Arts & Culture

Future schlock - 'Back to the Future: The Musical' at the Orpheum Theatre

Future schlock - 'Back to the Future: The Musical' at the Orpheum Theatre

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Feb 17, 2025

"Back to the Future: The Musical" redefines the concept of a star vehicle. The production's primary draw seems to be the DeLorean sports car-turned-time machine that's featured in a few nifty special effects-filled scenes of this theme park-ish musical.

Stephen Hough's Piano Concerto: Sonic nostalgia and new works

Stephen Hough's Piano Concerto: Sonic nostalgia and new works

  • MUSIC
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Feb 16, 2025

Since we last regarded Stephen Hough in these pages, the out pianist has become Sir Stephen, and his work as a composer has come into its own with his latest release, his 2023 Piano Concerto and two solo-piano suites.

Bitter cider: The Lavender Tube on cancer scammers, Laverne Cox's 'Clean Slate'

Bitter cider: The Lavender Tube on cancer scammers, Laverne Cox's 'Clean Slate'

As our TV columnist recovers from cancer operations, she focuses on two new limited series about women who claimed to have cancer but didn't. Their stories have left her angry, flummoxed and even betrayed.

'Crushing' - Monologue show includes queer Bay Area writers on love and break-ups

'Crushing' - Monologue show includes queer Bay Area writers on love and break-ups

  • THEATER
  • by Adam Sandel
  • Feb 16, 2025

We've all had crushes and transformative moments of love. Now nine diverse writers will share their stories and bare their souls in "Crushing," a live monologue show which will have its West Coast premiere on Thursday, February 27 & 28.

Pop music and AIDS: The good, the bad and the silent in a long overdue history

Pop music and AIDS: The good, the bad and the silent in a long overdue history

  • BOOKS
  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Feb 14, 2025

Astonishingly, Matthew J. Jones "How to Make Music in an Epidemic: Popular Music Making During the AIDS Crisis, 1981—1996" is the first academic book on pop music's response to AIDS before effective AIDS drugs.

Going Out, Feb. 13-21, 2025 arts & nightlife events

Going Out, Feb. 13-21, 2025 arts & nightlife events

  • DANCE
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Feb 12, 2025

For all those lonely hearts who don't find a valentine this weekend (or next, or ever), take heart with arts and nightlife entertainment to cheer you up this midwinter of our discontents, with good content in Going Out.

Cheyenne Jackson's Valentine cabaret: Broadway & TV singer-actor at the Chan Center

Cheyenne Jackson's Valentine cabaret: Broadway & TV singer-actor at the Chan Center

  • MUSIC
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Feb 11, 2025

On Valentine's Day, Broadway, film & TV actor Cheyenne Jackson will embrace his vulnerability. Set to appear in two intimate cabaret performances at the Chan National Queer Arts Center, between songs, he'll get intimate, he says in his interview.

'The Thing About Jellyfish' - Tween angst & high-tech FX at Berkeley Rep

'The Thing About Jellyfish' - Tween angst & high-tech FX at Berkeley Rep

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Feb 11, 2025

"The Thing About Jellyfish" is a Tiffany gift box with a beaded Swiftie friendship bracelet inside. While fundamentally well-intentioned, it often seems at odds with itself.

'Sex Love Venice' - gay romantic drama in Italy

'Sex Love Venice' - gay romantic drama in Italy

No doubt the most romantic gay-themed film to be released in years, Steve Balderson's "Sex Love Venice" tells the story of Michael, who visits the Italian city of Venice to heal from a bad breakup.

'Bonus Track' - Engaging but formulaic teen liaison

'Bonus Track' - Engaging but formulaic teen liaison

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Feb 10, 2025

"Bonus Track" is a reflection of Netflix's game-changing "Heartstopper" series, also has great affection for its two central characters with sweetness and warmth, coupled with its authenticity.

40 Years of Queer: LGBTQ film classics at the Roxie and 4 Star

40 Years of Queer: LGBTQ film classics at the Roxie and 4 Star

  • MOVIES
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Feb 10, 2025

From February 16-April 8 the Roxie Theater will celebrate queer cinema with a carefully curated selection of films that run the gamut of LGBT cinema. The festival was co-curated by Jenni Olson, a filmmaker of note, and Lex Sloan ED of The Roxie.

Elizabeth Harris' 'How to Sleep at Night' - Gay parenting & politics in debut novel

Elizabeth Harris' 'How to Sleep at Night' - Gay parenting & politics in debut novel

  • BOOKS
  • by Evelyn C. White
  • Feb 9, 2025

In her rollicking debut novel, New York Times reporter Elizabeth Harris delivers a dynamic cast of characters, gay and straight, working to reconcile their ambitions with the vagaries of life.

'The American No' - Rupert Everett's story & script collection's an unusual mix

'The American No' - Rupert Everett's story & script collection's an unusual mix

  • BOOKS
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Feb 8, 2025

Gay actor Rupert Everett has authored another book, "The American No," a collection of seven stories and a screenplay that seem perfectly calculated to entertain in hard times.

Going Out, Feb. 7-15, 2025 arts & nightlife events

Going Out, Feb. 7-15, 2025 arts & nightlife events

  • CULTURE
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Feb 5, 2025

Love is in the air, and we don't mean chocolate and roses. Although, you're certainly welcome to find new friends and old, or perhaps an amour at arts events or at your local bar, all for you, Valentine readers, in Going Out.