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The best the Bay Area has to offer, from the writers and editors of KQED Arts & Culture.

Critics’ PicksCritics’ Picks

‘The Sea Captain’s Wife’ Brings a 19th-Century San Francisco Legend to Life

Hands holding several different varieties of egg tarts, topped variously with banana slices, pistachios, blueberries and more.

This San José Pop-Up Bakery Sells 18 Different Varieties of Egg Tarts

Two middle aged white women sit either side of a middle aged white man on a couch in an office. To their left is an older man sitting in a chair. Their facial expressions are a mixture of concerned and stoic.

Helen Mirren Leads a Distinguished Cast in Touching Family Drama, ‘Goodbye June’

An African-American woman poses for a photo in front of a pink background, she's wearing a white and yellow top with a khaki skirt.

'Can I Get A Witness?' Open Mic Creates Community Through Commentary

A drag queen in a light-pink gown holds a children's book on stage.

Drag Story Hour Celebrates 10 Years at San Francisco Public Library

A digital art piece features a Black woman with short hair holding a newspaper that says "All Power to the People" and an iPhone.

‘Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime’ Shows the Evolution of a Revolutionary Artist

A black and white photo of a musician playing a guitar on stage.

Noise Pop Adds Giraffage, cupcakKe to Its 2026 Lineup

A white woman with long dark hair sits atop a horse, wearing a hat and practical Old West riding gear. She has a self-assured facial expression.

‘The Abandons’ Is a Sudsy Soap Opera Dressed Up in Spurs and a Cowboy Hat

A painting of a ram, bleeding from a chest wound into a golden chalice marked with a red cross, stands with a cross in its mouth displaying a pink and blue flag with a white cross on the flag. The ram has a halo.

‘Be Not Afraid’ Is a Cathartic Cathedral of Queerness

A young Asian man and a middle aged Asian woman cling to each other playfully as they take a windswept walk on the beach. The ocean and a pier are visible behind them.

‘Rosemead’ Tells a Tragic — and True — Story

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