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Stories from Sonoma Mountain

Z Space and Word for Word are trying out their hand at Children's Theatre! "Stories from Sonoma Mountain" sets folktales of the Pimo and Miwok cultures to lively music and dance, fun masks, and the unsurpassed storytelling of author Greg Sarris. Not to be missed if you have some 6 to 11 year-olds at your place!

Daria is one of the folks hoping for a transformative experience aboard 'The Crown of the Sea', in Sheila Callaghan and foolsFURY's "Port Out, Starboard Home", now through 9/22 at Z Space.

Get to know the characters of "Port Out, Starboard Home" as they prepare for their one-of-a-kind cruise.

Mark your calendars.

The new work from the Joe Goode Performance Group, "When We Fall Apart", has been getting rave reviews.

The Bay Area Reporter calls the show a "brilliant new piece of dance theater..."
 
KQED Arts calls Joe Goode "truly a great artist."

The San Francisco Chronicle says that "dance director and diseur Goode is in peak form here."

Don't miss your chance to see what everyone is talking about. 

American Tripps Back at Z Space

Remember THIS? And THIS? Well, we're doing it again. DJ Purple is joining us this time around for the world's first Berlin-Style Ping Pong Karaoke Dance Party.

When We Fall Apart - The Set Design

One of the most intriguing aspects of Joe Goode’s latest work, When We Fall Apart (premiering at Z Space, June 14-30), is the set, designed by architect Cass Calder Smith. This isn’t typical background scenery at all; the set interacts with the performers as an essential aspect of the performance. It transforms the physical space of our theater away from a traditional ‘single direction’ seating arrangement into more of a ‘theater in the round’ configuration. These ‘sneak preview’ pictures from When We Fall Apart rehearsal should give a hint as to what to expect.

When We Fall Apart explores the intricate and fragile relationship between house and body, and what defines a “home.” With that in mind, Goode and Smith wanted to make this iconic symbol of stability (a house), unstable. This design emerged as a distillation of various sketches, meetings, and emails between Goode and Cass. This house is constructed of pinewood slats that function like venetian blinds, affording a transparency to the structure. The set design also includes an upside down tree, strip of green lawn, and a table.

Smith, who is best known for his high-profile restaurant designs (Lulu, Azie, Terzo, Perbacco, Rose Pistola, 25 Lusk) was inspired by Gordon Matta Clark, the artist famous for carving out sections of buildings (floors, ceilings, walls) to reveal their hidden construction, to provide new ways of perceiving space, and to create metaphors for the human condition.

Be sure to come see When We Fall Apart at Z Space June 14-30. Get tickets here.

The production also features a live musical score from musician Ben Juodvalkis from the band Battlehooch. An upcoming installment of this blog will feature an audio preview of his score and a profile of his approach to composing the music.

Check out these two great write-ups on "Des Voix...Found In Translation".

"The Parisian avant-garde hits the San Francisco stage this week..." -The San Francisco Examiner

"'Des Voix ... Found in Translation' is a theater project that wants to change how we think about modern French theater." -The San Francisco Chronicle

Low Down

San Francisco based dance companies LEVYdance and The Foundry collaborate to create "Low Down", a new work being performed here (at Z Space!) May 17th through 20th.

Bal Littéraire—A New Play Nightclub

The Des Voix Festival does more than just expose the work of the newest and most innovative contemporary playwrights to audiences in both France and the United States. It also gives you a CHANCE TO DANCE.

The San Francisco festival features for the first time in America a “Bal Littéraire” (A New Play Night Club), an event that is wildly popular throughout France. Performed for one evening only, it is a unique hybrid of flash plays, songs, club dancing and literature.

Sunday, April 15th

Black Sea and Stars

Just one of the many pieces from Todd Thomas Brown's show opening at the Z Space Gallery on Friday, April 13th.

Jo Harvey Allen

Renowned actor and performance artist Jo Harvey Allen, star of GHOST SHIP RODEZ, says "hello."

450 Florida Street in 1983

Artaudian Lizzy Spicuzza tells us the following:

This picture was taken in 1983 right after the sanding of 10,000 square feet of floor. It took about 3 weeks of non-stop work around the clock. This was spearheaded by Benjy Young (one of the founding members of Theater Artaud Inc.) and people thought he was crazy. We first started the project with one commercial sander and by the end of the first week we had an additional 5 sanders going because some many people came out to help.

Cyclops

The Z Space 10-Ton Crane, Cyclops, in action.

Ghost Ship Rodez

This April, Ghost Ship Rodez is coming to Z Space. On top of that, Terry Allen's Band will be playing a full concert. It's going to be a rocking affair.

"Sorry Fugu" On March 6th!

Word for Word's "Sorry Fugu" plays on the 6th of March at San Francisco State University's McKenna Theatre.

Don't miss this chance to see "Sorry Fugu" before Word for Word heads to France!

Help Support Youth Arts by Ordering Pizza!

On Monday, March 5th, you can support Youth Arts and all the great work they do simply by ordering pizza. This wonderful opportunity is only good for the 5th of March, so don't miss out.



All the details can be found HERE.

