From musicals with social themes to exhibits with unusual depth, the arts heat up our summer.
THURSDAY 25
Aunt Charlie's @ Tenderloin Museum
Multimedia exhibit about the historic Tenderloin drag bar; thru Dec 1. 398 Eddy St. http://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/
Baloney @ Oasis
The studly gay male revue returns with SPF 69, new and favorite male burlesque dances and sketches that'll make you laugh and turn you on, with "Roryography" by Rory Davis, and host Michael Phillis. $35-$70. Thu-Sat 7pm thru July 27. 298 11th St. www.sfbaloney.com www.sfoasis.com
Building the Building @ SOMArts Cultural Center
SOMArts 40th anniversary exhibition with works by 16 artists; thru Sept. 3. 934 Brannan St. www.somarts.org
Cabaret @ SF Playhouse
New local production of Kander & Ebb and Masteroff's classic musical based on the John Van Druten play and stories by Christopher Isherwood, set in Weimar Germany. $35-$125. Tue-Thu & Sun 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Also Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm. Thru Sept. 14. 450 Post St. www.sfplayhouse.org
Cityscape @ Creativity Explored
New exhibit of urban-themed works by artists with disabilities. Thru Sept 5. 3245 16th St. http://www.creativityexplored.org/
Classic and New Films @ Castro Theatre
39th SF Jewish Film Festival, thru July 28. $8-$15. 429 Castro St. http://www.castrotheatre.com/
Events @ Manny's
July 25, 6:30pm: Helen Zi discusses her book, Last Boat Out of Shanghai, about Chinese who fled Mao's Revolution. 3092 16th St. http://welcometomannys.com/
A Great Ride @ GLBT History Museum
July 25: Early Leather: San Francisco's Leather Scene, 1966-1992. Both $5, 7pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Hairspray @ Victoria Theatre
Bay Area Musicals' new production of Mark Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan's toe-tapping Tony-winning musical about a Baltimore '60s TV show, based on the John Waters film. $35-$100. 8pm. Thu 7:30pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm, thru Aug. 11. 2961 16th St. www.bamsf.org
Jim James @ Strut
The photographer's exhibit of Black and White Nostalgia: Vintage Gay SF photos from the 1970s to 1990s, thru July. 470 Castro St. https://photojimsf.com/ www.sfaf.org
Literary Speakeasy @ Martuni's
James J. Siegel's monthly authors and cocktails night welcomes poets Hilary Brown, Hadas Goshen, and Kevin Madrigal; author Chris Delyani; and musical guest Lisa Azzolino. 7pm. 4 Valencia St.
Michelle Meow Show @ Commonwealth Club
Meow and cohost John Zipperer discuss LGBT issues with different prominent guests. Weekly, 12pm. 110 Embarcadero. www.commonwealthclub.org
Robyn, Troye Sivan @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Pop groovy singer returns and the out gay singer opens. $80. 7pm. 99 Grove St. www.apeconcerts.com
San Francisco Mime Troupe @ Bay Area Parks
The company celebrates its 60th anniversary and performs Treasure Island, an update on the classic tale, with a development/greed scandal as the story. Free/$20 donations; at Bay Area locales thru Sept 8: July 24 & 25, 7pm at SF Mime Troupe Studio Space, 855 Treat Ave. July 27, 2pm at Balboa Park, Havelock St. at San Jose Ave. July 28, 2pm at Yerba Buena Gardens, 745 Mission St. July 31 & Aug. 1, 7pm at Lakeside Park, Bellevue Ave. & Perkins sts, Oakland. www.sfmt.org
FRIDAY 26
Bay Area Playwrights
Festival @ Potrero Stage
30+ actors 20+ plays, staged readings, and more. $10-$20. Thru July 28. 1695 18th St. www.playwrightsfoundation.org
Border People @ The Marsh
Dan Hoyle's new solo show embodies multiple characters based around the U.S./Mexico border wall controversies; extended thru Aug. 30. $25-$100. Wed-Fri 8pm, Sat 5pm. 1062 Valencia St. www.themarsh.org
Cassadro, The Exotico! @ Roxie Cinema
Marie Losier's documentary about the Liberace of Lucha Libre wrestling, the first openly gay star of the performance-sport. Thru Aug. 1, Little Roxie theatre, 3117 16th St. www.roxie.com
Concerts & Comics @ Mountain Winery
July 26: comic Russell Peters. July 27: comic George Lopez. July 28: The Royal Affair (Yes, Asia, John Lodge (Moody Blues) Carl Palmer (ELP). July 29: Jill Scott. July 30: Chaka Khan and Michael McDonald. Aug. 1: Kool & the Gang with Evelyn "Champagne" King. $60-$375. Most showtimes 7pm. 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga. www.mountainwinery.com
