Crosscurrents

Many young people in the Bay Area say their city councils just don't hear them- and they have a lot to say. Today, we hear from the youth. Then, when living outside, getting a handle on even the most basic things, like the time and the weather, can be a challenge. And, a coming-of-age film explores how a Bay Area teenager is trying to keep her balance.

16-year-old Charlie Zeitlin is Legislation Subcommittee Vice-Chair of the Palo Alto Youth Council. KALW News Editor Sunni Khalid spoke to him about what matters to the next generation of voters in Silicon Valley.

This week's Sidewalk Stories dives into how unhoused people get information — from news and history to the time and weather. 

The indie film "Still Life" takes viewers back to teen life in 1999: corded phones, reading profiles of Claire Danes in Seventeen magazine and Y2K hysteria. For Dafne, the main 15-year-old character, this is around the time of her life when her mother dies from leukemia. "Still Life" was shot in the Bay Area, and was inspired by screenwriter and director Lauren Shapiro's experiences growing up here. Jenee Darden is the host of KALW's Sights and Sounds show. She spoke to Shapiro about the film, and how she let her heart bleed into her art. 

Today, we meet a performer who's bringing loud, colorful and all-over-the-place shows to San Francisco's drag scene. Tito Soto is all about the spectacle. Then, an incarcerated man finds new meaning in a classic childhood song. And, the San Francisco Symphony's upcoming "SoundBox" show is not your average symphony concert. Plus, a poem.

The day after Christmas, stage performers, cabaretists, and dancers got some really good news. The beloved San Francisco nightclub Oasis was slated to close on January 1, 2026. But it was rescued by a major donation from a Bay Area philanthropic group.This was welcome news to everyone in the Oasis family, especially Tito Soto, the club's event producer and a headline performer.KALW's Stafford Hemmer brings us the story of a man who brought Oasis to life every Saturday night for the last six years. And who continues to invest much of his life into the club.

Uncuffed producer Jeremy Strain shares why a favorite childhood song still speaks to him, decades later.

Violinist Alexi Kenney is curating the San Francisco Symphony event called “SoundBox: Dream Awake.” It's not your typical classical concert. It actually takes place backstage at Davies Symphony Hall. Jenee Darden is the host of KALW's Sights and Sounds show. She sat down with Alexi to talk about "SoundBox" and his music. Here's an excerpt from that interview.“SoundBox: Dream Awake” is at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, this Friday and Saturday. Find links, and hear the full interview and more from Sights and Sounds here.

February is Black History Month. So before we go, a poem. Here's Mukethe Kawinzi reading their piece, ‘'ripgut.' You can hear more Bay Area poets here. 

Today, an Iranian singer and composer chooses between obedience or exile. The award winning songs of Mahsa Vahdat. Then, a south bay artist who's keeping Persian music alive, one note at a time. And, a poem about dancing with modern Persian identity.

Mahsa Vahdat decided to sing, despite the Iranian government's ban on solo female performance. Then she had to make a choice: obedience or exile.

Justin Ebrahemi is KALW's Communication Manager… and he's also a poet! Here he shares a piece about dancing with modern Persian identity called "Brief Islands." 

Tattooing is a form of storytelling. Today, an artist honors his lineage by integrating Filipino traditions into his contemporary practice. Then, using dance to tell the story of Filipino migration to the Bay Area. And, we sing a little karaoke.

The Bay Area is home to one of the most concentrated Filipino communities in the nation. Their history in the Bay Area goes back more than 100 years, but many of the neighborhoods they established, like San Francisco's “Manila Town” have since been torn down and replaced - the result of urban renewal and property development in the late 1970's.But their legacy and cultural impact lives on today. The South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco was formally recognized as a historically Filipino district back in 2016. It's home to many Filipino businesses. And a new shop is now bringing a long time Filipino tradition to the neighborhood. KALW reporter Viviana Vivas meets one of the artists there, who is using ink and needles to make a mark on people's bodies, and in the neighborhood.

Today, we meet Japanese American farmers who were incarcerated during World War Two...and resisted. Then, an art exhibit connects the history of San Jose's Japantown neighborhoods to the present.

Today, we meet an artist who's been screen printing protest posters for more than forty years. Then, an Oakland mural honoring the women of the Black Panther Party. Plus, a poem. 

The Bay Area has a long history of activism and protest that lives on today. And when you walk our sidewalks, you still might come across a flyer on a telephone pole that leads you to a community event… or an act of civic disobedience. These days it's safe to say, most of those flyers are made on a computer. But in San Francisco's Mission district, there's it's a well kept tradition of screenprinting those posters. The practice is as resilient as the community that developed it.KALW'S Rae Kim takes us to meet an artist from that community who still believes in the magic of printing messages by hand. 

Protest and activism can take many forms. Today, it takes the shape of a poem. Here's Carlos quinteros iii reading his poem ‘Stick-up.' And you can find more Bay Area poets here. 

Today, Destiny Mohammad talks about her new album and why she calls herself a sound sculptress. And, KALW's Dore Stein shares some favorite songs by Middle Eastern artists.

Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It's hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW's Music Editorial Director. In this episode from 2024, Tshego talks to KALW's Dori Stein, the host of Tangents. 

