Soul of the City at The Presidio

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A Cultural Tapestry: "Soul of the City" Celebrates San Francisco’s Embedded Asian American Heritage through an Artistic Fusion of History, Music, and Storytelling

Renowned artists Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu, in collaboration with Presidio Theatre, proudly announce the return of "Soul of the City," a compelling performance deeply embedded with San Francisco’s Asian American heritage. Scheduled for June 1 and 2, this year’s show will not only showcase a fusion of traditional arts, jazz, and spoken word but will also be filmed live, immortalizing the vibrant cultural narratives of the city.

Following the resounding success of its world premiere last year, "Soul of the City" is poised to captivate audiences once more. Brenda Wong Aoki, a master storyteller, together with an esteemed assembly of artists including Mark Izu, orchestrates a poignant exploration into the heart and soul of San Francisco through a tapestry of personal and collective histories. Brenda Wong Aoki states, "This performance is our love letter to San Francisco—a city of stories, struggles, and dreams. Through the mystical and the historical, we reconnect with the city’s spirit and its enduring legacy." This year's narrative is inspired by the profound question, 'Does a city have a soul?' Aoki, guided by her family’s multi-ethnic legacy and armed with symbolic talismans, leads this journey to rediscover the essence of San Francisco. The story is a powerful blend of autobiography and city history, marking significant contributions by Aoki’s ancestors to the cultural landmarks of Japantown and Chinatown. Filming this artistic endeavor are Emmy Award-winners Emiko Omori and Wendy Slick, ensuring the show's magic extends beyond the live audience to a global platform.

Performers: San Francisco's Master Storyteller Brenda Wong Aoki, San Francisco 3rd Poet Laureate devorah major, Asian Jazz Pioneer Mark Izu, New York composer Mas Koga, legendary percussionist Kenneth Nash, Natori koto master Shoko Hikage, Natori taiko master Jimi Nakagawa.

About Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu: Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu are celebrated artists and co-founders of First Voice. Their work, renowned for its artistic depth and cultural resonance, spans decades and embraces a blend of traditional Asian and modern American art forms. Their contributions to music, theater, and cultural education continue to influence and inspire the Asian American arts community worldwide.

Soul of the City World Premiere (2023), Photo by Mark Shigenaga

Soul of the City World Premiere (2023), Photo by Mark Shigenaga

Soul of the City World Premiere (2023), Photo by Mark Shigenaga

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