Shake off the pandemic blues and get some virtual entertainment and connection with online -and a few in-person- arts, nightlife and community events.
ARTS
DANCE, OPERA, THEATRE
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
Cinnabar Theater's production of James Lecense's gay-themed solo play, performed by Michael Pavone. Thru Jan. 31. https://cinnabartheater.org/
Ann
Los Altos Stage Company's production of Holland Taylor's one-woman play about the amazing outspoken late Texas Governor Ann Richards, performed by Judith Miller. Jan. 22-24, 29-31. $20 per device. http://losaltosstage.org
Ballet22
Premiere of a new dance film by Joshua Stanton with the Oakland dance company. $10 and up. Feb. 12-14. https://www.ballet22.com
Bechtel Fest 8
Chicago's Broken Nose Theatre company presents a series of online plays; the annual festival of new short plays features an ensemble of femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans and queer actors talking about things other than men; free, thru March 26. https://brokennosetheatre.com/
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/
The Catastrophist
Marin Theatre Company's digital full-cast production of Lauren Gunderson's play based on her husband Nathan Wolfe, an award-winning 'virus hunter' who developed a pandemic plans years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Thru Feb. 28. $30. https://www.marintheatre.org/
Creatives in Place
Online storytelling listening project and virtual gallery for a variety of Bay Area artists and activists participating in mid-pandemic work. creativesinplace.org
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/
The Flats
Produced by the Aurora Theatre Company; three episodes of a collaboration between top Bay Area playwrights Lauren Gunderson, Cleavon Smith and Jonathan Spector. 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 Gaze: No Homo
LA's Fountain Theatre presents Larry Powell's play series of twelve short-form episodes produced through artistic protest in support of Black Lives. examines the process of building culturally specific and queer works of color in historically white spaces. New episodes each Friday. https://www.fountaintheatre.com/now-upcoming/the-gaze
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
The Healer
Raw Dance and ODC Theater present a new dance, streamed online Jan 29 & 30. $15-$100; includes guest speakers and Q&A. https://rawdance.org/events/thehealer/
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
The Marsh Stream
The theatre producer known for acclaimed solo shows presents a variety of programming at 7:30pm nightly on MarshStream. Also, Solo Arts Heal programs, the newly launched Broadcast Platform, and interactive Bingo game nights. http://themarsh.org/marshstream/
New Conservatory Theater Company: Offstage But Online
LGBT theater company presents a streaming performance of the dress rehearsal of JC Lee's two-man performance of his Warplay, a funny and imaginative exploration of the story of Achilles and Patroclus in Homer's The Iliad,with Ed Gonzalez Moreno and JD Scalzo; also podcast dramas, actor monologues, messages from playwrights, exercises to practice mindfulness and original material from Conservatory students. www.nctcsf.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/
Robert Moses' Kin
The acclaimed local dance company celebrates its 25th anniversary season with new video dances; five new works since March, including a major fundraiser for SF Unified School District; also free online events and paid master classes. https://www.robertmoseskin.org
San Francisco Ballet
The claimed dance company returns with an online series of programs of newly commissioned dance films, and popular repertory works like George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Thru Feb. 10. Single tickets $29, full series $250. (read the recent B.A.R. article) https://www.sfballet.org
SF BATCO
San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company streams weekly new plays, readings, arts talks, improv and more. February includes special Black history Month shows, hosted by Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., and Marcelo Javier. https://www.twitch.tv/sfbatco
SF Opera
Stream recordings of the company's performances of classic operas and vocal concerts. Verdi's La Traviata Jan. 30-31. Wagner's Lohengrin, Feb 6 & 7. Mozart's Cos� fan tutte February 13 & 14. Puccini's La Rondine February 20 & 21. Verdi's Falstaff February 27 &28. Also, in-person drive-in screenings of operas at Fort Mason. 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. Free/donations. https://www.sfplayhouse.org
Smuin Contemporary Ballet
The local dance company streams notable works, including Long Distance Love, a Valentine's concert, Feb 11-14; new versions of Michael Smuin's dances, and original works. https://www.smuinballet.org/ (Read the B.A.R. article.)
