Arts & Culture

Cinematic chutzpah: SF Jewish Film Festival's LGBTQ faves

Cinematic chutzpah: SF Jewish Film Festival's LGBTQ faves

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 18, 2023

The 43rd SF Jewish Film Festival will run July 20-August 6 at the Castro Theatre, Vogue Theatre, and the Piedmont Theatre in Oakland. Here are the notable LGBTQ-themed narrative, short and documentary selections.

Shelly Lares: Tejano country singer's musical life

Shelly Lares: Tejano country singer's musical life

  • MUSIC
  • by Laura Moreno
  • Jul 18, 2023

This year Shelly Lares was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Tejano Music Awards Show. At 51, she's been singing professionally 41 years, admired for her unique blend of Tejano country music, and only recently came out.

Amy Seiwert's Imagery gets lucky with 'Sketch 13'

Amy Seiwert's Imagery gets lucky with 'Sketch 13'

  • DANCE
  • by Philip Mayard
  • Jul 18, 2023

This month's presentation of company's annual Sketch series will be a poignant celebration of Amy Seiwert's Imagery's rich contributions to the Bay Area dance community.

'Egoist' - a Tokyo love story

'Egoist' - a Tokyo love story

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 18, 2023

Based on the autobiographical novel by Makoto Takayama, director and co-screenwriter Daishi Matsunaga's "Egoist" is one of the most original and moving gay movies of the year.

'Afire's burning love

'Afire's burning love

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 18, 2023

"Afire" takes a long time to ignite, but once it does, brace yourself. Like its lead character, novelist Leon (Thomas Schubert), writer/director Christian Petzold's new film is a lot to handle.

'Daddy Lover God' — Don Shewey's sensual sexual memoir

'Daddy Lover God' — Don Shewey's sensual sexual memoir

  • BOOKS
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 18, 2023

Don Shewey's book "Daddy Lover God" bills itself as a memoir and instruction manual, but it primarily chronicles Shewey's psycho-sexual-spiritual adventures.

Manning up: New translations of Thomas Mann

Manning up: New translations of Thomas Mann

  • BOOKS
  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Jul 18, 2023

Damian Searls's just-published translations of Thomas Mann's "New Selected Stories," fleet but sure-footed, come as a relief, a long-overdue exhalation.

Going Out, July 13-21, 2023

Going Out, July 13-21, 2023

  • CULTURE
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 13, 2023

From cute cubs to crowned queens, nightlife's rousing. Flamenco, Modern and more rev up in dance, plus museums and galleries, and more music than an earful, all in this week's Going Out.

Castro shop sending LGBTQ books to red states

Castro shop sending LGBTQ books to red states

  • BOOKS
  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jul 11, 2023

A Castro neighborhood bookstore is doing its part to fight homophobic and transphobic book bans by sending boxes of books with LGBTQ themes to organizations in conservative areas.

'A Chorus Line' — SF Playhouse's production is a singular sensation

'A Chorus Line' — SF Playhouse's production is a singular sensation

  • THEATER
  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 11, 2023

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "A Chorus Line" is given a rousing, emotional and strong new life at San Francisco Playhouse.

Help is On the Way 27: REAF's latest dazzling fundraiser

Help is On the Way 27: REAF's latest dazzling fundraiser

  • MUSIC
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jul 11, 2023

Cast members from the new touring company of the classic musical "Les Miserables" will join other Broadway and cabaret stars at the Marines' Memorial Theater on July 16 for "Help is On the Way 27: Broadway & Beyond," the latest REAF fundraiser.

Feelin' hot: The Lavender Tube on 'Last Call' 'The Idol,' 'Prank Panel' and more

Feelin' hot: The Lavender Tube on 'Last Call' 'The Idol,' 'Prank Panel' and more

Our TV columnist updates us on 'Climate Crisis: Drought,' GLAAD's media report, 'The Idol,' 'The Prank Panel' and other media news.

'Theater Camp' — a flawed yet fun film

'Theater Camp' — a flawed yet fun film

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 11, 2023

Theater's gift is that it welcomes all, one of the virtues being celebrated in the new film "Theater Camp," which might make Drama Club cool in the same way "Glee" reimagined and revitalized chorus/choir.

'Hello Yellow Brick Road' — SF Gay Men's Chorus pays homage to Elton John and Oz

'Hello Yellow Brick Road' — SF Gay Men's Chorus pays homage to Elton John and Oz

  • MUSIC
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jul 11, 2023

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Elton John's landmark album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" on July 19. The album's title track makes subtle references to the classic musical fantasy "The Wizard of Oz."