Events :: Arts Events
Going Out, April 24-May 2, 2025 arts & nightlife events
With May just around the corner, may we bestow upon you a plethora of fun, informative, educational and beautiful arts events and nightlife revelry? Because as long as we can dance, we're happy to be a part of the revolution.
‘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.
Ngozi Anyanwu’s ‘The Last of the Love Letters’ at Z Space
“What’s the point of making art if no one’s going to see it?” That’s the question that playwright Ngozi Anyanwu was asking herself in the early days of the pandemic, when she began work on “The Last of the Love Letters: A Meditation on Loneliness.”
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.
Isaac Mizrahi: Dapper designer’s singing with style
“The Isaac Mizrahi style has never changed since day one,” boasted the fashion icon, who's now embarked on a tour with his new cabaret show, full of songs and stories from his fabulous life.
‘Queens of Drama’ - a fresh take on pop stardom and fan obsession
As Alexis Langlois’ debut feature “Queens of Drama” begins, it’s the year 2055. The audience meets a YouTuber who goes by the name SteevyShady (Bilal Hassani), an arrogant queen who thinks their word is the last word on everything.
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!
Spring Books 2025 round-up, part 3: Obsessions, revealing memoirs & a ‘Wicked’ prequel
Here’s the third installment of our Spring books round-up, with thought-provoking stories from a trans author, self-reflective queer memoirs including one from a longtime AIDS-era survivor, and both fictional and historical books about witches.
Queer faves at SFFilm’s 68th festival
Returning to its traditional 11-day run after last year’s unsuccessful weekend marathon, the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival screens April 17-27, based mostly in the Marina, Presidio, and Mission neighborhoods, as well as in Berkeley.
Going Out, April 10-18, 2025 arts & nightlife events
You're tough, you're smart, and you can get through it. Stocks may tumble, but arts and nightlife entertainment remain a great investment, listed each week in Going Out.
'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.
Going Out, April 3-11, 2025 arts & nightlife events
We don't want to act too much like the MC in "Cabaret," but it is feeling very Weimar Republic about now. You can fight back, march, protest, call your elected officials and also try to have a good time at some point.
‘Fat Ham’ - SF Playhouse serves James Ijames’ feast for the funny bone
What a piece of work! San Francisco Playhouse’s production of “Fat Ham,” James Ijames’ loose, liberating take on “Hamlet,” running through April 19, is the best theater the Bay Area has seen this year.