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; also classic TV show cast reunions. www.starsinthehouse.com
Tampon Rock
Alyssa Brown, Sarah Aument and Sophie Dinicol's new scripted audio comedy show about an Oakland lesbian rock band, with original music. https://www.tamponrock.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. All plays archived online. www.therhino.org
Word for Wordcast
The theatre ensemble known for fascinating adaptations of short fiction presents a series of podcasts. https://www.zspace.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
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 BGS-QD
The New York City bookstore Bureau of General Services-Queer Division, located in the LGBT Community Center, hosts multiple online literary events each month. https://bgsqd.com/
Author Events at City Lights
the historic bookstore presents online author events. http://www.citylights.com/
Author Events at Dog Eared Books Castro
Online readings and chats, with in-person purchases available at the store, 489 Castro St. https://dogearedbookscastro.com/
Author Events at Green Apple Books
Online readings and chats; in-store shopping. www.greenapplebooks.com
Black History Month Book Club
Online group reads The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza with special guests Mayor London Breed, BART Director Lateefah Simon, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Black Lives Matter Co-Founder and the author Alicia Garza. www.eventbrite.com
QueerWords Podcast
Wayne Goodman's online audio discussions with many notable LGBTQ fiction, poetry authors, essayists and journalists. https://queerwords.org/
MOVIES, TV
50 Years of Fabulous
View (purchase or rent) the new documentary about Jos� Sarria and the history of the Imperial Council; on AmazonPrime and other services. https://www.50yearsoffab.com/
American Pavilion Films
Virtual debut for a diverse showcase of 38 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/
Born To Be
Documentary about America's first hospital center for transgender medical care; at Roxie Virtual Cinema. https://www.roxie.com/
Daedalus
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
Dekkoo Films
LGBT online subscription channel with new short and feature films, series and classics. https://www.dekkoo.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
Falling
Actor Viggo Mortensen's directing-screenwriting debut concerns a gay man who brings his farm-isolated father to LA, and his angry struggle with dementia.
Films at The Roxie
Watch independent and classic films online at the Roxie's virtual cinema.
https://www.roxie.com
Film Out San Diego
The Southern CA city's LGBT film fest screens movies online, including the acclaimed Goddess of Fortune. http://filmoutsandiego.com/
Frameline Films
Watch new and acclaimed independent LGBT films, plus artist talks. New: Mr. Navaho, about a First Nation LGBT right activist. https://frameline.org
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/
GayBingeTV
Streaming channel for independent LGBT short, feature and documentary films.
https://www.gaybingetv.com/
Gay Chorus Deep South
The acclaimed documentary follows the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus on their trailblazing tour of Southern U.S. cities in 2016; on Pop, Logo and Pluto TV. https://www.gaychorusdeepsouth.com/
The Gay Husbands of San Francisco
Free online series created by Adam Sandel, with SF gay actors in a witty reality show parody. https://tinyurl.com/t96b93j
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/
I'm Moshanty - Do You Love Me?
