Clarion is the only performing arts center in San Francisco Chinatown and its surrounding neighborhoods. It has a cozy theater, an art gallery and has been serving as a music teaching venue for nearly 40 years. Clarion has produced concerts, workshops, poetry readings and theatrical events such as Chinese tea arts, Asian burlesques and film screenings.
Our second Thursday Open Mic Night was a favorite hangout for local music enthusiasts, poets, dancers, magicians and tourists alike. During shelter-in-place Clarion continues to provide video entertainment online. Our Book Talk series on Zoom is a platform for Chinese American authors and artists. As we slowly make our way back to reopening, your financial support ensures the survival of this special place in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown.
Our second Thursday Open Mic Night was a favorite hangout for local music enthusiasts, poets, dancers, magicians and tourists alike. During shelter-in-place Clarion continues to provide video entertainment online. Our Book Talk series on Zoom is a platform for Chinese American authors and artists. As we slowly make our way back to reopening, your financial support ensures the survival of this special place in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown.
Services
Clarion Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in San Francisco Chinatown. Our mission is to provide education and live performance opportunities by fusing music, poetry, theater and visual art as one organic artistic experience for individuals and communities. During the pandemic Clarion has been actively utilizing the available social technology to teach music, movements and theater to our students.
Clarion was established in 1982, when owner Clara Hsu received an offer from the Captain of the Salvation Army Corps in Chinatown to take over a retail space in the basement of an old church. In the early days, Clarion dealt mostly in pianos, violins and Chinese traditional musical instruments. Musicians who discovered the shop wanted the Chinese instruments, and would trade in their own doumbek or berimbau for a dizi or erhu.
Every Saturday Clarion presents an hour of music at 2 pm by local musicians. Jazz, blues, pop, experimental and traditional-we aim to bring an interesting mix to showcase the diverse and rich culture in San Francisco. Enjoy the FREE concert and stay for the Film Social afterward. Donation appreciated.
Every Saturday Clarion presents an hour of film(s) by local and international film-makers. Whether quirky, experimental or traditional, we aim to bring a diverse and interesting program to make your afternoon in Chinatown even more enjoyable. This is a FREE event.
Produced in 2009, this wonderful documentary paints a soulful picture of San Francisco's Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman (2007) and brings to the silver screen the singular life of this troubadour for modern times.
Produced in 2009, this wonderful documentary paints a soulful picture of San Francisco's Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman (2007) and brings to the silver screen the singular life of this troubadour for modern times.
Book Talk @ Clarion is a virtual literary event. Using the Zoom platform we feature writers of all disciplines to engage Clarion's expanding community. This is a free event. Donation to keep Clarion going is much appreciated. Mr. Chinatown is the engaging story of San Francisco Chinatown entrepreneur and community leader H.K. Wong.
Reviews (20)
Ebert Kan
Jul 02, 2021
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Nina D.
Apr 20, 2018
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Wonderful people. Missed them when they sold Chinese musical instruments. I don't go up to SF Chinatown much and was quite disappointed to find that they don't sell instruments anymore. But perhaps the owner or manager saw me peaking in through the windows when nothing outside said anything about sales of instruments. She opened the door and when I told her I was looking for instruments, referred me to Ellie & Eva Company--who are GREAT!!! 709 Jackson Street, SF.
Lei H.
Mar 27, 2016
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This is for the private piano lessons I take here every sat. Yes I am taking beginner piano. I love it.
- Love the location. 10 min walk from my house
- teacher is great. Very encouraging. I have Kumiko
- scheduling is easy. Can cancel as long as it's 24 hours.
- very reasonable pricing.
- allows me to come and practice for $2 per hour. Awesome.
Only wish they had recitals for students. That would make it 5 stars. I tried to learn an instrument when I was high school. neither piano nor guitar interested me then. Now I am really enjoying it. It's never too late to learn something
- Love the location. 10 min walk from my house
- teacher is great. Very encouraging. I have Kumiko
- scheduling is easy. Can cancel as long as it's 24 hours.
- very reasonable pricing.
- allows me to come and practice for $2 per hour. Awesome.
Only wish they had recitals for students. That would make it 5 stars. I tried to learn an instrument when I was high school. neither piano nor guitar interested me then. Now I am really enjoying it. It's never too late to learn something
Jeffrey L.
May 12, 2015
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Winnie L.
Feb 14, 2015
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This review is solely about the Chinese man who works there. I am a piano teacher who started teaching piano at Clarion and I owe it to them who gave me the opportunity to do so. I know the previous and current owner and we became friends even though I don't teach there anymore. I stopped by today around 1:15pm to pick up some piano books for my students. This Chinese man was the only one working at the time and he seemed to be giving a lesson at the same time. I had to disrupt their lesson because they were sitting right in front of the book shelves. The man seemed to be annoyed when
Brent Gifford
Jan 13, 2015
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Atlanta TaikoProject
Dec 30, 2014
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Jesse Blazo
Jul 17, 2014
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Ken L.
Mar 11, 2012
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Hidden little eclectic gem of a place with some unique instruments.
