Arts + Culture

Music

‘An everlasting effect’: UK soul legend Omar on the 5 LPs he can’t live without

Latest album 'Brighter the Days' displays the innovator's versatility—as do favorite selections from Stevie to YMO.

John-Paul Shiver - July 15, 2025

Contest

Win free tickets to these awesome DNA Lounge shows

Metal supergroup Nefarious, KISS tribute band Destroyer, and Micromania Wrestling are all on the menu.

Marke B. - July 15, 2025

Education

Itching to be a reporter? Sign up for classes now at City College

Learn from great local instructors: Register now for fall 2025 journalism courses—tuition-free for SF residents.

Marke B. - July 14, 2025

Lit

Live Shots: SF Art Book Fair was rad and packed

Eighth edition of sprawling showcase featured tiny tomes, big names, 150+ booths, Karl Marx booty shorts.

Marke B. - July 14, 2025

Labor

Urban Ore fails to rehire union workers

Owners say losses during 40-day strike make it impossible to rehire everyone covered in an agreement

Ian Firstenberg - July 13, 2025

Movies

Hot-mess bisexuals, Orthodox blackmail, Daveed Diggs: SF Jewish Film Fest dives in

45th edition foregrounds comedy and conflict, kicking off with 'Coexistence, My Ass,' and playing throughout SF and East Bay

Dennis Harvey - July 13, 2025

Lit

Britney blackout: Author Jeff Weiss relives the ’00s pop culture cataclysm

Music journalist's gonzo new book 'Waiting for Britney Spears' dives into the tabloid-strewn wreck of the schlocky decade.

Daniel Bromfield - July 11, 2025

Music

Under the Stars: Madlib’s sonic crystal ball spins again

Plus: Kendra Morris scores a reggae-tinged 'Flat Tire,' Jay Som rocks back with 'Float,' Directions in Stereo dips into the wax stacks

John-Paul Shiver - July 10, 2025

Food & Drink

Good Taste: An obsessive early guide to the Outside Lands food multiverse

Fun bevs, free samples, fries as meals, super splurges, and more: It’s not too soon to plan your festival menu.

Tamara Palmer - July 9, 2025

Music

Unplugging with Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Adding stalwart guitarist Imaad Wasif, the indie heroes hit Symphony Hall to explore their acoustic side—and some new emotional textures.

Joshua Rotter - July 9, 2025

Big Week

BIG WEEK: SF Art Book Fair, Anti-Prime Day, Jollof Fest, Macy Gray, Outside Sex…

Ferry Building's 127th birthday party, 'Underground Orange,' Orchestra Gold, SFDanceworks, Sholeh Asgary, more to do!

Marke B. - July 9, 2025

Onstage

Dino drag? You bet ‘Jurassiq’ is

Very queer musical parody stomps into Oasis with heels, wigs, claws, and plenty of nostalgic '90s hits.

Marke B. - July 9, 2025

Stage Review

Drama Masks: Despite cutbacks, SF Mime Troupe’s ‘Disruption’ hits home

Poignant 66th season show takes on Ice detentions, apolitical hypocrisy, and a 'Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Fire Department'

Charles Lewis III - July 8, 2025

Movies

Screen Grabs: Truth, justice, and… something something

'Sovereign' insurrection, 'Underground Orange' rebellion, a swarm of Swedish auteurs, Garbage Pail Kids, more movies

Dennis Harvey - July 8, 2025

Onstage

In ‘Les Blancs,’ a once-silent character finds full voice through eight women players

Actor Jeunée Simon on OTP's powerful version of Lorraine Hansberry's 1970 play, in which a Black man returns to Africa.

Lou Fancher - July 8, 2025

Music

‘The most euphoric feeling’: Live Aid music legends look back 40 years on

As TV docuseries relives epic charitable concert, performers dish about wild moments before 2 billion fans—and backstage.

Joshua Rotter - July 7, 2025

Art

Merging real and absurd, Tamera Avery’s paintings grapple with the world’s decay

Large canvases, bold colors, and youth culture's hopeful influence reflect 'the right and wrongness of today.'

Mary Corbin - July 7, 2025

What to see at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival this summer ☀️

Celebrating 25 years of free, accessible and artistically excellent programs in downtown SF!

48 Hills - July 2, 2025

Stage Review

Drama Masks: In ‘Aztlán,’ gripped by intense forces beyond control

Magic Theatre melds carceral to mystical. Plus: Enthralling 'The Last Goat' presents Ancient Greek tale that does much with little.

Charles Lewis III - July 2, 2025

Movies

Screen Grabs: Caught up in the raptors, again

'Jurassic' holiday weekend kicks. Plus: Thomas Kinkaide's secrets, Fraenkel Film Fest, Bill Gunn and Mikio Naruse retrospectives, more.