Tim Wolff's new documentary is a musical tribute to the legendary South Pacific recording artist and transgender activist Moses Moshanty Tau and the LGBTQI community of Papua New Guinea. www.facebook.com/Im-Moshanty-Do-You-Love-Me
LGBTQ Films on Revry
The global queer streaming network screens free and subscription-paid feature films, documentaries, short films and episodic series. New: Black History Month films through February. https://revry.tv/
LGBTQ Films on Tubi
The free streaming service showcases several queer films, including God's Own Country and many others. https://tubitv.com/
Monsoon
Henry Golding's touching film about a gay man who returns home to Vietnam after being away for many years. https://strandreleasing.com/films/monsoon/
Mr. Soul
Acclaimed documentary about Ellis Haizlip, the 1970s gay 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. www.oldshowqueens.com
Oliver Sacks: His Own Life
Fascinating documentary about the gay psychotherapist and author. www.oliversacksdoc.com
OutFest 2020
View LGBT films and artist discussion panels online. https://outfest.org/alwayson/
Prideland
New interview series with Dyll�n Burnside talking with Southern LGBT people. 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. $10. https://ondemand.drafthouse.com/film/queen-of-the-capital/
Queer East Film Festival
Mini-festival of LGBT Asian films. https://queereast.org.uk/
Queer Japan
New documentary shows a cross-section of LGBTQ Japanese life. On-demand starting Dec 11. http://www.queerjapanmovie.com/
RuPaul's Drag Race
Season 13 of the popular drag competition on multiple channels: The CW Network along with MTV, MTV2, PopTV, Logo and YouTube. http://www.vh1.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race
SF Indiefest
Annual film festival includes some LGBT-themed movies. Thru Feb. 21. https://sfindiefest2021.eventive.org/films
SF Latino Film Fest
Stream new and archived feature, short and documentary films. https://www.cinemassf.org/
Sounds of Broadway
24/7 radio station plays classic Broadway songs, with interviews and trivia shows, too. https://soundsofbroadway.com/
Sideways Smile
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/
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
Supernova
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play a gay couple dealing with onset dementia in Harry Macqueen's film. (Read our review). Available on Amazon Prime, youTube, Hulu and other channels.
Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life
Screening of the American Masters documentary about the the late gay playwright. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters
Transfinite
Sci-fi omnibus feature film composed of seven stand-alone short stories where supernatural trans and queer people from various cultures use their powers to protect, love, teach, fight and thrive. https://linktr.ee/transfinitefilm
Uncle Frank
Writer-Director Alan Ball's family dreamed about a young girl and her gay uncle, and who they reconnect; on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Frank-Paul-Bettany/dp/B08KZCMFRQ
Veneno
New HBO Max series by Spanish creators and directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi bring the beloved transgender celebrity of the 1990s, Cristina Ortiz, based on the memoir by Valeria Vegas. https://www.hbomax.com
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
Arts Unite - Art Unites
Goodmesh's online music and performance competition, where you vote for your favorites; among the competitors, drag opera baritone Nina Na�'s 'Drauma' project. https://www.goodmesh.nl/
Cal Performances at Home
Watch videos of classical and modern music concerts, and artist conversations courtesy of the Berkeley-based performing arts organization. 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
Justin Utley
The hunky gay singer has new music out, including his new album, Scars. https://www.justinutley.com/
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). https://www.noemusic.org/
Old First Concerts
Enjoy live streaming and archived music concerts of classic, and contemporary music. Jan. 22, 8pm?: pianist Samantha Cho, who Debussy's Images and Grieg's youthful and spirited Sonata in E minor along with a selection of works by Germaine Tailleferre. https://www.oldfirstconcerts.org
Rufus Wainwright
The gay singer-songwriter performs 'A Rufus-Retro Wainwright-Spective,' a series of online Friday night concerts including all of his recorded songs. Tickets ($20): https://rufuswainwright.com/
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
Enjoy concerts plus guest performers joining the Behind the Curtain series and Summer Reruns (Britney Coleman, Lisa Vroman, Billy Porter, Wilson Cruz, Adam Rippon, Britney Coleman, Laura Benanti, Andrew Lippa); plus Kristin Chenoweth, Chasten and Pete Buttigieg, Wanda Sykes, Sharon Stone, Martha Wash, India's Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil 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/
San Francisco Symphony Plus
digital Soundbox includes 3 programs curated by Esa-Pekka Salonen; additional programs curated by Julia Bullock, Destiny Muhammad, Nico Muhly, and Claire Chase; new episodes of Currents series, exploring Indian Classical, Native American, Zimbabwean, Persian, and Klezmer musical cultures. Feb 4-August. https://www.sfsymphonyplus.org/
Seth Concert Series
