THE ALTERVERSE: SAN FRANCISCO’S CELEBRATION OF POETRY & LIGHT!

IDC President and Founder Steffen Franz has worked together with Ben Davis, Founder of the non-profit Illuminate to co-produce a month-long event series that features dozens of shows and local artists at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell in December 2021.

Website: https://thealterverse.org/

The Opening Night celebration featured James Weldon Johnson’s soaring words “Lift Every Voice” from the Black National Anthem elevated and illuminated atop the revived Golden Gate Bandshell. Visitors heard sculptor Dana King discuss Monumental Reckoning, her powerful installation which sits directly across the Music Concourse from the Bandshell. They met SF Poet Laureate Tonge Eisen-Martin as he framed the night and month of poetry ahead and enjoyed live music with SF’s Martin Luther McCoy. Also, see the unveiling of “de Truth,” an exhibition of scrolling poetry lasered across the entire 450-foot façade of the de Young Museum and the public opening of “Circle of Life” in the nearby National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Featured Poets – James Siegel and Greg Pond

Live Music – Martin Luther McCoy and Robin Hodge Williams Ensemble

‘Lift Every Voice’ takes a place of honor in Golden Gate Park

“One of Golden Gate Park’s oldest structures received a meaningful update this week. It now carries a new message, but one that’s actually as old as the band shell itself.

Hundreds of people gathered at the park’s Music Concourse on Wednesday, Dec. 1, to watch the unveiling of the installation “Lift Every Voice” by the nonprofit Illuminate the Arts. The 4-foot, 3-inch high bronze-coated letters were illuminated atop the 120-year-old Spreckels Temple of Music as Bay Area musicians — vocalist Martin Luther McCoy and the Robin Hodge-Williams & Friends Gospel Choir — performed a song by the same name against the backdrop of a gradient sky. 

The light installation, which will be in place for two years, is a nod to the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” written by civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson. In May, Mayor London Breed proposed “Lift Every Voice” to accompany another piece — “Monumental Reckoning” by Oakland artist Dana King, which was unveiled in June — at Golden Gate Park to honor Black lives and African American history, and to commemorate Juneteenth. “

Opening Night – The Alterverse

Wednesday, December 1st @ 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Golden Gate Bandshell, Music Concourse

Be there for the Opening Night celebration when James Weldon Johnson’s soaring words “Lift Every Voice” from the Black National Anthem are elevated and illuminated atop the revived Golden Gate Bandshell. Hear sculptor Dana King discuss Monumental Reckoning, her powerful installation which sits directly across the Music Concourse from the Bandshell. Meet SF Poet Laureate Tonge Eisen-Martin as he frames the night and month of poetry ahead. Enjoy live music with SF’s Martin Luther McCoy. Also, see the unveiling of “de Truth,” an exhibition of scrolling poetry lasered across the entire 450-foot façade of the de Young Museum and the public opening of “Circle of Life” in the nearby National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Featured Poets – James Siegel and Greg Pond

Live Music – Martin Luther McCoy and Robin Hodge Williams Ensemble

Come and Celebrate OPENING NIGHT of THE ALTERVERSE: SAN FRANCISCO’S CELEBRATION OF POETRY & LIGHT!

IDC President and Founder Steffen Franz has worked together with Ben Davis, Founder of the non-profit Illuminate to co-produce a month-long event series that features dozens of shows and local artists at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell in December 2021.

Website: https://thealterverse.org/

Opening Night – The Alterverse

Wednesday, December 1st @ 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Golden Gate Bandshell, Music Concourse

Be there for the Opening Night celebration when James Weldon Johnson’s soaring words “Lift Every Voice” from the Black National Anthem are elevated and illuminated atop the revived Golden Gate Bandshell. Hear sculptor Dana King discuss Monumental Reckoning, her powerful installation which sits directly across the Music Concourse from the Bandshell. Meet SF Poet Laureate Tonge Eisen-Martin as he frames the night and month of poetry ahead. Enjoy live music with SF’s Martin Luther McCoy. Also, see the unveiling of “de Truth,” an exhibition of scrolling poetry lasered across the entire 450-foot façade of the de Young Museum and the public opening of “Circle of Life” in the nearby National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Featured Poets – James Siegel and Greg Pond

Live Music – Martin Luther McCoy and Robin Hodge Williams Ensemble