Celebrating its 40th season, the San Francisco Ethnic Dance
Festival is a captivating kaleidoscope of boldly hued costumes,
soulful live music and exuberant dancing that showcases cultures
from around the world. This mind-expanding experience
unfolds over three weekends in July in San Francisco. Festivities
kick off at San Francisco City Hall with free
performances by AERODANCE (Indian
Folkloric), Mussel Rock Cloggers (Appalachian),
and a dedication by Kim
Shuck, Poet Laureate of San Francisco.
Thousands of artists performing
hundreds of dance styles
will continue to delight crowds
over the following two
weekends. Tickets
prices vary. San Francisco
War Memorial
Opera House,
301 Van Ness Ave,
San Francisco.
415/392-4400. n
June/July 2018 15
Renowned for his fast and complex finger work, Jake Shimabukuro
is a Hawaiian-born American ukulele virtuoso and
composer. Already popular in Hawaii and Japan at the start
of his solo career in the early 2000s, Shimabukuro garnered
worldwide fame in 2006, when a video of him playing “While My
Guitar Gently Weeps” was posted on YouTube without his knowledge
and went viral. His live show at Mountain Winery on July
20 will serve as a broad showcase for his innovative playing style,
featuring charming covers, blazing solos and all kinds of things you
never imagined the uke could do. Tickets $29.50–$69.50. The
Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga. 408/741-0291.
Fifty years ago, singer-songwriter Stephen Stills met
singer-songwriter Judy Collins, and a tumultuous love
affair and legendary creative collaboration was born.
Inspired by her piercing ocean blue eyes, Stills composed
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” performed by Crosby,
Stills and Nash on their landmark debut album. More
than a mere muse, Collins has awed audiences for decades
with her soaring vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting,
personal triumphs and firm commitment
to social activism. Five decades later, new
generations are still discovering her 50-
album body of work. Bask in the glow of
this golden anniversary performance in a
sublime winery setting. Tickets $39.50–
$99.50. The Mountain Winery 14831
Pierce Road, Saratoga. 408/741-0291.
JULY 6 THRU
22
Summer
Strummer
Dance from
Around the World
JULY 20
JUNE 2
Golden
Duet