Broadway, film and TV actor-singers perform intimate concerts online (live and on-demand) with pianist and musical theatre expert Seth Rudetsky; Sundays, repeated Mondays. $20-$25. Feb. 7, 12pm PT & Feb. 8 at 5pm: Christy Altomare (Anya in Anastasia and Sophie in Mamma Mia! on Broadway). Feb. 14: Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus. Feb. 21: Santino Fontana. 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
Sounds of Broadway
24/7 radio station plays classic Broadway songs, with interviews and trivia shows, too. https://soundsofbroadway.com/
Stevie Nicks
Online screenings of the Fleetwood Mac singer's '24 Karat Gold' solo concerts. https://www.stevienicksfilm.com/
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. http://susanwerner.com/
Zappa
Alex Winter's new documentary about extraordinary musician Frank Zappa includes never-seen footage; in theaters and on-demand. http://www.zappamovie.com/
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
[note: museums and galleries have closed again through January,
but most have online exhibits and events]
After Life (we survive)
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts' multi-artist online and in-person installation of works examining survival tactics for indigenous, people of color, queer, trans and marginalized cultures; thru Jan. 24. https://ybca.org/event/after-life-we-survive/
ArtHaus 25th Anniversary
Gallerists James Bacchi and Annette Schutz celebrate their gallery's silver anniversary with a group retrospective exhibit. 228 Townsend St. http://www.arthaus-sf.com/main-gallery/
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
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/
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
Chinese Cultural Center
Women: From Her to Here, a new online exhibit focusing on women Asian diasporic cultures,, including diverse gender and sexual identities. https://www.cccsf.us/
Contemporary Jewish Museum Events & Exhibits
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
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. 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
Entwined
San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken's whimsical wonderland where visitors can explore paths and sit under a grove of three entwined sculptural trees while practicing social distancing, at Golden Gate Park's Peacock Meadow, in celebration of the park's 150th anniversary. Daily, 10pm closing. Thru Feb 28, possibly thru June 1. https://www.goldengatepark150.com/entwined
Exploratorium Events
Talks, and demos with a science theme, including comet-cam and more. www.exploratorium.edu
GLBT Historical Society events & exhibits
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. Events: Feb. 5, 6pm: Rainbow High: LGBTQ Stories in Aerospace History. Feb 11, 7pm: Catching Up With Dazi� Grego-Sykes. 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. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Gregangelo Museum
Take online tours at the 27-room mansion filled with eccentric unusual interactive artworks and performances. New: the holiday-themed Solstice: Illuminate Your Wonder, thru Dec. 12, 5:30pm-8:30pm (various dates) www.gregangelomuseum.com
Haight Street Art Center
Forward Together's new exhibit honoring Trans Day of Resilience with works by and for trans people of color, includes posters and an outdoor Garden Gallery open to the public. Indoor exhibits closed. 155 Laguna St. https://haightstreetart.org/
Harvey Milk Photo Center
View online exhibits of masterful photographic art. https://www.harveymilkphotocenter.org/
Joan Baez's 'Mischief Makers 2'
The second solo show by iconic folksinger, activist and artist Joan Baez, showcasing her portraits of people making the world a better place, runs through February 14 at Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley. https://seagergray.com/
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. [closed] Tue-Sun, 9:30am-5:15pm. Free/$15. legionofhonor.famsf.org
Mercury 20 Gallery
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). 475 25th St., Oakland. Fri-Sat 12pm-6pm. mercurytwenty.com
Minnesota Street Art Project
Multiple galleries host different artist exhibits, most viewable online (in-person closed thru Jan. 1 https://minnesotastreetproject.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
Museum of the African Diaspora screens award-winning films, with multiple talks and music performances online as well. https://www.moadsf.org/
Museum of Craft & Design
Imagining Data, a new multi-part online exhibit of nationwide installations, exhibits an with strikingly contemporary themes. https://curatorsquaredvirtualviews.com/imagining-data
NIAD Exhibits
The art studio for developmentally disabled adults shares online exhibits and sells beautiful works of art; in-person window displays and weekly online exhibitions; this week: Carlota Rodriguez and Elena Rossi. www.niadartstore.org
Noe Art Mart
Castro district arts, crafts and more on closed Noe St. Feb 7, 11am-2pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/413342869734681
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
Online exhibits. 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 The Art of Politics, David Park: A Retrospective (through Jan. 2021) and Bay Area Walls, a group mural project in response to 2020's chaotic events. Free/$25. Mon 10am-5pm. Thu 1pm-8pm. Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. 151 Third St. www.sfmoma.org
Walt Disney Family Museum
Located in The Presidio, the museum dedicated to the art of Disney films, with online exhibits and events, including the Happy Haunts Tour. 104 Montgomery St. www.waltdisney.org
NIGHTLIFE
[Note: outdoor dining at restaurants and bars has resumed.]
