The Alterverse
San Francisco’s Celebration of Poetry & Light
December 2021
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
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:
Kick your holiday spirits into high gear with the Parks Alliance Kids show, featuring Charity and JAMband. A positive, family-friendly event.
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.
Jah Yzer plus special guest DJ Guid8nce
4:00 – 5:30 pm – Jaz Sawyer Trio (pictured)
6:00 – 7:30 pm – Kev Choice
Event is canceled
Join the San Francisco Youth Chorus for its Winter Memories concert in the park.
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.
https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/
Jah Yzer (pictured) plus special guest
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.
https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/
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)
(final Crucial event of 2021)
Jah Yzer (pictured) plus special guest Jae Five
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/