Intersection For the Arts

A fantastic venue for the latest in theatre, visual arts and poetry happening under one roof. Also a great Jazz venue. There is always a deep wellspring of work happening in that joint! They are also at the vanguard of the most thrilling political theatre and art events.

Intersection’s recent move, from Valencia Street to downtown’s Chronicle building, finds them becoming «Intersection 5M», a collaboration of groups in nearby spaces, all working to create social change. Or something like that.
I recently attended the new Intersection for the culmination of a storytelling class where each student was showcased on stage for their 10 minutes of fame. Lots of fun for both the students and the audience in this comfortably informal environment.
Intersection feels like the red-​headed stepchild of «Yerba Buena Center for the Arts» and «The Marsh». Their programming is YBCA-​lite, offering simlar artsy fare on a smaller scale and budget. They move into Marsh territory by sprinkling in a few classes and providing a venue that still gives you no reason to dress up for your big night out.
I’ve enjoyed the events I’ve attended at Intersection but, like YBCA, I infrequently find anything amongst their programming that compels me to attend. Lucky for them, that doesn’t seem to matter. They’ve been around for more than 40 years now, even weathering the recent economic woes which laid to rest many other well-​established arts organizations.
If there’s an offering that appeals, keep ‘em around for another 40+, and go check out Intersection.

Intersection is more than just the best arts space I’ve ever been in. It’s more than a community of brilliant multi-​disciplinary artists. It really is a family. I’m not always comfortable with what I see there, but I’m always inspired to be a better part of my community, and inspired to bring more people to see what Intersection is all about.
And always be sure to show up early for shows (and get tickets ahead of time when possible) as shows almost always sell out, and the doors will close when the show starts!

Great space for showing local talent with a mission statement that really makes this gallery part of the community. Staff is outstanding with insight about each artist they represent. Impressive talent is found here with realistic prices, some below what I would expected them to be sold for.
I collect and will be back.

Disappointing! I live in San Jose, so coming to «The City» is always an adventure and an ordeal. After the fun of driving to Fremont, taking two Bart trains, and arriving just a little bit late, I find a pair of locked doors and a sign saying «doors are locked at 8:00pm.» Wonderful!
I am not alone, there is another girl who is calling the phone number desperately to no avail. Surely I understand the respect that must be paid to performing artists, my father was one of them that night. I have seen many theaters that would wait for an appropriate time to accommodate guests, but never one that would outright bar them from entry and go out of their way to ignore them. So okay; fair enough. I decide to wait, perhaps for an intermission, a smoker getting some air, something.
90 minutes pass, night continues, hope decreases. All in all, I am down $ 17 for my «true value» ticket, $ 11 for my bart trip, $ 9 for comfort-​food pupusas, along with gas and 6 hours of valuable Sunday time. For my $ 37, I got a 72-​pt font sign made in Microsoft Word and delicious pupusas. While I admit, some fault is my own for not arriving earlier, the end result is sorely disappointed customer and supporter of the arts! There are many good reasons to brave journey to «The City» but Intersection sadly will never be one of mine.

My Home away from home for 10 years. The Gallery, The Jazz, the Literary series, Theatre, Dance, Community. Part of the Heart and Soul of the city.

Went there again for «In My Corner», a one man show by Joe Orrach.
Got a good seat this time with my girl Danielle S., who actually got to see the entire show this time. She missed the first half of Fuku Americanas last time b/​c she was looking for parking.
Solution? Simple. We parked on Market at Guerrero and cabbed it over there for $ 7. Totally worth missing the headache of finding parking in this mission.
Joe literally ripped his coming of age story out and threw it down right there on the grey cement painted floor, narrating the story of his Puerto Rican upbringing and boxing days and then later his move onto the stage as a tap dancer and performer.
Watch out for the show in New York and LA soon. They’re taking it on the road.
Another masterpiece from the talented artists and performers associated with Intersection. I’m never disappointed.

Saw an interesting show here recently– but beware the seating. If you can sit through a 3 hour show on metal-​backed folding chairs, then you will be fine. Otherwise think twice.

This place was horrific. I went there to watch a show, Angry Black White Boy which was recommended to me by the performer’s sister. I bought tickets to the show way in advanced from Brown Paper Tickets. When I got there, the theater was oversold, all the seats were gone and the ticket person had the audacity to advise me to sit on the steps… ummmm, no. I guess the owner saw the disappointment on my face and pulled up 2 folding chairs to have us sit in back by the door. The view sucked as there were heads in the way. When I asked for my refund, the same girl who offered me to sit on the steps, actually gave me an attitude and said «well, it is first come first serve basis». As if it was my fault for not showing up earlier. You would think prepaid tickets would guarantee you a seat, but not at this place.

Great performances. Just saw Angry Black White Boy — awesome! So great!

I’ve only been to Intersection twice since I moved here, but both experiences have been fantastic. I second Jasmin’s raves about Angry Black White Boy, which has now been extended through ¹¹⁄₂₃. The production is performed by an amazing team of actors/​dancers/​musicians/​choreographers and is so far the best display of politically-​charged (and poetic) hip-​hop theatre that I’ve seen. Kudos to the cast and crew, and kudos to Intersection for their awesome artistic programs and venue organization.

