Monday–Sunday, November 1–7, 2021
ADMISSION: Tickets available through the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival
Join the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival for a celebration of the words, music, and spirit of Leonard Cohen.
Hosted by San Francisco's Conspiracy of Beards, a choir of men that sing the songs of Leonard Cohen, the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival is a multi-artist, multi-event celebration of the poetry, literature, and music of the late singer, songwriter, author, and poet.
Browse events and purchase tickets at sfleonardcohenfest.com, or by clicking the button below.
Classical Revolution presents a night of music by Leonard Cohen. Featured artists include Sylvie Simmons, Melinda Becker, and Musical Art Quintet.
Admission: Free
Enjoy an evening of poetry, literature, and music in Leonard Cohen's Sacred Decades: The 50s and 60s to Now and the Future.
Admission: Free
Enjoy an evening of music followingLeonard Cohen's Sacred Decades: The 50s and 60s to Now and the Future.
Admission: Free
An evening of Leonard Cohen songs presented by Monday Parties and Karlyn DeSteno.
Admission: $15 with advanced registration; $20 at the door
An evening of Leonard Cohen songs presented by Honey of the Heart and Heather Normandale.
Admission: $20 with advanced registration; $25 at the door
An evening of Leonard Cohen songs presented by Madeline Tasquin & Friends and Smitty & Julija.
Admission: $25 with advanced registration; $30 at the door
An evening of Leonard Cohen songs performed by the Conspiracy of Beards, a choir of men that performs dynamic, original, a cappella arrangements of the poetic songs of Leonard Cohen.
Admission: $25 with advanced registration; $30 at the door
An evening of Leonard Cohen songs performed by Graham Patzner and friends.
Admission: $20 with advanced registration; $25 at the door
San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards is a thirty-member male choir that performs dynamic, original, a cappella arrangements of the poetic songs of Leonard Cohen. Transforming Cohen’s lyrics and simple melodies into complex four- and five-part harmonies, and with a wide variety of small ensemble and full choir pieces, Conspiracy of Beards achieves a sound that is both robust and tender. The unique arrangements that choir members create capture all of the emotion and humor of Leonard Cohen’s original music.
Through his poetry, novels, songs, and lyrics, Leonard Cohen expressed the complexities and desires of body and soul—a compelling metaphor for the twenty-first century Jewish experience. An observant Jew, Cohen also deeply explored Buddhism and various other worldviews. His commitment to questions of spirituality and existence shines through in songs such as “Suzanne,” “Bird on a Wire,” and “Hallelujah,” which masterfully combine mystery and universality with sacred and profane, and are now imprinted on our collective memory. Experience Cohen’s legacy like never before—through the eyes of contemporary artists George Fok, Judy Chicago, Candice Breitz, and Marshall Trammell.
Lead Sponsorship of Experience Leonard Cohen is generously provided by Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) thanks Maribelle and Stephen Leavitt, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Suzanne and Elliott Felson, the Irving and Eleanor Jaffe Foundation, the John Pritzker Family Fund, Taube Philanthropies, Kendra and Tom Kasten, and Jessica Silverman for generously supporting the exhibition.
Media Sponsorship is provided by the San Francisco Chronicle. In-kind support is provided by Where the Buffalo Roam.
Public Programs at The CJM are made possible thanks to generous support from Grants for the Arts and the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.