Memories to Light: Never Brighter

McEvoy Arts commissions local composers Danny Clay and Theresa Wong to compose and perform an experimental score for Memories to Light: Never Brighter, a film by documentary filmmaker Chet Canlas. The film creates a honeycomb lens of Asian America by interweaving home movies from the collection of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) with archival images from the Manilatown Heritage Foundation. This panoramic juxtaposition of sight and sound is the first performance in the McEvoy Arts galleries since February 2020.

In Canlas’s film, digitized 8mm and 16mm home movies life capturing authentic scenes of Asian American life come together with images and clips from the Manilatown Heritage Foundation’s extensive archive. Drawing inspiration from the filmic collage, Clay and Wong—who previously performed together in 2018 at McEvoy Arts—work collaboratively to create a richly textured composition that bridges field recordings, spoken word, and live improvisation. The immersive physical space filled by the power of performance and the possibility of togetherness.

Memories to Light was initially conceived as an outdoor screening and performance for Neon Was Never Brighter, the urban festival of artist activations celebrating the resilience and fortitude of San Francisco’s Chinatown postponed. Due to rain, Neon Was Never Brighter was cancelled and is postponed until Spring 2022. The live performance of Memories to Light: Never Brighter at McEvoy Arts marks the closing day of Next to You on December 4. It is an expansive intertwining of moving images and experimental music that extends the exhibit’s celebration of the performing arts.

Our highest priority is to ensure that your visit is safe, comfortable, and inspiring. Face coverings are required for all visitors age 2 and older while in the building. Attendance is limited to less than 100% capacity for seated events. All attendees age 12 and older must show proof of vaccination for entry to McEvoy Arts events. Vaccinated patrons must present a valid vaccination card, a photo or photocopy of your card, or a digital vaccine record (e.g., myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov) with a matching valid photo ID.

Advance and Walk-Up Tickets

The box office opens 60 minutes prior to the event’s published start time for Will Call and walk-up sales. Doors open for seating 30 minutes prior to start time. The box office remains open for 15 minutes after the event has started. If available, walk-up tickets are sold at the General Admission price.

Seating

All seats are general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket holders should arrive 10 minutes prior to showtime to be guaranteed a seat.

Sold-out Events

In the case of sold-out events, a standby line will form for those without advance tickets. Standby tickets will be released on a first-come basis depending on how many seats are available after ticket holders are admitted.

All programs are subject to change without notice. Refunds and exchanges will be issued in the rare case of program cancellations.

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Host or Publisher McEvoy Foundation for the Arts