Well, that was something. Is it over yet? You need some arts, nightlife and community gatherings, online and in-person, to calm down and relax.
ARTS
LITERARY
Author Events at Alley Cat Books
The bookstore, while physically closed, hosts online events with acclaimed authors. the store is also taking mail order book purchases. www.alleycatbookshop.com
Author Events at Booksmith
The popular Upper Haight bookstore hosts talks and readings with mainstream fiction, nonfiction authors. https://www.booksmith.com
Author Events at Bureau of General Services-Queer Division
Enjoy literary events hosted by the independent bookstores at the NYC LGBT Center. Nov 6,
3pm PT: Anais Duplan and Joshua Escobar. Nov 12, 3pm PT, authors Felice Picano and Jim Provenzano discuss their two new Hollywood-themed novels. Free. www.facebook.com event page www.eventbrite.com https://bgsqd.com/
Author Events at City Lights
the historic bookstore presents online author events. http://www.citylights.com/
Author Events at Green Apple Books
Online readings and chats; in-store shopping. Nov. 13, 7pm: Patrick Early Ryan and Martin Pousson. Nov. 18, 5pm: Alden Jones and Rick Moody. www.greenapplebooks.com
Odd Mondays
Chia-Chia Lin, Cara Black, and Wayne Goodman read about immigrant Alaska, WWII France, and Queer 17th Century Japan at "Faraway Places." Nov. 9, 7pm on Zoom. RSVP: [email protected]
QueerWords Podcast
Wayne Goodman's online audio discussions with many notable LGBTQ fiction, poetry authors, essayists and journalists. https://queerwords.org/
MOVIES, TV
American Pavilion Films
Virtual debut for a diverse showcase of 38 incredible new films between all six of the showcases — Student Short Films, Student Documentaries, Emerging Filmmaker Short Films, Emerging Filmmaker Documentaries, High School Showcase, and Emerging Filmmaker LGBTQ Showcase Films. https://www.ampav.com/
Benjamin
Quirky, anxiety-fueled gay rom-com directed by Simon (Nevermind the Buzzcocks) Amstell and starring Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Happy Prince), is now available on DVD and digital platforms including Kino Now.
Bloodsisters: Leather, Dykes And Sadomasochism
25th anniversary online screenings of the historic documentary, with Michelle Handelman
Featuring Tala Brandeis, Patrick Califia, J.C. Collins, Queen Cougar, Amy Marie Meek, Skeeter, Wickie Stamps, Peggy Sue, Ann Soucy-West & others. https://newfest.org/event/bloodsisters/
Dedalus
Jonah Greenstein's feature debut about inter-related straight and gay people in a disturbed rural Iowa town; viewable on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, OVID.tv & Kanopy. http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/intheaters.html
DOC NYC
11th edition of the country's largest documentary film festival, with several LGBT-themed films: Bare, Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D'Man in the Waters, No Ordinary Man, Origin of the Species and other films. Nov 11-19. https://www.docnyc.net/
The Garden Left Behind
Winner of SXSW's Audience Award and named one of the best LGBTQ films of all time by Rotten Tomatoes, Flavio Alves's moving drama of an undocumented Mexican trans woman in New York City can be viewed online. https://www.cinematropical.com/
Equal
New HBO Max series of docudrama about prominent figures in LGBT history, with Billy Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Sara Gilbert, Anne Ramsay and others. https://www.hbomax.com
Films at The Roxie
Watch independent and classic films online at the Roxie's virtual cinema.
https://www.roxie.com
GayBingeTV
Streaming channel for independent LGBT short, feature and documentary films.
https://www.gaybingetv.com/
Holy Trinity
Named to Indiewire's "Fabulous LGBTQ Films Not To Miss," Holy Trinity is the story of a sex-positive dominatrix in Chicago who discovers a newfound (and drug-induced) talent for speaking to the dead. Molly Hewitt wrote, directed and stars in this wild ride of queer spirituality and alternative sexuality. https://www.fullspectrumfeatures.com/trinity
Homo Say What
Acclaimed documentary explores the origins of homophobia against men that became institutionalized in the 1950s and how that continues to negatively affect all genders and sexualities to this day. https://homosaywhatfilm.com/
House of Cardin
The acclaimed documentary about fashion designer Pierre Cardin's online. http://houseofcardin.com/
LGBTQ Films on Revry
The global queer streaming network screens free and subscription-paid feature films, documentaries, short films and episodic series. New: OML, the 27.7 women's channel, featuring a new series, Socially Distant. https://revry.tv/
LGBTQ Films on Tubi
The free streaming service showcases several queer films, including God's Own Country (2017) - won directing award at Sundance; Hearthstone (2016) — won directing award at TIFF; Jeffrey (1995) — starring Patrick Stewart; Latter Days (2003); Lip Service (2012, series); Love is All You Need? (2016) — starring Emily Osment; Poison (1991) - directed by Todd Haynes, Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner; Saved! (2004) — starring Mandy Moore and Macaulay Culkin, and others. https://tubitv.com/
Mr. Soul
New documentary about Ellis Haizlip, the 1970s Black TV host who brought Black actors, activists, musicians, and community leaders to TV screens. https://www.mrsoulmovie.com/
Oakland International Film Festival
Rent VOD feature, documentary and short films. https://theoaklandinternationalfilmfestival.vhx.tv/products
Old Show Queens
