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S3: Ep 2: Elizabeth Soberanes and Carnaval in The Mission
On a sunny February afternoon in Mission Dolores Park, Jae and I interviewed lifelong Latin dancer, arts educator, producer, and choreographer Elizabeth Soberanes. She’s been an active performer and resident in San Francisco’s Mission District for over 40 years, starting with a BA in Dance Ethnology from SFSU. Elizabeth is a champion of Latin dance styles including Afro-Haitian, Brazilian, Cuban, Capoeira, Hip Hop and Jazz. In 2009, Elizabeth founded Latin Dance Grooves (LDG) to share her love of Latin dance to her community in a welcoming environment. This later evolved into a performance ensemble that has performed at numerous occasions, including SF Pride Festival Latin Stage, Bay Area Cuban Festival, SF Carnvale, and more. Today LDG boasts some of the most popular Latin dance and fitness classes in the Bay Area.
Elizabeth is also well-known for her participation in Canaval, SF’s annual celebration of Latin and South American culture. This parade features dance, art, decorated floats, music and food, a scene where someone as cheerful as Elizabeth can always be found. Her work with LDG has helped bring so much life to Carnaval, as it’s helped her students participate in the festival for many years. Elizabeth believes that dance is a healing force for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for the individual and the community. Who better to tell us about the meaning of San Francisco’s Carnival than her?
For more information about Elizabeth Soberanes, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aforum/18045924320/in/photostream
Meet Elizabeth Soberanes!
S3: Ep 1: Martin Luther McCoy and Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy
Welcome to Season 3 of BTFR! We are honored to start off with musician, actor & SF native Martin Luther McCoy and his artist & activist wife Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy. This talented and stylish 1970’s “Soul Train'' couple play an extensive role in the Bay Area’s art and activism communities.
Martin Luther was fundamental in the 1990’s Bay Area neo-soul scene and is a recent member of the SFJAZZ Collective. He is widely known for his work with hip hop collective the Roots and is likewise acclaimed for his role as “Jo-Jo” in Julie Taymor’s 2007 film Across the Universe. Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy is impressive in her own right. She is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and community leader. Jeanne is devoted to collaborating on art projects with African American artists in the Bay Area and nationwide, including a new art and community-focused production company called “A Little x” which she co-founded with her husband. Through their company, Jeanne and Martin collaborate with clients such as SFJAZZ and the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAd), where Martin will be performing live on February 26th!
For more information about Martin Luther and his upcoming performance, please visit:
https://www.moadsf.org/event/sfjazz-and-moad-co-present-a-black-history-month-celebration-concert-with-martin-luther-mccoy
Meet Martin Luther and Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy!
S2: Ep 5 Music of San Francisco with Paula West
Music of San Francisco with Paula West
This week’s musical guest has been a San Francisco Bay Area-based artist for many years. Jazz singer Paula West began her successful career singing at the York Hotel in the city. Her career grew by word of mouth and excellent reviews from the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. Since her early years, Paula has had a lot of success nationally, with performances in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Europe, and regular appearances at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City and with Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center. Back in the bay, she regularly performs at Yoshi’s in Oakland and SF Jazz in the city.
Paula West’s contralto voice is rich and resonant. She is skilled at clearly articulating a strong combination of technique and soul. She is creative and willing to reimagine the ways in which Jazz singers perform. Her musical dynamism even goes beyond vocal technique, as she is well known for her “highly nuanced interpretations” of music from other genres of artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, David Bowie, and Lou Reed.*
We at Beyond the Fog Radio were very fortunate to interview Paula in August 2021 in between her first live performances in a year and a half. She is a household name when it comes to Jazz, and we proudly claim her as one of our own here in the Bay Area.
Meet Paula West!
*for more information about Paula West, please visit her website: https://www.mspaulawest.com/about