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In Arts + Culture

All Ears, Arts Forecast, Dance, Examined Life, Lit, Movies, Nightlife, Onstage, Party Radar, Puff, Screen Grabs, Sports

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Movies

Indiefest electrifies with punk and sci-fi royalty, surreal thrillers, local debuts

As always, the 22-year-old film fest lights up screens with the challenging, the curious, and the profound.

Dennis Harvey - January 24, 2020

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: A whole weekend with Laurie Anderson and more

Edwardian Ball, Movement Arts Festival, Lyrics Born, Mercury Soul, Pink Mammoth, and so much to do this weekend

Marke B. - January 22, 2020

Culture

Comedian Moshe Kasher’s ‘Crowd Surfing’ album mortifies, delights

Oakland's self-proclaimed 'Phil Donahue of the Internet Age' works the room like a hilarious punk-rock savant.

John-Paul Shiver - January 22, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Battle of the giant Russian oligarchs

Plus: Nic Cage goes gonzo for HP Lovecraft, Lost Landscapes of San Francisco, The House by the Cemetery, more movies.

Dennis Harvey - January 21, 2020

Onstage

Playwright Ana Bayat lets us peek inside her ‘Mimi’s Suitcase’

Iranian revolution, Spanish flamenco, and US '80s pop collide in acclaimed solo show about her family history.

Emily Wilson - January 21, 2020

Movies

Sights set globally, Noir City dives into ‘a bitter little world’

Now in its 18th year, the film fest casts a gimlet eye on international gangsters, mistresses, secrets, and betrayals.

Dennis Harvey - January 21, 2020

Dance

With ‘Butterfly Effect’ choreographer Krissy Keefer caps decades of eco-activism

New Dance Brigade show bridges aims to create a 'collective heartbeat' at the edge of apocalypse.

Joshua Rotter - January 20, 2020

Arts

Art Looks

‘A Gothic Tale’ plumbs Legion of Honor’s haunting depths

Mirrors, doubles, organ music, film noir, and the museum's archives comprise Alexandre Singh's creepy exhibit.

Emily Wilson - October 28, 2019

Arts

Memories of the Ulcer Department

Peter Lawrence Kane - October 18, 2019

'The San Quentin Project,' an inmate-centered photo exhibit at BAMPFA, complicates assumptions of life at CA’s oldest prison.

Arts

At 85, a revered glassblower inspired by SF’s ‘Radiance’

Emily Wilson - September 27, 2019

'Very few places in the world have this light,' says Lino Tagliapietra, whose latest work is at Montague Gallery.

Arts

Fall Arts Preview: 37 cool things to do this season

Marke B. - September 4, 2019

Flamenco to death metal, Comedy Day to Hip-Hop Fest, with dozens more great local arts, music, dance, and stage events.

Arts

Fall Arts Preview: 10 can’t-miss art shows

Matt Sussman - September 3, 2019

Galactic glamour, a psychedelic roller rink, pan-African wonders, reclaiming Pioneer Monument, and celebrating a seminal centenarian.

Culture

Comedian Moshe Kasher’s ‘Crowd Surfing’ album mortifies, delights

Oakland's self-proclaimed 'Phil Donahue of the Internet Age' works the room like a hilarious punk-rock savant.

John-Paul Shiver - January 22, 2020

Onstage

Playwright Ana Bayat lets us peek inside her ‘Mimi’s Suitcase’

Iranian revolution, Spanish flamenco, and US '80s pop collide in acclaimed solo show about her family history.

Emily Wilson - January 21, 2020

Onstage

Kung Pao! Jackie Hoffman shoots from the hip before Kosher Comedy

Joshua Rotter - December 19, 2019

The Emmy-nominated 'Feud' and 'Fiddler' star headlines the 27-year holiday tradition.

Arts + Culture

For San Francisco, the Gay Men’s Chorus brings the ‘Holigays’ home

Joshua Rotter - December 19, 2019

"We first performed the Christmas Eve shows in 1991 when the AIDS pandemic was at its worst." Now, the annual shows are a mainstay.

Onstage

Drag star Miz Cracker on ‘Femlins,’ feminism, and overall fabulousness

Joshua Rotter - December 9, 2019

The RuPaul alum stars in Peaches Christ's hilarious holiday parody of 'Gremlins'—but she's got a serious message, too.

Onstage

From ‘Lock Her Up!’ to ‘Becky Nurse of Salem’

Emily Wilson - December 8, 2019

Sarah Ruhl's latest play at Berkeley Rep explores real witch hunts and 'layers of history papered over with franchises.'

Puff

Puff: ‘Tis the season for a holiday cannabis gift guide

Space Gems, African Queens, some much-needed Tranquili-Tea and more perfect stuffing stockers (and mood adjusters).

