Arts & Culture

Richard Labonté remembered

Richard Labonté remembered

  • BOOKS
  • by Jerry Wheeler
  • Jun 21, 2022

Since the March 20 passing of Richard Labonté, who once managed the LGBTQ bookstore A Different Light in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, friends, authors and colleagues offered tributes to the beloved figure in the publishing world.

Hell, yes! surprising salvation in 'Hadestown' at the Orpheum

Hell, yes! surprising salvation in 'Hadestown' at the Orpheum

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jun 21, 2022

At a time when every day's headlines feature collapse, corruption, war and plague, "Hadestown" works like an angel in devil drag. Its sultry come-on promises to lick you with flame, then anoints you with balm of Gilead.

'The Prom' composer Matthew Sklar

'The Prom' composer Matthew Sklar

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jun 21, 2022

Matthew Sklar, composer of the "The Prom," the snazzy, uplifting queer musical that opens June 22 at the Golden Gate Theatre, discusses the eight-year development of the show, whose themes joyfully take on homophobia in a small town.

Frameline's finest films, and a few flubs

Frameline's finest films, and a few flubs

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 21, 2022

When asked what themes she saw emerging from the vast number of films being shown at Frameline46, Director of Programming Allegra Madsen replied, "An exploration of our queer lineage through time."

'Dana H.' at Berkeley Rep: Who's playing who?

'Dana H.' at Berkeley Rep: Who's playing who?

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jun 21, 2022

You can't help but focus on actress Jordan Baker's mouth during the first few minutes of "Dana H.", now on stage at Berkeley Repertory. Playwright Lucas Hnath's mother was held captive by a white supremacist kidnappers. How it's told is also disturbing.

John Waters on Zen and the art of filth, and 'Pink Flamingos' 50th anniversary

John Waters on Zen and the art of filth, and 'Pink Flamingos' 50th anniversary

  • MOVIES
  • by Mark William Norby
  • Jun 21, 2022

The newly released 50th anniversary BluRay edition of "Pink Flamingos" is only one part of the still-evolving art world of director and author John Waters.

Cookie Mueller's posthumous prose

Cookie Mueller's posthumous prose

  • BOOKS
  • by Mark William Norby
  • Jun 21, 2022

"Walking through Clear Water in a Pool Painted Black" by the late Cookie Mueller is the newly-expanded reissue of the original 1993 Semiotext(e) compilation of writings by the multi-talent known mostly for roles in early John Waters films.

Mary Gauthier: singer-songwriter on her new music and life

Mary Gauthier: singer-songwriter on her new music and life

  • MUSIC
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 21, 2022

Mary Gautheir's "Dark Enough to See the Stars" has its share of poignant moments, and will astonish you in unexpected ways. The new album features honest and beautiful love songs, inspired by her relationship with musician Jaimee Harris.

Q-Music: Country 'tis of thee

Q-Music: Country 'tis of thee

  • MUSIC
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 21, 2022

Enjoy new country songs and creative covers by Eliza Gilkyson, James McMurtry, The Whitmore Sisters, The Staves, Hayes Carll and Bria.

Julio Torres: gay writer and actor on 'Vase' value

Julio Torres: gay writer and actor on 'Vase' value

  • BOOKS
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 21, 2022

Gay writer and actor Julio Torres, known for the 'Saturday Night Live' writing and deadpan stand-up style, has published a funny new children's book about a toilet plunger with hopes and dreams.

Summer books 2022 roundup, part 3

Summer books 2022 roundup, part 3

  • BOOKS
  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 21, 2022

In our third and final installment of the Bay Area Reporter's Summer Books Series, we spotlight some amazing fiction, a new book about a trans youth's journey through grade school, and a sartorial exploration of the concept of the "Daddy."

'Nuclear Family' fallout: Joseph Han's stunning debut novel

'Nuclear Family' fallout: Joseph Han's stunning debut novel

  • BOOKS
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Jun 21, 2022

The sociological construct of "nuclear family," signifying a familial unit whose members all live together. Joseph Han's first novel, "Nuclear Family," explodes it, leaving you with the spectacle of the mushroom cloud.

Woman launches queer arts festival in San Diego

Woman launches queer arts festival in San Diego

  • DANCE
  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 15, 2022

San Diego will see an inaugural queer arts festival this month. A queer San Francisco Bay Area native is the visionary behind the event.

Capitol viewing: The Lavender Tube on Jan. 6 hearings, 'Queer as Folk,' & Pride shows

Capitol viewing: The Lavender Tube on Jan. 6 hearings, 'Queer as Folk,' & Pride shows

Let's call it, "Saving Democracy," a limited series. The January 6 Committee Hearings certainly have all the drama of a hit summer true crime/thriller series. Also, the new 'Queer as Folk,' and ABC, Hulu and other networks dive in to Pride.