Storefront Art Exhibits

Gavin Newsom just announced a partnership with the SF Arts Commission to use vacant storefronts as gallery space for visual artists. A lot of cities have been doing this at all different levels (I think Minneapolis has the best program for it) and I'm happy to see it starting up here now too. I hope some WATA members are able to take advantage of this great opportunity. Here's the official press release.

Playwright's Festival

It's that time of year again! The annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival kicks off again next Friday night, July 19. This year's festival features work by seven talented American playwrights (including five women - Sharyn Rothstein, Deborah Stein, Julia Jarcho, Martha Jane Kauffman, and Lauren Yee) in collaboration with dozens of Bay Area artists. There are also many special events, classes, and panel discussions in conjunction with the festival. Check out the website for more details.

SOMArts Cultural Center Features Bay Area and El Salvadorean Artists

I met Tessie Barrera-Scharaga four years ago. As part of the 2005 Bay Area Playwrights Festival Tessie collaborated with the presentation of my play Braided Sorrow, created original sculptures that were displayed in the lobby and even on stage as we incorporated one into the reading itself.

Tessie is now one of the artists participating in SOMArts Cultural Center's Territorios exhibit which features Bay Area artists and artists from El Salvador. The exhibit will run from July 9 - 29.

Check out Tessie's work online and for more information on the exhibit visit the SOMArts website.

The slide show below if ofTessie's Mujeres de Juarez (Women of Juarez) installation.

Author Janelle Brown Reads At San Francisco Main Library

The San Francisco Public Library presents author Janelle Brown as part of their One the Same Page series.

Janelle will read from her novel All We Ever Wanted Was Everything and will be available to sign copies of her book.

The event takes place July 9, Thursday, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Main branch of the San Francisco library. Go to the SFPL website for more information.

Women in Theatre: July Edition

Here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

American Treasure by Julia Jarcho, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 18 at 8pm and July 25 at 12 noon.

Ecstasy | a waterfable by Denmo Ibrahim, Golden Thread at Thick House, July 23 - August 16.

Fayette-Nam by Aurorae Khoo, Asian American Theatre Company at Thick House, June 25 - July 11.

House and Junction by Martha Jane Kaufman, public reading as part of Bay Area SHorts (BASH) at the Magic Theatre, July 19 12 noon and July 26 12 noon.

March by Sharyn Rothstein, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 19 at 4pm and July 24 at 8pm.

Natasha and the Coat by Deborah Stein, public reading as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival at the Magic Theatre, July 17 at 8pm and July 25 at 4pm.

Our Peculiar Instituion by Lauren Yee, public reading as part of Bay Area SHorts (BASH) at the Magic Theatre, July 19 12 noon and July 26 12 noon.

I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.