On October 18 and 19, Salvi Soul Encuentro presents a vibrant lineup of arts activities and debuts the Miracle Masa Mile culinary tour, featuring more than 15 local restaurants, in conjunction with Excelsior Sunday Streets
Salvi Soul Encuentro @ Sunday Streets – a weekend-long celebration of Salvadoran culture taking place October 18 and 19. Hosted by Clecha and Excelsior Action Group with support from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Mission Lotería, and Liveable Cities, the two-day event will bring neighbors and visitors together to showcase the creativity, resilience, and heritage of Salvadoran Americans through food, music, dance, and storytelling.
"We welcome the entire community to Salvi Soul Encuentro to experience the music, food, and vibrant spirit of El Salvador right here in the Excelsior,” said Alma Castellanos, Director of Operations at CLECHA, “This celebration is about connection and recognition, where culture meets commerce, and where every resident can feel the energy and heart that make our neighborhood thrive.”
“The Excelsior Action Group is thrilled to partner with Salvi Soul Encuentro — a vibrant celebration of Salvadoran pride and Latinx culture that pulses at the heart of our neighborhood, said Ben Bleiman, Co-Director of EAG, “This event isn’t just a festival; it’s a homecoming — a chance for families, artists, and local businesses to shine together and remind the city what community looks like. When we celebrate our roots, we strengthen the Excelsior’s soul — and that’s exactly what this event is all about.”
Salvi Soul Encuentro kicks off on Saturday, October 18, with Niña Memita’s Kitchen Table at the Excelsior Library, an intimate storytelling event featuring community leaders and artists sharing stories about Salvadoran legacy in San Francisco. Guests will also enjoy a small tasting from Oasis Fusion Kitchen, a new woman-owned Salvadoran café in the neighborhood.
On Sunday, October 19, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Mission Street between Excelsior and France Streets will close to cars and open to the community for Sunday Streets—a free, family-friendly celebration featuring live music, poetry, visual art, and food from local Salvadoran and Central American businesses. The festivities include live printmaking and DJ sets at SF Pop Up Shop, community poetry at Andrea’s Bakery celebrating Salvadoran voices, dance performances by Grupo Maiz and Fofo Na Roupa at Oasis Fusion Kitchen, and a lively Lucha Libre exhibition at El Corazón Gallery. Along the route, local artists and vendors will transform the street into a festive, art-filled walk for all to enjoy.
At the center of the celebration on Sunday is the Miracle Masa Mile, a self-guided food tour featuring more than 15 participating restaurants and bakeries that celebrate the Excelsior’s rich culinary scene. Visitors can stop by local favorites including Los Trinos, Pacitas Bakery, Rincón Latino, Oasis Fusion Kitchen, and Pupusería Metapán, as well as Central American restaurants like Tikal Restaurante y Panadería and Café Guatemalteco, enjoying authentic food and supporting local small businesses.
“I am deeply honored to participate in Salvi Soul Encuentro and to serve as a panelist at the San Francisco Public Library on the 18,” said Valeria, owner of Oasis Kitchen, “For 15 years, I worked toward the dream of owning my own business and never gave up, even when it felt impossible. Thanks to the support of my family, the City, and the organizations that believed in me, that dream has finally become a reality. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and for the chance to share my story.”
“Sunday Streets is honored to support our friends in the Excelsior to bring the Salvi Soul Encuentro to life,” said Darin Ow-Wing, Executive Director of Livable City. “Sunday Streets works in partnership with communities across San Francisco to co-create an equitable, healthy, and joyful future for all. We love being the platform upon which the Salvadoran community has built this event to share their pride and contributions to our city.”
"The Excelsior District has been a long-time home for many Salvadoran families and small businesses,” said Oscar Grande, community organizer for Salvi Soul Encuentro, “This celebration shines a light on the neighborhood’s heart and soul, and shows why it is a multi-cultural anchor for the City."
"OEWD is proud to invest in the organizations that bring events like Salvi Soul Encuentro to our neighborhoods,” said Anne Taupier, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “These gatherings give residents space to share and take pride in their culture while inviting new people to experience local small businesses and the creative energy that defines the Excelsior. It’s adding to this renaissance we're in where street activations are redefining how we drive economic vitality and experience community."
