Ruby Ibarra Electrifies YBCA’s Biggest Opening Night Ever

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) threw the party of the summer on August 1, transforming downtown San Francisco into the city’s cultural epicenter as hundreds packed the galleries for the opening of two major exhibitions, “Bay Area Then” and “MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy.” The evening’s undisputed star was Ruby Ibarra, NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest winner and proud Bay Area native, whose high-voltage performance had the Forum literally shaking as crowds rapped along with phones in the air, proving again that downtown San Francisco’s cultural heartbeat is stronger than ever.

YBCA CEO Mari Robles orchestrated an evening that showcased the institution’s mission as a gathering space for creative expression, while guest curators Eungie Joo and Trisha Lagaso Goldberg celebrated exhibitions that honor the Bay Area’s cultural vitality and the legacy of intergenerational Filipino resistance and community power. DJ Shortkut kept the energy soaring between sets, and avant-garde musician Barr delivered an electrifying performance that had guests buzzing long after the music ended. The uniquely San Francisco bar menu featured Instagram-worthy creations including Bourbon Chai Milk Tea with young coconut and a jalapeño-spiked Mezcal Mango Cocktail, alongside refreshing Calamansi Vodka Spritz made with Filipino citrus and Pau Maui vodka, perfectly complementing an evening that proved the arts remain a driving force in the city’s downtown rejuvenation.