By Lalita Perez Acosta

The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus proudly presents the world premiere of “Elijah’s Call: An Oratorio for an Abolitionist” on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m., at the Palace of Fine Arts. Composed by the Bay Area’s Allison Lovejoy, the piece honors Elijah Parrish Lovejoy, a preacher and anti-slavery martyr.

Lovejoy, a distant relative of Elijah, draws on her ancestry in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in 2020. “The message of this piece is about coming together to cultivate a garden of love and grace,” said Lovejoy. “It speaks to the importance of unity—to heal, grow, and foster a stronger sense of community.”

“Elijah’s Call” invites audiences to reflect on the ongoing quest for civil rights and aims to inspire activism in the face of contemporary racial justice issues.

The world premiere performance will feature civil rights activist and attorney Walter Riley as narrator, with vocalists Michael Desnoyers (tenor), Melinda Martinez-Becker (mezzo-soprano), and Bradley Kynard (bass) delivering the oratorio’s evocative arias. The libretto is written by San Francisco historian, author, and journalist – Gary Kamiya and the Golden Gate Symphony will perform under the direction of Music Director/Conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner.

In addition to “Elijah’s Call”, the program will include Symphony No. 4 by Florence Price, a pioneering African American composer whose work first premiered at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. This symphony, a landmark in classical music history, was the first by an African American woman to be performed by a major orchestra. The evening will also feature a moving performance by the Men’s Choir from Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ in Oakland, directed by Chris Poston, who will present a selection of African American spirituals.

Leading up to the world premiere, two free panel discussions will offer audiences a deeper look into the creation of “Elijah’s Call.” Composer Lovejoy, librettist Gary Kamiya, who is known for his contributions to local history with notable works published in the San Francisco Chronicle and acclaimed books like Cool Gray City of Love, and conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner will share insights into the composition process, the historical research involved, and the ongoing relevance of Elijah Lovejoy’s legacy in the modern civil rights movement. Attendees will also hear musical excerpts from the oratorio.

The first panel will be on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Project Artaud Salon Series, Sculpture Studio, 401 Alabama St., San Francisco, CA

The second panel will be on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA

Tickets for the Nov. 3 performance of “Elijah’s Call: An Oratorio for an Abolitionist” are available now at www.cityboxoffice.com/ggsoc. Tickets will also be available at the door, with discounts offered for seniors and students under 18.

This premiere is made possible with the support of the San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant.

Lalita Perez Acosta is a communications associate for the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

By Rebecca Kaplan,
Vice Mayor of Oakland

As California accelerates its shift to a clean energy future, the debate around how to best reduce emissions often focuses on the merits of one technology over another.

But the truth is, to meet our ambitious climate goals, we need a comprehensive approach—one that includes both electrification and clean hydrogen solutions. We cannot afford to choose one over the other if we want to ensure a cleaner, more equitable future for all.

That’s why I was honored to welcome state and federal leaders to Oakland for the official launch of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a groundbreaking project that marks a turning point for our city and the greater Bay Area.

The event showcased Oakland’s leadership in hydrogen adoption, demonstrating how Oakland is implementing innovative technologies that have practical benefits for our community.

This includes a hydrogen sea ferry that will reduce emissions in our bay, AC Transit hydrogen buses that will improve air quality on our streets, and the NorCAL ZERO First Element Hydrogen Fueling station, the largest in the nation, which will significantly reduce harmful air pollution from our hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Why does this matter for Bay Area residents?

For too long, Black, Latino, and lower-income communities, particularly those in industrial truck corridors along West and East Oakland and near busy highways, have been subjected to a disproportionate share of harmful air pollution caused by emissions, especially diesel particulate emissions, from trucks and other sources.

A recent study authored by researchers at UC Berkeley and the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that disparities are widening between the communities most exposed to harmful pollutants and those most protected from them.

Reducing truck emissions is one of the most important steps we can take toward climate and environmental equity in terms of human health impact; it causes asthma, cancer, and even premature birth in these disproportionately impacted communities.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a crucial piece of the puzzle in addressing these challenges, offering both environmental and economic advantages that will benefit Oakland and Alameda County for future generations.

Two years ago, I was proud to introduce a resolution asking the state to make the City of Oakland a clean-fuel hydrogen hub for ARCHES, which aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable hydrogen and develop the necessary infrastructure. This initiative is pivotal for several reasons:

• It supports the transition to a zero-carbon economy, aligning with our city and state’s ambitious climate goals.
• It prioritizes environmental and energy justice, addressing the needs of communities like ours that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.

The focus on equity within ARCHES cannot be overstated. The realization of economic and environmental benefits from hydrogen projects represents a tangible commitment to rectifying historical injustices by addressing environmental disparities rooted in systems of injustice.

With zero-emission trucks and improved air quality, we are taking a significant step toward reversing the health impacts suffered by our communities. Beyond the environmental improvements that our region desperately needs, this initiative is poised to create good-paying jobs and boost our local economy.

