vary in experience levels, age, ethnicity, and professions. Ensambles is made up of 35 dancers from different origins and ethnicities. Many started with Ensambles Dance Academy and went on to dance with the company in their early teens, while others have danced with Ensambles for over 20 years. From high school students and adults with little dance experience, to seasoned dance professionals.
All the members of this group are committed to the continuation of one of the richest manifestations of tradition and culture in Mexico: folkloric dance. All are committed to the continuation of one of the richest manifestations of tradition and culture in Mexico: folkloric dance.
The Ensamble Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco was founded by Zenón Barrón and Jorge Pacheco (1970-1997) in 1992. The two men met in Mexico as dancers, but Pacheco eventually moved to San Francisco, where he continued to dance. Years later, it would be Pacheco who would inspire and motivate Barrón to also move to San Francisco to pursue their shared dream of forming his own dance company. What started as a gathering of a few dancers has now grown into three generations of dancers and over hundreds of people who have been touched and inspired by Zenón Barrón’s artistic vision. Together, Barrón and the company have given life to the magnificent world of dance and music that characterizes this city.
The presentation will be this Saturday, June 10, starting at 8 p.m., at the Brava Theater, located at 2781 24th St, SF.
Enjoy 7 hours of Jazz on the Hill
The Jazz Festival known as Jazz on the Hill, which this year will last for 7 consecutive hours, has as its main group the renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra, known as SHO.
The Harlem Spanish Orchestra is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz and salsa band.
This year the festival kicks off in the morning hours with the talented Berkeley High School Combo, followed by performances by acclaimed jazz guitarist Mimi Fox and the CSM Little Big Band led by Patrick Wolff.
This year will see the presentation of the prestigious KCSM Jazz Icon Award, which honors the legendary John Handy for his outstanding contributions as a jazz performer, composer, educator, and historian.
Jazz on the Hill is more than a music festival, it celebrates the rich heritage and profound impact of jazz.
It was learned that the festival is held in gratitude to the community in general for the support provided to KCSM 91.1 FM, the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation and the San Mateo College.
This will be the ideal opportunity to share with family and friends an enchanting evening of jazz, arts and crafts, delicious food trucks, and local craft beers and wines.
This show will take place on Saturday, June 10, it will be completely free, open to the public, in the open air in front of the CSM Library.
The programming will be:
11- 11:30 a.m.: Berkeley High School Combination
Noon – 1 p.m.: CSM Little Big Band (Conductor Patrick Wolff with special guest Bruce Forman)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Mimi Fox Trio.
3-4 p.m.: Akira Tana Quintet with John Handy
4:30 – 6 p.m. Harlen Spanish Orchestra.
Celebrate the 17th Anniversary of the SF Frozen Film Festival
Aiming to open paths for new independent filmmakers, this year marks the 17th anniversary of the SF Frozen Film Festival (SFFFF).
The San Francisco Frozen Film Festival takes place every summer in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission & Union Square district. Filmmakers whose work is accepted into the festival will be invited to screen and discuss their work.
The annual international film festival also offers a SFFFF Youth Program specifically focused on demonstrating to underserved youth that pathways exist to help them find a career in the film arts. SFFFF holds annual musical and artistic performances, as well as youth programs and award presentations.
It became known that one of their goals is to create a long-lasting and sustainable Film Network that shows films made by people without an overflowing Rolodex and a 3-film contract.
From local musicians, local artists and local fine artists, to cutting-edge student work, the Frozen Film Festival is helping to lead the film industry through a grassroots movement from the opening night gala day to independent. Creative thinking and raw talent will emerge if given the chance.
With an abundance of filmmakers around the world, but a relative lack of screening opportunities, organizers said they are proud to present a selection of national and international films that will bring filmmakers from around the world to San Francisco to celebrate the power of cinema and the art.
In relation to its mission, they added that “The San Francisco Frozen Film Festival”, is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 and dedicated to creating ways for independent filmmakers, young people, conscientious filmmakers and artists from underserved communities to collect and exhibit your work to the widest possible audience.
For this year there is a fairly wide billboard, so the Festival will take place between July 12 and 16, at 1459 Calle 18, #121 San Francisco.
