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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

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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Artist Spotlight
Alisa Rose Fiddles on the Cusp
July 6, 2020
Alisa Rose Fiddles on the Cusp
BY Lou Fancher

The S.F. violinist/composer talks about balancing classical music with bluegrass on her new CD with Nashville mandolin wizard Tristan Scroggins.

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Recording Review
July 3, 2020
Ludovico Einaudi’s 12 Songs From Home Is Gloriously Low-Tech
BY Lou Fancher

The Italian composer/pianist recorded his moving, tuneful originals on an iPhone.

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Artist Spotlight
Stretching Out With Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
June 30, 2020
Stretching Out With Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
BY Lou Fancher

The award-winning trumpeter, composer, and designer shares his vision for the future of music, culture, and social justice in America.

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Artist Spotlight
For Jon Batiste, Music Is the Way to Transformation
June 22, 2020
For Jon Batiste, Music Is the Way to Transformation
BY Lou Fancher

In a long interview, the renowned jazz polymath talks about staying human and finding love, justice, and hope in dark times.

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Artist Spotlight
Gratitude Drives Fantastic Negrito’s New Album
June 8, 2020
Gratitude Drives Fantastic Negrito’s New Album
BY Lou Fancher

The Grammy-winning East Bay artist shares his insights on staying focused and creative in turbulent times.

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Book Review
June 8, 2020
Music for Women Provides Practical Steps for Healing and Growth Through Listening to and Making Music
BY Lou Fancher

Written especially for women survivors of violence, the interactive e-book provides lessons and ideas of value to anyone.

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Recording Review
May 26, 2020
Square Peg Round Hole Makes Music All the Day Long
BY Lou Fancher

The trio’s Silo Songs EP explores a lockdown day in four musical phases.

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Upcoming Concert
Sara LeMesh and Allegra Chapman Take Flight in a Fresh Video Release
May 25, 2020
Chordless
Sara LeMesh and Allegra Chapman Take Flight in a Fresh Video Release
BY Lou Fancher

The soprano/piano duo expanded their technical and artistic skills to meet the challenges of the new performance frontier.

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Book Review
May 18, 2020
A New Biography of Odetta Reveals a Difficult Life Well Sung
BY Lou Fancher

Ian Zack’s engaging book traces the venerated singer’s artistic victory over personal struggles, rampant racism, and professional challenges.

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Upcoming Concert
San Francisco’s La Mezcla Gets the Spotlight in PBS’s <em>If Cities Could Dance</em>
May 14, 2020
KQED
San Francisco’s La Mezcla Gets the Spotlight in PBS’s If Cities Could Dance
BY Lou Fancher

The all-female rhythm ensemble dances in historic S.F. locations for the May 19 web episode.

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Artist Spotlight
Lisa Bielawa Broadcasts From Home
May 12, 2020
Lisa Bielawa Broadcasts From Home
BY Lou Fancher

A new project engaging scores of musicians in broadcasting tales of the pandemic from around the world is keeping the eclectic composer busy.

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Book Review
May 4, 2020
Ellen O’Connell Whittet Shines Light on Ballet’s Hard-Knock Life
BY Lou Fancher

The former dancer’s harrowing memoir traces her journey from a promising career on the boards toward great self-fulfillment.

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Book Review
April 24, 2020
The Lost Pianos of Siberia Takes Readers on a Musical Adventure
BY Lou Fancher

Sophy Roberts uncovers a wealth of keyboard lore on her journey through the Russian outback in search of a piano.

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Artist Spotlight
Amber Weekes Celebrates Her <em>Pure Imagination</em>
April 18, 2020
Amber Weekes Celebrates Her Pure Imagination
BY Lou Fancher

The jazz chanteuse shares her humor, insights into her new recording, and stories from a lifetime of making music.

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Artist Spotlight
Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ Makes the Connections
April 13, 2020
Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ Makes the Connections
BY Lou Fancher

The vibrant multi-instrumentalist talks about keeping the creative juices flowing when the outlets have dried up.

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Feature Article
Performers Turn to Sports Psychologists to Conquer Stage Fright
April 10, 2020
Performers Turn to Sports Psychologists to Conquer Stage Fright
BY Lou Fancher

Taming anxiety is a matter of mastering “flow,” whether it’s on the concert stage or in a sports arena.

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Upcoming Concert
PBS’s <em>Great Performances</em> Plows Forward With More Live Arts Television
April 7, 2020
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
PBS’s Great Performances Plows Forward With More Live Arts Television
BY Lou Fancher

More free and low-cost music programming, some of it available after broadcast.

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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.

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