Monica Turner

Contributor to Stark Insider for tech, the arts and All Things West Coast for over 10 years.
Amreeka: The Comedy Show featuring headliner  Eman El-Husseini

San Francisco Stage: ‘Amreeka: The Comedy Show’ coming to San Francisco next month

Iraqi-born artist and Arts Professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Wafaa Bilal is curating a new stand-up comedy show coming to San Francisco. Amreeka: The Comedy Show is scheduled to play May 12, 2023 (8:00pm) at the Brava Theater Center and features an evening of stand-up comedy "birthed...
Chardonnay Pinot Classic - The Meritage Resort and Spa

In Wine Country: Chardonnay Pinot Classic coming to Napa this summer

"Winemaker's grape" once again featured in third year of event in 2023
San Francisco Playhouse will present the West Coast Premiere of Jocelyn Bioh's "Nollywood Dreams" as part of its 2023-24 Season. "Nollywood Dreams" will perform September 28 – November 4, 2023. Pictured is Awa Sal Secka, Quiantae Thomas, Isio-Maya Nuwere, Wade Watson, Grasan Kingsberry, and Teshomech in Berkeley Repertory Theatre's World Premiere of "Goddess," which featured a book by Jocelyn Bioh. Photo Credit: Kevin Berne/ Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Bay Area Stage: ‘Nollywood Dreams’ to open San Francisco Playhouse 21st season

Line-up includes World Premiere and West Coast Premiere plays, runs September 2023 to September 2024
Fred Pitts - Aren't...You? - The Marsh Berkeley

In The Arts: ‘Aren’t You…?’ opening in Berkeley

Fred Pitts’ lauded solo work Aren’t You…? will be opening in Berkeley next month. Details below. The San Francisco Bay Area actor "recounts his hilarious journey to visit all 21 California Mission churches, where he discovers that being black makes him an instant celebrity – the question is which one?" Look for the...
Veronica Renner and Edward Im in 'Triumph of Love' at Shotgun Players, Berkeley
Into the Woods - Curran Theater San Francisco - Broadway Cast

In San Francisco: Broadway production ‘Into the Woods’ coming to The Curran this summer

“Best to take the moment present As a present for the moment” Expect lots of witty word play and musical moments when Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods arrives this summer in San Francisco. The Curran Theater announced the acclaimed Broadway production would receive a one-week engagement. Scheduled to run June 20 through June...
A Statue For Ballybunion - San Jose Playhouse world premiere

‘A Statue for Ballybunion’ to make U.S. premiere at San Jose Playhouse

Finally. Organizers at San Jose Playhouse say that after delays due to the pandemic its long awaited production of A Statue For Ballybunion is ready for its U.S. premiere next month. Based on a true story, the comedy is based on "a core group of Ballybunion residents who hatch a...
Unique Derique Marsh Berkeley Fool La La Gift schedule

Marsh Berkeley adds showings of ‘Fool La La Gift’ in honor of Black History Month

The Marsh Berkeley today announced that as it celebrates Black History Month the theater has added special performances of Unique Derique's family-friendly Fool La La Gift. Available in-person or via livestream, the show shines a light "on different African American entertainers who contributed to the performing arts – from Sammy...
A throwback to the early days of the found-footage genre, Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting are releasing The Outwaters in theaters

Bay Area Big Screen: Robbie Banfitch’s ‘The Outwaters’ now playing Rohnert Park in the SF Bay Area

We all die in the dark. "Four travelers encounter menacing phenomena while camping in a remote stretch of the Mojave Desert." That's the premise for the new found footage film The Outwaters. See official trailer below, in addition to a just released new clip. Written and directed by Robbie Banfitch (New Brunswick,...
Cinequest Film Festival 2023 schedule, dates, news - Stark Insider

Cinequest film festival arrives August 2023 in Silicon Valley

Team Cinequest today announced dates for its upcoming film festivals. First up is the Cinejoy Virtual Festival taking place March 1-12, 2023. As the name implies this is an online experience that showcases live events and movies on its platform -- organizers note that a free registration is required. Later in...