Arts + Culture | 48 hills

In Arts + Culture

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

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All Ears

New Music: With ‘Mordechai,’ Khruangbin follows inner compass to success

The Houston global-psych trio adds voices to its latest album, upping the stakes and carving out something unique

John-Paul Shiver - July 8, 2020

Lit

Dare to be a ‘Brave Sis’? It’s all in the planner

Rozella Kennedy's day planner celebrating determined women of color seems just the right thing for right now.

Marke B. - July 8, 2020

All Ears

Deerhoof’s ‘Future Teenage Cave Artists’ scrawls a calamitous fairy tale

Dance to the sounds of the post-human trash heap on the SF-based band's new album

Daniel Bromfield - July 7, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Build your own silent film festival

Fairbanks, Murnau, Pabst, and more bring a golden age to your home screen. Plus a new Ferlinghetti doc and more

Dennis Harvey - July 7, 2020

Lit

Our publisher’s ‘must-read’ history of US protests is out now!

'Into the Streets' is a colorful, lively guide to the country's resistance movements, aimed at young adults but essential reading for all

48 Hills - July 7, 2020

News + Politics

A brief history of replacing Trump with kittens

At first, a purr-worthy plugin purged Web images of authoritarian leaders. Now, it's a call to claw out new media sources

Caitlin Donohue - July 7, 2020

Art Looks

Let your mind take ‘a darling walk’ through Creativity Explored’s latest

Named from a Lorine Niedecker poem, the nonprofit's retrospective wanders colorfully from intimate to nostalgic.

Maddy Clifford - July 6, 2020

Arts

Culture

Laborfest 2020 highlights global struggle from Vietnam to George Floyd uprising

A packed month for the essential fest, featuring SF Mime Troupe, labor leaders, film, arts, music, more

Marke B. - July 1, 2020

Movies

Looking for a hot gay connection? ‘Ask Any Buddy’

Johnny Ray Huston - June 24, 2020

Evan Purchell's vintage porn Instagram expands into an epic movie, melding dozens of skin flicks into one real big one.

Arts

Boy bands to bomba: Fresh Meat Fest shines with trans & queer performance

Marke B. - June 15, 2020

The 19th annual festival is free and online, with 31 performances that showcase a vibrant community.

Arts

See Black Women emphasizes ‘who gets counted,’ in Census and beyond

Emily Wilson - May 25, 2020

Talks, billboards, and a powerful coalition of artists and organizations come together to promote Black visibility.

Arts

Asian American women artists on creativity, activism—and COVID racism

Emily Wilson - May 25, 2020

Jenifer K. Wofford's new Asian Art Museum mural helps transform Civic Center. She joins others for a virtual conversation

Culture

All Ears

New Music: With ‘Mordechai,’ Khruangbin follows inner compass to success

The Houston global-psych trio adds voices to its latest album, upping the stakes and carving out something unique

John-Paul Shiver - July 8, 2020

Onstage

Reviving Pride’s protest origins, with ‘The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot’

A play about the Tenderloin's 1966 transgender uprising was a sensation; revisit it at this special reading.

Emily Wilson - June 16, 2020

Culture

A 420 treat from ‘Sheesh & Schlong’

Marke B. - April 20, 2020

Two of SF's top comics wish you a happy high holiday—at home.

Onstage

Hunky Jesus rises again! (Blessedly online)

Marke B. - April 10, 2020

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Queer Nightlife Fund team up to present the hallowed Easter contest.

Onstage

Review: ‘Toni Stone’ hits a home run (and you can watch it on your couch)

Elaine Elinson - March 17, 2020

ACT play tells the story of the first woman to play professional baseball. Here's how to stream it, along with other plays.

Onstage

In ‘Please Don’t Eat the Mangos,’ this Mami has secrets

Emily Wilson - March 11, 2020

Stage favorite Wilma Bonet on playing the matriarch of a Puerto Rican family during a hurricane in the Magic's new play.

Puff

Puff: Get high on Pride

A special cannabis Quaran-Tea dance for charity, rainbow PLUS gummies, and Summit Boys caviar crumble cookies

Dan Karkoska - June 19, 2020

Puff

Puff: Cannabis-loving care for Mom

Dan Karkoska - May 6, 2020

Nothing says Mother's Day like CBD-infused eye-cream, a virtual spa moment, and a gift box of cannabis goodies. (Hey, it can work for dads, too.)

