Leslie Katz

Telling a story for the ages for “The Wizard of Oz” fans (and isn't that everybody?) “Wicked” still dazzles and delights as it enters its third decade.

Historical novelists, musicians, award-winners and writers with national notoriety are among the authors making public appearances across the region this month. To submit an event to the calendar, email

“Mexodus,” a touching musical in its West Coast premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, tells the story of a slave who encounters a farmer while trying to escape to Mexico— and so much more.

Local authors and out-of-towners, including debut and prolific mystery writers, are making in-person appearances across the Bay Area this month. Also in October: San Francisco's huge literary festival

Bay Area playwright, vocalist and educator Pamela Rose is thrilled to be bringing her acclaimed musical “Blues Is a Woman” to San Francisco's Peninsula for the first time.

Debut novels, historical fiction, mysteries and memoirs are some of the new titles featured in book talks around the region this month. (To submit an event to the calendar, email

The gentle, sassy PG-style humor of the beloved 1990s sitcom “The Nanny” transforms into an R-rated riot in the “The Nanny Live!” parody onstage at Oasis, San Francisco's premiere drag club.

Debut titles, memoirs, books for kids and some seasonal holiday events are on the bill this month. (To submit an event to the calendar, email

Google on Monday announced Veo 2, a new version of its Veo AI video generation tool that it says can create more realistic-looking clips, in cinematic styles and in resolutions up to 4k.

For affable Englishman Matt Kirshen, his upcoming appearances at the 32 annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy at Imperial Palace restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown on Dec. 24-26 represent a first.