San Francisco Performances, which brings nationally known artists in music and dance to the Bay Area, was founded in 1979 by Ruth Felt. Her first season featured seven performances; the current season will feature over 200 performances in eight Bay Area venues. Over the past 25 years, the group has been responsible for the local debuts of such musicians as Yo-Yo Ma and Anne-Sophie Mutter, as well as for commissioning new works and presenting premieres.

A special anniversary series has been added to the group's programming, with appearances by artists who have been associated with San Francisco Performances over its whole history. The schedule includes composer, jazz and bluegrass artist, and bassist Edgar Meyer with mandolinist Chris Thile (Jan 22); jazz pianist Fred Hersch (March 6); and clarinetist and 13-time SFP performer Richard Stoltzman, with his son, jazz pianist Peter John Stoltzman (May 1).