This week on Open Air, KALW’s radio magazine for the Bay Area performing arts, host David Latulippe talks with saxophonist Richard Howell about his new project with choreographer Gregory Dawson, called Mangaku, August 24 and 25 (both 8pm) at the YBCA Theater in San Francisco.
Borrowing from the title of Howell’s just-released jazz album, Coming of Age—Mangaku, the program features the world premiere of Mangaku, a work for 12 dancers, accompanied live by Howell and guest musicians.
Rounding out the program is Floating in Mid Air, Dawsondancesf and Howell’s last collaboration, which premiered at San Francisco’s Bayview Opera House earlier this year. Under the direction of Gregory Dawson, Dawsondancesf has partnered with Howell in a multi-year engagement. Mangaku is their fifth collaboration since 2013.
Also stopping by are conductor Derek Tam and mezzo-soprano Molly Mahoney to talk about the East Bay premiere of Street Requiemon August 25 (7:30pm) at the First Congregational Church (2345 Channing Way) in Berkeley.
Street Requiem was composed in 2014 by Australian composers Kathleen McGuire, Andy Payne and Jonathon Welch, in memory of all those who live on the margins of society, or have died nameless, homeless or innocent on streets around the world. The 50-minute cantata employs Gospel, Celtic, neo-Romantic, neo-Baroque, and contemporary compositional styles to reflect the multicultural and multi-faith traditions of modern urban life. All proceeds will benefit the Women's Daytime Drop-in Center in Berkeley to support its programs for homeless women and their children.
First Church Music Director Derek Tam conducts a chamber orchestra and a 100-voice chorus of singers from the Berkeley Community Choir and Orchestra (BCCO), the Berkeley Women's Community Chorus, and the First Church Berkeley Choir. Tenor Brian Thorsett and mezzo-soprano Molly Mahoney are the soloists.
From Hillbarn Theatre, the Peninsula's premier theatre company in Foster City, we meet with mezzo-soprano Ana Paula Malagón, who sings the role of Maria in the season opening production of West Side Story, which opens on August 30 and runs through September 16.
Plus, singer/songwriter and Bay Area native, Spencer Day drops by to discuss his recent new album Angel City, and his upcoming performances at Feinstein’s at the Nikko on August 24 and 25 (both 8pm).
Open Air with host David Latulippe, heard live on Thursday, August 23 at 1pm. Listen now or anytime…