KQED Arts & Culture

The Roxie Is About to Screen the Oddest Zodiac Killer Film Yet Charlie Shackleton’s documentary about the documentary he’ll never make puts true crime in a new light.

Charlie Shackleton’s documentary about the documentary he’ll never make puts true crime in a new light. ‘Zodiac Killer Project’ is screening at the Roxie, with Shackleton appearing in person on Nov. 24.

Learning About Kurt Cobain, Freddie Mercury and Beyoncé From Their Denim A San Francisco exhibit highlights how jeans offer insights into the lives of the artists who wore them.

A San Francisco exhibit highlights how jeans offer insights into the lives of the artists who wore them.

Celebrating a ‘Long Lost History’ of California’s Black Trans Trailblazers | KQED This week’s special episode of The California Report Magazine features a conversation about honoring trans trailblazers and creating a new, intergenerational model of activism.

This week’s special episode of The California Report Magazine features a conversation about honoring trans trailblazers and creating a new, intergenerational model of activism.

9 Pitch-Perfect Holiday Gifts for the Music Lovers in Your Life Shopping for a music fan isn’t as simple as just buying a record. We have some creative suggestions!

Shopping for a music fan isn’t as simple as just buying a record. We have some creative suggestions!

Tyler Reese and Daghe Invite Oakland to the Dance Floor | KQED The singer and DJ embrace a playful, fresh sound on their collaborative project, ‘WHTVR.’

Tyler Reese and Daghe embraced a playful, dance floor-ready sound on their collaborative EP, 'WHTVR.'

Supporters Rally for SF Filmmaker Kevin Epps, on Trial for Murder After 2016 Shooting | KQED The fourth day of the trial saw tearful testimony from the daughter of Marcus Polk, a man who Epps said he shot in self-defense.

The fourth day of the trial saw tearful testimony from the daughter of Marcus Polk, a man who Epps said he shot in self-defense.

Top Things to Do on a San Francisco (SFO) Layover | KQED Make the most of your layover at SFO with nearby attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and local eateries. Explore the city in just a few hours.

Make the most of your layover at SFO with nearby attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and local eateries. Explore the city in just a few hours.

New Study Highlights Cost-of-Living Crisis for Artists | KQED The new survey asked more than 2,600 artists about everything from hours worked to housing.

The new survey asked more than 2,600 artists about everything from hours worked to housing.

Friendsgiving 101: A History of the Holiday and How to Celebrate it The word's definition may be obvious, but Friendsgiving can mean different things to different people.

The word's definition may be obvious, but Friendsgiving can mean different things to different people.

Rikki’s Is Hosting a Lesbian Pie-Eating Contest | KQED The pie-munching bonanza is a fundraiser for SF’s Lesbian Visibility Week festivities.

Rikki’s, the Bay Area’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s athletics, will host what might be San Francisco’s first ever lesbian pie-eating contest — an epically sloppy, no-hands, no-forks battle for bragging rights and a $100 cash prize. Details:

This East Bay Artist Proves ‘Opera Can Be Performed Anywhere’ | KQED For Khaysie, opera shouldn't be confined to the concert stage. The drive-thru? The hardware store? Why not?

“I want people to think that opera can be performed anywhere,” Khaysie says. This weekend, he will perform in San Francisco at the Frida People collective’s fall “Gathering Light” event, with a focus on the healing power of art.

How Much Should You Tip for a Drink at a Bar in the Bay Area? | KQED We talked to bartenders — and looked at the data — to understand how a standard drink tip has shifted.

We talked to bartenders — and looked at the data — to understand how a standard drink tip has shifted.

Skating Meets Embarcadero History in Stunning ‘Epicenter’ Books Jacob Rosenberg's two-book volume is a stunning exploration of architecture and skateboarding.

Jacob Rosenberg's two-book volume is a stunning exploration of the architectural, social and skateboarding history of what was once known as Justin Herman Plaza. An accompanying exhibition opens at GCS Agency on Nov. 21, with book signings on Nov. 22 & 23.

The SFPL Is Trying to Prevent Your Mental Breakdown This Weekend In which the library attempts to distract us from dark nights, lousy weather and political nightmares.

The San Francisco Public Library is holding a series of events this weekend that seem tailor-made to ease stress and help the city momentarily forget the problems of the world — including yoga, mahjong and collaging sessions. Details:

In World Premiere, ‘The Monkey King’ Is a Dazzling Triumph at SF Opera Destined to be a modern classic, Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang's new opera is a thrilling, gorgeous work of art.

On Friday, San Francisco got the world’s very first look at an opera destined to become a modern classic — ‘The Monkey King,’ which runs through Nov. 30 at the War Memorial Opera House, is a triumph.

