Little Baobab

Battery Godfrey

Private Community House

Hosfelt Gallery

The Dojo

Third Space

KOHO Co-Creative Hub

Noisebridge

The Faight

Queen of Hearts

Private Community House in Lower Haight, San Francisco

The Monument SF

Anoah Wang

Ruth's Table

The Continental Club, Oakland

Good Mother Gallery

Exploratorium

African American Art & Culture Complex

Private Property Guerneville

Hiersoux  Gallery

Phoenix Hotel

Great Star Theater

MAG Galleries

Golden Sardine

The Center

Decentered Studio

Victoria Manalo Draves Park ( VMD Park )

Sluts

Michael Hruska

Page Street

The Chapel

The Ocean Room

Alchemy Springs & Sauna Garden

Uzay Gallery

Saint Joseph’s Arts Society

Victoria Theater

Ground Floor SF

Capitol Art

Basil House

Mission Space

Welcome to Decentered Open Mic, a space where you can shine your light, exorcise your demons and give others a glimpse into your corner of the universe. Music, poetry, storytelling or any art forms yet to be born on our stage, all are welcome. Join us every Sunday at 6pm.


Decentered Open Mic

Our multi-genre open mic features everything from poetry to stand up comedy, music, films and more. Every Sunday at The Center SF, join us!

Welcome to Decentered Open Mic, a space where you can shine your light, exorcise your demons and give others a glimpse into your corner of the universe. Music, poetry, storytelling or any art forms yet to be born on our stage, all are welcome. Join us every Tuesday at 7pm.


Our multi-genre open mic features everything from poetry to stand up comedy, music, films and more. Every Tuesday at The Decentered Studio, join us!

On the evening of April 2, 2026, poetry glowed softly beneath candlelight inside the Exploratorium, as Decentered Arts presented Decentered Poetry Lounge: After Dark - Immersed in Verse.

Set within the museum’s beloved Exploratorium After Dark, the evening transformed part of the Exploratorium into a cozy oasis of words, rhythm, and reflection. Surrounded by interactive exhibits exploring science, perception, and art, guests stepped into a quieter corner of the night-one filled with poetry.

Bay Area poets took the stage to share their work, while soft candlelight, ambient visuals, and the hum of creative energy invited visitors to slow down and listen. The lounge also opened space for participation: guests sat down to write, shared their own lines, or simply let the poetry carry them through the evening.

Nearby, the immersive installation The Green Fairy offered a playful ritual-guests could swap a poem for a sip of a nonalcoholic cocktail, turning creativity itself into currency.

Throughout the night, a freestyle poetry workshop welcomed both seasoned writers and first-time poets to experiment with language and voice. Whether arriving to listen, write, or simply vibe, the lounge offered a space where curiosity, imagination, and community met.

For one Thursday night, inside the Exploratorium’s world of experiments and discovery, poetry became its own kind of exploration-an invitation to romanticize life, line by line.


Decentered Poetry Lounge (After Dark: Immersed in Verse) 

Decentered Poetry Lounge at the Exploratorium featured candlelit readings, interactive visuals, freestyle workshops, and poems traded for sips at the Green Fairy.

Our multi-genre open mic features everything from poetry to stand up comedy, music, films and more. Every Tuesday at The Faight, join us!

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic

**Every First Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30pm**
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free
Join Decentered Arts and our partners [Ruth's Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Adobe Books](https://www.adobebooks.com/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes.

This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.

**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible.
**ASL Interpretation: **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required.

**Registration: **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome.

Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:
<https://givebutter.com/decentered>

**Support the Arts**

At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!
Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.

[Donate](https://givebutter.com/decentered)



Gen Blend January 2025

An intergenerational writer's potluck and open mic. Every first Thursday at Ruth's Table.

Join us for Peanut Butter Jams next Sunday, July 26th! 

Singers, Dancers, Poets - All welcome!
🗓️Every Sunday, 6pm - 9pm
📍 Decentered Studio, 1175 Folsom St

Note: The Studio is up a flight of stairs.


Peanut Butter Jams

Join us for Peanut Butter Jams—sing, dance, perform, connect, and celebrate creativity with our welcoming community every Sunday evening at Decentered Studio.

On a cozy evening at Decentered Studio, Maya invited the community into a mixed media workshop inspired by the quiet beauty of the natural world.

Flowers gathered from neighborhood walks, fragrant tea, and other organic materials became unexpected artistic tools as participants painted, experimented, and transformed everyday elements into expressive works of art. Many arrived carrying fresh blooms they had collected throughout the city, adding personal stories and seasonal color to the creative process.

Around the studio, others explored card making, painting, knitting, sewing, tarot, embossing, and a wide range of handmade practices, filling the space with conversation, curiosity, and shared inspiration. With supplies spread across the tables and creativity flowing freely, the evening unfolded as a gentle celebration of making together.

As always, the shoes-off studio welcomed guests to settle in, share a meal or homemade dish, and enjoy the warmth of community alongside art.
Come use your hands and get crafty. We'll have plenty of supplies but feel free to bring your own as well. Card making, painting, knitting, sewing, tarot, embossing, anything you'd like to do!

Hosted at a shoes off venue. We have a kitchenette, feel free to bring dinner or dishes to share.
Card making, painting, knitting, sewing, tarot, embossing, anything you'd like to do!

Hosted at a shoes off venue. We have a kitchenette, feel free to bring dinner or dishes to share.

If you're interested in co-hosting or volunteering, please reach out to Rhea


Craft n' Chill with Maya Tohidi

Maya led a mixed media workshop using flowers, tea, and natural materials, inspiring creativity, craft, and community at Decentered Studio.

On an evening in May the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Tactile Textures"

Think: fuzzy cardigans and feather boas, plush faux-fur with leather boots, spiky studs and silky slips, shaggy sweaters, velvet gloves, fluffy scarves, boucle coats and satin skirts, ribbed knits with metallics, fuzzy socks and platform boots, tactile layers—mix & match: fur, fleece, knit, silk, leather, sequins, spikes, velvet, whatever felt alive to the touch

Featured Poets: Rhea Joseph, Alex Miller, Eyra Dordi, Paul Reginato, Serena Chan, Ayla Ginger, Kelley Cape, Brandon Loberg, Anoah, Arthur Cow

Featured Musician: Thaillnai (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/4U8W15h3s8Ym716CSmyUxF?si=AxeAunsGRD62fXgn-NY13w>
)

Dancers: Gabby Wei & Eline Castro


Poolside Poets May 2024

It's mental health awareness month, so the special edition of Poolside Poets will be all about Big Feels. Join us for an evening of inspiring poetry, live music, and dance performances at the historic Phoenix Hotel. Brought to you by Decentered Arts, Rhea Joseph, Alex Miller, Liz Cahill, and friends.

