Local journalist Alexis Madrigal and Davia Nelson of NPR’s The Kitchen Sisters, examine the “vast, powerful, opaque cultural structure” of “The Pacific Circuit,” the web of ports and trade routes crisscrossing the Pacific that have profoundly shaped cultural exchange and historical trajectories in California and beyond — from Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture’s very own port of embarkation to the Port of Oakland, CA.
This talk takes place in Gallery 308, Landmark Building A, at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture (FMCAC) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
As primary author of FMCAC’s forthcoming 50th anniversary book — co-published by Heyday Books and set for release in Fall 2026 — Madrigal shares inspirations drawn from his ongoing research, including FMCAC’s “only-in-San Francisco” origin story and its radical transformation into an eclectic arts and culture destination.
The event launches a series of activations for FMCAC’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2027, and celebrates Madrigal’s recent book, The Pacific Circuit: A Globalized Account Of The Battle For The Soul Of An American City, which examines the intersection of global commerce, urban development, and cultural identity at the Port of Oakland. Davia Nelson, acclaimed for her radio and podcast work with the Peabody Award winning The Kitchen Sisters, brings a wealth of experience in storytelling, archival research, and cultural exploration.