Events :: Arts Events

Crowded Fire Theater's 'Shipping & Handling' - One act sparkles in an evening's slog

Crowded Fire Theater's 'Shipping & Handling' - One act sparkles in an evening's slog

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Aug 20, 2024

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.

Killing them softly - The Lavender Tube on 'General Hospital,' 'Orphan Black' and more

Killing them softly - The Lavender Tube on 'General Hospital,' 'Orphan Black' and more

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Aug 20, 2024

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

'Ganymede' - unrepentant and proud

'Ganymede' - unrepentant and proud

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 20, 2024

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.

Verdi's 'Macbeth' - The 'Scottish play' in Salzburg

Verdi's 'Macbeth' - The 'Scottish play' in Salzburg

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Aug 19, 2024

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.

Patrick Nathan's 'The Future Was Color' travels through history

Patrick Nathan's 'The Future Was Color' travels through history

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 18, 2024

Spanning a nearly 80-year period, from the 1940s to the present day, Lambda Literary Award finalist Patrick Nathan takes readers from Hollywood to New York to Las Vegas to Paris, all the while seamlessly incorporating significant historical events.

Going Out, Aug. 15-24, 2024 arts & nightlife events

Going Out, Aug. 15-24, 2024 arts & nightlife events

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Aug 15, 2024

You could boldly go where no one has gone before. But we recommend you go where everyone goes, like the Bestie-winning nightclub Oasis to see hilarious shows like "Star Trek Live." Select even more alluring galaxies to explore in Going Out.

Emily Saliers: Singer-songwriter on Indigo Girls' success

Emily Saliers: Singer-songwriter on Indigo Girls' success

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 13, 2024

The Indigo Girls — Emily Saliers and Amy Ray — are having a moment. Along with a national tour, their songs have been featured in two recent films, and the documentary about their lives shares music and more.

Retro classics for '24 - Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Alan Vega and more

Retro classics for '24 - Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Alan Vega and more

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 13, 2024

New reissues of works albums by John Lennon, Joni Mitchell even Michael Hutchence of INXS have been released in some in lavish packages with Blu-rays and booklets.

Center Rep takes 'Arsenic and Old Lace' in a new direction

Center Rep takes 'Arsenic and Old Lace' in a new direction

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Aug 13, 2024

A 1939 comedy about murderous spinster aunties doesn't immediately induce goosebumps. But Matt M. Morrow, Center Rep's new artistic director, says he's cracked open the old chestnut and found new inspiration.

'Queen Tut' - indie film on embracing your inner drag queen

'Queen Tut' - indie film on embracing your inner drag queen

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Aug 13, 2024

"Queen Tut" is a delightful new Canadian film that covers a lot of ground. During the course of its 100-minute running time, the film deals with class issues, gentrification, coming out, homophobia and transphobia.

'Skincare' - Elizabeth Banks' beauty biz's bumpy ride

'Skincare' - Elizabeth Banks' beauty biz's bumpy ride

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 13, 2024

In "Skincare," which opens with the words "Fictional story inspired by true events," Elizabeth Banks is given the opportunity to be both serious and comedic as lead character in a sly takedown of the beauty industry's nasty side.

Remembering Karen Carpenter: Laurie Roldan pays tribute to iconic singer

Remembering Karen Carpenter: Laurie Roldan pays tribute to iconic singer

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Aug 13, 2024

A lifelong fan of the singer-songwriter, Bay Area singer Laurie Roldan 'Sings a Song for You: a Cabaret Concert Inspired by the Music of Karen Carpenter" on August 17 and 25 at the Gateway Theater in San Francisco.

Ben Platt's 'Honeymind' - love songs on his new CD

Ben Platt's 'Honeymind' - love songs on his new CD

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Aug 12, 2024

Ben Platt's third album, unlike his previous electro-pop efforts, has a folky Americana sound, reminiscent of early 1970s, somewhere between James Taylor and Barry Manilow.

August Thompson's 'Anyone's Ghost' - a genre novel with a twist

August Thompson's 'Anyone's Ghost' - a genre novel with a twist

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Aug 11, 2024

August Thompson's "Anyone's Ghost" shows that there's still life in the currently overdone genre of drug-fueled, sex-driven, gay coming-of-age stories.