Arts & Culture :: Culture
Words: Franklin Abbott’s ‘My Ordinary Life’ - Bright story poems from dark times
Franklin Abbott’s newest book, “My Ordinary Life,” is more than a collection of story poems. It’s a quiet reckoning with the extraordinary weight of recent years. With a gentle yet unflinching voice, his work spans pandemics and personal moments.
Nicky Spence, troubadour: Talented tenor records Fauré and Ravel
Tenor Nicky Spence just ushered out the “Gabriel Fauré Year” with an illuminating new recording of the composer’s song cycle, “Le bonne chanson” and other songs, and is also one of many talents to record, anew, the complete songs of Maurice Ravel.
‘Isaac Julien: I Dream a World’ - de Young Museum’s Black queer visionary exhibition
Sir Isaac Julien's art is the subject of the first comprehensive retrospective survey in a U.S. museum setting, the largest exhibition focusing on his film, video, and photographic work, “Isaac Julien: I Dream a World,” at the de Young Museum.
San Francisco International Arts Festival celebrates LGBTQ performers
From April 30-May 11, the San Francisco International Arts Festival will include a diverse lineup of U.S. premieres and bold performances, several with LGBTQ themes and performers. The shows include theater, music, dance, performance art, and even circus.
David Cameron Strachan’s ‘Memoir of a Reluctant Giant’
David Strachan is perhaps best known as a member of the Board of Directors of the Intersex Society of North America or as a founding member of the SF Transgender Civil Rights Implementation Force. His new memoir tells the story of his fascinating life.
Words and pictures: queer illustrated books
It’s getting to the point where we might need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the iterations of “Wicked.” A new graphic novel is one of three new illustrated books of note.
Going Out, April 17-25, 2025 arts & nightlife events
As funding for arts nonprofits gets eliminated by a hideous regime, arts events become more precious than ever. Vibrant theater, comedy nights, and benefits abound. Support your favorite art forms, and nightlife, too!
Queerchella: Lady Gaga, Green Day & Bob Mizer: Coachella music festival’s gayest moments
Coachella Valley once again filled with thousands of fans, influencers and people willing to pay $600 and up for single tickets, and $20 for a slice of pizza. Lady Gaga led the list of queer moments in the desert, which we enjoyed free online.
‘Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede’ - Film documents the beloved queer country-western dance tradition
For nearly three decades, the Sundance Stompede was more than just a dance event. It was a home, a haven, and a heartbeat of LGBTQ country-western culture in San Francisco. Now, the story of its final bow is being told on the big screen.
Pansy Division: Groundbreaking queercore band plays its 1000th show at Bottom of the Hill
Pansy Division has been charming us with songs like “Fem in a Black Leather Jacket,” “James Bondage” and “That’s So Gay” since 1991. The band has planned a homecoming for their thousandth concert and they’re happy to be coming home to where it all began.
‘boycow’ at CounterPulse - Legend of the minotaur reimagined at CounterPulse
The Minotaur is a mythical creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man who dwelt at the center of the Labyrinth, an elaborate maze. That legend will be performed in dual stages by Cornelius and Gabriele Christian at CounterPulse.
‘The Boiling’ bubbles over: Magic Theatre’s world premiere cooks up an excess of ideas
A terrifying virus is spreading across America in “The Boiling,” a dark phantasmagoria now swamping audiences’ senses in its world premiere production at the Magic Theatre.
'The Compton's Cafeteria Riot' - Historic 1966 uprising dramatized
The immersive theatrical experience simply titled "The Compton's Cafeteria Riot" first premiered in 2018, bringing this nearly lost history to life. After years of hurdles, the production has now found a possible permanent home with the Tenderloin Museum.
Spring Books 2025 round-up, part 2: Drag history, revealing memoirs, & horror film studies
Here comes our second Spring books round-up series, where we present a wide range of titles; a historical reinvigoration from a well-known eighth season "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner, as well as a super-charged, highly dramatic Regency-era fantasy.