The muchness of ‘Art Bash’
The annual gala at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art combines drag, dance, art, and fashion like nothing I’ve seen in SF.
The San Francisco gala circuit seldom serves anything quite like Art Bash. SF MoMA’s annual soirée blew me away recently with six floors of entertainment, desserts, exhibits, and an open bar — not to mention plunging necklines and costumes that mingled alongside high-end couture and drag.
People stared at the art but I most often looked at them; I love seeing this much self-expression come out and play. Some descriptions said experimental Met Gala but on April 24, I probably saw more high-society Bay to Breakers — and that’s a compliment for a city born to stand out.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
Thousands bid adieu to legacy BART trains
A line of people coiled fifteen hundred feet from the up escalator at Oakland’s MacArthur BART station on April 20th. The reward: A ride that wouldn’t have amused any of us the last 52 years. But today, we arrived en masse to ride from MacArthur station to Fremont on the last public run on the last of the legacy BART cars.
Read the latest by M. T. Eley
San Francisco’s oldest movie theater: The Roxie
“The Roxie has had more lives than a cat,” says Lex Sloan, the executive director of the nonprofit that owns and runs the cinema. “It has nearly died many times.” And it has also had many names.
The Roxie is one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the United States. It was founded in 1909 under the name The Poppy by a jeweler with a handle out of Raymond Chandler. Philip H. Doll had a yen for show business, but not much knack, and seems to have fled town to duck out on the theater’s creditors.
Read the latest by Alec Scott
From sci-fi to reality: ‘Eternal You’ shows AI’s impact on death and grief
If you could talk to the dead, would you? What if those dead were simulations generated by AI systems and the digital remnants of the deceased?
We’re asked this by Eternal You, which premiered at the SF Film Festival this week. I’ve heard it called a horrifying documentary and a blueprint for death capitalism: We monetize everything nowadays, so why not spend money resurrecting a loved one?
Read the latest by Laura Stein
North Beach soirée served up the San Francisco style I’ve been missing
April chewed me up and spit me out. From galas to ballets to celebrated nightlife, the roaring 20s are finally peering out from a global pandemic, divisive politics and very present societal struggles. We are finding moments of levity and I am here for it — replete in sparkly polka dots and platform sandals.
Food lovers, drag queens and hobnobbers amassed not long ago at the historic Savoy Tivoli in North Beach, where free bites and huge smiles floated amid a veritable sea of boho-chic caftans and campy prints. I seldom witness this much local influence just hanging out in a neighborhood restaurant party, other than The Stud opening. San Francisco straight-up gives me Sex and the City of late — apropos that the cult classic recently landed in our collective Netflix queue.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
What we’re doing this week
Mother’s Day Tea at The Academy
This Mother's Day, gather a group of friends, family, or chosen family for a lovely high tea afternoon, as we celebrate the moms in our lives past and present, and enjoy a fabulous menu of scrumptious bites and gourmet tea, along with an array of bubbles and cocktails.
WHEN: May 12, 2024 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
WHERE: The Academy SF, 2166 Market St, San Francisco, CA
Mill Valley Music Festival
Music performances spread across two main stages outdoors, and also a large and curated assortment of the region’s best artisans, food vendors, and philanthropic causes, plus family-friendly activities like a roller skating rink, gaming lounge, immersive art installations, local craft beer, hidden speakeasies, and so much more.
WHEN: May 11-12, 2024
WHERE: Mill Valley
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.
Restaurant service charges to become illegal on July 1
The California Attorney General’s office confirmed this week that restaurant service charges will soon be illegal. There was much speculation and concern among restaurants about a bill to eliminate hidden “junk fees.” Starting July 1, upcharges and fees on restaurant bills are now illegal, even if they’re disclosed on the menu.
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