Arts & Entertainment

Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn and his wife Linda Pitmon are appearing in their creative 13-show online Impossible Tour from Jan. 17-Feb. 28. (Courtesy Steve Wynn)

Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn launches Impossible Tour

Clever 13-show event streams from rehearsal space in Queens

The Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco (a mural by artist Jamie Treacy is pictued) has a lineup of free online programming including activities for youngsters scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18. (Courtesy Demetri Broxton/Museum of the African Diaspora)

Stanford, Museum of the African Diaspora host MLK Day activities

Online offerings include films, music, discussion

From left, Leslie Odom Jr., Eli Goree, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Aldis Hodge star in the fascinating “One Night in Miami.” (Courtesy Amazon Studios)

Four famed Black heroes gather in riveting ‘One Night in Miami’

‘Some Kind of Heaven’ digs into life at a huge Florida senior community

The appealing Anthony Mackie, left, and Damson Idris star in “Outside the Wire.”<ins> (Courtesy Netflix)</ins>

For a paranoid android, try ‘Outside the Wire’

Not so memorable sci-fi action flick will pass the time

The appealing Anthony Mackie, left, and Damson Idris star in “Outside the Wire.”<ins> (Courtesy Netflix)</ins>
Matthew Sweet’s new album “Catspaw,” being released this week, was completed in 2019. <ins>(Courtesy Evan Carter)</ins>

Matthew Sweet’s got a thing for felines

Pop rocker releases ‘Catspaw,’ sells bronze cat sculptures

Matthew Sweet’s new album “Catspaw,” being released this week, was completed in 2019. <ins>(Courtesy Evan Carter)</ins>
“Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir,” about the Bay Area-based Chinese American novelist, is among the films being presented by the Roxie during the virtual Sundance Film Festival 2021. (Courtesy KPJR Films)

Roxie theater shows Sundance film fest titles

Screenings, gatherings online from Jan. 28-Feb. 3

“Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir,” about the Bay Area-based Chinese American novelist, is among the films being presented by the Roxie during the virtual Sundance Film Festival 2021. (Courtesy KPJR Films)
Veteran bluesman George Thorogood recently released a live double album of a historic 1982 concert in Boston. <ins>(Courtesy David Dobson)</ins>

Bluesman George Thorogood recalls busking in SF

Kind Bay Area fans gave the once poor street singer food stamps

Veteran bluesman George Thorogood recently released a live double album of a historic 1982 concert in Boston. <ins>(Courtesy David Dobson)</ins>
Philippe Langner controls all aspects in the creation and production of Hesperian Wines. (Courtesy Karen Norton)

Hesperian Wines express the passion and resiliency of a true vigneron

Despite setbacks due to fire losses, Philippe Langner keeps producing great wine

Philippe Langner controls all aspects in the creation and production of Hesperian Wines. (Courtesy Karen Norton)
Amy Louise Chambers, known in her art community as Silver Lucy, celebrated Día de los Muertos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. (Courtesy Robin Russell)

Friends, family fondly remember ‘Silver Lucy’

Fashion designer Amy Chambers sparkled with her art

  • Jan 7, 2021
Amy Louise Chambers, known in her art community as Silver Lucy, celebrated Día de los Muertos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. (Courtesy Robin Russell)
Claire Dunne plays an Irish woman who goes on a self-discovery journey in “Herself.”<ins> (Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>

A woman builds a house in appealing ‘Herself’

‘Dissident’ a doc about an intrepid Saudi reporter

Claire Dunne plays an Irish woman who goes on a self-discovery journey in “Herself.”<ins> (Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>
From left, Tamara Bass, Meagan Holder and Mekia Cox appear in the satisfying drama “If Not Now, When?,” an in-depth look at Black women’s emotional lives. (Courtesy Vertical Entertainment)

‘If Not Now, When?’ explores Black women’s friendships with heart

Tamara Bass, Megan Good make solid directorial debut

From left, Tamara Bass, Meagan Holder and Mekia Cox appear in the satisfying drama “If Not Now, When?,” an in-depth look at Black women’s emotional lives. (Courtesy Vertical Entertainment)
San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson will conclude his tenure in the job in mid-2022. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet director Helgi Tomasson to step down in 2022

Choreographer has championed new works and classics since joining company in 1985

San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson will conclude his tenure in the job in mid-2022. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
"Fifth Chinese Daughter" and "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco" are two engaging non-fiction titles touching on The City's rich history. (Courtesy photos)

A diverse reading list to welcome 2021

Here are 10 recommended books, many with SF ties

"Fifth Chinese Daughter" and "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco" are two engaging non-fiction titles touching on The City's rich history. (Courtesy photos)
Robbie Chater, left, and Tony Di Blasi of The Avalanches released “We Will Always Love You” in December. (Courtesy photo)

Avalanches met with real humans in the studio

Australian electronic duo’s latest third album features impressive guests

Robbie Chater, left, and Tony Di Blasi of The Avalanches released “We Will Always Love You” in December. (Courtesy photo)
To celebrate a new year, mix up a festive Pear Martini Sparkler. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Will we see a second roaring 20s?

Looking forward to ‘epic’ celebration when dry spell is over

To celebrate a new year, mix up a festive Pear Martini Sparkler. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist “First Cow” is set in the 1820s American Northwest. (Courtesy A24)

The best movies of 2020

Critics laud dramas by Spike Lee, Kelly Reichardt, Steve McQueen, Eliza Hittman and Chloé Zhao

Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist “First Cow” is set in the 1820s American Northwest. (Courtesy A24)
Natty Rebel from the Bay Area Mural Program created this art work in Bayview-Hunters Point in collaboration with the Warriors and the Paint the Void project. (Courtesy Lisa Vortman)

Complex, political art defined SF in 2020

Year of quarantine saw lighthearted memes, a proliferation of murals and the toppling of statues

Natty Rebel from the Bay Area Mural Program created this art work in Bayview-Hunters Point in collaboration with the Warriors and the Paint the Void project. (Courtesy Lisa Vortman)
People who are shunned because they are physically unattractive are the subject of “Happy Face.” (Courtesy Dark Star)

‘Happy Face’ takes in-depth view of individuals deemed unsightly

Clunky but genuine film tackles rarely addressed subject

People who are shunned because they are physically unattractive are the subject of “Happy Face.” (Courtesy Dark Star)
Chloë Grace Moretz is a woman on a major mission in “Shadow in the Cloud.” (Courtesy Vertical Entertainment)

Get ready for anything in ‘Shadow in the Cloud’

Demented WWII-set flick has nimble filmmaking, girl power, monsters

Chloë Grace Moretz is a woman on a major mission in “Shadow in the Cloud.” (Courtesy Vertical Entertainment)
Drawing from his own life, Kemp Powers cowrote “Soul,” the new film from Pixar about a music teacher and jazz player. (Courtesy DeborahColeman/Pixar)

Kemp Powers brings his expertise to ‘Soul’

Playwright adds authenticity to Pixar’s latest offering

Drawing from his own life, Kemp Powers cowrote “Soul,” the new film from Pixar about a music teacher and jazz player. (Courtesy DeborahColeman/Pixar)