Amusing insightful interview series with gay couple Gary Gunas and Billy Rosenfield, super and and producers of Broadway shows. https://www.oldshowqueens.com/
Oliver Sacks: His Own Life
Fascinating documentary about the gay psychotherapist and author. https://www.oliversacksdoc.com/
OutFest 2020
View LGBT films and artist discussion panels online. https://outfest.org/alwayson/
Prideland
New interview series; Out, Proud & Southern: Dyll�n Burnside's Story; recounts his own experience coming out in the South and travels to the heart of Alabama to meet Carmarion D. Anderson, a barrier-breaking transgender woman of color and the Alabama State Director of the Human Rights Campaign. www.pbs.org
Promo Homo TV
Veteran journalist Nicholas Snow hosts an online series of video interviews with LGBT actors, directors, authors and community activists. https://promohomo.tv
Proud
Philippe Faucon's three-part dramatic film about French gay lives in 1981, 1999 and 2013. https://kinomarquee.com/
Putting On
Season 2 of the gay reality show airs (starring Israeli-born underwear model On Mekahel); Sundays at 4pm & 7pm. https://revry.tv/
Queen of the Capital
Josh Davidsburg's vivacious and inspiring documentary follows Muffy Blake Stephyns, a drag performer with high aspirations. Muffy and her everyday persona, Daniel, navigate the drag and bureaucratic worlds of Washington, D.C., while following her dream to lead a colorful group of philanthropic drag performers. $10. https://ondemand.drafthouse.com/film/queen-of-the-capital/
Queer East Film Festival
Mini-festival of LGBT Asian films. https://queereast.org.uk/
Sideways Smile
New comedy web series about a young queer Asian American woman's urban journey of sexual self-discovery. https://sidewayssmileseries.com/
Smothered
Jason Stuart and Mitch Hara's two-man comedy film, now on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Revry. https://www.smotheredtv.com/
Snowflake
Indie film dramatizes modern day political divides in the LGBTQ Community, made by writer, director and star, Jack Tracy. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/snowflakefilm
The Sons of Tennessee Williams
Fascinating documentary film about gay-run Mardi Gras crews, from their early years to today. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sonsoftennesseewilliams
Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life
Screening of the American Masters documentary about the the late gay playwright. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters
Transgender Film Festival
20th annual festival with seven programs of short films with a variety of cinematic styles; All films are Closed Captioned for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences. Nov. 12-15. http://sftff.org/
Virtual Streaming Room With Cinema SF
Cinema SF, owners of the historic Balboa and Vogue Theaters, are keeping the spirit of movie-going alive with a series of virtual movie screenings and online chats. Proceeds from the screenings will go towards keeping the theaters alive so they can reopen after the shutdown ends. https://www.cinemasf.com/
Where the Bears Are
New online comedy show with two mature gay men. https://youtu.be/5TQnRDc15i0
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Animals worldwide have reclaimed urban spaces, as you may have seen in the news. But we need to face how our damage to the environment and abuse of wild animals may have aided the spread of disease. While we contemplate that, enjoy films of animals in the wild. Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) hosts an ongoing series of nature films and talks. openspacetrust.org
MUSIC
Cal Performances at Home
Watch videos of classical and modern music concerts, and artist conversations courtesy of the Berkeley-based performing arts organization. $5-$60 and up. Full new season schedule at www.calperformances.org
Garrin Benfield
Enjoy live and recorded home sets performed by the gay singer-composer. Garrin's YouTube channel
The Klipptones
Local jazz-pop band performs weekly streaming concerts; Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. https://www.facebook.com/klipptones/live
Noe Music
Online concerts in many genres (classical, folk, early music). Nov 8, 7pm: Third Coast Percussion. https://www.noemusic.org/
Old First Concerts
Enjoy live streaming and archived music concerts of classic, and contemporary music. https://www.oldfirstconcerts.org
Stevie Nicks
Online screenings of the Fleetwood Mac singer's '24 Karat Gold' solo concerts. https://www.stevienicksfilm.com/
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
Enjoy concerts and films, plus guest performers joining their Behind the Curtain series and Summer Reruns (Britney Coleman, Lisa Vroman, Billy Porter, Wilson Cruz, Adam Rippon, Britney Coleman, Laura Benanti, Andrew Lippa); plus Chasten and Pete Buttigieg, Wanda Sykes, Sharon Stone, Martha Wash and other performers. https://www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv
San Francisco Performances
After several programs in celebration of their 40th anniversary were cancelled, instead, SFP offers memorable classical concerts from the past, all recorded at the Herbst Theater between 2004-2008. Concerts are audio only. http://sfperformances.org/
Seth Concert Series
Broadway, film and TV actor-singers perform intimate concerts online with pianist and musical theatre expert Seth Rudetsky. $20-$25. Nov. 8 & 9: Jessie Mueller (Tony Award winner). Nov. 8: Wayne Brady. Nov. 15 & 16: Lillias White. https://thesethconcertseries.com/
SF Jazz Fridays at Five
Jazz concerts will bring you good vibes. The acclaimed venue brings their concert series online with talented musicians. https://www.sfjazz.org