Bootie Mashup
Adriana A and guest DJs blend pop hits to danceable grooves in livestreams, Tuesdays-Saturdays. https://www.twitch.tv/BootieMashup. 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
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
DJ Don Baird
Missing the rock mixes by the fave local DJ at The Hole in the Wall? Liston up online: https://www.twitch.tv/donbaird
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. www.frolicparty.com
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 has closed all in-person events, but you can enjoy online archival footage from the venue's best shows; Three's Company Live, The Golden Girls Live, plus Patty From H.R., 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. www.sfoasis.com
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
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/
Rhea Butcher
LA comic's witty podcasts online. https://www.rheabutcher.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. www.sampsoncomedy.com
Society Cabaret
Curtain Call features an online open mic (Feb 5, 7:15pm) and 'Come Fly With Us' (Feb. 6, 7:30pm) features vocalists Stephanie Lynne Smith, Marilyn Cooney, and Lee Stone & Michael Stone. https://societycabaret.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. www.sundancesaloon.org
Trixxie Carr
The wacky and talented singing performer hosts online shows. http://trixxiecarr.com/
Versus
New queer game show hosted by drag performer Deven Green and musician Ned Douglas. https://watch.revry.tv/details/33707
What the World Needs Now is Love
A Valentine's-themed concert benefiting REAF's Small Emergency Grants Program; Feb 13. Your donations to this special Valentine's event will support REAF and our Small Emergency Grants Program. The focus of grants for this event will be to provide support to members of the performance community impacted by Covid-19. Your donation will be the perfect Valentine to someone in need. A link to view the concert will be sent out 24 hours before the concert to all ticket buyers and donors. The concert will feature never-seen-before performance clips from past REAF benefit concerts including Leslie Jordan, Star Search champion Jake Simpson, Bruce Vilanch, American Idol's La Toya London, Kimberley Locke, Constantine Maroulis and Melinda Doolittle, Sharon Gless, Wicked star Teal Wicks, Rene Taylor & Joseph Bolonia, Petula Clark, Meg Mackay, Carly Ozard, Spencer Day, Steve Knill and more. Online Silent Auction runs from Feb. 7 to 11. $25-$100. www.REAF-Valentine-Concert.eventbrite.com (Read the BAR article.)
COMMUNITY, ACTIVITIES, CLASSES, PODCASTS, RADIO
AIDS Memorial Quilt
The National AIDS Memorial's virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt features more than 10,000 Quilt panels representing all 50 state and U.S. territories. February (Black History Month) features African Americans who died of AIDS. https://www.aidsmemorial.org/virtual-exhibition
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. www.beingseenpodcast.com
Black-owned Business Showcase
Richmond Main Street Initiative promotes Black-owned local businesses. Jan 16. $10. www.eventbrite.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. Renovated patio now open of in-person small gatherings. https://www.facebook.com/pg/CastroCountryClub/events/
Conservatory of Flowers
Online Zoom classes, and outside floral exhibits. www.conservatoryofflowers.org
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
Fact Or Fiction: Disinformation And Freedom Of Speech
A Free Livestreamed Conversation with Janet Napolitano, Geeta Anand, Henry Brady, And Erwin Chemerinsky. Sunday, January 31 At 2pm. part of Cal Performances' Illuminations: "Fact or Fiction" programming. Free. www.calperformances.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).
