Sights & Sounds is your weekly guide to the Bay Area arts scene. Dancer, artist, and healer Sammay Dizon told KALW’s Jen Chien about three fantastic arts events happening around the Bay this week.
- Tracing Africa Circle— Eastside Cultural Center on 4/26
- MOMENT Vinyl Release Party — PLACE for Sustainable Living on 4/29
- The Gangster Of Love — Magic Theater thru 5/11
Tracing Africa Circle is a series of talks and demonstrations about the history and philosophy of multicultural dance forms of Africa. “Dancing Pelvis: Practice and Meanings,” is the sixth installment of the series, and it will be moderated by Byb Bibene, artistic director of Kiandanda Dance Theater. There will be an introductory talk, a demonstration, video, and circle participation.
"I consider Byb one of my brothers. I believe he is one of the most prolific artists in the Bay right now. He's one of those artists that move to me by bones."
Momentis a solo album by Teao Sense, who is a producer, DJ, and founder of Audiopharmacy, a live music ensemble that uses globally infused hip hop to inspire social change. The album is about the journey of a human soul from birth, finding self, all the way to becoming aware of our interconnectedness and being inspired to selflessly contribute to our universal needs. Moment is also an homage to his late grandmother, Grace Wong, and it intricately blends hip hop, house, and Latin genres, to tell a story.
"Teao is phenomenal. I was just at his studio, they were like come watch this new project, and I had no idea really what it was. Then it began. It was like being on a spaceship!"
The Gangster Of Love is the theatrical adaptation of JessicaHagedorn's book by the same name. It tells the story of Raquel "Rocky" Rivera and her eccentric family's move from Manila to the Haight during the 1970s. The story opens a window to a dynamic period of conflict, social change, and artistic flourishing in San Francisco. The lauded city of poets, rebels, and thriving musicians will be reclaimed through the eyes of Hagedorn's immigrant artists. The show features live music, poetry reading, and music videos. It runs until 5/11 at Magic Theater, and there will be one show at Laney College on 5/5.
"As a fellow Bindlestiff-er, just to see our folks at that next level is super exciting. And please go! It's incredible! I watched it!"
Sammay's arts festival Urban x Indigenous IV is at SOMArts Cultural Center on June 16-17 and will feature the premiere of H.O.L.Y. CITY.