Susan Werner
The accomplished singer-songwriter (Bull Durham, The Musical) performs acoustic songs with friends online, including music from her new album, 'Flyover Country' series in support of the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris campaign. http://susanwerner.com/
THEATER, DANCE, OPERA
Amy Siewert: Imagery
Dance is the most vibrantly physical of art forms, and we miss it. Until we can enjoy it live, check out some amazing short dance films by Siewert's beautiful deft dancers. The tenth anniversary Sketch series presents Red Thread, a new documentary dance film project with four films online. Nov 5. 6:30pm PT; Premiere of Purple Skin by Stephanie Martinez and Dean Berdusis,www.asimagery.org https://www.eventbrite.com
Art
Produced by San Francisco Playhouse. Video on-demand. $15-$100. This brand new, fully staged production of Yasmina Reza's bitingly funny take on taste, values and modern art was mounted for video recording just last week at SF Playhouse's Post Street theater. Directed by Bill English, this contemporary favorite's cast of three includes Jomar Tagatac, one of the Bay Area's most versatile actors, always a welcome presence on stage...and now in our homes. http://bit.ly/ArtBAR
Blood at the Root
Dominique Morriseau's ensemble drama based on the Jena Six: the six Black students who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging from a tree on campus. Live Nov 6, 7:30pm. On-deman Nov 7-15. http://therhino.org
Broadway on AirBnB
Promotional-sponsored performances by a variety of talents: Tittus Burgess, cast members from Moulin Rouge, Mrs. Doubtfire, and more, plus dance, yoga, tarot and circus classes. $10-$50. www.airbnb.com
Broadway Performers
For Broadway fans, Tony-winning performers perform new concerts, and classic shows are streamed as well. https://www.broadwayworld.com/
Different Stars
Musical show with a current theme: How do these emotions collide during time spent alone in quarantine? When James opens a box of artifacts from his first breakup, after months of self-isolation during COVID-19, he reckons with memories that haunt him of a first queer love gone awry; starring James Jackson, Jr., Victoria Huston-Elem, Danielle Buonaiuto, and Karl Saint Lucy. https://www.differentstars.live/
Flamingos Forever
"A radio play in poor taste," a new script inspired by the John Waters classic camp film Pink Flamingos, where The Queen of Filth and her family return to Baltimore for the first time since 1972. $10 gets a full download plus other goodies. https://www.queerpowers.com/homodaze-2
The Flats, produced by the Aurora Theatre Company; audio serial on-demand. The three episodes of this highly anticipated collaboration between top Bay Area playwrights Lauren Gunderson, Cleavon Smith and Jonathan Spector will be released on three consecutive Fridays, then each will remain available for an open-ended streaming run. A single ticket covers all three segments, which focus on the diverse residents of a Berkeley triplex who find themselves sheltering-in-place due to a mysterious threat. $20. www.auroratheatre.org
From Broadway to Hollywood
42nd Street Moon's online streams of various shows. https://42ndstmoon.org/
The Golden Girls, a Puppet Parody
The favorite sitcom is performed by puppets, directed by Jonathan Rockefeller; 16 episodes. https://thatgoldengirlsshow.com/
In Good Company
New Conservatory Theatre Center's new podcast drama-comedy, with playwrights and producers dealing with COVID in a realistic story. https://www.nctcsf.org/In-Good-Company-Podcast
It Can't Happen Here
Produced by the Berkeley Rep; audio on demand. Free. Four years ago, the Berkeley Rep mounted its stage adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' satirical 1935 novel about a fascist demagogue, Buzz Windrip, who becomes president of the United States. Recorded live on October 13, the four episodes are now posted for streaming at http://bit.ly/CantHappenHereBAR
Josh Kornbluth's Citizen Brain
Produced by Shotgun Players, acclaimed Bay Area-based comic monologuist Kornbluth draws on his 2016 artist's residency at UCSF's Global Brain Health Institute to creatively delve into connections he sees between dementia and the current American political system. Live on Zoom at 7pm. Thursdays through Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays. http://bit.ly/CitizenBrainBAR
The Law of Attraction
New Conservatory Theatre Center's world premiere of Patricia Milton's adapted radio comedy about bad manners. Thru Nov. 18. Free/$40. https://www.nctcsf.org/
Live at The Lortel
Season 2 of the podcast series, with musical theatre talents discussing their art and lives. Archived podcasts include BD Wong. liveatthelortel.com
Los Altos Stage Company
Fundraising performance of Harold Pinter's Old Timed with Brooke Adams, Polly Draper and Tony Shalhoub. Nov. 8, 5pm PT. www.losaltosstage.org
The Marsh Stream
The theatre producer known for acclaimed solo shows presents a variety of programming at 7:30pm nightly on MarshStream, its newly launched Broadcast Platform, even interactive Bingo game nights. http://themarsh.org/marshstream/
New Conservatory Theater Company: Offstage But Online
Temporarily shuttered, queer theater company NCTC is now building a digital playground for your viewing pleasure that will feature the new podcast drama, actor monologues, messages from playwrights, exercises to practice mindfulness and original material from Conservatory students. Quarantine is a Drag Trivia Night, with J. Conrad Frank (Katya Smirnoff-Skyy).
