KQED Arts & Culture
@kqedarts.bsky.social
Your one-stop shop for the Bay Area’s cultural offerings, from KQED
💃 The Do List: Spice up your plans
📥 Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/arts-and-culture
💃 The Do List: Spice up your plans
📥 Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/arts-and-culture
What makes this particular Blue House so special? A song called 'San Francisco' by Maxime Le Forestier holds the answer.
The San Francisco Landmark You’ve Never Heard Of … Unless You’re French | KQED
What makes this particular Blue House so special? A song called 'San Francisco' by Maxime Le Forestier holds the answer.
www.kqed.org
February 16, 2026 at 8:08 PM
What makes this particular Blue House so special? A song called 'San Francisco' by Maxime Le Forestier holds the answer.
The shortest month of the year is packed with highly anticipated new releases.
February May Be Short on Days, But It Boasts a Long List of New Books
The shortest month of the year is packed with highly anticipated new releases.
www.kqed.org
February 15, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The shortest month of the year is packed with highly anticipated new releases.
A little-known Santa Clara County agency is using social media savvy to capitalize on the Bad Bunny and Super Bowl cultural moment.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Helps a Santa Clara County Agency Go Viral | KQED
A little-known Santa Clara County agency is using social media savvy to capitalize on the Bad Bunny and Super Bowl cultural moment.
www.kqed.org
February 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
A little-known Santa Clara County agency is using social media savvy to capitalize on the Bad Bunny and Super Bowl cultural moment.
An enjoyably absurdist, forebodingly bleak and ridiculously plausible sci-fi from Gore Verbinski.
An Amusing AI Apocalypse in ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’
An enjoyably absurdist, forebodingly bleak and ridiculously plausible sci-fi from Gore Verbinski.
www.kqed.org
February 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
An enjoyably absurdist, forebodingly bleak and ridiculously plausible sci-fi from Gore Verbinski.
The inaugural Russian River Fungi Fest, taking place Feb. 21–22, brings a two-day celebration of mushrooms to West Sonoma County, blending science talks, forest foraging, art and food.
Fungi Fest Brings Mushroom Foraging, Food and Forest Science to Sonoma County
Guerneville’s inaugural festival is for mushroom lovers and those ‘who are just curious about nature.’
www.kqed.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The inaugural Russian River Fungi Fest, taking place Feb. 21–22, brings a two-day celebration of mushrooms to West Sonoma County, blending science talks, forest foraging, art and food.
The inaugural exhibition at Art of Contemporary Africa — a brand new gallery at the Minnesota Street Project — features artists from Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Costa Rica and Barbados.
San Francisco Gets a Brand New Gallery — With a Focus on African Artists
Art of Contemporary Africa opens with a group show in one of Minnesota Street Project’s recently vacated galleries.
www.kqed.org
February 13, 2026 at 10:20 PM
The inaugural exhibition at Art of Contemporary Africa — a brand new gallery at the Minnesota Street Project — features artists from Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Costa Rica and Barbados.
Anthony Ant spent his adult life bringing the Bay Area music scene together. On Thursday night, the scene convened at the Starry Plough in South Berkeley to dance, shout, jam and remember the powerful trumpeter.
Remembering Anthony Ant, Trumpeter and Indefatigable Scene-Builder | KQED
At the Starry Plough, loved ones praised Ant's dedication to uplifting and supporting fellow musicians.
www.kqed.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Anthony Ant spent his adult life bringing the Bay Area music scene together. On Thursday night, the scene convened at the Starry Plough in South Berkeley to dance, shout, jam and remember the powerful trumpeter.
We’re experiencing something of a golden age for Asian-style afternoon tea here in the Bay Area, as new pop-ups and standalone tea rooms crop up to satisfy the growing demand.
It’s a Golden Age for Asian-Style Afternoon Tea in the Bay Area | KQED
Scones and clotted cream come with a side of pandan and curry.
www.kqed.org
February 13, 2026 at 5:19 PM
We’re experiencing something of a golden age for Asian-style afternoon tea here in the Bay Area, as new pop-ups and standalone tea rooms crop up to satisfy the growing demand.
Marco Cochrane’s 48-foot-tall metal sculpture of a nude woman, which arrived at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza nearly a year ago, is seeking approval from city agencies to extend the artwork’s temporary installation for another six months.
