Stories in Action

The Purple Moon Dance Project presents “When Dreams Are Interrupted … “, a work- in-progress performance of a new, site-specific, interdisciplinary piece with original dance, art, music and memories from the Japanese-American WW II internment experience. The performance takes place at the historic Japanese YWCA Julia Morgan-designed building, 1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, on Sunday, May 3, at 2 pm. The performance will be followed by a discussion and a reception. The completed work will premiere in Berkeley on Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4 and 10-11. More.

Between Los Angeles and Las Vegas lies the desert Morongo Basin area, where homesteaders, starting in the late 1930s, began occupying the area under the Small Tract Act, which made so–called useless federal land available for private ownership.

Jackrabbithomestead.com tells the history of the area through the voices of local residents, historians and area artists, many of whom reside in reclaimed historic cabins and use the structures as inspiration for their creative work.

The 29 Palms Historical Society Museum is holding a listening party of the stories on Saturday, March 28, 1 to 3 p.m. In case you plan to visit the area, be sure to check out the downloadable car audio tour on the site.

Through a tattoo removal program in San Luis Obispo, former gang members, ex-cons and drug addicts are getting their tattoos removed as a way to get on with their lives and further their chances of finding work.

With the support of the Council, visual artist Janet Allenspach interviewed photographed and recorded the stories of 10 participants in the San Luis Obispo program. Now the public will have a chance to see Allenspach’s work at the San Luis Obispo Art Center this spring. The exhibit, “Erasing the Past, Building the Future,” opens on March 31 and runs through April 13. An opening reception will take place on April 3 from 6-8 pm.

“These are stories of perseverance and courage and of the incredible determination of people who just want to be accepted and succeed in their normal lives,” Allenspach said. “My hope is that stories and photographs will empower participants and enable outsiders to better understand this population.” More about the exhibit.

Don’t miss “Uncle Toisan,” a Chautauqua performance by renowned writer and historian William “Charlie” Chin. Chin plays a Chinese-America character called Uncle Toisan whose life spans the Chinese Exclusion Act to the post-civil rights era and the emergence of Asian- American consciousness.1-3 pm, Saturday, April 18. Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny Street. More.

Happening now: “Dishing It Out,” Candacy Taylor’s photography and story exhibit on older waitresses across the United States. This is an outgrowth of a California Story Fund project on longtime waitresses in San Francisco. Through April 26. Jewett Gallery, San Francisco Public Library, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street.