San Francisco Cultural Sites
Martin Luther King Memorial Waterfall in Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco; (c) Soul Of America
Martin Luther King Memorial Waterfall
DESCRIPTION: A lovely organic to Yerba Buena Gardens and Fountain, the memorial is the interplay of a long horizontal structure with a waterfall cascading from a 30-foot drop in front of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. In keeping with the city’s diverse residents and tourists, his speech is written in several languages that visitors see as they walk under a peaceful waterfall.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: daily, sunrise to sundown
ADDRESS: Yerba Buena Gardens between 4th, 3rd, Howard & Mission Streets, San Francisco, CA
RAPID TRANSIT: BART-Muni Metro Montgomery Street Station
PARKING: garages on Third Street
Museum of the African Diaspora
Click for details
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre
DESCRIPTION: This small theatre honoring the great Lorraine Hansberry features works from famous African-American playwrights. It also features plays by August Wilson, including King Hedley II. Founded in 1981 by Stanley E. Williams, LHT made nomadic performances around the city for seven seasons. In 1988, LHT’s first home opened in the Landmark YWCA building at 620 Sutter Street. LHT then relocated its business office to 777 Jones Street in Nob Hill. When the building on Sutter Street was sold, it resumed performing in various venues around town, albeit with upgraded facilities like Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the African American Arts & Culture Complex in the Fillmore District.
BOX OFFICE: visit their website
ADDRESS: group performs at various venues in SF; Admin Office 777 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA;
PARKING: nearby garages
PHONE: 415-345-3980
WEBSITE: https://www.lhtsf.org
Rise performed by Crystaldawn Bell of Robert Moses; (c) Photographer RJ Muna/San Francisco CVB
Robert Moses Kin DanCe Troupe
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1995, RMK uses movement as the medium through which race, class, culture, and gender are used to voice the existence of our greater potential and unfulfilled possibilities. The diverse company is known for its eclectic movement vocabulary, demanding choreography, ferocious dancing, and provocative themes. Moses’ focus on the expressiveness of the human body and his desire to speak with the voices of his African American heritage have produced works with regional, national, and international recognition.
BOX OFFICE: see website
ADDRESS: 870 Market Street, Flood Building, San Francisco, CA
RAPID TRANSIT: BART-Muni Metro Powell Street Station and Powell Street Cable Car
PARKING: garages on Fourth Street and Mission Street
PHONE: 415-722-0191
WEBSITE: https://www.robertmoseskin.org/
African American Art & Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Managed by the African-American Historical & Cultural Society (AAACC), this community center and library is multi-faceted but single in purpose. It organizes, interprets, and celebrates the historical and cultural achievements of black folks in San Francisco. Towards its mission, the AAACC displays important works by black artists, including Sargent Johnson, to name only one. The center features dance programs, art programs, lectures, and poetry readings throughout the year. Call for days and hours. The resident African-American Shakespeare Company provides a place for actors of color to hone their talent, mastering some of the world’s greatest classical roles and opening classic theatre to a diverse audience. Each winter, it hosts Kwanzaa, MLK, and Black History Month events. Each summer, it serves as one anchor point to the Fillmore Jazz Festival and as host to the AfroSolo Festival. Soon, it will be the permanent home to Marcus Books San Francisco, one of the oldest black bookstores in the nation.
ADMISSION: Free for most events, fee-based for special events. Donations are always welcome.
DAYS & HOURS: varies depending on the event
ADDRESS: 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 415-292-6172
WEBSITE: https://www.sfaahcs.org
Synchronicity panels when displayed at the African American Art & Culture Center; (c) Soul Of America
Ruth Williams Opera House
DESCRIPTION: Located in the Bayview Opera House, this community cultural center and venue for African American theatre was also the city’s first opera house in 1888. It hosts a Drama Academy, Children’s Mural Program, and the Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre.
ADMISSION: Free for many events, fee-based for special events; donations always welcome
DAYS & HOURS: call for calendar of events
ADDRESS: 4705 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third Street/Oakdale/Palou Station
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 415-824-0386
WEBSITE: https://rwoh.org