Arts & Culture :: Culture

'God of Vengeance' - Yiddish Play Features Theater's First Lesbian Kiss

'God of Vengeance' - Yiddish Play Features Theater's First Lesbian Kiss

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Apr 27, 2021

The 1906 play 'God of Vengeance' caused a sensation. When performed on Broadway in 1923, the cast was arrested on obscenity charges due to its lesbian kiss.Yiddish Theatre Ensemble's new online adaptation begins May 2.

Sam Rush's 'Swallow' - poet shatters the mold of identity

Sam Rush's 'Swallow' - poet shatters the mold of identity

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Apr 27, 2021

In the new poetry collection 'Swallow' by Sam Rush (Sibling Rivalry Press), we're given a lot of content that wakes up the reader into identity, forms, breaking forms, and into freedoms that are part of our constant becoming.

Curiouser comics - 'Alice in Leatherland's kinky capers

Curiouser comics - 'Alice in Leatherland's kinky capers

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 25, 2021

Queer comic fans, rejoice. 'Alice In Leatherland,' the series by writer Iolanda Zanfardino and illustrator Elisa Romboli follows a young woman's journey to San Francisco and its sexy subcultures.

Homing's In April 16-25, 2021

Homing's In April 16-25, 2021

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 15, 2021

Plenty of outdoor and distanced events are worth joining this, week. But you'll pardon our recusal from 4/20, the marijuana party. Now that's legal, it's not so radical, and more like Muffin Monday. Going to bars feels more speakeasy-esque these days.

Dreamin' is free: Sean Dorsey Dance presents new online works

Dreamin' is free: Sean Dorsey Dance presents new online works

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 13, 2021

Taking his art outdoors and on video, the always-innovative Sean Dorsey discussed his new dance works as part of the company's 2021 At-Home Season (April 16-18), and the new series, 'The Lost Art of Dreaming.'

Allen Ginsberg's first recorded "Howl"

Allen Ginsberg's first recorded "Howl"

  • by Jason Victor Serinus
  • Apr 13, 2021

It was the poem that defined a generation. "Howl," Allen Ginsberg's defiantly gay manifesto, and other poems, will be released on audio by Omnivore Recordings on CD, LP, and in multiple streaming and download formats.

50 years in 50 Weeks: May 17, 1972 Chaotic Cowboy Contest

50 years in 50 Weeks: May 17, 1972 Chaotic Cowboy Contest

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 9, 2021

The Covered Wagon bar hosted the 1972 Mr. Cowboy contest, but things didn't go well, as reported in the B.A.R.'s May 17 issue. Many in attendance were "stirred into a frenzy of accusations, charges and counter-charges of fraud, fake fix and cheat."

The Producers: Behind the scenes at the B.A.R.

The Producers: Behind the scenes at the B.A.R.

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Mar 31, 2021

Some of the Bay Area Reporter's production designers were, and are, not only accomplished computer whizzes, but also artists and nightlife stars, like DJ and musician Adriana Roberts, who, with Scott King, share a bit of the backstage B.A.R. scoop.

Go West: How the B.A.R. brought me to California and halfway around the world, twice

Go West: How the B.A.R. brought me to California and halfway around the world, twice

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Mar 31, 2021

With more than 900 articles penned for the Bay Area Reporter, I feel a strong connection as the newspaper celebrates its 50th anniversary this week. I thought to share some behind the scenes tales as well.

Back to Baton: five decades of opera & symphony stories

Back to Baton: five decades of opera & symphony stories

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Mar 30, 2021

Philip Campbell summates 50 years of the Bay Area Reporter's classical music and opera coverage, noting examples and adding personal remarks to recount his four decades of contribution.

Working for words: a B.A.R. writer reminisces

Working for words: a B.A.R. writer reminisces

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Mar 30, 2021

A former assistant editor and current freelance writer, Mark Norby recalls his first days working at the B.A.R.'s 9th & Harrison office.

The bars that brought us the B.A.R. - from the Tavern Guild to the Bay Area Reporter

The bars that brought us the B.A.R. - from the Tavern Guild to the Bay Area Reporter

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Mar 30, 2021

The Bay Area Reporter first published on April 1, 1971, two years after the New York Stonewall Riots. But the paper's emergence grew not out of activism, but from San Francisco's growing gay bar scene.

Dutch Crunch: 'Immersive Van Gogh' arrives

Dutch Crunch: 'Immersive Van Gogh' arrives

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Mar 23, 2021

The sensation of being completely surrounded by animated highlights of Vincent Van Gogh's oeuvre while buffeted by a thunderously amplified soundtrack is great fun and sometimes even a bit uplifting, if not overpowering.

Reading Out Women's History Month

Reading Out Women's History Month

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Mar 23, 2021

Another Women's History Month is winding down with lesbian, bisexual, queer and trans women largely left in the shadows, where they have spent most of history.