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The
Mountain Dulcimer: Stories and Songs
Musician and storyteller Richard
Standard discusses the history of the lap or mountain dulcimer
and shares traditional dulcimer tunes as well as tales. (January
11, 2003)
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Tibetan
Sand Mandala
 The
Department of Anthropology was pleased to host a visit to San Francisco
by a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Tashi
Lhunpo monastery, now situated in southern India. Seven monks
created a sand mandala on the floor in Cowell Hall. Colored sand
or powder was painstakingly laid in place to form geometric Buddhist
designs. The design they have chosen for the Academy is called Amitayus,
which means "Deity of Long Life." This
is the monks' first visit to the United States and they are very
excited about coming to San Francisco. Their tour is supported
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For more information on the monks
and their monastery, see their website at: tashilhunpo.org.
(January 16-19, 2003)
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 Hula
in the Ancient Hawaiian Style
In its classical form, the hula is a narrative
dance style; the hand gestures and body movements accompany and
illustrate the meanings of epic chants (mele)-sung poetry
that tells a story. Early Hawaiians had no written language, so
history and cultural knowledge were passed on orally. Chants, which
were memorized, recorded thousands of years of Polynesian history
and genealogies. Whenever a mele was performed, the hula visibly
interpreted the story of the chant through hand, hip, and foot movements.
In this presentation, Misao Mizuno leads a troupe of dancers in
demonstrating the ancient form and history of the hula. The program
also includes a workshop segment, in which audience members may
learn basic hula steps or try their hands at the ipu heke,
the gourd drum that accompanies the chant. (January 18, 2003)
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Music
from Tonga
Musicians from the Heilala o Tonga
Group bring us a concert of music in the Tongan tradition. Singing
in strong harmony to the accompaniment of various instruments--ukulele,
guitar, banjo, bass, handmade drums (empty cans or oil drums to
which is lashed a cowhide drumhead), and lali (a percussion
instrument made of bamboo)--the musicians perform songs that tell
of love won and lost, Tonga's
island landscape and its royal family, human relationships, and
everyday activities, like fishing. (January 25, 2003) |
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Animal
Tales from the
African Diaspora
Poet and storyteller Tureeda Mikell brings
us a selection of traditional stories from both African and African
American tradition. This is a special program in honor of Black
History Month. (February 8, 2003)
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West
African Folk Music
Soji Odukogbe, from Nigeria, presents a program
of traditional music from West Africa. He accompanies himself on
the acoustic guitar and the talking drum. Soji is well-known in
the Bay Area African music scene; he performs with The
West African Highlife Band, The
Nigerian Brothers, and Kotoja.
This is a special program in honor of Black History Month. (February
15, 2003)
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 Tongan
Traditional Dance
The dances of Tonga,
like those of much of Polynesia, focus attention on the hands and
feet. But each region has its own unique postures and styles of
movement, as this program demonstrates. Dancers from the Heilala
o Tonga Group perform a series of traditional dances from this island
nation. These dances may include the ma'ulu'ulu (sitting
dance), the lakalaka, which tells a story through hand movements,
the ta'olunga (young women's dance), the kailao (men's
war club dance), the soke, which is performed with long and
short sticks, and others. The program will feature live music and
discussion of the dancers' traditional costumes and the significance
of the dances. (February 22, 2003)
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 The
American Tradition of Ragtime
David Reffkin directs The American Ragtime
Ensemble in a program of popular dance hall and theater music from
the turn of the last century. Using original ragtime orchestrations
from Reffkin's large collection, the group performs lively and engaging
selections from this musical repertoire. Ragtime is arguably the
first truly American form of music, predating jazz. This presentation
will include discussion of important ragtime composers, the emerging
music business, and the world of vaudeville and commercial entertainment.
(March 1, 2003)
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 Japanese
Woodblock Printing
Artist Marco
Flavio Marinucci demonstrates the process of making woodblock
prints in the traditional Japanese style. He handles all
aspects of the complex process
himself, from interviewing and photographing his subject, carving
the wood blocks, and making the colorful inks, to the actual printing
onto mulberry paper. (March 8, 2003)
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German
Folk Songs
Barb Kronau-Sorenson, on tour in the Bay Area
from Chicago, performs a selection of songs from German tradition.
Her repertoire includes lullabies, yodeling, and other lively tunes.
(March 15, 2003)
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Tales
from the Rainforest
Ruth Halpern has been collecting
and telling stories around the world for more than twenty years.
In this program, she shares traditional tales from various peoples
living in the world's rainforests. "What I love most about the rainforest
is the layers of sounds and smells there," Ruth says. One of her
stories, which she collected in the rainforests of Guatemala and
Belize, "is about a monstrous creature called a "Cincimite" who
looks like an enormous, hairy human-until
you notice that its feet are on backwards." This is a special
program in honor of Earth Day. (April 5, 2003)
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The
American Tradition of Belly Dance
Dancers from Zambalita present
an overview of belly dancing as it has evolved in the American context.
