Director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant had one of the longest partnerships in cinema history, almost defining independent filmmaking, now profiled definitively in the new documentary, "Merchant Ivory."

Even if the fog is rolling on a cool night, you can still get hot and saucy at places like The Powerhouse, where the monthly Flex party shows off muscular men. We've got plenty more in our expansive listings of nightlife and art events in Going Out.

Matteo Lane, who combines Midwestern and European influences in his material, has a distinctive delivery style that often has audience members struggling to catch their breath between jokes and laughs.

September is Pride month in Oakland and Oakland-based drag artist Mama Celeste and her friends are throwing a party. Christened We Run This, the party, which happens on September 7, and is being produced by Oaklash.

While Linda Ronstadt has retired from music and concerts, a reissue of her classic Grammy-winning album, "Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind" is notable, as well as a mirthful new album from contemporary Linda Thompson.

Actress Megan Davis, who's also a screenwriter, shares another of her talents with her debut poetry book, "What Breaks Us."

The author of the acclaimed coming of age novel set in 1970s Greenwich Village discusses his work process and inspiration behind the story.

Find a new band to adore, drag queens and bartenders to tip, or a theater production worth a Standing O. We've got it all with our expansive listings of nightlife and art events in Going Out.

The SF Queer Film Festival (SFQFF) returns for its fourth version, August 23-25, with its accompanying 64 movies, shorts, and web episodes. It's not an exaggeration to say the festival is still in the process of finding its voice and groove.

Messily we roll along. That's the feeling audience members will share as they endure the unfocused, overlong "Shipping & Handling," a major misfire by Crowded Fire Theater which runs through September 7 on the Magic Theatre stage at Fort Mason.

Our TV columnist covers 'General Hospital's ongoing lesbian drama, more on 'Orphan Black: Echoes,' and the new Netflix film, 'The Deliverance.'

"It feels great," said drag king Fudgie Frottage. "Drag is a legit occupation now and kings are getting famous." Frottage was referring to the 28th annual San Francisco Drag King Contest, which returns to Oasis Sept. 8.

In co-directors Colby Holt & Sam Probst's "Ganymede," a Ganymede is an unrepentant homosexual, according to a vicious preacher. But that doesn't stop two young men from starting a budding romance.

Giuseppe Verdi's "Macbeth," the first of his three great Shakespeare operas, was an enormous success when new (1847) but fell out of fashion for the better part of a century. A recent production may have changed that.