It may be a bit late to pile on, but here goes. Guess what, Academy Awards? When you hire the creator of inane, crass, sexist, racist, homophobic "adult" cartoon shows to host your awards ceremony, the show churns out like an episode of said host's shows, only even less funny (and lacking campy aliens). And despite its gay duo production team (and Barbra Streisand), this was far from "the gayest Oscars ever," Seth McFarlane, despite including the LA Gay Men's Chorus singing about boobs.

Hopefully, we can scrape the memory of the stupid jokes and pompous speeches out of our collective minds with the exceptionally varied, multi-faceted and utterly fascinating array of LGB and T local and visiting talents that don't need borrowed jewelry and lousy puns to get your attention.

 

Events Feb 28–March 7, 2012

Thu 28

Big River
@ College of Marin

Roger Miller and William Hauptman's Broadway hit musical, based on Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, gets a local student production. $10-$25 (Opening night gala Mar 1, $40). Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Mar. 17. James Dunn Theatre, 835 College Ave., Kenfield Campus, 485-9385. www.marin.edu/departments/PerformingArts/index.htm

Carrie Rodriguez
@ Freight & Salvage, Berkeley

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs as part of her tour, with songs from her new CD, Give Me All You Got. $20-$23. 8pm. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 644-2020. www.thefreight.org

China's Terracotta Warriors @ Asian art Museum

The First Emperor's Legacy, an exhibit of ten of the famous life-size sculptures of guards of China's first emperor, and 100-plus other treasures from 2,000 years ago. Reg Free-$22. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thru May 27. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.terracotta-warriors.asianart.org

Cinema of the Absurd @ Oddball Films

Unusual films like Albert Camus: A Self Portrait, Sisyphus, Ionesco's The New Tenant and others. 8pm. Mar. 1, 8pm: Trance Cinema, short documentaries about Nepalese Sherpas, Walbiri fire ceremonies, Balinese dance rituals and more. $10 each night. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

Classical Recitals @ SF Conservatory of Music

Instrumental and vocal concerts by students and faculty. Free-$20. 50 Oak St. at Van Ness Ave. 503-6275. www.sfcm.edu

Comedy Bodega @ Esta Noche

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night. 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Dead Metaphor @ A.C.T.

American Conservatory Theatre's world premiere of George F. Walker's dark comedy about the politics of postwar life for a modern-day war veteran. Special pre- and post-show programs thru the run, including LGBT Out with A.C.T. March 13. $20-$85.Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Mar. 24. 415 Geary St. 749-2228.. www.act-sf.org

LA Plays Itself @ SF MOMA

Fred Halsted's 1972 cinematically artistic gay porn classic gets a screening the museum, with a post-screening discussion with scholar William E. Jones; part of the More Than Just Queer: Luminaries Past and Present series. $7-$10. 7p. Phyllis Wattis Theater, 151 3rd St. at Mission. www.sfmoma.org

Pageant, The Musical!
@ Victoria Theatre

Bill Russell & Frank Kelly and Albert Evans' hilarious drag parody of beauty pageants, where the winner is different each night, gets a local production, starring Cookie Dough and other drag talents. $25. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Mar. 9. 2961 16th St. at Mission. www.robbie-wayne-productions.com

Xavier Castellanos @ 456 Montgomery Plaza

Painter of colorful works is in attendance at his exhibit, Mexican Landscapes, 6:30-8:30pm. Exhibit thru March. By Appintment. 456 Montgomery St. www.xavierart.com

 

 

Fri 1

Alfred Hitchcock Films
@ Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley

Screening of the major works of the master of cinematic suspense. This week, Spellbound (7pm) and Notorious (9:10pm). Mar 3, Under Capricorn (5pm). Mar 6, The Paradine Case (7pm). Thru April 24. $5.50-$13.50. UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-1124. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu

Angie Stone @ Yoshi's

Amazing vocalist performs with her band. $40-$75. 8pm & 10pm. Also March 2. 1330 Fillmore St. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

The Art of the Suit @ McRoskey Mattress Co.

