SF/Arts Curator Insight

A beloved SF choreographic tradition returns for its 17th edition, Epiphany Dance Theater’s San Francisco Trolley Dances. Under the direction of EDT Artistic Director Kim Epifano, SF Trolley Dances invites artists and companies to perform in numerous sites around the city. Viewers are then organized into multiple tour groups to traverse the performance route on foot and via public transit. The experience, which is committed to being a free event, is one of layers, textures and varying movement styles as dance and physicality converse with stunning San Francisco vistas and vibrant structures. “SF Trolley Dances has earned a reputation for its grassroots involvement in the communities where artists are sited; building relationships with the residents and businesses along each year's route so that by the weekend of performances, the event feels truly reciprocal with works that are authentic gifts to the neighborhoods they're in,” recounts Epifano, “for the health and safety of everyone this year we have had less interaction with the neighbors along our route.”

2020’s San Francisco Trolley Dances is most definitely on, but different, moving from “the street to the screen,” as coined by its organizers. All the participating companies (an impressive line-up of Arenas Dance Company, Fog Beast, Post:Ballet, 13th Floor, Zaccho Dance Theatre and host, EDT) will film their respective contributions which Epifano will compile into a cohesive tour. The result will be screened online for viewers on Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th at 11:00am. “I'm excited for the opportunity to use video as its own language to not only reveal the movement of the performers, but the topography, architecture and history of the locations along our route,” she shares, “an added bonus is that with video we'll have a chance to reach new audiences, both within the Bay Area and outside it."