Beyond the Big Top: San Francisco’s Church of Clown
SF’s newest comedy club and clown school is deeply serious about laughter and human connection.
The Church of Clown is about community, the joy of connection, and laughter. With the stage alarmingly close, we were treated to intimate, laugh-out-loud performances by John Norris and Claire Woolner, who masterfully played off the venue’s charming quirks. The brainchild of Dan Griffiths, the Church of Clown is much more than just comedy.
Read the latest by Jan Chong
From fairytales to madness: SF Symphony’s bold new performance
We stepped inside Davies Symphony Hall last week, finding a blend of enchanting music and haunting dance by Alonzo King Lines Ballet and Peter Sellars. Highlights included the mesmerizing movements of the Alonzo King Lines dancers and Mary Elizabeth Williams' powerful soprano performance in Schoenberg's Erwartung, showcasing the Symphony's dedication to innovative and thought-provoking artistry.
Read the latest by Katie Sweeney
Scenes from 2024 Juneteenth parade in San Francisco
We love to see history come alive in San Francisco. The Juneteenth Parade on June 8th was a colorful tribute to African American culture and freedom. We spotted community leaders, performers, and dignitaries, including soul singer Goapele, poet and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, rapper Stunnaman02, and the SF Jazz Ambassadors. Mayor London Breed led the festivities alongside state Sen. Scott Wiener.
See the latest photos by Denise Cottin
What we’re doing this week
‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at Grace Cathedral
As the sunlight fades from the glittering stained glass windows, revel in a gorgeous rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by virtuosic pianist and producer Ronny Michael Greenberg, with the Telegraph Quartet. And continuing this breathtaking tribute to Gershwin, the mesmerizing and fiery mezzo and aerialist Nikola Printz will sing a “blue”-themed program including classic Gershwin hits, while performing on a trapeze in mid-air above the cathedral labyrinth.
WHEN: Thursday, June 20 at 8 P.M.
WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. San Francisco, CA
QT Fashion Show: Supporting queer & trans visibility
Join The Academy for an evening celebrating fashion and shining a light on some incredible queer and trans designers and models—plus a benefit for The Transgender District of San Francisco, with a special appearance by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. $25 - $50 entry.
WHEN: Friday, June 21 2024
WHERE: 2166 Market St, San Francisco, CA
Out in Tech Oakland Pride mixer
Come kick off a fun night of mingling, meeting new friends and networking with other LGBTQ+ techies in Oakland. It’s a free event.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 18 · 6 - 8pm
WHERE: The White Horse, 6551 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA
What’s on our mind
We keep content mostly fun and light at The Bold Italic, but the future of the Bay Area interests us, too. Here’s what we are thinking about in local news. Brought to you by GrowSF.
New floating light show could solve downtrodden Powell St.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffd5d11e6-3019-4e95-ac0c-3fb5e2eb7f3e_960x540.png)
Powell Street could get a facelift with a design described as “practical, with a twist.” Picture upgraded sidewalks, street trees, ceremonial lighting, and a stunning “golden lantern” above the cable car turntable. If the $30 million funding comes through, it’ll be the biggest overhaul since 1973. The Union Square Alliance is pushing for this, believing it’ll help revive the area and boost the local economy.
“We want to make this place feel like something where you want to be,” said Richard Kennedy, who is working on the project, to the SF Chronicle. “If San Francisco is going to rebound and recover, Powell Street is going to play an important role.”
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