Dan Karkoska - December 12, 2019

Puff

Puff: Hall of Flowers highlights

Dan Karkoska - October 19, 2019

Huge expo in Santa Rosa showcased a panoply of new cannabis goods—including some cool surprises.

Puff

Puff: A stroll through the Grass Lands

Dan Karkoska - August 22, 2019

Behind the scenes at the first festival area to sell cannabis—and what that might mean for consumers and vendors.

Puff

Puff: Notes from a serious (and seriously interesting) cannabis expo

Dan Karkoska - August 2, 2019

The Cannabis Business Summit and Expo in San Jose showcased the industrial backend of the trade—plus Jim Belushi sang.

Puff

Puff: Light up, it’s Pride time

Dan Karkoska - June 24, 2019

A colorful clutch of cannabis goodies to help you float over the rainbow.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Battle of the giant Russian oligarchs

Plus: Nic Cage goes gonzo for HP Lovecraft, Lost Landscapes of San Francisco, The House by the Cemetery, more movies.

Dennis Harvey - January 21, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: A very contemporary Les Misérables

Dennis Harvey - January 14, 2020

Plus: an incredible tale of 70,000 VHS tapes, the Village People's disco disaster, and more in cinemas this week.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: New year, death row

Dennis Harvey - January 8, 2020

January's usual grab-bag of silly movies is leavened by two serious legal dramas (and a legend's epitaph).

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Homage to a gorgeous legend + 2019’s best films

Dennis Harvey - January 2, 2020

French New Wave star Anna Karina returns to the big screens. Plus: Cunningham, Invisible Life, and more in cinemas.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: The (first world) war on Christmas

Dennis Harvey - December 26, 2019

1917 is emotionally and atmospherically vivid. Plus: Little Women, Uncut Gems, Decoder, and more in cinemas this week.

Art Looks

The joy of ‘Gayface’

With an ongoing series of portraits, photographer Lauren Tabak asks, how does queer visibility matter, here and now?

Marke B. - January 16, 2020

Art Looks

Cartooning the Japanese Internment, through George Takei’s eyes

Emily Wilson - January 13, 2020

In a book and show at the Cartoon Art Museum, illustrator Harmony Becker realizes a US tragedy in fine-grained detail.

Art Looks

A 24/7 switchboard connecting participants to ‘The Dead Woman’

Emily Wilson - January 8, 2020

In 'A morta,' Cinthia Marcelle fuses art, theater, and telecommunication—and yes, you can play at home.

Art Looks

The unflagging, cinematic visions of James Tissot

Emily Wilson - January 7, 2020

At Legion of Honor, a dazzling show of the overlooked 19th-century French painter bristles with influence.

Art Looks

‘Bureau of Aesthetics’ prioritizes Native arts

Emily Wilson - December 15, 2019

Despite more diversity, large institutions are overlooking local artists. This KADIST show aims to help correct that.

Party Radar

Comedowns are for losers! New Year’s Day parties

Our annual list of after-after-parties proves the revelry never ceases San Francisco. (Drink some water!)

Marke B. - December 30, 2019

Party Radar

Party Radar: A monster mash of Halloween bashes

Marke B. - October 24, 2019

ESG, Doja Cat, The Magician, The Cockettes, Space Cowboys, Paul Oakenfold all make a witches' brew of real party howlers.

Party Radar

Party Radar: ULTIMATE PRIDE GUIDE 2019

Marke B. - June 23, 2019

Pink Block, Polka Dots, Hot Pants, Pullin' Pork, Fake & Gay, and more musts for this bonkers week.

Arts + Culture

Comedowns are for losers: New Year’s Day parties 2019

Marke B. - December 30, 2018

Don't flag out once the ball drops: From Love Hangover to Supper of Survivors, we've got your new year debauchery covered.

Party Radar

Party Radar: Sweet, sweet NYE

Marke B. - December 28, 2018

What are you doing New Year's Eve? THE MOST—with Peaches Christ, Braza!, Little Dragon, Femanyst, Shannon & the Clams, more.

Examined Life

Examined Life: A year to love for no reason

Looking back at the life of a great spiritual teacher opens the door to deeper meaning in the new year.

Karen Macklin - January 4, 2020

Examined Life

Examined Life: On shaky ground

Karen Macklin - April 16, 2019

In a city where everyone and everything is constantly changing, we have a lot to fear. But even more to learn.

Examined Life

When our bodies break down

Karen Macklin - February 21, 2019

On the dark journey through illness or injury, we meet a stranger we’ve known all along: our self.

Examined Life

Life is hard. Say yes to that.

Karen Macklin - December 7, 2018

As we move toward the end of the year, remember: Even when the options all seem bad, you can still make a good choice.

Examined Life

Examined Life: Power, patriarchy, and the imperfect guru

Karen Macklin - August 28, 2018

Buddhist teacher Noah Levine is dismissed from Against the Stream because of sexual misconduct. Now the organization is folding. Why does this song sound so familiar?

