Arts + Culture | 48 hills

In Arts + Culture

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

music arts dance food queer drag film performance nightlife

All Ears

All Ears: Denise Young takes the helm of the SFJAZZ board of trustees

The true aficionado is already making big changes at the vaunted institution.

John-Paul Shiver - August 4, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: You say you wanted a ‘Revolution’

Jack O’Connell's 1968 documentary is probably the best feature about San Francisco as flower power nexus. Our critic also checks out 'A Thousand Cuts' and 'You Never Had It: An Evening With Charles Bukowski.'

Dennis Harvey - August 4, 2020

Arts + Culture

Arts Forecast: Local shows to stream on your screens

D'Arcy Drollinger's new weekly 'Hot Trash,' plus RAWDance, OMCA's Black Panther retrospective, a Compton's Cafeteria documentary, and more.

Caitlin Donohue - August 3, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Sentiment averse

Our film critic's top picks for new streams this week: 'Boys State' paints an ominous view of our youth, and 'Rebuilding Paradise' tracks a California community rebuilding after devastating flames.

Dennis Harvey - July 31, 2020

Arts + Culture

A bright story behind the city’s new mural wave

"We could use a splash of color": Artivism's Restore 49 project brightens the city, encourages cultural dialogue, and supports Bay Area artists.

Emily Wilson - July 30, 2020

All Ears

New Music: Kamaal Williams’ latest showcases London jazz agility

From funk to UK funky bruk, album 'Wu Hen' is perfect proof for this artist's belief that jazz must incorporate the sounds of the day to evolve.

John-Paul Shiver - July 30, 2020

Music and nightlife

Out of the Crate: The proper tools

Loleatta Holloway's ballad drama, The Shaggs' homespun otherness—and Van Halen's eponymous debut? Music critic John-Paul Shiver explores essential vinyl re-releases.

John-Paul Shiver - July 29, 2020

Arts

Arts + Culture

Arts Forecast: Local shows to stream on your screens

D'Arcy Drollinger's new weekly 'Hot Trash,' plus RAWDance, OMCA's Black Panther retrospective, a Compton's Cafeteria documentary, and more.

Caitlin Donohue - August 3, 2020

Arts + Culture

A bright story behind the city’s new mural wave

Emily Wilson - July 30, 2020

"We could use a splash of color": Artivism's Restore 49 project brightens the city, encourages cultural dialogue, and supports Bay Area artists.

Arts

Cartoonist Tanna Tucker creates works of art to celebrate voices of incarcerated kids

Maddy Clifford - July 20, 2020

"What I heard from a lot of the students’ writing is that they didn’t feel fully seen," says the graphic artist, who hopes to change that with the series of stunning multimedia.

Arts + Culture

Purpose in precarity: SF arts orgs share COVID-era gameplans

Caitlin Donohue - July 17, 2020

From virtual forums to renewed focus on the mission — here’s what to expect from local culture hubs

Culture

Laborfest 2020 highlights global struggle from Vietnam to George Floyd uprising

Marke B. - July 1, 2020

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

Culture

All Ears

All Ears: Denise Young takes the helm of the SFJAZZ board of trustees

The true aficionado is already making big changes at the vaunted institution.

John-Paul Shiver - August 4, 2020

Onstage

Take that, 2020: The Mime Troupe pivots to web

With nine part radio play “Tales of the Resistance”, the group looks to carry on its message of working class struggle

Caitlin Donohue - July 20, 2020

Onstage

In ‘The Niceties,’ deep-rooted academic bias vividly on display

Emily Wilson - July 14, 2020

Shotgun Players' new production starts as polite debate, then grows into a clash of historical perspectives.

Onstage

Too soon for COVID jokes? Shazia Mirza on Zoom comedy and life at home

Joshua Rotter - July 13, 2020

The stellar UK comedian talks 'Across the Pond Comedy,' onstage diversity—and how she lost her 'Coconut.'

Onstage

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

Emily Wilson - June 16, 2020

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

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.

Puff

Puff: A day for dabs

A rundown of our favorites pens, oils, and resins to get your vapor cloud billowing on the concentrate-celebrating holiday 710

Dan Karkoska - July 10, 2020

Puff

Puff: Get high on Pride

Dan Karkoska - June 19, 2020

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

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.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: You say you wanted a ‘Revolution’

Dennis Harvey - August 4, 2020

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Sentiment averse

Dennis Harvey - July 31, 2020

Our film critic's top picks for new streams this week: 'Boys State' paints an ominous view of our youth, and 'Rebuilding Paradise' tracks a California community rebuilding after devastating flames.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Art imitates life

Dennis Harvey - July 28, 2020

Get the skinny on the Helmut Newton documentary and the 1986 bikesploitation epic 'Rad', perhaps the movie with the all time widest critic-audience response disparity.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: The shift evident, women directors rise

Dennis Harvey - July 24, 2020

The days when a woman’s directorial credit could qualify as a novelty are fading fast. Check our critic's recommendations for new female-led flicks, from 'Yes, God, Yes' to a jampacked Sundance Festival shorts collection.

Screen Grabs

Screen Grabs: Films that pull back the veil

Dennis Harvey - July 21, 2020

This week's recommendations for movies that expose the country's social inequities, including 'Down and Out in America'; 'Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets'; and a Les Blank double feature.

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

Party Radar: Change finally comes to dance music

Are we ready to listen to Black voices—including the ones who started this whole thing?

Marke B. - July 23, 2020

Party Radar

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

Marke B. - June 25, 2020

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

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.

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

All Ears: Denise Young takes the helm of the SFJAZZ board of trustees

The true aficionado is already making big changes at the vaunted institution.

John-Paul Shiver - August 4, 2020

All Ears

New Music: Kamaal Williams’ latest showcases London jazz agility

John-Paul Shiver - July 30, 2020

From funk to UK funky bruk, album 'Wu Hen' is perfect proof for this artist's belief that jazz must incorporate the sounds of the day to evolve.

All Ears

All Ears: How to craft the perfect BBQ playlist

John-Paul Shiver - July 27, 2020

From Aretha to Toro y Moi, here's how to keep all those gathered around the grill moving to a socially distanced beat.

All Ears

New Music: Oakland collective SMARTBOMB has that feeling of futurism

John-Paul Shiver - July 23, 2020

Check the manifestation of headiness on compilation 'Light Beings #2,' and the second edition of the group's encompassing virtual 'VHS' virtual Sat/25.

All Ears

New Music: A classic Oneness of Juju re-release jolts consciousness

John-Paul Shiver - July 21, 2020

Witness the rhythmic agency of soundtracking a movement.

48 Hills is community-supported journalism

The Bay's progressive source for news, analysis, and culture needs your help. Your tax-deductible donation keeps the fight going. Become a supporting member!

Become a Member

Don't miss a beat

Subscribe to the 48 Hills Newsletter and get our top stories in your inbox daily

Fielder shows surprising strength in state Senate fundraising report

Tim Redmond - August 3, 2020

Incumbent Wiener's money comes from big state interests and real-estate; his challenger almost matched him with many more small local donors.

Activism

Giants and Warriors give their workers the boot

Marc Norton - August 4, 2020

Some of the richest companies and people on Earth say they can't afford to pay the people who kept the fans happy at their venues.

Campaign Trail

Campaign money and what it shows: District 7

Tim Redmond - August 2, 2020

The latest campaign finance reports—which show a lot about how state and local races are shaping up—are now on file, and they indicate some important, if unsurprising, patterns.

Screen Grabs