If you’re not already familiar with Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Google his work now. The Oakland activist-artist recently won the Alpert Award for Theatre, a prestigious national award that grants a handful of artists a big chunk of cash. He’ll be premiering his latest work red, black, and GREEN: a blues during YBCA’s Bay Area Now series. Featuring visual art, performance, and film from the brightest local talent, this festival guarantees a first look at new names on the verge of greatness, including screen printer Ben Venom as well as more established talents like video installation artist Tony Labat, musician-composer Carla Kihlstedt, and saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh.

July 9–Oct. 22; 701 Mission St. (at Third), 415-978-2787, ybca.org