In the United States, what were once separate traditions from North
Africa and the Middle East have merged into a hybrid style-a
sort of melting pot of immigrant traditions. This performance will
include tribal and cabaret styles, as well as sword and veil dances.
(April 19, 2003)
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 Sculptured
Waxwork Candles
Jun Tiburcio, visiting the Bay Area from the Mexican state of Veracruz,
is an artist of Totonac origin. Marrying traditional forms of expression
with a personal vision, Jun's creations in language, clay, wax,
wood, palm and fibers speak of his land, nature,
his people, and the legacy of their ancestors. In this program,
Jun demonstrates one of his many forms of artistic expression
by crafting sculpted wax candles studded with red and black seeds.
The burning of these creations reminds us of both the beauty and
the evanescence of all things. Examples of
Jun's work in clay, wood, embroidery, and other media will also
be on display. (May 3, 2003)
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Andean
Village Music
Feather pipes, bone flutes, a trumpet ten feet long, and a harp
played upside-down: these are some of the instruments featured in
this performance by Edmond Badoux and Francy Vidal, who together
form Duo Chaskinakuy.
For more than thirty years, they have been researching the musical
traditions of the mountain regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
This concert features the village music of the Andean highlands
played on a wide selection of instruments, many of which were crafted
by Mr. Badoux. (May 10, 2003)
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Hawaiian Kapa
The beating of bark—preferably the inner bark of the wauke (paper mulberry
tree)—into a fine cloth is
an ancient art in Hawaii, as in other parts of Polynesia. The
Hawaiian version of this beaten
cloth, known as kapa,
is distinctive for the use of handmade wooden mallets that serve
to emboss or "watermark" a decorative pattern into the fabric.
In this program, members of Kuku I Ka Pono (The Kapa Project)
will discuss and demonstrate this traditional art.
This is a special program in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage
Month. (May 17, 2003)
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 The Magic of Chinese Music
Betty Anne Siu Junn Wong brings a group of Chinese musicians to
the Academy for this special program. The concert includes dance
and vocal solos from Kunqu opera (see photo), solo and ensemble
performances on the yueqin (Chinese moon guitar), jinghu
(opera fiddle), yangqin (butterfly dulcimer), guzheng
(ancient lap zither), and other instruments. In addition to Betty
herself, performers include visitors from China—including
the Hou sisters and a soloist from Shenyang—along
with members of the San Francisco Community Music Center's Chinese
music workshop. This is a special program
in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. (May 31, 2003) |
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A Social History of Juggling
In honor of World Juggling Day, jugglers Andrew
Conway and Tim Furst (formerly of The
Flying Karamazov Brothers) discuss the social contexts surrounding
the traditional art of juggling. Their presentation will be
illustrated with lively demonstrations of various styles of
juggling and the use of such diverse props as clubs, balls,
rings, devilsticks, diabolos, and cigar boxes. (June
14, 2003)
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| Oral Improvisation Workshop
Improvisation—the art of on-the-spot creation—is
central to the oral traditions of many societies. In Eastern
Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and other parts
of the world, the verbal dexterity required to compose oral
verse is a valued skill. Turkish verbal dueling, Greek epic
poetry, Hmong courtship songs and--more familiar to American
audiences--the African American tradition of rap all exemplify
the art of oral improvisation. In this workshop, poet and
storyteller Tureeda Mikell offers you
the chance to try out your wit and develop your own skills
in the creation of oral poetry. (June
21, 2003)
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Chinese
Dance
Diana Ming Chan
and the Heritage Dancers perform songs and dances from the folk
and classical traditions of China. (June
28, 2003) |
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Caribbean Rhythms
Zeke Nealy and his percussion ensemble present a workshop on
music from Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, with a touch of Brazilian
flavor. Come try out your skill on the drums, shakers and bells.
(July 19, 2003) |
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Magic
Show and Workshop
In many cultures, magic is a serious business through which
practitioners attempt to control, manipulate and transform the
physical world. In today's modern societies, however, the word
more often refers to a performing art featuring sleight of hand
and diverse staged routines. In this program, magician Gerardo Martínez
demonstrates his skills in the traditional art of illusion.
Following his performance, he offers a workshop in magic, including
free magic tricks for all participants! (July
26, 2003)
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Welsh
Wheat Weaving Workshop
In Wales, the weaving of wheat into delicate sculptures is an
ancient tradition deriving from agricultural magic. In this
workshop, Jan Southworth will discuss traditional designs, demonstrate
plaiting techniques, and teach participants to make a simple
wheat weaving from soaked wheat stalks. Space is limited: arrive
early to ensure a place. (August
9, 2003)
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 Mandolin
Orchestra Concert
Mandolin orchestras, a popular phenomenon early in the 20th
century, are rare today. The original Aurora Mandolin Orchestra
was a San Francisco musical ensemble of the 1920s and 30s. Gino
Pellegrini, who played with that group in the 1930s, founded
its namesake in 1970 with five players. Today, the new Aurora
Mandolin Orchestra numbers around twenty musicians, and the
octogenarian Mr. Pellegrini is still at its helm. The group's
repertoire focuses on music from the Mediterranean and beyond
(Greece, Spain, Italy, Russia) and features tangos, boleros,
marches, mazurkas, and other forms. (August 16, 2003)
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Songs
of the California Coast
Sea chanties (or shanties) are songs traditionally sung by sailors
to accompany and set the rhythm for certain kinds of heavy,
repetitive work on board ship-raising and trimming the sails,
raising the anchor, and working the pumps. But sailors sang
other sorts of songs, as well: maritime ballads and forecastle
songs (sung during times of relaxation, rather than work) also
paint portraits of life at sea and on shore. In this program,
Tom Murphey presents traditional maritime songs from California,
with a special emphasis on the Gold Rush era.
