“Calling Us In” explores the connection between housing insecurity and the opioid crisis, emphasizing how empathy and inclusion are crucial to understanding our shared future. Through a process-driven exploration, Sarah will lead a collaborative, process-driven exploration with the SKYWATCHERS ensemble, deeply rooted in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, along with cross-disciplinary artists and advocates for health justice, harm reduction, and community investment. This work comes at a valuable time for the ensemble and Sarah's long-standing practice as an artist, arts educator, and community leader.

abdproductions.org

Enraizar/Rooting Within" is a performance led by young women of color who share their personal journeys into womanhood through Bomba, a Puerto Rican music and dance tradition. In a world shaped by patriarchy and racism, women are often forced to suppress vulnerabilities as a survival mechanism. This performance challenges that narrative as these young women embrace their vulnerabilities, emerging as stronger, more confident versions of themselves. By connecting with female ancestors and role models, they reclaim their power and tell their stories on their own terms. Through a powerful blend of choreography, song, percussion, poetry, and improvisation, they create a space to write their own narratives, honoring their roles as future ancestors. This evening-length performance features both youth performers and Bay Area-based Puerto Rican Bomba music and dance group Aguacero.

aguacerobomba.org

"Soundiata Keita, The Lion King of Mali," marks a significant milestone in Ibrahima Ouseynou Diouf’s artistic journey. This production blends Diouf's longstanding exploration of African heritage through dance with innovative multidisciplinary storytelling techniques, incorporating advanced technology for projections, sound, and lighting effects. The opportunity to headline Diamano Coura’s 50th-anniversary celebration with this new work reflects his esteemed position within the artistic community. “Soundiata Keita, The Lion King of Mali” elevates Diouf’s previous work in choreography, costume design, and music to craft a comprehensive cultural narrative.

diamanocoura.org/members

“Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink,” is a multifaceted work that explores the Ghadar movement's relevance to modern anti-colonial efforts. It aims to educate South Asian communities about their historical roots in the U.S. while bridging intergenerational participants and audiences through the presentation of diasporic narratives. “Ghadar Geet” documents both its own development and Ghadar history through a dynamic stage performance. This production integrates dance, music, and visual projections with poetry by Joti and her great-grandfather set to traditional Punjabi music.

duniyadance.com/joti

"WORD TO YOUR NANAY" is an immersive multimedia performance that blends experimentation with spiritual practice. This piece integrates dance, sound, video, and ritual to uncover hidden truths beneath the chaos of our current age of misinformation. "WORD TO YOUR NANAY" will guide audiences through a journey of refusal, remembrance, and reclamation, weaving together disparate threads of the decolonizing Filipino psyche. This performance aims to create a transformative experience that challenges perceptions and invites deep reflection on cultural identity and heritage.

sammay.art

"De Mangangá" is an Afro-Brazilian dance musical that brings to life the folklore and history of Besouro De Mangangá, a revolutionary freedom fighter. This collaborative vision blends Brazilian Afro-contemporary dance, original music (spanning R&B, Latin, Afro, and Hip-Hop genres), and Capoeira to create a vibrant, immersive storytelling experience. "De Mangangá" highlights the resilience and cultural richness of the Afro-Brazilian community and focuses on the often-overlooked history and heroes of the African diaspora beyond the African continent.

sfbatco.org
afrobraziliansf.com

"Al Zaman" creatively intertwines belly dance with historical, cultural, and personal storytelling. This immersive experience will blend movement and narrative, offering Arabic-to-English translations to bridge language barriers, while delving into the emotional intricacies of the Maqam melodic system. Through this carefully orchestrated fusion of artforms, "Al Zaman" aims to pay tribute to a bygone era, offering audiences a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Arabic artistic expression.

suhaila.com
shawl-anderson.org

"The Phoenix Paradox" reimagines the classic phoenix myth in a contemporary setting, exploring urban development, inclusivity, resilience, and the evolution of collective consciousness through the lens of rebirth. Set in West Oakland, where creativity meets conscience, the community grapples with the tangible impacts of urban development. By reimagining the phoenix myth in a modern, urban setting, the story offers a thought-provoking examination of the human experience.

dancemagazine.com/babatunji-johnson