Featured
Photos | The Quilters of Gee’s Bend
Event: The Quilters of Gee’s Bend
Date: March 4, 2023
Location: Oakland Marriott
Photos (50): Photographers at Large
Gee’s Bend quilters were hosted for a week-long residency highlighted by an exhibition of quilts and lecture. The lecture/conversation was hosted by the Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series, with Mary Ann Pettway and China Pettway from Gee’s Bend, Alabama.
The New York Times calls the quilts from Gee’s Bend “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” The story of Black women quilters in a small rural town in Alabama did not begin with this acclaim. Today’s quilters come from multiple generations of women who anchored their families and communities with work, faith, and love. They are champions in the preservation of Black culture and the fight to participate in democracy. They began by making quilts out of dire necessity. Their families slept on them and they kept them warm. They made use of used and otherwise cast-off fabric out of thrift imposed by poverty and isolation. The quilts were warm and comfortable and, as is the case with the hand-made, they bore the beauty of care, work and purpose. Many of them glowed with a specialness that catches the eye and captures the heart.
The quilters represent the power of community economic empowerment, and they are a dynamic model of a life-style dedicated to producing culture that speaks of, for and by the people.
Through time, perseverance and tradition since the mid-19th century and before, Gee’s Bend quilts have become recognized as important works of art that speak with visual eloquence to the history and continuum of making beautiful things by hand to serve utilitarian purpose. The quilts are now sought after around the world, giving the quilters income and independence. Visitors to Gee’s Bend can see and buy quilts and take quilting workshops taught by the Pettways and others at the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective.
The preservation of this culture is emblematic of the importance of traditions, work that binds family and community to protecting and preserving our democracy. Out of many cultures and histories, we are one country. Through practicing and sharing our cultures we help create positive social change.
View more images in Event Photo Galleries and Videos
Video | Black Biz in the Bay: Bayview Opera House Ruth Memorial Theater
BAYCAT’s Fall 2022 Studio Interns interviewed key leaders at the historic Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater. Click to find out more about this strong pillar in the Bayview neighborhood and all of the wonderful programming they offer San Francisco residents.
About BAYCAT
BAYCAT believes that every person’s story matters. We envision a world where media and technology facilitate the telling of stories from the broadest possible range of experiences, driving people to create inclusive, equitable communities.
BAYCAT addresses racial, gender and economic inequity by creating powerful, authentic media while diversifying the creative industry. Through the education and employment of low-income youth, young people of color, and young women in the Bay Area, and producing media for socially-minded clients, we are changing the stories that get shared with the world.
Photos | After 2 Year Absence Hundreds Attend San Francisco Black History Month Celebration
Event: San Francisco Black History Month Celebration: Homecoming (2023)
Date: February 22, 2023
Location: San Francisco City Hall
Event Production: D.R. Roberts Event Management
Photos (145): Photographers at Large
The Bay Area was excited to be in the building again at SF City Hall, for the highly anticipated return of the San Francisco Black History Month Celebration – HOMECOMING, with special guests SF Board of Supervisor Shamann Walton, SF Mayor London Breed, and California State Controller Malia Cohen. From MC Miranda Wilson to the fire performance by Oakland’s own Heatline Majorette Dancers, hundreds packed the house for the huge celebration. From the photos you can see the joy and excitement of this successful annual event.
View more images in Event Photo Galleries and Videos
Photos | Bay Area Community Advocate Kevin L. Nichols Celebrates Birthday at M2
Event: Kevin Nichols’ Celebrates His Birthday at M2
Date: February 25, 2023
Location: M2, Oakland
Photos (51): Photographers at Large
View more images in Event Photo Galleries and Videos
Photos & Video | Macy’s Celebrates Black History Month w/ Charleston Pierce “Passport to Beauty” Fashion Show (2023)
Event: Charleston Pierce Presents “Passport to Beauty” Black History Month Fashion Show (2023)
Date: February 11, 2023
Location: Macy’s, San Francisco
Photos (72): Photographers at Large
View more images in Event Photo Galleries and Videos
Photos & Video | Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Annual Dr. MLK, Jr. Gala (2023)
Event: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Annual Dr. MLK, Jr. Gala (2023)
Date: February 16, 2023
Location: Hyatt Regency, San Francisco
Photos (50): Nico Henderson / Ando Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography
On February 16th, over 600 guests convened at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco for the 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards dinner held by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, the first time the event has taken place in-person in three years. The annual event honors the contributions of over 1,000 courageous clients, community leaders, staff, board, and tremendous pro bono partnerships that fuel the organization’s impact in dismantling systems of oppression and systemic racism and building an equitable, just society.
Keynote recipient of the Living the Dream Award Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Co-Founder & Executive Director, African American Policy Forum, andProfessor, UCLA Law & Columbia Law School, delivered riveting remarks crystalizing the backlash against anti-racist movements, Critical Race Theory, and Black history since 2020’s nationwide uprisings against racist state violence, and charging each of us to show up and fight the rising tide of censorship and attacks on our multi-racial democracy, and to fight for a liberatory, inclusive future.
View more images in Event Photo Galleries and Videos
Video | How artist Lhola Amira is making space for rest
“Lhola Amira: Facing the Future” is on view at the de Young museum from December 17, 2022 through December 3, 2023. Learn more at https://www.famsf.org/exhibitions/lho…
This exhibition is organized by the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, with the generous support of Denise Littlefield Sobel.. More…
T-Murph
A true powerhouse onscreen and onstage, T. Murph has toured extensively across the country’s most prominent comedy clubs, colleges, and festivals, and has performed at the NBC Diversity Finals Showcase, HBO’s American Black Film Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, and the Second City Breakout Festival, among countless others.
