Primary tabs

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

Artist Spotlight
Lara Downes Explores the Many Resonances in Roots Music
March 21, 2020
Lara Downes Explores the Many Resonances in Roots Music
BY Lou Fancher

The pianist unveils her latest recording and talks about its deep roots in traditional music.

More »
Artist Spotlight
Shinnerrie Jackson and Core Ensemble Bring <em>Ain’t I a Woman</em> to the Morrison Series
March 5, 2020
Shinnerrie Jackson and Core Ensemble Bring Ain’t I a Woman to the Morrison Series
BY Lou Fancher

The versatile singer and actor talks about inhabiting the spirits of four iconic African American women in the long-running show.

More »
Feature Article
PUSH Dance and Idris Ackamoor Set Out on Their “Motley Experiment”
March 2, 2020
PUSH Dance and Idris Ackamoor Set Out on Their “Motley Experiment”
BY Lou Fancher

Harlem Renaissance painter Archibald Motley is the inspiration behind PUSH and Acakmoor’s latest show together.

More »
Artist Spotlight
Katerina Wong and RAWdance Play “Exquisite Corpse” at the ODC
February 29, 2020
Katerina Wong and RAWdance Play “Exquisite Corpse” at the ODC
BY Lou Fancher

The San Francisco choreographer talks about the diverse traditions informing the new works in “Triple Take.”

More »
Artist Spotlight
Mary Lou’s Apartment Is Bursting With Jazz
February 20, 2020
Mary Lou’s Apartment Is Bursting With Jazz
BY Lou Fancher

Trombonist Pat Mullan talks about how the ensemble pays tribute to African-American jazz masters Mary Lou Williams and Melba Liston.

More »
Upcoming Concert
Wonder and Wonderment Abound at the Black Choreographers Festival
February 17, 2020
Black Choreographers Festival
Wonder and Wonderment Abound at the Black Choreographers Festival
BY Lou Fancher

Laura Elaine Ellis talks about the many ways the festival celebrates African-American ideas and creative expression through dance.

More about Black Choreographers Festival »
Upcoming Concert
San Jose Welcomes a Cornucopia of Jazz Talent to Winter Fest
February 10, 2020
San Jose Jazz
San Jose Welcomes a Cornucopia of Jazz Talent to Winter Fest
BY Lou Fancher

Festival Director Bruce Labadie trusts his well-tuned instincts in booking the city-wide celebration.

More about San Jose Jazz »
Upcoming Concert
Stretching the Bounds of Reality With <em>AI Sensorium</em> at ODC
    February 10, 2020
    ODC Theater
    Stretching the Bounds of Reality With AI Sensorium at ODC
    BY Lou Fancher

    The collaborative, multidisciplinary work melds cutting-edge digital technology with human movement in real time.

    More about ODC Theater »
    Feature Article
    Growing New Music With Other Minds
    January 21, 2020
    Growing New Music With Other Minds
    BY Lou Fancher

    Cofounder Charles Amirkhanian talks about a lifetime of expanding and reshaping the definition of “serious music.”

    More »
    Upcoming Concert
    Oakland Symphony Celebrates Bernard Tyson With His Playlist
    January 17, 2020
    Oakland Symphony
    Oakland Symphony Celebrates Bernard Tyson With His Playlist
    BY Lou Fancher

    The late Kaiser CEO and community advocate chose a sparkling, gospel-tinged program for the Jan. 24 installment of the orchestra’s Playlist series.

    More about Oakland Symphony »
    Artist Spotlight
    Tyshawn Sorey Keeps His Ears and Imagination Open
    January 11, 2020
    Tyshawn Sorey Keeps His Ears and Imagination Open
    BY Lou Fancher

    SF Performances hosts the polymath composer/performer on Jan. 24 with Jennifer Koh and Vijay Iyer. He talks to SFCV about his evolving musical vision.

    More »
    Artist Spotlight
    The Telegraph Quartet Takes Off in a Cabaret Show With Theo Bleckmann
    January 11, 2020
    The Telegraph Quartet Takes Off in a Cabaret Show With Theo Bleckmann
    BY Lou Fancher

    Telegraph violinist Eric Chin chats about their upcoming collaboration with the German composer and singer at SF Performances.

    More »
    Feature Article
    West Edge Opera Offers More Snapshots of New Operas in the Making
    January 5, 2020
    West Edge Opera Offers More Snapshots of New Operas in the Making
    BY Lou Fancher

    The annual sampler of four new works is a boon to opera lovers, creators, and producers alike.

    More »
    Upcoming Concert
    FRESH Festival Looks for a Little Tenderness
    December 26, 2019
    ALTERNATIVA
    FRESH Festival Looks for a Little Tenderness
    BY Lou Fancher

    For three weeks in January, the artist-run festival presents cutting-edge dance, music, and performance art.

    More about ALTERNATIVA »
    Feature Article
    The Friction Quartet Pins Its Hopes on the Future
    December 17, 2019
    The Friction Quartet Pins Its Hopes on the Future
    BY Lou Fancher

    The innovative ensemble invests in the evolution of music by commissioning new works by emerging composers.

    More »
    Upcoming Concert
    The Sky’s the Limit for UpSwing Aerial Dance Company
    December 6, 2019
    UpSwing Aerial Dance Company
    The Sky’s the Limit for UpSwing Aerial Dance Company
    BY Lou Fancher

    Gravity-defying dancers celebrate the solstice in a Berkeley studio.

    More about UpSwing Aerial Dance Company »
    Artist Spotlight
    Pamela Z Unveils a New World of Sound at Zellerbach
    December 6, 2019
    Pamela Z Unveils a New World of Sound at Zellerbach
    BY Lou Fancher

    The pioneering electroacoustic composer talks about her collaboration with Eighth Blackbird on a piece to premiere Dec. 14.

    More »
    Upcoming Concert
    A Plucky <em>Ermelinda</em> Emerges With Ars Minerva
    November 15, 2019
    Ars Minerva
    A Plucky Ermelinda Emerges With Ars Minerva
    BY Lou Fancher

    The intrepid revivalist opera company takes on Domenico Freschi’s 1680 comedy featuring a forward-leaning heroine.

    More about Ars Minerva »
    Upcoming Concert
    The Global Language of Dance Explodes at the SF International Hip-Hop DanceFest
    November 15, 2019
    San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest
    The Global Language of Dance Explodes at the SF International Hip-Hop DanceFest
    BY Lou Fancher

    Founder Micaya talks about the bounty of styles and messages coming from around the world Nov. 22–24.

    More about San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest »
    Artist Spotlight
    Lisa Fischer Is in the Spotlight With GLIDE’s Holiday Jam This Year
    November 9, 2019
    Lisa Fischer Is in the Spotlight With GLIDE’s Holiday Jam This Year
    BY Lou Fancher

    The soulful singer gained international fame when she was featured in 20 Feet From Stardom.

    More »

    Pages