Artful Gentleman presents a men's fashion show and party. $17.50-$60. 7pm-11:45pm. Penthouse, 1687 Market St. www.artfulgentleman.com

Foodies, the Musical @ Shelton Theater

Morris Bobrow's musical comedy revue of songs and sketches about food. $32-$34. Fri & Sat 8pm. Open run. 533 Sutter St. (800) 838-3006. www.foodiesthemusical.com

Gay Men's Sketch @ Magnet

Opening reception for a group exhibit of drawings made at the gay men's sketch group that celebrates 25 years of drawing sessions at Mark I. Chester's studio. Community sketch event Mar. 12, 6:30-9:30pm. Thru March. 581-1600. www.markichester.com www.magnetsf.org

Hedwig and the Angry Inch @ Boxcar Theatre

New local production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's popular transgender rock operetta, with multiple actor-singers perfoming the lead, including X Factor contestant Jason Brock (who also performs a few post-show songs), Arturo Galster and Trixxie Carr. $25-$40. Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Sat 5pm. Extended thru April 13. 505 Natoma St. 967-2227. www.boxcartheatre.org

The Lisbon Traviata @ New Conservatory Theatre

The gay theatre company performs Terrence McNally's (newly revised) darkly comic play about obsessed gay opera fans and their entangled relationships. $22-$44. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Previews thru Mar. 2. Thru Mar. 24. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

My Recollect Time @ South Berkeley Community Church

Inferno Theatre's productions of Jamie Greenblatt's inspiring play of historical figure Mary Fields, a former slave, and the transformations she undergoes as she struggles to live a free and authentic life after Emancipation. $12-$25. 9pm. Thu, Sat Sun 8pm.Thru Mar. 3, at 5pm. 1802 Fairview St., Berkeley. (510) 788-6415. www.infernotheatre.org

Our Practical Heaven @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley

Anthony Clarvie's drama about a family facing the decline of their beach home, and the changing nature of generations, family and gender roles. $35-$60. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Thru Mar. 3. 20181 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

San Francisco Ballet @ War Memorial Opera House

Program 4 includes From Foreign Lands, a world premiere by Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon's Within the Golden Hour and George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony. $34-$240. 8pm. Thru Mar. 9. Mar 1: LGBT Nite Out, with an after-party (cocktails, champagne, hors d'eouvres and DJed music) in the mezzanine. Program 3: Guide to Strange Places, Beaux, and Possokhov's The Rite of Spring thru Mar 10. 301 Van Ness Ave. 865-2000. www.sfballet.org

The Secret Garden @ Zellerbach Hall

San Francisco Opera and Cal Performances present Nolan Gasser and Carey Harrison's new opera, based on the beloved children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Special events at the theatre and other locations. $15-$80. 7:30pm. Thru Mar. 10. Bancroft Way at Telegraph, UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

 

Sat 2

100 Years of Rural California @ California Historical Society

Exhibit of 150 large-scale color prints by writer-photographer Lisa Hamilton, and archival selections dating back to the 1880s. Thru Mar. 24. 2013. 678 Mission St. 357-1848. www.californiahistoricalsociety.org

As You Like It @ La Val's Subterranean, Berkeley

Impact Theatre's production of Shakespeare's crossdressing romantic comedy. $10-$25. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Mar. 30. 1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. www.impacttheatre.com

Batman on Robin @ Mission Comics & Art

Group exhibit of erotic Batman and Robin artwork that outs them as a gay couple, with works by several local artists. Reg hours 12pm-8pm (6pm Sun). 3520 20th St. 695-1545. www.missioncomicsandart.com

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. Reg: $25-$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

East Baydar @ La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley

Radar Productions presents a reading by East Bay authors and artists with a bold political and/or edge, including Novella Carpenter, Amber Dawn, Cheryl Dunye, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Nia King, and Virgie Tovar. $12-$15. 8pm. 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www.radarproductions.org www.lapena.org

Eric Fischl @ San Jose Museum of Art

Exhibit of a dozen-plus large paintings, and other works by the prominent post-modern neo-realist. Thru May 12. Also Rising Dragon: Contemporary Chinese Photography. Thru June 30. 110 South Market St. www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org

