San Francisco Photographer – Bay Area Portrait Photography

After a little sun, thank you for coming out for us, lunch and a fun fund-raising auction, it was time for some more shows!:

Here comes the dragon!:

Nerissa Wong-VanHaren, parent-volunteer and friend of mine, was in charge of decorating the auditorium and she did a fantastic job. 

Here she is with her family after a successful celebration.

NOTE:  To view the complete gallery of photos and order prints, please click here.

I was invited to photograph the Chinese New Year celebration put on by the Yew Chung International School.  I was thoroughly impressed by the organization, parent involvement and especially the children.  Wow, the children were so adorable, talented and well-behaved!  The majority of the show was in Mandarin and I didn’t understand a lick of it but I still enjoyed myself none the less.

Photos before the event started:

Adorably and patiently waiting for the show to begin:

As soon as the doors opened, the auditorium was filled with representatives of 300 families with cameras!  🙂

The kids were just too cute!

After part 1 of the show, it was time to go outside for lunch and the school’s fundraising auction:

Back inside for more shows!  Another post coming soon.

NOTE:  To view the complete gallery of photos and order prints, please click here.

I had the great honor and joy to attend an amazing concert in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  This is a yearly event, entitled “In the Name of Love”  organized by RCI, creators of community music events such as Jazz Camp West and Jam Camp (for teens).  Each year, 1,400 adults, elders, children and families from very diverse communities come together and share the hopes, teachings and dreams of Dr. King through the joy of music (and this year dance too!).  The event, now in its 7th year, had even more energy as we were all looking forward to Obama’s inauguration just 2 days later.

Here’s the hall as it filled up:

Our fabulous emcee was none other than Clifford Brown Jr., of KCSM, KDYA and KDIA fame:

Up first was the incredibly adorable and inspiring Oakland Children’s Community Choir.  There was about 150 2nd graders singing their hearts out and it was a great way to start the show.  They sang about unity, peace, Obama, hope and sang several chorus’ of “yes we can”.  I was moved and I know everyone else was too.

Next up with the very classy and hip Marcus Shelby and the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.   They performed some amazing arrangements from his commissioned body of work celebrating the life of Harriet Tubman.

Marcus for sure is a sharp dressed man!

Accompanying them was an amazing line up of vocalists:  Nicolas Bearde, Jeannine Anderson, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol and Kenny Washington.

Faye brought the house down and gave me shivers when she sang!

Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company performed for us too.  These young folks co-created their origianl performance art pieces with professional artist, combining all form of dance and expression.  What a treat!

This is a community event and every year they give out the Citizen of Oakland Humanitarian Award to someone who has given back to the community in extraordinary ways.  This year the award was given to Kevin Grant for his work with troubled teens on the streets.  He used to be one of those teens but found a way out and now goes back to the streets to seek out those who probably wouldn’t seek help otherwise.  Because he’s been there he knows how to reach them and is very effective.  He was very honored and touched to receive the award.  Oakland is lucky to have someone like this in the community.

To end the show, the 60-voice Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir got us inspired, sining and dancing in the isles.  It was the only way to end such a wonderful night of love, hope, music and community.

Terrance Kelly wanted to hear more form the audience and we happily obliged.  🙂