‘Cool Britannia’ slaps like a pop anthem that belongs in a sci-fi epic
With songs from The White Stripes and aggressively sleek, this triple bill at SF Ballet redefines what dance can look like.
This performance is what I assume happens in a ballet dancer’s apartment when they wake up: A White Stripes song comes on. Everyone is in matching nude cami sleepwear, and without a word between them, the dancing begins.
This was Bad Romance meets 2001: A Space Odyssey. The kind of ballet that plays with shadow like it’s a dance partner, bodies swallowed and revealed by stark walls of color. It carried the cold elegance of a sci-fi utopia alongside the relentless energy of a pop music video.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
The boop that conquered San Francisco’s Valentine’s Day pillow fight
Nothing says love on Valentine’s Day in San Francisco more than meeting up for the free pillow fight at the Embarcadero. If you’re tired of the same old overpriced roses and awkward dinner dates, this is the perfect way to get your heart racing.
We’ve seen the audience dwindle since its heyday in the early 2000s. But enough people gathered at 5:45 to cause a good amount of fluffy mayhem. People of all ages joined. Kids sat giggling in pajamas while clutching their pillows like they were holding onto the last piece of candy in the house.
Read the latest by Vita Hewitt
Inside Mr. Lobo’s secret horror movie night in San Francisco
A sugar-fueled crowd packed into the Pacific Felt Factory for a one-night-only event honoring cult horror host Mr. Lobo.
Hosted by Black & White Projects, the event brought together fans of experimental art and B-movie cinema, featuring artwork, props, and a showcase of Mr. Lobo’s cult-favorite show Cinema Insomnia. The collaboration highlights how underground art and midnight movies share a common thread—community, creativity, and a love for the weird.
Read the latest by Vita Hewitt
San Francisco’s dandiest night: Villa Albertine’s 2025 season launch
So I walked into the Legion of Honor recently, and immediately I clocked a man in a crisp white dinner jacket and plaid trousers. Champagne in hand, he looked like the lead in a forgotten ‘70s heist film.
Just ahead, a redhead sat on the carpeted stairs and served 1920s Berlin cabaret — pinstriped suspenders, billowy blouse, and the kind of sharp, knowing gaze that could dismantle you in a single glance.
It was the 2025 season launch of Villa Albertine, the French cultural institution that I know more as an intellectual salon. They offer tailor-made residencies for artists, thinkers, and curators in 10 American cities, and each season opener gives us a topic to ponder over Champagne and canapés. This year we discussed Dandyism, and in 2024 we saw Alice Waters, who forevermore I will remember as the woman who besmirched my beloved iceberg lettuce.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
What we’re doing this week
FROGGY premiere
FROGGY is a graphic novel noir thriller presented by Center Repertory Company. Set in 2007, the story follows Froggy, who gets caught up in an underground video game while searching for her missing boyfriend. The production mixes graphic novel visuals, film noir, and virtual media to create a different kind of stage experience.
Directed by Matt M. Morrow, with creative technology by Jared Mezzocchi and written by Jennifer Haley, FROGGY runs about 80 minutes with no intermission. It contains adult themes and is recommended for ages 13 and up.
WHEN: February 9 – March 2, 2025
WHERE: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Back to the Future: The Musical
Back to the Future: The Musical is a stage adaptation of the classic 1985 film features original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, along with familiar songs from the movie like "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode." The story follows Marty McFly as he travels back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, inadvertently altering the course of history. The production has received critical acclaim, winning the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
WHEN: February 12–March 9, 2025
WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Cool Britannia at SF Ballet
Cool Britannia at SF Ballet brings together works by some of Britain’s most influential choreographers, blending classical and contemporary styles. The program features pieces by Wayne McGregor, Christopher Wheeldon, and the North American premiere of Akram Khan’s Dust, offering a range of movement and storytelling that highlights the evolution of British ballet. Read our review.
WHEN: February 13–19, 2025
WHERE: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
Also coming up: Late Night Revelry at Grace Cathedral
The magic of Grace Cathedral’s Carnivale gala doesn’t stop at dinner—The Late Night Revelry brings a whole new vibe. Expect an open bar, live beats from The Chris Clouse Project, and a Vanity Portrait Studio to capture you looking your best—with a masquerade twist, of course.
This is the after-party where the crowd lets loose, and the grandeur of Grace Cathedral transforms into an upscale, after-hours affair. Tickets start at $100 for one to the after party, and $165 for a duo. Every dollar supports the cathedral’s community initiatives—so you can party with a purpose. Read our review of the gala last year.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 8:45 pm – 11:00 pm
WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco
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.
No red curb, no fine: SF scraps $40 daylighting tickets—for now
SFMTA just backed off a plan to issue $40 fines for parking in unmarked “daylighting” zones—those no-parking areas near crosswalks meant to improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians. MTA had announced they weren’t going to paint the curbs red but were going to write tickets anyway, which we thought was the wrong approach. The City should clearly communicate where parking is and is not allowed, and that means they must paint the curbs.
Now SFMTA will issue warnings while they fast-track painting the curbs properly. The goal is to finish within 18 months, a big improvement from the original 4-5 year timeline. Amazing what can happen when you get your priorities in order.
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