San Francisco Performances (SFP) will offer the 11th PIVOT Festival from Jan. 30–Feb. 1 in the Herbst and Taube Atrium theaters at the SF Veterans Memorial.
“Designed for adventurous audiences,” says the publicity announcement, “SFP’s PIVOT Festival is driven by a philosophy of innovation, creativity, and artistic excellence that pushes the boundaries of the traditional concert experience.”
This year’s festival is guest curated by Andy Meyerson, the percussion half of The Living Earth Show duo, and features performances by vocalist Tanner Porter, San Francisco Ballet dancer/ choreographer Myles Thatcher, and Bay Area ensembles Bucket List (featuring composer/creator Mark Applebaum), KoollooK (with dancer/choreographer Babatunji and composer/creator Dennis Aman), and Trust Me (featuring Lynnee Breedlove).
“When asked to curate PIVOT this year,” Meyerson said, “I wanted to build a festival that investigated the question: ‘What is the future of our art form?’
“These three San Francisco-centric productions — all of which [will] premiere at PIVOT before touring around the country — are designed to use the tools of our field to reflect and respond to our world, while presenting an affirmative vision of how these tools can be used for connection and creative possibility.”
PIVOT’s first night, Jan. 30, will feature works from two generations of composers — members of the Sleeping Giant collective: Timo Andres, Christopher Cerrone, Jacob Cooper, Ted Hearne, Robert Honstein, and Andrew Norman; and their protégés: Tanner Porter, Travis Andrews (the guitarist of Living Earth Show), and Meyerson.
Each composer selected one of their former students to join them in the project. The “emerging voices” have written songs that will be presented, paired with music by their former teacher.
“We started as composers fresh out of school, figuring things out together. Now we’re teaching, raising kids — sharing the project with the next generation feels right," Cerrone said.
On the second night, Jan. 31, three groups of innovative composer/performers will share the stage, including Bucket List (Mark Applebaum, Andrews, Meyerson); KoollooK (Babatunji, Dennis Aman, Andrews, and Meyerson); and Trust Me (Breedlove, Andrews, and Meyerson).
Applebaum said, “I love playing chamber music in Bucket List because it is such an adventurous, open-minded, and curious group. The three of us love to make weird, experimental music that crosses stylistic boundaries.
“And with each crossing, new challenges arise that govern how we relate to each other musically, both before the concert and onstage. This trio really keeps me on my toes and keeps a smile on my face.”
The third night, Feb. 1, will present a collaboration between Myles Thatcher and Meyerson, “in a contemporary take on the classical ballet pas de deux.” Pieces will include John Cage’s Child of Tree, choreographed by Merce Cunningham; Nicole Lizée’s The Filthy 15, choreographed by Rex Wheeler; and a world premiere by Thatcher to music by J.S. Bach.
Single and series tickets are available from SF Performances online or by calling 415-392-2545. Single tickets can also be purchased at the door as available, including 50% off student rush tickets and 20% off senior rush tickets.