https://www.nctcsf.org/onstage-to-online
www.facebook.com/nctcsf
https://www.youtube.com/user/NCTCSF
Overlooked Latinas
Tina D'Elia's solo show about a butch lesbian TV star and a femme fatale Nov. 13-22. http://therhino.org
Play at Home
Berkeley Repertory Theatre presents a bunch of short play scripts you can download and perform at home, featuring works by Julia Cho, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Miranda Rose Hall, Ricardo P�rez Gonz�lez and several others. www.playathome.org
The Public Theater
Live and recorded solo and group plays and performances from the acclaimed New York City theater company; Under the Greenwood Tree, a new documentary about the 2017 production of As You Like It. https://publictheater.org/
PUSHfest
Online streaming international collection of dances; choreographer, activist and community organizer Raissa Simpson's PUSH Dance Company continues its 15th anniversary year by increasing its programming by presenting PUSHFest Global, an online streaming festival of current and contemporary dance, with 18 Bay Area dancemakers and companies, and a few from beyond the Bay, in seven live, online presentations every Wednesday through Nov. 18. https://www.pushdance.org/festival
SF BATCO
San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company streams weekly new plays, readings, arts talks, improv and more. https://www.twitch.tv/sfbatco
SF Opera
Stream recordings of the company's performances of classic operas. Nov 7, 1am PT: Verdi's tuneful masterpiece, A Masked Ball. https://sfopera.com
SF Playhouse Zoomlets
the acclaimed SF theatre company adapts, with short online plays. Also, weekly playwright chats. Ticketed videos on-demand include Brian Copeland's The Jewelry Box, From Blues the Broadway (collaborative music play), and Art by Yasmina Reza. Free/donations. https://www.sfplayhouse.org
Smuin Contemporary Ballet
The local dance company streams notable works, including Helen Pickett's Oasis, Brennan Wall's Nocturne, Rex Wheeler's Sinfonietta and an ongoing Hump Day Ballets series. https://www.smuinballet.org/
Stars in the House
Musical savant and affable host Seth Rudetsky —with his husband, producer James Wesley— hosts Zoom chats with Broadway, film and TV stars galore. One of the first online fundraisers (for The Actor's Fund), your donations help artists of all kinds, from actors to lighting crew members. Broadway may be closed, but you can enjoy living room concerts and chats with favorite stars. www.starsinthehouse.com
Theatre Rhino
The local gay theatre company presents online performances of solo and other plays, including works (mostly) written and performed by John Fisher. Nov. 5: Insane Director. Nov. 10, 7pm: Terry Guest's At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, performed by Charles Peoples III and Mario Mazzetti. All plays archived online. www.therhino.org
We Players' Audio Dramas
the innovative site-specific theatre company presents podcast-style audio re-interpretations of their recent productions, including Wonder Storytime with Alice and Friends, and The Odyssey. www.weplayers.org
WQUR: Queer Quarantine Radio
BenDeLaCreme, Jinkx Monsoon, Peaches Christ and Major Scales perform old-time radio-style thriller detective programs. https://anchor.fm/wqur
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Asian Art Museum
The great thing about the big museums is they have a lot of space, so social distancing is easy. Don your fashionable mask and peruse the reopened exhibits of contemporary and ancient works at the Asian Art Museum. Exhibits include Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment, Jenifer K Wofford: Pattern Recognition, a mural that celebrates Asian American artists, Lost at Sea: Art Recovered from Shipwrecks, and Chang Dai-chien: Painting from Heart to Hand. Among the outdoor exhibits is Don't Mess With Me, a vibrant colorful mural by Mumbai-based street artist Jas Charanjiva. Fri-Mon 10am-5pm. Thu 1pm-8pm. 200 Larkin St. asianart.org
Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
Closed to the public for now, view online exhibits (Ron Nagle: Handsome Drifter, Folk and Modern Art in Postcolonial India) and art films streamed online. 2155 Center St., Berkeley. www.bampfa.org
California Academy of Sciences
Reopened to the public (masks and social distance requirements), the fascinating science museum includes live creatures (aquarium, terrarium) and educational exhibits. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. https://www.calacademy.org/
Catharine Clark Gallery
Politics takes center stage at well-timed exhibits of works by Nina Katchadourian (Monument to the Unelected) and To the Person Sitting in Darkness (four artists' focus on disenfranchised citizens, including Stephanie Syjuco's stark interpretation of a toxic U.S. flag); also, online exhibits of regional artists' works. 248 Utah St. cclarkgallery.com
Chabot Space & Science Center
Online programs (the center is closed to the public) include live science programs each Wed., 10:30am, virtual telescope viewings each Sat. 9pm. chabotspace.org
