Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Bookwaves
Christopher Moore, author of “Razzmatazz,” “Noir,” and other novels of comic fantasy and horror, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
Christopher Moore has eighteen novels to his credit, including Practical Demonkeeping, Bloodsucking Fiends, Fool and Secondhand Souls, many of which take place in San Francisco, where he now lives.
Razzmatazz, his latest novel, is a follow-up to Noir, and takes us back to the City by the Bay in 1946, and the world of Chinatown and North Beach, and lesbian and cross-dressing bars, gangsters both foreign and domestic, the African American community at the time, aliens, and magical dragons, with a side-trip to 1906.
Bookwaves
Lillian Ross (1918-2017), in conversation in June, 2002 with host Richard Wolinsky. Encore podcast originally posted September 30, 2017.
Lillian Ross, who died on September 20, 2017 at the age of 99, spent seven decades as a staff writer for the New Yorker Magazine, beginning in 1945. Writing for the Talk of the Town section of the magazine, her credo was “Your attention at all times should be on your subject, not on you. Do not call attention to yourself.” In 1950, her profile of Ernest Hemingway, according to the New York Times, elevated her into the top ranks of New Yorker stylists. Using novelistic techniques for writing non-fiction, she is often credited as the primary influence of what came to be called “new journalism” as exemplified in her series of articles about the making of the John Huston film, The Red Badge of Courage, which were collected in the book, Picture, often called the best book ever written about Hollywood. She spent several years as the mistress of long-time New Yorker editor Willliam Shawn, as chronicled in her book Here But Not Here, from 1998.
This interview with Lillian Ross took place on June 4, 2002 on the publication of her book, “Reporting Back: Notes on Journalism.” Of this particular discussion she later wrote, “ It’s the first time I ever listened to any kind of broadcast on my power book, and I was amazed. It’s the first interview I’ve ever experienced that sounded interesting to me and sounded true to me. That of course is because of you, your questions, your general interest, your understanding, and your response, and then, your editing. I do thank you. I’m very grateful. With great admiration, Lillian Ross.”
Lillian Ross’s final piece, a profile of J.D. Salinger after his death, was published in 2012.
Complete 41-minute Interview
Review of “Josephine’s Feast” at the Magic Theatre through August 20, 2023.
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 Event calendar and links to previous events.
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.
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
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, August 25 – October 1, 2023.
Aurora Theatre Born With Teeth by Liz Duffy Adams, starts September 1, 2023
Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming.
BAMBDFest. Festival in Celebration of Black Arts and Culture, through August 31, BAM House (formerly Oakland PianoFight).
Berkeley Rep POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, by Selina Fillinger, September 16 – October 22, Roda Theatre.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for calendar listings.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, August 1-27, 2023, Golden Gate.
Broadway San Jose: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, August 29 – September 3.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). No 2023 season scheduled. See website for events calendar.
Center Rep: Crowns by Regina Taylor, September 9 – October 6, 2023.
Central Works The Engine of Our Disruption by Patricia Milton, October 14 – November 12.
Cinnabar Theatre. The Sound of Music, September 8 -24.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre 2023-2024 season: Sondheim on Sondheim; Tintypes.
Curran Theater: See website for upcoming live events and streaming choices.
Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, postponed to a later date in 2023.
Cutting Ball Theatre. See website for upcoming season.
42nd Street Moon. See website for upcoming shows.
Golden Thread New Threads staged reading series, August 20 and August 27.
Landmark Musical Theater. My Unauthorized Hallmark Movie Musical, extended to August 20, 2023.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. See website for upcoming productions and events.
Magic Theatre. Josephine’s Feast by Star Finch, August 2 – 20, Campo Santo at the Magic. See website for other events at the Magic.
Marin Theatre Company Odyssey written and directed by Lisa Peterson, August 31 – September 24.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Transnational Cabaret runs through August 20. Before The Sword by Andrew Alty, September 15 – October 15.
Oakland Theater Project. Mahabarata at Z Space by Geetha Reddy, August 10 – 20, at Z Space, San Francisco. Gary, a sequel to Titus Andronicus by Gaylor Mac, September 1 – 24.
Pear Theater. Noises Off by Michael Frayn, September 8 – October 1.
PianoFight. Permanently closed as of March 18, 2023.
Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions
Ray of Light: Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, September 8 – October 1, Victoria Theatre. The Rocky Horror Show, Oasis Nightclub, October 6 – 31. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
San Francisco Playhouse. A Chorus Line runs through September 16, 2023.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason, October 12 – 30.
Shotgun Players. Summer Salon: Various artists, July 23 – August 19. Wolf Play by Hansol Jung, Performances start September 2, 2023.
South Bay Musical Theatre: Rent, September 30 – October 21.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand, New performances most Wednesdays.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. New Works Festival, August 11 – 20, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.
Word for Word. See schedule for live and streamed performances and readings.
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]