‘Temporary’ Public Art Seeks Another Six-Month Extension From SF
The Big Art Loop organizers propose to keep ‘R-Evolution’ at Embarcadero Plaza until October 2026.
www.kqed.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Marco Cochrane’s 48-foot-tall metal sculpture of a nude woman, which arrived at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza nearly a year ago, is seeking approval from city agencies to extend the artwork’s temporary installation for another six months.
The Roxie’s Valentine’s weekend offering, the quasi-supernatural Thai romantic fantasy 'A Useful Ghost,' conceals a deep well of weirdness beneath its placid and gorgeously manicured surface.
For Valentine’s, a Thai Fantasy About a Ghost in a (Vacuum) Machine
Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s omnisexual comedy of conscience hides deep weirdness under a manicured surface.
www.kqed.org
February 12, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The Roxie’s Valentine’s weekend offering, the quasi-supernatural Thai romantic fantasy 'A Useful Ghost,' conceals a deep well of weirdness beneath its placid and gorgeously manicured surface.
Due to the ongoing San Francisco teachers strike, the Exploratorium was flooded with children on a Wednesday afternoon. Here is a list of the museums, galleries, libraries and other locations offering a space for SFUSD families during the strike:
Where Can SFUSD Families Take Children During the Teachers Strike? | KQED
From museums to libraries, here are some of the places San Francisco families can take kids as the teachers' strike rolls on.
www.kqed.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Due to the ongoing San Francisco teachers strike, the Exploratorium was flooded with children on a Wednesday afternoon. Here is a list of the museums, galleries, libraries and other locations offering a space for SFUSD families during the strike:
San Francisco’s film incentive program just got a major update to attract more movie productions to the city. Filmmakers are now eligible for a 100% rebate on permits, police costs and other city fees totaling up to $1 million.
Making Movies in San Francisco Just Got Less Expensive | KQED
The city is covering up to $1 million in city fees for filmmakers, plus other incentives.
www.kqed.org
February 12, 2026 at 6:45 PM
San Francisco’s film incentive program just got a major update to attract more movie productions to the city. Filmmakers are now eligible for a 100% rebate on permits, police costs and other city fees totaling up to $1 million.
If all you want is corset kink, power games and two genetically blessed Australians, this will suffice.
The New ‘Wuthering Heights’ Is Barely ‘Wuthering Heights’ At All
If all you want is corset kink, power games and two genetically blessed Australians, this will suffice.
www.kqed.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
If all you want is corset kink, power games and two genetically blessed Australians, this will suffice.
The first season of ‘The Pitt’ was about acute problems. The second is about chronic ones.
This Season, ‘The Pitt’ Is About What Doesn’t Happen in One Day
The first season of ‘The Pitt’ was about acute problems. The second is about chronic ones.
www.kqed.org
February 11, 2026 at 11:38 PM
The first season of ‘The Pitt’ was about acute problems. The second is about chronic ones.
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, a group of five African American men — all famous comedians — created a body of work that shifted popular culture, altered the entertainment industry and impacted generations to come.
How ‘The Black Pack’ Used Comedy to Combat Racism | KQED
Dr. Artel Great's new book examines the collective of Paul Mooney, Eddie Murphy, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Arsenio Hall.
www.kqed.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:20 PM
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, a group of five African American men — all famous comedians — created a body of work that shifted popular culture, altered the entertainment industry and impacted generations to come.
La Onda Festival returns to Napa Valley Expo on May 30 and 31, with a stacked lineup headlined by Colombian reggaetonero J Balvin; Mexican mariacheño singer Christian Nodal; Mexican rock icons Maná and Californian música mexicana singer Ivan Cornejo.
La Onda 2026 Lineup: J Balvin, Christian Nodal, Maná, Ivan Cornejo, More in Napa | KQED
One of California's biggest Latin music festivals returns to the Napa Valley Expo on May 30 and 31.
www.kqed.org
February 11, 2026 at 5:55 PM
La Onda Festival returns to Napa Valley Expo on May 30 and 31, with a stacked lineup headlined by Colombian reggaetonero J Balvin; Mexican mariacheño singer Christian Nodal; Mexican rock icons Maná and Californian música mexicana singer Ivan Cornejo.
San Francisco's free Valentine’s Day block party gets underway on Feb. 14 in the area surrounding Balmy Alley, offering live music, kids’ activities, local vendors, an art gallery, live painting, custom cars and wellness services.
