Bay Area Reporter :: Music News

Holiday happenings: music, dance and camp fun for your Yule

November 28, 2023 | by Philip Mayard

From classical music and dance, to campy classics featuring your favorite drag performers, there's something on stages across the Bay Area to bring joy and inspiration to your holiday season.

'My Name is Barbra' — long-awaited Streisand memoir tells all

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Nov 28, 2023

At age 81, after more than 60 years in show business, superstar Barbra Streisand's long-awaited memoir is finally out. In interviews, Streisand has said that she worked on the book for the better part of ten years. It was a massive undertaking.

Q-Music: Oy to the world! Cher, George Perris and others release holiday albums

by Gregg Shapiro
Nov 28, 2023

Our prolific music writer has some holiday albums to share, including Cher! Also, songs by George Perris, Scout Durwood and Stephanie J. Block should get you into the spirit of the time.

Nancy Spada's biography of musician Thomas Schippers

by Tim Pfaff
Nov 28, 2023

Nancy Spada's new "Beyond the Handsomeness: A Biography of Thomas Schippers" hits a sour note. Spada breezes past one thing people who know little else about Schippers know: his versatile sexuality.

Going Out, Nov. 23-Dec. 1, 2023

by Jim Provenzano
Nov 22, 2023

While many of you dear readers may be out of town for Thanksgiving, some of us will enjoy the weekend in the Bay Area, and nightlife offers a fun break from all the turkey and leftovers. We've got an extra helping of arts events, too.

Singer Jeff Harnar is sweet on Cy and Steve

by Gregg Shapiro
Nov 21, 2023

The acclaimed cabaret singer discusses his two new albums, "I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim's Words" in 2022, and his latest, "A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman."

Gilbert O'Sullivan — singer/songwriter at Swedish American Hall

by Gregg Shapiro
Nov 14, 2023

More than 50 years after Gilbert O'Sullivan's Grammy-nominated breakout single "Alone Again (Naturally)" made him a household name, the singer/songwriter continues to record and perform concerts, including at SF's Swedish American Hall Nov. 24.

Queen + Adam Lambert at the Chase Center— rhapsodising over the 'Rhapsody' tour

by Jim Provenzano
Nov 9, 2023

Themes of science fiction, steampunk and outer space projected onto multiple screens did not upstage the musical artistry of Queen + Adam Lambert at their Chase Center concert November 8.

California Festival — new music celebrated in concerts and opera

by Philip Campbell
Nov 7, 2023

'California Festival — A Celebration of New Music' is recharging musical institutions throughout the Golden West for two weeks through November 19.

Theyfriend: shining a spotlight on nonbinary performers

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Nov 7, 2023

Nonbinary performers will be celebrated from November 14-18 when Diamond Wave, a San Francisco-based queer arts organization, presents the third annual Theyfriend performance festival.

Rett Madison — queer singer/songwriter is 'One' of a kind

by Gregg Shapiro
Nov 7, 2023

Every once in a while, a major-label debut album comes along to take you by surprise. Queer singer/songwriter Rett Madison's "One for Jackie" is one such album.

Nathalie Lermitte's tribute to Edith Piaf

by Jim Gladstone
Oct 31, 2023

Between a summer that brought TayTay and Bey to the Bay and a winter that heralds the latest manifestation of Madonna, yet another gay-favored global superstar headlines the Herbst Theatre on November 6; Edith Piaf, as interpreted by Nathalie Lermitte.

Becca Mancari on her new music and a new tour

by Gregg Shapiro
Oct 31, 2023

In advance of her Nov. 7 concert at Cafe Du Nord, singer-songwriter Becca Mancari discussed the making of her new album, and the many musicians who helped create and produce it.

John Cameron Mitchell on playing 'Cassette Roulette' with Amber Martin

by Jim Provenzano
Oct 24, 2023

John Cameron Mitchell takes to the stage on November 4 at Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall with multi-talented singer Amber Martin. The duo will play "Cassette Roulette," a fun night of prepared and audience-request songs performed with their band.

Museums, music & more: Besties arts: a winning year in local culture for 2023

by Jim Gladstone
Oct 24, 2023

From music to dance and theater, our readers have shared their favorites in the Besties once again. Here's what they have to say this go-round in the performing arts.

Arts & Culture :: Music