Arts & Culture

Matt Mathews: TikTok phenom plays the Regency Ballroom

Matt Mathews: TikTok phenom plays the Regency Ballroom

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 21, 2023

"I don't consider myself a stand-up comedian at all," drawled Matt Mathews. Nevertheless, his comic wit that gained popularity online has led to nearly sold-out shows nationwide.

'Saltburn' — Emerald Fennell's promising young psychos

'Saltburn' — Emerald Fennell's promising young psychos

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 21, 2023

Actress, screenwriter and filmmaker Emerald Fennell's second feature film "Saltburn" feels like the troubled kid brother of her prior work, "Promising Young Woman," especially in the way it delivers gut-punching twists and turns.

Doubleplus '1984' — Aurora Theatre's stage adaptation of Orwell's classic

Doubleplus '1984' — Aurora Theatre's stage adaptation of Orwell's classic

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 21, 2023

If you're more interested in holding tight to the things you're thankful for than in cranking up the amperage of your holiday cheer, the Aurora Theatre's production of "1984" may be just the ticket for you.

Book 'em: page-turning gifts

Book 'em: page-turning gifts

  • BOOKS
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 21, 2023

Books really and truly are the gifts that keep on giving. From the reissue of classics to highly anticipated memoir, and even a nostalgic nightclub ephemera picture book, we've got a few fun selections for your gifting that are sweet.

Going Out, Nov. 16-24, 2023

Going Out, Nov. 16-24, 2023

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 15, 2023

Get ready to stuff yourself, we mean with arts and nightlife events, in this week's Going Out.

'Fellow Travelers' — Intoxicating and passionate tragic historical love story

'Fellow Travelers' — Intoxicating and passionate tragic historical love story

Scorching, jaw-dropping, steam-up-your-windows explicit, raw with unwavering honesty — and not just the sex, but the emotions and pathos — are all on display in one of the best new streaming series of the year, Showtime's "Fellow Travelers."

The Pope of Trash enshrined — John Waters exhibit at LA's Academy of Motion Picture Arts Museum

The Pope of Trash enshrined — John Waters exhibit at LA's Academy of Motion Picture Arts Museum

  • ART
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 14, 2023

Renzo Piano's elegantly flowing Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, a new Los Angeles must-see, now features a fourth-floor gallery that hosts a sprawling multimedia tribute to the movie-making career of "John Waters: The Pope of Trash."

'Travelers' and tension — The Lavender Tube on 'Fellow Travelers' and 'A Murder at the End of the World'

'Travelers' and tension — The Lavender Tube on 'Fellow Travelers' and 'A Murder at the End of the World'

As the Showtime series 'Fellow Travelers' presents a gay and lesbian historical perspective, our TV columnist offers reminders on the false idea of 'moderate' Republicans, plus accolades for the mystery series 'A Murder at the End of the World.'

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

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

  • MOVIES
  • 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

  • MUSIC
  • 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

  • BOOKS
  • 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

  • BOOKS
  • 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.

Marlena's Birthday at Patricia's Green

Marlena's Birthday at Patricia's Green

  • CULTURE
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 12, 2023

Friends of Absolute Empress Marlena (aka Gary Mclain) celebrated the 84th birthday of the local icon at Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley on November 12.

Going Out, Nov. 9-17, 2023

Going Out, Nov. 9-17, 2023

  • ART
  • 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.