Lovers Lane Unites San Francisco’s Mission District with Art and Cultura | KQED
The free Valentine’s Day block party features bands, muralists, lowriders, kids’ activities and wellness offerings.
www.kqed.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:53 AM
San Francisco's free Valentine’s Day block party gets underway on Feb. 14 in the area surrounding Balmy Alley, offering live music, kids’ activities, local vendors, an art gallery, live painting, custom cars and wellness services.
“This is a state of emergency and urgency,” SOMArts Executive Director Maria Jenson says. The cultural center will host a community meeting on Feb. 13 in an effort to save the local arts ecosystem. Learn more:
SOMArts to Gather SF Arts Community During ‘State of Emergency’
The cultural center will host a community meeting on Feb. 13 in an effort to save the local arts ecosystem.
www.kqed.org
February 10, 2026 at 7:11 PM
“This is a state of emergency and urgency,” SOMArts Executive Director Maria Jenson says. The cultural center will host a community meeting on Feb. 13 in an effort to save the local arts ecosystem. Learn more:
Super Bowl is over, but the gals, gays and thems can’t stop talking about sports — specifically, the Canadian hockey romance show ‘Heated Rivalry.’ The fandom, bursting with energy, came together at a rave at The Stud in San Francisco over the weekend:
A ‘Heated Rivalry’ Rave Brings Out San Francisco’s Yearners and Romantics | KQED
At The Stud, drag performers, gay hockey players and fans in costume went all out to celebrate the TV series.
www.kqed.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Super Bowl is over, but the gals, gays and thems can’t stop talking about sports — specifically, the Canadian hockey romance show ‘Heated Rivalry.’ The fandom, bursting with energy, came together at a rave at The Stud in San Francisco over the weekend:
This year's Super Bowl commercials showed advertisers wanted lots of buzz, but not controversy.
From Jesus to Jurassic Park: The 2026 Super Bowl Ads Played it Safe
Super Bowl spots showed advertisers wanted lots of buzz, but not controversy.
www.kqed.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:51 PM
This year's Super Bowl commercials showed advertisers wanted lots of buzz, but not controversy.
Journalist and UC Berkeley graduate Catherine Price has collaborated with Jonathan Haidt for his new book.
A Kids’ Guide to Phone-Free Fun, From ‘The Anxious Generation’ Author
Journalist and UC Berkeley graduate Catherine Price has collaborated with Jonathan Haidt for his new book.
www.kqed.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Journalist and UC Berkeley graduate Catherine Price has collaborated with Jonathan Haidt for his new book.
The Oscar-nominated animation is a dreamy sci-fi where environmental catastrophe and cartoony fun collide.
‘Arco’ Is a Dystopian Tale Imbued With a Surprising Amount of Optimism
The Oscar-nominated animation is a dreamy sci-fi where environmental catastrophe and cartoony fun collide.
www.kqed.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:35 PM
The Oscar-nominated animation is a dreamy sci-fi where environmental catastrophe and cartoony fun collide.
Every year, the National Film Registry adds 25 films to its collection to be preserved for posterity.
‘Philadelphia,’ ‘Clueless,’ ‘The Thing’ Added to the National Film Registry
Every year, the registry adds 25 films to its collection to be preserved for posterity.
www.kqed.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Every year, the National Film Registry adds 25 films to its collection to be preserved for posterity.
‘1-800 Happy Birthday’ is a phone booth playing voicemails celebrating those whose lives were taken by police. The opening event for the installation takes place Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Black Panther Party Museum in Oakland.
A New Art Installation Celebrates Oscar Grant’s 40th Birthday | KQED
‘1-800 Happy Birthday’ is a phone booth playing voicemails celebrating those whose lives were taken by police.
www.kqed.org
January 30, 2026 at 7:55 PM
‘1-800 Happy Birthday’ is a phone booth playing voicemails celebrating those whose lives were taken by police. The opening event for the installation takes place Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Black Panther Party Museum in Oakland.
Punk bands, sword-swallowers and puppetry coexist at this new underground music venue.
Inside the Planetarium, Richmond’s New All-Ages DIY Venue Where Anything Goes
Punk bands, sword-swallowers and puppetry coexist at this new underground music venue.
www.kqed.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Punk bands, sword-swallowers and puppetry coexist at this new underground music venue.