Hurqin Family, Chinese souna, taikos, didjeridus, H' mong drur, doumbeks, djembes, talking drums, story telling drums, shakers, shells, pebbles.
They've also got some books, instructional videos, and CDs.
Check it out, explore some sound.
Hurqin Family, Chinese souna, taikos, didjeridus, H' mong drur, doumbeks, djembes, talking drums, story telling drums, shakers, shells, pebbles.
They've also got some books, instructional videos, and CDs.
Check it out, explore some sound.
Kelly W.
Dec 12, 2009
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I found this place while wandering through Chinatown. Great selection of exotic instruments (alot of stringed and percussion instruments from Asia and Africa). The woman owner is very friendly; the man is more reserved (maybe even a little chilly) but, after I've made a few visits to the shop and become a bit more familiar on sight, he's warmed up. Even on my first visit, though, he demo'd a guzheng for me without asking. Just went up and played on it to show me how it sounded. And, although I live here, I'm new to the area and definitely looked like a tourist.
I&apos
I&apos
Will S.
Oct 16, 2009
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Susan D.
Aug 03, 2009
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What a fun, amazing find Clarion Music Center was - they really do have instruments from all around the world!
Last month, I was wandering aimlessly around Chinatown and stumbled upon Clarion's recessed door on the corner of Sacramento and Waverly Place. I almost walked by it but then could hear some interesting music so, I decided to peek inside...
Wow, it was a treasure trove of unique instruments and wonders that I had no idea what to do with! There were 2 employees - 1 said hello as I walked in and the other was playing a melodic flute thing... it was nice. Later, I watched them sound
Last month, I was wandering aimlessly around Chinatown and stumbled upon Clarion's recessed door on the corner of Sacramento and Waverly Place. I almost walked by it but then could hear some interesting music so, I decided to peek inside...
Wow, it was a treasure trove of unique instruments and wonders that I had no idea what to do with! There were 2 employees - 1 said hello as I walked in and the other was playing a melodic flute thing... it was nice. Later, I watched them sound
Anna B.
Mar 11, 2009
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Kind of unwarranted to review since I just bought a cello string there, but wanted to add my .02. Great, and can I say the north side of SF is pretty much at a loss for music stores. So I'm really glad this found a way to survive. I was impressed with the large amount of resources for students, but I haven't taken lessons here. Their rental rates seem standard.
Seamas C.
Aug 12, 2008
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A great international music and musical instrument store! Though it mostly consists of Chinese instruments and a whole room full of didgeridoos and taiko drums, clarion has a large selection of instruments from around the globe(sitars, orchestral instruments, other things i had no idea what they were). The real greatness of this store, for me, comes from the music lessons offered there. From orchestral to Chinese instruments, a wide variety of private and group classes are offered. Though the Pipa teacher had a hard time teaching me because I didn't speak Chinese, the Erhu teacher took me
Janet Z.
Jan 09, 2008
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Charles K.
Nov 21, 2007
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Nick H.
Jul 14, 2007
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Terrible music store. On both occasions I have been the staff has been entirely unhelpful to me, if not downright disinterested in my presence.
Sample conversation I had:
Me: What kind of instrument is this?
Guy who works there: (without looking at me) Middle eastern.
Me: It's very interesting, it seems a lot like a fretless banjo.
(Guy appears totally disinterested, walks away without a response).
Umm..so ,great. Thanks. You really made me want to return.
Sample conversation I had:
Me: What kind of instrument is this?
Guy who works there: (without looking at me) Middle eastern.
Me: It's very interesting, it seems a lot like a fretless banjo.
(Guy appears totally disinterested, walks away without a response).
Umm..so ,great. Thanks. You really made me want to return.
Ann L.
Jul 04, 2007
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This place is in SF Chinatown. My friend wanted to visit it & I got to see this place for the first time.
It's full of instruments, especially Chinese ones & music of many cultures. They have Lion Dance Equipment, Chinese Instruments like the erhu, gong cymbals, taikos & didjeridus, world instruments, books, cds & videos.
They also have Saturday Music Classes to learn to play the Chinese erhu (two string fiddle), guzheng (zither), dizi (flute), & yangqin (dulcimer). Classes meet on Saturdays from 5-6:30pm. Good for beginners: adults & children welcome.
Hrs:
M
It's full of instruments, especially Chinese ones & music of many cultures. They have Lion Dance Equipment, Chinese Instruments like the erhu, gong cymbals, taikos & didjeridus, world instruments, books, cds & videos.
They also have Saturday Music Classes to learn to play the Chinese erhu (two string fiddle), guzheng (zither), dizi (flute), & yangqin (dulcimer). Classes meet on Saturdays from 5-6:30pm. Good for beginners: adults & children welcome.
Hrs:
M
Zach H.
Jun 01, 2007
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Ray E.
Jan 16, 2007
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Cool little musical instrument shop tucked away in a nondescript corner of chinatown. lots of wind and percussion instruments and a good variety of string instruments as well. most are of asian origin (though they have a selection of native american flutes). musicians get 10 percent off (or at least I did, but only because I mentioned that I teach taiko classes at the nearby YMCA). super nice folks, great local source of eastern musical instruments.
