Arts & Culture :: Music

50 years in 50 weeks: Jake Shears' 2012 kiki

50 years in 50 weeks: Jake Shears' 2012 kiki

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jan 20, 2022

The year certainly had more 'important' arts and nightlife coverage, but Gregg Shapiro's June 2012 interview with Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears brings back fond memories of their music.

Outside Lands co-producer planning big changes at Castro Theatre

Outside Lands co-producer planning big changes at Castro Theatre

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 19, 2022

Another Planet Entertainment will be expanding Castro Theatre programming to include live music, comedy, and community events after a renovation project that will start later this year.

Musical moments: 'The Band's Visit' and 'Freestyle Love Supreme'

Musical moments: 'The Band's Visit' and 'Freestyle Love Supreme'

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 18, 2022

San Francisco stages are now hosting two of the more unorthodox musicals to hit big on Broadway in recent years, one subtle and poetic ('The Band's Visit'), the other boisterous and participatory ('Freestyle Love Supreme').

Arts update: plays, comedy fest postponed; Chorus' center funding

Arts update: plays, comedy fest postponed; Chorus' center funding

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jan 12, 2022

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.

Q-Music: Lesbians lead the way

Q-Music: Lesbians lead the way

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jan 5, 2022

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.

Matthew Aucoin on 'The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera'

Matthew Aucoin on 'The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera'

  • by Timothy Pfaff
  • Jan 5, 2022

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.

Safety in queer numbers: Elton John, Sad Daddy and more

Safety in queer numbers: Elton John, Sad Daddy and more

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 28, 2021

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.

SF Gay Men's Chorus cancels Christmas Eve concerts

SF Gay Men's Chorus cancels Christmas Eve concerts

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Dec 22, 2021

Citing some breakthrough COVID infections among its members, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus announced Wednesday afternoon that it is canceling its three Christmas Eve concerts at the Castro Theatre.

Saving Saint-Saëns: 'Carnaval des Animaux' and other works

Saving Saint-Saëns: 'Carnaval des Animaux' and other works

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Dec 21, 2021

Camille Saint-Saëns has gotten a comparatively bad rap as being 'superficial.' New and recent recordings may prove that bias wrong.

Martha Wash: new music with love

Martha Wash: new music with love

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Dec 7, 2021

If anyone can get us through this virus, from a musical perspective, it's Martha Wash. Her new album, 'Love & Conflict,' is the must-have album of the season. The iconic singer shared her thoughts and opinions in an expanded interview.

Cassandra's complex: Shotgun's take on Malvina Reynolds; SF Playhouse's 'Twelfth Night'

Cassandra's complex: Shotgun's take on Malvina Reynolds; SF Playhouse's 'Twelfth Night'

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Dec 7, 2021

Malvina Reynolds's "Little Boxes" expands to a performance arty stage event, while SF Playhouse's one-act version of Shakespeare comedy of errors is colorfully anachronistic.

Rizo's holiday extravaganza

Rizo's holiday extravaganza

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Dec 2, 2021

The fabulous Rizo will bring her unique style of performing to a holiday themed show on the stage of the Great Star Theater in Chinatown on December 10 and 11.

Going Out, Homing's in Dec. 3-10, 2021

Going Out, Homing's in Dec. 3-10, 2021

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 2, 2021

Holiday events and ongoing arts and nightlife shows will warm your spirits like a hot toddy for the soul.

Holiday concerts of note

Holiday concerts of note

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Nov 30, 2021

The holidays are here and ready to celebrate in person. Opportunities to attend concerts and seasonal music events are plentiful and most performance venues are back to full capacity.