
B L A C K C H O R E O G R A P H E R S
F E S T I V A L: H E R E & N O W
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BCF is Celebrating 20 Years!!!
AWARDED ~BEST OF THE BAY
- SF BAY GUARDIAN 2009
RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF BLACK DANCE
IN THE BAY AREA, 2019 & 2025


SF Classical Voice review of BCF 20th anniversary
"Black Choreographers Festival Reveals a Vibrant Tapestry of Dance..."
- Melissa Hudson Bell Read more
SF Chronicle review of BCF 20th anniversary
"This is looking like community coming out to support, so you know our hearts are full right now,” Laura Elaine Ellis said from the Dance Mission Theater stage on Saturday, Feb. 22,..."
-Rachel Howard Read more
SF Chronicle article features BCF for events to see in 2025
"Every milestone naturally brings reflection, but the Black Choreographers Festival's 20th anniversary slated for February is powered by something far more profound than nostalgia." -Rachel Howard Read more
20th Anniversary Events
Spirit of Sankofa: Bridging the Legacies of BCM and BCF Featuring: Archival Exhibit, Panel, & Performance (past event) Read more






























Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now
Celebrating 20 years!!!
BCF @ SF Public Library, Koret Auditorium
March 22 (Sat @ 2p)
100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA
Spirit of SANKOFA! - Bridging the Legacy of BCM & BCF
Featuring: Archival Exhibit, Panel, & Performances
Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now (BCF) brings its vibrant energy to the Koret Auditorium. Cultural Bearer Dr. Halifu Osumare moderates a panel of arts leaders and dynamic solo performances by BCF Artists will activate the Koret Auditorium stage, highlighting the history and legacy of two iconic Bay Area festivals: Black Choreographers Moving Toward the 21st Century (1989 – 1995) a national dance initiative founded by Dr. Halifu Osumare, and Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now, co-founded by
laura e. ellis and Kendra Kimbrough Barnes, celebrating 20 years of presenting Black dance, art & culture.
Moderator: Dr. Halifu Osumare
Panelists: Dean Beck-Stewart, L. Martina Young, Joanna Haigood, Kendra Kimbrough Barnes, and laura e. ellis
BCF Performing Soloists: natalya shoaf, Byb Chanel Bibene, and dominique lesleyann
Panelists and Performers' Bios
Lobby Exhibit: Spirit of Sankofa: Bridging the Legacies of BCM & BCF, Archival Exhibit
An artful archival display that depicts the narrative of two iconic SF Bay Area Festivals: Black Choreographers Moving Toward the 21st Century (BCM), founded by Dr. Halifu Osumare and presented from 1989 – 1995, and Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now (BCF) co-founded by laura elaine ellis and Kendra Kimbrough Barnes, premiered in 2005, celebrating 20 years of presenting BCF! Designed by Visual Artists: Pete Belkin and Tiersa Nureyev
FREE EVENT
More 20th Anniversary Events
May 3 - June 21 @ Minnesota Street Project - Spirit of Sankofa – Panel & Performances
Different Panels and Performances featured for each event!