Miss Black World: We Almost Lost Detroit (A Musical Memoir) AND Occupy the Blues

April 15th - 7pm $10



An evening with The Marcus Shelby Orchestra featuring singer Faye Carol along with Margo Hall (co-writer and actor). Marcus Shelby will be presenting sketches of his latest collaboration with Margo Hall and Ellen Sebastian Chang.

You can read more about it HERE.

Funsch Solos: One on One

"Ghost Ship Rodez" from Terry Allen

Ghost Ship Rodez is coming to Z Space.

A Thing of Beauty

American Tripps: ping pong, food trucks, and free beer. That sounds like a great Saturday to us.

Youth Arts Fundraiser (With Pizza!)

Have you ever wished there was a delicious way to support art in public schools? Well, wish no more.

On March 5th, Patxi's Pizza and Z Space team up. Read about the details below.

Z Space is Hiring

Interesting in working with us? Z Space is hiring a new Marketing Associate. Check out the details HERE.

We look forward to hearing from you!

American Tripps

Remember how awesome the last American Tripps was? Well, we're doing it bigger and better this time around. Check it out HERE.

"Word Up"

The "Word Up" cocktail from the Foreign Cinema benefit dinner.



You can see the entire photo album HERE.

The "Food Stories" Cast

Did you get a chance to see these amazing "Food Stories" cast posters?

Word for Word Benefit Dinner

Love great food? Love great theater? We do too! Here is your chance to support both at the same time. On February 2nd, Foreign Cinema Restaurant is hosting a benefit for Word for Word. A percentage of every bill will be donated to Z Space, as will 100% of the proceeds from our signature "Word Up" cocktail.

Delicious.

Author T.C. Boyle

Author T.C. Boyle talks about his work "Sorry Fugu," as performed by Word for Word in their play "Food Stories."

Time is running out to see what the SF Examiner calls "theatrical magic." The show must close on the 5th of February.

American Tripps

February 18th.

Great Food With A Great Show

During the run of Food Stories, Z Space is pairing with local chefs and kitchens to bring some of the Bay Area's most delicious food to join you at the theater.

Japanese gourmet rice balls will be available from ONIGILLY on January 14th, 21st, 25th, 28th, and February 4th.

MAITE CATERING will have food available for sale on January 18th and 19th, as well as February 1st and 2nd.

On Sunday January 22, three of LA COCINA'S graduates will offer food.

Delicious!

Opening Night is Tonight at 8pm!

"Food Stories" from Word for Word opens tonight, January 14th, at 8pm! Epicurious recommends you check out the deliciousness.

Photos From The Final "Food Stories" Dress Rehearsal

Read all about Word for Word's newest work "Food Stories" in THIS great piece from the Chronicle.

You can see more photos, like the one below, from the final dress rehearsal HERE.

Z Space Welcomes New Executive Director Lori Laqua

SAN FRANCISCO, January 5, 2011—Z Space’s Board of Directors and Executive Artistic Director Lisa Steindler are pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Laqua as Executive Director. Laqua brings over two decades of senior leadership and management, strategic planning, and fundraising to Z Space.

“Z Space is delighted to add Lori Laqua to our team as we move into the future,” said Board Chair Warren Cormier. “Teamed with Lisa Steindler, Lori's vast knowledge and experience in the performing arts is perfectly suited to advancing Z Space toward reaching our goals of becoming one of the preeminent sources of training, incubation, and development.”

Laqua will work shoulder-to-shoulder with Z Space’s Lisa Steindler, who has been serving as the organization’s Executive and Artistic Director since 2007. Steindler, Z Space’s Executive Artistic Director, will now dedicate more of her efforts to producing and overseeing all the artistic programming at Z Space.

“I am so very pleased to welcome Lori to our team at Z Space – Lori will be an integral force as we continue to develop our artistic contributions to the local and national performing arts communities, and to enhance our historic home,” said Executive Artistic Director Lisa Steindler.

Laqua most recently served as the Managing Director of ODC, a contemporary arts institution based in the Mission District of San Francisco, and was a key leader and contributor in ODC’s transformation over the past 21 years. During her tenure at ODC Laqua helped to guide the organization’s growth from a budget of under $1 million to over $5 million. Laqua helped grow ODC’s full-time staff from five to 25 employees, its part-time staff from 13 to 35 employees and its faculty from 11 to over 200. She played an active role in the strategy and building of the overall institution and served as the project manager for ODC’s new Dance Commons building, which opened in October 2005 and ODC Theater, which opened in September 2010.

“I am pleased to be joining Lisa Steindler and Z Space,” said Laqua. “I believe the organization is poised for great opportunity and challenge and I look forward to helping to further shape Z Space’s role in the cultural community of San Francisco and the United States.”

Laqua received a Ph.D (ABD) and a MA in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, an MA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a BA in History and Art History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Taking Stock

Starting Friday the 6th of January, the Z Space Gallery will show work from Emily Heller & Leah Rosenberg in the show "Taking Stock."


(Work by Leah Rosenberg | Photo courtesy of Leah Rosenberg)

Food Stories Calendar

More information available at the "Food Stories" blog.