Golden Gate Park’s famous Bandshell has started up its free concert season, and this Saturday’s event will be a humanitarian relief concert called “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine!). It will seek donations to benefit World Central Kitchen, which is currently providing food for displaced Ukrainians. The free concert will happen Saturday, March 12 from 12-4pm. What’s more, all other Bandshell concerts for the month of March will continue to raise additional funds for Ukraine.
This Saturday’s concert will feature Ukrainian singer Anytchka, and traditional Ukrainian dance by the Zoloti Maky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Additional musicians from Sunset Piano include all-stars Allison Lovejoy, Elektra Schmidt, Fabio King’s Tropical Jam, Paulo Sultanum, Kevin Gerzevitz Trio, and Serene. There will also be poetry readings from Matt Gonzales, Agneta Falk Hirschman, and Mauro Ffortissimo. Sunset Piano’s Dean Mermell will MC with special guests. The first 500 guests at Saturday’s event will receive sunflowers, which are the national flower of Ukraine.
Funds raised at Saturday’s event and the additional concerts happening at the Bandshell through March will go to benefit World Central Kitchen (WCK)’s efforts in Ukraine. Within hours of the initial invasion, WCK was already serving hot and nourishing meals for displaced people. Now they’re set up in 8 Ukrainian cities including Odessa, Lyiv and Kyiv; as well as serving refugees in Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia. You can also donate to their efforts via the #SF4Ukraine fundraising page.
“Slava Ukraini!” comes courtesy of Sunset Piano, Illuminate, SF Rec & Parks, and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council. Sunset Piano is the same organization responsible for SF Botanical Garden’s beloved Flower Piano event in the fall.
The Bandshell is currently hosting free concerts on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Most March concerts will celebrate Women’s History Month, but they’ve taken on another role for raising humanitarian relief funds. There are nearly a dozen March concerts left, and we already have the lineup all the way through May. The Bandshell is 120 years old and just added new lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new stage during the pandemic.
“San Francisco has been profoundly enriched by its Ukrainian community, and we are grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the advancement of peace during this challenging time. We stand in support of Ukraine’s democracy and the safety of all of its citizens,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Attend “Slava Ukraini” this Saturday, March 12 from 12-4pm at Golden Gate Park’s Bandshell.
Featured image: @zolotimaky via Instagram