For these hydrogen projects to realize their full potential, ongoing support and engagement are crucial. We must continue to advocate for policies that support clean energy, push for further investment in renewable infrastructure, and ensure that the benefits of these advancements reach all corners of our community.

As we look ahead, we must prioritize a California with cleaner air and a more robust economy. The hydrogen revolution is here, and with it, an opportunity to transform the Bay Area for a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Star View Court offers 138 new affordable homes for formerly homeless families and legacy Treasure Island households 

S.F. Mayor’s Press Office

 On Wednesday, Mayor London N. Breed and representatives from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) joined City officials, community leaders, and housing advocates to celebrate the grand opening of Star View Court, a new 100% family-oriented affordable housing project on Treasure Island.

Located at 78 Johnson St., Star View Court is a seven-story, 138-unit development offering homes designated for formerly homeless families, legacy Treasure Island households, and households earning between 50-80% of the area median income.

It’s also the second affordable housing project to finish construction as part of a larger plan to revitalize and further develop Treasure Island.

“We are transforming Treasure Island into a premier, 21st century neighborhood right in the middle of the San Francisco Bay,” said Mayor London Breed. “Star View Court will deliver affordable housing as part of our broader revitalization project that will serve all San Franciscans.

“This is an exciting milestone in our long-term vision that will include more than 300 acres of parks, open trails, restaurants, public art, and the future home of Bay FC’s training complex. But it takes more than the City to do this work – I want to thank the community for their support, as well as our state partners who are providing critical financial support for this project and others throughout San Francisco.”

Trending

COMMENTARY: “COVID-19 and White Supremacy, Creating Our New Normal”

Star View Court is part of the greater Treasure Island Revitalization Plan, a development agreement between the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) and Treasure Island Community Development (TICD).

This plan includes 8,000 new residential units for more than 18,000 residents, including a minimum of 435 new units that will be prioritizing homeless households to be developed by One Treasure Island member organizations, such as Mercy Housing and Catholic Charities.

The entire Treasure Island project, once completed, will add more than 2,000 below-market-rate homes to San Francisco’s affordable housing portfolio.

“Treasure Island is becoming a model for San Francisco’s future, where growth and community go hand in hand,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “The opening of Star View Court marks a significant milestone as one of the first 100% affordable housing developments on the Island. This project is not only helping to address our city’s housing needs but will also provide a stable and supportive community for current and future residents for years to come.”

“Star View Court represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide stable, supportive housing for those in need. Overall, our vision is that Treasure Island will become a lively, diverse, mixed-income neighborhood with Star View Court at its heart,” said Nella Goncalves, co-executive director of One Treasure Island.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Star View Court was developed by Mercy Housing California in collaboration with Catholic Charities. The new building features a secure courtyard and bicycle parking, parking garage, laundry facilities, and community-serving spaces, including a teen lounge and a community kitchen.

With residents now moved in, Mercy Housing will continue to provide property management services while counselors from Catholic Charities provide on-site support to residents in their new homes and connect households to social services.

“I have been working at Catholic Charities for nearly 30 years. This is one of my proudest days. There are solutions to homelessness when you dream big and get things done,” said Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of San Francisco. “Catholic Charities plays a key role in keeping families housed in the Bay Area. Our partnership with Mercy Housing, the Treasure Island Development Authority, and One Treasure Island means that 138 households now have a future full of dignity, permanency, and belonging.”

“This beautiful, newly constructed building is a crucial step toward ensuring that all individuals, regardless of age or background, have access to safe, affordable housing in San Francisco,” said Doug Shoemaker, president at Mercy Housing California. “Treasure Island is a more vibrant place now that residents have moved into Star View Court.”

Star View Court was funded in part by the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) through the voter-approved 2019 Affordable Housing General Obligation Bond, with additional financing support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) via the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program and the California Housing Accelerator fund, a state program that aimed to reduce the backlog of affordable housing projects that were stalled in the funding pipeline.

“The Accelerator program does just what the name implies,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “This program lets us kick-start shovel-ready projects that otherwise may have been derailed by funding gaps. Now Star View Court stands as the core of what will grow into a revitalized Treasure Island community and a true home for so many who have fought to remain in San Francisco despite rising costs.”

The name “Star View Court” highlights the building’s view of the San Francisco Bay and pays tribute to the former Star Barracks that housed enlisted military personnel when Treasure Island was an active military base. Star View Court was designed by Paulett Taggart Architects, a woman-owned San Francisco firm, and constructed by local general contractor Nibbi Brothers. Local firms Community Economica Inc., Gubb & Barshay, and Rockridge Geotechnical were also enlisted on the project.

Both Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island are being transformed into an environmentally sustainable new 21st-century San Francisco neighborhoods in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

In addition to Star View Court, the larger revitalization project also includes 300 acres of parks, trails and open spaces, with new restaurants and shops, and public art installations.

Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), in September announced the franchise’s plans for the location of Bay FC’s new permanent training facility on Treasure Island.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post