Contemporary Jewish Museum Events & Exhibits
Reopened to the public, the spacious downtown museum includes Stephen Berkman's Predicting the Past: Zohar Studios, The Lost Years, an immersive photography installation about a mythical 19th-century Jewish photographer. Levi Strauss: A History of American Style continues through Jan. 10, 2021; Threads of Jewish Life: Ritual and Other Textiles from the San Francisco Bay Area continues through Feb, 28, 2021. Free/$16. 736 Mission St. thecjm.org
de Young Museum
The stylish modern museum located in the heart of Golden Gate Park has reopened. Major exhibits include Friday Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving (through Feb. 7, 2021), Uncanny Valley: Being Human in the Age of AI (through June 26, 2021), collections of American, African, Oceanic, costume arts and more; and a special Oct. 28 event, [Virtual] Local Voices Live: Marilet Martinez and Celia Sagastume. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm (extended to 7:45pm, Fridays and Saturdays through November for the Frida Kahlo exhibit). 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. deyoung.famsf.org
Exploratorium Events
Talks, and demos with a science theme, including comet-cam and more. Nov. 12, 7pm: After Dark online covers 'animal Intelligence.' www.exploratorium.edu
GLBT Historical Society events & exhibits
The museum reopened Oct. 1, with advance reservations required. Fighting Back, a series that brings together community leaders, experts, historians and activists to explore lessons from the past that might be useful in formulating resistance efforts today. Online exhibits include Reigning Queens: the Lost Photos of Roz Joseph, curated by Joseph Plaster; Angela Davis: OUTspoken, Labor of Love about the first ten years of Pride events in San Francisco; Performance, Protest & Politics: The Art of Gilbert Baker, Pioneering Periodicals, 1940s-1950s, Picturing Kinship: Portraits of our Community by Lenore Chinn and 50 Years of Pride. November programs focus on queer history podcasts (Nov. 6), lesbian artists defying Nazis in Germany (Paper Bullets, Nov 13). $5 donation. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Gregangelo Museum
Take online and in-person tours (using all safety protocols with 'The Riddle of the Sphinx,' a new outdoor show) at the 27-room mansion filled with eccentric unusual interactive artworks and performances. www.gregangelomuseum.com
Legion of Honor
For classic art set in a stately building with an ocean view, nothing beats the Legion of Honor. European and ancient art, giant Renaissance landscapes and historic paintings, plus classical sculptures and contemporary works. From Degas, Manet, Caillebotte and Vuillard to Egyptian, Greek and Roman artifacts, the various collections will leave you awe-struck. Tue-Sun, 9:30am-5:15pm. Free/$15. legionofhonor.famsf.org
Mercury 20 Gallery
It's never too early to start gift shopping. Many galleries offer online purchase options, and you can have a print, painting, or textile shipped without even leaving home. Mercury 20 Gallery does just that, with a compelling array of colorful works of art. Exhibits include works by Andrea Brewster, Tara Esperanza, Fernando Reyes. Notable sale works include Chris Komater's sexy nudes of gay bear Jack Radcliffe, and Johanna Poethig's timely Covid Spring (2020), an archival print (15 x 20 inches) for $180. 475 25th St., Oakland. Fri-Sat 12pm-6pm. mercurytwenty.com
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Although still closed to the public, the Center offers online virtual tours and Day of the Dead activities, poetry-reading videos, music and dance concerts and workshops. 2869 Mission St. missionculturalcenter.org
MOAD Film Club
Museum of the African Diaspora screens award-winning films, with multiple talks and music performances online as well. https://www.moadsf.org/
NIAD Exhibits
The art studio for developmentally disabled adults shares online exhibits and sells beautiful works of art. www.niadartstore.org
Oakland Museum
The East Bay museum remains closed, but online exhibits include You Are Here: California Stories on the Map (through 2022), Black Power and Dorothea Lange: Photography as Activism (both ongoing). 1000 Oak St., Oakland. museumca.org
Nancy Toomey Fine Art
What Kind of Cool (Will We Think of Next), an exhibit of collaborative works by the two multimedia artists Rodney Ewing, Tahiti Pehrson. thru Nov 30, by appointment only. 1275 Minnesota St. nancytoomeyfineart.com
SF Museum of Modern Art
Pop, Abstract, and Figurative art collections include some easily recognizable famous works, even for an art-loving amateur. Warhol, Rosenquist, Lichtenstein, to name a few. But give yourself a day to enjoy all five floors of visual treats, since the massive redesign of the building makes for an easy journey through the past century of compelling works. New exhibits include David Park: A Retrospective (through Jan. 2021) and Bay Area Walls, a group mural project in response to 2020's chaotic events. Don't forget the store to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Free/$25. Mon 10am-5pm. Thu 1pm-8pm. Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. 151 Third St. www.sfmoma.org
