Arts & Entertainment

Afro-Cuban singer and drummer Bobi Céspedes opens Yerba Buena Gardens Festival at 1 p.m. June 26. (Courtesy photo)

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is back

Local artists play outdoor shows in 20th free summer series

Niamh Algar is excellent in the fascinating horror flick “Censor.” (Courtesy Maria Lax/Magnolia Releasing)

‘Censor’ intriguingly blends fantasy and reality

Objectivity of photography challenged in ‘All Light, Everywhere’

Alison Bechdel of “Dykes to Watch Out For” is among the artists featured in “No Straight Lines.”<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘No Straight Lines’ details history of queer comics

Frameline45 hosts dozens of LGBTQ+ films online, in theaters

The uplifting “In The Heights,” based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2005 stage musical, celebrates life in Washington Heights, N.Y. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)

Lin & tonic: Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ hits the big screen exuberantly

Film version of B’way hit is everything a movie musical should be

The uplifting “In The Heights,” based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2005 stage musical, celebrates life in Washington Heights, N.Y. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)
Notable South African red wines were the focus of a recent tasting. (Lyle Norton/Special to The Examiner)

South African pinotage pairs well with summer barbecue

Diverse topography, soils, climate in Western Cape produce distinctive nuances

Notable South African red wines were the focus of a recent tasting. (Lyle Norton/Special to The Examiner)
Composer Ellen Reid’s “Soundwalk” is a self-guided public artwork debuting June 12 in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Erin Baiano)

Musical ‘Soundwalk’ debuts in Golden Gate Park

Kronos Quartet plays in composer Ellen Reid’s public art piece

Composer Ellen Reid’s “Soundwalk” is a self-guided public artwork debuting June 12 in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Erin Baiano)
Grammy-winning R&B singer Ledisi opens the Stern Grove 2021 season on June 20. (Courtesy photo)

Stern Grove announces summer schedule: Returns live on June 20 with Ledisi

Tickets for season’s concerts must be reserved online in advance

Grammy-winning R&B singer Ledisi opens the Stern Grove 2021 season on June 20. (Courtesy photo)
Stacy Ross appears in American Conservatory Theater’s virtual production “Communion.” (Courtesy American Conservatory Theater)

ACT’s latest virtual theater performance strives to foster ‘Communion’

If there’s any one thing theater-goers have been missing during these past…

Stacy Ross appears in American Conservatory Theater’s virtual production “Communion.” (Courtesy American Conservatory Theater)
Alma Pöysti portrays Finnish artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin cartoon characters, in “Tove.” (Courtesy Sami Kuokkanen)

‘Tove’ lovingly illustrates life of Finnish cartoon artist

Transgender teens take spotlight in ‘Changing the Game’

Alma Pöysti portrays Finnish artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin cartoon characters, in “Tove.” (Courtesy Sami Kuokkanen)
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as the beloved Warrens in the third “Conjuring” movie. <ins>(Courtesy Warner Bros.)</ins>

Third ‘Conjuring’ shows signs of demonic fatigue

New director revisits the Warrens in slightly tired sequel

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as the beloved Warrens in the third “Conjuring” movie. <ins>(Courtesy Warner Bros.)</ins>
Newfoundlander Alan Doyle, who has a new solo recording, mixes traditional sounds and rock. (Courtesy Dave Howells)

Alan Doyle’s no stranger to shanties

Great Big Sea frontman goes ‘Back to the Harbour’

Newfoundlander Alan Doyle, who has a new solo recording, mixes traditional sounds and rock. (Courtesy Dave Howells)
Getting dressed up in fun clothes — SF Pride in 2019 is pictured — is a popular type of Pride self-expression. <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Why kink belongs at Pride, and why everything else does, too

Events, venues and festivals once LGBTQ-exclusive are now big melting pots

Getting dressed up in fun clothes — SF Pride in 2019 is pictured — is a popular type of Pride self-expression. <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>

Three distinct flavors of Asian tragedy: ‘Minari,’ ‘Bitter Melon,’ ‘The Valley’

Contemporary films exemplify diverse, complex experiences

Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>
Fred Pitts portrays Stephen of Blois in Exit Theatre’s online production of “The Arms and Armament of Stephen of Blois.”<ins> (Courtesy Fred Pitts)</ins>

Exit Theatre’s 12th century-set tale speaks to contemporary times

‘Arms and Armament’ a funny portrait of a forgotten ruler

Fred Pitts portrays Stephen of Blois in Exit Theatre’s online production of “The Arms and Armament of Stephen of Blois.”<ins> (Courtesy Fred Pitts)</ins>
“Sharks,” opening May 28 at the California Academy of Sciences, takes a comprehensive and innovative look at the diverse predators. (Courtesy Gayle Laird/California Academy of Sciences)

It’s springtime for sharks at Cal Academy

New exhibit showcases the diversity, dynamism of ocean predators

“Sharks,” opening May 28 at the California Academy of Sciences, takes a comprehensive and innovative look at the diverse predators. (Courtesy Gayle Laird/California Academy of Sciences)
From left, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds and Emily Blunt appear in “A Quiet Place Part II.” <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>

Hush life: ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ a solid sequel

Impeccably made film has indelible pandemic-era images

From left, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds and Emily Blunt appear in “A Quiet Place Part II.” <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>
Emma Stone is an appealing anti-heroine in “Cruella.” Courtesy Disney

Fun plot, inspired mayhem in live-action Cruella

‘Port Authority’ celebrates self-expression, nontraditional families

Emma Stone is an appealing anti-heroine in “Cruella.” Courtesy Disney
Wisconsin singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp’s newest recording is “May Day.”

Trapper Schoepp’s ‘May Day’ one of 2021’s best albums

Wisconsin songwriter follows in footsteps of Dylan, Guthrie

Wisconsin singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp’s newest recording is “May Day.”
Antoine Hunter/Purple Fire Crow performs with New Century Chamber Orchestra musicians — from left, Nicole Sauder, Jenny Douglass and Michelle Djokic — in Episode 2 of the online “Resonance Series.” (Courtesy David Law)

Chamber musicians unite with sculptor, dancer on film

Clever collaborations in New Century Chamber Orchestra’s ‘Resonance Series’

Antoine Hunter/Purple Fire Crow performs with New Century Chamber Orchestra musicians — from left, Nicole Sauder, Jenny Douglass and Michelle Djokic — in Episode 2 of the online “Resonance Series.” (Courtesy David Law)
Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

‘Keeper of the Fire’ matches words with images

Filmmaker Lou Dematteis sheds light on poet Alejandro Murguía

Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)