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Free music in the park
+ international flavors
= the way the world should be!
– Audience Survey |
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Hafez Modir
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Hafez Modir's Sound Come-Unity!
Thursday, July 2, 12:30–1:30pm
Sound Come-Unity consists of master musicians from selected musical cultures of the world who partake in an ancient form of intercultural dialog, turning musical tradition into the rich compost necessary for building a sound society. The ensemble will be joined by guest trumpeter, Amir ElSaffar, direct from NYC!
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Lavay Smith
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Let's Go Dance @ Jessie! Series
Jessie Square turns into a downtown open-air dance party with live bands playing groovin’ rhythms, from polka to salsa, swing to bhangra, and beyond. Jessie Square is located next to St. Patrick’s Church and the Contemporary Jewish Museum. First Thursdays of the month – come early for the dance lessons, stay late for the dancing!
Lavay Smith & the Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Thursday, July 2, 6–7:30pm
Lavay Smith is internationally recognized as The Queen of classic jazz & blues in the authentic style of the 1940s and 1950s. Lavay's last album received a prestigious 4 & 1/2 Star review in Downbeat magazine and reached the top 10 on the national Billboard jazz charts. Swing dance lessons will be taught at 6pm with a dance party following! No prior experience necessary.
“The Skillet Lickers are bona fide jazz players, proffering chops and Basie-esque arrangements to shame all other modern groups of their ilk. Then there's Smith, whose sultry vocals readily betray the influence of Billie Holiday, Little Esther and Dinah Washington while sounding slavish to none.”
– Buddy Siegal, Orange County Weekly
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Nefasha Ayer
Thursday, July 9, 12:30–1:30pm
Nefasha Ayer, loosely translated from Amharic as the wind that travels, joins melodies, rhythms, and poetic texts from the continents of Africa, South Asia, and the Americas. Through this interweaving, the ensemble explores the intangible quality of living in a world where borders have given way, where identity is fluid and moving, no longer framed by nation or tradition, but born in the space between the many.
“…a cross-cultural band that riffs on dancing grooves
and floating melodies.”
– SF Chronicle
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Nefasha Ayer
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Merola's Schwabacher Summer Concert
Sunday, July 12, 2–4pm
Bring your friends and family to enjoy opera al fresco – with cool grass underfoot and the sun overhead. Artists from the acclaimed Merola Opera Program will perform semi-staged, extended excerpts from opera favorites. Bring a picnic and sunscreen and see and hear tomorrow's opera stars with a full orchestra!
“The singers were all exceptional.
It was a THRILLING event. Thank you.”
– Audience Survey
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Merola's Schwabacher Summer Concert
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT
France: Eric John Kaiser
Thursday, July 16, 12:30–1:30pm
Eric John Kaiser is fast becoming known for his unique blend of folk, rock, and funk with French and English lyrics, promising high-energy, exciting, and danceable performances.
Presented with 
“Simply sensational… Charming and mellow with simply gorgeous harmonies.”
– CD Baby Review |
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Eric John Kaiser
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Alleluia Panis |
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Alleluia Panis Dance Theater
Ibig: Pulse of Desire
Saturday & Sunday, July 18 & 19, 1–2pm
Ibig: Pulse of Desire is the newest dance theater work by director/ choreographer Alleluia Panis, in collaboration with director Sean San Jose, and vocalist/composer Dwayne Calizo, featuring works by Pilipino-American poets/storytellers Bayani Mariano and Oscar Peñaranda.
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TODCO Poets
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TODCO Poets
Poetry for Hard Times: Wit and Wisdom From Our Elders
Tuesday, July 21, 12:30–1:30pm
Proving that creativity is ageless, the TODCO Poets wax eloquent on romance, sex, friendships, family, politics, aging and other topics that have occupied poets since time immemorial. Under the direction of Nancy Deutsch, the Poets bring wit and wisdom to their original works of poetry. The group’s poem, Dare We Dream In Concrete is engraved in granite at the entrance to the Yerba Buena Gardens.