"Do whatever you can to see it," our critic writes:

Disability Rights Activist and Author Alice Wong Dies at 51 | KQED The MacArthur 'Genius' Award–winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project.

Alice Wong, an author and activist, has died Friday of an infection at the University of California, San Francisco hospital. The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, amplifying disabled voices.

‘The American Revolution’ Will Make You Rethink U.S. History The six-part documentary uses voiceover, reenactors and drones to tell the story of America's founding.

The six-part documentary uses voiceover, reenactors and drones to tell the story of America's founding.

A Holiday Gift Guide for All Movie Lovers — Even the Babies Gifts for cinephiles needn’t begin and end with Blu-Rays and cineplex gift cards.

Gifts for cinephiles needn’t begin and end with Blu-Rays and cineplex gift cards.

Bob Ross Paintings Raise Over $600K to Help Public TV Stations The three paintings far exceeded their pre-auction estimates of around $50,000.

The three paintings far exceeded their pre-auction estimates of around $50,000.

‘Death by Lightning’ Unfolds Like an 1880s ‘West Wing’ The new four-part miniseries dives into the plot to assassinate President James Garfield.

The new four-part miniseries dives into the plot to assassinate President James Garfield.

A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland Graffiti artist Del Phresh talks about revamping his classic "OAKLAND IS PROUD" mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.

Graffiti artist Del Phresh talks about revamping his classic "OAKLAND IS PROUD" mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.

An East Bay Newcomer Slings Hand-Pulled Noodles and XLB Until Midnight Dao Artisan Noodle brings Lanzhou-style noodles to San Leandro.

Tucked away in an unassuming suburban neighborhood in San Leandro, Dao Artisan Noodle serves steamers full of juicy soup dumplings and piping-hot bowls of hand-pulled noodles — an enticing offer as our fall evenings grow chillier.

AI-Generated Music Is Here. How Are Artists Adapting? | KQED AI-generated music and artists are now getting record deals and top spots on Billboard charts, with big implications for labor in the music industry. So how are human artists adapting to this rapidly…

AI-generated music and artists are now getting record deals and top spots on Billboard charts, with big implications for labor in the music industry. So how are human artists adapting to this rapidly changing landscape?

‘Good Fire: Tending Native Lands’ Burns Bright at OMCA | KQED The exhibit uplifts an Indigenous-led movement to revive intentional, beneficial fires.

At Oakland Museum of California, a new exhibit called ‘Good Fire: Tending Native Lands’ traces the past, present and hoped-for future of Indigenous Californians’ use of fire.

Indigenous Ancestry and Memory Come Alive in ‘The Tellings We Keep’ | KQED At Fort Mason, Tricia Rainwater’s first solo exhibition explores Native identity and personal storytelling.

‘The Tellings We Keep,’ currently on view in the SF Camerawork gallery at Fort Mason through Nov. 29, explores the long, nonlinear process of healing from trauma and the ways that storytelling, memory and identity intertwine in that process.

The Girl in the Fishbowl: The Secret Behind San Francisco's Quirkiest Nightclub Act | KQED Since 1931, audiences at Bimbo’s 365 Club in North Beach have been shocked and delighted by Dolphina, the Girl in the Fishbowl. The act, which simulates a nude woman swimming in a fishtank, hasn’t…

Since 1931, audiences at Bimbo’s 365 Club in North Beach have been shocked and delighted by Dolphina, the Girl in the Fishbowl. The act, which simulates a nude woman swimming in a fishtank, hasn’t changed since the club’s opening.

How Californians Are Reclaiming Día De Los Muertos as an Act of Cultural Resistance | KQED Across California, Día de los Muertos events unite families in honoring the dead through art, tradition and the enduring strength of Mexican and Chicano culture.

Across California, Día de los Muertos events unite families in honoring the dead through art, tradition and the enduring strength of Mexican and Chicano culture.

A New San José Food Stall Specializes in Vietnamese Rice Cake Omelettes | KQED Bot Chien is an exciting new addition to Lion Plaza.

The Lion Plaza shopping center is in many ways San José’s original Little Saigon. And since August, there’s been an exciting new addition: Bột Chiên, a stall specializing in its namesake dish — Vietnamese omelettes topped with fried rice cakes.

Castro Theatre Announces Initial Film Schedule for 2026 | KQED The first post-renovation film festivals and special screenings at the theatre.

Following its $20-million-over-budget renovation, San Francisco’s Castro Theatre on Wednesday announced its first slate of film festivals and special screenings at the theater. Here's what you should know:

There’s a New Generation of Folk Protest Singers on TikTok A wave of young artists are cutting through the noise, reviving bold, plainspoken protest music.

A wave of young artists are cutting through the noise, reviving bold, plainspoken protest music.