History isn’t boring, but far too often, the person telling it is. Forget dense books about politicians that all but ensure a midday nap. Turn off the History Channel’s neverending World War II coverage. In fact, get up off the couch and walk out the front door, because The Whole... More >>

Politicians and news outlets have started using the term "WPA" again — have you noticed? The Works Progress Administration, of course, put people to work during and after the Great Depression. Even artists were paid to work; the WPA encompassed projects that employed actors, painters, and... More >>

Not everyone is comfortable talking about sex. In fact, just hearing the word in public is enough to make some people uneasy, even here in liberal San Francisco. For those of you looking to explore your sexuality in the new year (or are just curious what the fuss is all about), head on over to... More >>

The Audium was started in 1965 by composer Stan Shaff and equipment designer Doug McEachern. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays, and you have to be there on time — they lock the door. The room fits 50 people or so. There are chairs arranged in a semicircle. There are something like 180... More >>

Truss up your breeches for this one: The ships down at Fisherman's Wharf are well known to children and tourists, but once a month, in the dead of night, locals creep to the C.A. Thayer and the Balclutha. For 20 years, the National Parks Service has hosted the Chantey Sing on these two... More >>

You can blame Al Gore for the dearth of quality punk rock in the jukeboxes of America. Not because of his li'l censor-happy P.M.R.C. wife (who's done plenty of damage, no doubt), but because Al had to go and invent the internet. What a bum! Even dives with great jukes are phasing out their... More >>