Puff

Puff: Toast 420—pandemic-style!

Dan Karkoska - April 16, 2020

We may miss out on cannabis communion—but we can still swing into the spirit of the holiday.

Puff

Puff: Crazy times deserve good weed, and good care

Dan Karkoska - March 31, 2020

Clean your bong, wipe down delivery packaging, check dispensary hours—and chill at home with Fuzzies and more.

Puff

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

Dan Karkoska - December 12, 2019

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

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Build your own silent film festival

Fairbanks, Murnau, Pabst, and more bring a golden age to your home screen. Plus a new Ferlinghetti doc and more

Dennis Harvey - July 7, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: In the grip of hard truths—both political and personal

Dennis Harvey - July 3, 2020

The Truth, Disclosure, Mr. Jones, and a slew of documentaries tackle everything from Soviet famine to Las Vegas shooting

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Cinema’s future in doubt, but these world classics endure

Dennis Harvey - July 1, 2020

Groundbreaking films from Hungary, breathtaking Chilean trilogy, an erotic Brazilian treat—plus a night at the drive-in.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: ’90s UK rave scene springs back to life in ‘Beats’

Dennis Harvey - June 26, 2020

Plus: an excellent 'The Audition," brassy Ella Fitzgerald doc, dance-based 'Aviva," "The Last Tree" and more new movies

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Frameline’s Pride Showcase cruises onto your laptop

Dennis Harvey - June 22, 2020

The world's largest LGBTQ film fest shrinks to fit personal screens, but it's no less fabulous in reach and depth.

Art Looks

Let your mind take ‘a darling walk’ through Creativity Explored’s latest

Named from a Lorine Niedecker poem, the nonprofit's retrospective wanders colorfully from intimate to nostalgic.

Maddy Clifford - July 6, 2020

Art Looks

A display of belonging and hope in Chinatown (and on Instagram)

Emily Wilson - July 6, 2020

Christine Wong Yap's new projects collect memories and provide art for essential workers and online viewers

Art Looks

Aquarium vibes on Folsom: Inkletterman, others beautify shuttered storefronts

John-Paul Shiver - May 12, 2020

Todd Kurnat is one of the artists turning emptied out SF streets into colorful galleries.

Arts

The museum’s closed, but ‘The de Young Open’ poises for launch

Emily Wilson - May 6, 2020

Local submissions welcomed for community art exhibition, which will display selections once the pandemic passes.

Art Looks

‘Change the dynamics’: Dawoud Bey on photography, place, and history

Emily Wilson - April 7, 2020

While his pictures hang in an empty SFMOMA, the artist looks back at his career's pivotal moments and series.

Party Radar

ULTIMATE PRIDE GUIDE 2020: The protests, the parties (online), the poignant posters

A virtual cornucopia of rainbow explosions, including fundraisers, marches, and, of course, a jock strap Zoom party.

Marke B. - June 25, 2020

Nightlife

Grassroots Queer Nightlife Fund raises $160K in aid for workers

Marke B. - May 1, 2020

Community donor campaign begins disbursing relief grants to performers, DJs, stage techs, others affected by shutdown.

Onstage

Hunky Jesus rises again! (Blessedly online)

Marke B. - April 10, 2020

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Queer Nightlife Fund team up to present the hallowed Easter contest.

Party Radar

Party Radar: Fault Radio helps DJs stream through quarantine

Marke B. - March 27, 2020

Now that online nightlife connection is essential, this fantastic Bay Area site's founders are here to help.

Party Radar

Comedowns are for losers! New Year’s Day parties

Marke B. - December 30, 2019

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

Examined Life

Arts + Culture

Examined Life: Replace existing normal

In the wake of COVID-19, how can we make space for the fluctuating emotions that come with our suddenly transformed lives?

Karen Macklin - March 29, 2020

Examined Life

Examined Life: A year to love for no reason

Karen Macklin - January 4, 2020

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

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.

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: How Weird (that everything is virtual now)

Festival season kicks off with a cyberspace bang. Plus: Hard French, Write Now!, DNA Lounge, cute videos, and more.

Marke B. - April 30, 2020

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: We can do this!

Marke B. - April 17, 2020

Bay Area arts orgs come out strong with films, plays, auctions, concerts, shows, and "Mystery Shakespeare Theatre 1592."

