Our world is shrinking.
Or so it seems, as ferocious (federal government) forces maneuver to prevent other people, ideas, traditions, faiths, and cultures from entering the United States. Even if people intend to visit temporarily, the message is “keep out; our borders are closed.”
Standing in glorious countermeasure to that baseless fear-mongering is the annual San Francisco International Arts Festival. This year, the 12-day event sweeps through Mission venues April 29-May 10, showcasing more than 50 artists from nine countries. The festival, founded in 2002, includes music, theatre, dance, workshops, walking tours, educational activities, panel discussions, performance art, and spoken word presentations. The curated events are selected with an eye to fostering equity, activism, and cross-cultural awareness, laying the foundations for border-erasing relationships for years to come.
Founded in 2002 , the festival has weathered many storms concerning artists’ visas and international travel. Even so, President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued in 2025, and the current conflict with Iran, have sent a cold wind through the roster of local and international artists.
An April 8, SFIAF press release announced that three international dance artists would no longer be able to participate in the festival: Mufutau Yusuf (Republic of Ireland/Nigeria), Kôdrô Aoussou Evry (Germany/Ivory Coast) and Kalakshetra Reshma Rajeev (India).
Executive Director Andrew Wood in an email to 48 Hills said, “Although Mufutau is a dual national and is traveling on an Irish passport with a project supported by the Irish government—and even though Trump has said his racist ban on people traveling from African countries would not apply to dual nationals, the USCIS has put it upon itself to pause all non-immigrant visa applications for people with dual nationality.”
Something similar happened to choreographer Kôdrô Aoussou Evry who was supposed to be collaborating with Oakland based Byb Chanel Bibene. And to Kalakshetra Reshma Rajeev, who was traveling to the United States on an Indian Diplomatic passport for a collaboration with Bay Area based choreographer and dancer Nikitha Sreekant. “The Indian government has told all of their diplomatic staff not to travel out of safety concerns brought on by the American and Israeli bombing of Iran,” Wood said.
Despite the turmoil, the festival remains packed full of intriguing opportunities—making it nearly impossible to touch on every event and outline each special feature. In that vein, the following is a limited list of performances selected because they either hold promise for breaking new ground or herald the return of an artist or group known for never sitting still. In these an other programs the SFIAF artists continue to plug into today’s uncertainty with fortitude, professionalism, and dare we say, courage.
Presented by category:
WORKSHOPS
InkBoat Two-Day Workshop, May 2-3
Six teachers in two, six-hour sessions offer participation in techniques and traditions used by InkBoat dance company: Noguchi Taiso, Action Theater, Corporeal Mime, Body Weather, Noh Theater and Butoh Dance. If the workshop is sold out, witness the group in action during their festival performances April 30-May 3.
THEATRE
Eddie Jen: Seeking a Penpal for the End of the World, May 2 and 9
The premises says it all: “In the aftermaths of January 6th, 2021, an Asian immigrant drag queen from San Francisco began writing to his retired, Republican, White, English teacher from Bountiful, Utah. They kept this pen-pal friendship going… right up to Trump’s election in 2024.” When will the end of the world arrive? No idea, but a penpal sure would be a balm in the storm.
Algiin Ford: Silent Assassin (My Addictive Mind), May 9 and 10
Funny how often teachers are the topic of theatrical works and solo performances like Ford’s. The actor’s “happy poverty” lifestyle as a child led to incarceration and eventually, a reckoning. Riding the stallion of survivorship to rescue him were teachers that demonstrated “grace under pressure.” Ford emerges still flawed—as we all are—but powered by love. Hurray when the guy telling the truth wins.
MUSIC
Sumi Lee and Ramiro Boero Duo: “From Seoul to Buenos Aires: The New Tango,” May 2
Latin Grammy–nominated musician Ramiro Boero and Bay Area pianist Sumi Lee lead audiences on a cross-cultural journey. The program showcases Lee’s Korean heritage and Boero’s newest work. Melding tango, classical, and jazz, the two artists engage in a musical “conversation” and we get to ride along. No need for a passport, just a ticket.
Bia Ferreira: “The Lesbitarian Church,” May 10
A Mothers Day concert dedicated to the women and safe haven church Ferreira founded draws from her 2019 album “Igreja Lesbiteriana, Um Chamado” (Lesbian Church, A Calling). For people turned off or turned away by Pentecostal and Protestant denominations, perhaps the Brazilian singer holds the keys. Her voice and songwriter are certainly an answer to prayer.
DANCE
Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ!, April 29-May 1
The Canadian troupe flies high atop their food truck. Food prep in the sky, performed on stacked chairs and human shoulders is the perfect recipe for chaos and charisma. Plus, Cirque Kikasse are consummate circus artists, which means the fun arrives without stressing out about splattered pies leading to injury. Perfect for all ages.
PERFORMANCE ART
Austin Antoine: “Free Association (A Freestyle Collective),” May 8 and 10
Hip hop, improvisation, comedy and a performance shaped entirely by the audience flipping suggestions to the artists is completely unpredictable. Well, not completely, because Antoine, Calvin Black, and Young Ellabaker know their stuff. This is a show a person could see twice—or more—and every time, it would be new.
Bobby Friday / Haus of Friday: “Under the Wig,” May 10
A drag revue featuring Bobby Friday, Alexis Miranda, and Linda Summers snaps into the intriguing category with a post-performance Q&A. Wonderment, weirdness, and precious words are likely to surface when the artist and audiences “peek under the wig” of the art of drag.
