Golden West

"JazzFest West features some of the world's finest Smooth Jazz and R&B performers at the spacious rolling grounds of Bonelli Park. There are five main stage performances each day, each lasting 45-90 minutes. During the 30-40 minute intermissions, the Garden Stage features additional performances. Music ends by approximately 9 p.m. each night. Other features include: • A Vendor Village with numerous artisans, vendors and sponsor exhibits • An ethnic International Food Court featuring an array of vendors and menu favorites • An onsite music store where fans can meet the performers and buy their newest releases • A portion of proceeds to benefit the Pasadena Kiwanis Club"—Description by festival

"The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents music, theater, dance, cultural events, educational and children’s programs, reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the region. Between May and October the Festival presents nearly 100 programs in Yerba Buena Gardens, all FREE and open to the public."—Description by festival

Festival highlights

Festival highlights include the festival kick-off event on Saturday, May 1 with the world premiere of Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra’s MLK and the Hawaiian dance company Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu, directed by Patrick Makuakane on Saturday, May 8. Other highlights include Gamelan Sekar Jaya (5/22), Bassam Saba (5/22), Los Terrys (6/12), AXIS Dance Company performing a YBGF commissioned piece (6/26), enCayapa + Venezuelan Music Project (6/27), Circus Bella (7/3), The Angola Project (8/28) and the Nice Guy Trio premiering Darren Johnston’s Waking Music and Rob Reich’s Clown School, both commissioned by YBGF (9/4).

The Festival presents the dance series, Let’s Go Dance@Jessie!, a monthly open-air dance party in Jessie Square in front of the Contemporary Jewish Museum with live bands playing groovin’ rhythms.  The series take place on the First Thursdays of the month from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Come early for the dance lessons, stay late for the dancing!  Performers include Orquesta La Moderna Tradición (Cuban danzón, 5/6), A Klezmer Wedding Celebration with Kugelplex (Klezmer, 6/3), Lavay Smith & the Red Hot Skillet Lickers (Swing, 7/1), Tom Rigney & Flambeau (Cajun, 8/5), Édessa (Balkan, 9/2), Kumu Hula Shawna Alapa’I and Na Pua O Ka La’akea (Hula, 10/7).

The Festival continues the very popular Music In The Gardens 101 Series of narrated programs that provide audiences a unique and invaluable opportunity to hear first-hand from master musicians about the music they perform and their sources of inspiration. This year’s Music In The Gardens 101 Series features Gamelan Sekar Jaya (5/15), Bassam Saba (5/22), SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band (5/29) and Howard Wiley’s The Angola Poject (8/28),

The Latin Jazz Series will present a wide array of artists including Los Terrys From Africa to Camaguey to Yerba Buena (6/12), Latin Jazz Youth Summit - Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble meets Futuro Picante (9/11) and Latin Jazz Tardeada (10/3).

The Festival offers the delightful Children’s Garden Series, interactive performances specially designed for kids and families, on Fridays and Saturdays including performances by kid favorites Caterpillar Puppets, Chuna McIntyre, Pi Clowns, The Unique Derique, Chelle! & Friends, Eth-Noh-Tec, Balamcoatl and Venezuelan Music Poject.  The series ends with the popular Gardens Halloween Costume Walk (10/31). The Children’s Garden Series takes place in the Children’s Garden at Howard and Fourth streets.
The Thursday Lunchtime Concert Series, each Thursday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, is popular with downtown workers and students. This year features the very best of Bay Area musicians including Frank Jackson Trio (6/3), Consulate of Sweden’s Jenny Lind Concert (6/17), John Worley’s WorlView (6/24), Irene Jalenti (7/1), Lord Loves A Working Man (7/8), Tango No.9 (7/15), Crosscut (7/22), The Mo’Rockin Project (8/5), VidyA (8/19), Gramaphone and Dynamo (9/2), Wayne Wallace Quintet (9/9) and María Volonté Tango Jazz (9/30).

The Festival also presents exclusive performances by Bay Area dance and theater companies and organizations including the YBGF commissioned work by AXIS Dance Company (6/26), San Francisco Theater Festival (8/8) and the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe (8/22).

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival hosts annual cultural celebrations: Israel in the Gardens (6/6), Native Contemporary Arts Festival (6/20), Jewish Music Festival (7/11), Target Family Day (7/18), Afro Solo Jazz in the Gardens (8/7), and Pistahan: Filipino American Arts Exposition (8/14-15).

"The Moonridge Animal Park 50th anniversary concert celebrates this unique Alpine animal rescue sanctuary and raises funds for its wildlife rehabilitation program. Big Bear Lake offers a scenic backdrop for an afternoon of internationally recognized musicians, including the the all-star Delta Guitar Slingers and folk-bluesman Guy Davis, along with a selection of local arts and crafts and a freshly prepared food/beverage menu. Profits from the charity concert will benefit the Moonridge Animal Park, which rose from the ashes of the 1959 forest fires that devastated the natural eco-system of the San Bernardino Mountains."—Description by festival