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: A whole weekend with Laurie Anderson and more

Edwardian Ball, Movement Arts Festival, Lyrics Born, Mercury Soul, Pink Mammoth, and so much to do this weekend

Marke B. - January 22, 2020

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Drag Queens on Ice, Burning Man: The Musical, more

Marke B. - December 4, 2019

Heiroglyphics, Krampus Pageant, Paranoid London, Sophie, Go Bang!, a couple great art walks, and more this week.

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Hip-Hop (Dance Fest) hurray! + more

Marke B. - November 20, 2019

Agent Orange, Dolly Night, Bay Area Record Fest, Mr. Brightside Indie Ball, Frankie Night, Lil Louie Vega, and lots else to do.

Arts + Culture

Arts Forecast: And here’s the real kicker…

Marke B. - November 13, 2019

'Stomp' still stomps. Plus: Lavender Country, Cuban neon, Recombinant Fest, Patrick Cowley, a drag 'The Wall,' more.

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Day of the Dead in the City of Souls

Marke B. - October 30, 2019

Swervedriver, Dead Ghosts, Kathy Griffin, Convoy 31000, Clark Price, Noctuary, and more upcoming events

Lit

Arts + Culture

At Zinn Fair, Peter Cole explores SF’s unique history of labor and race

The historian documents the links between local dockworker actions and transnational racial justice movements.

James Tracy - December 3, 2019

Lit

Red-hot but clear-eyed, Flea recounts his youth in ‘Acid for the Children’

Joshua Rotter - November 4, 2019

Legendary bassist and actor recalls childhood, punk, and early Chili Peppers days—and ditches anger for forgiveness.

Lit

‘Disasterama!’ chronicles SF’s wild, lost queer underground

Marke B. - October 15, 2019

Alvin Orloff's new memoir documents crazy nights, retro-camp glamor, and punk sensibility in the face of the AIDS crisis.

Lit

At Litquake, the infamous Literary Death Match hits 500

Peter Lawrence Kane - October 7, 2019

The most aggressively silly, all-encompassing event of the festival returns to where it all started, the former Elbo Room.

Lit

Ben Folds illuminates the music biz with ‘Lightning Bugs’

Joshua Rotter - September 10, 2019

The singer and arts education advocate shares his life's 'cheap lessons' in new book and at JCC—sprinkled with hits.

All Ears

Music and nightlife

New Music: Werkha strikes dance floor gold with ‘The Rigour’

UK artist's five-track EP breaks into singular territory, with spaceship synths and a jazz-inflected approach.

John-Paul Shiver - January 19, 2020

All Ears

All Ears: 17 music releases to look forward to in 2020

John-Paul Shiver - January 16, 2020

Future funk, post-grunge, global Creole, surf rock, avant pop, and more on the musical menu for the new year.

All Ears

New music: Orion Sun brings winter warmth with ‘Ne me quitte pas’

John-Paul Shiver - January 9, 2020

This melodic vocal stroll, delivered with unhurried lethal precision, is a great introduction to the Philly artist.

All Ears

For thriller ‘Uncut Gems,’ an electronic soundtrack of erupting chakras

John-Paul Shiver - January 7, 2020

Daniel Lopatin's work for the Adam Sandler hit is full of foreboding synth-squelches—and harks back to 70s classics.

All Ears

LA producer Elusive steps into a fidgety ‘Ambient Void’

John-Paul Shiver - December 28, 2019

The scene fixture's latest builds minaiture worlds from cascading synths, vinyl crackles, and flush atmospherics.

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Oakland moms make national statement with housing victory

Sam Lew - January 21, 2020

Deal to put vacant Oakland home in a land trust sparks national discussion over real-estate speculation and vacant houses.

News + Politics

Terence Hallinan, rebel and advocate for the oppressed

Tim Redmond - January 21, 2020

Civil rights activist, lawyer, supervisor, DA, he always fought the good fight -- and usually the local press was against him.

Movies

Indiefest electrifies with punk and sci-fi royalty, surreal thrillers, local debuts

Dennis Harvey - January 24, 2020

As always, the 22-year-old film fest lights up screens with the challenging, the curious, and the profound.

Campaign Trail

Teacher’s Union endorses Wiener opponent for state Senate

Jeantelle Laberinto - January 20, 2020

Upstart candidate Jackie Fielder wins UESF nod

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: A whole weekend with Laurie Anderson and more

Marke B. - January 22, 2020

Edwardian Ball, Movement Arts Festival, Lyrics Born, Mercury Soul, Pink Mammoth, and so much to do this weekend

News + Politics

How corporate rentals are taking away rent-controlled housing

Tim Redmond - January 20, 2020

Planning Commission hearing sheds some light on the latest way landlords are making money by not renting to people who need a place to live in San Francisco.

News + Politics