Hey Kids! is a weekly feature looking at what’s coming up for families and kids of all ages.
C’est très sick. B-girls and bunheads face-off at Roxie Theater this week. Documentary film “La Danse – The Paris Opera Ballet” (2009) sashays until Jan. 28. Breakdancing drama “B-Girl” (2009) stars Lady Jules and some of the world’s most elite breakers. Catch the one-time matinee show on Saturday, Jan. 23. Filmmaking sisters Emily and Elizabeth Dell will be there for Q & A.
City College of San Francisco is offering free child observation classes for parents and their babes/tots. Instructor and Mission parent Nancy Gapasin Gnass says its “a great way to connect with other parents, talk about what’s going on and find support. The [Mission campus] class space is new, clean, and fun, especially for crawling babies.”
There’s also observation classes for parents and their kids aged 5 and under. Registration is done at class itself, so you don’t have to register through CCSF in advance.
On Friday mornings Jan. 22 & 29, take part in a 30-minute parent focus group and stay for a free Spanish for Fun Playcircle. This is part of ¡Mucho Más! Spanish Immersion Education Program.
(By the way, the above info was found on Mission Parents Group, a great resource.)
What’s up with the staircase to nowhere? Or a dead-end door? Hop on the bus and find out. SF Thomassons Performance Tour explores useless architecture with on-site performances of dance, comedy, music and theater. It’s led by Asian American artists and features Allan Manalo, Philip Huang, Christina Miglino, Kennedy Kabasares and others. Anthem Salgado (who recently performed “Bare Knuckle” at Brava Theatre) tells about “collaborating” with these architectural oddities:
“When can artist and object truly carry equal weight? I could think of two examples. One, graffitti. If the wall disappeared so would the art. And if the art disappeared, the wall would be reduced to its original mundane purpose. Two, skateboarders that grind corners. Again, if the curb disappeared, skaters would lose a whole methodology of riding. And if the skaters disappeared, the curb would return to its typically overlooked self. My proposition – to treat the puzzle as a sculptural one rather than a performance one. Please join the tour and see if my brain vomit in theory and/or practice carries any weight at all.”
SF Thomassons Tour is presented by (former Mission-based) Kearny Street Workshop and Kaya Press in response to Akasegawa Gempei’s book Hyperart: Thomasson. Saturday, Jan. 23 from 12 noon to 2pm. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the bus. Tour begins at 953 Mission St. @ 5th St (Mint Mall, lower level).
Bon voyage, rain or mirage!
Upcoming events: (subject to change, confirm times)
“Proximities” Exhibit
New works by artist Ehren Reed rely upon found materials such as maps and books to create multi-dimensional work examining human relationships, time and space. Digital media is reinterpreted through stitching and embroidery. Silhouettes of people, young and old, evoke absence and/or presence. Show runs Jan.21 – Mar.2. Free. Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia St. (near 19th)
The Bright River
A hip-hop retelling of Dante’s Inferno by a traditional storyteller with a live soundtrack performed by some of the best hip-hop and klezmer musicians in the Bay Area. A deep-rooted love story, a profound meditation on mass transit, and a passionate commentary on the current war in Iraq. The show tours the Afterlife with a unique blend of theatre, Jewish folklore, and beatboxing. Written by Tim Barsky, directed by Jessica Heidt. Show run continues Jan.22-Feb. 20. $15-$35. Brava Theater, 2781 24th St. (at York)
“La Danse — The Paris Opera Ballet” (2009)
Documentary following the production of seven ballets by the Paris Opera Ballet. ”One of the finest dance films ever made” (NY Times). Directed by Frederick Wiseman. (158 mins.) Continues Jan. 22-28. 5pm & 8pm. $5-$9.75. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St. (near Valencia)
Community Meeting on Proposed Park Site at 17th and Folsom
Help the city design a new park, and tell what activities and programs are needed in neighborhood. (I for one would like a concert-in-the-park series, a giant interactive sound sculpture and topiaries shaped like apalcas.) The Planning Department, Recreation & Park Department and the Mayor’s Office of Housing have partnered to explore acquisition of the site from SFPUC to build a neighborhood serving park and affordable housing development. English to Spanish translation, light refreshments, childcare and youth activities provided. Sat., Jan. 23. 11am-2pm. Free. Marshall Elementary School, 1575 15th St. (at Capp)
Indian Classical Music for Children
Robin Sukhadia leads a class for children and parents. Kids will be introduced to some traditional Indian instruments and will get to “tap the tablas”. A story will be read to them and Indian classical music played along to it. Weather permitting, play and chat afterwards at nearby Parque Ninos Unidos (please bring a snack). For ages 3 and older (one parent should attend). RSVP merav[at]meravrozenblum.com. Sat., Jan. 23. 10:15am-11am. $20 per child. Sangati Center, 3049 22nd St. (at Shotwell)
Movin’ and Shakin’
Scaly or slimy — don’t deny me! Hosts Zenaida and Lauren will introduce the kids to some very special reptile friends. They will be encouraged to interact with the animals and learn about them as well. Sat., Jan. 23. 2pm-4pm. Free. Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia St. (at 19th)
13th Annual Commemoration of El Salvador’s 1932 “Matanza”
Presented by Three Nations Indian Circle. In January 1932, a popular uprising began in Western El Salvador over the need for equality, economic justice, and land reform. The government retaliated swiftly; approximately 30,000 people (mostly Indian) were slain. Join in solidarity with the Native people of El Salvador and their struggle for justice, rights and recognition. Traditional dance and music performed. Share in culture and honor. Sat., Jan. 23. 5:30pm-7:30pm. $5 donation. Women’s Building, 3543 18th St. (at Lapidge)
“Mendoza 1963” Concert
In this concert performance, Daniel Velazquez unites Latin folk and American jazz musicians to bring to life the music and story of Mercedes Sosa and the Nuevo Cancionero Artistic Movement. Sat., Jan. 23. 8pm. $10-$15. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission St. (at 25th)
“B-Girl” Dance Film Screening
A young brilliant female breaker (played by Lady Jules) overcomes a violent attack, finding inner strength battling in L.A.’s underground hiphop world. Starring Lady Jules, one of the best b-girls in the world, as well as Wesley Jonathan, Aimee Garcia, Drew Sidora, b-boys Flipz, Flea, Legacy, Remedy, Steelo, Rainen, and more. Filmmaking sisters Emily and Elizabeth Dell (writer/director and producer) will be there for Q&A and afterparty. Sat., Jan. 23. Doors open at 2:30pm. Screening 3pm. $7. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St. (near Valencia)
The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth
Not only the greatest, but now the longest running bubble show on earth! Gobs of bubbles brew in the Marsh: flying saucer bubbles, smoky square bubbles, cosmic bubbles, centipede bubbles, even kids in bubbles. Float into an iridescent paradise with Louis Pearl, the Amazing Bubble Man. Accompanied by Jetty Swart’s winsome live accordion and vocal music. Extended show run continues through Apr. 3. All shows at 11am. $7-10. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St. (near 22nd St.)
Urban Fiction Writing Workshop
Do you like to read stories about young people dealing with life in the ghettos and barrios of urban America? Have you ever thought about writing your own urban fiction story? In this workshop we will learn from our favorite urban fiction stories and then write our own. Presented in collaboration with WritersCorps. For ages 14 – 22. Contact Nicole at 415.355.5735 or ntermini@sfpl.org for more info. Tues., Jan. 26. 6pm-7pm. Free. Mission Branch Library, 300 Bartlett St. (at 24th)