Come join us for our May songwriting workshop!

Elaine Ryan is a musician and former sync agent who has made her living in music for over fifteen years. Her songs have been featured in ads and on TV shows airing on NBC and Amazon. She is the founder of Unicorn Sync, where she helped a growing network of indie artists land placements in film and television. Elaine is the author of Living a Music-Centered Life: A Guide to Balance, Fulfillment and Paying the Bills, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, her journal, and her guitar.

The events will take place 2nd and 4th Mondays at Decentered Studio. Find out more about Decentered Arts at 
decentered.org
. All are welcome- no experience necessary. These events are always free.


Songwriters Group Workshop

Join Decentered Arts’ monthly songshare—share songs, get feedback, or just listen. All levels welcome, instruments and support provided. 🎶

Interlude | A Teo Mata Fashion Show
📍 Groundfloor, 455 Valencia Street, San Francisco
📅 Saturday, January 7, 2023 | 7–11 PM PST

A celebration of what was - and what is to be.
Interlude marked Teodore Mata’s third and final runway show of 2022, closing the year with over 20 striking new looks from his latest collection. Held at Groundfloor in San Francisco, the event embodied Teo Mata’s continued evolution, blending timeless silhouettes with daring concepts, and introducing the label’s first ready-to-wear pieces.

The evening was defined by sophistication and intention. With a strictly enforced all-black formal dress code, guests arrived in elegant attire, contributing to the immersive and elevated environment that surrounded the show. The runway was framed by thoughtful stage design and accompanied by live music, enhancing the surrealist tone of the collection.

Interlude served not only as a milestone for the Teo Mata label, but as a reflective pause—a moment to honor past achievements while looking boldly toward the future. Building on the momentum of previous shows SCRAPS and BP2, this third act cemented Teo Mata’s reputation as a leading voice in San Francisco’s fashion scene.

Behind the scenes, Teodore Mata and his dedicated team continued to redefine the boundaries of fashion and art, committed to presenting work through avant-garde experiences and experimental design.

Presented by:
**Hotspot Creatives** – a Bay Area organization uplifting the local creative community through resource-sharing and event production.
**Decentered Arts** – proud key contributors to this dynamic evening of fashion and expression.


Teo Mata Interlude

Elegant looks for the surreal dreamer in you - guests embodied Teo Mata’s bold vision in all-black avant-garde glamour.

Thriving Together: AI Tools for Creative Community Success

On September 30, 2025, Decentered Arts Studio came alive with creative energy as artists, makers, and entrepreneurs gathered for Thriving Together, an immersive workshop exploring how simple AI tools could transform their creative practices.

Led by creative technologist Lem Canady and educator-performer Joon Kim, the evening wove together art and innovation, showing participants how mobile-first AI tools could automate marketing tasks—writing captions, designing posts, even running ads—so they could focus on what they loved most: creating.

Through hands-on demos and guided practice, attendees discovered how these apps could act as personal marketing teams in their pockets. Conversations sparked about reclaiming time, growing audiences, and building thriving creative communities without needing any tech background.

More than just a tech tutorial, the workshop became a celebration of collaboration and possibility—where artists learned to harness new tools not to replace their creativity, but to amplify it.


Thriving Together: AI Tools for Creative Community Success

Artists and dreamers harnessed pocket-sized AI magic, transforming marketing drudgery into creative freedom and collaborative momentum.


Guided Meditation with Gabi Gazzola

On September 15, 2025, Decentered Studio hosted its first Guided Meditation with Gabi Gazzola. The evening offered a gentle invitation into stillness, where participants released stress, restored balance, and touched a deep sense of inner clarity together.

Gabi led the group with her signature presence—steady, compassionate, and transformative. Trained as a lawyer in Brazil before leaving her career to study yoga and energy healing in India, Gabi has since become an internationally respected yoga therapist, Pranic Healing master, and author. Her journey across five continents has shaped her integrative approach, weaving together tradition, healing, and lived experience.

This inaugural gathering marked the beginning of a new weekly practice at Decentered Studio, where community found calm, presence, and connection through shared silence.


Guided Meditation with Gabi Gazzola 

Guided by Gabi, Monday night transformed into sanctuary—where breath, spirit, and silence intertwined in a ritual of calm connection.

Community Yoga Class w/ Gabi Gazzola


📅 Wednesday, October 29, 2025 · 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PDT

📍 Decentered Studio, 1175 Folsom St, San Francisco



On October 29, 2025, Decentered Studio opened its doors for a grounding Community Yoga Class led by Gabi Gazzola, a Brazilian yoga therapist, Pranic Healing master, and best-selling author known for her deeply integrative and compassionate approach to mind–body healing.



In this gentle yet powerful session, Gabi guided participants through a traditional yoga practice rooted in breath, alignment, and presence. The class unfolded slowly and mindfully, inviting everyone to move with intention, hold postures with awareness, and explore meditation as a pathway to inner stillness.



Drawing on wisdom cultivated through years of study and teaching across five continents, Gabi brought a unique depth to her practice—weaving together physical postures, breathwork, and energy awareness to support both body and spirit.



Whether stepping onto the mat for the first time or returning to deepen their practice, participants found a space to reconnect with themselves, cultivate patience and peace, and carry that sense of balance into everyday life.



🧘‍♀️ Guests came as they were—and left feeling grounded, renewed, and centered.


Community Yoga Class w/ Gabi Gazzola 

Guests flowed through mindful breath and movement as Gabi Gazzola guided a grounding yoga journey of presence, patience, and renewal.

Come join our monthly songshare! Come share what you’ve worked on this month, get feedback, or just listen! A guitar, Bluetooth speaker, and supportive friends will be provided.

As always, no experience necessary! If you have any desire to grow or start a songwriting practice with friends, this is the place for you. If you don’t have a song to share, no problem. Come listen and enjoy.
All songwriters group events are hosted by Decentered Arts. 

Happy songwriting! 🎶


Songwriters Group SongShare

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic

**Every First Thursday  |  5:30 - 7:30pm**
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free
Join Decentered Arts and our partners [Ruth's Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Adobe Books](https://www.adobebooks.com/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. 

This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.

**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 
**ASL Interpretation:  **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 

**Registration:  **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome. 

Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:
<https://givebutter.com/decentered>

**Support the Arts**

At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!
Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.

[Donate](https://givebutter.com/decentered)



Gen Blend March 2025

On an evening in mid-August the Phoenix Hotel hosted our 19th Pooslide Poets. 

