“Although what you are about to see is a work of fiction, it should nevertheless be played at maximum volume.” This is the opening graphic (and allusion to David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust) from the 1998 film “Velvet Goldmine.” And every time I watch it, this prompts me to knock the

Major cultural shifts are not always easy to recognize, particularly when it comes to music. This is likely because there’s a natural evolution to music – trends sort of blend into each other seamlessly. Every now and then something really new comes along and shifts paradigms. I remember when Grunge

I’ve got some awesome news! We received a grant from the Civic Joy Fund to put out a literary magazine celebrating SF and acting to counter the stupid “Doom Loop” narrative. It’s a gift to the people of San Francisco. And after months of working on this project it’s now available

If you’ve never seen Lou Reed, then I’m sorry but you are not yet a New Yorker no matter how many years of high rent and sticky summers you’ve put in. Fortunately, tonight you can fix this. Reed and icons like Todd Rundgren, jazz legend Geri Allen, Rosanne Cash, Eric

Like most cool things in NYC, The Stone is hard to find. Not because it’s the next super swanky “knock three times and wink suggestively while purring like a cat” to get in hot spot (do those really exist, by the way? I haven’t been invited yet…), but because the

For all the weird stories out there about Andy Warhol (that he was a voyeur, started balding in his twenties, and had terrible, mottled skin that he once tried sanding, with poor results), it pains me to think some of the most bizarre stuff might never be revealed. And I

New York is home to several iconic parades, but none promise quite as much nudity as the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Mermaid costumes are skimpy enough, but a lot of spectators and participants take their nautical costumes to the extreme in the grand tradition of Coney Island spectacle. You’ll see

In honor of Gay Pride Day this past Sunday, I’ve compiled a list of 10 awesome people who currently are or should be gay icons in the LGBT community, but for some reason are not revered at a Judy Garland or Streisand level.  Thus, I demand a recount to include