The Alterverse
San Francisco’s Celebration of Poetry & Light
December 2021
12-1
Wednesday
Opening Night – The Alterverse
Be there for the Opening Night celebration when James Weldon Johnson’s soaring words “Lift Every Voice” from the Black National Anthem are elevated and illuminated atop the revived Golden Gate Bandshell. Hear sculptor Dana King discuss Monumental Reckoning, her powerful installation which sits directly across the Music Concourse from the Bandshell. Meet SF Poet Laureate Tonge Eisen-Martin as he frames the night and month of poetry ahead. Enjoy live music with SF’s Martin Luther McCoy. Also, see the unveiling of “de Truth,” an exhibition of scrolling poetry lasered across the entire 450-foot façade of the de Young Museum and the public opening of “Circle of Life” in the nearby National AIDS Memorial Grove.
Featured Poets – James Siegel and Greg Pond
Live Music – Martin Luther McCoy and Robin Hodge Williams Ensemble
12-2
Thursday
Opening Night – Entwined
Experience the immersive, larger-than-life light exhibition by artist Charles Gadeken, located near the eastern entrance to Golden Gate Park.
(not an Illuminate exhibit, but still awesome)
Lighting of San Francisco’s Official Christmas Tree
Welcome in the holiday season with the traditional lighting of the tree at McLaren Lodge.
Post-Tree Lighting Celebration with the George Washington High School Choir
Enjoy live music featuring the George Washington High School choir, conducted by the amazing Anna Karney. The evening will also include carnival rides, food trucks, live entertainment, festive lights and family-friendly activities for all ages.
12-3
Friday
Live Music featuring The Free Press
Words and Light
A Tribute to San Francisco’s Poet Laureates
Join the SF Public Library and City Lights Books for “A San Francisco Poet Laureate Tribute” with Devorah Major (honoring Janice Mirikitani); Alejandro Murguia (honoring Lawrence Ferlinghetti); Kim Shuck (honoring Diane di Prima); Tongo Eisen-Martin (honoring Jack Hirschman).
For more information:
12-4
Saturday
SF Parks Alliance Culture and Community Festival: Latin Singer/Songwriter Day
12:00 to 12:30 pm Obrayan Calderón
12:45 to 1:15 pm Mariela Herrera
1:30 to 2:00 pm Daniel Riera (Latin Alternative Electronic)
2:15 to 2:45 pm Chris Mayorga
3:00 to 3:30 pm Monica Maria Fimbrez
12-5
Sunday
Parks Alliance Kids Show – Holiday Edition
Kick your holiday spirits into high gear with the Parks Alliance Kids show, featuring Charity and JAMband. A positive, family-friendly event.
Youth Poetry Day with 826 Valencia
Come out and celebrate young writers from the 826 Valencia writing program and cheer them on as they recite poetry from the Bandshell stage. Add your special verse to the collaborative public poem. It’s a day in the park with our next great poets. Join 826 Valencia on the eve of the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary for an afternoon of poetry readings from students. Visit the interactive booth featuring books, games, and 826 Valencia merchandise. All proceeds benefit 826 Valencia’s free writing programs.
Crucial Reggae Sunday
Jah Yzer plus special guest DJ Guid8nce
12-8
Wednesday
Performances by Shy’An G, Afterthought with The Top Chefs, & Stunnaman 02.
KQED-FM “Rightnowish” host Pendarvis Harshaw in conversation with Stunnaman 02, the two will explore the power of Bay area Hip Hop & lifting while you climb.
https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn
12-10
Friday
Two Legendary Acts: Jaz Sawyer Trio and Kev Choice
4:00 – 5:30 pm – Jaz Sawyer Trio (pictured)
6:00 – 7:30 pm – Kev Choice
12-11
Saturday
SF Parks Alliance Holiday Hootenanny
Ten performers each sing three of their favorite holiday songs. Featuring Xeff Scolari, Jason Crawford, Linda Faye Carson, Donovan Plant, Sara Rodenburg, Ben Lang, Anna Karney, Stephanie Woodford, Steven Pitsenbarger, and Chris Peck.
12-12
Sunday
Canceled – San Francisco Youth Chorus Winter Memories Concert
Event is canceled
Join the San Francisco Youth Chorus for its Winter Memories concert in the park.
Event postponed until December 19
Words and Light
Unfinished Legacy: A Youth vs. Apocalypse Event
Event postponed until December 19
As the climate and social justice movement continues to evolve and make change, we want people to think about what type of world we will leave to future generations. Join Youth Vs. Apocalypse, a diverse group of young climate justice activists working together to lift the voices of youth, in particular youth of color and working-class youth. Their collective action aims to fight for a livable climate and an equitable, sustainable, and just world.
Performances by:
Destiny Arts (youth dance company)
Aniya Butler (poet)
Imani Cezanne (poet)
Nehemiah Vaughn (poet)
Zouhair Moussa (poet)
Sandy Vasquez (poet)
Ajene (MC/rapper)
https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/
Canceled – Crucial Reggae Sunday
Jah Yzer (pictured) plus special guest
12-15
Wednesday
Postponed
Singer Songwriter Wednesday – “Sirens of the Shell”
12-16
Thursday
Words and Light
Radical Roots: A MoAD Poetry Reading
12-18
Saturday
HOWL with legendary psychedelic band Moonalice
12-19
Sunday
CANCELED
Words and Light
Unfinished Legacy: A Youth vs. Apocalypse Event
Event is canceled
As the climate and social justice movement continues to evolve and make change, we want people to think about what type of world we will leave to future generations. Join Youth Vs. Apocalypse, a diverse group of young climate justice activists working together to lift the voices of youth, in particular youth of color and working-class youth. Their collective action aims to fight for a livable climate and an equitable, sustainable, and just world.
Performances by:
Destiny Arts (youth dance company)
Aniya Butler (poet)
Imani Cezanne (poet)
Nehemiah Vaughn (poet)
Zouhair Moussa (poet)
Sandy Vasquez (poet)
Ajene (MC/rapper)
https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/
Words and Light
Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Showcase
Oakland Public Library and Chapter 510 present poets from across 10 years of the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate (OYPL) program as they gear up for the opening of applications for the 11th OYPL cohort. The event will be emceed by San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin and will include a Q&A with the poets.
Featured youth poets include: Myra Estrada (2021 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate); Kaylan Black (2021 Oakland Vice Youth Poet laureate); Dara Kashayar (2021 Finalist); Greer Nakadegawa-Lee (2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate); Chiana Griswa (2020 Finalist); Zouhair Mussa (2019 Finalist); Harrison Harvey (2017 Finalist); Isabel Hallock (2016 & 2017 Finalist); Tova Ricardo (2015 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate); Shanga Labossiere (2015 Finalist)
Crucial Reggae Sunday
(final Crucial event of 2021)
Jah Yzer (pictured) plus special guest Jae Five
12-22
Wednesday
Moved to online
Words and Light
These Poems: A Celebration of Poet June Jordan
12-24
Friday
Words and Light
The Docks – A special online presentation
The Docks, a monthly Black Freighter Press reading event, features six writers we admire. Black Freighter Press publishes revolutionary books and is committed to the exploration of liberation and using art to transform consciousness.
https://www.blackfreighterpress.com/
12-26
Sunday
ONLINE
Words & Light
Umoja – A Kwanzaa Celebration with MoAD
12-29
Wednesday
ONLINE
Words & Light
R&R {rest(oration)ritual}
12-31
Friday
