Arts & Culture

Fashion's fall: 'House of Gucci's scene-stealing cast led by Lady Gaga

Fashion's fall: 'House of Gucci's scene-stealing cast led by Lady Gaga

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Nov 23, 2021

The Italian fashion dynasty are the stars of the new Ridley Scott film 'House of Gucci,' based on the Sara Gay Forden nonfiction book. Heralded as one of the best movies of 2021, it is decidedly not that, but more of a glitzy melodrama.

American dreamer: 'App Kid' author Michael Sayman

American dreamer: 'App Kid' author Michael Sayman

  • BOOKS
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 23, 2021

Young, groundbreaking, queer tech wizard Michael Sayman's memoir 'App Kid: How a Child of Immigrants Grabbed a Piece of the American Dream' is the kind of book that has something for almost everyone, not just tech nerds.

Veteran dancer Brian Fisher's new steps

Veteran dancer Brian Fisher's new steps

  • DANCE
  • by Philip Mayard
  • Nov 23, 2021

Having originated and performed the role of Drosselmeyer in Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets for 13 years, this year, Fisher will step down as a performer to serve as the production's Artistic Associate and Rehearsal Director.

Visual AIDS: 'Up Against the Wall: Art, Activism, and the AIDS Poster'

Visual AIDS: 'Up Against the Wall: Art, Activism, and the AIDS Poster'

  • BOOKS
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 23, 2021

'Up Against the Wall: Art, Activism, and the AIDS Poster' documents selected graphic art posters used as preventative advice or protest art through the AIDS pandemic.

Family forays on stage: Berkeley Rep's 'Wintertime' — Aurora Theatre's 'Father/Daughter'

Family forays on stage: Berkeley Rep's 'Wintertime' — Aurora Theatre's 'Father/Daughter'

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 23, 2021

Berkeley Rep's giddy show, Charles Mee's comic 'Wintertime,' takes on a home-for-the-holidays extended family gathering. Aurora Theatre offers the world premiere of Kait Kerrigan's Father/Daughter, about parents and children's connections.

Igor Levit performs Shostakovich's 'Passacaglia on DSCH' in 3-CD set

Igor Levit performs Shostakovich's 'Passacaglia on DSCH' in 3-CD set

  • MUSIC
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Nov 23, 2021

Pianist extraordinaire Igor Levit has made new recordings of Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87, and Ronald Stevenson's towering Shostakovich tribute: the Passacaglia on DSCH.

Michael Urie: the 'Single' sensation on his new holigay film

Michael Urie: the 'Single' sensation on his new holigay film

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 22, 2021

Michael ('Buyer & Cellar' off-Broadway, 'Ugly Betty' costar on TV) Urie stars as Peter, the romantic lead in Netflix's entry in the gay holiday movie genre, 'Single All the Way.'

Holigay events: choral, cabaret, comedy and more for December fun

Holigay events: choral, cabaret, comedy and more for December fun

  • THEATER
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Nov 22, 2021

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and now that the Bay Area has reopened, there's plenty to do in December. Here are several ways you can celebrate and have a joyous holiday.

Going Out, Homing's In, Nov. 19-26, 2021

Going Out, Homing's In, Nov. 19-26, 2021

  • CULTURE
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 17, 2021

Beefcake, Banksy, bears and Buffy! As more theaters, museums and nightclubs expand their in-person events, you can enjoy more thought-provoking art, or escapist fun; your choice.

Lena Hall: Broadway's shining star returns to Feinstein's

Lena Hall: Broadway's shining star returns to Feinstein's

  • MUSIC
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 16, 2021

Departing from her guest-star turn as a chanteuse on the hit scifi TV show 'Snowpiercer,' SF-raised Lena Hall, also of 'Hedwig' and 'Kinky Boots' fame, returns to Feinstein's ballroom to perform her new cabaret concert.

Simply marvelous: Chris Conde, queer-conscious rapper

Simply marvelous: Chris Conde, queer-conscious rapper

  • MUSIC
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 16, 2021

Chris Conde, the Austin-based self-proclaimed "thicc, queer Mexican" rapper, unleashes a sophomore album, 'Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay.'

Randy Rainbow: gay satire king, er, queen, at the Masonic

Randy Rainbow: gay satire king, er, queen, at the Masonic

  • THEATER
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 16, 2021

Shining brightly through the seemingly impenetrable recent dark storm clouds, Randy Rainbow burst forth with colorful parody songs and videos that provided endless sources of laughs. He'll perform in SF Nov. 20.

Preludes to a kiss: The Lavender Tube on news, and momentous smooches

Preludes to a kiss: The Lavender Tube on news, and momentous smooches

While the news media continues to focus on losers, traitors and murderers, awards shows, dramas and even animated series smooch it up with gay, trans and queer teen characters.

Best AIDS films, part 2

Best AIDS films, part 2

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Nov 16, 2021

In part 2 of our Best AIDS films articles, we focus on films that humanized PWAs and universalized their experiences by raising awareness of how they lived, what they thought and felt, sometimes with humor and a musical song and dance.