Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
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) 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 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.
African American Art & Culture Complex. See website for calendar.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre Big Data by Kate Attwell, February 15 – March 10, 2024, Toni Rembe Theater.
Aurora Theatre Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagle, February 9 – March 10. Streaming: March 5-10.
Awesome Theatre Company. See website for upcoming productions.
Berkeley Rep Just For Us, written and performed by Alex Edelman, January 9 – 24, Peets Theatre.
Berkeley Shakespeare Company. See website for upcoming productions.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for upcoming shows.
Brava Theatre Center: See calendar for current and upcoming productions.
BroadwaySF: The Wiz, January 17 – February 11, Golden Gate. MJ, January 30 – February 25, Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: Chicago, February 23-25. Mean Girls, March 19-24.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). See website for events.
Center Rep: Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, directed by Jeffrey Lo. January 6-28.
Central Works Boss McGreedy written and directed by Gary Graves, March 2-13.
Cinnabar Theatre. The Last Five Years, January 5-21, 2024, Dream House by Eliana Pipes, February 9-25.
Club Fugazi. SF Sketchfest, various artists, January 19 – February 4. Dear San Francisco returns February 9.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Upcoming season to be announced.
Curran Theater: See website for upcoming live events. Single night events in 2024 include Fran Lebowitz, Laurie Anderson, William H. Macy, John Cusack, Joe Jackson.
Custom Made Theatre. In hibernation.
Cutting Ball Theatre. Variety Pack 2024. Staged readings, directors shorts, cabaret shows. February 1-18.
42nd Street Moon. Falsettos, February 29 – March 17, 2024.
Golden Thread Upcoming season to be announced.
Hillbarn Theatre: RENT, February 8 – 24.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. (NO MORE) adjustments: A Black Queer Woman Evolves in Real Time, written and performed by Champagne Hughes, May 1-5, 2024. Fort Mason.
Magic Theatre. Miriam and Esther go to the Diamond District by Andrea Gordon, Rainbow Zebra Productions, January 18-28, 2024.
Marin Theatre Company Bees & Honey by Guadalis Del Carmen, February 15 – March 10. Torch Song by Harvey Fierstein, May 9 – June 2, 2024.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Unpacking in P’Town by Jewelle Gomez, March 1 – 31. See website for theatre classes.
Oakland Theater Project. Cost of Living by Martyna Majek, March 1-24, 2024.
Pear Theater. For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday by Sarah Ruhl. February 9 – March 3, 2024.
Presidio Theatre. See website for schedule of events and performances.
Ray of Light: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, June 1 – 23, 2024. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
San Francisco Playhouse. My Home on the Moon by Minna Lee, January 25 – February 24.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: People Where They Are by Antony Clarvoe. January 31 – February 25, 2024..
Shotgun Players. Babes in Ho-lland by Deneen Reynolds Knott. January 15 – February 4.
South Bay Musical Theatre: A Little Night Music, January 27 – February 17, 2024.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino Billy, written and directed by John Fisher, February 1-18, 2024. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. How I Learned What I Learned by August Wilson, January 17 – February 3, 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]