Guests came dressed in their best "Walk of Shame"
Think: disheveled glam, club top and sweatpants, slip dress and sneakers, messy bun, one earring, sunglasses indoors, flannel over sequins, heels with gym shorts, trench coat over pajamas, yesterday’s makeup, wet hair, hoodie and mini skirt, neon with fur, lingerie as outerwear, suit pants no shirt, oversized blazer and bare legs, socks and sandals, bedhead and smudged eyeliner, crocs with fishnets, morning-after eyes, last night’s outfit reimagined, regret couture, mix & match: satin, flannel, mesh, leather, denim, silk, whatever survived the night

Featured Poets: Carlos Quinteros III, Elijah Madnewton, Heather Gibbons, Jennifer Elizabeth, Liam Clickenger, London Pinkney, May-Li Khoe, MH Lopez, Niambi Walker, Nicole Rose Schoonbrood

Featured Musician: FREQz **<https://www.instagram.com/freqzzzz/?hl=en>**

Dancers: Erica Knox & Ai Yin


Poolside Poets August 2025

An evening of beautifully disheveled fun. 

On an evening in spring the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Superbloom"

Think: groundbreaking florals, petal-strewn slips and maxi blooms, corsage corsets, crown-of-daisies fascinators, tulle layered with wildflower prints, prairie dresses with combat boots, neon botanicals, embroidered garden jackets, chiffon ruffles and platform sandals, floral headpieces and vine-like jewelry, painted petal makeup, sundress with metallic boots — mix & match: silk, chiffon, lace, tulle, embroidery, sequins, denim, leather, whatever smelled like spring

Featured Poets: Rhea Joseph, Liz Cahill, Lucía Arrocha, Malcolm Squire, Maurice Vee, Sarai Schwartz, Ben Bernthal, Jelal Huyler, Jessica O'Brien, Krti T, Lauren Parker

Featured Musician: King Isis ( Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/7jz1wM1NdiskFWrlosZhVw?si=g0-uY5R4Sn-jTWd2922ZUQ> )

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Noga Alpert


Poolside Poets April 2025

Botanical babes bloomed in wild florals while poets, dancers, and musicians turned the Phoenix Hotel into a springtime fever dream.


Guests gathered for Poetry Springs at Alchemy, a one-of-a-kind immersive experience where poetry and music met the ritual of relaxation. 🧘‍♀️🎵

Decentered Arts curated the entire evening with live performances—a poet reading inside the social sauna every 30 minutes, while the beautiful sounds of a violinist echoed through the garden. The night unfolded as a magical community experience centered on rest, creativity, and connection.

Hosted at Alchemy Springs, guests explored one of San Francisco’s newest social spa oases. The outdoor sauna garden featured a 40-person communal sauna with immersive sound and lighting, cold plunges, a fire pit, thermal benches, and open-air shower walls designed by award-winning architect Olle Lundberg.


Poetry Springs at Alchemy 

Poetry Springs at Alchemy blended poetry, violin, sauna rituals, and community in a magical immersive social spa evening.

This event showcased 24 unique looks from fashion designer Teo Mata, which were meticulously crafted and selected for the show. The approach is an “art first way.” Hidden messages can be found in the garments that reflect Teo’s life and experiences as a designer. The collection was presented on September 10, 2022 at Uzay Gallery. This event was co-produced with Hotspot Creatives with Decentered Arts as a key collaborator.


Teo Mata BP2

A fashion show for San Francisco fashion designer Teo Mata hosted at Uzay Gallery. 

Catacombs III: Experimental Tundric Ice Opera
Saturday, Jan 20
7:00pm – 11:00pm PT

It was very likely the most bizarre experience attendees had all year.

Guests stepped into an alien temple surrounded by chunks of ice, a reflective tin foil guitarist, ice dance music DJs, extraterrestrial art, and a short, experimental, interpretive modern dance opera.

The entire venue was transformed into an immersive ice cave installation.

Attendees arrived dressed as plausibly theoretical aliens to experience space templic paintings, chunk ice sculptures, and otherworldly soundscape music.

Made by artists for artists, Catacombs was a cold dip into the tundric, extraterrestrial world of Nenom—a frozen, iceic planet and the setting for Anethemas, a strange-tundra opera and large-scale otherworldly art piece created by Xxhe. At Catacombs, guests were showered in the sounds of Anethemas, surrounded by ethereal dance, auroric light creatures, frozen sculptures, and trancing wind art. Garb was a key part of the experience—and guests found out why.

Decentered Arts was a Key Collaborator of this event.


Catacombs III: Experimental Tundric Ice Opera

Frozen divas, alien dreamers, and tundric sound wizards gathered in an ice cave—Catacombs was Nenom's glittering extraterrestrial opera rave.

Unlock Your Body’s Wisdom: Somatic Healing for Personal Transformation

Decentered Studio, in collaboration with Gather SF, hosted Unlock Your Body’s Wisdom, a somatic healing workshop led by Anna Bolender.

Participants moved through breath, sound, and movement practices to release stored tension, regulate their nervous systems, and open space for transformation. From shaking and intuitive expression to exploring the science of emotional release, Anna offered a pathway out of self-sabotaging patterns and into deeper connection with self.

A Somatic Embodiment & Intuitive Life Coach and Reiki Master, Anna guided with a blend of somatics, energy healing, and mindset work, helping guests rewire patterns and return home to their bodies.

The session invited the community to move, release, and rediscover freedom together.


Unlock Your Body’s Wisdom: Somatic Healing for Personal Transformation

Guests shook, breathed, and released together as Anna Bolender guided a somatic journey into freedom, embodiment, and renewed inner connection.

Decentered Open Mic 

Becoming the Truth and Nightmaretime
Fri, Mar 22 – Sat, Mar 23 · 7:30pm–9:30pm PT

Hosted by Your Friends' Basement Theater Company | Key Collaborator: Decentered Arts

Your Friends' Basement Theater Company returned with a thrilling double feature: two one-act dramatic plays by the brilliant playwright Emily Elyse Everett. Guests gathered for a night of terror, heartbreak, and intense drama at Uzay Gallery—grateful for the event space, though forever basement people at heart.

The performances began promptly at 7:30pm, with doors opening at 7:00pm. The evening featured two shows, each around 30 minutes, with a brief transition between them, totaling about 65 minutes.

