Events :: Arts Events

Going Out, May 30-June 7, 2024 - arts & nightlife events
Sets and sensibility — 'The Lehman Trilogy' at A.C.T and 'All's Well That Ends Well' at Theatre Rhino

Sets and sensibility — 'The Lehman Trilogy' at A.C.T and 'All's Well That Ends Well' at Theatre Rhino

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 28, 2024

Two strikingly different styles of theater-making can be seen this week. The exquisite production design of a big-budgeted history play at A.C.T. offers a fascinating counterpoint to the shoestring fun of Theatre Rhino's take on The Bard's comedy.

Summer performing arts guide: dance, theater, music & more

Summer performing arts guide: dance, theater, music & more

  • by Philip Mayard
  • May 28, 2024

From theatre stages to picturesque parks and scenic outdoor locales, the Bay Area's cultural landscape blossoms in the summer, whether it's Davies Symphony Hall or an alfresco performance under Stern Grove's eucalyptus canopy.

Music marvels: San Francisco Opera's scintillating summer selections

Music marvels: San Francisco Opera's scintillating summer selections

  • by Philip Campbell
  • May 28, 2024

San Francisco Opera's 101st season continues post-Memorial Day with three productions starting May 30; a new to San Francisco imagining of a Mozart evergreen; the return of a baroque hit, and a major American premiere.

SF DocFest 23: Compton's, Texas drag, Oliveros, and gay Hungarians

SF DocFest 23: Compton's, Texas drag, Oliveros, and gay Hungarians

  • May 28, 2024

Known for its eclectic selection of nonfiction features, the 23rd San Francisco Documentary Film Festival (SF DocFest) will be held May 30-June 9. As usual, there are a handful of LGBTQ-related films.

'Best Available' - The comedy of compromise in Shotgun Players' premiere

'Best Available' - The comedy of compromise in Shotgun Players' premiere

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 28, 2024

A critique of pandering theater companies gets alchemized into comedy gold in Jonathan Spector's "Best Available," now enjoying a wickedly giddy premiere production by Shotgun Players in Berkeley.

Taking aim: The Lavender Tube on veterans, viewing and disco docs

Taking aim: The Lavender Tube on veterans, viewing and disco docs

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • May 28, 2024

Veterans who were jailed or discharged for being LGBT are getting some overdue reparations, according to new reports; plus comedy shows, 'Carol's streaming and 'Oh, my!' a George Takei documentary.

Clyde Always' 'Surreal San Francisco' walking tour - Enjoy local tales and folklore

Clyde Always' 'Surreal San Francisco' walking tour - Enjoy local tales and folklore

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 28, 2024

Local storyteller, comic artist and author Clyde Always' amusing "Surreal San Francisco" walking tour navigates Duboce Park, The Mission and Castro districts with amusing bits of trivia, stories and recommendations for dining and drinking.

Words: writer meets publisher: Elisabeth Nonas on meeting Nancy Bereano

Words: writer meets publisher: Elisabeth Nonas on meeting Nancy Bereano

  • by Michele Karlsberg
  • May 26, 2024

Elisabeth Nonas is an accomplished author whose path crossed with Nancy Bereano, a noted publisher. Although Nancy Bereano did not publish Elisabeth Nonas' works, their professional connection blossomed into a significant personal relationship.

Going Out, May 23-31, 2024; arts & nightlife events

Going Out, May 23-31, 2024; arts & nightlife events

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 23, 2024

June is just around the corner, and you know that means extra super Pride LGBTQ events. But this week we've got plenty of queer stuff, as well as some other interesting arts and nightlife events for you to attend, in Going Out.

Rotimi Agbabiaka - The talented actor adds 'Cabaret's MC to his roster, again

Rotimi Agbabiaka - The talented actor adds 'Cabaret's MC to his roster, again

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • May 21, 2024

"Cabaret," the classic musical, will be staged at the Center Repertory Company in Walnut Creek. Queer Bay Area theater performer Rotimi Agbabiaka is no stranger to playing flamboyant characters, and reprises his role of the show's MC.

'Galileo' at Berkeley Rep — Political science, oversimplicity, stellar singing

'Galileo' at Berkeley Rep — Political science, oversimplicity, stellar singing

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 21, 2024

Raúl Esparza stars in "Galileo: The Rock Musical," now making its debut at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which tries to make insightful connections between the self-serving anti-intellectualism of power brokers during the Renaissance and in today's world.

'tick, tick...BOOM!' at NCTC - Larsen musical's a pocketful of sunshine

'tick, tick...BOOM!' at NCTC - Larsen musical's a pocketful of sunshine

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 21, 2024

"tick, tick...Boom!," is more tickle than gloom. Now charming audiences in an already-extended production at NCTC, this posthumous cobbling of writer-composer Jonathan Larson's pre-"Rent" music shines a welcome light on his sly humor and jukebox wit.

Kevin Winkler's 'On Bette Midler' — Author on his entertaining biography of the singer-actress

Kevin Winkler's 'On Bette Midler' — Author on his entertaining biography of the singer-actress

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 21, 2024

With his new book "On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide," gay writer Kevin Winkler has taken on the task of not only tracing Midler's personal chronology, but also taking an in-depth look into her performing life.

Patrick Horrigan's 'American Scholar' — A painful past, present opportunity, and an uncertain future

Patrick Horrigan's 'American Scholar' — A painful past, present opportunity, and an uncertain future

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • May 21, 2024

In the afterword to his novel, "American Scholar," author Patrick Horrigan notes that it was a historical coincidence that inspired him to write his book, and how his own life affair paralleled his scholarly subject.