(August 23, 2003)
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Ragtime
Music (Reprise)
David Reffkin and The American Ragtime Ensemble return
for another program of popular dance hall and theater music
from the turn of the last century. This program is part of
the Academy's 150th Anniversary Festival weekend. (September
6, 2003) |
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Japanese
Comic Theater
In Japanese theater tradition, the highly stylized and refined
Noh-style plays were often interspersed with Kyogen plays,
which provided comic relief. "With its own special humor,
Kyogen addresses such worldly concerns as greed, vanity and
the pleasures of outwitting someone. Servants get the best
of their masters, [and] wives gain the upper hand over their
husbands." This performance by Theatre of Yugen, will
feature short plays in the comic Kyogen tradition. (September
13, 2003)
PHOTO:
Jennifer Michael
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European
Folk Music
The musicians of Brocelïande
offer “a magical, musical blend of Celtic and European
folk tunes combined with medieval, renaissance, and baroque
sounds.” This talented quartet sings and plays a range
of instruments, including Celtic harp, flute, mandolin, melodeon,
and viola da gamba. (September
20, 2003) |
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Songs of the Seafaring Life
In this program, ex-submariner Tom
Lewis, who spent twenty-four years in the British Royal
Navy, draws on his nautical experiences to present original
songs and maritime lore from the age of the sailing ships.
Tom's rich voice is enhanced by the button accordion and ukulele.
(September 27, 2003)
PHOTO:
Jennifer Michael
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Armenian Traditional Dance
Members of the Karoun Dance Ensemble,
under the direction of Carol Kazarian, will perform selections
from the folk and classical traditions of Armenian dance. This
performance will also feature live music. (October 4, 2003) |
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Musical Traditions of Tibet
Musician and dancer Tsering
Wangmo leads a group of Tibetan performing artists in a sampling
of traditional arts from Tibet. Selections may include a scene
from Tibetan opera, drinking songs, a foot-stamping dance, as
well as repertoire for the lute, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, and
other Tibetan folk instruments. (October 18, 2003) |
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English Morris Dancing
The members of Berkeley
Morris present a program of English traditional dances, complete
with jingling bells, colorful ribbons, waving handkerchiefs, and
lots of energy. (October 25, 2003)
PHOTO:
Jennifer Michael
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Street-Corner Gospel Songs
The performers of Bay City Luv first met
on the streets, and that is where they still give most of their
concerts of gospel and doo-wop music. In this program, the singers
will talk about the history of their "street ministry" and sing
selections from both gospel and doo-wop repertoires. In addition,
filmmaker Sally Gati will present excerpts from her new film about
this musical ensemble. (November 8, 2003)
PHOTO:
Jennifer Michael
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Italian Bistro Music
The Hot Frittatas are
a musical trio: Gus Garelick (violin and mandolin), Dennis Hadley
(accordion), and Don Coffin (guitar). They specialize in traditional
Italian Ballo Liscio (popular dance music) and have released a
CD focusing on this tradition. But their repertoire also includes
French café music, klezmer, Latin American tango and choro music,
as well as Cajun and zydeco. Come enjoy a concert of toe-tapping
selections from this Bay Area band! (November 15, 2003)
PHOTO:
Jennifer Michael
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| A Glimpse
Into Maasai Culture
The Maasai
people of East Africa live on semi-arid and arid lands in southern
Kenya and northern Tanzania. Their economy and diet are based
on livestock--cattle, coats and sheep--but maintaining their
semi-nomadic lifestyle in their traditional homeland has grown
increasingly difficult in the face of government interference
and incursion. Still, Maasai cultural traditions remain rich,
as you will learn during this presentation by Elistan Ole Supeyo.
Mr. Supeyo will discuss Maasai traditional life, show examples
of Maasai material culture (including beadwork), and tell traditional
Maasai stories. (November
22, 2003)
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| Tule
Reed Crafts in Native California
Visiting
the Bay Area from the Yosemite Park Museum, Kimberly
Cunningham-Summerfield demonstrates the many uses of tule reeds
by California Indians, including baskets, duck decoys, and mats.
This is a special program in honor of Native American Heritage
Month. (December 6,
2003)
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Annual Holiday Concert
Members
of the Deutscher Musik Verein brass band return to the
Academy for their annual concert of Christmas music from around
the world. Get in the holiday spirit and join us in celebrating
the joyous sounds of the season. (December
13, 2003) |
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