Events :: Arts Events

'The Holdovers' — frosty days at a 1970s prep school

'The Holdovers' — frosty days at a 1970s prep school

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Nov 14, 2023

Christmas has arrived early this year in the form of Alexander Payne's career-resuscitating and first period film, "The Holdovers," which reunites him with "Sideways" star Paul Giamatti, both at the peak of their respective powers.

Gilbert O'Sullivan — singer/songwriter at Swedish American Hall

Gilbert O'Sullivan — singer/songwriter at Swedish American Hall

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 14, 2023

More than 50 years after Gilbert O'Sullivan's Grammy-nominated breakout single "Alone Again (Naturally)" made him a household name, the singer/songwriter continues to record and perform concerts, including at SF's Swedish American Hall Nov. 24.

'Chasing Bright Medusas' — Benjamin Taylor's new biography of Willa Cather

'Chasing Bright Medusas' — Benjamin Taylor's new biography of Willa Cather

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Nov 14, 2023

Benjamin Taylor's "Chasing Bright Medusas: A Life of Willa Cather," like his other biography on Marcel Proust, integrates the subject's homosexuality, communicating its centrality in the authors' lives.

Vichet Chum's 'Kween' — playwright's debut novel delights and educates

Vichet Chum's 'Kween' — playwright's debut novel delights and educates

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Nov 14, 2023

"Kween" is the welcome new novel by debut author, playwright and actor Vichet Chum, the Texas-born, Lowell, Massachusetts-bred son of Cambodian immigrants.

Going Out, Nov. 9-17, 2023

Going Out, Nov. 9-17, 2023

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 9, 2023

We've got plays, musical, art exhibits and nightlife fun that are outta this world, well, actually possibly in your neighborhood, in this week's Going Out.

Queen + Adam Lambert at the Chase Center— rhapsodising over the 'Rhapsody' tour

Queen + Adam Lambert at the Chase Center— rhapsodising over the 'Rhapsody' tour

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 9, 2023

Themes of science fiction, steampunk and outer space projected onto multiple screens did not upstage the musical artistry of Queen + Adam Lambert at their Chase Center concert November 8.

'Out in the Ring' — documentary's takedown on the history and future of LGBTQ pro wrestlers

'Out in the Ring' — documentary's takedown on the history and future of LGBTQ pro wrestlers

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 7, 2023

Ry Levey's fascinating "Out in the Ring," a 2022 documentary about LGBTQ people in professional wrestling, offers an expansive history with action-packed clips and multiple interviews that deconstruct the 'homoerotiphobic' dual nature of pro wrestling.

'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' — Shotgun Players pulls the wig down from the shelf

'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' — Shotgun Players pulls the wig down from the shelf

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 7, 2023

As conceived by writer John Cameron Mitchell and composer/lyricist Stephen Trask back in 1997, "Hedwig"— now being presented by Berkeley's Shotgun Players — is intended to feel like a late night in a dive bar, not an evening at the theater.

Tanika Baptiste directs 'Group Therapy' at Theatre Rhino

Tanika Baptiste directs 'Group Therapy' at Theatre Rhino

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 7, 2023

Tis the season for Tanika Baptiste. While performing in the recent SF Playhouse production of 'Nollywood Dreams,' the multi-talent helmed rehearsals of Theatre Rhinoceros' new show, Kheven LaGrone's 'Group Therapy.'

Theyfriend: shining a spotlight on nonbinary performers

Theyfriend: shining a spotlight on nonbinary performers

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Nov 7, 2023

Nonbinary performers will be celebrated from November 14-18 when Diamond Wave, a San Francisco-based queer arts organization, presents the third annual Theyfriend performance festival.

California Festival — new music celebrated in concerts and opera

California Festival — new music celebrated in concerts and opera

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Nov 7, 2023

'California Festival — A Celebration of New Music' is recharging musical institutions throughout the Golden West for two weeks through November 19.

'The Legend of Georgia McBride' — Matthew López' drag makeover comedy at Center Rep

'The Legend of Georgia McBride' — Matthew López' drag makeover comedy at Center Rep

  • by Christopher J. Beale
  • Nov 7, 2023

Center Repertory Company is staging "The Legend of Georgia McBride" at Lesher Center for the Performing Arts in Walnut Creek as a direct response to the latest anti-drag and LGBTQ legislation sweeping the nation.

Rett Madison — queer singer/songwriter is 'One' of a kind

Rett Madison — queer singer/songwriter is 'One' of a kind

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 7, 2023

Every once in a while, a major-label debut album comes along to take you by surprise. Queer singer/songwriter Rett Madison's "One for Jackie" is one such album.

Andrew Rannells' 'Uncle of the Year' — hilarious, heartbreaking essays from a funny gay actor

Andrew Rannells' 'Uncle of the Year' — hilarious, heartbreaking essays from a funny gay actor

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Nov 7, 2023

In his candid new book of essays "Uncle of the Year," successful actor Andrew Rannells wonders why he still feels like an anxious twenty-year-old climbing his way toward solid ground.