Since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24, the world has been keeping an eye on updates from the front lines and searching for ways to help from afar. Despite the weight of the task, arts and social organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area, the country and around the globe are reaching out with civil and artistic efforts, raising funds to supply aid and relief to help alleviate some of the pain of those suffering from the consequences of war.
There are many local concerts and cultural events coming up, along with efforts from younger generations, striving to act as driving forces for fiscal support and social awareness aimed at supporting war relief efforts.
Check out The Chronicle’s guide to enjoying the creativity of the Bay Area arts community while supporting vital efforts to help those caught in the cross fire of the war in Ukraine.
Bay Area movie theater plans Ukraine cinema series to benefit war efforts
8th annual Pysanka/Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop
加入一个实践研讨会探索艺术和符号bolism of pysanka. Create a Ukrainian-style Easter egg, decorated using beeswax and dyes applied in layers. No experience necessary. Instruction and materials provided. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be available. All proceeds will go to humanitarian help for Ukraine and emergency medical supplies.
4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16. $5-$25, under 12 free. Register via email atmichael@stmichaelsorthodoxchurchsf.com. St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 345 Seventh St., S.F. 775-200-4347.
Support Ukraine: Snacks and Crafts Sale in the Park
A fundraising bake sale, run by students from theUkrainian School of San Francisco,will raise funds in support of those suffering from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The students plan to sell handmade crafts, baked goods and refreshments and collect donations.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 17. Free, donations encouraged. Lindley Meadow, Golden Gate Park, S.F. 917-592-2951.bit.ly/Ukrainebenefitcraftsale
Cook for Ukraine: Virtual Khachapuri Class
Create a meal at home, including this traditional Georgian cheese bread, with Ukrainian chef Anna Voloshyna. Voloshyna will share techniques, tips and tricks to shape the perfect Adjarian and Imeretian versions of khachapuri, along with a recipe for vegetable salad with walnut dressing and herbs.
Noon Saturday, April 16, and May 14. $35, registrationrequired. Online event.tastemade.com
DakhaBrahka
Founded in 2014 by the avant-garde theater director Vladyslav Troitskyi, the world music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine, is scheduled to perform a concert of original music. Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, Russian and Australian traditional instrumentation, the quartet creates a dramatic, transnational sound while remaining rooted in Ukrainian culture.
Due to the violence, the band has canceled upcoming concerts in Ukraine, but the musicians will continue to perform throughout the world in support of their country. The venue also plans to sell sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, and accept donations for relief funds.
8 p.m. Thursday, April 21. $35-$55, reservationsrequired. Marisa Funk Theater, Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley. 530-274-8384.thecenterforthearts.org
Power to the People: A Benefit Concert for the People of Ukraine
A concert event with 100% of ticket sales and donations to benefit the Kyiv-based children’s orphanage,Ohmatdyt Childrens HospitalandCash for Refugees. The schedule is set to feature performances from Sonny Smith (Sonny and the Sunsets), Dan Lebowitz (ALO), S.F. Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin, Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), guitarist Asher Belsky, Mayya (Mayya & the Revolutionary Hell Yeah), U.Gin with artist Eugene Taraso, Oakland-based post punk band Gumby’s Junk and Bite.
7 p.m. Saturday, April 23. $18-20, vaccination proof, reservations and donationsencouraged. Great American Music Hall,859 O’Farrell St., S.F. 415-885-0750.gamh.com
Victoria Hurd Benefit Piano Concert
The solo piano program is set to feature works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Faure. Proceeds will benefitSave the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Make an online donation of any amount and bring a receipt for performance admission.
4 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Free with online donation receipt. Vaccination proof, masks and reservations required. Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. 510-499-8177.piedmontcenterforthearts.org
Power of a Sunflower: Ukraine Benefit Concert and Auction
Main performers at this benefit event includeJuicebumps,Everyone Is Dirty, Mayya andFuture Twin,along with additional performances from Mike Watt, Shannon Lay, Downtown Boys, Lucky Baby Daddy,the Bellrays, Borts Minorts and others.
Also enjoy live spoken word and poetry with Misha Trubs, Jennifer Terrell, Masha Kechaeva and an auction with original artworks and other items. Proceeds will be split betweenOutright International, which helps the LGBTIQ community in Ukraine; andVoices, which provides art therapy and other resources for the children and parents affected by war.
7-10 p.m. Sunday, April 24. $25, reservationsrequired. Live stream available on the event’sFacebookchannel. Light Rail Studios, 672 Toland Place, S.F.lightrailstation.com
Fire Music for Freedom: Benefit for Children in War Zones
Outsound presents the re-emergence of its long-running SIMM new music series, with a concert benefiting children in war-torn regions. The program will include performances from the Tom Weeks Quartet and Lords of Outland with Rent Romus. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF.
7-9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24. $10-$20, Vaccination highly recommended, masks and reservationsrequired. Musicians Union Hall, 116 Ninth St., S.F.outsound.org
Fundraiser for Ukraine: Asian American Storytellers in Unity
Eth-Noh-Tec sponsors an online event hosted by Nancy Wang. With performances by storytellers Karin Amano, Tobey Ishii Anderson, Roopa Mohan, Linda Yemoto, Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and guest artist Dana Sherry, the program will feature stories of hope, perseverance and unity in the face of injustice. All proceeds raised will go toward humanitarian aid administered by Nova Ukraine.
