by Magdy Zara
For three consecutive weekends, the spaces of Presidio Park will be the setting for the 45th Annual World Arts West Dance Festival, which this time has as its central theme “Dance as Activism.”
For the third time, this beautiful park has been selected to host the festival. During these days, there will be workshops and talks that illuminate the topic of dance, in addition to the presentation of the Latin groups La Mezcla or Ensemble Folklórico Colibrí.
The festival includes dialogues between artists and dance workshops at the Dance Mission Theater. Thirteen groups will participate, mainly from the Bay Area, who will share their cultural heritage through vibrant rhythms, colorful clothing, and vibrant music and dance, ranging from traditional to contemporary, from Africa, the Middle East, South Asia to the Americas and beyond. The 2024 festival theme, “Dance as Activism,” underscores the power of cultural dance to challenge social norms, preserve heritage, and inspire social change. “Dance has always been a vehicle for showcasing stories of resistance and revolution through movement,” said Dr. Anne Huang, executive director of World Arts West. “Each performance is a codified model for survival, resilience, and evolution.
The festival runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 8 this year, culminating in a day of performances focusing on culture, wisdom, and beauty through world dance and music at Presidio Tunnel Tops on Sunday, Sept. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. The festival is completely free to attend, and is a unique opportunity to be transported around the world through music and dance.
Julio Bravo in concert with his Salsabor Orchestra
The sonero Julio Bravo, performs in concert with his Salsabor orchestra, which is considered number one in the entire Bay Area.
This Peruvian salsero arrived in the United States more than 25 years ago looking for new opportunities and formed the Salsabor orchestra with which he gradually made his way in the competitive world of music in the city of San Francisco and today became one of the most recognized orchestras in the city.
After having triumphed in the most demanding North American stages and having shared with figures of the stature of Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle, Ray Sepulveda, Eddie Santiago, Tito Nieves, among others, Julio Bravo performs this Thursday, Aug. 29 at Retro Junkie, located at 2112 Main St Walnut Creek, starting at 8 p.m. the cost of admission is $20.
Immigrant Orchestra Shows Off Its Talent
With 12 musicians on stage from 10 countries, the Movement Immigrant Orchestra is a musical experiment, offering 90 minutes of art.
Movement Immigrant Orchestra, founded by Ethiopian-American singer and songwriter Meklit Hadero, is a multi-platform storytelling initiative that explores the dynamic intersection of migration and music. Movement focuses on the voices, stories, and songs of immigrant, migrant, and refugee musicians, and claims a public space for these artists to sing and tell their stories with complexity and nuance.
During this performance, attendees will be able to delight in Ethiopian jazz, along with Mexican ranchera, Malian folklore intertwined with classic Indian rhythms, and much more.
The concert will be this Saturday, Aug. 31, starting at 2 p.m., on the Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens, located on Mission St. between 3rd and 4th streets in San Francisco.
