"The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, San Francisco's most democratic, accessible and welcoming free cultural extravaganza, opens May 9 with a salsa dance party featuring the storied New York sonero Hermán Olivera, a Latin music institution for more than four decades."
"Running through Oct. 31 with music, theater, dance, circus arts and a panoply of cultural festivals, the entire YBGF season is dedicated to Avilés. The musician died unexpectedly in New York City on January 10 at the age of 42 while attending the APAP|NYC conference for performing arts curators."
""Marcelo never wanted to put himself in the spotlight," said Cristina Ibarra, who booked the festival with Avilés as YBGF managing director. "He always put the shine on the people around him. He was the ultimate hype man. He never wanted to be front and center.""
"Watching Avilés at work, you'd never know he was the wizard behind the curtain. On show days, he could be found passing out surveys and golf pencils to audience members sprawled across the lawn, picking up trash, setting out chairs, moving a mic stand, or manning the merch booth. More than unflappable, he exuded quiet elation when the lawn was packed, and seemed undiminished when the turnout was light."
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco runs from May 9 through Oct. 31 with free music, theater, dance, circus arts, and many cultural festivals. The season opens May 9 with a salsa dance party featuring New York sonero Hermán Olivera, a Latin music figure with more than four decades of experience. Marcelo Avilés, who began booking the festival in 2012, helped shape it into a welcoming and adventurous venue. Avilés died unexpectedly in New York City on January 10 at age 42 while attending the APAP|NYC conference for performing arts curators. A May 2 celebration of his life included tributes from performers he championed and previews of artists later in the season. Avilés preferred staying out of the spotlight while supporting audiences and performers through hands-on work.
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