Gateway to Pride
Missouri History Museum's online exhibit showcases St. Louis's fascinating LGBTQIA+ history. The interactive digital experience features oral history interviews, artifacts with in-depth stories, and multiple opportunities for online visitors to share their own experiences. https://gtp.mhs.yourcultureconnect.com/e/home
Harvey Milk Photo Center
Sign up for online winter classes at the exhibition and classroom space. https://www.harveymilkphotocenter.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
GLIDE Services
Online services with the spiritual center of healing, faith, justice and community for everyone. https://www.glide.org/church/
Glitter Worthy
Shop for queer stuff (prints, masks,, aprons and more) featuring local drag queens, including art by Aquaboogie, mugs, housewares, prints by photographers Gooch and mrPam, at the new online shop. https://shopglitterworthy.com/
HER app community chats
The women and trans-friendly dating app hosts frequent chats on various topics. https://www.facebook.com/pg/hersocialapp/events/
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
Les Leventhal Yoga
Stretch and feel better with live and/or recorded donation-based Yoga classes via Zoom. https://lesleventhalyoga.com/ https://join.lesleventhalyoga.com/
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. podcasts.apple.com-lgbtq
Love Trans People
Fresh Meat Productions campaign to show support for trans people; T-shirts, hashtag, social media campaign Feb 8-14. http://freshmeatproductions.org/
Manny's Live
Community leaders, authors, activists and politicians join online discussions, voter registration campaigns and more. join the Wed. night book club, discussing Pres. Barack Obama's memoir, A Promised Land, with special guests. 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. Thru February (Black History Month), a special focus on Black subjects. 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. Jan. 30: author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore. 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/
Planet Classroom
Instructional podcasts on a variety of issues, including LGBT subjects. https://www.planetclassroom.world/browse/
Probably True
Podcast with queer stories, "a smutty-but-charming collection of personal misadventures." https://www.probablytruepodcast.com/
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. sfqueernightlifefund.org
Queercore Podcast
The QueerCore Podcast, hosted by August Bernadicou, elucidates radical, LGBTQ activists' 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, Vanguard Editor Keith St. Clare, a Theater of the Ridiculous oral history, and veteran gay rights activist and prolific author Perry Brass. https://www.queercorepod.com/
Rainbow Railroad
International organization that helps LGBTQI people escape violence and persecution to find a path to safety — has launched its campaign to raise $600,000 in the last 60 days of 2020 to save 60 lives. https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/
Rainbow World Fund
Ongoing fundraisers support children and impoverished families in South America. https://www.rainbowfund.org/
Resisterhood
Website, documentary film and toolkit for women to restore their power, encourage voting and resistance. https://www.resisterhooddoc.com/
Roryography
For dance class fun right off the stage of some Oasis and Peaches Christ productions, Roryography is also now online and in-person at Dolores Park's tennis courts. Sign up for classes (Fridays 6:30pm, Saturdays 1pm) 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, Sundays 10:30am & 12pm. http://www.sexitude.com/
SF Botanical Garden
Take a break in the outdoors at the beautiful park full of floral tree and nature gardens with 8,000 different plants. Gift shop-bookstore, too. Free for SF residents ($7-$12 visitors) Daily 7:30am-5pm. 1199 9th Ave., Golden Gate Park. https://www.sfbg.org/
SF Public Library
along with borrowing books,DVDs and audiobooks, choose from hundreds of programs online for kids, adults, educational, guest lectures, instructional, job services and more. SFPL YouTube channel https://sfpl.org/
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/
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 trans-masculine 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/
TogetheRide Drag Show
SF AIDS Foundation's TogetheRide hosts an online drag show, with community performances welcome. Feb 12, 6pm. www.togetheride.org/event/drag-show/
Two-Spirit/LGBTQAI Native American Powwow
10th Anniversary with a Week-Long Celebration of Virtual Events February 2-6. https://www.baaits.org/powwow
Umoja
SF AIDS Foundation's community commemoration of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with a message on the state of HIV/AIDS in the Black community for 2021. Feb 5. 5pm-7pm. https://www.sfaf.org/event/umoja/
Violet Therapy
LGBT-focused therapist referral website. https://www.joinviolet.com/
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
Do you have an event to add? Email [email protected]
Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.