Michael Flanagan

Dec 30, 2024 | ebar.com | Michael Flanagan

Astonishingly, Matthew J. Jones "How to Make Music in an Epidemic: Popular Music Making During the AIDS Crisis, 1981—1996" is the first academic book on pop music's response to AIDS before effective AIDS drugs. There are reasons for that (more on that later), but it's a rich topic for research. Jones provides a fascinating history which sets a high bar for future books.

Sep 16, 2024 | ebar.com | Victoria A. Brownworth |Jim Provenzano |Michael Flanagan |David-Elijah Nahmod

Brian Jordan Alvarez exemplifies that axiom "it gets better." Bullied for being gay as a kid in Tennessee, he's now starring in his own FX series he created, "English Teacher." Our TV columnist also covers FX's "Grotesquerie" & some grotesque politics.

Jul 31, 2024 | ebar.com | Michael Flanagan

San Francisco band Sly and the Family Stone memorably sang about "Hot Fun in the Summertime" in the 1960s, but those of us who have been here for a while we know that the real hot fun comes to the Bay Area in the fall, when we have left behind June gloom and the fogs of August.

Apr 7, 2024 | ebar.com | Michael Flanagan

When Gina LaDivina performed "Don't Rain on My Parade" at the opening of the Stud on April 20 I had little idea it would be the last time I would see her perform. The longtime drag artist and one-time emcee of Aunt Charlie's Hot Boxxx Girls died Tuesday June 4 at 5:15pm after a brief illness surrounded by friends. Gina was a regular fixture in the drag and performance scene for well over 20 years (I recall first seeing her at Aunt Charlie's in 1999).

Jan 24, 2024 | ebar.com | Michael Flanagan

On April 18, 1962 Jack's Waterfront Hangout at 111 Embarcadero closed at midnight for the last time. It was closed for construction of the Embarcadero Freeway. But instead of being a being a wake, this bar closure was a celebration. Starting before midnight, the patrons stripped the bar of memorabilia, all the while drinking stronger than usual drinks in order to finish off the open bottles. Then at midnight the staff and patrons proceeded to the new Jack's down the street at 226 Embarcadero.