Nightmaretime
Directed by Natalie Lista
Cast: Alison White, Andre Hessini, Cameron McCallie, Caroline Willian, Chloe Coultrip, Chris Lowrie, Emily Bender, Lauren Gifford, Mo Rahman, Theory Song, and Violet Trachtenberg

Becoming the Truth
Directed by Violet Trachtenberg
Cast: Andre Hessini, Chloe Coultrip, Emily Miller, Grant Bremer, Natalie Lista, Sara Saavedra, and Theory Song

The plays bravely explored intense themes, including obsessive-compulsive thinking, disordered eating, psychological abuse, suicidal thoughts, psychiatric hospitalization, surgical violence, and sexual activity, with an emotional tone similar to a PG-13 experience.


Becoming the Truth and Nightmaretime

Two raw one-acts unleashed terror and heartbreak; guests braved the basement spirit in bold, bruised hearts and wild minds.

Come join us for our monthly songwriting workshop.

The events will take place 2nd and 4th Mondays at Decentered Studio. 

. All are welcome- no experience necessary. These events are always free.


Join us for Queer Jazz Jam this Sunday, June 7th! 🎷✨🌈

Singers, Dancers, Poets - All welcome!

🎹 6PM - 7PM - Beginner lesson with @illb3bach

🎤 7PM - 9PM - Open Jam

📍 Decentered Studio, 1175 Folsom St

Every Sunday in June for Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈


Queer Jazz Jams

Queer Jazz Jam at Decentered Studio—beginner lesson, open jam, and Pride Month celebration welcoming singers, dancers, poets, and musicians.

On November 5, 2025, Decentered Studio opened its doors for a grounding Yoga Class for Creatives and Artists led by Gabi Gazzola, a Brazilian yoga therapist, Pranic Healing master, and best-selling author known for her integrative, compassionate approach to mind–body healing.

In this gentle yet powerful session, Gabi guided participants through a traditional yoga practice rooted in breath, alignment, and presence. The class unfolded slowly and mindfully, inviting everyone to move with intention, hold postures with awareness, and explore meditation as a pathway to inner stillness.

Drawing on wisdom she had gained teaching across five continents, Gabi wove physical postures, breathwork, and energy awareness to support both body and spirit.

Whether newcomers or long-time practitioners, attendees found space to reconnect, cultivate patience and peace, and carry that balance into everyday life.

🧘‍♀️ Guests arrived as they were — and left grounded, renewed, and centered.


Yoga For Creatives and Artists

Join Ruth’s Table and our partners [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Decentered Arts](https://decentered.org/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.
**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 
**ASL Interpretation:  **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 

**Registration:  **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome. 


Gen Blend: Intergenerational Writers Potluck January 2025

Join our vibrant literary potluck at Ruth's Table, featuring diverse writers of all ages sharing their work! Enjoy open mic sessions, delicious food, and community connection. Free event, all welcome!

Come use your hands and get crafty! Free bi-weekly, some supplies provided or BYO! All projects welcome or just come hang.

Come use your hands and get crafty! The Studio offers some supplies but you are welcome to bring your own. All projects welcome. Paint your nails, play nintendo switch read books. All hangs welcome. We ocassionally have guest artists leading workshops.



Craft n' Chill 

Craft n’ Chill invites everyone to unwind, get creative together at Decentered Studio.

An extraterrestrial art gathering and an experimental strange-tundra opera, visual art show, interpretive dance performance with 15+ local artists as participants.

Project Collaborators: Maxine Flasher-Duzgunes, Rosie Dater-Merton, Yuqi Sun, Em Hansen, Jubilee, Kelsie Jones, Zabby Starchaser, John Potter, The Continental Club Oakland


CATACOMBS IV: An Extraterrestrial Art Gathering

An extraterrestrial art gathering & strange-tundra opera.

Physical storytelling is a beginner-friendly movement workshop series at focused on exploring storytelling through movement and developing your individual freestyle or performance. Every third Sunday at Decentered Arts, we’ll have Physical Storytelling or Group Movement Lab.

**Workshop:**
In this workshop, we’ll go over drills & excercises for basic Tutting & Turfin, a style developed in Oakland. We’ll learn a bit of Turf Dance History through a small lecture at the end of class. The goal is to have students understand Tutting & Turf Dancing.

**Breakdown of the day:**
3:00 - 4:30 workshop
4:30 - 5:00 optional social!

**Artist:**
Hector "Intricate" Ascencio is a world-class dancer and educator repping Rock Force Crew and Assassins Crew out of Hayward, CA. As an ambassador of Oakland and the Bay Area, he's credited with spreading T.U.R.F dancing, the Oakland-born style also known as "turfing" worldwide, and is equally recognized as an elite Tutter.

His blend of tutting and turfing has taken him to stages across the globe, with wins and standout appearances including RF Jam in Vietnam (with Assassins Crew), 2x WOD Champion, Red Bull Dance Your Style Champion, a finalist spot at Just Dance It Out in Bali, and two guest invites to Fusion Concept in Paris. He's also performed alongside hip-hop artists G-Eazy, Troyboi, and Kendrick Lamar. With 19 years in the game, Intricate keeps traveling, competing, and teaching Bay Area west coast culture around the world.

Instagram: 
<https://www.instagram.com/intricacito>

If cost is an issue, please reach out to the hosts or Decentered about volunteering!


Physical Storytelling with Intricate

Join Physical Storytelling with Intricate to explore Oakland-born Tutting and Turf dancing through playful movement, cultural history, freestyle, and expression.


Gen Blend: Intergenerational Writers Potluck November 2024

Ever wondered if you could join a larger dance performance without memorizing choreography?

Flocks of birds, schools of fish, swarms of ants—they all moved together through shared rules, not rigid routines. We gathered to explore how humans could do the same.

The lab began with facilitation by Evan Johnson, followed by an open session where participants proposed new rules for the group exploration. Scarves and bandanas added color and motion to the room.

Evan Johnson (he/they), a San Francisco–based cultural producer and theatre maker with over 15 years of experience, created playful, embodied creative spaces rooted in physical theater and collaborative performance. Their work centered connection, care, and collective creativity—inviting participants to explore, express, and build together.

The lab opened with Evan’s facilitation and unfolded into a shared experiment in inventing new movement rules together.


Group movement lab with Evan Johnson 

Participants explored collective movement through shared rules, guided by Evan Johnson—no choreography required, just playful, embodied experimentation together.

The High Fidelity Dance Lab came to Decentered Arts Studio on Saturday, November 15, from 3–6 PM PST — a three-hour deep dive into precision, clarity, and partnered connection.

Led by the teachers behind BAmF, the session opened with a clear framing: the workshop expanded the Advanced Following class into a full practice lab. Leads worked on initiating with clean, consistent impulses; follows trained to respond without distortion, keeping the frame honest and the conversation flowing. The room filled with co-created feedback and those satisfying “aha” moments when habitual noise in the dance was named and released.

