Golden Thread's Festival Adapts Amid Conflict

0:00It's April 21st. This is California News Today, powered by AI. San Francisco's Golden Thread Productions just hit their 30th season, but war in the Middle East through major roadblocks their way. Palestinian comedian Alashihara was set to perform his hit solo show, The Horse of Jeanine, live at their festival of Palestinian art from April 9th through 19th. He had a valid work visa, flew in early March, but got detained at the border by immigration and customs enforcement and sent right back home. The trouble kicked off February 28th when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran, shaking up the whole region. That chaos hit Golden Thread hard co-founder, Torinj Yegiazarian, lost contact with their family, amid attacks on Iran and Lebanon, plus Israel's actions in Gaza. Former artistic director Sahar Asaf from Lebanon couldn't fly in for the what do the women's say event on March 8th, either, as airspace shut down, completely. Folks at the theater are calling it inhumane and straight-up discriminatory, especially

1:04targeting Palestinians and Middle Eastern artists. Travel Nightmare started under the previous administration, limiting collaborators, and now it's worse with ongoing conflict ripping families apart, and cancelling tours nationwide. They adapted quick swap she had as live gig for screenings of a filmed version and had a soft-send a live stream message. The full season rolls on with Denmo Ibrahim's air of spring, and the re-orient festival of short plays, while they keep tabs on artists in the world. Situated ago, Golden Thread sticking to their mission of amplifying mean voices, drawing from 30 years of grit and community support. The festival of Palestinian art wraps Sunday with Amarika, the comedy show at Portrayal Stage. Proof art pushes through even in tough times.