On Thursday, September 24th at 11am, Sparkle Motion welcomes back composer and Other Minds Associate Director Joseph Bohigian, to preview and discuss this year’s Other Minds 30 Festival taking place at the San Francisco Brava Theater on October 8th – 11th. Bohigian will become the new Artistic Director starting in January 2027 and will succeed the organization’s co-founder, Charles Amirkhanian.
Night 1 Thursday, October 8
7pm panel discussion · 8pm concert:
- Joseph Bohigian opens the festival with the world premiere of his evening-length multimedia work I Am He Whose Life and Soul Are Torment exploring the life of Soviet-Armenian film director Sergei Parajanov and featuring Khatchadour Khatchadourian, voice and duduk; Ensemble Decipher, electronics; Tara Baghdassarian, art director and scenic designer; Karo Yagjian, costume and props designer.
Night 2, Friday, October 9
7pm panel discussion · 8pm concert
- Pianist/composer Sylvie Courvoisier: Solo piano selections from the album To Be Other-Wise combining European chamber music and American avant-jazz.
- Mahsa Vahdat & Atabak Elyasi: Original song settings of Persian poetry performed by Vahdat, accompanied by Elyasi on setar.
- Juri Seo & Friction Quartet: Korean-American composer/pianist Seo’s Just Intonation Etudes and Wildflowers, closing with the world premiere of her piece Bad Decision (written for string quartet, bass, and drum set).
Night 3, Saturday, October 10
7pm panel discussion · 8pm concert
- Kristin Norderval & Elizabeth Gaver: Reflecting on 200 years of Norwegian-American exchange, two world premieres composed by Norderval: We Demand Justice (2026) & Volutions (2026), a program for voice and live electronics with the EVII; Elizabeth Gaver on hardingfele, medieval fiddle, and rebec.
- Foreign/Domestic: Duo featuring Zachary James Watkins and John Diaz performing on guitar, electronics, and drums.
- King Britt: Live electronics set showcasing his “Blacktronika” movement. Moksha Black, King Britt, electronics and Alingo Loh, visuals.
Night 4, Sunday, October 11
3pm panel discussion · 4pm concert
- Charles Amirkhanian – Sonatina for Four Bass Drums, Op. 4 (1963, rev. 1965)
- Charlemagne Palestine – Sound artist, composer, performer, video artist, and installation artist will perform an Improvised Set on solo piano.
