Bay Area soul, jazz and hip-hop acts highlight Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

LoCura

LoCura performs at Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park on Aug. 10, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF.

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival will be back, starting on June 26, offering free music and arts performances, producers announced Thursday.

The shows will run from June 26 to Aug. 28 and include primarily Bay Area artists like Kev Choice Ensemble, Ensemble Mik Nawooj and LoCura. The first show, which begins at 1 p.m. at Yerba Buena Gardens in downtown San Francisco, will be headlined by Bay Area Cuban music artist Bobi Céspedes. This summer marks the 20th year of the festival, which was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. In addition to music, the annual event has included family entertainment like theater, circus performances, dance, poetry and children’s programs.

Performances will be held every Thursday and Saturday. See the full lineup below. Additional events will be announced at a later time for September and October.

“After a long period of isolation for many of us, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival remains a space for art and joy, welcoming people from all walks of life,” said Linda Lucero, the event’s artistic director, in a written statement. “There’s nothing that gladdens the heart and spirit more than celebrating the performing arts together under open skies.”

All programs take place outdoors in Yerba Buena Gardens, off Mission Street between 3rd and 4th streets, and the Yerba Buena Children’s Garden at Howard and Fourth streets. Event producers said they would continue to monitor all local and statewide safety protocols for COVID-19. For more information, visit the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival website.



Festival lineup:

Bobi Céspedes; DJ José Ruiz (KPOO, KPFA), Saturday, June 26, 1-2:30 p.m.

Kev Choice Ensemble, Thursday, July 1, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Rebirth Canal, Thursday, July 8, 2021, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

YBG ChoreoFest, Saturdays; July 10, July 31, Aug. 14, 1:00 p.m.

  • July 10: Kiandanda Dance Theater/Byb Chanel Bibene, SAMMAY, and RAWdance
  • July 31: FACT/SF, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Shinichi Iova-Koga
  • Aug. 14: CALI & CO Dance/Christine Cali, Concept o4, Fog Beast

Poetic Tuesday: Two Languages/One Community – Artists Against Anti-Asian Violence – Michael Warr, Chun Yu, Yeva Johnson, Tuesday, July 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Sentimiento y Manana, Thursday, July 15, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Children’s Garden Series with Ka-Hon, Friday, July 16, 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

La Doña, Saturday, July 17, 1-2 p.m.

Andre Thierry, Thursday, July 22, 12:30-1:30 p.m.



Children’s Garden Series with Pi Clowns, Friday, July 23, 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Ensemble Mik Nawooj, Saturday, July 24, 1-2:30 p.m.

LoCura, Thursday, July 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Children’s Garden Series with Red Panda Acrobats, Friday, July 30, 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Thursday, Aug. 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

AfroSolo Arts Festival in the Gardens, Saturday, Aug. 7, 1-2:30 p.m.

The Valerie Troutt Trio Feat. See Through Soul, Thursday, Aug. 12, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Cabanijazz Project, Thursday, Aug. 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Cláudia Villela, Saturday, Aug. 21, 1-2:15 p.m.

Native Contemporary Arts Festival Presents, Thursday, Aug. 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Circus Bella’s Humorous!, Saturday, Aug. 28, Shows at 12 and 2:15 p.m.

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