Greg Proops @ Punch Line Comedy Club
The acerbic comic (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) performs. $28. 7:30pm & 9:45pm. Also July 27. (2-drink min.) 8pm. 444 Battery St. http://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/
Jill Scott @ The Fox, Oakland
Three-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter performs at the gorgeous theater. $70-$160. 8pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. http://thefoxoakland.com
Early Leather @ GLBT History Museum
Early Leather: San Francisco's Leather Scene, 1966-1992 a slideshow and discussion, with Peter Fiske and Gayle Rubin, Race Bannon, Steve Gaynes and Graylin Thornton. $5. 7pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Older and Out @ North Berkeley Senior Center
Weekly group discussion about problems for elders in the LGBT community. 3:15pm. 1901 Hearst Ave., Berkeley. www.pacificcenter.org
Passion @ Custom Made Theater
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical gets a local production. $10-$30. Thru July 20. 533 Sutter St. www.custommade.org
Queer California: Untold Stories @ Oakland Museum
Multimedia exhibition documenting California LGBT lives, with contemporary artwork, rare historical materials, film, photography, sculpture; thru Aug. 11. Friday 5pm LGBT film screenings. Also, Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline, Ray Troll's colorful illustrations paired with paleontologist Kirk Johnson's research. Also, Take Root: Oakland Grows Food and other exhibits. Free/$15. 1000 Oak St. http://museumca.org/
Queer Yoga @ Love Story Yoga
All-level weekly classes in an LGBT space. $11. 6:30pm-7:30pm. 473 Valencia St. at 16th. http://www.lovestoryyoga.com/
Ryan Raftery @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
The comic actor-singer performs his solo show, The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Martha Stewart. $35-$70. 8pm. Also July 27. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com
Shortlived VIII @ PianoFight
PianoFight and A.C.T. present the nation's largest audience-judged theater competition, with multiple short plays performed over several weeks. $20; thru Aug. 10 (Finals at the Strand Theater Sept 7 & 8). 144 Taylor St. www.PianoFight.com
SATURDAY 27
Alchemy of Manhood
@ Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
A 'Celebration of Healthy Masculinity for Same-Gender-loving GBTQ Black Men,' dance party, elder dialogue, and live music event. $10. 1pm-4pm. 3207 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. http://bit.ly/alchemyofmanhoodtix
Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum
Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World (thru Jan 6), and other exhibits of animation art by the prolific studio's artists. 104 Montgomery St, The Presidio. $5-$25. 10am-6pm. Closed Tue. http://wdfmuseum.org/
Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi
The musical comedy revue celebrates its final year with fun lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. Wed-Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm & 9pm. Sun 2pm & 5pm. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com
Big, The Musical @ Berkeley Playhouse
Local production of John Weidman, David Shire and Richard Maltby's musical adpatation of the hit Tom Hanks film about a kid who magically becomes an adult (on the outside). $20-$40. Thu-Sun thru July 28. Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Avenue
Berkeley. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org
Comic Exhibits @ Cartoon Art Museum
Surfside Girls, original work from book illustrator Kim Dwinell; other ongoing exhibits. Free-$10. 11am-5pm, except Wed. 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org
David King @ IS Fine Art and Design
The local artist's new beguiling collage/abstract works. 1100 Sutter St. http://ianstallings.com/
Exhibits @ Chabot Space & Science Museum, Oakland
Space, science and planetary exhibits, including planetarium shows and the Observatory; special nighttime events like meteor shower shows. Free-$18. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. www.chabotspace.org
Films @ BAM/PFA
