Downtown’s up and down

Downtown is more than just a dense area of offices and stores; it is a cultural center fed by the coming together of people, businesses, artists, ideas, and activities. Photo: John Zipperer

As someone who grew up in small cities, I’ve always had a fascination with big cities, and particularly their downtowns. Tall buildings, lots of people, the energy of hundreds o... Read More

Banks Repeta and Jaylin Webb star in Armageddon Time. Photo: Anne Joyce / Focus Features

Films

Exalting the dozen best movies of 2022

By Michael Snyder

In a year replete with horrors big and small, it’s fitting that so many frighteningly creative horror movies were released during the past dozen months. Not that there’s room ... Read More

Irmandade: The Shape of Water in Pindorama. PHOTO: SMAC Gallery; Lhola Amira

Art World

‘Lhola Amira: Facing the Future’

FAMSF launches new contemporary African art program

By Lynette Majer

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco has begun a new program — the first of its kind — to interpret the museum’s permanent collection of African art through the lens of co... Read More

Joan Brown, Self-Portrait with Swimming Coach Charlie Sava, at Larsen Pool, San Francisco, 1974; courtesy Estate of Denver Art Museum - SFMOMA

Art World

SFMOMA presents in-depth Joan Brown retrospective

By Sharon Anderson

The most comprehensive examination in over 20 years of San Francisco-born artist Joan Brown’s vibrant, autobiographical paintings and sculptures is currently on view at SFMOMA t... Read More

Politics as Usual

Ho-ho-who?

What a justice-involved Santa taught me about the real meaning of democracy

By John Zipperer

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the townNot a creature was stirring, as voting wound down.The people cast ballots with caution and care,In hopes of results th... Read More

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in Spirited, now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo: Courtesy of Apple TV Plus

Films

Happily ever after for the holidays

By Michael Snyder

According to the perennial tune, it’s the most wonderful time of the year — and we’re in the middle of it, complete with family gatherings that can be nourishing or trying. ... Read More

People gather on the streets of the Tenderloin to buy, sell and use drugs just blocks from the Tenderloin Linkage Center.

Reynolds Rap

The grift that keeps on giving

From fudging failed figures to spending $500,000 on a self-serving study, harm reduction provider HealthRIGHT 360 wants to keep their golden goose

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“Eisen visibly bristles when people, even in jest, refer to the organization as an ‘empire,’ but acknowledges that her vision all along has been to expand HealthRight 360’... Read More

Bull.Miletic’s Zoom Blue Dot (1990–20). Photo courtesy of the artist

Art World

Upcoming exhibition explores power of aerial imaging technologies

By Sharon Anderson

The Museum of Craft and Design presents “Bull.Miletic: Proxistant Vision.”Bull.Miletic is an artist duo currently based in Oslo, but who made their home in San Francisco for o... Read More

Politics as Usual

Who asked you?

Ballot measures give you the illusion of being in charge

By John Zipperer

When Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer got sick of whitewashing a fence, he came up with the great idea of tricking other kids into doing the work for him. Problem solved! When special... Read More

Cate Blanchett stars as Lydia Tár in Tár. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features

Films

The women in film who rise and roar

By Michael Snyder

Since its inception, the movie industry has had a recurring problem with the marginalization of women. Actors never wanted for strong lead roles, while actresses struggled to find... Read More

Candidates-for-San-Francisco-District-Attorney

Reynolds Rap

Is John Hamasaki fit to serve as San Francisco’s top cop?

From tax liens to credit card lawsuits, the district attorney candidate’s personal finances are a mess; plus, an updated district attorney endorsement

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“That ‘if’ is doing a lot of work. Just pay some damn taxes, bro.”— District attorney candidate John Hamasaki to Elon Musk in a since-deleted tweet Much has been made... Read More

Candidates for San Francisco District Attorney (left to right): Civil rights attorney Joe Alioto Veronese, incumbent DA Brooke Jenkins, private defense attorney John Hamasaki

Reynolds Rap

San Francisco still needs big change

Candidate endorsements for the November 2022 election

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The fact the Marina Times is still going is proof that god doesn’t exist.— Tweet by former police commissioner John Hamasaki, who deleted nearly 9,000 tweets just before decla... Read More

The Quest by Roger Dean. PHOTO: Courtesy Roger Dean; Haight Street Art

Art World

‘The Secret Path: The Art of Roger and Freyja Dean’

Nature and imagination merge in dreamlike landscapes

By Sharon Anderson

The Haight Street Art Center presents an exhibition by famed U.K. artists Roger Dean and his daughter, Freyja Dean. Roger Dean’s career spans more than 60 years and his dazzling... Read More

District 2 Supervisor

November Recommendations

Picking the best on the ballot

By Catherine Stefani

Election day is almost upon us! San Franciscans will take to the polls and make their voices heard for the fourth and final time this year. If you are unsure of your registration ... Read More

Left to right: Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker in Hocus Pocus 2. Photo: Courtesy Walt Disney Studios

Films

Screen scares in the air

By Michael Snyder

When autumn starts to creep in and a certain haunt-ridden end-of-October holiday approaches, the movie and television industries invariably roll out the horror. The powers that be... Read More

Cover Stories