Arts & Entertainment

Merab Ninidze, left, and Benedict Cumberbatch star in “The Courier.” (Courtesy Liam Daniel/Roadside Attractions)

Cumberbatch, powerful story make ‘Courier’ worth seeing

But pace is slow, and female characters lack substance

Merab Ninidze, left, and Benedict Cumberbatch star in “The Courier.” (Courtesy Liam Daniel/Roadside Attractions)
“Martha: A Picture Story,” joyously showcases photographer Martha Cooper and her affinity for street art. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘Martha: A Picture Story’ celebrates street art

‘Groomed’ an in-depth look at how child abusers work

“Martha: A Picture Story,” joyously showcases photographer Martha Cooper and her affinity for street art. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>
Todd Rundgren revisits his album “Nearly Human” on his 2021 virtual tour. (Courtesy Lynn Goldsmith)

Todd Rundgren’s virtual tour comes to The City

Musician, innovator localizes in ‘Clearly Human’ shows

Todd Rundgren revisits his album “Nearly Human” on his 2021 virtual tour. (Courtesy Lynn Goldsmith)
Shoppers at the upcoming White Elephant Sale must schedule a time to pick up items they purchase at the warehouse in Oakland. (Courtesy Odell Hussey Photography/Oakland Museum of California)

62nd White Elephant Sale goes online in 2021

Gently-used, high quality items available in Oakland Museum benefit

Shoppers at the upcoming White Elephant Sale must schedule a time to pick up items they purchase at the warehouse in Oakland. (Courtesy Odell Hussey Photography/Oakland Museum of California)
Arab Strap — Aidan Moffat, left, and Malcolm Middleton — returned to making music in 2016 after breaking up about a decade before. <ins>(Courtesy Kat Gollack)</ins>

Arab Strap’s back with ‘As Days Get Dark’

Scottish duo releases first album in 16 years

Arab Strap — Aidan Moffat, left, and Malcolm Middleton — returned to making music in 2016 after breaking up about a decade before. <ins>(Courtesy Kat Gollack)</ins>
Lauren English-Clarke, left, and Susi Damilano appear in Remote Theater’s “The Art of Sacrifice,” streaming in encore performances from March 22-29. (Remote Theater screenshot)

Intriguing dramas explore parent-child relationships

Remote Theater presents ‘Art of Sacrifice,’ Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and SF Playhouse offer ‘Hieroglyph’

Lauren English-Clarke, left, and Susi Damilano appear in Remote Theater’s “The Art of Sacrifice,” streaming in encore performances from March 22-29. (Remote Theater screenshot)
Gary Oldman has been nominated for an Oscar for best actor in David Fincher’s “Mank,” which leads the pack with 10 nominations. (Courtesy Netflix)

2021 Oscar nominations: ‘Mank,’ ‘Nomadland’ and ‘Minari’ among best picture nominees

Notable nods go to Netflix and Amazon Studios

Gary Oldman has been nominated for an Oscar for best actor in David Fincher’s “Mank,” which leads the pack with 10 nominations. (Courtesy Netflix)
Beyonce and Megan These Stallion accepted the award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards outside in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift share spotlight at a Grammys like no other

LOS ANGELES – Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish…

Beyonce and Megan These Stallion accepted the award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards outside in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)

The plight of the barcades: How three gaming bars are surviving the pandemic

By Charles Lewis III Bay City News Foundation One year into the…

Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)
The SFArtsED Players, including, from left, Kiera Gerstley, Solveig O’Neill, Tyler Winslow, Christopher Napolitano-Mehlhorn, Kyomi DallsKidd and Jayden Tamboury, appear in virtual performances of “Once Upon a Mattress” March 18 and 20 in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary season. (Courtesy Pete Belkin/San Francisco Arts Education Project)