Artistic and award-winning films, including international features, and documentaries about artists; ongoing. 2155 Center St., Berkeley. www.bampfa.org
Flagging in the Park @ National AIDS Memorial Grove
The flagging, flow arts and picnic party features DJ Dawna Montell; proceeds benefit the Grove. 12:30pm-4:30pm. Nancy Pelosi Drive at Bowling green. www.flaggercentral.com
Hamilton @ Orpheum Theatre
The mega-hit Tony-winning Broadway hip hop musical revision of American Revolutionary-era history. $111-$686. Thru Sept 8. 1192 Market St. www.shnsf.com
Kill Move Paradise @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley
Shotgun Players' production of James Ijames' modern choral tone poem that imagines an afterlife where the spirits of young Black men try to comprehend how and why they died. $7-$45. Thru Aug. 4. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. www.shotgunplayers.org
LGBTQ Histories from the WWII Home Front
@ Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center, Richmond
Park indoor exhibit that showcases the lives of historic LGBT people. Open daily 10am-5pm. 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000, Richmond. https://www.nps.gov/rori/index.htm
Mia Nakano @ CIIS
The Visibility Project, the artist's series of portraits of diverse people. Desai Matta Gallery, California Institute of Integral Studies, 1453 Mission St. www.ciis.edu
Other Cinema @ ATA Gallery
Weekly screenings of wacky, unusual, short, documentary and animated films; free books, vinyl, VHS and wine. $7. 8:30pm. 992 Valencia St. www.othercinema.com
Roan at the Gates @ Berkeley City Club
Central Works' production of Christina Gorman's political thriller (adapted from her novel) about an NSA analyst's secret life, and his wife's possible betrayal. $22-$38, thru Aug 18. 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. www.centralworks.org
Skate Night @ Church on 8 Wheels
Wheeled fun at the former Sacred Heart Church-turned disco roller skate party space, hosted by John D. Miles, the "Godfather of Skate," including Saturday's Black Rock night (Burning Man garb encouraged). 7pm-10pm. Sat afternoon sessions 1pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm. $10. Kids 12 and under $5. Skate rentals $5. 554 Fillmore St at Fell. www.churchof8wheels.com
That Don Reed Show @ The Marsh Berkeley
The local actor-playwright's solo show combines autobiographical storytelling, improv and comedy. $20-$100. 8:30pm. Also 5:30pm Sundays, thru July 21. 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. www.themarsh.org
Various Exhibits @ NIAD Art Center, Richmond
Exhibits of art by visiting professionals, and art made by developmentally disabled people. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. 551 23rd St., Richmond. (510) 620-0290. www.niadart.org
Wild SF Walking Tours @ Citywide
Enjoy weekly informed tours of various parts of San Francisco, from Chinatown to the Haight, and a 'radical' and political-themed LGBT-inclusive tour. Various dates and times. $15-$25. www.wildsftours.com
SUNDAY 28
Ecstatic Dance @ Sacred Heart Church
Weekly group freeform dance with a spiritual flavor at the former church-turned event space. $15. 9am-12pm. Also Wed. and Fridays in Oakland and Fairfax. 554 Fillmore St. www.ecstaticdance.org
Expedition Reef
@ California Academy of Sciences
Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Skin, a multi-species hands-on exhibit; Deep Reefs, Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, and more. $20-$35. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org
Floral Exhibits @ SF Botanical Garden
Visit the lush gardens with displays of trees, flowers and shrubs from around the world, including the annual Magnolia bloom. Monthly plant sales, plus art exhibits and gift shop; free entry with SF proof of residency. $5-$10 for others. 7:30am-closing. 9th Ave at Lincoln Way. https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/
Mitchell Cohen @ The Green Arcade Bookstore
The author of The Fight Against Monsanto's Roundup: The Politics of Pesticides discusses issues in his book; part of Labor Fest www.laborfest.net 5pm. 1680 Market St. www.TheGreenArcade.com
Plant Exhibits @ Conservatory of Flowers
Artfully arranged plant and floral exhibits; special evening events and parties. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park. https://conservatoryofflowers.org