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Help save bookstores, drag queens, Frameline, more

Marke B. - April 3, 2020

Fabulous performances and benefit funds, plus a few pick-me-ups, as we band together to help the local scene.

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Apocalypse… but make it fashion!

Marke B. - March 25, 2020

The arts community is putting on a damn good face in this catastrophe, from floral masks to streaming Shakespeare and more.

Arts Forecast

Arts Forecast: Should you even go out?

Marke B. - March 11, 2020

Large gatherings have been banned, small gatherings are advised against—what are art-lovers (and arts workers) to do?

Lit

Dare to be a ‘Brave Sis’? It’s all in the planner

Rozella Kennedy's day planner celebrating determined women of color seems just the right thing for right now.

Marke B. - July 8, 2020

Lit

Our publisher’s ‘must-read’ history of US protests is out now!

48 Hills - July 7, 2020

'Into the Streets' is a colorful, lively guide to the country's resistance movements, aimed at young adults but essential reading for all

Lit

A laser, a dog, and grape gum lead to feminist superpower in ‘Equality Girls’

Emily Wilson - June 30, 2020

Aya de Léon tackles sexism and a lecherous president in her vibrant new kids book

Lit

In Phuc Tran’s memoir: grammar, tattoos, and the refugee experience

Emily Wilson - June 24, 2020

The author and tattoo artist's 'Sigh, Gone" tells how a love of literature helped him adjust to US life after Vietnam.

Culture

Generations of activism: Checking in with Cleve Jones

Joshua Rotter - June 18, 2020

The LGBTQ civil rights leader on powerful George Floyd protests, the importance of the AIDS quilt, and vanishing gayborhoods.

All Ears

New Music: With ‘Mordechai,’ Khruangbin follows inner compass to success

The Houston global-psych trio adds voices to its latest album, upping the stakes and carving out something unique

John-Paul Shiver - July 8, 2020

All Ears

Deerhoof’s ‘Future Teenage Cave Artists’ scrawls a calamitous fairy tale

Daniel Bromfield - July 7, 2020

Dance to the sounds of the post-human trash heap on the SF-based band's new album

All Ears

Out of the Crate: Revolutionary records to spin you into summer

John-Paul Shiver - July 6, 2020

Fire it up with classics and new releases from Sylvester, Run the Jewels, Caroline Rose, Eugene McDaniels, more

All Ears

New Music: An array of excellent sounds to discover (and artists to support)

John-Paul Shiver - July 2, 2020

Bandcamp Day gives us the opportunity to clue you in on terrific releases, with proceeds going directly to musicians.

Music and nightlife

Diving into Sespool’s genre-agnostic indie rap

Daniel Bromfield - July 1, 2020

A MySpace wipeout, a painful breakup, and his band's hiatus have led the Bay Area musician to hone his own sound.

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Big reforms could be headed for fall ballot

Tim Redmond - July 8, 2020

Measures to tax big real-estate companies, cut the number of sworn cops, put DPW under a commission and create a public advocate will be heard at Rules Committee Thursday.

News + Politics

A brief history of replacing Trump with kittens

Caitlin Donohue - July 7, 2020

At first, a purr-worthy plugin purged Web images of authoritarian leaders. Now, it's a call to claw out new media sources

News + Politics

Would Walton’s CAREN bill have saved Alex Nieto’s life?

Tim Redmond - July 8, 2020

Supervisor wants to stop racial-profiling 911 calls -- which have led to a lot of deaths of people of color.

News + Politics

SF Superior Court ends Zero Bail Policy, threatening public health

Tim Redmond - July 9, 2020

In a secretive and inexplicable move, judges decide that even minor crimes can keep suspects in jail for up to 30 hours -- as jail COVID cases rise by 40 percent.

Lit

Dare to be a ‘Brave Sis’? It’s all in the planner

Marke B. - July 8, 2020

Rozella Kennedy's day planner celebrating determined women of color seems just the right thing for right now.

News + Politics

Petition seeks to get Facebook CEO name off SF General Hospital

Tim Redmond - July 7, 2020

'Mark Zuckerberg’s failure to stop hate, lies, racism, and disinformation from running rampant on Facebook is counter to the values San Franciscans hold dear'

News + Politics

Nancy Pelosi just announced her retirement

Tim Redmond - December 14, 2018

The deal she cut to remain speaker means she plans to step down in 2022 -- which will set off a wild campaign for one of the most coveted jobs in SF politics.

News + Politics