Arts & Culture

'The Far Country' at Berkeley Rep: Lloyd Suh's straight-ahead theatrical satisfaction

'The Far Country' at Berkeley Rep: Lloyd Suh's straight-ahead theatrical satisfaction

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Mar 19, 2024

Playwright Lloyd Suh's sturdily carpentered, gimmick-free "The Far Country," now at the Berkeley Rep under the seamless direction of Jennifer Chang, examines the struggles Chinese immigrants to San Francisco in the early 20th Century.

History repeating: The Lavender Tube on 'Manhunt,' 'Chisholm,' '3 Body Problem' & more

History repeating: The Lavender Tube on 'Manhunt,' 'Chisholm,' '3 Body Problem' & more

We're in unusual and fractious times, politically. But our current era is far from the only inflection point in U.S. history, as some of our TV columnist's selected TV shows prove.

'Drag Me to the Movies' - Cinematic songs with the SF Gay Men's Chorus

'Drag Me to the Movies' - Cinematic songs with the SF Gay Men's Chorus

  • MUSIC
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Mar 19, 2024

On March 28 the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will take to the stage of Davies Symphony Hall for an evening that will celebrate the magic of the movies with hit songs, and guest performer Lady Camden.

Mary Timony: singer-songwriter's a 'Tiger' burning bright

Mary Timony: singer-songwriter's a 'Tiger' burning bright

  • MUSIC
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Mar 19, 2024

On her new solo album, "Untame The Tiger," with its sly nod to Joni Mitchell, Mary Timony has brought her many years of musical experience to the fore, resulting in what is easily her most accessible release.

Spring 2024 books roundup, part 4: war stories, horror and vampires

Spring 2024 books roundup, part 4: war stories, horror and vampires

  • BOOKS
  • by Jim Piechota
  • Mar 18, 2024

Presenting the fourth and final piece in our big Spring books roundup. Titles in this enchantingly fiction-heavy installment include works of autofiction by French author Edouard Louis and a story collection from gay Vietnam Veteran.

'Radiant' - Brad Gooch's expansive biography of artist Keith Haring

'Radiant' - Brad Gooch's expansive biography of artist Keith Haring

  • ART
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Mar 17, 2024

Visionary pop artist Keith Haring's short, meteoric, glamorous life and career is the subject of a new biography, "Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring," by Brad Gooch.

'Glitter & Doom' - jukebox musical film's gay romance

'Glitter & Doom' - jukebox musical film's gay romance

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Mar 17, 2024

"Glitter & Doom" tells the intricate tale of titular characters Glitter and Doom played by newcomers Alex Diaz and Alan Cammish, respectively, making their film debuts. The film features songs by Indigo Girls.

Going Out, March 14-22, 2024

Going Out, March 14-22, 2024

  • ART
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Mar 13, 2024

Fun and funny nightlife stuff, including St. Patrick's Day carousing on March 17, as well as serious arts events, are all included in this week's Going Out.

'Unpacking in P'town' premieres at New Conservatory Theatre Center

'Unpacking in P'town' premieres at New Conservatory Theatre Center

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Mar 12, 2024

Watching "Unpacking in P'town," a New Conservatory Theater Center commission now having its premiere production feels a bit like screening a black-and-white movie that's been colorized.

'Dirty White Teslas Make Me Sad' at the Magic Theatre

'Dirty White Teslas Make Me Sad' at the Magic Theatre

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Mar 12, 2024

Naima, the 29-year-old protagonist of "Dirty White Teslas Make Me Sad," now premiering in a Magic Theatre/Campo Santo co-production extended through March 24, may be depressed and directionless, but she wields a wicked analogy.

Lil Nas X's 'Long Live Montero' - documentary follows the musician's life and tour

Lil Nas X's 'Long Live Montero' - documentary follows the musician's life and tour

  • MUSIC
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Mar 12, 2024

"Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero," details the gay singer-songwriter's first-ever headlining U.S. tour. The occasionally compelling film follows him performing on stage during his tour, but also behind-the-scenes as he adjusts to fame.

'Carol Doda Topless at the Condor' - new doc recalls the '60s trailblazing stripper

'Carol Doda Topless at the Condor' - new doc recalls the '60s trailblazing stripper

  • MOVIES
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Mar 12, 2024

"The only way to get into show business was to show my business," says the late Carol Doda in "Carol Doda Topless at the Condor," a new feature length documentary by Marlo McKenzie and Jonathan Parker.

A new 'Parsifal' - Philippe Jordan leads a transformative recording

A new 'Parsifal' - Philippe Jordan leads a transformative recording

  • MUSIC
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Mar 12, 2024

Sony's splendid new "Parsifal," under the leadership of out conductor Philippe Jordan, illuminates the largely interior drama in part by dropping the faux religiosity that has accrued to Wagner's final opera.

Spring books 2024 roundup, part 3 Diverse memoirs, fiction and a Liz Taylor biography

Spring books 2024 roundup, part 3 Diverse memoirs, fiction and a Liz Taylor biography

  • BOOKS
  • by Jim Piechota
  • Mar 11, 2024

The third installment of our Spring 2024 books roundup includes novels about being queer and sex-positive within a Syrian culture, a few engrossing young adult novels, and an impressive nonfiction title about the life and film legacy of Elizabeth Taylor.