Bay Area Reporter
Arts Update: Plays, Comedy Fest Postponed; Chorus' Center Funding
It's one step forward and two steps back in the local arts scene as theater companies close their doors yet again, a comedy festival is postponed, and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus gets funding from Amazon.
James Magruder: Playwright's New Novel, 'Vamp Until Ready'
James Magruder is a funny guy. His wonderfully wicked sense of humor comes through in his plays, and in his new novel, "Vamp Until Ready."
Circus Boy: Acrobatic Gay Parenting Documentary
At a mere 52 minutes, Lester Alfonso's new documentary 'Circus Boy' is short and sweet. There are many lovely moments in the film, yet Alfonso's work also leaves many unanswered questions.
Matthew Aucoin on 'The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera'
Matthew Aucoin's new book, "The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera," focuses on opera's mysteries, the alchemy of opposites that fires it, and, perhaps most surprising of all, its unique and lasting power.
B.A.R. Talks 9: Drag Through Bay Area History
Our January 13 B.A.R. Talks panel focuses on drag and its local history, with guests Heklina, Fudgie Frottage, Khmera Rouge, Mercedez Munro, Persia, and Sister Tilda Nextime.
'Cicada' - Love Takes Wing
When a film opens with the tagline "Based on true events," it's an attention-grabbing move. Writer/co-director/actor Matt Fifer takes that step with his full-length feature debut 'Cicada,' with additional story by his co-star Sheldon D. Brown.
Betty White: A TV Legend Remembered
Betty White was the last major cast survivor of two television programs in which she gave iconic comic Emmy award-winning performances. But White's career was much more than two hit sitcoms.
Q-Music: Lesbians Lead the Way
Queer women are making big sound waves in music, including Amythyst Kiah, Jennifer O'Connor, Brandy Clark, Lilli Lewis, Lady Blackbird, Ana Egge, Torres, and Rosie Tucker. Enjoy our latest round-up, with a music clip of each artist.
'Better' Than Ever: Author Philip Dean Walker
Washington, D.C.-based gay writer Philip Dean Walker's third book contains six short stories consisting of fictionalized situations involving characters whose names will be familiar to many readers.
'Solid Ivory: Memoirs' - Gay Filmmaker James Ivory's Career Told
Prolific gay film director James Ivory's candid, urbane, and meandering book is a pastiche scrapbook of letters, diary entries, travelogue, magazine articles, sketches of famous show business personalities, and reflections on his childhood.
Some Castro & SoMa Bars Temporarily Close
New Year's Eve celebrations in the Castro and South of Market districts will have fewer indoor options as nearly half a dozen bars and restaurants have temporarily closed out of pandemic health concerns.
Sharon Gless: 'Queer as Folk' and 'Cagney & Lacey' Star on her New Memoir
Multiple Emmy Award-winning actress Sharon Gless shares highlights and low times in her new memoir, "Apparently There Were Complaints."
The Lavender Tube's Best of 2021
Here are what we thought were the best TV series featuring LGBTQ characters in primary roles, not as tacked on adjuncts to cis-het normativity. These series made queer, trans and nonbinary characters integral to their plots.
Safety in Queer Numbers: Elton John, Sad Daddy and More
Lend your ears to new music from Elton John's "The Lockdown Sessions," Sad Daddy, Adult Mom, Bachelor, Destroy Boys and Haunted Like Human. Each offers a queer turn on pop, country and rock grooves.
Tripping Through History: 'The Letters of Thom Gunn' as a Roadmap to San Francisco's Past
'The Letters of Thom Gunn' is both an intimate portrait of the poet and a window on the development of what would become gay and leather culture, and the rise of the hippies and drug culture.
Saving Saint-Saëns: 'Carnaval des Animaux' and other Works
Camille Saint-Saëns has gotten a comparatively bad rap as being 'superficial.' New and recent recordings may prove that bias wrong.
'The Woman in Black' at The Strand
'The Woman In Black,' a ghost story, is now on stage at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater. Thousands of goosebump-loving audience members who have made this play a huge hit in London.
Moving Memoir Recalls Life with Gay Dad
Lisa Lucca has written a moving memoir in which she recalls coming to terms with her gay dad, coming to the realization that she and her dad loved each other as best they could.
'The Matrix Resurrections' Premiere @ Castro Theatre
Many cast members of 'The Matrix Resurrections' film attended the Castro Theatre premiere on December 18, including stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and director Lana Wachowski.
Make the Yuletide Gay: The Lavender Tube on Holiday Specials, 'With Love' and More
Billy Porter and others celebrated the National Christmas Tree Lighting, "With Love" stars Mark Indelicato as a gay son coming out on Christmas, plus coverage of ABC's George Michael special and the Jussie Smollett media blitz; all in our TV column.