Arts & Culture :: Music

Kent James, aka Nick Name: April 30, 1964 - July 3, 2020

Kent James, aka Nick Name: April 30, 1964 - July 3, 2020

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 6, 2020

Kent James, also known as the punk-influenced rock music frontman Nick Name, died at his home in Palm Springs on July 3, 2020. The gay singer-songwriter lived in San Francisco for a few years, and performed at local nightclubs.

Sylvester's 'Step II' rereleased, short documentary airs

Sylvester's 'Step II' rereleased, short documentary airs

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 3, 2020

Disco icon Sylvester's 'Step II' album has been reissued, and a short online documentary tells the story of his fabulous yet too-brief career and life.

Q-Music: Quarantine Pride playlist

Q-Music: Quarantine Pride playlist

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 30, 2020

Brittany Howard, Tom Goss, Jake Blount, Sarah Peacock and Maxx Mann offer diverse music with their own unique queer edge.

Eric Himan offers song tribute to the 'Local Gay Bookstore'

Eric Himan offers song tribute to the 'Local Gay Bookstore'

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 30, 2020

In one of the more creative stay-at-home projects, gay singer-songwriter Eric Himan offers a sweet tribute to the collective history of our "Local Gay Bookstore."

Meet the two Tims: SF Gay Men's Chorus director's memoir

Meet the two Tims: SF Gay Men's Chorus director's memoir

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 30, 2020

In his memoir 'A Tale of Two Tims: Big Ol' Baptist, Big Ol' Gay, Tim Seelig shares the story of his incredible life, from his roots among devout Southern Baptists, to his work with what is perhaps the most famous gay chorus in the world.

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, others support Pride Lives' virtual Stonewall Day

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, others support Pride Lives' virtual Stonewall Day

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 26, 2020

Pride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ community, held its third annual Stonewall Day, with pop star and presidents joining in.

Out, loud and proud: an interview with SONiA

Out, loud and proud: an interview with SONiA

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 24, 2020

Baltimore native, out musician, activist, and even a bit of a mystic, Sonia Rutstein, better known to her fans and followers as SONiA of disappear fear, has a musical gift for everyone, her new 12-song CD compilation "Love Out Loud."

The father of Hi-NRG: Patrick Cowley's illustrated diary recounts the music innovator's short, shining, sexual life

The father of Hi-NRG: Patrick Cowley's illustrated diary recounts the music innovator's short, shining, sexual life

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Jun 23, 2020

As the main creator of the Hi-NRG music genre, Patrick Cowley briefly thrived on the dance music charts with originality and ferocity. Cowley's posthumously published diaries document his short life in 1970s gay dance and music scene.

Q-Music: Pride inside — a queer quarantine playlist

Q-Music: Pride inside — a queer quarantine playlist

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 23, 2020

Music from Marty Thomas, Kesha, Rachael Sage, Green Day, Shopping, Game Theory, The Third Mind and other musicians touch on colors of the rainbow.

San Francisco Opera cancels 2020 season

San Francisco Opera cancels 2020 season

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 16, 2020

San Francisco Opera announced the difficult decision to cancel its Fall 2020 Season due to the ongoing pandemic. Nearly 40 music productions and programs have been put on hold or cancelled, while online programming continues.

Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell:  SF Symphony's Musical Director and conductor's legacy celebrated

Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell: SF Symphony's Musical Director and conductor's legacy celebrated

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Jun 16, 2020

Celebrations of Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell month as Music Director of the SF Symphony have transformed unavoidably. COVID-19 robbed the maestro of his triumphant final victory lap, but can't diminish the impact of his historic 25-year tenure.

Tom Goss' new song 'Regretting' focuses on a tenuous relationship

Tom Goss' new song 'Regretting' focuses on a tenuous relationship

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 15, 2020

Gay singer-songwriter Tom Goss just released an emotional single and music video, "Regretting" starring 'Mean Girls' actor Daniel Franzese, from his seventh album, 'Territories.'

Fresh Meat Festival 2020 showcases transgender & queer music, dance, performance

Fresh Meat Festival 2020 showcases transgender & queer music, dance, performance

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 8, 2020

In previous years, the annual Fresh Meat Festival's been sold out, so this year the 19th annual diverse shows of transgender and queer performance, music and dance offers a bonus; everyone gets a front row seat! Online, that is.

Pride Prom features a big lineup of LGBT celebs, music acts

Pride Prom features a big lineup of LGBT celebs, music acts

  • by Events Editor
  • Jun 8, 2020

The second annual Pride Summit and Prom, sponsored by Billboard and the Hollywood Reporter and scheduled for June 13, features a lengthy list of LGBT celebrities, actors and music acts.