In the second hour the group explored the Responsive Frame — how energetic intention met structural biomechanics — learning to hold and fill space together with the right balance of firmness and flexibility. The final hour invited time-and-space play: stretching, delaying, and amplifying phrases so following became pure artistry, and leads learned to build containers that invited creative risk.

By the end of the lab, dancers left moving cleaner, more connected, and creatively charged — perfectly warmed up to head straight to the Mission Fusion afterparty, where A’lan DJed into the night.


High Fidelity Dance Lab

Three-hour High Fidelity Dance Lab at Decentered Studio: partnered drills, responsive framing, time-bending phrases — leads sharpened, follows amplified, movement transformed.

Come join our monthly songshare! Come share what you’ve worked on this month, get feedback, or just listen! A guitar, Bluetooth speaker, and supportive friends will be provided.
As always, no experience necessary! If you have any desire to grow or start a songwriting practice with friends, this is the place for you. If you don’t have a song to share, no problem. Come listen and enjoy.
All songwriters group events are hosted by Decentered Arts. 

Happy songwriting! 🎶


Songwriters Group SongShare 

On the evening of June 3, 2026, Kinetech Arts brought its playful Open Lab to Decentered Arts Studio, where Decentered Arts hosted an evening devoted to experimentation, improvisation, and collaborative discovery.

Inside the studio, the gathering unfolded less like a traditional workshop and more like a living creative laboratory--one where movement, poetry, music, science, and technology met in unexpected ways. Building on a practice cultivated since 2013, Kinetech Arts’ Open Lab brought together dancers, scientists, musicians, and digital artists to test ideas, exchange perspectives, and embrace curiosity as part of the creative process.

The evening began with a welcome from Decentered Arts faculty before participants moved into a collaborative brainstorming session, imagining new improvisational structures and playful ways to combine movement, sound, language, and technology.

Then the room opened fully into experimentation.

For the remainder of the night, participants played, explored, and created together--responding to one another in real time through movement, music, conversation, and spontaneous collaboration. Some moments felt meditative, others chaotic or joyful, but all of it emerged from shared curiosity and the freedom to explore without needing certainty.

At its core, the Open Lab celebrated process over perfection, offering a temporary space where interdisciplinary creativity unfolded organically through connection, risk-taking, and collective imagination.

For one Wednesday evening, Decentered Arts Studio became a playground for movement, inquiry, and possibility.


Kinetech Arts Open Lab

Kinetech Arts Open Lab at Decentered Arts Studio explored movement, technology, music, and improvisation through playful interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation.

On an evening in mid-January the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Darkness Lifts Softly"

Think: lacy floor-length gowns and tactile velvet coats, sheer slips under oversized trenches, tactile lace with chunky boots, long chiffon layers and leather corsets, dramatic collars and soft gloves, floor-skimming skirts with combat soles, crochet capes and satin hoodies, feathered shawls with sturdy boots, tactile knit wraps and metallic accents, textured layers, muted noir palette with surprising shimmer—mix & match: lace, velvet, chiffon, knit, leather, satin, mesh, whatever felt soft, bold, and ready to rise

Featured Poets: Liz Cahill, Drew Sage, Rhea Joseph, Esperanza, Mr. Beal, Tifa Love, Vika, JR Rice, J. Enrique Martinez.

Featured Musician: Animal Prince (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FiNgS5mawvNhPpOn00Qnp?si=O1Dyy-AaTSyJm4mwtirAjQ>)

Dancers: Nehemiah Aldrich, Erica Knox


Poolside Poets January 2025

Goth fairies in lace swayed through candlelight as poets whispered new year spells—guests WORE softness like armor and ritual.

On an evening in early October the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Meet Me at Sunset"

Think: sunset silks and sand-streaked denim, gauzy linens and terracotta, slip dress with sandals, straw hat and sunglasses, bronzed skin and bronzy highlighter, flowy kaftan and bare feet, linen blazer over a silk slip, crochet cover-up and heels, sundown sequins, warm ombre prints, driftwood neutrals, thrifted glam, sundress with combat boots, layered scarves and loose shirts, sun-kissed lipstick, last-light layers — mix & match: linen, silk, cotton, mesh, chiffon, leather, denim, whatever caught the golden hour glow

Featured Poets: Liz Cahill, Rhea Joseph, Spinelli, Theory, Giovanna Lomanto, Lorrie Chang, Denise Masiel, Charlie Getter, Jess McCallum, Maya Cowan, Sara Saavedra, Paul Reginato

Featured Musician: Alex in Waves <https://open.spotify.com/artist/71dmPddi53mtjP9lgacYjQ>

Dancers: Eline Castro, Gabby Wei & Heather Maitland


Poolside Poets October 2023

Guests glowed in golden-hour glam as poets, dancers, and musicians lit up the Phoenix Hotel for a dreamy poolside night.

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic



Every First Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30pm

Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free

Join Decentered Arts and our partners Ruth's Table, Community Living Campaign, Adobe Books, and Litquake's Elder Project for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. 



This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.



Visitor Guidelines: Face masks are optional.

Access: Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 

ASL Interpretation: ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 



Registration: Free and open to all. RSVP here.



Donate: The program is free, donations are welcome. 



Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:

https://givebutter.com/decentered



Support the Arts



At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!

Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.



Donate



Gen Blend March 2026

On November 12, 2025, Decentered Studio hosted SOULESTIAL — Binaural Sound Bath: Galaxies Within, a live sonic journey into expanded states of awareness.

Kevin Njikam — performing as SOULESTIAL — led the evening. Mentored by David Gibson (former Pink Floyd engineer and founder of The Globe Institute), Kevin blended science and spirit to create live binaural brainwave entrainment: handcrafted ambient loops, crystal tones, and subtle beats designed to ease participants into alpha and theta states. No two journeys sounded the same — Kevin listened to the room and sculpted the soundscape in real time.

The night began with a short grounding intention, moved into a deep, immersive sound bath, and closed with gentle integration. Participants brought yoga mats, blankets, and cozy layers; tea and light snacks were offered afterward.

Guests lay back, softened, and journeyed inward beneath SOULESTIAL’s live, brainwave-informed soundscape.


SOULESTIAL Binaural Sound Bath: Galaxies Within

Journeyed through sound with SOULESTIAL’s live binaural sound bath — an immersive evening of relaxation, brainwave harmony, and cosmic restoration.

On a gentle Sunday afternoon in April, Decentered Arts opened the doors of Decentered Arts Studio for Physical Storytelling with Ava Maag--a two-hour movement workshop devoted to imagination, presence, and the quiet stories our bodies hold.