SOMArts Cultural Center
Living Legacies: Dia de Los Muertos 2020, the 21st annual Day of the Dead exhibit, includes a large group exhibit curated by Rio Ya�ez and Carolina Quintanilla. Open to the public, timed ticketed entry. $10. Thru Nov. 6. Tue-Fri 112pm-7pm Sat 12pm-5pm. 934 Brannan St. somarts.org
Walt Disney Family Museum
Located in The Presidio, the museum dedicated to the art of Disney films and designs re-opens Nov. 5, with online exhibits and events, including the Happy Haunts Tour. 104 Montgomery St. www.waltdisney.org
NIGHTLIFE
Bearracuda
Virtual party for bears, cubs and fans, with DJs Mateo Degade, Feddy Kop, Christeene and Matt Barracuda cohosting a virtual butt contest. Nov. 7, 9pm-12am. $10. http://bearracuda.com/
Beaux-Tanical Gardens
Beaux's extra-spacious outdoor dining and cocktails series delicious food and drinks. Mob-Wed 3pm-9pm. The 3pm-10pm. Fri & Sat 12pm-11pm. Sun 12pm-10pm. https://www.facebook.com/beauxsf
Bootie Mashup
Adriana A and guest DJs blend pop hits to danceable grooves in livestreams, Tuesdays-Saturdays. https://www.twitch.tv/BootieMashup with special October mixes and Halloween 'Monster Mashup' sets Oct. 30 & 31. Also, DNA Lounge weekly webcasts (and DNA Pizza's open for take-out). https://www.dnalounge.com/
Boy Division
DJ Xander hosts the Twitch online edition of the New Wave retro-fun dance party. www.twitch.tv/deejayxander
Brunch with Poppy
Enjoy outdoor patio brunch and a drag show hosted by Poppy; $16 bottomless mimosas. Sundays, 11am-3:30pm. Jones, 620 Jones St. https://www.eventbrite.com
Digital Pride Fest
Enjoy drag and cabaret performances with Tom Goss, Bright Light, Bright Light, Divina De Campo, Trinity the Tuck, Pearl & Precious Brady-Davis, Deven Greeen & Handsome Ned, Miz Cracker, Desmond is Amazing, Manila Luzon and many more. www.digitialpridefest.com
Drag Alive from The Stud
Every Saturday night The Stud, San Francisco's oldest queer bar, will host Drag Alive. Vivvyanne Forevermore and Jillian Gnarling bring you a virtual Stud to help support the staff, performers and the goals for a future venue. Party with the crew of The Stud at Twitch TV: https://www.twitch.tv/dragalive
Drag Queen Mukbang
Online episodic mini-series of drag performers in a show sponsored by Jack Daniel's new brand, Tennessee Fire, with Patrick Starr, Gia Gunn, Eugene Lee Yang and Laganja Estranja. Saturdays. www.jackdaniels.com
Frolic Quarantine
The fun pursuit party goes virtual. Don your animal gear and enjoy a variety of DJ mixes. Monthly, first Saturdays. http://frolicparty.com/
Mighty Real Gala
Patti LaBelle is an honored guest, and will sing, at Positive Resource Center's fundraiser gala. Nov. 7, 6pm-7:15. $100 and up; optional dinner and wine from Absinthe delivered to your door. prcsf.org/MightyReal
The Monster Show
One of the longest running drag shows in the Castro, The Monster Show has made The Edge bar a Thursday night destination. The Monster show now comes to Twitch TV, where the performers will entertain you while they raise money for bar employees. https://www.twitch.tv/monstershowsf
Oasis TV
The SoMa nightclub's events include in-person rooftop and outdoor/parklet street events (Thursday-Saturday), online new and archival footage from the venue's best shows; The Golden Girls Live. Cyberotica: the Rock Musical, Sex and the City Live, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Live, AbFab Live, Star Trek Live, Above and Beyond the Valley of the Ultra Showgirls, Debbie Does Dallas, Bitch Slap. Also, Meals on Heels, the hit drag dinner delivery service. sfoasis.com/
Pillows
Glamamore's long-running Monday night party at Powerhouse can also be found at Twitch TV. The party is called Pillows and has been a staple of the bar for years and is currently being hosted by Mary Vice. It's better than Monday Night Football! Check it out every Monday at 9pm. https://www.twitch.tv/cashmonetdrag
Quarant-Tea
One of the first local nightlife fundraisers, the SF Queer Nightlife Fund presents DJs spinning hours of music for your now possibly obsessive housecleaning activities. https://www.twitch.tv/sfqueernightlifefund
Quarantinis with Katya
Katya Smirnoff-Skyy sings and hosts weekly Thursday online cocktail parties. www.facebook.com/katya.smirnoffskyy
Queerpowers.com
A new LGBTQ+ platform developed by two San Franciscans on the first day of the Covid-19 quarantine. enjoy live drag shows, queer house parties, political broadcasts and other LGBTQ content from all over the world, uploaded hourly. Founded and curated by former Google employee Katie Bush and former Apple employee Anders Howerton. https://www.queerpowers.com/
Red Hots Burlesque
enjoy drag and strip shows, music acts and more in online performances.
