Film Screening & Discussion | Tonari
Schedule
Thu Feb 02 2023 at 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm
Location
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) | San Francisco, CA
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When her mirrored reflection comes to life, a lonely dancer caught between Tokyo and San Francisco must embark on an epic chase to find herself. The short film "TONARI" is a cross cultural, cross generational, storytelling experience through contemporary dance and jazz music. Following the film screening will be a live Q&A with Executive Producer Sophia Noel and Band Leader Akira Tana.
This piece seeks to explore new ways for performing arts to connect cultures and people together for learning and creation by merging physical with digital culture, fusing traditional with contemporary art forms and forging a pathway for Tokyo, San Francisco, Black and Japanese art exchange for the first time. In praise of the remix, this project is the future of art; elevating each other's cultures through collaboration, because culture is best shared.
WE ARE TONARI. 8,000 miles away, 40 years apart, and right next to each other.
About the Artists
Sophia Noel
Executive Producer & Choreographer
Sophia Noel is a contemporary dancer based in Tokyo with Hip-Hop, Salsa, Swing, and Ballet in her repertoire. Graduating from Columbia University, she joined the marketing team at Airbnb headquarters and in addition served as the director of the internal dance program, teaching classes, choreographing and producing performances. In 2019, curiosity around the Japanese language sparked the idea to book a one way ticket to Tokyo where she now performs, choreographs, teaches, and more.
Akira Tana
Composer & Jazz Drummer
Born and raised in California, Akira Tana earned degrees from Harvard University and the New England Conservatory of Music. There he performed in both classical and jazz idioms, playing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and student ensembles as well as with musicians such as Helen Humes, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, George Russell, and Sonny Stitt. Tana recorded frequently as a sideman in the 1980s, and began releasing albums as a leader in the 1990s. Currently he is a professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
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Where is it happening?
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), 685 Mission St, San Francisco, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
