Arts & Entertainment

From left, Karinda Dobbins, Judi Leff, ArjunBanerjee, BobMcIntyre and LisaGeduldig appear in Comedy Al Fresco at El Rio in The Mission. (Courtesy photo)

Standup comics appear live, in unique El Rio patio show

After months laughs on Zoom, in-person performances return

From left, Karinda Dobbins, Judi Leff, ArjunBanerjee, BobMcIntyre and LisaGeduldig appear in Comedy Al Fresco at El Rio in The Mission. (Courtesy photo)
Bay Area funk and soul band Tower of Power has two current CD releases. (Courtesy Haze Photography)

Tower of Power celebrates 50 years

A talk with the founder of the classic funk/R&B band

Bay Area funk and soul band Tower of Power has two current CD releases. (Courtesy Haze Photography)
California cuisine pioneer Alice Waters celebrated Chez Panisse’s 50th birthday on Aug. 28, 2021. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)

Alice Waters on Chez Panisse: ‘50 years is proof this works’

Farm-to-table chef reflects on restaurant that’s ‘meant to feel like a home’

California cuisine pioneer Alice Waters celebrated Chez Panisse’s 50th birthday on Aug. 28, 2021. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)
Circus Bella opens a new, one-ring outdoor show in The City and East Bay.<ins> </ins> <ins>Courtesy James Watkins</ins>

Circus Bella bringing laughs and family fun to parks

‘Humorous’ promises ‘infectious joy’

Circus Bella opens a new, one-ring outdoor show in The City and East Bay.<ins> </ins> <ins>Courtesy James Watkins</ins>
Composer-conductor Matthew Aucoin, center, and cast and instrumentalists rehearse “The No One’s Rose,” which premieres Aug. 25 in Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall.<ins> (Courtesy Or Schraiber)</ins>

Delay makes ‘The No One’s Rose’ premiere all the more poignant

Matthew Aucoin’s multi-genre contemporary opera takes on new meaning in pandemic era

Composer-conductor Matthew Aucoin, center, and cast and instrumentalists rehearse “The No One’s Rose,” which premieres Aug. 25 in Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall.<ins> (Courtesy Or Schraiber)</ins>
Ailyn Pérez as Tosca and Michael Fabiano as Cavaradossi are excellent in Puccini’s “Tosca,” the opening production of San Francisco Opera’s 99th season. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)

SF Opera returns to War Memorial with fittingly impassioned ‘Tosca’

Music director Eun Sun Kim debuts, lead singers emotional in first pandemic-era live production

Ailyn Pérez as Tosca and Michael Fabiano as Cavaradossi are excellent in Puccini’s “Tosca,” the opening production of San Francisco Opera’s 99th season. (Courtesy Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera)
<strong></strong>Silversea’s newest ship, the 596-passenger Silver Moon, is anchored near the Greek island of Patmos. <ins>(Courtesy Julie L. Kessler)</ins>

Simply over the moon for Silversea’s Silver Moon

Cruising is back – on Silversea it is conscious, careful and classy

<strong></strong>Silversea’s newest ship, the 596-passenger Silver Moon, is anchored near the Greek island of Patmos. <ins>(Courtesy Julie L. Kessler)</ins>
David Rawlings and Gillian Welch appeared as Dave Rawlings Machine at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park in 2016. (Shutterstock)

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival moves online

‘We can’t waver from our mission of providing the safest environment’

  • Aug 19, 2021
David Rawlings and Gillian Welch appeared as Dave Rawlings Machine at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park in 2016. (Shutterstock)
John Peltz Presmont, also known as “Bro Jud,” founded Kerista in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)

Breaking down an S.F. commune in ‘Far Out West’

Engaging doc asks: Was Kerista a cult?