5 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Donations encouraged and registrationrequired. Online event. 415-282-8705.ethnohtec.org
Unlocked Festival
A contemporary music festival, celebrating the spirit of creativity and resilience, enters its sixth year with an impressive lineup scheduled to include performances from theRova Saxophone Quartet,Lenora LeeandFrancis Wong,Positive Knowledge(Oluyemi and Ijeoma Thomas),duo B.(Jason Levis and Lisa Mezzacappa),Tongo Eisen-Martin,Evicshen,Grex(Karl Evangelista and Rei Scampavia),Tom Weeksand more.
Proceeds from this festival will directly support Bay Area community spaces and relief efforts for the people of Ukraine.
4-9 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Free, donations encouraged. Live stream viewing available on the event’sYouTubeandFacebookchannels. Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St., Oakland.grexsounds.com/unlocked.html
Areté Dance Center Rise Up Ukraine Benefit Festival
Money raised will benefitNova Ukraine在乌克兰和人道主义工作。晚上event will include Ukrainian baked goods, light appetizers and drinks; silent auction with original artworks, experiences, jewelry, gift baskets and other items; learn some Ukrainian folk dance moves; live music fromthe Song Gardeners.
4-6:30 p.m. April 30. $50 or more, reservationsrequired. Areté Dance Center, 979 Fremont Ave., Los Altos. 408-824-0074.aretedancecenter.com
Dailey Fest on the Waterfront
Take a barre and meditation class led by Jill Dailey and other Dailey Method master teachers. 100% of the profit from ticket sales goes to World Central Kitchen to help support its efforts for refugees in Ukraine. Ticket price includes classes, a tank top, free access to a digital Dailey Method class sampler, sponsor giveaways, and a meet and greet with Jill Dailey, teachers and flagship studio owners.
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 1. $75-$100, reservationsrequired. Crissy Field, 1199 East Beach, S.F.thedaileymethod.com
Soul & Solidarity: A Benefit Concert for Ukraine
Sara and Andy Kurtzig of theArizae Foundationand local vocal coach Amber Morris present a star-studded lineup including vocalists Matt Hansen, Devon Baldwin, Rozzi, Ryann Swan, Sophia Bromberg and indie rockersPresidiowith Gabriela de la Cruz and Will Zesiger.
6:30-10 p.m. May 6. $50-$150, reservationsencouraged. Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 415-388-3850.sweetwatermusichall.com
We Stand With Ukraine Charity Concert
A benefit event is scheduled to include live performances from Zlata Ognevich, Alyosha, Mika Newton, Bondarchuck, Vovazilvova and Vsiudysvoia, Dmytro Stupka, speakers, Ukrainian Hopak folk dancing and video messages from Ukrainian singer/actressesTina KarolandJamalaand Ukrainian rock bandthe Hardkiss.
8 p.m. May 6. $60, reservationsrequired. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3601 Lyon St., S.F. 415-855-1607.palaceoffinearts.org
Concert of Compassion
An evening of performances from exceptional classical artists will be followed by a reception. The schedule includes performances from acclaimed mezzo-soprano弗雷德里卡•冯•施塔德, composerJake Heggie, members of the San Francisco Symphony,Bay Brass, members ofArtist Vocal Ensemble (AVE), guest soloists and conductors as well as a talk from Ukrainian Consul General’s Dmytro Kushneruk. 100% of proceeds will benefitHIAS,Nova UkraineandWorld Central Kitchen.
7:30 p.m. May 9. $40-$100, reservationsrequired. Live stream viewing optionavailable. Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., S.F.concertofcompassion.com
Songs for Ukraine: Kitka with Mariana Sadovska
Forged from more than four decades of inspiring work, the Oakland vocal ensemble Kitka has a deep performance repertoire that includes traditional music from Balkan, Baltic, Caucasus and Slavic lands, and the group has developed many connections with traditional and contemporary artists from Ukraine. At this lunch hour concert, Lviv-born vocalist, composer and actress Mariana Sadovska will perform with Kitka. The artist also composed the score for Kitka’s acclaimed “Rusalka Cycle: Songs Between the Worlds.”
Proceeds from this event will benefit Bay Area humanitarian aid organization Nova Ukraine.
12:30-1:30 p.m. May 19. Free, donations highly encouraged. Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, S.F. 415- 543-1718.ybgfestival.org
Breaking Down Walls: A Fundraiser for Ukraine
The Metro Film and Arts Foundation, with support from the J&J Arts Initiative, will present an evening of animation, live dance, music, poetry and theater showcasing singer-songwriter Will Hammond Jr.; choreographer Mia J. Chong and the Post:ballet; Teatro Nagual; playwright Nicole Limón; poets Aileen Casinetto, Tureeda Mikell, Kim Shuck and Maw Shein Win; and animation from Jaroslav Baran.
The master of ceremonies for the evening will be Dhaya Laskhminarayanan, a San Francisco comedian and writer featured on NPR’s “Snap Judgment” and “The Moth Radio Hour.” Refreshments will be available for purchase in the lobby.
6:30-8:30 p.m. June 11. $25, reservationsrequired. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. 415-345-7500.metrofilmandarts.org