Kehinde Wiley
@ Contemporary Jewish Museum

New exhibit, The World Stage: Israel, a series of vibrant portraits of Middle Eastern and African men, created by the gay artist. Also, The Radical Camera: New York's Photo League, a group exhibition of fascinating photos from 1936-1951 taken by members of the progressive collective that documented the eras of postwar struggles, McCarthy blacklists, and urban life. Other exhibits (California Dreaming and Black Sabbath) ongoing. Free (members)-$12. Thu-Tue 11am-5pm (Thu 1pm-8pm) 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

The Kinsey Collection @ Museum of the African Diaspora

New exhibit of works: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Where Art and History Intersect offers an inspirational journey through five centuries of African American history. Thru May 19. Free-$10. Wed-Sat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 685 Mission St. at 3rd. 358-7200. www.moadsf.org

Magnificent Magnolias @ SF Botanical Garden

New seasonal exhibit of colorful floral displays, with special events, for evening adult events, lectures, classes, and kids events. Special event: Magnolias by Moonlight, Feb 23, 6pm-8pm ($15), a full-moon-lit guided tour. Thru March. Also, beautiful floral drawing exhibit of watercolor works by Ernest Clayton. Thru April. $2-$15. 9am-7pm. 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, Golden Gate Park. 661-1316. www.sfbotanicalgarden.org

Queer Dharma @ SF Zen Center

Gene Bush is the guest speaker at the monthly Zen Buddhist meditation and discussion group offered by and for members of the LGBTIQ  community. Everyone is welcome. 1pm-3pm. 300 Page St. www.sfzc.org

The Motherf**ker With the Hat @ SF Playhouse

Gabe Marin and Carl Lumbly costar in Stephen Adly Guirgis' verbal cage match about love, fidelity and misplaced haberdashery. $30-$100. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Also Sat 3pm. Thru Mar 16. 450 Post St., 2nd floor. 677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org

Navigating Queer Pacific Waves @ Galeria de la Raza

Group exhibit of new works in various media by Jean Melesaine, Fuifuilupe Niumeitolu, Jorge Manuel Gonzales, Joy Enomoto, and collaborating artists who focus on their Pacific Islander roots and explore colonialism and LGBT oppression. Exhibit thru March 14. Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm. 2857 24th St. at Bryant. 826-8009. www.galeriadelaraza.org

Radical Acoustic @ Progressive Grounds

Open mic night, with donations accepted for GAWK founder Jon Sugar, who's facing eviction. 4pm. 2301 Bryant St. at 21st. www.progressivegrounds.com

Royal Treasures from the Louvre @ Legion of Honor

Exhibit of decorative arts, most never seen in the U.S., from the reigns of Louis XIV to Marie-Antoinette, from the Musée du Louvre, Paris. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. Thru March 17. Lincoln Park, 34th Ave and Clement St. www.legionofhonor.org

South Africa in Apartheid and After @ SF MOMA

Photo exhibit South Africa in Apartheid and After (Thru Mar 3), and other works and ongoing Modern art exhibits. Free-$18. 151 3rd St. at Mission. Thu-Tue 11am-5:45pm (8:45 Thursdays). 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

Various Exhibits @ California Academy of Sciences

New exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth. Special events each week, with adult nightlife parties most Thursday nights. $20-$30. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Voices of Afghanistan @ Wheeler Auditorium, Berkeley

Cal Performances presents a concert of traditional and contemporary Afghan music performed by vocalists Ustad Farida Mahwash and Homayoun Sakhi, with a band of four musicians. $36. 8pm. Bancroft Wat at Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

 

Sun 3

Benefit for the Boob @ Wildside West

Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, with host Fairy Butch, live music (Kitten on the Keys, Bebe Sweetbriar, Kylie Minono and many more), burlesque, belly dancers, DJ Eric Bellagio and raffles. $5-$20. 4pm-9pm. 424 Cortland Ave. www.bcef.org

Cabaret Showcase Showdown @ Martuni's

The singing competition brings out the run for Best Singer/Songwriter, with guest performers and judges include Katy Stephan, Brendan Getzell, Alex Rodrguez, Nikki Arias, and composer/accompanist Joe Wicht. 7pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. 241-0205.