“THE TODCO POETS WERE GREAT!!” – Audience Survey |
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Tango No. 9
Thursday, July 23, 12:30–1:30pm
With its unique instrumentation of violin, trombone, piano, and accordion/bandoneon, Tango No. 9 embraces both a reverence to tango's seductive past and an innovative vision of the music's storied future. Tango No. 9 is Catharine Clune (violinist, musical director), Greg Stephens (trombonist, composer), Isabel Douglass (accordion), and Joshua Raoul Brody (pianist).
“As soon as we got settled, the music grabbed us by the emotional necktie and pushed us up against a sonic wall. Abandoning all desire for chat, we gave ourselves over to the music...”
– Hiya Swanhuyser, SF Weekly |
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Tango No. 9 |
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San Francisco Theater Festival
Sunday, July 26, 11am–5pm
This unique and exciting festival of short performances on multiple stages by over 75 theater companies and solo artists celebrates the Bay Area's lively theater world, including comedy, tragedy, children's shows, musicals, improv, hip-hop, Shakespeare, and storytelling. One acts, standup, and circus, the San Francisco Theater Festival has it all!
“Very cool. There's a ton of stages, each with a different performance every half-hour... a great way for theater geeks and snobs alike to spend a nice day in the shadow of the MOMA and find out what the Bay Area theater scene has to offer...”
–Yelp! Review
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John Worley
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT
John Worley & WorlView
Thursday, July 30, 12:30–1:30pm
Combining a hard-hitting approach with potent lyricism, trumpet/flugelhorn artist John Worley has created a unique sound. His WorlView ensemble touches on all corners of the Americas, riding a world chart of bop, straight ahead jazz, tango, Afro-Cuban and all ports in between.
“He has thrived by adopting a global perspective that encompasses influences from Latin America and Asia. Immersing himself in the region's most creative musical currents, Worley has been an essential component of leading Latin and Asian American jazz bands.” –Andrew Gilbert, SF Chronicle
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Children's Garden Series
“Family friendly good stuff for kids!” – Audience Survey
Sing! Dance! Make Music! Juggle!
This popular interactive series is designed to delight children under 10 and their adults.
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Caterpillar Puppets
Saturday, July 25, 11am & 12:15pm
Friday, July 31, 11am & 12:15pm
Top stars of the Caterpillar Puppets are the Three Little Bla-bla-blas, a baby orangutan, and a rainforest monster whom the audience must help sing peacefully to sleep.
“It was so imaginative and a wonderful community event.” – Audience Survey |
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Venezuelan Music Project
Saturday, July 3, 11am & 12:15pm
Led by Jackeline Rago, VMP's music ranges from folklore driven songs executed with traditional instruments, to more contemporary urban dance compositions complimented by the addition of the electric bass, flute, and saxophone. Combining Indigenous-Venezuelan, West African and Spanish-European influences, VMP is a dynamic ensemble full of vibrancy, energy and color.
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The Unique Derique
Friday, July 10, 11am & 12:15pm
Saturday, July 18, 11am & 12:15pm
Turning his agile limbs into a drum set or a harpsichord keyboard, the unique Derique delights audiences of all ages. His interactive performance – percussive, syncopated and dynamic – will leave you smiling for the rest of the day.
Sponsored by 
“During the show my daughter Catherine stood up and exclaimed, ‘Mom, he is so funny that I just had to pee in my pants.’ And she did. She's been fully potty trained for 2 years.” – Audience Survey
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California Sing-Along
with Charlie Chin
Friday, July 17, 11am & 12:15pm
Join folksinger Charlie Chin as he plays the guitar and banjo, taking us on a sing-along journey through California history. We'll visit the Gold Rush, the building of the Trans-continental Railroad, pass through the Golden Gate and find our hearts in San Francisco. |
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Balamcoatl:
Mesoamerican Music & Dance
Saturday, July 11, 12–1pm
Balamcoatl takes audiences on a journey from the South to the North of Mexico, using traditional regional costumes and instruments. Balam (jaguar in Maya), and coatl (serpent in Nahuatl), unite to weave Mesoamerican themes into a tapestry of colorful legends. During the interactive presentation, children have the opportunity to dance inside the jaguar's paper mâché costume and play instruments such as turtle shells with deer horns, maracas, drums and rattles. (Narrated Program.)