Youth group presents virtual ‘Mattress’ for 20th anniversary show

SFArtsED Players appear in fairy-tale musical comedy at the drive-in

The SFArtsED Players, including, from left, Kiera Gerstley, Solveig O’Neill, Tyler Winslow, Christopher Napolitano-Mehlhorn, Kyomi DallsKidd and Jayden Tamboury, appear in virtual performances of “Once Upon a Mattress” March 18 and 20 in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary season. (Courtesy Pete Belkin/San Francisco Arts Education Project)
Poet-philosopher Elsa Gidlow released her autobiography, “Elsa, I Come with My Songs,” in 1986. (Courtesy Marcelina Martin)

The times are finally catching up with Elsa Gidlow

Lesbian, poet, nature lover created bohemian artists community in Mill Valley

  • Mar 14, 2021
Poet-philosopher Elsa Gidlow released her autobiography, “Elsa, I Come with My Songs,” in 1986. (Courtesy Marcelina Martin)
Presenters call “Immersive Van Gogh,” a multimedia attraction on view in The City through Sept. 6, “another form of art.” <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘Immersive Van Gogh’ offers high-tech perspective on classic art

Multimedia attraction showcasing masterworks opens March 18 in S.F.

Presenters call “Immersive Van Gogh,” a multimedia attraction on view in The City through Sept. 6, “another form of art.” <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>
Jasna Đuričić gives a sensational lead performance in “Quo Vadis, Aida?” (Courtesy Neon)

‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ vividly looks at 1995 Bosnian massacre

Black heritage, culture shine in ‘The Inheritance’

Jasna Đuričić gives a sensational lead performance in “Quo Vadis, Aida?” (Courtesy Neon)
Colman Domingo is special guest at the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2021 virtual fundraiser on March 13. Courtesy Danny Clinch

Colman Domingo recalls inspirational years in The City

Screen and stage actor, director, producer and writer joins SF Mime Troupe benefit

Colman Domingo is special guest at the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2021 virtual fundraiser on March 13. Courtesy Danny Clinch
Ciara Bravo and Tom Holland make the most of their roles in “Cherry.” <ins> (Courtesy Apple TV+)</ins>

‘Avengers’ directors can’t make ‘Cherry’ genuine

Rollercoaster ride of a film leaves viewers without feeling

Ciara Bravo and Tom Holland make the most of their roles in “Cherry.” <ins> (Courtesy Apple TV+)</ins>
Dan Horne Band plays The Chapel on March 14. (Courtesy BG)

SF music clubs begin reopening, but still fight to stay in business

Owners continue to rely on fundraising, creative programming as restrictions loosen

  • Mar 10, 2021
Dan Horne Band plays The Chapel on March 14. (Courtesy BG)
Jane Birkin’s new concept album is based on a 1992 movie about a feuding couple. Courtesy Nathaniel Goldberg

Jane Birkin brings her lovers’ quarrel to recording studio

Iconic singer-actress’ ‘Oh! Pardon’ moves from film and stage to album

Jane Birkin’s new concept album is based on a 1992 movie about a feuding couple. Courtesy Nathaniel Goldberg
“Calder-Picasso” juxtaposes sculptures and paintings by 20th century masters Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso at the de Young Museum. (Courtesy Gary Sexton/2021 Calder Foundation, New York/Artists Rights Society, New York)

‘Calder-Picasso’ showcases modern masters side-by-side

Artists explore empty space in representational and abstract works

“Calder-Picasso” juxtaposes sculptures and paintings by 20th century masters Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso at the de Young Museum. (Courtesy Gary Sexton/2021 Calder Foundation, New York/Artists Rights Society, New York)
“Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving “ showcases the artist’s colorful wardrobe, which reflects her love of Mexico and its culture. (Courtesy Gary Sexton/Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)

Frida Kahlo’s revealing personal items on view at the de Young

‘Appearances Can Be Deceiving’ promotes deeper understanding of famed Mexican artist

“Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving “ showcases the artist’s colorful wardrobe, which reflects her love of Mexico and its culture. (Courtesy Gary Sexton/Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)
Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Warmer weather forecasts rosé days ahead

California is producing exclusively grown, high-quality pink wine

Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>