Spark checks out unique perspectives on art.
See how bands like the Hot Club of San Francisco emulate the style and verve of the Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Next, visit with choreographer Sean Dorsey, who is carving out a new space in modern dance for transgender and queer artists.
Finally, see how experimental filmmaker Kerry Laitala creates works of handmade cinematic art, one frame at a time.
Spark goes on a musical adventure, exploring Latin jazz, bluegrass, and music from the Jewish diaspora.
First, climb aboard The Ark, a project where musicians from around the world take six days in the basement of a divinity school to compose a new piece of Jewish music.
Then, meet pianist and bandleader Rebeca Mauleon, one of the leading ladies of Latin jazz.
Finally, visit with mandolin master, David Grisman, who blends new jazz and traditional bluegrass to create a thoroughly original sound.
Spark visits Yoshi’s newest venue in San Francisco’s historic Fillmore district to check out their Local Legends series, featuring artists like Sugar Pie de Santo.
Next, meet painter Jose Ortiz, whose Hijos del Sol program is using art to help youth from tough neighborhoods in Salinas.
Then join Dr. Zak Diouf and Naomi Washington Diouf and their Diamano Coura West African Dance Company in the weeks leading up to their annual repertoire concert.
Learn about the ancient art of belly dance from teacher and performer Suhaila Salimpour and one of her star pupils, comedienne Margaret Cho.
Next, meet artist Stephanie Syjuco, whose “Counterfeit Crochet Project” enlists crafters from around the globe to create knock-offs of designer goods.
Then, visit with Chinese acrobat Lu Yi at the Circus Center, as he prepares two of his top students for their debut as professional performers.
To celebrate their 75th anniversary, the San Francisco Ballet has mounted an ambitious festival of new works — 10 world premieres by 10 renowned choreographers — exploring the new directions that influential dance-makers are taking. In this special half-hour special, Spark follows the creation of three of these works, by Mark Morris, Margaret Jenkins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Artwork from the 1960s has made a lasting mark on the California art scene. Spark takes a special look at the artistic legacy of this celebrated decade, catching up with three local luminaries that burst onto the scene then with their own unique visions: sculptor Fletcher Benton, painter Mel Ramos and composer Terry Riley.
Spark kicks off its 2008 season with a backstage look at American Conservatory Theater‘s production of “The Blood Knot,” a play by Athol Fugard set in apartheid South Africa during the 1960s.
Meet San Francisco political cartoonist Mark Fiore, who quit his job at a daily newspaper to experiment with a new format — animated political cartoons for the web.
And then go to the studio of Oakland painter Hung Liu, who draws inspiration from photographs of people during Mao’s cultural revolution.
Go backstage with actor Delroy Lindo as he makes his directorial debut with Berkeley Rep’s “The Blue Door.”
Then, have a listen to what’s going on in the Bay Area klezmer music scene and see how it was revived.
And, visit San Jose’s newest gallery, Kaleid, and learn about the current state of the burgeoning art scene there.
Be one of the first to check out Ann Hamilton‘s intimate performance space created especially for Steve Oliver’s ranch.
Visit the studio of satirist and master printmaker Enrique Chagoya, as he takes on a new subject.
See how media artist Scott Kildall captures awkwardness as he creates his video portraits.
Follow graphic artist Favianna Rodriguez to a Day Laborer’s Conference to create dialogue around her work.
Check out a piece by choreographer Benjamin Levy based on the veiled past of his Iranian-Jewish parents.
Listen to Laurie Antonioli at the Jazz School as she teaches and talks about her travels, both in music and life.
Explore the confluence of Mexican and U.S. culture in the work of Julio Cesar Morales at the GalerĂa de la Raza.
Experience the historic Silk Road through dance, music and poetry with Ballet Afsaneh.
Take a stroll with contemporary landscape photographer Henry Wessel and his camera.
Watch as sculptor Mitra Fabian creates a new work exploring the aberrant.
Catch up with Marcus Gardley as he watches a staged reading of his play, “Love Song for the Night in Gail.”
Follow youth in the San Francisco Running Crew, Brava’s 3-month intensive job training program in theatrical technical skills.
See how Canadian sculptor Patrick Amiot has changed the town Sebastopol with his junk sculptures.
Learn how Lucy Arai has transformed a traditional Japanese stitching technique to create her own personal art.
Take a class with Sally Streets, who has been teaching at the Berkeley Ballet Theater for more than 25 years.
See how Lily Cai combines the traditional with the contemporary for her Chinese dance company.
Visit the art studio of Mike Henderson who has dedicated the last four decades to painting.
Meet June Schwarcz who has become a legend with her enamel arts.
First, make acquaintance with Pauline Oliveros, the internationally renowned pioneer in electronic and improvisational music.
Then, have a listen to what’s going on in the Bay Area klezmer music scene and see how it was revived.
And, visit San Jose’s newest gallery, Kaleid, and learn about the current state of the burgeoning art scene there.