John Peltz Presmont, also known as “Bro Jud,” founded Kerista in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)
U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, beloved by her progressive East Bay constituents, is the subject of a new documentary. (Courtesy photo)

Barbara Lee comes out of her shell for ‘Truth to Power’

East Bay congresswoman shares stories in inspirational documentary

U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, beloved by her progressive East Bay constituents, is the subject of a new documentary. (Courtesy photo)
The orchestra section of the War Memorial Opera House has a new seat configuration that offers better sightlines and improved comfort. (Courtesy Kristen Loken)

With remodel complete, War Memorial Opera House is ready for its close-up

Years-in-the-making seat upgrade project concludes in time for ‘Tosca’ opening

The orchestra section of the War Memorial Opera House has a new seat configuration that offers better sightlines and improved comfort. (Courtesy Kristen Loken)
Redwood City no longer has live theater companies that call the downtown district home base. (Wikimedia Commons)

Broadway by the Bay regroups amid Redwood City’s changing downtown district

Community musical theater troupe seeking new venue, partnerships

Redwood City no longer has live theater companies that call the downtown district home base. (Wikimedia Commons)
Beloved indie club Bottom of the Hill, which turns 30 in September, hosts its grand reopening show on Aug. 14. (Courtesy photo)

SF clubs are bringing back live music, with joy and caution

Concerts are on at Bottom of the Hill, The Independent, Rickshaw Stop

  • Aug 13, 2021
Beloved indie club Bottom of the Hill, which turns 30 in September, hosts its grand reopening show on Aug. 14. (Courtesy photo)
Pianist Samantha Cho appears on Aug. 15 at Old First Concerts in The City in a program of works by Brahms, Gubaidulina, Mozart and Scarlatti. (Courtesy Samantha Cho)

Old First Concerts welcomes back pianist Samantha Cho

Virtuoso enjoys ‘heightened’ feelings of hybrid performances

Pianist Samantha Cho appears on Aug. 15 at Old First Concerts in The City in a program of works by Brahms, Gubaidulina, Mozart and Scarlatti. (Courtesy Samantha Cho)
Bora “Max” Koknar and Alika U. Spencer-Koknar, co-artistic directors of Dragon Productions, will leave the company at the end of August, at the same time it closes out its lease at 2120 Broadway in Redwood City. (Courtesy Erin Ashford)

Dragon Productions in Redwood City flies in a new direction

Theater troupe plans to innovate, collaborate in wake of leaving downtown premises

Bora “Max” Koknar and Alika U. Spencer-Koknar, co-artistic directors of Dragon Productions, will leave the company at the end of August, at the same time it closes out its lease at 2120 Broadway in Redwood City. (Courtesy Erin Ashford)
Denilson Garibo, a student member of the Oakland school board, is in the spotlight in “Homeroom.” (Courtesy Hulu)

School gaze: Documentarian faced devastating challenges making ‘Homeroom’

Peter Nicks completes film in wake of daughter’s death, COVID

Denilson Garibo, a student member of the Oakland school board, is in the spotlight in “Homeroom.” (Courtesy Hulu)
Hung Liu appeared at the opening of “Hung Liu: Golden Gate” at the de Young Museum in July. (Courtesy Drew Altizer/Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)

Hung Liu, artist documenting fate of immigrants, dies at 73

Oakland resident recently opened ‘Golden Gate’ installation at de Young Museum

Hung Liu appeared at the opening of “Hung Liu: Golden Gate” at the de Young Museum in July. (Courtesy Drew Altizer/Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)
Leslie Ivy and Gary Stanford Jr. play a long-married couple in “I Do! I Do!” at Woodminster Summer Musicals. (Courtesy Natalie Jane)

‘I Do! I Do’ gets rare, pleasant staging in East Bay hills

Classic musical fans will enjoy the simple show about an enduring marriage

Leslie Ivy and Gary Stanford Jr. play a long-married couple in “I Do! I Do!” at Woodminster Summer Musicals. (Courtesy Natalie Jane)
The national tour of “Hamilton” is returning to San Francisco. (Courtesy Joan Marcus)

‘Hamilton’ back onstage at the Orpheum

Engagement runs from Aug. 10 through Sept. 5

The national tour of “Hamilton” is returning to San Francisco. (Courtesy Joan Marcus)
Singer Paula West appears in residency at Hotel Nikko this month backed by Adam Shulman on piano, Ed Cherry on guitar, and Jerome Jennings on drums. (Courtesy James Barry Knox Photography)

Paula West opens new room at Hotel Nikko

SF vocal great returns to in-person performance

Singer Paula West appears in residency at Hotel Nikko this month backed by Adam Shulman on piano, Ed Cherry on guitar, and Jerome Jennings on drums. (Courtesy James Barry Knox Photography)