Soul of the City

FIRST VOICE AND PRESIDIO THEATRE PRESENT SOUL OF THE CITY BY BRENDA WONG AOKI, MARK IZU AND COLLABORATORS MULTI-FACETED SAN FRANCISCO NARRATIVE COMBINES HISTORY, SPOKEN WORD, ORIGINAL MUSIC AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY JUNE 1 AND 2

San Francisco, CA - Building on the success of the world premiere of Soul of the City in 2023, Brenda Wong-Aoki leads a team of artistic collaborators and performers for Soul of the City in two performances Saturday June 1 at 7 pm and Sunday, June 2, at 4 pm at the Presidio Theatre. Soul of the City weaves a fond and reverential narrative through San Francisco's diverse cultural landscapes, including Chinatown Japantown, and The Fillmore. The production showcases a rich blend of traditional Japanese theater, contemporary spoken word, pioneering Afro-Asian American Jazz and digital visual technology. At the heart of the experience are stories that tell where we came from, who we are and how we can reconnect with hope, unity, peace and identity to restore the everyday magic, transformation, activism and heart once and forever associated with San Francisco. The original production has been updated and enhanced for this Spring Season with Chinese Lion dancers, Japanese demons, and contemporary dance. Tickets, priced $25-$60 may be purchased at presidiotheatre.org and the Presidio Theatre is located at 99 Moraga Avenue in San Francisco. For more information, visit presidiotheatre.org. Soul of the City intertwines personal stories with the broader historical and cultural tapestry of San Francisco, from its early days in the 1800s to the present. The performance is underscored by original Afro-Asian Jazz, a musical fusion that mirrors the city's diverse cultural heritage and is accompanied by digital media elements that bring the city's history to life. This journey through time and memory culminates in a communal celebration in the Presidio Theatre's Plaza. "Soul of the City is more than a show--it's a communal ritual where every voice, every story and every spirit contributes to the tapestry of our City's soul," says Brenda Wong-Aoki. The production transcends traditional performance boundaries, offering an audience-participatory exploration of San Francisco's multifaceted history and identity. Through its captivating mix of artistic disciplines, the show delves into the City's historic and personal stories, celebrating the diaspora and the interconnectedness of its communities. Soul of the City is a tribute to the City's resilience and spirit, echoing the rich cultural heritage of its iconic neighborhoods. Audiences are encouraged to come dressed in celebratory attire, embodying the spirit of the event. The performance becomes a communal act of calling forth the spirits of ancestors with the ringing of bells, a tradition that weaves together the personal with the communal. The Sacred Tree of San Francisco, an installation by Ikebana artist Hiroko Tsunetsugu, will stand in the Theatre's plaza as a beacon for attendees to hang their composed prayers, hopes and dreams. An "I am the Soul of the City" photo booth will offer a moment of reflection and personal connection to the City's enduring spirit, inviting audiences to capture and share their part in the collective narrative. The performances will be filmed by multi-Emmy Award winning filmmakers, Emiko Omori and Wendy Slick, to be released as a feature-length production documenting the experience.

Written by Brenda Wong Aoki
Original Music by Masaru Koga and Mark Izu
Poetry by devorah major
Choreography by Claudine Naganuma

Performers: Brenda Wong Aoki (story), devorah major (poetry), Mark Izu (bass and sho), Mas Koga (saxophone, flutes, keyboard), Shoko Hikage (vocals and koto) Kenneth Nash (vocals and percussion), Jimi Nakagawa (taiko and traps), Sara Sithi-Amnuai (trumpet and electronics), Raychel Hatch (dancer), Ki'Shae Qetlah (dancer), KK Aoki Izu (dancer)

Creative Team
Brenda Wong Aoki, Artistic Director
Mas Koga, Music Director
Lydia Tanji, Costume Design
Kate Boyd, Lighting Design
Wendy Slick, Multimedia Direction
Emiko Omori, Filmmaker/dramaturg
Andi Wong, Digital Collage and Images
Olivia Ting and Mark Shigenaga, Multimedia Contributors
Hiroko Tsunetsuga, Ikebana Installation Artist
Jocelyn Fabello, Production Management

This ensemble of talents brings "Soul of the City" to life, creating a magical journey through San Francisco's memories and celebrating its AAPI heritage through a ritual performance.

Artists: Written by Brenda Wong Aoki Original Music by Masaru Koga and Mark Izu Poetry by devorah major Choreography by Claudine Naganuma Performers: Brenda Wong Aoki (story), devorah major (poetry), Mark Izu (bass and sho), Mas Koga (saxophone, flutes, keyboard), Shoko Hikage (vocals and koto) Kenneth Nash (vocals and percussion), Jimi Nakagawa (taiko and traps), Sara Sithi-Amnuai (trumpet and electronics), Raychel Hatch (dancer), Ki'Shae Qetlah (dancer), KK Aoki Izu (dancer) Creative Team Brenda Wong Aoki, Artistic Director Mas Koga, Music Director Lydia Tanji, Costume Design Kate Boyd, Lighting Design Wendy Slick, Multimedia Direction Emiko Omori, Filmmaker/dramaturg Andi Wong, Digital Collage and Images Olivia Ting and Mark Shigenaga, Multimedia Contributors Hiroko Tsunetsuga, Ikebana Installation Artist Jocelyn Fabello, Production Management

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