Girl With a Pearl Earring @ de Young Museum

Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis, a new touring exhibit of Dutch Masters paintings, drawing and etching; Thru June 2. Also, Eye Level in Iraq: Photographs by Kael Alford and Thorne Anderson, thru June 16. Also, Objects of Belief from the Vatican, thru Sept 8. $10-$25. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. (til 8:45pm Fridays) Thru Dec. 30. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 750-3600. www.famsf.org

Outlook Video @ Channel 29

LGBT monthly news program; this month Melanie Nathan on the Uganda "Kill the Gays" bill, Pastor Tony Roberts, Chick-fil-A protests and the Rainbow World Fund Tree of Hope. 5pm. And streaming online. www.outlookvideo.org

Richard Kane @ Castro Country Club

Exhibit of multimedia child-like portraits and mixed media sculptures. Thru March 31. 4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

SF Hikers @ Briones Park

Join GLBT hikers for an 8-mile hike on rolling hills of mostly exposed grassland with great Bay Area views; two short detours include climbing hills for panoramic views and a search for a hidden waterfall. The hills should be a brilliant green with early wildflowers. Well-behaved dogs are permitted. Carpool meets 9:15am at the Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 378-5612. www.sfhiking.com

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room

Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Mon 4

Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum

See biographical exhibits about Walt Disney, early sketches and ephemera from historic Disney movies. Frequent lectures and film screenings. $5-$20. 104 Montgomery St., The Presidio. www.waltdisney.org

Lawrence Wright @ Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Pulitzer-winning author discusses his book Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, with moderator Mark Danner; signed books available for purchase. Free. 7pm. 2025 Addison St. at Shattuck, Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Monday Musicals @ The Edge

The renovated bar now shows fun musicals each week, with Broadway touring performers stopping by to sing, too. 7pm-2am. 2 for 1 cocktail, 5pm-closing. 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni's

Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm-1:30am. 4 Valencia St. at Market.

Recent Arrivals @ John Pence Gallery

Group exhibit of new portraits, still lifes, and locally-set landscapes. Thru Mar. 16. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am-5pm. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

David Perry's talk show about LGBT people and issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm. Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

Tue 5

Chavisa Woods @ City Lights Bookstore

Brooklyn-based lesbian poet and fiction author reads from and discusses her new book, The Albino Album. 7pm. 261 Columbus Ave. 362-8193. www.chavisawoods.com www.citylights.com

The Drag Show @ Various Channels

Stu Smith's weekly LGBT variety show features local talents, and not just drag artistes. Channels 29 & 76 on Comcast; 99 on AT&T and 30 on Astound. www.thedragshow.org

Filip Dujardin @ Highlight Gallery

(Dis)location, an exhibit of photomontages of altered urban and rural landscapes. Tue-Sat 11am-6pm. Thru Mar. 29. 17 Kearny St. 986-4308. www.highlightgallery.com

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey's

Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gay-friendly comedy night. One drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Jeff Bradshaw @ Yoshi's

Soul-jazz trombonist performs with his band. $21. 8pm. 1330 Fillmore St. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Yoshi's, Oakland

Renowned South african vocal ensemble performs. $35. 8pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square. (510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

The News @ SOMArts Cultural Center

Monthly experimental performance series with a queer twist welcomes Meliza Banales, Lynne Breedlove, Annie Danger, Bill Hsu, LOVEWARZ! and Margaret Tedesco; guest curators Gary Fembot and Malcolm Hamilton cohost. $5. 7:30pm. 934 Brannan St at 8th. www.somarts.org

Pamela Joy & Paul Dileo @ Live at The Rrazz

Jazz and R&B singer perform together. $20. 8pm. 1000 Van Ness Ave. (800) 380-3095. www.liveattherrazz.com

Without Reality There Is No Utopia @ YBCA

Group exhibit/installation of politically-themed art focusing on the clash of Capitalism/Communism, propaganda/disinformation, financial lies and truths, and other global issues. Free/$10. Thru June 2. 701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.ybca.org

