June Joon Joun Gioon Giun!

I guess the main order of business is to tell you, dear reader, that I am starting a class again. Mediterranean Movement - Monthlies with Monica start Saturday, July 11 in San Francisco, and will be held in person the second Saturday of each month.

Why yes I do love alliteration, why do you ask?

You can read all about it, and if it appeals, hopefully register, right here! I already have playlists started and lesson plans scribbled out and ideas percolating in my head, and I cannot wait.

I also have a few music shows coming up in June. That info is below, along with a few things I’m reading, listening to watching, and pondering.

I get to say see you in the studio again! See you in the studio!

Monica

Classes

2026 class dates:

July 11 | August 8 | September 12 | October 10 | November 14 | December 12 

Monthlies with Monica – Second Saturdays of each month 

10:15am – 11:30pm
Danzhaus, 1275 Connecticut Street, San Francisco 
Plentiful street parking
Close to the 19 and 48 MUNI lines

Studio opens at 10 – please arrive early to get settled, meet classmates, and sign in.

Please note the studio is up one flight of stairs and there is no elevator.

I’ve written about what to expect from the class here. That is also where you can register.

Shows

Sirenland
Book Release Party & Poetry Reading
Friday, June 5
Telegraph Hill Books, North Beach, San Francisco
6:30 to 8pm

I’m so excited to play music for San Francisco poet Jen Barone’s latest book release, Sirenland, a mythic conversation across time with the poet’s ancestors from the Bay of Naples, Italy.

Duo Pizzicato & Friends at Vino Rosso
Saturday, June 6
&
Saturday, July 18
629 Cortland, Bernal Heights, San Francisco
5:00 to 7:00pm

We play monthly and outdoors at this sweet little spot. They have delicious food, a thoughtfully curated wine list, and the best space heaters I have ever met. No purchase necessary to enjoy the tunes played on strings, percussion, and voices. Last month we also danced, and it felt like my dreams were coming true.

Zaghareet: Wedding Songs of the Arab World
Saturday, June 20
Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Avanue, Berkeley
7:30pm

Aswat Women’s Ensemble (AWE) is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Arabic musical traditions, ranging from classical and folkloric to contemporary styles. For this concert, we will be performing wedding songs from the Arab world, including Sudanese songs featuring the amazing singer Salma El Assal.

Reading, Watching, Hearing, Pondering

Pondering how we can show up again at the San Francisco Dia de los Muertos / Fest dei Morti festivities as Italian Americans, in truly the very broadest sense of the term, in respectful solidarity with our neighbors to honor our ancestors, to remember we come from immigrants, and stand in solidarity with immigrants and all who cross human-made borders today. Reach out if you would like to join this year.

From 2025: The idea + Some photos

Reading Adult Braces by Lindy West; lots of Italian juvenile fiction and kids books from my public library (it’s about my level tbh); Core Connections: Cairo Belly Dance in the Revolution's Aftermath by Christine Sahin (finally pulled it off the to-read pile after having it since it came out!); The Case for Open Borders by John Washington.

Watching Widow’s Bay (campy horror that manages to evolve the best of 80s era while being thoroughly now); Top Chef; and this site specific dance with Tarantella Melbourne, run by my teacher Rosa Vota.

Listening to lots of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino after seeing them play and taking their workshop a few weeks ago in Palo Alto and buying their latest album (always try to buy albums directly from bands!); A Curuna by Rosa Balistreri (sigh); and lots of Sayed Darwish.

And…

Fellow Californians, don’t forget to vote June 2! If you are in SF can I recommend yes on D and no on C?

More of my writing lives here.

I think that covers most of it. Thank you for reading. Until next time!

xo

Monica