The mayor's big Prop D lie
Plus: BIG WEEK event picks, SF Opera chills, Rico Nasty's still got it, Portola Fest pops and flops
48 Hills Daily is supported by 3rd i Film Fest, Litquake, King Lear, Terror Vault, Hag-stravaganza, Songs of the Slow Burning Earth, and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. Find out more about advertising here. Become a sustaining member!
POLLS CLOSE SOON! VOTE NOW FOR BEST OF THE BAY 2026!
Best Burrito? Best Street Fair? Best Drag Show? Best Date Restaurant? Best Shoe Store? Best Dive Bar? Vote in our 52nd annual Best of the Bay Readers' Poll and tell us what you love!
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND ACCLAIMED FILM 'SONGS OF THE SLOW BURNING EARTH'
Unflinching documentary depicts the mass tragedy of people who came face to face with a large-scale war in Ukraine—and how they had to adapt in dire circumstances. Meet director Olha Zhurba and producer Darya Bassel at Rialto Berkeley on Sept. 28 and Four Star SF on Oct. 1.
OCTOBER KICKS OFF WITH A 'HAG-STRAVAGANZA'
Join us for a rare screening of Joan Crawford starring in William Castle's Strait-Jacket (1964) hosted by DJ Dank and Valentine. Drag performances by Katya Smirnoff-Skye, Thee Pristine Condition, and Lucy Borden, a Crawford costume contest, Joan trivia, and a Joan To The Bone video tribute. October 2, sponsored by Sunset Connect.
Today's headlines:
The mayor’s Big Lie on Prop. D
By Tim Redmond
The measure doesn't stop special interests from writing laws. It does the opposite.
Big Week: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Castro Street Fair, Black Art Week, Mahmoud Kahlil…
By 48 Hills Arts Team
Stardella, Octo Octa, Plock Swedish Candy, Yasmin Levy, Marika Christine, 'The Crypt-O-Keepers'—what to do!
Portola 2026 review: The pops, the flops, the drops
By Adrian Spinelli
Texts crapped out and the chicken was hidden, but massive dance music fest delivered with Despacio, Four Tet, Robyn, more.
Drama Masks: A queen who brings chills—and a carry-on
By Charles Lewis III
SF Opera's 'Mary, Queen of Scots' packs the puffy jackets, while ACT's 'North by Northwest' flies by the seat of its pants.
Rico Nasty has lost none of her edge
By Joshua Rotter
Rocking full speed into town with Hayley Williams, the genre-bender brings volatility, freedom, and bold new album 'RX.'
In case you missed it:
Flyaway’s latest asks, ‘What if incarcerated voices could animate a library?’
Best of the Bay 2026 Editors’ Pick: Tacos El Patrón
One more in the can: Hot Tuna returns to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
YOU'VE NEVER SEEN—OR HEARD—'LEAR' LIKE THIS
Michael Socrates Moran directs a bold new production of William Shakespeare’s epic tragedy King Lear, featuring a cast of 30 and live music composed by Paul Dresher. September 25—October 11 at Z Space!
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE AT TERROR VAULT: SLASHED
The latest immersive horror experience from diabolical creators Peaches Christ and Michael Flowers takes over the San Francisco Mint with a tale inspired by '80s slashers! October 1-November 7
JOIN US FOR ANOTHER SEISMIC LITQUAKE
Litquake, San Francisco's literary festival, is back from October 8–24. Presenting 80+ events across the Bay Area, from readings and performances to panels and workshops. More than 75% of events are FREE to attend.
COME CELEBRATE 3RD i'S 24TH ANNIVERSARY
The annual SF International South Asian Film Festival — "Beyond Bollywood" will present award-winning films from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, France, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. From dark comedy to riveting drama, and from heartwarming social satire to unique documentaries, 3rd i offers groundbreaking cinema from South Asia and its Diaspora, with festival guests!