San Francisco International Arts Festival is proud to present El Corazón de la Misión (Heart of the Mission) as the Festival’s inaugural Family Program. The event, specifically designed to appeal to families, will present the Community Music Center’s Mission District Youth Musician Program (MDYMP) and CUICACALLI – Ballet Folklorico Mexicano, both of which represent the rich and vibrant performing arts community of the Mission District. The performance promises to be an engaging afternoon where children of all ages will learn about music and dance with multiple opportunities for their direct participation. This program is curated by Miriam Anne Frank.

The youth of the Community Music Center’s Mission District Young Musicians Program (MDYMP), directed by Martha Rodriguez-Salazar, is made up of 25 middle and high school students from the Mission District, who will play musica bailable (danceable music). The MDYMP mission focuses on bringing Latin music to low-income Mission District youth, entirely tuition-free. Students receive a half-hour private lesson at CMC, gather for weekly classes at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, and interact with master guest artists. They learn traditional music from Spain, Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Peru, as well as Latin jazz and classical music.

CUICACALLI (House of Culture) dance company is a year-round youth training program founded in 2008 by renowned international performer Jesus “Jacoh” Cortes. An international, cross-cultural, dance-arts educational institution, CUICACALLI’s mission is to serve the diverse community of San Francisco with dedication towards excellent instruction, performances and community programs, for intergenerational students, artists and audiences of all backgrounds: CUICACALLI builds communities through dance.

These performances by Mission District Young Musicians Program and CUICACALLI are hosted by Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture as part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival, which runs from May 19 – June 5 exclusively at FMCAC. The Festival features over 100 performances by 50 different ensembles, as well as an expansive arts exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Dada Movement. Get discounts on tickets to see multiple shows at the Festival by buying a Festival pass. More details HERE.