He has also been featured on Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, Comedy Central’s Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, BET’s Comic View, TruTV’s standup-storytelling showcase Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, and Epix’s Get Shorty, to name a few. He remains a proud resident in his hometown of Chicago.
T-Murph
A true powerhouse onscreen and onstage, T. Murph has toured extensively across the country’s most prominent comedy clubs, colleges, and festivals, and has performed at the NBC Diversity Finals Showcase, HBO’s American Black Film Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, and the Second City Breakout Festival, among countless others.
He has also been featured on Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, Comedy Central’s Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, BET’s Comic View, TruTV’s standup-storytelling showcase Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, and Epix’s Get Shorty, to name a few. He remains a proud resident in his hometown of Chicago.
T-Murph
A true powerhouse onscreen and onstage, T. Murph has toured extensively across the country’s most prominent comedy clubs, colleges, and festivals, and has performed at the NBC Diversity Finals Showcase, HBO’s American Black Film Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, and the Second City Breakout Festival, among countless others.
He has also been featured on Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, Comedy Central’s Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, BET’s Comic View, TruTV’s standup-storytelling showcase Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, and Epix’s Get Shorty, to name a few. He remains a proud resident in his hometown of Chicago.
Peabo Bryson
Bryson performed in theater and operatic productions, most notably the tenor role of “Sportin’ Life” in the Michigan Opera Theater of Detroit’s version of Porgy and Bess. His tax problems caught up with him on August 21, 2003, when the U.S. Internal Revenue Service seized property from his Atlanta, Georgia, home. He is reported to owe $1.2 million in taxes dating back to 1984. The IRS auctioned many of his possessions, including both Grammy Awards, electronic equipment, his grand piano and multiple pairs of shoes.
Peabo Bryson
Bryson performed in theater and operatic productions, most notably the tenor role of “Sportin’ Life” in the Michigan Opera Theater of Detroit’s version of Porgy and Bess. His tax problems caught up with him on August 21, 2003, when the U.S. Internal Revenue Service seized property from his Atlanta, Georgia, home. He is reported to owe $1.2 million in taxes dating back to 1984. The IRS auctioned many of his possessions, including both Grammy Awards, electronic equipment, his grand piano and multiple pairs of shoes.
Black History Month Comedy Jam LIVE At Tommy T’s. ($10 Promo Tix)
Terry Dorsey is a comedian and actor from Illinois. He has also performed as “Shady” in a solo act and as part of the comic duo “Tu Shay De.” His style of comedy leans more towards storytelling with added social commentary. He started his career on Chicago’s south side being trained by some of today’s top working comics. His first T.V. appearance as a stand-up was in 2000 on BET’s Comicview, but he has also appeared on Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza. Terry was also part of the development team that launched the “Laff Zone Comedy Club” in the Chicago suburb of Markham.
Black Panther (Film w/ Live Orchestra)
Relive the excitement of this global sensation while the Symphony performs the Oscar®️-winning score LIVE TO PICTURE!
Bonus: Get an Inside Look: Join us for a pre-concert Q&A with Anthony Parnther—conductor of these concerts and conductor of the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack—presented from the stage one hour before each concert. He will be joined by Massamba Diop, who will be performing the tama (talking drum) for these performances and was a featured instrumentalist on both the ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ films. The talks will take place March 24–25 from 6:30–7:00pm. Free to all ticketholders!
P.S.: Enjoy a Vibranium while you’re here—this tasty specialty cocktail is available exclusively for the Black Panther performances. To skip the line at the bar, pre-order yours before the concert and during intermission via a voicemail at 415.861.8150, or by emailing [email protected].
Convenient Parking
We recommend parking in the Performance Arts Garage located at 360 Grove St. Please note that this parking garage is open to the public and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Easy Access via BART/Muni
The closest BART station is located at Civic Center station. Davies Symphony Hall is about 5 blocks away from BART and 3 blocks from the Van Ness Muni station.
Local Bar/Restaurant Favorites (walking distance)
• The Madrigal – serves until 11PM
• Doppio Zero – Monday to Thursday until 11PM; Friday & Saturday until 11PM; Sunday until 9:30PM
• Absinthe – Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 am to 10 pm, Sunday until 9PM
Thomas Wilkins & Branford Marsalis
Thomas Wilkins leads the SF Symphony in a program full of the rhythms, blues, and swagger of jazz. Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dances from On the Town and Duke Ellington’s Harlem paint the sights and sounds of New York City. Grammy award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis joins for Erwin Schulhoff’s Hot-Sonate—a 1930 work banned by the Nazis and then long forgotten—followed by John Williams’ effortlessly cool Escapades from the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can.
Convenient Parking
We recommend parking in the Performance Arts Garage located at 360 Grove St. Please note that this parking garage is open to the public and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Easy Access via BART/Muni
The closest BART station is located at Civic Center station. Davies Symphony Hall is about 5 blocks away from BART and 3 blocks from the Van Ness Muni station.
Local Favorites (walking distance)
• The Madrigal – serves until 11PM
• Doppio Zero – Monday to Thursday until 11PM; Friday & Saturday until 11PM; Sunday until 9:30PM
• Absinthe – Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 am to 10 pm, Sunday until 9PM
