Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Terry Bisson (1942-2024)
Science fiction and fantasy author and political activist Terry Bisson (1942-2024), who died on January 10, 2024 at the age of 81, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded January 2, 2013 following the paperback reprint of the novel, “Any Day Now.”
Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards for his short story,”Bears Discover Fire,” Terry Bisson wrote seven stand-alone novels, several collaborations in different mediums, six collections of short stories, six film novelizations and three works of non-fiction. Along with his books and short stories, he wrote Locus Magazine’s This Month in History series for two decades. In his later years, he was a frequent host of the popular SF in SF series of interviews and readings in San Francisco.
His other works include a biography of Mumia Abu-Jabal, titled “On a Move,” and a wide variety of novels from the Star Wars series to the completion of a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
In the interview, he discusses his political work as well as his work as a writer and editor. Complete Interview.
Roger Ebert (1942-2013)
Roger Ebert (1942-2013) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded while on tour for “The Great Movies II,” conducted in the KPFA studios on March 3, 2005.
Roger Ebert, who died of cancer on April 4, 2013, was probably America’s best known film critic. Film critic for the Chicago Sun Times from 1967 until his death, his television career began on PBS in 1975, co-hosted with Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune. Through several iterations, Ebert and Siskel worked together until Siskel’s death in 1999. Roger Ebert continued on TV with several co-hosts until he paired with Richard Roeper until retiring from television in 2007.
Along the way, Roger Ebert wrote several books, including his four book Great movies series, a best selling memoir, Life Itself, various yearly guides, and several collections of his reviews. His website, rogerebert.com, is still a leading compendium of new and old reviews.
In this interview, he talks about his latest book, about new restorations, and about his sojourn into political commentary.
Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links
Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors’ positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. Some venues operate Tuesday – Sunday; others Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday. All times Pacific Time. Closing dates are sometimes extended.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival See website for highlights from the 10th Annual Bay Area Book Festival, June 1-2, 2024.
Book Passage. Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
Books Inc. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
The Booksmith. Monthly Event Calendar.
BookShop West Portal. Monthly Event Calendar.
Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months.
Green Apple Books. Events calendar.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Live Theater Companies
Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. See website for specific days and times, and for staged readings at LaVal’s Subterranean Theater.
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for upcoming productions.
African American Art & Culture Complex. See website for calendar.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre A Whynot Christmas Carol, November 26-December 24, Toni Rembe Theatre. Our Class, February 13- 23, Strand.
Aurora Theatre The Heart-Sellers by Lloyd Suh, February 9 – March 9, 2025.
Awesome Theatre Company. See website for information.
Berkeley Rep. The Thing About Jellyfish, based on the novel by Ali Benjamin, adapted by Keith Bunin, January 31 – March 9, World Premiere, Roda Theatre.
Berkeley Shakespeare Company. See website for upcoming shows.
Boxcar Theatre. New Years Eve at the Speakeasy, Jan. 1, 2025. Magic Man, Jan 3 – June 2, Palace Theatre.
Brava Theatre Center: See calendar for current and upcoming productions.
BroadwaySF: Hamilton, through January 6, Orpheum. Some Like It Hot, January 7-26, Orpheum. See website for shorter runs: Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, Dog Man: The Musical. The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes, thru Dec. 22, Curran. See website for complete listings..
Broadway San Jose: The Cher Show. March 18 – 23.
Center Rep: Froggy, Feb. 9 – March 7. Lesher Center.
Central Stage. See website for upcoming productions, 5221 Central Avenue, Richmond
Central Works Push/Pull by Harry Davis, March 1 – 30, 2025.
Cinnabar Theatre. Gutenberg! The Musical, January 17 – 26, 2025, Warren Theatre, Sonoma State University.
Club Fugazi. Dear San Francisco ongoing: Home for the Holidays edition through December 30. Check website for Music Mondays listings.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Fairview by Jackie Sibblies Drury. February 1 – 16, 2025.
42nd Street Moon. See website for upcoming productions.
Golden Thread Upcoming: Pilgrimage by Humaira Ghilzai and Bridgette Dutta Portman, co-produced with Z Space. New Threads Staged Reading Series: Oriental, or 1001 Ways to Tie Yourself in Knots by Evren Odcikin
Hillbarn Theatre: Anastasia, December 5 -29, 2024.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
Lower Bottom Playaz See website for upcoming productions.
Magic Theatre. the boiling by Sunui Chang April 3 -20, 2025. See website for additional events.
Marin Theatre Company Waste by Harley Granville-Barker, Feb. 6 – March 2, 2025.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Deep Inside, Tonight by the Kinsey Sicks, December 4 – January 5.
Oakland Theater Project. A Thousand Ships by Marcus Gardley, World Premiere, December 13 – January 5. Flax Art & Design.
Odd Salon: Upcoming events in San Francisco & New York, and streaming.
Pear Theater. The Gods of Comedy by Ken Ludwig, Feb. 21 – March 16. See website for staged readings and other events.
Playful People Productions. See website for upcoming productions and events.
Presidio Theatre. See website for complete schedule of events and performances.
Ray of Light: See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko and upcoming productions..
San Francisco Playhouse. Waitress, November 21, 2024 – January 18, 2025.
SFBATCO. See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: See website for upcoming schedule.
Shotgun Players. Thirty Six: Do You Like What You See by Leah Nanako Winkler. November 18 – December 29.
South Bay Musical Theatre: Urinetown, January 15 – February 15, 2025. Saratoga Civic Theater.
Stagebridge: See website for events and productions. Storytime every 4th Saturday.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Lunatico See website for upcoming productions.
Theatre Rhino Doodler, conceived and directed by John Fisher, February 8- March 2. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, December 4- 29. Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.. Rachmaninoff and the Czar with Hershey Felder and Jonathan Silvestri, Jan. 8 – Feb. 9, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Word for Word. See website for upcoming productions.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA.
Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings.
Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows.
San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings.
San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings.
Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog.
If you’d like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write [email protected]
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