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Chelle! & Friends
Friday, July 24, 11am & 12:15pm
Chelle! & Friends perform music from New Orleans, one of the most musical, fun-loving cities in the world. The land where Jazz was born, New Orleans is home to many famous musicians and has played an important role in the development of American music. Join the party, move your feet, sing-along, and join a Mardi Gras parade to celebrate this great city. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
“Feel the love. Feel the joy. Hope and dance. That's what Chelle! & Friends is all about.” – Amazon Review |
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| Please tell your friends about the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and ask them to sign up for our e-News list. It's easy, free, and a great way to find out about what's going on in the Gardens! |
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*BUZZ*ing around the Gardens |
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Investing in Artists Grant Guidelines, due July 15
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Jewels in the Square, Union Square, April–October
80 FREE events over the summer in the heart of downtown San Francisco, including Lindy in the Square, Night Caps Blues Band, Moon Alice, Salsa in the Square, and Film Night! Click here for a schedule of events.
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Oy Vey! Thursday, Contemporary Jewish Museum
1st Thursday of the month, June–September
Begin each month with a unique and stylish atmosphere at Oy Vey! Thursday at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Unwind with a signature cocktail, listen to music, kvetch with friends, and see some art! For more details, please visit the CJM website. Then stay for Let's Go Dance @ Jessie!
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YBG "Learning Days" Series
The Learning Garden offers programming every Sunday morning, with a larger special event on the last Saturday of each month. Download the current schedule.
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The Power of Smallness…
The Red Poppy Art House is a multi-disciplinary hub for artists and creative thinkers tucked in the heart of San Francisco's Mission district. As a painting studio, a performance venue, and an overall incubator of planetary culture, the "Poppy" presents 120 intimate performances a year, and family art activities every Saturday afternoon. Visit: www.redpoppyarthouse.org.
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YBGF Goes 2.0
   Find pictures of artists, video clips of performances, and up-to-date information on our season. Check us out on MySpace and Facebook. You can also follow us @YBGF on Twitter for event reminders and up-to-the-minute updates on weather and more! |
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Season Sponsors
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Support our 2009 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival sponsors.
Sponsors make possible all the FREE public programming in Yerba Buena Gardens.
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About the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents classical, world and jazz music, contemporary and traditional dance, theater, children’s and family programs, and cultural events reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the region. Artistic excellence, inclusion, diversity, and innovation are at the heart of our mission. As the only curated arts park fully dedicated to the long-term presentation of free arts and cultural programs, Yerba Buena Gardens has a unique place in the cultural landscape of San Francisco.
Yerba Buena Gardens is located on Mission between 3rd & 4th Streets in downtown San Francisco, approximately 2 blocks from the BART/MUNI Powell or Montgomery Street stations. MUNI bus lines, CalTrain, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and AC Transit all make convenient stops near the Gardens.
All programs are free with open seating; however, chair seating is limited. We recommend attendees dress in layers and bring blankets, picnics, and low lawn chairs for optimum comfort. YBGF caps and new limited edition t-shirts designed by world-renowned SF artist Michael Rios (1st in our series of artist-designed t-shirts) are available for a small donation.
NO PETS PLEASE. ADA accessible.  |
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Yerba Buena Gardens Festival | Yerba Buena Arts & Events
760 Howard Street | San Francisco, CA 94103 | 415-543-1718
www.YBGF.org |
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