http://redhotsburlesque.com/
Russell Deason's Happy Hour in Exile
The Bestie-winning pianist and cabaret singer brings his martini bar ambiance into your home; Mondays 5:30pm-7pm. www.facebook.com
SF Eagle
The famed leather bar now features wacky karaoke, DJs and other entertainments. https://www.twitch.tv/sfeaglebar
Sampson McCormick
The acclaimed comic shares insightful witty perspectives of a Black gay man in short clips and "Church Boy," a new 40-minute recorded show. http://www.sampsoncomedy.com
Sundance Saloon Online Live
Sundance Saloon offers online dance lessons and dancing every Sunday night. Beginning classes are aimed at novices. Learn how to dance while you shelter in place from 6-9pm. 6pm: beginning line dance for complete novices; 7pm: intermediate line dance; 8:15pm: line dance mini-marathon. http://www.sundancesaloon.org/
Sunday Funday, Events at Port Bar Oakland
Yes, the bars with tasty cocktails and limited to-go and dine-out dishes is open. Sunday 12pm-8pm. Fri & Sat 3pm-12am. Tuesdays Big Gay Trivia, 8pm. Drag Queen Bingo, outside, hosted by Vicodonia Nightingale. Wed. night outdoor drag shows, at 7pm, 9pm, 11pm. Sunday Drag Brunch with BeBe Sweetbriar, Delilah BeFierce. 2023 Broadway, Oakland. https://www.portbaroakland.com/
Sunny Side Up Drag Brunch
Oakland Pride presents a new weekly dine and drag brunch starting Oct. 4, with host Ming Munro. $10-$100, Sundays 11am-2pm. 2044 Franklin St. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunny-side-up-brunch-with-oakland-pride-tickets-122904473589
COMMUNITY, ACTIVITIES, CLASSES, PODCASTS, RADIO
AXIS Dance Classes
'If you have a body, you can dance' is the acclaimed Oakland disability-inclusive award-winning company. Take a Zoom class with company members JanpiStar, Bradford Chin, movement improvisation with Artistic Director Mark Brew, or a ballet with guest teacher Robert Dekkers, contemporary style with Bianca Cabrera. www.axisdance.org
Being Seen
GLAAD's new podcast focuses on the Black gay and queer male experience, hosted by Darnell Moore, producer of Being Seen and singer, actor and activist, Lawrence "Miss Lawrence" Washington. https://www.beingseenpodcast.com/
Castro Country Club's Virtual Gratitude Meetings and Check-in
Castro Country Club, the safe space for queers in recovery, will be holding virtual meetings on Sundays at 1 pm until they are able to reopen. The Zoom meeting room will open at 12:30 and the meeting room will remain open for at least 30 minutes thereafter for hanging out and fellowship. https://www.facebook.com/pg/CastroCountryClub/events/
Conservatory of Flowers
Online Zoom classes, and outside floral exhibits. https://conservatoryofflowers.org/exhibits-events
Daily Services at Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral, the welcoming and affirming Episcopalian congregation atop Nob Hill, will be holding online services weekday mornings at 9am and Sunday mornings at 11am. Grace is also hosting online Bible study and other events. www.gracecathedral.org
Fighting Racism
Join fundraising support and civil rights activism through various groups: The George Floyd Memorial Fund
(www.gofundme.com/georgefloyd, The Minnesota Freedom Fund (https://blacklivesmatter.com/|blacklivesmatter.com/), Campaign Zero (www.joincampaignzero.org).
Gay Men's Sketch/Hot Draw
Mark I. Chester hosts three gay men's sketch events a week, with sexy male models posing and works shared via Zoom. Ongoing events - Tue, 6:30pm: Gay Men's Sketch in exile. Fri, 6:30pm: Hot Draw! in exile. Sun, 2pm: Gay Men's Sketch in exile. instagram.com/gaymenssketch instagram.com/hotdrawsf
GLBT Historical Society events & exhibits
Fighting Back, a series which brings together community leaders, experts, historians and activists to explore lessons from the past that might be useful in formulating resistance efforts today. The 4127 18th St. museum opened Oct. 1, with advance reservations required. Online exhibits include Reigning Queens: the Lost Photos of Roz Joseph, curated by Joseph Plaster; Angela Davis: OUTspoken, Labor of Love about the first ten years of Pride events in San Francisco; Performance, Protest & Politics: The Art of Gilbert Baker, Pioneering Periodicals, 1940s-1950s, Picturing Kinship: Portraits of our Community by Lenore Chinn and 50 Years of Pride. https://www.glbthistory.org/fighting-back
GLIDE Services
Online services with the spiritual center of healing, faith, justice and community for everyone. https://www.glide.org/church/
Hispanic Heritage Month
Revry's array of online films, activist chats and more, including Latinx LGBTQ personalities on the show The Q Agenda. https://revry.tv/
Job Services at LGBT Center
Learn new job search skills, work on your resume and more in online workshops. Oct. 9, 11am: Resume Workshop. https://www.sfcenter.org/program/employment_services/
Keshet
The Jewish LGBTQ organization's online events include discussions, author talks and celebrations. https://www.keshetonline.org
LGBT Asylum Project Podcast
Creator and host of the LGBTQ Asylum podcast is 28-year-old Sayid Abdul, a queer Uighur refugee who was granted political asylum in 2018. Sayid speaks authentically and truthfully to the US asylum process, and he and his guests engage listeners in gripping, critical stories that bring urgency to a crisis affecting millions; available on Spotify and Apple's Podcast. https://www.lgbtasylumproject.org/
LGBTQ Connection
Online and in-person events for Napa and Sonoma community, including a voter registration party, candidate forums, Big Gay Trivia night, counseling and more. https://www.lgbtqconnection.org
LGBTQ&A
Jeffrey Masters hosts a series of weekly podcasts with community notables; sponsored by The Advocate and GLAAD. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lgbtq-a/id1151561226