Poetry Open Mic @ South San Francisco Public Library
San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, along with Bay Area poets Jan Steckel, Melinda Luisa de Jesus and Dena Rod, read poetry as featured artists at the open mic. 3pm. 840 West Orange Ave., South San Francisco. http://www.ssf.net/departments/library
Queer Tango @ Finnish Hall, Berkeley
Same-sex partner tango dancing, including lessons for newbies, food and drinks. $5-$10. 3:30pm-6:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. www.finnishhall.org
Sprightly @ SF Public Library
Weekly hangout for LGBTQ youth, with crafts, snacks and activities. 12:30pm-2:30pm. James C. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org
Tattoos in Japanese Prints @ Asian Art Museum
Tattoos in Japanese Prints and The Bold Brush of Au Ho-Nein, both thru Aug. 18; also, Contemporary works by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, Kim Heecheon and Liu Jianhua; exhibits of sculpture and antiquities. Sunday caf� specialties from $7-$16. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. http://www.asianart.org/
Ed Hardy: Deeper Than Skin @ de Young Museum
First museum retrospective of the renowned California tattoo artist; thru Oct. 6. Also, Ana Prvac Ki: Detour (thru Sept 29), Specters of Disruption (thru Nov 10) and exhibits of Modern and historic art, including embroidery, Maori portraits and installations. Free/$28. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.famsf.org
Various Exhibits @ Treasure Island Museum
Collections of Golden Gate Expo postcards, military memorabilia and more. Building One, Treasure Island, One Avenue of the Palms. www.treasureislandmuseum.org
MONDAY 29
Annabeth Rosen
@ Contemporary Jewish Museum
Annabeth Rosen: Fired, Broken, Gathered, Heaped, an exhibit of works by the Californian sculptor; thru Jan 19. Other exhibits, too. Free/$17. 736 Mission St. https://thecjm.org/
Chosen Familias @ GLBT History Museum
Chosen Familias: Bay Area LGBTQ Latinx Stories; Also, The Mayor of Folsom Street: Alan Selby's Legacy, an exhibit of the leather culture pioneer. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Queer as German Folk @ SF Public Library
Exhibit of ephemera and memorabilia about Stonewall rebellion commemorations in Germany and worldwide; film series Thursdays in August; additional exhibit also at Eureka Valley Branch, 1 Jose Sarria Court at 16th; both thru Sept 26. 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org
We Are More @ California Humanities, Oakland
Exhibit of art by four queer comic artists; Ajuan Mance, Breena Nu�ez, Lawrence Lindell, and Trinidad Escobar. Thru Sept. 538 9th St. Suite 210. Oakland. www.calhum.org
William Blake in Color @ William Blake Gallery
Exhibit of classic plates in the new gallery of historic art by the 18th- and 19th-century poet and illustrator. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Sat 11am-5pm. 49 Geary St. #205. www.williamblakegallery.com
TUESDAY 30
Freak Show @ Punch Line Comedy Club
Strange, unusual grotesque and hilarious acts from LA. $17 (2-drink min.) 8pm. 444 Battery St. http://freakshowla.com/sf/ http://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/
Judy at Stonewall @ PianoFight
Connie Champagne revives her Judy Garland persona with songs and stories, real and fantastical, with guest stars Bambi Lake and Lambert Moss; musical direction by Tammy Hall. $30-$35. 7:30pm. 144 Taylor St. www.pianofight.com
Material Domestication
@ Museum of Craft & Design
Exhibit of works by six design artists whose work displays repetition and craft. Also, Wanzin Zhang: the Long Journey, ceramic sculptures; both thru July 14. 2569 3rd St. https://sfmcd.org
Queer Voices
@ American Bookbinders Museum
Paperbacks and Periodicals Forging Community, an exhibit of pulp fiction and early paperback books; thru Aug. 31. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. 355 Clementina St. www.bookbindersmuseum.com
Smoke & Mirrors: The War on Drugs @ AAACC
Exhibit of works by six muralists and 20 artists focusing on pot use, hemp, and historical elements of cannabis in communities of color. Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm. Sat til 5pm. Thru Aug 31. 762 Fulton St. www.aaacc.org
Various Exhibits @ The Beat Museum
