Arts & Entertainment

Stern Grove Festival organizers are planning to bring back the popular summer concert series — The Isley Brothers show in 2019 is pictured — with limited audience capacity. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)

Indoor shows won’t be flooding SF stages soon but Stern Grove might be back in June

While San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that live performances may resume…

Noée Abita is excellent as a competitive teen skier who is sexually abused by her coach in “Slalom.” (Courtesy Kino Lorber)

‘Slalom’ a vivid psychodrama for the #MeToo era

Syrian refugee crisis meets Western art market in ‘Man Who Sold His Skin’

A shot of a pole fisherman in Sri Lanka is among many striking images in “Awaken,” a film by Tom Lowe. ( (Courtesy DUST)

Life savor: Beautiful ‘Awaken’ meditates on human beings and life on earth

“Awaken,” debuting Friday on major Video On Demand platforms, is the latest…

John Boyega stars in “Naked Singularlity,” the opening presentation of the 2021 SFFILM Film Festival.<ins> (Courtesy SFFILM)</ins>

2021 SFFILM Festival is online and at the drive-in

Program offers 103 films, including 42 features and 13 premieres, from 41 countries

John Boyega stars in “Naked Singularlity,” the opening presentation of the 2021 SFFILM Film Festival.<ins> (Courtesy SFFILM)</ins>
Blanketman, led by Adam Hopper (forefront), released “National Trust” in March. (Courtesy Through The Eyes of Ruby)

Blanketman finds inspiration in history

Manchester band’s influences go beyond Oasis

Blanketman, led by Adam Hopper (forefront), released “National Trust” in March. (Courtesy Through The Eyes of Ruby)
Posters by Young & Sick are being auctioned off to benefit independent clubs. (Courtesy photo)

Poster art fundraiser benefits indie clubs

San Francisco concert lovers can explore the art world’s non-fungible token phenomenon…

Posters by Young & Sick are being auctioned off to benefit independent clubs. (Courtesy photo)
Clarinetist John Stafford and guitarist David Sturdevant, aka Medicine Ball Duo, have played music together for more than 40 years. (Courtesy Rory Dean)

Bay Area musicians have found ways to play on

Streaming concerts are ‘like live radio used to be’

  • Apr 5, 2021
Clarinetist John Stafford and guitarist David Sturdevant, aka Medicine Ball Duo, have played music together for more than 40 years. (Courtesy Rory Dean)
From left, Akaina Ghosh, Linda Girón and J Riley Jr. play Spirit Gods in Shotgun Players’ “Feel the Spirit.” (Courtesy Leannna Keyes)

‘Feel the Spirit’ explores challenges of faith during COVID

But Shotgun Players’ commission feels overlong and underdeveloped

From left, Akaina Ghosh, Linda Girón and J Riley Jr. play Spirit Gods in Shotgun Players’ “Feel the Spirit.” (Courtesy Leannna Keyes)
Oscar Isaac appears in “The Letter Room,” a 2020 short drama directed by Elvira Lind. (Courtesy ShortsTV)

Oscar-nominated short films online and in theaters

Live-action lineup, with three U.S. entries, particularly strong

Oscar Isaac appears in “The Letter Room,” a 2020 short drama directed by Elvira Lind. (Courtesy ShortsTV)
San Francisco couture designer Colleen Quen, pictured on the balcony of her studio, says she’s scaled down business since the pandemic hit. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

What will become of San Francisco’s high fashion?

A conversation with four multitalented Bay Area designers

San Francisco couture designer Colleen Quen, pictured on the balcony of her studio, says she’s scaled down business since the pandemic hit. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Opening up to California alternative white wines

Market offers more than chardonnay

California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as a quirky socialite in “French Exit.” <ins>(Courtesy Lou Scamble/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>

Michelle Pfeiffer shines in uneven ‘French Exit’

Eccentricity overwhelms what could be effective social satire

Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as a quirky socialite in “French Exit.” <ins>(Courtesy Lou Scamble/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>
Godzilla battles Kong in in the fun action-adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Smash of the titans: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

Dumb and fun flick delivers everything you want from a giant monster movie

Godzilla battles Kong in in the fun action-adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Julia Brothers gives a touching performance in “I Was Right Here.” (Courtesy San Francisco Playhouse)

Julia Brothers captivates in ‘I Was Right Here’

‘Trouble in Mind’ a timely study of racism in theater

Julia Brothers gives a touching performance in “I Was Right Here.” (Courtesy San Francisco Playhouse)
San Performances presents the fun Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain in a virtual concert on April 1. (Courtesy Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain/San Francisco Performances)

San Francisco Performances offers innovative PIVOT concerts online

Program kicks off with ukuele concert on April 1

San Performances presents the fun Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain in a virtual concert on April 1. (Courtesy Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain/San Francisco Performances)
Recording artist Genevieve Stokes says much of her songwriting happens subconsciously. (Courtesy Atlantic Records)

Genevieve Stokes debuts with solid ‘Swimming Lessons’

Singer-songwriter, 19, has been performing for more than a decade

Recording artist Genevieve Stokes says much of her songwriting happens subconsciously. (Courtesy Atlantic Records)
San Francisco publicist extraordinaire Charly Zukow, who’s retiring at the end of March, plans to garden, travel and visit with his grandchildren. <ins>(Courtesy Peter Prato)</ins>

Longtime theater publicist Charly Zukow takes a final bow

Pro credits success to being ‘honest and direct,’ giving ‘150 percent’

San Francisco publicist extraordinaire Charly Zukow, who’s retiring at the end of March, plans to garden, travel and visit with his grandchildren. <ins>(Courtesy Peter Prato)</ins>
Cal-A-Vie Health Spa’s meticulously manicured grounds alongside Provençal-style buildings and a duck pond inspire calm. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Kicking pandemic pounds to the curb at Cal-A-Vie Health Spa

A visit to the SoCal retreat is the perfect antidote to COVID-related stress

Cal-A-Vie Health Spa’s meticulously manicured grounds alongside Provençal-style buildings and a duck pond inspire calm. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Reena Saini Kallat’s installation “Woven Chronicle” is at Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center, which reopens to the public on April 21.<ins> (Photo courtesy Jonathan Muzikar/Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource)</ins>

Stanford art museums to reopen in April

Stanford University is preparing to reopen its art museums to the public.…

Reena Saini Kallat’s installation “Woven Chronicle” is at Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center, which reopens to the public on April 21.<ins> (Photo courtesy Jonathan Muzikar/Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource)</ins>
Angelo Gagliardi appears in “The Truffle Hunters,” a feel-good documentary about the passion of some old Italian villagers. (Courtesy Michael Dweck and Gregory Kersha/Sony Pictures Classics)

‘Truffle Hunters’ an uplifting film about men and dogs

‘Father’ a fascinating exploration of dementia

Angelo Gagliardi appears in “The Truffle Hunters,” a feel-good documentary about the passion of some old Italian villagers. (Courtesy Michael Dweck and Gregory Kersha/Sony Pictures Classics)