This week’s Curator: Mikl Em of The Interval and Speechless Live
When did April get so busy? I’m involved with 5 events this month (two this week, including Speechless Live tomorrow which, #shocker, I recommend). I think every Anglerfish editor is onstage or producing this week. So the supply of events should not be a problem. This is Poetry Month and I have a great tip for you there. I’ve also highlighted a pair of premiering plays that showcase the wealth of ethnic diversity and artistic excellence in the Bay Area. When noise and BS lurk on all of our screens, it’s invaluable and down right healthy to seek a broader range of art, culture, and perspective. It might even be worth a drive to San Jose! But wait, there’s more: vital SF history; earth-shaking science; an Anglerfish author; and OMG it’s Record Store Day, too! Hope you have a great week and go out and play in the world!
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COMING UP THIS WEEK:
Adios Mama Carlota, The Empress of Mexico – World premiere at San Jose Stage
In 1965 after working with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Luis Valdez joined Cesar Chavez’s effort to organize farm workers. He wrote and performed agitprop theatre on the back of trucks for migrant workers. El Teatro Campesino, the troupe originally formed to get political messages directly to workers, continues to this day. His breakthrough play & film Zoot Suit also launched the career of Edward James Olmos. Valdez’s peak popular reach came when he directed the film La Bamba. Unless you count his voice acting in Disney’s Coco, which is fair. But he’s taken a more artistic than commercial path, generally. The set is much grander than a truck bed in his play which premieres in San Jose tonight. Adios Mama Carlota runs through the end of the month. Here’s a review. Consider going to see what a legendary artist is doing over half a century into his career.
WED APR 10 (closes APR 28) 7PM, San Jose Stage, San Jose; $32-72
Author Talk: Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders at SF Main Public Library
All The Anglerfish editors produce events, so we constantly miss each other’s shows. Rest assured if I didn’t have my own thing on, I’d be front row for Annalee Newitz’s appearance with Nebula Award-winner Charlie Jane Anders. Years ago they co-founded io9.com. Now they are not only fixtures of the Bay Area literary/arts/culture scene, they are each internationally recognized & awarded for their imaginative fiction. In fact, with new books and TV shows in development they are two of the hottest writers in the industry right now. The combo of local, world class, and Team Anglerfish, means I’m listing this even though, I know, Bart did it last week, too. Go early: this free event is bound to be packed.
THU, APR 11, 6-7:30PM, SFPL Main Library LGPTQIA Center, SF, FREE
East Bay Science Cafe – Earthquake Mythbusters
“Get an overview on earthquake hazards in the Bay Area, some cool science the Berkeley Seismological Lab is working on to help increase knowledge and safety, and bust some common myths about earthquakes and preparedness.”
THU, APR 11, 7PM, Cafe Leila, Berkeley; FREE
Scenes From 71* Years – US premiere at Potrero Stage
From the first theatre company in the US devoted to plays from or about the Middle East: “Palestinian-Irish playwright Hannah Khalil draws from stories of family and friends to reveal the real human story: the dreams, comedy, sadness, and frustrations of daily life in the shadow of the ‘separation wall.’” More about the play and its US debut.
FRI, APR 12 (opening; runs til May) 8PM (3PM Sunday matinee); Potrero Hill, SF, $20-38
Coit Tower Murals Tour With Jon Golinger
“In conjunction with the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Maritime Museum / Aquatic Park bathhouse building in 1939, Jon Golinger of Protect Coit Tower will be giving a free special historic Coit Tower Murals Tour.” www.ProtectCoitTower.org
SAT APR 13: 9:30AM, Coit Tower, SF; FREE
Shaping SF Walking Tour: Market St.—The Contested Boulevard
Shaping SF purveys vital history that almost got lost. So… find it: “Stroll through the center of San Francisco along its main thoroughfare, discovering the social movements and events that shaped the City’s history, and explore the ecology still evident under the pavement” A three hour tour, a three hour tour!!
SAT APR 13: 12PM; McKesson Plaza near Union Square, SF; $20-30 sliding scale donation
Record Store Day (all over the world)
You know about Record Store Day, right? Special limited releases from every sort of up & coming and legendary musician you can imagine. Indie-focused and vinyl-centric, but there’s something for everyone and the good vibrations flow. I won’t play favorites, click the link and find a store. Oh wait, I will mention the Wax Trax documentary soundtrack which has golden tickets to see Ministry play live. That’s pretty cool.
SAT APR 13: various times; all over; list of California stores; Free, but buy stuff!
Grace Notes: Poets at Grace Cathedral
A wonderful lineup of poets read in the beautiful cathedral at this FREE event to celebrate National Poetry Month. Thanks to those heroes at Litquake. Poets include Paola Capó-García, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Henri Cole, Robert Hass, Brenda Hillman, Barbara Jane Reyes. Hosted by D.A. Powell.
SAT APR 13: 8PM; Grace Cathedral in Nob Hill, SF; Free tickets here
Can Nationalism be a Resource for Democracy? Maya Tudor at The Interval
This is one of mine. Another worldly view. Dr Tudor is a political scientist who brings expertise in other disciplines to examine the power and potential of nationalism in new ways. Are there different kinds of nationalism? Is it possible for strongly held national identities to have a positive effect on democracy? Looking at Myanmar, India, and elsewhere she finds interesting answers.
TUE APR 16: 6:30pm doors, talk at 7:30pm at The Interval, Fort Mason, SF; $25 (only a few tickets left)