October 24,1997
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October 24,1997
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I f you're into jazz music, you don't want to miss the 15th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival (SFJF), which is one of the hippest, most happening events going on now through Nov. 2 in various locations throughout the city.
This year's festival includes a variety of jazz artists, international musicians, San Francisco bands, rising jazz stars and legendary names such as Sonny Rollins, Celia Cruz, Joe Williams and many more.
"The Jazz Festival strives to represent the San Francisco jazz scene," said Ann Dyer, director of marketing and publicity for the festival. "Even though we do present international artists, we try to make it a uniquely San Francisco event. We match artists to interesting venues because we have a beautiful city and unique [music] halls."
Many diverse groups will be represented in the festival. "We have a wonderful Afro-Cuban community, Brazilian community, Asian jazz and much more," Dyer said. "We try to reflect all of these components of jazz into our programming rather than to stick to one kind of jazz."
City College's own David Hardiman and his San Francisco All-Star Big Band will perform at this year's festival. "I am honored to be a part of it, because it's one of the largest and greatest jazz festivals," said Hardiman, who is also a professor of jazz studies at City College.
Hardiman's Big Band performs in the tradition of Duke Ellington's Count Basie bands. "We are equally proficient in the music of big bands of the swing era, bebop, cool, contemporary and top-40 styles," Hardiman said.
The band will perform on an evening titled: "A Swing Thing: Films and Dance Party," on Oct. 27 at 8: 00 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. The evening will begin with a screening of classic dance films from the Chertok Film Archive, the world's preeminent private collection of jazz film-archival film footage depicting the swing era in Harlem in the 1940s.
"After the films, the audience will be invited to come up and dance," Hardiman said. So, get ready to jump in and jive with San Francisco's "Queen of Swing," Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, who will also play that night.
As Duke Ellington would say, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."
Ready to salsa? Join the legendary "Queen of Salsa," Celia Cruz, and rising young star, Albita, at "A Cuban Dance Party" Oct. 25 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 8:30 p.m. "This is the largest concert we have ever presented," Dyer said. It's sure to be red-hot.
The festival has also commissioned a new piece from a foreign composer. "We've commissioned a piece from Toshiko Akiyoshi, a Japanese woman who's been leading big bands and composing for 30 years," Dyer said. "She's going to be doing a piece where she's incorporating her Asian background into a big jazz band, featuring special guest Miya Masaoka."
Akiyoshi's new composition is called "Jazz Suite for Koto and Orchestra" and will be performed in three instrumental movements. "It is a challenge writing Japanese koto, and Masaoka's koto is 21 stringed instruments," said Akiyoshi. "Traditionally, the koto has thirteen strings ... Masaoka is a virtuoso player."
"An Evening with Toshiko Akiyoshi" will be presented at the Herbst Theater on Oct. 25 at 8:00 p.m.
If you're interested in talking jazz with other fanatics, you should check out the festival's presentation of "Jazz Dialogues," an annual series of entertaining programs including conversations with artists, panel discussions and master classes, all of which are offered free to the public.
Head
over to the jazz festival headquarters located at
Embarcadero Center Four for information on purchasing
tickets and merchandise and attending free jazz lectures.
For information and tickets call the festival hotline at
(415) 788-SFJF. To order tickets by phone, call BASS at
(415) 776-1999.
It's Halloween time again, and the one day of the year when you can be anybody but yourself, is creeping up on us. In case you're at a loss for festive plans, scan the list below. San Francisco has many places to go and many freaks to see, so there is no excuse for staying home and passing out candy.
HALLOWEEN PICNIC City College's Bi-Gala is having a picnic; BYO everything, but food will also be for sale. Thursday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. Ram Plaza. Costumes are requested.
THE HOOKERS HALLOWEEN BALL Oct. 31. VIP party with restaurant food and performances by Rosie Radiator and the SF Rad-Tap Team and many more at 7 p.m. Main event with music by Dutch Falconi & His Twisted Orchestra, The Retro-Fitters, Galaxy Chamber, exhibit booths, cabaret area at 8:30 p.m. The ball benefits COYOTE and the Street Survival Project. Maritime Hall, 450 Harrison St., S.F. (415) 646-0763.
EXOTIC EROTIC HALLOWEEN BALL Morris Day and the Time, Superbooty, Impotent Sea Snakes, L.Z. Love, Soul Trippers, Pandemonium Band, Greg Lopez, and too many more artists to list. The event is sponsored by Wild 94.9 and will include a multimedia light show, S.F. Taiko Drummers, Circus for Adults, a Live Slave Auction, and a costume contest. This Sat., 8 p.m. Townsend Center, 699 Eighth St., S.F. (415) 567-2255.
HALLOWEEN SAN FRANCISCO Join CUAV, the Asian AIDS Project, The National Task Force on AIDS Prevention, MECA, BART and 200,000 revelers as they celebrate the lesbian, gay, and bisexual and transgender holiday. Oct. 31. 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Civic Center, S.F.
HARRY DENTON'S will be offering its usual Friday night dancing with a Halloween twist to include a drag show, Chanel performing, and a costume contest in which the winner walks home with $100. Oct. 31, 9 p.m. at 161 Stuart St., S.F.
COME AS YOU'RE NOT Eye-Spy Fright Club Halloween Party, with DJ Bruce and Multi Media Meltdown. Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m., VSF, 278 11th St., S.F. (415) 281-0823.
Z95.7 FREAKY FRIDAY
HALLOWEEN BASH
DJ Company live. $500 for the best costume. Oct. 31, 9 p.m.,
The Sound Factory, Harrison St., S.F.
SWINGERS HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE BALL With the New Monty Show, Vise Grip, Royal Crown Revue and The Johnny Swing Dance Troop. Costume contest and swing lessons included. Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Center, S.F. (415) 675-6208.
DANCE FOR THE CURE Dinner and dancing leukemia benefit. Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Grand Hyatt, Union Square, S.F. (415) 921-9626.
NEW WAVE CITY HALLOWEEN Duran Duran salute, '80s costume contest. Oct. 31, 9 p.m. King Street Garage, 174 King St., S.F. (415) 675-5683.
CARNIVAL COSTUME PARTY Funk, reggae and Latin dance music. Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Bauhaus Art Club, 6139 Geary Blvd., S.F. (415) 387-1151.
HALLOWEEN SHIP Storytelling, hot cider and treats on the C.A. Thayer. Oct. 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. S.F. Maritime National Historic Park, Hyde St. Pier, S.F. (415) 331-3214.
A TITANIC EXPERIENCE Cafe du Nord recreates the luxury liner's last supper with authentic music. Oct. 31, 6:30-11 p.m. 2017 Market St., S.F. (415) 861-5016.
For the kids...
If you're a parent, here are a few places you can take the little ones:
PUMPKIN-PAINTING EVENT Staff from the Purple Crayon art studio help children create beautiful pumpkins. Saturday, Oct. 25, noon-3 p.m. Free. Ghirardelli Square, Plaza Level, 900 North Point St., S.F. (415) 775-5500.
HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Children's party features a concert by Gary Lapow, arts and crafts, costume karaoke, cookie decorating, trick or treating. Sunday, Oct. 26, noon-4 p.m. The Cannery courtyard, 2801 Leavenworth St., S.F. (415) 771-3112.
So put on a mask and enjoy yourself. Happy Halloween!
- Compiled by Hollan Goewey
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