Arts & Culture

Words: Ben Fink's 'Noble Deeds' - photo book of 'Mythic Portraits of the Imperial Court'

Words: Ben Fink's 'Noble Deeds' - photo book of 'Mythic Portraits of the Imperial Court'

  • BOOKS
  • by Michele Karlsberg
  • Dec 29, 2024

In 2017, veteran photographer Ben Fink embarked on a journey to illuminate the legacy of the Imperial Court. The award-winning artist captured scores of iconic personalities in dreamlike and distinctive tableaus.

Steve's Grand designs: his sexy pivot from songs to thongs

Steve's Grand designs: his sexy pivot from songs to thongs

  • CULTURE
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 28, 2024

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of gay singer, songwriter and fashion designer Steve Grand? Along with his music, his Grand Axis clothing line, featuring men's underwear and swimwear, is amply shown off by the hunky man himself.

Tubular bells: The Lavender Tube's best of 2024's TV shows

Tubular bells: The Lavender Tube's best of 2024's TV shows

Here is our best TV of 2024, in no particular order. Each of these shows stands alone in its exceptional and unique qualities, with a hat tip to some of the LGBTQ stars whose performances were provocative and poignant, and worthy of special note.

Going Out, Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025 arts & nightlife events

Going Out, Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025 arts & nightlife events

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 24, 2024

Celebrate the new year as trepidatious an exercise it may be. Perhaps start polishing up your 'Cabaret' playlist. Storm into -or away from -balloon drops and complimentary champagne in a plastic cup- in this week's Going Out.

'Babygirl' - Nicole Kidman's dive into creepy compulsions

'Babygirl' - Nicole Kidman's dive into creepy compulsions

Done with holiday cheer? "Babygirl" is depressing blend of sexual compulsion, infidelity, inappropriate workplace behavior, abuse of power, degradation, and heterosexual horror, starring Nicole Kidman.

Lea DeLaria: Powerhouse vocalist & comic to perform in SF

Lea DeLaria: Powerhouse vocalist & comic to perform in SF

  • MUSIC
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 23, 2024

Initially known for her out and proud comedy, the accomplished jazz vocalist talks about her career. DeLaria will share her music and insights in "Out Rage" Jan. 18, 6pm & 8:30pm, at the Chan National Queer Arts Center.

Rick Barot's 'Moving the Bones' - lyrical, compassionate, patient poetry

Rick Barot's 'Moving the Bones' - lyrical, compassionate, patient poetry

  • CULTURE
  • by Mark William Norby
  • Dec 23, 2024

Combining melodic rhythms and personal reflections, Rick Barot's "Moving the Bones" triumphantly penetrates the heart with such gentle consideration that readers will be left with new understanding of what it means to be alive at this moment in time.

'The People's Joker' - Queer superhero parody blasts genres and genders

'The People's Joker' - Queer superhero parody blasts genres and genders

"The People's Joker," a superhero parody cinematic anomaly, revolves around a transwoman, Joker the Harlequin (Vera Drew, who also directs), as she looks to penetrate the Gotham media scene as a stand-up comedian. Strange hilarity ensues.

Critical condition: Ian McKellen is 'The Critic'

Critical condition: Ian McKellen is 'The Critic'

Out actor Sir Ian McKellen is the titular character in "The Critic," now available on DVD, the feared and reviled drama critic for The Daily Chronicle, a "right-wing rag" in early 1930s London.

Going Out, Dec. 19-27, 2024 arts & nightlife events

Going Out, Dec. 19-27, 2024 arts & nightlife events

  • MUSIC
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 18, 2024

We're making a list (every week), checking it twice, and while we don't care if you're naughty or nice, we've got plenty of both in this week's arts and nightlife events, including some venues open on Christmas. Unwrap this week's Going Out.

Holiday triple plays - New versions of old favorites

Holiday triple plays - New versions of old favorites

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Dec 17, 2024

Sometimes revisiting a time-honored tradition lends the perfect twinkle to holiday season theater productions; sometimes not. 'Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio,' 'The Kinsey Sicks: Deep Inside Tonight,' and 'A Whynot Christmas Carol,' are reviewed.

Sizzling cinema - Best LGBTQ films of 2024

Sizzling cinema - Best LGBTQ films of 2024

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Dec 17, 2024

As far as 2024's LGBTQ films, it's been a slightly above average year, with streaming platforms, indie projects, and international cinema the source of almost all queer movies, including narrative features than documentaries. Here are our top ten.

Playgirl's pages - 'Official History of a Cult Magazine' bares (almost) all

Playgirl's pages - 'Official History of a Cult Magazine' bares (almost) all

  • BOOKS
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 16, 2024

For gay and bisexual men of a certain age, Playgirl provided the first in-hand periodical that featured full-frontal male nudity. This 50th anniversary book celebrates the magazine's revolutionary eras since the 1970s.

The gift of books - Diverse reading for the winter holidays

The gift of books - Diverse reading for the winter holidays

  • BOOKS
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 15, 2024

There's no question that books are the kinds of gifts that keep on giving. These titles by queer (and queer-friendly) authors featuring queer lives belong on your 2024 holiday gift list.