A scrappy small-town orchestra survives to play another day
Plus: BIG WEEK picks, Bliss Fest bliss-out, and all the new movies you can handle
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EXPERIENCE ODC THEATER'S 'STATE OF PLAY'
Discover bold new dance works at State of Play, a four-day dance festival taking place August 27-30 at ODC Theater in San Francisco’s Mission District. Featuring premieres and works in progress by Bay Area and national dance artists, State of Play invites you to step into the creative process through performances that embrace experimentation, risk, and curiosity. Take 15% off with code 15PLAY26 at checkout!
YERBA BUENA GARDENS FESTIVAL SEASON IS HERE
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is back with 100+ free outdoor shows in downtown SF. With free music concerts, dance events, circus, kids’ shows, and more, YBG Festival is the place for picnics and summertime vibes.
Today's headlines:
In Kensington, a small-town orchestra survives as civic triumph
By Michael Tapscott
Navigating an era of gutted arts funds, a volunteer symphony rallies for its 49th season, teddy bears in tow.
BIG WEEK: Crash an Indian Wedding Party, SF Bay Popfest, ‘Disastrous!,’ David Byrne…
By 48 Hills Arts Team
'Girl of the Golden West,' Starman SF, SF Cocteaufest, All Mo' Wax, SF Queer Film Fest, more to do!
Screen Grabs: Sassy ballers, Latino leathermen, E’ville queens? It’s SF Queer Film Fest time
By Dennis Harvey
Plus: Willem Dafoe finds 'Late Fame,' snarky summer camp romp 'Floaters', excellent 'Everyone is Lying to You for Money'
This year’s Bliss Fest was all about the sparkling ride
By John-Paul Shiver
Elliott Peck's immersive jazz-folk, Combo Tezeta's energizing cumbia, Circus Bella's high clownery drove some Presidio heat.
In case you missed it:
Kiev, 1911: the Bund, revolution, and a sparkling work of historical fiction
Drama Masks: A sensitive Julius Caesar, lost in the ’70s shuffle
Al Green gilded Stern Grove’s season finale in golden soul
A FULL DAY OF MOVIES MADE BY PUNKS, DIRTBAGS, METALHEADS & ODDBALLS
On August 29, join 48 Hills at Scumdance Film Festival, the annual celebration of celluloid for sickos! Ten years of freaky films from underground auteurs—and the 2026 installment at North Beach's The Lost Church promises eye-popping fun.
AN EVENING OF FINE TITILLATION AT RHYTHM & RUSE
Step into vintage glamour with live jazz, celebrated burlesque artists, and Hella Fitzgerald at San Francisco's Palace Theater, August 28.
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