Enjoy exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop that celebrates the era of 'Beatnik' literature (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, etc.), with frequent readings, walking tours and other events in North Beach. $5-$8. Daily 10am-7pm. 540 Broadway www.kerouac.com
WEDNESDAY 31
Andy Warhol @ SF MOMA
Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again, a new exhibition of the iconic pop artist's works, the first retrospective in 25 years; thru Sept 2. Also, Don't! Photography and the Art of Mistakes; Far Out: Suits, Habs, and Labs for Outer Space; The Chronicles of San Francisco, photo-muralist JR's interactive community giant group portrait; other exhibits of Modern art. Free/$25. Fri-Tue 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm. 151 3rd St. www.sfmoma.org
Cabaret Karaoke @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
Dick Bright MCs the new weekly karaoke night at the elegant nightclub. $12-$15. ($20 food/drink min.). thru Sept. 25. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com
Coffee, Rhum, Sugar and Gold: A Post-Colonial Paradox @ MOAD
Exhibit of works that explore the legacy of European colonialism in the Caribbean through the work of 10 contemporary artists. Free/$10. Wed-Sat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. Thru Aug 11. 685 Mission St. www.moadsf.org
Naked Men's Sketch @ Eros
Get naked and take turns modeling at the sex club's popular weekly event. Donations/no entrance fee. 7pm-9pm. 2051 Market St. www.erossf.com
Octopus Literary Salon @ 2101, Oakland
#We, a reading series of queer perspectives with Julian Mithra, Marvin R. Hiemstra and host Richard Loranger. 2101 Webster St., Oakland
Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez @ Sanchez Contemporary Gallery, Oakland
Exhibit of the artist's portraits of Puerto Rican Resilience. 1951 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. http://www.sanchezcontemporary.com/
THURSDAY 1
Early Rubens @ Legion of Honor
Exhibit of epic massive paintings of biblical and mythical subjects by Peter Paul Rubens; Thru Sept. 8. Also, Small Inventions: Artist's Books by Charles Hobson (thru July 14) and other exhibits of classical and modern art. Free/$30. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. https://legionofhonor.famsf.org/
Exclusion @ Presidio Officers Club
Exhibit documenting the Presidio's Japanese-American incarceration during World War II; other exhibits show the history of the former military base and the SF peninsula. Free, Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; extended thru June 2020. 50 Maraga Ave. https://www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/
Patty From HR @ Oasis
Mo Patty Mo Problems, Michael Phllis' second comic solo show as a petulant Human Resources gal. $25-$45. 7pm. Thu-Sat thru Aug 3. 289 11th St. www.sfoasis.com
Then They Came For Me @ Futures Without Violence
Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties, a touring multimedia exhibit documenting the terrifying period in U.S. history when the government scapegoated and imprisoned thousands of people of Japanese ancestry, including photographs by Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, alongside works by incarcerated Japanese American artists Toyo Miyatake and Min� Okubo. Free. Wed-Sun 10am-6pm. Talks and events thru the exhibit's run. Extended thru Sept 1. 100 Montgomery St. https://thentheycame.org/
Three Solo Exhibitions
@ Marcury 20, Oakland
Nick Dong's Mendsmith Project, Chris Komater's homoerotic Jack & Mack, and Ruth Tabancay's Geometricity 3.0. Artists' reception Aug 10, 4pm-6pm. Reg. hours Thu-Sat 12pm-6pm. Thru Sept 7. 475 25th St., Oakland. http://mercurytwenty.com/
Various Events @ Oakland LGBTQ Center
Social events and meetings at the new LGBTQ center include film screenings and workshops, including Bruthas Rising, trans men of color meetings, 4th Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Film screenings, 4th Saturdays, 7:30pm. Game nights, Fridays 7:30pm-11pm. Vogue sessions, first Saturdays. 3207 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland. https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/
To submit event listings, email [email protected]
Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.