Arts & Culture :: Music

Spotlight on Pride at Lyon & Swan: four gay performers are featured now through June

Spotlight on Pride at Lyon & Swan: four gay performers are featured now through June

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 16, 2023

To celebrate Pride month, the queer-owned Lyon & Swan supper club has booked a remarkable slate of four local gay artists, all worthy of broad attention, to play the intimate room.

'1776' — a new, queer take on an old classic

'1776' — a new, queer take on an old classic

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • May 9, 2023

It's been more than fifty years since the musical "1776" opened on Broadway. But a new production coming to San Jose takes this old chestnut and turns it on its ear. cast entirely with female, transgender and non-binary actors.

Tales of Taylor: Ann Talman's musical memoir at Feinstein's

Tales of Taylor: Ann Talman's musical memoir at Feinstein's

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 9, 2023

Ann Talman first met Elizabeth Taylor in January 1981. The writer-performer brings her musical reminiscences of La Liz, "The Shadow of Her Smile," to Feinstein's at the Nikko on Friday, May 12.

Q-Music: rolling in retro

Q-Music: rolling in retro

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • May 9, 2023

Reissues of classic albums by Elton John, A Flock of Seagulls, Little River Band and Stephen Stills include multiple extras.

Billy Porter's big pop tour

Billy Porter's big pop tour

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 2, 2023

As a child in the 1970s, Billy Porter fantasized about growing up to become "the male Whitney Houston." He'll dip back into that oft-deferred dream later this week in both San Jose and San Francisco concerts.

Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco features Adrian Santana

Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco features Adrian Santana

  • by Laura Moreno
  • May 2, 2023

Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco proudly presents the upcoming show "Transitar por un Mundo sin Tiempo (Passage through a Timeless World)" on May 13 at the Herbst Theatre, featuring openly gay dancer Adrian Santana from Malaga, Spain.

Dr. Carl Blake & Noontime Concerts keep the music moving

Dr. Carl Blake & Noontime Concerts keep the music moving

  • by Philip Campbell
  • May 2, 2023

Dr. Carl Blake, a board member, artistic advisor and concert pianist, underscored the beneficent mission of Noontime Concerts, the organization dedicated to presenting free classical and jazz music concerts.

Migguel Anggelo brings "LatinXoxo" to Stanford

Migguel Anggelo brings "LatinXoxo" to Stanford

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Apr 25, 2023

Migguel Anggelo, the larger than life Venezuelan-born creative genius, has put together a cabaret show called "LatinXoxo" that is an "outrageously queer concert experience."

Q-Music: Say gay playlist

Q-Music: Say gay playlist

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Apr 25, 2023

Singing about LGBT and Q love, musicians in folk, pop, rock and jazz Y La Bamba, Caroline Rose, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Eric Reed, Mathew V and Pigeon Pit should be on your new playlist.

To hell and back: Thomas Adès's 'Dante' ballet

To hell and back: Thomas Adès's 'Dante' ballet

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Apr 18, 2023

Thomas Adès thinks big. The new live recording of "Dante," his 90-minute piece, has been recorded by the Los Angeles Philharmonic under its departing music director, Gustavo Dudamel.

Romeo Void's Debora Iyall: a timeless punk diva

Romeo Void's Debora Iyall: a timeless punk diva

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Apr 11, 2023

Romeo Void's lead singer discusses the band's history and the release of "Live From Mabuhay Gardens, November 14, 1980."

In the Spotlight: singular talents hit local stages

In the Spotlight: singular talents hit local stages

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Apr 11, 2023

A breakout glam rock cabaret star; a character actress who plays a whole cast of characters; Broadway's standby success story of the year; and a show tune interpreter like you've never heard before.

What's Enough? Pianist Stephen Hough's new memoir

What's Enough? Pianist Stephen Hough's new memoir

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Apr 11, 2023

Designated one of the 20 living polymaths, Stephen Hough has, in recent years, added to his discography and busy concert schedule a welter of new musical compositions, and books, including his new memoir.

Oakland Gay Men's Chorus celebrates Black history

Oakland Gay Men's Chorus celebrates Black history

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Apr 4, 2023

On April 15 & 16 the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus will perform "True Colors," their Spring concert, including a performance of the song "My Heart Be Brave," which the chorus describes as "an important contribution to music in the Black tradition."