Cold, hard truths about Lurie's needless budget brutality
Plus: BIG WEEK covers you from Dolly Parton Pride to Juneteenth; new novel 'Muñeca' delivers class-infused Gothic fiction
The Daily is supported by Queer Women of Color Festival, Fresh Meat Fest, San Francisco Squares, Total Accord Fest, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and Rogues Gallery. Find out more about advertising here. Become a sustaining member!
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.
JOIN US AT THE UPROARIOUS SAN FRANCISCO SQUARES: PRIDE EDITION, JUNE 18
Kick off Pride with live game show fundraiser at Great Stra Theaterm bursting with camp, comedy, and queer star power. Hosted by Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, this Pride-powered spin on The Hollywood Squares features legendary Bruce Vilanch in the coveted Center Square—and special guest Marke B.!
Today's headlines:
Some hard, factual truth about the needless brutality of the Lurie budget

By Tim Redmond
It's not about waste. It's about bad priorities
BIG WEEK: Juneteenth, $5 Book Fair, Dolly Parton Pride, Golden Gate Park Band Fest…

By 48 Hills Arts Team
BIOMETRICKS, The Dish, Messthetics, Sunset Night Market, Township Rebellion, Lil Sweet Treat, more to do!
An Oakland union researcher wrote a book. Her characters brought class into it

By James Tracy
New novel 'Muñeca' by Cynthia Gómez delivers Gothic fiction suffused with queerness and rebellion.
In case you missed it:
Ciao bella! Pasta, puppets, parade drew revelers to Festa Italiana in North Beach

Kitfo to kickflips: How the Bay’s oldest Ethiopian restaurant supports Addis Ababa skaters

The wild inside story of San Francisco’s first gay film festival

2026 INTERNATIONAL QUEER WOMEN OF COLOR FILM FESTIVAL STARTS THURSDAY
The 22nd annual QWOCFF arrives June 12–14 at San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre, with satellite screenings throughout the year, and a virtual Encore in the fall. 49 films across three Festival experiences. Free and open to the public.
25TH ANNIVERSARY FRESH MEAT FEST IS FRESHER THAN EVER
The 25th Anniversary FRESH MEAT FESTIVAL returns June 19–21 at Z Space, SF for an unforgettable weekend of trans, queer, and community performance featuring dance, drag, live music, theater, and more!
CELEBRATE LOCAL MUSIC AND CULTURE AT TOTAL ACCORD FEST, JUNE 3-20
Local creative agency Total Accord is dedicated to putting Bay Area artists on the map and helping guide those looking to get to know the local independent music scene better. To celebrate its second year, TAA is throwing Total Accord Fest at a variety of music venues, theaters, and dive bars, all around San Francisco. Featuring live music, drag performances, food + art pop ups, and DJ sets, plus music video and documentary screenings. Join us!
48 HILLS SATIRIST JOEL SCHECHTER'S NEW BOOK IS BURSTING WITH SMART LAUGHS
The rants, jests, and immodest proposals in Rogues Gallery target a collection of felons, ne'er-do-wells, White House demolitionists, and undertaxed billionaires. Collected here for the first time are classic reports on the demolition of the West Wing (not just the East Wing!) of the White House; a special cell to be built on Alcatraz for the President of the United States; and SF as the new billionaire sanctuary. Illustrated by noted graphic artist Sue Coe. To order a copy for $12, contact jschech@sfsu.edu.
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