The Stud finally reopens in San Francisco
San Francisco’s historic queer bar finds a new home after four years.
“It’s the event of the season!” I can’t tell you how many times I heard this uttered this past Saturday amongst the packed, wall-to-wall throngs of people who came out for The Stud’s grand re-opening, as it finally threw open its doors at its new space at 1123 Folsom near 7th Street.
Befitting a place that’s been around for 58 years, the theme of the party was “Time Machine,” as each hour of the party moved through the music of the decades, starting with the ’60s at 6pm, and changing each hour with different DJs and drag acts.
The Stud is one of San Francisco’s oldest LGBTQ+ establishments, originally opening in 1966, not long after Wild Side West in 1962 and just before two queer women bought Twin Peaks Tavern in 1971.
As a resident DJ of The Stud’s most legendary party in the 1990s and 2000s, the Tuesday night drag show retro-actively referred to now as T-Shack, run by the late, great drag queen Heklina, I was invited to represent the ’90s at 9pm. And by the time I arrived for my set — over 90 minutes early — the place was already so packed it was difficult to get to the DJ booth!
But from the minute I walked through the doors, it felt like a family reunion. Of course, any iconic bar that’s been around as long as The Stud will bring out “the olds.” But I was relieved to see that it wasn’t all “gays of a certain age,” re-living their misspent youth. There was also plenty of new blood, as younger queers came out to check out the new space, creating a generational mix that The Stud was always known for.
Read the full story by Adriana Roberts
420 was definitely not canceled in San Francisco
The air on Hippie Hill was still thick with the smoke of countless joints, the sound of drums and laughter on 4/20 — even though we were told the party was over.
Organizers announced in late March that San Francisco’s official “puff, puff pass” event must end due to budget constraints; Apparently the festivities cost half a million to put on each year, and like so many other budgetary narratives we’ve heard recently, they could not find the funds. San Francisco turned it out anyway.
Read the latest and see photos from 4/20 by Denise Cottin and Darryl Pelletier
‘Mere Mortals’ changed how I see and experience ballet
I wonder what aspiring dancers consider before pursuing a career onstage. In the world of ballet, I bet it is not: “One day I want to zip into a black latex onesie and do the twist for three minutes straight.”
“Mere Mortals” at San Francisco Ballet gave so much sensory input that it feels impossible to convey in words, but I think that’s part of the point. Here is a show I could easily see at Coachella, the Super Bowl, or an OG Lady Gaga music video. It is so much, from provocative costumes to never-ending beats, visuals, and of course very synchronous, bending dance; Not mind-bending per se, but the actual sort of contortion I’ve come to expect from Cirque du Soleil.
Is that praise? I think so. But let me add just in case: The San Francisco Ballet ate. They ate up that stage and left no crumbs.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman. See this show before it concludes April 24th, with our pro-tip: Use the code LETSGO for $29 rush tickets the day you go.
Why I love San Francisco
San Francisco is a city of contrasts, where historic architecture meets modern innovation. It's a culinary mecca, boasting a vibrant food scene influenced by its diverse communities. San Francisco is also a cultural hub, home to world-class museums, theaters, and galleries.
Read the latest by Alec Scott
What we’re doing this week
Art Bash 2024
Art Bash at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is a dazzling celebration of contemporary art and creativity. Held within the museum's sleek and innovative spaces, this annual event transforms the museum into a dynamic playground for art lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
WHEN: April 24, 2024 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
WHERE: SF MOMA, 151 Third St., San Francisco, 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.
Central Subway plagued by leaks
The Central Subway sprung a leak. An SFMTA station agent told Alex Mullaney of the Standard that the “leaks are everywhere,” preventing kiosks in the Chinatown-Rose Pak Station from being leased out to vendors, making the floors dangerously slippery, and likely compromising the long-term integrity of the subway.
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