As our 22nd month under COVID’s cloud begins — with a new variant upon us — it’s clear we’ll have another abnormal holiday season. Many are vaccinated and eager to venture out; others are wary. Luckily, there are lots of in-person, online and hybrid events to choose from in the SF Bay Area.
Out in the Bay‘s guests this week suggest festive events — with audio samples — that promise to lighten and brighten our spirits.
Lisa Geduldig, host and creator of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, now in its 29th year, starts us off with bits from her show and tells how her mother Arline became a comedy star at age 89 on Geduldig’s “Lockdown Comedy,” which launched last July.
Then Bay Area Reporter Arts and Nightlife Editor Jim Provenzano and l preview events of note with audio clips. Jim spills the T on some of his pet peeves too. An example: He loves the Alamo Drafthouse movie theatre not just for the good food and comfy couches, but also because “they throw folks out for using their cell phones!”
Jim also tells us about books that could make great gifts for friends or yourself while you “snuggle in place” this winter.
Year-end request: Please help us keep bringing LGBTQ news, voices and stories to the world by making a tax-deductible donation to Out in the Bay now. We’ve been promised $1,500 from an anonymous donor if we get that much from other donors by January 1st. Thank you!
Guests and Links:
Lisa Geduldig, host and creator of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, “Jewish Comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant.” This year virtual only Dec 24, 25 and 26. See her hosting Kung Pao a few years ago, and one of this year’s featured comics, Jessica Kirson.
Jim Provenzano, Arts and Nightlife Editor of the Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco’s weekly LGBTQ newspaper and online news outlet. He’s also a novelist with eight books to his credit.
Selected events we spoke of (in addition to Kung Pao Kosher Comedy above): Ginger Minj & Gidget Galore in “Winter Wonderland,” a non-denominational musical romp, December 6, 7; San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus “Holigays Are Here…Again!” Dec 10, 11 and 24; Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, “Haul Out the Holly” Dec 10-12; The Golden Girls Live, “The Christmas Episodes”, now through Dec 23; The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show, Dec 19; David Saffert & Jillian Snow Harris in “A Very Liberace & Liza Christmas“, Dec 28-29. Mango at El Rio soul and funk women’s dance party, Dec 25 (Christmas Day) 3 to 8pm. More events in the B.A.R.’s Holigay Events writeup. And here’s the B.A.R.’s LGBTQ fall and winter books roundup.
NOTE: We recorded our conversation November 19, before news of the Omicron variant. Clearly things can change quickly with COVID. Check with venues on current protocols before going out.
Photo: Ginger Minj in her Winter Wonderland Tour garb.
This week’s show produced by Kendra Klang and Eric Jansen; sound design and editing by Christopher Beale.
