Joan Baez’s New Plan for Retirement? Joining the Circus

Joan Baez, who said goodbye to touring with her “Fare Thee Well” tour in 2019, has a new act planned for her retirement: joining the circus.

The decorated folk singer will perform under the big top as part of The Soiled Dove, a steampunky, Barbary Coast-themed circus that sets up shop from Sept. 5–Nov. 1 at Alameda Point in Alameda. Baez, who was recently portrayed by actress Monica Barbaro in the film A Complete Unknown, has signed on to play the role of Paloma Blanca in a “special musical appearance.”

The Soiled Dove first came to Alameda eight years ago, and performed at both Alameda Point and in an empty lot adjacent to Oakland’s Fox Theater. This newly annnounced run marks the return for the dinner-and-circus show, set in 1890s rough-and-tumble San Francisco and once described by promoter Mike Gaines as “Cirque du Soleil in fishnets.”

Earlier this year, Baez performed at the Masonic in San Francisco for a benefit concert that doubled as a tribute to her activism and musical career, surrounded by stars like Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Roseanne Cash and Lucinda Williams.

Baez has also kept busy by exhibiting her paintings in Mill Valley, and releasing a book of autobiographical poetry, When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance.

‘The Soiled Dove’ runs Sept. 5–Nov. 1 at Alameda Point in Alameda. Standing-room tickets are $81.16, while seated tickets range from $112.04 (no dinner) to $199.66–$230.53 (with dinner). Details here.