I wish there were more black box spaces like Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco. It’s a small theater which hosts world-​class entertainers. I recently say Joe Orrach’s «In My Corner» there and was impressed, not only by his talent, but also by the venue and their ability to calmly seat a packed house. Since the space is sparce, the performers are given the unique opportunity to shine with their talents, free of distractions. It’s pretty much the audience, the performer and the piece. We need more of this in an age where superficial elements play such a large part in an entertainer’s merit.

I have now been to two events here and feel good enough about both of them that I want to give back a couple cents.
If it wasn’t for my close friend who is very connected to this organization, I probably wouldn’t be as interested in going to events. Now that I’ve been to a couple that I have truly enjoyed, I will continue to explore what else they have going on.
The Art Auction was fantastic. They were very organized in both the silent auction as well as the live auction. The live auction was entertaining and smooth. At the party downstairs, they had an unlimited variety of red and white wine (thanks for the Pino Grigio), whole bottles of water, good o’durves (they kept the serving plates and my tummy full).
My only concerns would be the air circulation because I get dizzy when it’s too warm and stuffy in small rooms.
I also wish I had bid a little higher on that one piece of art last Friday.
Thanks Intersection and thanks to my friend as well.

Last night I went to Intersection for the Arts’ annual auction to see if I could score any pieces by big shot local artists. There were some amazing deals on art by folks like Matt Gonzalez and Andrew Shoultz, and Intersection doesn’t attract a huge bidding crowd, so it’s the place to be once a year.
It turns my friend is a compulsive bidder, as in, I need to send him to Bidders Anonymous. I may not though, just because it was so much fun following someone around who will throw down a few hundos for cool pieces. The live auction part was my fave — he almost got a piece by Binh Danh for a steal!
I’ve only been to Intersection for the Arts a couple of times, but the place has a distinct chill vibe with absolutely no pretension. They seem to be really devoted to addressing the issues of their neighborhood too. I went to see a play there through their Prison Project, and while not amazing, it was admirable.
With a black box theater and a gallery space upstairs, rotating plays and art shows, it’s a place I’ll return to again, fo shizzle.

I hate to be harsh but damn. sometimes its gotta be done.
I went to my first show at intersection, all pert and eager, even taking my mom in tow who was visiting from out of town. I recently moved to sf (having lived in nyc and oakland before) and had heard of intersection. So my mom and i walk up thinking we’re there for a group reading that a friend told me about; turns out we’re a night late, but there’s a performance going on, a group show of singer songwriters. We shrug and say what they hey, were here, lets see us some music.
Now before I go further let me tell you this cost us $ 15 a pop.
Turns out we were WRONG thinking we were there for a performance. Turns out we walked into a recital. Like a personal class recital where your family and friends show up and give you an A for effort. Like we were the only people there not previously acquainted with these singersongwriters. Like they should not have been charging us $ 15; like they could have given us $ to sit there and look pleasant. Like there were actually a couple times I had to stare very hard at the program in my lap not to burst out giggling. This was, essentially, free coffee shop material.
But this is *not* a review of the people performing that night — really. I give them props for pursuing their creative interests and trying to develop their work. I work on my own brand of art, so I know its hard work. This *is* a review of Intersection, though, which should be curating its space. When I show up at an arts space, and pay good $ to be allowed entrance, I expect in return some modicum of curation (that’s not a word is it) and editorial voice as to what I’ll be sitting through.
It would have been ok if the quality was middling and just not my thing. But this wasn’t even close. I would have asked for our $ back, if the person at the door were not part of the show.
I’m sure I’ll go again, and I want to love the place, but not without seriously vetting the program first.

What an awesome place! I have lived in SF for almost 20 years and am always pleasantly surprised to stumble upon yet another great local theater and arts space. Again, just awesome.
A friend of our took us to see Jessica Hagedorn’s Fe in the Desert and it was just wonderful. The vibe, community projects and top-​notch offerings make this a great San Francisco community organization.
So, get off your butts and support the local arts scene!

Intersection never fails to please. I have seen s short-​film project screening, an art exhibit opening and now a new play here and enjoyed each one tremendously.
The space is small and intimate and the amount of new works they put out is amazing. Definitely check them out when you are itching for some good art or theater, I recommend getting on the email list so you find out about all they have to offer.

Intersection is fantastic — you want to go somewhere where you’ll be guaranteed a visceral and powerful experience? Check it out. Campo Santo works with incredible writers and artists — the names of which you might find in multicultural theatre college texts — it’s a place where creativity is burgeoning, and where you might not always feel comfortable, but you’ll always leave with faith that the artists still have a voice.
I haven’t been for the jazz or gallery, but I hear that they are great too — and I’m going to have to check it out!

What a wonderful space. Seats for 60 or so and you realy feel like you are a part of the performance. I saw Hamlet: Blood in the Brain, and it was an excellent play.
Bravo, Instersction, Bravo!

They’ve been around for more than 40 years which is like a voodoo magic sleeping with jesus miracle for a non-​profit arts org.
& here’s the cool part: i mean, it’s an old organization, they’ve been around, but every thing they do feels NEW (new like i don’t even know what this is cause i’ve never seen anything like it but goddamn i like it new, you know?)
This place is amazing: if you want some art – & i mean any kind of art – go here cause they’re doing it. Gallery, literary, jazz, dance, hybrid – & one of the best theater companies performing new work around (campo santo).