Today, we're holding on to the past with a San Francisco teenager who's capturing the stories of the elders in her community. Then, a local author reads from their novel, about a woman with psychic abilities. And, we hear an excerpt from a live recording of KALW's Your Legal Rights.

For the last eight years, 19-year-old Kate Quach has been volunteering at a senior center in San Francisco. In that time, Kate has made a lot of friends among the elderly residents living there. And she's captured their stories in two self-published poetry collections. KALW's Anna Casalme brings us the story.

Khan Wong, lives in San Francisco. His novel, “Down in the Sea of Angels” follows a Bay Area woman who discovers she has a special, and surprising, gift. New Arrivals is produced by Lisa Morehouse. Find many more episodes here! 

Immigration enforcement continues to impact communities across the Bay Area. To help folks get reliable information about their rights, KALW recently hosted a live edition of our show, Your Legal Rights. Attorney Jeffrey B. Hayden is the host of Your Legal Rights. He led the community-focused event, which brought together a panel of leading immigration attorneys and scholars. The conversation included Law Professor Bill Hing, along with Attorneys Stanley Radtke and Carla Gomez.You can hear the whole conversation here.

Today, we visit a Santa Clara county Chinese restaurant that has become an institution. It's Chef Chu's on the final episode of California Foodways! Then, a KALW DJ shares some of his favorite songs. Plus, a poem about a fully seasoned life.

For more than 10 years, Lisa Morehouse traveled to every county in the state, finding stories about food, agriculture, and the people that make both possible. Now, for the 58th county, and the last story in the series–she's taking us back to Santa Clara County where she grew up, to a restaurant called Chef Chu's.When the restaurant opened in 1970, it was just a small family business. And the area around it was a pretty sleepy suburb. Now Chef Chu's is at the heart of Silicon Valley. Listen to all 58 episodes of California Foodways here!

Let's add a dash of poetic flavor to your morning. Here's Oakland Poet, Brennan DeFrisco, reading his piece, ‘How to Salt.' You can find more Bay Area poets here.

Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It's hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW's Music Editorial Director. In this episode from 2024, Tshego talks to KALW DJ Marcus Rosario about the songs he can't stop listening to.

Today, a spiritual quest led one man to deeply question the future of Artificial Intelligence. Then, honoring a long lost friend, through a name. And, producers of the Edwardian Ball talk about the festival's legacy.

Hall, also known as Yakko, is the leader of the activist group Stop AI. KALW's Arlen Levy spoke with him about his faith and the fight against artificial super intelligence.

Uncuffed producer Fonuamana Fuahala shares this new story about the lasting legacy of friendship, and how we honor the childhood relationships that shape our lives.

The late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey was the creator of eerie and magical stories. Stories that revolved around goth and monster elements. And his tales inspired San Francisco's annual Edwardian Ball. What started off as a small party more than 25 years ago, has turned into a subculture festival drawing thousands of people from the Bay Area and Beyond. In this interview from 2022, KALW's Jenee Darden spoke with Edwardian Ball producers Justin Katz and Mike Gaines on the event's roots and its evolution.

Today, we meet Richmond's "Minister of Food:" Charles Evans at CJs BBQ and Fish. Then, a San Francisco chef who's bringing a taste of Texas to the Bay Area.

On a corner in Richmond, California, there's a business that has celebrated the city's Black history and Southern roots for 30 years: CJ's BBQ & Fish. Born and raised in Richmond, with a family that came from Arkansas to work in the shipyards, Charles Evans is at the center of it all. KALW's Senior Editor Lisa Morehouse brings us the story. 

Like a lot of people in San Francisco, Fernay McPherson's family came here from somewhere else. Her mother and grandmother moved to the Fillmore District in the 1960s. They were part of the migration that brought African Americans from the South to cities across the U.S. When those families migrated, their recipes did too. In this story from 2024, reporter Sarah Jesse went to Fernay's kitchen where she revisits the recipes of her Texas family. 

Today, we meet a group of fans trying to save their college basketball team, through the power of social media. Can memes save Cal Football? Then, we go on a road-trip to explore the borders of basketball fandom. And, the origins of a phenomenon known simply as “the Wave.”

A group of die-hard fans are out to save Cal football with the power of memes. KALW'S Jordan Karnes went to a game to find them. 

Today, finding human connection through song. Then, Star Parties give Bay Area earthlings a rare glimpse into outer space. And, one woman's most meaningful song.

Haena Worthing, an Uncuffed producer at the California Institution for Women, remembers the day her daughter was born.

Three years after a major flood, residents are still recovering… Today, a story on seeking accountability. Then, how some unhoused people stay warm in the rain. And, smooth jazz artist Brian Culbertson talks about collaborating with Sheila E on his recent album.

A 2022 New Year's Eve flood at the Coliseum Connections housing development in Oakland left lasting effects on the residents that it displaced. Reporter E Okobi spoke with one resident who is still living in the aftermath. 

Jazz and funk musician Brian Culbertson first made waves in the smooth jazz scene when he was just a college student. Twenty-nine albums and 41 Billboard chart-topping songs later, he's still creating music on his piano and keyboard that make fans groove and chill.His latest album is "Day Trip" and it features artists such as Marcus Miller and the Bay Area's own Shelia E. And this summer, Brian is hosting his 13th annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway.