Finding aid to the Carole Deutch Papers on Carnaval San Francisco 1979-2015 SFH 560

Finding aid compiled by Katherine Ets-Hokin.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org


Title: Carole Deutch Papers on Carnaval San Francisco
Date (inclusive): 1979-2015
Date (bulk): 1979-1989
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 560
Creator: Deutch, Carole
Physical Description: 1 carton, 2 pamphlet boxes, 1 oversized box. (3 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The Carnaval Committee first met in March 1979. There were six original members: Adela Chu (dancer/teacher), Marcus Gordon (master percussionist/music director), Pam Minor (Costume Bank), Sir Lawrence Washington (conceptual artist), Lou DeMatteis (photographer) and Carole Deutch. They named the event Carnaval San Francisco, and decided to create a multi-cultural, multi-tradition event that reflected the diversity of the bay area, with emphasis on artistic quality and community participation. By 1983, the event had outgrown the grass roots structure and minimally funded organization. After 1983 the original founders stepped back and left the decision about next steps to Mission Neighborhood Centers. Carnaval continues to be an annual event drawing large crowds in San Francisco.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist.
Copyright will remain with the individual artist or creator, unless he or she specifically transfers it to SFPL. All materials may be made available for research and public use, as stated, but commerical uses will be referred to the copyright holder. All formats included.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Carole Deutch Papers on Carnaval San Francisco (SFH 560), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

Donated by Carole Deutch March 15, 2019.

Related Materials

Researchers are encouraged to see also SFH 561 Johnathan Powk Papers on Carnaval San Francisco, and SFH 562 Sir Lawrence Washington Papers on Carnaval San Francisco.

Conservation Note

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Biography

Carole Deutch was the Director of Precita Valley Community Center from 1974–1980, located in Bernal Heights, one of three Mission Neighborhood Centers. Precita Center focused on activities for youth, offering many social and cultural programs. She moved into the neighborhood in 1968 and still lives there today.
In 1979, Marcus Gordon and Adela Chu requested rehearsal space at the Center for their upcoming Carnaval parade to be held in Precita Park. Deutch liked the idea, knew many of the participants and offered support.
On February 25th 1979 the parade of approximately one hundred costumed dancers and a fifty-piece "bateria" (percussion ensemble), marched around Precita Park three times, then entered the park for a finale. Hundreds of supporters and neighbors joined the celebration.
Based on the enthusiasm generated by the parade, Adela and Marcus asked if Deutch would join them to organize a larger 1980 event. Seeing a unique opportunity to showcase local artists and combine diverse cultures in a new, innovative event, she enthusiastically agreed.
The Carnaval Committee first met in March 1979. There were six original members: Adela Chu (dancer/teacher), Marcus Gordon (master percussionist/music director), Pam Minor (Costume Bank), Sir Lawrence Washington (conceptual artist), Lou DeMatteis (photographer) and Deutch. They named the event Carnaval San Francisco, and decided to create a multi-cultural, multi-tradition event that reflected the diversity of the bay area, with emphasis on artistic quality and community participation.
Deutch's role as Coordinator included: establishing sponsorship and fiscal agent; representing the Committee with sponsors, the Mayor's Office, city departments, Board of Supervisors and local organizations; obtaining permits; generating funds, and overseeing logistics. With Committee members and supporters, she managed outreach efforts to recruit participants, initiated an educational program and supervised volunteers who coordinated contingents, booth concessions, security and parade monitors.
Many people voluntarily took responsibility for important tasks.
The hard work paid off. The 1980 Grand Parade on Mission Street and Festival in Dolores Park was a huge success. The parade had grown to include several contingents who displayed dazzling artistry and the Festival included staged entertainment and several booths. Over fifteen thousand people attended, filling the park and adjacent streets. In December of 1980, Deutch quit her job as Director of Precita Center and voluntarily dedicated her time to producing Carnaval - a fulltime job - and began to pursue a career in filmmaking.
Tired of spending endless hours on logistics, Adela Chu, Sir Lawrence, Pam Minor and Lou Dematteis left the Committee to focus on personal Carnaval and creative projects, but continued to support the event. Gordon and Deutch were joined by Anne Milkie, who had initiated a Carnaval photographic exhibit at the Galeria de la Raza. Together with many committed volunteers, they expanded their vision and organization to produce the 1981 event.
Anticipating many thousands of attendees, the city would not allow a festival of that size in the Mission district. So, in addition to dealing with some disgruntled residents and increasing responsibilities, the organizers were given a new route and destination to manage, as well as new features and activities to organize. On Sunday, April 12th 1981, the Grand Parade marched through the Mission and merged into a packed Civic Center Plaza. The event had grown tenfold, beyond expectations. At least 50,000 people gathered, performed and celebrated.
In just three years, Carnaval San Francisco had become a huge popular event, acknowledged by citywide neighborhoods, institutions and the press. It had become a keystone for multi-cultural artists, community organizations and public institutions and was widely celebrated. In 1982 Deutch began to work as a film producer, but continued to produce the ever-growing production of Carnaval with an enthusiastic and hard-working team.
Sunday, April 25, 1982 - the Grand Parade and Festival were considered a major citywide event. The Mayor proclaimed Carnaval day, KQED produced a documentary, twenty-five contingents with elaborate costumes, musicians and floats paraded into a packed Civic Center Plaza. Over 100 thousand people gathered along the route and in the Plaza. Once again, the growth from one year to the next was overwhelming. The organization could barely keep up with demands and requirements.
By 1983, the event had outgrown the grass roots structure and minimally funded organization. In spite of their dedication, enthusiasm and skill, the small group could no longer satisfy growing structural and financial requirements.
After producing another massive event in 1983, Marcus, Anne and Deutch tried to recruit new leadership but, having no success, retired, leaving the decision about next steps to Mission Neighborhood Centers.
Deutch initially continued to support Carnaval as an Advisor, but did not take on an organizational role. Over the years, she's been a parade judge or just an observer.

Scope and Content

The collection includes event planning materials, flyers, posters, photos, videos and t-shirts.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 4 series: Series 1: Records, Series 2: Audio Visual Materials, Series 3: Graphic Materials, Series 4: Artifacts. Within each series materials are arranged by date and alphabetically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Carnaval San Francisco
Carnaval -- California -- San Francisco

 

Series 1 Records

box 1, folder 1

Art Politik National Conference, Seatle 1981

box 1, folder 2

Batacaje Escola do Samba Contingent: Artistic Director/Choreographer Jose Lorenzo 1992

box 1, folder 3-4

Carnaval SF 1979-1981

 

Carnaval SF 1982

box 1, folder 5

1982

box 1, folder 6

Contengents 1982

box 1, folder 7

Contest 1982

box 1, folder 8

Festival 1982

box 1, folder 9

General 1982

box 1, folder 10

ISCOT/Permits 1982

box 1, folder 11

Press 1982

box 1, folder 12

Security 1982

box 1, folder 13

Volunteers 1982

box 1, folder 14-15

Carnaval SF 1986-1989

box 1, folder 16

Files from: Adela Chu 1979-1992

box 1, folder 17

Images: Carole Deutch and others 2010, 2015

box 1, folder 18

Willy Lizavraga's "Birth of Carnaval in the Streets of San Francisco" 2010

 

Series 2 Audio Visual Material

 

VHS

box 4, vhs_tape 007

Carnival April 29, 1994

box 4, vhs_tape 010

Carnaval: Samba in the Street 1983

box 4, vhs_tape 008

Carnaval: Samba in the Street, Version I with Rachel Narration 1982

box 4, vhs_tape 009

Carnaval: Samba in the Street, Version II 1983

 

Reel-to-reel tape (1/4")

box 4, item 001

PSA's with Music Background (30 and 60 seconds) April 13, 1980

 

Umatic Film

box 4, item 003-004

Carnaval 1980

box 4, item 002

PSA for Carnaval 1982-1983

box 4, item 005-006

Samba in the Street 1982-1983

 

Series 3 Graphic Materials

 

Photographic Prints

box 2

Carnaval 1984

 

Posters

oversize-box 1, folder 2

1980-1983, 1988

 

Series 4 Artifacts

box 3

T-shirts

 

1982

 

1984

 

1987

 

1988

box 3

Hat