Bay Area Reporter
Sing out: Crescendo Voices Rising with SF Gay Men's Chorus
On April 22, SF Gay Men's Chorus will present their 15th annual "Crescendo: Voices Rising," an online gala with guest-stars LeeAnn Rimes, Jake Shears, Shangela, Rita Moreno and others.
50 Years in 50 Weeks: May 17, 1972 Chaotic Cowboy Contest
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."
SF Film Festival 2021; a Few Fave Flicks
SFFilm is making big changes to accommodate the pandemic for its 64th Annual San Francisco International Film Festival to be held from April 9-18 that will include primarily online streaming and in-person events at the Fort Mason Flix drive-in theater.
Groove Tube: The B.A.R.'s Five Decades of TV Turn-Ons
It is hard to narrow the discourse to just a handful of TV shows over so many years and hundreds of columns, but here are some of the LGBTQ stories that spurred controversy or altered the landscape.
50 Years in 50 Weeks: May 1, 1971: In All Their Plumage
As we continue to celebrate the Bay Area Reporter's 50th anniversary, each week we'll take a nostalgic look at a highlight from each year's issues. In May 1, 1971 , a plumaged party seemed like a lot of fun.
Screen Times: Film Coverage in the B.A.R. Through 50 Years, Part 2
As the 1990s approached, films began to offer more positive portrayals of LGBTQ people, often as the loyal best friend, with characters beginning to be more fleshed out, having lives rooted in their sexuality but not necessarily ruled only by it.
That's (Adult) Entertainment: Veteran Editor & Columnist on the B.A.R.'s Erotica True Connection
Our veteran erotica reviewer reminisces about the early glory days of gay porn on film, vintage B.A.R. coverage, and porn's rise, (ahem) in popularity before changes made into VHS and online formats.
Screen Times: B.A.R. Film Coverage Through 50 Years, Part 1
It wasn't until the third issue of the Bay Area Reporter in 1971 that the rationale for having a film section was revealed by its first critic. 100s of film reviews since then have catalogued the rise of indie and mainstream cinematic LGBT depiction.
Go West: How the B.A.R. Brought Me to California and Halfway Around the World, Twice
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.
50 Years of Leather in the B.A.R.
In honor of the B.A.R.'s 50th anniversary, let's look back on the past five decades of local leather seen through the lens of the paper, which is admittedly but a smidgen of the entirety of local leather history.
Curtains Up, and Out: Theater Through the Decades
If you search the word "theater" in the archives of the Bay Area Reporter, you'll discover plenty of features and reviews. A few productions with LGBT themes stand out.
The B.A.R.'s Decades of Stars
From the beginning, the Bay Area Reporter has covered celebrities, both Broadway and Hollywood stars. many have indeed sat down with us for a chat. There are many such examples in the B.A.R. archives.
The Bars that Brought Us the B.A.R. - from the Tavern Guild to the Bay Area Reporter
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.
Juanita MORE! to run for Empress
Local nightlife icon and community organizer Juanita MORE! this week announced her candidacy to run for Empress of The Imperial Council of San Francisco. If elected, MORE! would become the 56th Empress.
The Lavender Tube on Racist Crimes, 'Talk' Tensions, and a New 'Law & Order' Meloni Series
Our TV columnist discusses the news coverage of the wave of anti-Asian hate crimes, Sharon Osbourne's alleged racist statement on and off-set of 'The Talk,' and Chris Meloni's return to the 'Law & Order' franchise.
John Holiday's Night at the Opera
It appears that countertenor John Holiday can sing just about anything. From his TV splash on 'The Voice' to a Vivaldi concert, to the operatic "Summertime" from 'Porgy and Bess.'
The Sisters' Easter Celebration's Online April 4
For the second time, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host their very popular Easter party online. the event will still include the Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary contests, plus a basket full of drag fun.
Spirited Disruption: Celebrating 150 Years of the SF Art Institute
San Francisco Art Institute will celebrate its 150th birthday with an extensive exhibition of a diverse array of alumni, and a particular focus on Black, indigenous people of color and LGBTQ+ artists, both online and at their Chestnut St. campus.
Howie Klein: Modern Music Man
Depending on how long you've lived in San Francisco, the name Howie Klein may be familiar to you. His 415 Records brought bands like Romeo Void to popularity, and he's worked with greats like Joni Mitchell, Neal Young, Green Day and many more.
Remembering Michael Callen in a New Biography
The legacy of Michael Callen is remembered in a new biography by gay historian Matthew J. Jones, a riveting account of Callen's 38 year sojourn on Earth.