Brava Presents
As Brava's flagship program, Brava Presents delivers an eclectic array of music, theatre, dance, visual, and media art works in collaboration with local artists and arts organizations with a focus on cultivating opportunities for the artistic expression of women, artists of color, the LGBTQIA community, and other underrepresented voices.
Brava Presents Events
Commissioned and performed by Quinteto Latino, composer Carla Lucero's opera chronicles the life and work of legendary Chicanx leader and LGBTQ+ activist, Olga Talamante. The opera explores her journey from working the garlic fields as a child in Gilroy, California, to her decades of activism in the US, Mexico, and in Argentina, where she became a political prisoner. Ultimately, Olga frees herself from the psychological hold of her captors and releases her heart from 40 years of suppressing the memories of violence perpetrated against her. She finally finds peace, and in the process of healing, the love of her life, Vola. Soprano Aléxa Anderson, tenor Eric Levintow, and mezzo-soprano Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez make up the cast for the premiere of this important work.
Need to juice up on your NONBINARY energy but can’t wait until November for the THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Performance Festival? Well enbies, you’re in luck! Brava and Diamond Wave are teaming up to offer six THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Cabaret events in 2024! For the API Heritage show, we’re thrilled to be working with powerhouse performers, including: burlesque & circus artist Ling Ling Super Bloom, drag artist Mojo Carter, and drag artist Piss E Sissy. Hosted by Multidisciplinary artist SNJV, this will be a thrilling night of live performance uplifting, centering and celebrating nonbinary API identity!
Indómitas is a live monthly podcast series hosted by Chelis López of KPOO and Radio Bilingüe, featuring untamable voices of fierce women artists and activists.
For the May 2024 podcast, Indómitas will interview Dr. Berta Hernández, community organizer, promoter of Community Health Education and storyteller with extensive training in Popular Education and Theater of the Oppressed.
with Vidhu Singh, PhD
This series is inspired by the life-cycle of flowers and attunement with the rhythms of nature. It reaffirms our sense of belonging, and draws on poetic metaphors that invite connection, discovery and beauty.
In collaboration with Golden Thread Productions and participating artists, Andrea Assaf will direct a new work that reflects the experiences of communities in the Bay Area. National and international guest artists include acclaimed Syrian opera singer Lubana Al Quntar, and Turkish composer/violinist Eylem Basaldi—on stage with San Francisco Bay Area artists and community members!
Indómitas is a live monthly podcast series hosted by Chelis López of KPOO and Radio Bilingüe, featuring untamable voices of fierce women artists and activists. For the April 2024 podcast, Indómitas will interview author, artistic activist and translator Aida Salazar who is also a mother and partner/wife.
Need to juice up on your NONBINARY energy but can’t wait until November for the THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Performance Festival? Well enbies, you’re in luck! Brava and Diamond Wave are teaming up to offer six THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Cabaret events in 2024! For our April show, we’re thrilled to be working with powerhouse performers, including: drag king Jota Mercury, poet Alder Duan Hurley, and experimental performance artist Xtra.dae. Hosted by Brava artist-in-residence and THEYFRIEND founder Vin Seaman, this will be a thrilling night of live performance uplifting, centering and celebrating nonbinary identity!
Need to juice up on your NONBINARY energy but can’t wait until November for the THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Performance Festival? Well enbies, you’re in luck! Brava and Diamond Wave are teaming up to offer six THEYFRIEND Nonbinary Cabaret events in 2024! For our first show, we’re thrilled to be working with powerhouse performers, including: Drag king Papi Churro, Storyteller Rawiyah Tariq, and Poet Zara Jamshed. Hosted by Brava artist-in-residence and THEYFRIEND founder Vin Seaman, this will be a thrilling night of live performance uplifting, centering and celebrating nonbinary identity!
Indómitas is a live monthly podcast series hosted by Chelis López of KPOO and Radio Bilingüe, featuring untamable voices of fierce women artists and activists. For the March 2024 podcast, Indómitas will interview Liliana Herrera, Chicana singer/songwriter, cultural worker, and an advocate for linguistic justice.
The assistant director under Cesar Chavez when the United Farm Workers (UFW) was created, Larry organized and led protests for equal pay and dignified living conditions for farm and cannery workers throughout the West Coast and Alaska from the 1930s to when the UFW was created in 1966. As the musical unfolds, Itliong’s story as a brilliant labor organizer comes to life, shedding light on the Filipino American community who shaped Itliong’s leadership as a 15-year-old to his posthumous recognition in Labor International’s Hall of Fame, and the proclamation of “Larry Itliong Day,” by the State of California in 2015.
with opening set by LoCura trio
Meklit will be celebrating the release of her new EP Ethio Blue, produced by renowned multi GRAMMY winner Dan Wilson (Jon Batiste, Leon Bridges, John Legend). Nearly five years in the making, Meklit wrote most of these songs while pregnant, and recorded both in Los Angeles, and at San Francisco's own Women's Audio Mission. Opening the performance will be Oakland-based LoCura, who mix Latin styles like Rumba Flamenca and Cumbia, with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Ska together in a brand they've dubbed 'Califas Canto'.
Click here to see all upcoming events at Brava.
¡Golondrina! is a musical confluence of song and poetic storytelling celebrating California’s rich his/herstory, including abounding contributions of its original inhabitants, languages and vibrant folklore. Celebrating her roots from Baja to Alta California, Liliana Herrera’s ¡Golondrina! embarks on a Funklóric lyrical odyssey – one dimension, border and song at a time.