Wed 6

The Art of Dr. Seuss @ Dennis Rae Fine Art

Fascinating exhibit of rarely seen prints, paintings, sculptures and a few of the more known drawings by Theodor Geisel, the author/illustrator of the immensely popular children's books. Ongoing, with updates and new items. 351A Geary St. 391-1948. www.dennisraefineart.com

Beth Yarnelle Edwards: Suburban Dreams @ Oakland Museum

Photo exhibit of 22 large-scale evocative portrait/tableaux of California families. Thru June 30. Other exhibits ongoing. 1000 Oak St. www.museumca.org

Black Power, Flower Power @ Harvey Milk Photo Center

Dual exhibit of photos by Pirkle Jones and Ruth-Marian Baruch, documenting the 1960s dual social revolutions (Black Panthers, 1968; Haight-Ashbury, 1967) that began in San Francisco. Thru Mar. 23. 50 Scott St. 554-9522. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

Candlelight Flow Yoga @ LGBT Center

David Clark leads various yoga poses and practices, plus meditation and breathing exercises. Bring your own mat and water bottle, etc. $10. 7pm-8:30pm. 1800 Market St. www.4dbliss.com

Conversation 6 @ SF Arts Commission Gallery

SF-based Jason Hanasik and Amsterdam artist Berndnaut Smilde's dual installation about home, dislocation and impermanence. Thru April 27. Main gallery, 401 Van Ness, Veterans Bldg. Hours Wed-Sat 12pm-5pm. www.sfartscommission.org

Legendary: African American GLBT Past Meets Present @ GLBT History Museum

Exhibit focusing on African American words, images and sounds that connect inspirational commentary by local queer community leaders with historic artifacts. Thru April 2013. Another new exhibit, Migrating Archives: LGBT Delegates From Other Collections, features historical items from nearly a dozen countries and archives, each showcasing an archive of prominent LGBT person. $5. Reg hours Mon & Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Radar Reading @ SF Public Library

The eclectic indies writers and artists series welcomes Amber Dawn, Bruce Isaacson, Stacey Waite, and Chavisa Woods. Michelle Tea hosts. 6pm. Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room, lower level, 100 Larkin St. www.radarproductions.org www.sfpl.org

Thu 7

California Impressions @ ArtHaus Gallery

Group exhibit of California landscape paintings and photographs by Carolyn Meyer, 
Matthew Frederick, Brian Blood, Gioi Tran, Deborah Brown, Eric Engstrom, 
Franc D'Ambrosio, Michal Venera and Daniel Berman. Exhibit thru Mar. 30. 411 Brannan St. at 3rd. 977-0223. www.arthaus-sf.com

Comedy Bodega @ Esta Nocha

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night. 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Jose Feliciano @ Yoshi's, Oakland

Veteran pop-guitarist-singer makes a rare Bay Area appearance. $49-$54. 8pm. Also Mar. 8. 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square. (510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

A Lady and a Woman @ Eureka Theatre

Theatre Rhinoceros presents Shirlene Holmes' two-character drama about a late-19th-century African American lesbian couple. $15-$30. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Mar. 24. 215 Jackson St. (800) 838-3006. www.therhino.org

Make Some Noise @ Starlight Room

DJ Hubert Keller spins tunes at the monthly fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. $10. 8:30pm-1am. Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell St. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Ottmar Liebert @ Live at the Rrazz

Grammy-nominated guitarist performs. $42.50-$45. 8pm. Also Mar 8, 9pm. Mar 9, 7pm & 9:30pm. Mar 10, 7pm. 1000 Van Ness Ave. (800) 380-3095. www.liveattherrazz.com

Robot Nightlife @ Cal. Academy of Sciences

The fascinating museum's weekly nightlife event showcases robots! Music, cash bar, DJed music and entertainment. $10-$12. 21+. 6pm-10pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.calacademy.org

Sister Spit @ California College of the Arts

The acclaimed writer/performer collective hosts a reading, with host Michelle Tea, Ali Liebegott, TextaQueen, Tamara Llosa-Sandor, Daniel LeVesque and DavEnd. 7pm. Timken Hall, 1111 8th St. www.radarproductions.org

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To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com.

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

For more bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com