Manny's Live
Community leaders, authors, activists and politicians join online discussions, voter registration campaigns and more. www.welcometomannys.com
National AIDS Memorial
The National AIDS Memorial launches a new web platform that features the entire AIDS Quilt's 48,000 panels online, with a new initiative to share stories from 40 years of the pandemic from then to now. July-ongoing. Opening is coordinated with the annual International AIDS Conference. https://aidsmemorial.org/
Out in the Bay
The long-running LGBT radio show, offline for a few years, has returned with new podcast episodes, and an extensive archive. Host Eric Jansen welcomes artists, community leaders and celebrities. https://www.outinthebay.org/
Outdoor Dance Classes
Stretch, spin, sing your body electric in outdoor, distanced playground-set SF/mission and West Oakland dance class fin Hip Hop, Salsa, Cuban and other styles. Also online classes. https://dancemissiontheater.org/
Queer Powers
Indie channel of chats radio shows, vintage zine archives and drag shows. https://www.queerpowers.com/
A Queer Serial
New series of LGBT-themed podcasts with voice actors such as Sam Pancake (Transparent, Gilmore Girls), @lgbt_history's Matthew Reimer, Radical Faeries' Will Roscoe and Joey Cain, and Chicago performers Salvio Gado and Jon Martinez, along with real recordings of pioneers including transgender entertainer Christine Jorgensen, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, and lesbian journalist Edythe Eyde. https://www.mattachinepod.com/seasontwo
Queer Nightlife Talks
Blog and links to talks among Bay Area nightlife organizers and producers, with community input and opinions. Tune in, offer assistance or thoughts. Nov. 10, "How do you live without the party?" a public Zoom forum hosted by Angelique L. Burke and Ralph Brunei. sfqueernightlifefund.org
Queercore Podcast
The QueerCore Podcast, hosted by August Bernadicou, elucidates radical, LGBTQ activists' dark histories; a spotlight on the catalysts who fought in the front-lines, in the back-lines and in the trenches of civil rights. The QueerCore Podcast is an opportunity for them to tell their stories in their own words, including Phyllis Lyon, Don Kilhefner, Jack Fritscher, drag rocker Jayne County and Vanguard Editor Keith St. Clare. https://www.queercorepod.com/
Resisterhood
Website, documentary film and toolkit for women to restore their power, encourage voting and resistance. https://www.resisterhooddoc.com/
Respect Everywhere
GLSEN's LGBTQ+ talent and allies event showcases the incredible stories of students from around the country who are making a tremendous impact on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in their own way, with videos directed by Kalen Allen, Matt Bomer, Rob Hardy, Joe Mantello, Antoni Porowski, and Octavia Spencer. Oct. 26. www.glsen.org/respecteverywhere
Roryography
For dance class fun right off the stage of some Oasis and Peaches Christ productions, Roryography is also now online. Sign up for classes at https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1672375 or https://www.facebook.com/rory.davis.94.
Sexitude
D'Arcy Drollinger's fun retro-aerobic dance class returns, now in-person and outdoors at Dolores Park. http://www.sexitude.com/
Shabbat Services With Congregation Shaar Zahav
During the Covid-19 shutdown Congregation Shaar Zahav, San Francisco's synagogue for LGBTQ Jews and friends, will stream their Shabbat (Sabbath) services via Zoom. Friday nights at 7:30 pm and Saturday mornings at 10 A.M. https://shaarzahav.org/services/
Smuin Contemporary Ballet Classes
The local dance company streams notable works, and offers online dance classes in all levels of ballet, plus tap, hip hop, contemporary and dance for fitness, and Broadway Jazz classes with hunky Weston Krukow; through Oct. 31. $6-$20 each. www.smuinballet.org
Sound On
MTV News brings together leading voices for "Sound On," a roundtable series igniting essential conversations through a BIPOC lens. Panelists dive into the topics of gender identity, white supremacy, allyship & more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPc5wy-iROM
Stay Fresh at Home
Fresh Meat Productions' new online weekly series of talks and classes to support your wellness, embodiment, breath and connection, with singing, dance and lessons in various topics. http://freshmeatproductions.org/
Taimi Talks
LGBTQ personalities (Jason Wimberly, Chris Mosier, Monique Heart and others) share guest-talks on various topics, with/on the Taimi app. (Apple Store or Google Play). https://taimi.com/
The T-House
Community gathering space for transmasculine and masculine of center individuals including trans men, nonbinary people, genderfluid people, butches, studs, two spirit people who identify with transmasculinity, sponsored by City College of San Francisco. Weekly online events. https://t-house.carrd.co/
Worship With Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer
Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer of Grace Lutheran Church, the first openly transgender pastor to be ordained in the Lutheran church, will be offering a variety of online services and events during the Covid-19 shutdown. For kids stuck at home there will be Kids Dance Parties on Zoom until May 1. Pastor Rohrer will also hold their Sunday services online via Facebook live at their Facebook page.
www.facebook.com
Zoom Baking Classes
Join a variety of notable chefs for fun tutorials on baking. Fridays 10am PT/1pm ET.
www.24sixlife.com/baking-zoom-room
Do you have an event to add? Email [email protected]
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(Jim Gladstone contributed to theatre listings.)