Dennis Harvey - July 2, 2025

Big Week

BIG WEEK: SF Mime Troupe, Fillmore Jazz Fest, Ant Farm, cheetah croissants….

Plus: Gamelan Seker Jaya, DJ Derrick Carter, Breadbelly's new bake, ancient Greek romance, a drum and bass trailblazer, more to do

Marke B. - July 2, 2025

Culture

Shipyard tales celebrated 20th century Black migrant lives of success and sacrifice

'Holding Ground' event brought beleaguered yet vital area's past into the present, with future questions.

Tom Molanphy - July 1, 2025

Food & Drink

Good Taste: Legendary House of Nanking releases first cookbook

Kathy and Peter Fang share the secrets of their family’s celebrated, 37-year-old Chinatown restaurant.

Tamara Palmer - July 1, 2025

Contest

See a show for free at the awesome Lost Church this month

From indie and Americana concerts to sketch comedy and performance art, there's something for everyone. But act fast!

Marke B. - July 1, 2025

Music

Under the Stars: Lopsided Australian avant-punk coming to town, prepare for obsession

Plus: Fresh tracks from Bar Part Time's new label, Private Joy—and a new Talking Heads video starring Saoirse Ronan?

John-Paul Shiver - June 30, 2025

Lit

Bay Area journalist heads down bumpy road to recovery in ‘Lying Drunk’

But Tony Hicks wants to be clear—this is no self-help book.

Lou Fancher - June 28, 2025

Immigration

Drag performer taken by ICE, morning after Pride Week pageant

Hilary Rivers was detained during a scheduled immigration appointment in downtown SF after Miss & Mr. Safe Latino Pageant.

Marke B. - June 27, 2025

Music

Under the Stars: Bidding adieu to the Phoenix Hotel (to the rhythm of drum and bass)

Plus: Trax Records turns 40, Isaac Hayes the American master, Mae Powell's squishy heart, more.

John-Paul Shiver - June 26, 2025

Stage Review

Drama Masks: Finding the comfort zone

Queers do the classics in 'Coriolanus,' 'The Blackest Wrench' provides a Juneteenth safe space, more.

Charles Lewis III - June 25, 2025

Music

How Bliss Fest blew the big-budget competition away

Presidio Theatre's cozy little gathering, starring Martin Luther McCoy and The Seshen. IYKYK.

John-Paul Shiver - June 25, 2025

Food & Drink

Good Taste: Mystery bags for the frugal food-lover

Tinned fish surprises, plus an app that promises 'grocery's best kept deals.'

Tamara Palmer - June 25, 2025

Party Radar

PRIDE PARTY RADAR: Viva la Lesbianaissance + 35 more rainbows to ride

Pink Block, Juanita More Pride, Hard French, Purple Disco Machine, partying for prison abolition, a slew of dyke bars... too much? Never!

Marke B. - June 25, 2025

Culture

Blue Bottle workers announce intent to organize union at four East Bay locations

Response from management at Nestle-owned company appears to be firing a popular worker leader.

Caitlin Donohue - June 25, 2025

What To Do

BIG WEEK: Marching bands and a Bayview snack parade, Gay Indians celebrate 50, WNBA pride, much more

Too many things to do! Hit up the Trans March, Bong-O Bingo, Franki Jupiter, Ice-T, 'Idomeno'—the list goes on.

Caitlin Donohue - June 24, 2025

Movies

Screen Grabs: A Bollywood-inflected tale of sneaky lesbian vs. imperious mom

That's 'The Queen of My Dreams.' Plus: ATA's Anti-Fascist Film Series, experimental Taiwanese flicks, feminist docs, more.

Dennis Harvey - June 24, 2025

Music

Live Shots: Compton, Oakland took the stage at Stern Grove Festival

Channel Tres and Astu lit up the free fest's 88th season.

Andrew Brobst - June 23, 2025

Culture

Puff: Here come the high gay holidays

Official stoner's guide to Pride, from gummies for a queer cause to drag bingo extravaganza.

Dan Karkoska - June 23, 2025

Music

Live Shots: Metallica’s hometown stop on mega-tour left Bay metal fans thrashed

After 44 years, band still has what its Metallica family needs.

D.A. Mission - June 23, 2025

Music

John Cameron Mitchell glories in Bowie devotion at ‘BLACKSTAR Symphony’

Philharmonic tribute to queer icon's final studio album sets stage for Pride weekend.

Joshua Rotter - June 22, 2025

Music

Under the Stars: Ron Trent convenes boogie royalty for ‘Lift Off’

Plus: A Juneteenth punk party? Third annual Bliss Fest at Presidio Theatre? Plan accordingly.

John-Paul Shiver - June 19, 2025

48 hillsIndependent San Francisco News + Culture

48 hillsIndependent San Francisco News + Culture

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