“Under the Same Sun” SF’s Free Chinatown Contemporary Arts Festival (2023)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Edge on the Square presents Under the Same Sun: Reimagining the Edges of Chinatown, its second annual contemporary art festival, to celebrate the enduring radiance of San Francisco Chinatown. As constant as the sun, are the residents, community members, organizations who continue to rise, persist and shine in the face of adversity. The past year has yielded moments of darkness; extending from the war in Ukraine to polarized rulings by the US Supreme Court impacting Americans’ freedoms, civil rights and liberties. The overturning of Roe vs Wade, affirmative action, and support of discriminatory policies are poignant reminders that the critical work for social justice and equity are continuous and ongoing.

Further within these tempos, the festival meditates on the voices, histories, and footnotes that contribute to the resilient luminosity of Chinatown, both sunlit and shaded: in the silhouetted crevices of multigenerational households, the afterglow of revolutions, and in the life and labor of all who identify with Chinatown as a landing spot of diverse togetherness. At Edge on the Square, we ask how we can crystallize illumination into revelation, potent regeneration into progress, and healing transformation of harms and burns into collective power?

The one-day festival brings together over 20 API artists and their multimedia artworks, installations, activations and performances to reflect on contemporary issues, questions and concerns relating to individual and collective freedoms, identities, and civil liberties. Along with cultural partners, arts organizations, and community residents – the coalition of voices amplify unity and solidarity within multi and cross-cultural experiences and histories. Under the same sun, from the center to the ‘edges’ of Chinatown and beyond, we glisten with the resilience of the past, tenacity of now, and earned optimism for a future powered by collective action, persistent courage, and wise hope.

Featured artists and collectives include: Al Wong, Ahn Lee, Bahar Behbahani, Carol Anne McChrystal, Cone Shape Top, Connie Zheng, Duniya Dance + Drum, Erika Chong Shuch, Hang Huynh, Kim Ip, Indira Allegra, LionDanceME, Lisa Solomon x Christine Buckton Tillman, Lower Grand Radio, Macro Waves, Patty Chang, Sierra Katow, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, TNT Traysikel, YiuYiu 瑶瑶 and K-12 Youth Performance Group.

Curated by Candace Huey and esteemed guest curators Erina Alejo, PJ Gubatina Policarpio, and Sara Wessen Chang

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.