Arts & Entertainment

Clockwise, from top left, Kacie Rogers, Romi Dias, Eden Malyn and Mary Beth Fisher appear in playwright Laurel Ollstein’s “Pandora,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and the Getty Villa Museum. (Screenshot)

Laurel Ollstein’s ‘Pandora’ a funny feminist take on a classic myth

TheatreWorks, Getty Museum stream amusing 90-minute show

Clockwise, from top left, Kacie Rogers, Romi Dias, Eden Malyn and Mary Beth Fisher appear in playwright Laurel Ollstein’s “Pandora,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and the Getty Villa Museum. (Screenshot)
Blondie’s Bar owner Nikki DeWald says she thinks that when pandemic ends, “It is going to be a party like no one has seen before.” <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Meet your bar owner: Nicole ‘Nikki’ DeWald

Blondie’s proprietor recalls glory days in the ’90s

Blondie’s Bar owner Nikki DeWald says she thinks that when pandemic ends, “It is going to be a party like no one has seen before.” <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Walkers, joggers and furry charges are treated to inspiring sunsets along Moonstone Beach. (Julie L.Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Cambria is canine-friendly

The central coastal town with a scenic boardwalk keeps Fido fit as a fiddle

Walkers, joggers and furry charges are treated to inspiring sunsets along Moonstone Beach. (Julie L.Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)

Novel insightfully looks at the lives of homeless people

Katherine Seligman offers empathy in the ‘At the Edge of the Haight’

Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)
Andra Day sounds great in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.”<ins></ins>

Singing soars in uneven ‘United States vs. Billie Holiday’

‘Test Pattern’ takes on timely issues, from racism to women’s health

Andra Day sounds great in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.”<ins></ins>
Dave Davis is excellent in “The Vigil,” an effective horror film by Keith Thomas. <ins>(Courtesy IFC Midnight)</ins>

‘Vigil’ cleverly mixes Jewish culture, atmospheric scares

Folkloric demon comes alive in writer-director Keith Thomas’ debut feature

Dave Davis is excellent in “The Vigil,” an effective horror film by Keith Thomas. <ins>(Courtesy IFC Midnight)</ins>
AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, center, says the band has been “lucky” throughout its long career. <ins>(Courtesy Josh Cheuse)</ins>

AC/DC’s Angus Young: We ‘keep it basic’

Rockers’ 17th album is ‘Power Up’

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, center, says the band has been “lucky” throughout its long career. <ins>(Courtesy Josh Cheuse)</ins>
The Drexler twins’ amusing new web series is called “The Simpleton’s Guide to Success.” (Courtesy photo)

Drexler twins debut ‘Simpleton’ mockumentary

Bay area siblings write, star in funny New York-set web series

The Drexler twins’ amusing new web series is called “The Simpleton’s Guide to Success.” (Courtesy photo)
Biig Piig, aka Jessica Smyth, is working on her first full-length recording in Los Angeles. (Courtesy Mélanie Lehmann)

Biig Piig spans cultures, song styles

Sultry vocalist Jessica Smyth explores her changing identities via collaborations

Biig Piig, aka Jessica Smyth, is working on her first full-length recording in Los Angeles. (Courtesy Mélanie Lehmann)
From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

At 75, Bronstein Music plays on in South S.F.

Store prevails despite silence created by pandemic

From left: Don Edwards, Amanda Scheliga, Jeff Cotton and Ron Graham are keeping Bronstein Music going in South San Francisco as it observes its 75th anniversary. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

Family farmed since 1909, Battuello Vineyards is creating new Napa Valley wines

Historic estate supports boutique St. Helena winery

Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
Matilda Lawler stars in “Flora & Ulysses,” a pleasant film for kids based on a book by Kate DiCamillo. <ins>(Courtesy Disney+)</ins>

Fanciful films with a squirrel and a whirl

‘Flora & Ulysses’ has a girl and a rodent, ‘Jumbo’ has an Amelie-like woman enraptured by a machine

Matilda Lawler stars in “Flora & Ulysses,” a pleasant film for kids based on a book by Kate DiCamillo. <ins>(Courtesy Disney+)</ins>
Frances McDormand, left, and David Strathairn appear in the wonderful “Nomadland.”<ins> (Courtesy Searchlight Pictures)</ins>

‘Nomadland’ a sublime, magical story of people in transition

‘A First Farewell’ intriguingly depicts Muslim villagers in China

Frances McDormand, left, and David Strathairn appear in the wonderful “Nomadland.”<ins> (Courtesy Searchlight Pictures)</ins>
Saru Jayaraman speaks at rally after successful campaign to preserve workers’ tips in “Waging Change,” a documentary by Abby Ginzberg airing Feb. 19 on KQED. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘Waging Change’ exposes shocking U.S. law about low tipping

Documentary details movement to raise $2.13 minimum wage

Saru Jayaraman speaks at rally after successful campaign to preserve workers’ tips in “Waging Change,” a documentary by Abby Ginzberg airing Feb. 19 on KQED. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>
Pale Waves, featuring Heather Baron-Gracie, center, released its follow-up album to “My Mind Makes Noises” in February.<ins></ins>

Pale Waves back with ‘Who Am I?’

Frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie chills in SoCal

Pale Waves, featuring Heather Baron-Gracie, center, released its follow-up album to “My Mind Makes Noises” in February.<ins></ins>
Keith "Malik" Washington is editor of the San Francisco Bayview newspaper (Courtesy photo)

Documentary by Public Defender’s Office targets conditions at Tenderloin halfway house

Film is first created through project founded by late Public Defender Jeff Adachi

Keith "Malik" Washington is editor of the San Francisco Bayview newspaper (Courtesy photo)
Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is among the singers featured in San Francisco Opera’s spring season “In Song” series. (Courtesy Ras Dia/San Francisco Opera)

San Francisco Opera sings live at the drive-in

New ‘Barber of Seville’ in Marin accompanies virtual ‘Ring’ reprise and intimate portraits

Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is among the singers featured in San Francisco Opera’s spring season “In Song” series. (Courtesy Ras Dia/San Francisco Opera)
Filmmaker Madeleine Lim heads up the San Francisco-based Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, which is regrouping during the pandemic and remaining dedicated to creating and promoting works by underrepresented people. Courtesy Leilani Nisperos

Queer, trans women still seeking representation in media

By Kate Selig Bay City News Foundation Madeleine Lim launched the Queer…

  • Feb 15, 2021
Filmmaker Madeleine Lim heads up the San Francisco-based Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, which is regrouping during the pandemic and remaining dedicated to creating and promoting works by underrepresented people. Courtesy Leilani Nisperos
A run near vineyards in Temecula offered a perfect snowcapped-mountain view. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Happily horsing around in Temecula

It’s great to enjoy equines in the great outdoors safely, with social distancing

A run near vineyards in Temecula offered a perfect snowcapped-mountain view. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Leticia Duarte, left, and Michelle Narrivato appeared in a Creative Corps production of “The Two Fridas” in Washington Square Park.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

For Leticia Duarte, all the world’s a Zoom stage

Actor is optimistic about the future of live theater

Leticia Duarte, left, and Michelle Narrivato appeared in a Creative Corps production of “The Two Fridas” in Washington Square Park.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>