Event

Guardianas de la Vida

Guardianas de la Vida is a healing arts music, dance and poetry festival honoring San Francisco's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

On Saturday, November 24th, Bay Area residents will observe the United Nations' annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls with music, healing ceremonies, dance, art, poetry and information. The commemoration will kick off with a community gathering and healing arts festival taking place in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District at Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St., beginning at 7 pm. A $15 entrance fee is requested to cover costs, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds at the door.

Under the title "Guardianas de la Vida" (Guardians of Life), the evening asks us to take a moment to pause and question why it is that in the year 2012 we are still dealing with issues surrounding femicide, an epidemic that crosses borders, and includes an official proclamation by John Avalos recognizing November 25th as San Francisco's International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls.

The show begins with an invocation by Yoruba chief, author and professor Luisah Teish, followed by the poetry of Nina Serrano and Yosimar Reyes. Other artists include: Bata drummer Carolyn Brandy; singer-songwriters MamaCoatl and Maria Loreto Ramirez Morales; Afro-Cuban folkloric dancer Susana Arenas Pedroso; poet and street dancer Nicole Klaymoon; modern dancer and teenager Paloma McFly; and the brass Balkan fusion band Inspector Gadje. Master healer Marja West will perform a community healing ritual. Curator MamaCoatl will act as mistress of ceremonies.