Part of the ongoing Physical Storytelling series, the gathering invited participants into a beginner-friendly space where movement became a language of curiosity and discovery. Each month, the series alternated between Physical Storytelling sessions and Group Movement Labs, cultivating a community that explored connection through the body.

The afternoon began inward. Through guided prompts, participants allowed their imaginations to wander through the inner landscapes of the body, letting intuitive gestures and spontaneous motion unfold. Slowly, attention widened outward--toward the room, the rhythm of shared space, and the subtle influence of moving alongside others.

Throughout the workshop, participants practiced witnessing: learning to hold space for themselves and one another with care.


Physical Storytelling with Ava

Physical Storytelling with Ava Maag at Decentered Arts Studio invited intuitive movement, imagination, witnessing, and playful collective composition.

On November 19, 2025, Decentered Studio opened its doors for a grounding Yoga Class for Creatives and Artists led by Gabi Gazzola, a Brazilian yoga therapist, Pranic Healing master, and best-selling author known for her integrative, compassionate approach to mind–body healing.

In this gentle yet powerful session, Gabi guided participants through a traditional yoga practice rooted in breath, alignment, and presence. The class unfolded slowly and mindfully, inviting everyone to move with intention, hold postures with awareness, and explore meditation as a pathway to inner stillness.

Drawing on wisdom she had gained teaching across five continents, Gabi wove physical postures, breathwork, and energy awareness to support both body and spirit.

Whether newcomers or long-time practitioners, attendees found space to reconnect, cultivate patience and peace, and carry that balance into everyday life.

🧘‍♀️ Guests arrived as they were — and left grounded, renewed, and centered.


Yoga For Creatives and Artists 

Community Yoga with Gabi Gazzola

On September 17, 2025, Decentered Studio hosted its first Community Yoga Class with Gabi Gazzola. The morning began slowly and intentionally, with breath-centered movement, careful alignment, and moments of quiet meditation. Participants sank into stillness while cultivating strength and presence, carrying the practice into their daily lives.

Gabi guided the class with warmth and clarity, drawing on a path that had taken her from a legal career in Brazil to deep study of yoga and energy healing in India. Her journey across continents—through teaching, healing, and writing—shaped the compassionate, integrative approach she brought to the mat.

This first class marked the beginning of an ongoing practice at Decentered Studio, where community gathered to ground, breathe, and renew together.


Community Yoga Class with Gabi Gazzola

Guests stretched into stillness as Gabi led traditional yoga—breath, alignment, and meditation weaving presence into everyday life.

On a Sunday afternoon at Decentered Arts Studio, the Physical Storytelling series welcomed movement artist and choreographer Moscelyne ParkeHarrison for a workshop exploring the rich terrain between language and embodiment.

Participants arrived carrying fragments of text that inspired them—poems, song lyrics, messages, articles, and personal writings. Through guided movement practice, they began to explore how words could live beyond the page, transforming language into gesture, rhythm, expression, and physical presence.

The workshop unfolded as an investigation into the relationship between text and movement. Participants remixed their chosen materials, experimented with literal and abstract interpretations, and discovered new ways of communicating through the body. Under Moscelyne’s guidance, the group explored how meaning shifts when language is embodied rather than spoken.

Throughout the afternoon, beginners and experienced movers alike shared discoveries, questions, and creative experiments. What emerged was a playful exchange between writing and movement—one where stories, emotions, and ideas could be felt as much as understood.

Following the workshop, many participants stayed to connect, reflect, and continue conversations sparked by the day’s exploration, extending the spirit of curiosity and community that defines the Physical Storytelling series at Decentered Arts.



Physical Storytelling with Moscelyne ParkeHarrison 

Physical Storytelling with Moscelyne ParkeHarrison explored movement, text, and embodiment through creative exercises, shared discoveries, and community connection.


On an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Denim on Denim"

Think: double denim combos, jean jacket and jorts, bedazzled denim tops with denim gowns, cutoff shorts with denim trench, denim corset over a slip, patchwork jeans with sequins, oversized trucker jacket and mini skirt, denim shirt tied at the waist, denim blazer with bare legs, distressed jeans and silk blouses, hooded denim vests with combat boots, denim overalls reimagined as eveningwear, denim-on-denim mismatches, thrifted denim with metallic accents, jean shorts with tights, socks and sandals with denim, layered jean pieces and leather, lace under denim, whatever survived the wash

Featured Poets: Ladi Rev, Rhea Joseph, Papi Grande, LexThePen, Meg, Curandera Frida, Tera da poet, Shane King Zackery, Tucker Bryant, Tawo, ThaIllNai, Meg.

Featured Musician: Unorthodox Free Order aka UFO (Music: <https://linktr.ee/UFO1111>)

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Erica Knox


Poolside Poets March 2025

Poets took the stage in head-to-toe denim—frayed, glittered, and reimagined—turning the Phoenix into a blue-jean dreamscape.

The ÉCLAIRÉS Market Quest was a fashion pop-up experience centered on gathering people to reconnect with themselves through fruit, clothing, and community.

For the second Market Quest, guests experienced homemade food by Amiyah Shields, fresh juice prepared by Joseph, a hands-on sewing station with Jawa, and a workshop on home sewing machine techniques led by ÉCLAIRÉS designer Cheick. Limited pieces from the new collection were made available for pre-order.

Amiyah prepared home-cooked meals through her business Shecooksafreakinglot, known for flavorful meal prep, catering, and individual plates.

The event plate featured Honey Cajun Wings with Butter Roasted Corn.

Event entry was $20 via Venmo or cash at the door and included one juice token, access to Cheick’s sewing workshop, and an early look at the latest ÉCLAIRÉS collection.

Proceeds from the event went toward the ÉCLAIRÉS Fashion Show on April 11, with a portion donated to Noisebridge.

Noisebridge remained open to the public, and the event followed a NTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds) model.

Guests gathered to explore, connect, and experience what the ÉCLAIRÉS Market Quest had to offer.


ÉCLAIRÉS MARKET QUEST 

Éclairés Market Quest was a fashion pop-up featuring food, juice, sewing workshops, and an exclusive collection preview, gathering community through creativity, craft, and connection.

On an evening in mid-March Saint Joseph's Art Society hosted the return of Poolside Poets, presented by Decentered Arts alongside curators Baruch Porras Hernandez, Rhea Joseph, and Liz Cahill. In this breathtaking historic venue—founded by Ken Fulk—poetry, music, dance, and fashion unfolded together in a dreamy evening of performance and community.

Guests arrived dressed in their best “Forbidden Fruit.”

Think: mysterious masquerade, red velvet and black lace, dark glamour and desirable anonymity, cherry-printed dresses and strawberry jumpsuits, masks, silk gloves, lush crimson tones, leafy greens, temptation couture, decadent textures—mix & match: satin, lace, velvet, mesh, silk, whatever felt deliciously forbidden.

