Bay Area Reporter
Toni Mirosevich's 'Spell Heaven'
Toni Mirosevich's collection of linked stories, "Spell Heaven," tells of working-class fishing family and the author's own balance of that life and academia, a position she loves for the students and loathes for the politics.
Scaring up Stravinsky: Simon Rattle Returns to the Three Ballets
The London Symphony Orchestra's recording of Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," conducted by Simon Rattle, reminds us what a still-stunning piece "Le Sacre" is. Also, gay barihunk Stephane Degout sings Ravel.
The Sisters' Easter @ Mission Dolores Park
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's annual Easter celebrations returned to Mission Dolores Park on April 17 with a huge crowd of attendees enjoying the bright sunny day, performances, the Hunky Jesus, Foxy Mary and bonnet contests.
SF Playhouse's 'Water By the Spoonful'
Stories of intergenerational family drama, post-traumatic stress and the ravages of drug addiction are complexly interwoven in playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes' 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning "Water By The Spoonful," now at SF Playhouse.
Review: Women on the Verge - 'Fefu and Her Friends' at A.C.T.'s Strand
Domineering den mother Fefu dispenses aphorisms like casually tossed grenades in "Fefu and Her Friends," Irene Maria Fornes' oblique psychosocial puzzle play, now being mounted in a luxe American Conservatory Theatre production at the Strand Theater.
Betty Buckley Sings Sondheim
In a career that has lasted more than forty years, Betty Buckley has done it all. On her new album, 'Betty Buckley Sings Stephen Sondheim,' she celebrates the lyrics of one of the greatest songwriters in musical theater history.
'Great Freedom' - Love in the Face of Injustice
At a time when Ukrainians are being killed and dying for their freedom, Austrian writer/director Sebastian Meise's exquisite film 'Great Freedom' couldn't have arrived in Bay Area theaters at a more opportune time.
'Hypochondriac ' — Must-See Gay Horror Film
"Hypochondriac" is a much anticipated now-released LGBTQ horror film. Written and directed by Addison Heimann, it features a very talented cast starring Zach Villa and Devon Graye.
'Coming Out and Coming Home' - Gay Catholic Minister Head Pens Memoir
In his new memoir, Stan JR Zerkowski writes about how he never intended to be a national spokesperson for LGBTQ Roman Catholics. But, "There is a plan in the end" we can't necessarily control.
A Wee Boy's Own Story: Douglas Stuart's 'Young Mungo'
Douglas Stuart has carried forward from his Booker Prize-winning debut novel Shuggie Bain into its follow-up, "Young Mungo." What it shares with its predecessor is a brutal honesty about some lurid familial connections.
Pop-up Brunch @ Beaux
Bobby Friday's Pop Up Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at Beaux is a hoot, as shown in Steven Underhill's photos from the April 9 event.
'Compartment No. 6' a Train Journey Worth Boarding
'Compartment No. 6,' screening in Bay Area theaters, has the misfortune of occurring in Russia, but boasts a universal theme of connection and acceptance in a world of chaos and anxiety.
'Drowning in Cairo' — playwright Adam Ashraf Elsayigh's world premiere
The Egyptian-born, New York-based writer discusses audience expectations and presumptions about his new play, which isn't only about the Queen's Boat raid that made headlines.
'Circle Mirror Transformation' - Wicked Games with Custom Made Theatre
Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker's "Circle Mirror Transformation," now being mounted by the Custom Made Theatre Company, is every bit as oblique, intelligent, and goosebumpy as her other love 'em or hate 'em shows.
'100 Years of Men in Love': New Film Celebrates Historic Affectionate photos
In his new documentary "100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection," actor and Emmy-winning filmmaker David Millbern looks back upon gay couples who had the courage to celebrate their love openly as far back as the 1860s.
Paul Gallo's 'Coloring Extravaganza of Healing'
In his creative coloring book, artists Paul Gallo presents images he has drawn from his childhood to the present day. Most of the images are drawings of people dressed in a wide array of styles.
Marvelous Muppets: 'The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited' at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
"The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited," currently showing at the Contemporary Jewish Museum through August 14, brings joy and visual delight to fans of all ages.
Award War, Too: The Lavender Tube on the Oscars & Will Smith's Slapgate
It's only been a week, but as freshly-out gay comic Jerrod Carmichael said in hosting "SNL," it feels like we've been discussing "It," i.e. Will Smith's onstage assault on Chris Rook, since high school. Our TV columnist covers the mired aftermath.
Singer John Holiday to Perform at Opera Parallèle Gala Benefit
John Holiday, the acclaimed countertenor known for opera, pop and jazz singing, will headline a benefit for Opera Parallèle at Saint Joseph's Arts Society in SoMa on April 14.
Wayne Hoffman's 'The End of Her'
For his new book, "The End of Her: Racing Against Alzheimer's to Solve a Murder," Wayne Hoffman called on his skills as a journalist and a storyteller to unravel a family mystery.