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Lou Fancher

Lou Fancher is a San Francisco Bay Area writer. Her work has been published by WIRED.com, Diablo Magazine, Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times, InDance, East Bay Express, Oakland Magazine, SF Weekly, and others.  She is a children's book author, designer and illustrator, with over 50 books in print. Also a choreographer, ballet master and teacher, she coaches professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the U. S. and Canada.  Visit her website online at www.johnsonandfancher.com.

Articles by this Author

Upcoming Concert
RAWdance Moves to Heal
January 18, 2021
RAWdance
RAWdance Moves to Heal
BY Lou Fancher

The bicoastal dance company premieres a new work Jan. 29–30.

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Artist Spotlight
Breath Is Everything for Bria Skonberg
January 4, 2021
Breath Is Everything for Bria Skonberg
BY Lou Fancher

The charismatic young trumpeter and vocalist performs for Cal Performances at Home with her quintet.

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Upcoming Concert
Experiments in Opera Goes Wild With <em>Aqua Net & Funyuns</em>
December 22, 2020
Experiments in Opera
Experiments in Opera Goes Wild With Aqua Net & Funyuns
BY Lou Fancher

A crack team of composers, librettists, singers, and musicians develops a podcast series of five interwoven operas that defy genre.

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Artist Spotlight
Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison Is Just Getting Started
December 14, 2020
Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison Is Just Getting Started
BY Lou Fancher

We chat with the tireless vocalist about her television special, life during lockdown, and her illustrious career.

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Upcoming Concert
A New Documentary Reveals the Healing Power of Music
November 30, 2020
A New Documentary Reveals the Healing Power of Music
BY Lou Fancher

Music Got Me Here traces one teen’s recovery from traumatic brain injury via music therapy.

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Upcoming Concert
Slide Into the Giving Season With a GLIDE Gala Online
November 9, 2020
GLIDE
Slide Into the Giving Season With a GLIDE Gala Online
BY Lou Fancher

“Rise Up for Change” supports GLIDE’s life-saving work and features an all-star roster of guest artists.

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Artist Spotlight
Gabriela Lena Frank on Stoking the Engines of Creativity in Hard Times
November 3, 2020
Gabriela Lena Frank on Stoking the Engines of Creativity in Hard Times
BY Lou Fancher

We check in with the composer about her recent Heinz Award, her program pairing composers with performers, and how she stays more than busy despite the challenges.

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Feature Article
Musicians Who (Hip) Hop Career Barriers, Even the Pandemic
October 27, 2020
Musicians Who (Hip) Hop Career Barriers, Even the Pandemic
BY Lou Fancher

The difficulties for musicians have rarely been greater than now, but here are three who have never backed down from a challenge.

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Artist Spotlight
Ezinma Makes the Connection
October 19, 2020
Ezinma Makes the Connection
BY Lou Fancher

The violinist and composer made her name with powerhouse pop and hip-hop covers and playing with Beyoncé, but she has Beethoven on her mind, too.

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Artist Spotlight
Jeremy Cohen Hasn’t Missed a Beat
October 5, 2020
Jeremy Cohen Hasn’t Missed a Beat
BY Lou Fancher

With a full slate of ongoing performances and teaching gigs, the jazz violinist is keeping himself more than busy. He tells SFCV how he manages it all.

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Bay Area Pianists to the Fore in the Piano Break Sessions
October 3, 2020
Bay Area Pianists to the Fore in the Piano Break Sessions
BY Lou Fancher
The Ross McKee Foundation sponsors a strong lineup of keyboard wizards and focuses the spotlight on solo works by Black composers.
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Artist Spotlight
Jake Shimabukuro Is Finding the Silver Lining
September 19, 2020
Jake Shimabukuro Is Finding the Silver Lining
BY Lou Fancher

The ukulele virtuoso, who rocketed to fame via a Beatles cover 15 years ago, talks about his new album and the joys of staying home.

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A Tour of Afro-Latin Music With John Santos
September 19, 2020
A Tour of Afro-Latin Music With John Santos
BY Lou Fancher
The famous percussionist teams up with the Museum of the African Diaspora to present a history of Latin musical genres.
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Feature Article
Ballet’s New Mandate: Change or Die
September 14, 2020
Ballet’s New Mandate: Change or Die
BY Lou Fancher

Choreographers Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwert, and Gregory Dawson speak about what they’re doing and the future of dance.

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Artist Spotlight
Chuck Johnson Gets Romantic on <em>Mound of Shards</em>
September 7, 2020
Chuck Johnson Gets Romantic on Mound of Shards
BY Lou Fancher

The Oakland-based musician chats about his new album, the link between his electronic music and Chopin, and life with the coronavirus.

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Upcoming Concert
Hope Mohr Dance Crosses Another Bridge Toward Equity
August 31, 2020
Hope Mohr Dance
Hope Mohr Dance Crosses Another Bridge Toward Equity
BY Lou Fancher

For this year’s Bridge Project, the company doubles down on its commitment to improvisation and dance as activism.

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Artist Spotlight
Sylvie Simmons and Her Uke Stage a Comeback
August 17, 2020
Sylvie Simmons and Her Uke Stage a Comeback
BY Lou Fancher

Writer, critic, and now singer/songwriter Simmons conquers a pandemic and personal injury to release her second album.

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Artist Spotlight
Naima Shalhoub Makes Her Music Count
August 11, 2020
Naima Shalhoub Makes Her Music Count
BY Lou Fancher

The Lebanese-American musician/composer talks about her newest recording, which melds blues, jazz, and hip-hop with Arabic music new and old.

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Artist Spotlight
Sarah Crowell Moves to Decolonize Dance
August 1, 2020
Sarah Crowell Moves to Decolonize Dance
BY Lou Fancher

The dancer, choreographer, and educator shares her ideas for building an equitable, open, and inclusive world of dance.

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Artist Spotlight
Margaret Jenkins Keeps Moving
July 13, 2020
Margaret Jenkins Keeps Moving
BY Lou Fancher

The resilient choreographer remains active, creative, and collaborative, whatever the challenges.

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