Founded in 1978 by Yuriko Doi, Theatre of Yugen has invested in artistic exchange aimed at erasing the perceived divisions among us for over three decades. The second Special Event of our 35th Anniversary Season, 35 and Counting, is investigating why being an artist counts and how the arts can direct us toward a more civil society. The symposium and panel discussion will be moderated by Larry Bogad, Director of the Center for Artistic Activism / West Coast. He is a lively and engaging speaker, and is joined on the panel by Bay Area performing activists, Rhodessa Jones and Donald Lacy, Jr. In addition, Emmett Till Family Representatives and Founders of the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation Airickca Gordon-Taylor, and Ollie Gordon will attend the Nov. 14 symposium and ensuing performance. Please come be in the room with these outstanding and inspiring artists and activists!!

You can attend the Nov. 14 symposium at no cost, but please be sure to make a reservation on Brown Paper Tickets or call us and make one over the phone. With your reservation, you can also opt to purchase an accompanying Bento dinner. And naturally, we encourage you to attend the performance of Emmett Till, a river that follows.

The symposium will be held at Mariposa Studio, a venue that is adjacent to NOHspace, where Emmett Till, a river will take place.
35 and Counting
November 14, 6:00 pm, at Mariposa Studio, 2808 Mariposa St. in San Francisco
Reservations can be made at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/491547. 
Or call us at 415-621-0507.

Do you know the story of Emmett Till and Mamie Till Mobley? While not as famous as Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, the Emmett Till murder did as much to spark the civil rights movement in the United States. His mother, Mamie Till Mobley, refusing to let the lynching of her son go unseen, uttered a cry that could only come from a mother’s heart. Emmett Till, a river, conceived of, written and composed by Kevin Simmonds, co-written by Judy Halebsky, and directed by our own Jubilith Moore, is a reflection on this story, conceived as if Mamie and Carolyn Bryant (the white woman that Emmett was murdered for allegedly whistling at) were called back to the Tallahatchie River in which Emmett was drowned, 50 years later.

It is a redeeming and meditative portrait of these iconic American figures. Tickets are selling fast and we are only having 8 performances, so make your reservation now! There is great beauty in this piece, emanating from the poetry, the music and the very talented artists involved, that is all the more meaningful for the depth of the story that inspired it. Very yugen.

Tickets for Emmett Till, a river can be purchased at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/445328

Fall into Project Artaud's Open Studios this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27, from 11am-6pm – three floors of Artaud artists’ studios, all media imaginable, in the heart of the Mission district. Enter the Project at 445 and 449 Alabama Street, or at 2800 Mariposa Street. And Project Artaud’s Open Studios coincides with ArtSpan’s SF Open Studios, so you can visit other studios while you are at it!