The evening also featured the debut of the Forbidden Words Quilt Project, led by Lorraine Woodruff-Long and Trisha Hickey. This international community quilt highlighted 384 words and phrases banned or scrubbed from U.S. government communications, as identified by PEN America. Created by more than 200 contributors across every U.S. state and six countries, the quilt transformed censorship into collective storytelling through fabric and thread.

Featured Performers: Tasha Malan, Hidden Thread Music, Baruch Porras Hernandez, Maze

Dancers: Jin Lee Baobei, Erica Knox, Tobias Echeverria

More artists joined throughout the night as the soaring halls of Saint Joseph’s Arts Society filled with poetry, music, movement, and celebration.


Poolside Poets at Saint Joseph's Art Society 

Poolside Poets returned on March 18 at Saint Joseph’s Arts Society—featuring poetry, music, dance, the debut of the Forbidden Words Quilt, and a Forbidden Fruit masquerade.

On an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Origins"

Think: embroidered shawls and family heirlooms, patterned kurtas and woven blankets, pidgin plaids and hand-stitched aprons, beaded necklaces with old stories, patched denim with ancestral prints, ceremonial scarves over streetwear, bold cultural prints with modern silhouettes, expressive makeup and symbolic pins — mix & match: textiles, heirlooms, prints, embroidery, jewelry, whatever reminded you of home

Featured Poets: Aiya Madarang, Denise Maisel, Rhea Joseph, Lina Begonia, Thomas Cavazos, Flex Dalit, Yevgeniya Shtalenkova, Giovanna Lomanto

Featured Musician: Flying Shoe


Poolside Poets July 2024

An evening of dreamy poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel.

Our monthly residency at Phoenix.

On the evening of April 11, 2026, the halls of the African American Art & Culture Complex transformed into a vibrant gathering of fashion, culture, and community for If I Grow Up, a fashion show presented by ÉCLAIRÉS.

Guests arrived to an immersive West African-inspired market experience where conversation, craft, and rhythm filled the space. A legendary oil painter shared their work, a local sculptor and upcycle artist displayed transformed materials, and the aroma of halal Caribbean fusion food moved through the room. Nearby, a live drum circle pulsed through the venue, setting the tempo for the night and welcoming everyone into the experience.

Before the runway began, visitors wandered through the marketplace of makers - connecting with artists, exploring handmade pieces, and catching early glimpses of the newest ÉCLAIRÉS collection.

Then, at 7:30 PM, the show began.

If I Grow Up unfolded as a visual journey through consciousness, exploring the tension between individuality and the identities society places upon us. Each look on the runway carried part of that story, blending Afro-toned palettes and design language with echoes of both vintage and contemporary streetwear. The garments moved between past and future, heritage and reinvention.

At its core, the evening reflected the philosophy behind ÉCLAIRÉS - “the Enlightened Ones.” Through clothing, connection, and shared cultural space, the brand invited its community to reflect on who we are, who we become, and how creativity can illuminate the path between the two.

For one evening inside the African American Art & Culture Complex, fashion became more than style - it became story, memory, and possibility.


"If I Grow Up", a fashion show by ÉCLAIRÉS 

ÉCLAIRÉS presented If I Grow Up at the African American Art & Culture Complex—an immersive market and fashion show exploring identity, culture, and streetwear.

Craft n' Chill

Decentered Studio Launch Party – September 12, 2025

Decentered Arts unveiled its new gallery and community space in SoMa with a vibrant launch party. Guests explored artwork by Alvar Jacomet, swayed to live music by Tasha Malan, and danced into the night with a DJ set from Maryzelle. The evening marked the beginning of a new creative home for artists and community gatherings in San Francisco.


Decentered Studio Opening Party

Artists, dreamers, and dancers christened Decentered Studio’s SoMa home with bold art, live beats, and unforgettable San Francisco flair.

On November 26, 2025, Decentered Studio opened its doors for a grounding Yoga Class for Creatives and Artists led by Gabi Gazzola, a Brazilian yoga therapist, Pranic Healing master, and best-selling author known for her integrative, compassionate approach to mind–body healing.

In this gentle yet powerful session, Gabi guided participants through a traditional yoga practice rooted in breath, alignment, and presence. The class unfolded slowly and mindfully, inviting everyone to move with intention, hold postures with awareness, and explore meditation as a pathway to inner stillness.

Drawing on wisdom she had gained teaching across five continents, Gabi wove physical postures, breathwork, and energy awareness to support both body and spirit.

Whether newcomers or long-time practitioners, attendees found space to reconnect, cultivate patience and peace, and carry that balance into everyday life.

🧘‍♀️ Guests arrived as they were — and left grounded, renewed, and centered.


Join us for Peanut Butter Jams next Sunday, July 19th! 

Singers, Dancers, Poets - All welcome!
🗓️Every Sunday, 6pm - 9pm
📍 Decentered Studio, 1175 Folsom St

Note: The Studio is up a flight of stairs.


Gen Blend February 2026

Craft n' Chill with FCOART

On an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Mystical Seduction"

Think: lace and velvet, sheer layers and harnesses, forest-fairy wings with leather boots, lingerie as outerwear, cutouts with mossy textures, corsets under billowy capes, sultry slip dresses and thigh-highs, iridescent body paint and avant-garde makeup, floral crowns with chains, chiffon layered with leather, mesh and velvet mashups, feathered collars and harness straps, moonlit sequins and earthy boots — mix & match: lace, velvet, mesh, leather, chiffon, sequins, harnesses, whatever summoned enchantment and desire

Featured Poets: Ben Draffin, Rhea Joseph, Liz Cahill, Baruch Porras-Hernandez, Giovanna Lomanto, Denise Maisel, Blake Sugarman, Theory, Spinelli, Connie Lin, Jane

Featured Musician: Major Butta (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/69whnvOI33go5sIHpIKpVq?si=Ziy8grTbR6OT1YazU1K_DA>)

Dancers: Jessica McCallum, Eline Castro & Gabby Wei


Poolside Poets June 2024

An evening of sexy poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel. Brought to you by Decentered Arts, Rhea Joseph, Ben Draffin, Liz Cahill, and friends.

Release & Rise: A Somatic Healing Journey w/ Anna Bolender

📅 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 · 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Decentered Studio, San Francisco

On October 7, Decentered Studio became a sanctuary for release and renewal as Anna Bolender led Release & Rise: A Somatic Healing Journey.

