From film to stage Set against live music, the high-fantasy aspects of a wildly successful franchise are finally palatable for this cynic. Unpopular opinion: I’m not a Lord of the Rings fan. This is a film franchise that’s grossed about $3 billion from beloved classic novels — I know I’m in the minority. I think it’s the renaissance faire World of Warcraft aesthetic of it all, from high fantasy books to the slow pace that kicks off Fellowship of the Ring. We get it, LotR: You’re an epic with lots of magical drama. If anything could change my view, it’s the San Francisco Symphon ..read more

LGBTQ+ San Francisco’s historic queer bar finds a new home after four years. Photo by Gooch featuring D’arcy Drollinger, who pulled double duty that night from LGBT Center Soirée. By Adriana Roberts “It’s the event of the season!” I can’t tell you how many times I heard this uttered this past Saturday amongst the packed, wall-to-wall throngs of people who came out for The Stud’s grand re-opening, as it finally threw open its doors at its new space at 1123 Folsom near 7th Street. Befitting a place that’s been around for 58 years, the theme of the party was “Time Machine,” as ..read more

Smoke out Hippie Hill was still thick with the smoke of countless joints despite organizers snuffing out the official festivities. Photo by Denise Cottin for The Bold Italic. Reported by Denise Cottin with words by Saul Sugarman. Photos by Derryl Pelletier and Cottin. The air on Hippie Hill was still thick with the smoke of countless joints, the sound of drums and laughter on 4/20 — even though we were told the party was over. Organizers announced in late March that San Francisco’s official “puff, puff pass” event must end due to budget constraints; Apparently the festivities co ..read more

Modern dance Part nightclub show, part contortion act. The provocative spectacle by San Francisco Ballet puts both feet firmly in the modern era. San Francisco Ballet in Aszure Barton and Sam Shepherd’s Mere Mortals. Photo by Chris Hardy. I wonder what aspiring dancers consider before pursuing a career onstage. In the world of ballet, I bet it is not: “One day I want to zip into a black latex onesie and do the twist for three minutes straight.” “Mere Mortals” at San Francisco Ballet gave so much sensory input that it feels impossible to convey in words, but I think that’s part of the ..read more

I LOVE SF From San Francisco came the blue jeans and the rainbow flag. From here came this idea of health care as a right, not a privilege. Photo of San Francisco skyline by Joe Passe. This article is part of I Love San Francisco, a feature series of essays that highlight what makes San Francisco iconic and irreplaceable. It’s also an expanded excerpt from Alec Scott’s book — Oldest San Francisco. By Alec Scott I came to San Francisco to visit a college friend in a place on Telegraph Hill that looked out over Alcatraz. A family emergency called her away, and I was left on my own ..read more

SF Tours Hairspray is a 1960s cartoon come to life — now in San Francisco The campy musical still manages to tackle racism and body-shaming. The San Francisco tour is here one week only. Caroline Eiseman stars on the Broadway tour of Hairspray, now playing at Orpheum Theatre. Photos by Jeremy Daniel. By Adriana Roberts Playing through Sunday in San Francisco is the beloved musical Hairspray, based on the equally-beloved 1988 John Waters film of the same name. Despite Waters’ reputation at the time as a transgressive indie film director known for weird little cult movies, Hairspr ..read more

Literary love The “Happy Endings” show features five local writers reading essays, poems, short stories and other words in response to a cheeky prompt. Photo of the “Happy Endings” April ’24 crew by M. T. Eley for The Bold Italic. By M. T. Eley “I’m going to see Happy Endings at the Makeout Room” is a sentence you should wait until a four-bar cellphone signal to say to your wife, but it is nonetheless the start of a good evening. While the Happy Endings Reading Series has filled the seats of the Mission District’s Make Out Room for years now, last week was my first time, an ..read more

San Francisco LGBTQ+ Theatre “Murder At Buck’s” has a rag-tag vibe, but seeing something this raw and unpolished is frankly a breath of fresh air. Now playing at Eclectic Box. Redd FaFilth and Fullout Fritzie perform in Buck’s Motor Lodge playing at Eclectic Box — this weekend only. All photos by Adriana Roberts for The Bold Italic. By Adriana Roberts Murder At Buck’s wants to be many things. It’s a classic “whodunit” murder mystery game. It’s interactive theatre. It’s a drag show. It’s also a welcome reminder of the kind of fun, loosey-goosey shows that used to happen ..read more

Tasty tourism The Ferry Building offers many culinary delights from renowned artisans and chefs, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the bay. Photo by Thomas Hawk. By Virginia Miller San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building is a landmark since 1898 and home to Foodwise’s unparalleled Farmers Market and programs. Inside, the stalls are permanent though some restaurants, shops and purveyors rotate out. Yes, you can weave from creative ice creams at the great Humphry Slocombe, breads from legendary Acme Bread since 1983, on to tea at Imperial Tea Court. But there are stalw ..read more

Fashionable fundraising The annual soirée mixed San Francisco high society with outrageous nightlife fashion, making for a truly memorable evening. Sudan Archives headlines in a multi-instrumental performance at the de Young 2024 Gala. Photo by Dinner Party. I never know what vibe to expect when stepping inside a San Francisco society party, and I’ll admit the de Young’s intimidated me at first. In prior years, the museum hosted celebrities like Emilia Clarke, Kata Mara and Kate Bosworth. Add on top of that some very recognizable names in art, local charity and politics; everyone’s dresse ..read more