THE FILLMORE PROJECT, sponsored by the San Francisco Arts Commission Pilot Initiative: Artists and Communities, is a community integrated research project that will develop into an original dance-theater production celebrating the rich musical and multicultural history
of San Francisco's Fillmore district. During the research period of the project artists Jacinta Vlach (www.jacintavlach.com) and Howard
Wiley (www.howardwiley.com) will engage individuals and organizations from the Fillmore in critical discussions exploring the theme of
the project: urban redevelopment and its impact on the culture of communities. This is the first of a series of Community Forum Days that
will give the community the opportunity to share information and stories that will ultimately shape and inform the final production of THE
FILLMORE PROJECT.

JUNE 19th's COMMUNITY FORUM DAY will include a narrated slide show of photographs by legendary documentary
photographer David Johnson. Johnson, who was Ansel Adam's first African American student, is best known for chronicling the
Fillmore District during its jazz heyday in the 40's and 50's and was recently honored by District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. The
slide show will be followed by a special interview with internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Jules Broussard and live music
provided by critically acclaimed jazz composer Howard Wiley and his group: The Angola Project. Additionally, the event will be fully
catered free for the public.

WHEN: Thursday June 19th 6-9pm

WHERE: The African American Art & Culture Complex: 762 Fulton St. @ Webster, San Francisco

About the Fillmore: The music that poured out of the Fillmore during the 1940's and 1950's established San Francisco as a
major destination of the international jazz scene. This renowned jazz scene attracted many musical greats such as John Coltrane,
Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, and Duke Ellington. The Fillmore Jazz era in many ways mirrored the cultural renaissance taking
place in Harlem at the same time. During World War II Fillmore's Japanese residents were explicitly removed from their homes
and imprisoned in government internment camps. Following the urban renewal policies of the 1950's and 1960's an addtional
displacement occurred with large segments of the Fillmore's African American residents. Socio-politically, the Fillmore is symbolic
of the ways that public policies impact the economic, racial, and subsequently the cultural landscape of a community.