Through breath, sound, and intuitive movement, Anna guided participants to shed stress, unprocessed emotions, and the weight of old patterns—opening space for clarity, calm, and authentic vitality to emerge. It was not just a workshop, but an invitation to step out of the mind, return to the body, and reconnect with its innate wisdom.

Anna, a Somatic Embodiment & Intuitive Life Coach and Reiki Master, devoted her life to helping others break free from self-sabotaging cycles and come home to themselves. Her gentle yet powerful approach blended somatics, energy healing, and mindset work, creating a safe container for deep emotional release and transformation.

By evening’s end, participants rose lighter, grounded, and more connected—equipped with simple tools to carry this renewed presence into daily life.


Release & Rise: A Somatic Healing Journey w/ Anna Bolender

On October 7, Anna Bolender guided a somatic healing journey to release tension, reset energy, and awaken inner vitality.

Participants joined the songwriting workshop led by talented songwriter, guitarist, and singer Ariel O, frontman of The Fancy Monkeys.

The session took place on December 22, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 PM at Decentered Studio. All were welcome — no experience necessary — and, as always, the event was free.


Songwriters gathered at Decentered Studio for a free workshop led by Ariel O of The Fancy Monkeys, open to all.

Decentered Arts opened our studio's doors for 14 artists for ArtSpan Open Studios. It was an incredible experience working with each artist and welcoming friends, neighbors and the general public to our studio. 

Artspan has been bringing the work of local artists to the public for 51 years.

Thank you artists: Aaron Chan, Abby Klinkenberg, Amadeo Vibat, Ana Mangold, Ankita Sancheti, Ashleigh Castro, Audrey Mohan, Belinda Huang, Chloe Lubinski, Dana Boyko, Julie Topp, Pooja Sathyanarayanan, Priyatam Mudivarti, Sheila Metcalf-Tobin.

Photography Manas Singh @theportraittale


Artspan Open Studios

Decentered Arts hosted Artspan Open Studios

Come use your hands and get crafty. We'll have plenty of supplies but feel free to bring your own as well.
Card making, painting, knitting, sewing, tarot, embossing, anything you'd like to do!
Hosted at a shoes off venue. We have a kitchenette, feel free to bring dinner or dishes to share.


Craft n' Chill - Watercolor Groove 

Craft n’ Chill: Watercolor Groove—paint and create freely; gather barefoot, share food, and enjoy cozy community vibes.

Decentered Arts is hosting Artspan Open Studios for week 3

Saturday:
Open Studios 11-5PM

Sunday :
Open Studios 11-5PM

Featured Artists:

Second Floor - Decentered Studio

John Osgood
M. Carmella Luna
Anitha Iyer
Alieh Rezaei

Third Floor - Basil House

Paul Reginato
Jacob Borrajo
Mika Munch
Dennis Crothers
Ashleigh Castro

Visit the other week 3 Studios 
<https://www.artspan.org/sfosguide/maps?3>

About Decentered Arts

Decentered Arts is an artist-led 501c3 nonprofit building inclusive, accessible cultural spaces in San Francisco. We host 200+ public programs annually ranging from open mics, poetry readings, fashion shows, art exhibitions, writers group, songwriters group and more. We operate Decentered Studio, a community arts hub in SoMa. We publish Bay Area writers, support emerging artists, and partner deeply within the city’s cultural ecosystem. Learn more at 
[www.decentered.org](www.decentered.org)

About Artspan and Open Studios

ArtSpan is a 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to cultivating a vibrant, accessible, and world-class arts community in San Francisco. We champion an inclusive arts experience, providing hundreds of local artists with opportunities to showcase their work and to make direct connections with diverse audiences and patrons. We are guided by the belief that artists play a vital role in society, and that broad public engagement with their work is essential to keeping the arts firmly rooted in the ethos of our evolving city.

SF Open Studios—our largest annual production—mobilizes hundreds of artists to open their studios to the public over a month-long period in the fall. City residents and visitors are invited to discover where local art is created and to purchase work directly from the active artists of our time.


Artspan Open Studios 

Explore Decentered Arts during Artspan Open Studios, featuring local artists across two floors with paintings, sculpture, and creative works.


Past Life Regression Group Journey

On November 16, 2025, a doorway into the timeless opened at Decentered Studio. Guided by spiritual hypnotherapist and shamanic healing practitioner Samira Ghassemian, participants embarked on a profound past life regression journey, traveling beyond the boundaries of the present to meet the echoes of who they once were.

Through gentle hypnosis and guided visualization, Samira led the group into the deeper layers of the subconscious, where hidden memories and soul imprints awaited. These glimpses into past incarnations served as keys to understanding recurring patterns, dissolving fears, and reclaiming the wisdom their spirits had carried across lifetimes.

Whether participants arrived with curiosity or conviction, the immersive experience offered an opportunity to release what no longer served them, illuminate their soul’s purpose, and awaken a deeper sense of peace and clarity in their present lives.

Attendees wore comfortable clothing and brought yoga mats — and some brought journals to capture the revelations that unfolded.


Past Life Regression Group Journey

Journeyed beyond time and uncovered their souls’ hidden stories — a guided past life regression with Samira Ghassemian that healed and awakened.

On Sunday, November 9, 2025, Decentered Studio opened its doors to a deeply transformative experience — Embodied Manifestation: Release, Realign & Receive — a somatic healing journey led by Anna Bolender, a renowned Somatic Embodiment and Intuitive Life Coach dedicated to guiding people back to their bodies and inner wisdom.

In this immersive two-hour workshop, Anna invited participants to go beyond vision boards and affirmations, revealing that true manifestation begins within the body. Through gentle breathwork, grounding practices, emotional release, and intuitive movement, participants explored how the nervous system holds unprocessed emotions and limiting patterns — and how releasing them can open space for love, abundance, joy, and freedom to flow in.

Anna’s approach blended somatic healing with energy work and intuitive coaching, creating a nurturing space where participants realigned with their deepest desires and became an energetic match for the life they wished to create. Whether seeking fulfilling relationships, vibrant health, creative opportunities, or a deeper sense of freedom, attendees were guided toward receiving with ease and grace.

Guests came dressed comfortably and brought journals to capture reflections that arose. Together, in community and movement, they stepped into the version of themselves already living the vision they held within.


Embodied Manifestation: Release, Realign, & Receive

Somatic rituals to shed old patterns and awaken your magnetism — manifesting love, abundance, and freedom through embodied transformation.

Decentered poets teamed up with painter Joelle Provost for a poetry reading at Hiersoux Gallery in North Berkeley. 


I'm So Happy I'm Still Alive

Decentered poets teamed up with painter Joelle Provost for a poetry reading at Hiersoux Gallery in North Berkeley. 