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The Bitch is Back: Stories of Resurgence Back in hot vax summer of '21, we were so jazzed about coming out of the pandemic. We brought our live show to the courtyard of the historic San Francisco Mint to hear tales of bouncing back, renaissance and reemergence. Stories from business executive Karla Martin, writer and professor Matthew Clark Davison, high school senior and spoken word performer Jyairrah Martin, writer and barman Alan Black and lawyer and artist Matt Gonzalez. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick, music by Marc Capelle, recorded by Brandi Howell.
We were so excited to join forces with both the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the California Institute for Integral Studies for a night of stories exploring our understanding of self and the fluidity of identity. An amazing group shared personal stories inspired by the CJM exhibition Show Me as I Want to be Seen. The lineup: Kelly Beardsley has been telling wacky stories around SF for the last 15 years. His stories have been heard on This American Life, The California Report, KQED and a bunch of Porchlight events. He works as a BART train operator and lives in Oakland. India Marie Chakraverty was raised in a small town in the Central Valley before enrolling at San Francisco State University. They are getting a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing and loving every minute of their starving artist life. They live with their boyfriend and cat (one for now) in this wonderful and expensive city and work as the General Books supervisor at the SFSU Bookstore. They are working on three novels and two short stories and aspire to be a rich author, but will settle to be an editor, because reading is wonderful and who wouldn’t love to get paid to read all day. They love cats, books, Star Wars, and so many other things, but love to smile even more. Eddie Jen is a writer and drag queen in San Francisco. He writes about life, beauty, and food, and recently won his first case as an attorney when he obtained asylum for a Guatemalan minor. Juliana Delgado Lopera is an award-winning Colombian writer, historian, speaker and performance artist based in San Francisco. The recipient of the 2014 Jackson Literary award she’s the author of Quiéreme (Nomadic Press 2017) and ¡Cuéntamelo! an illustrated bilingual collection of oral histories by LGBT Latinx immigrants which won a 2018 Lambda Literary Award and a 2018 Independent Publisher Book Award. She's received fellowships from Brush Creek Foundation of the Arts, Lambda Literary Foundation, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and The SF Grotto, and an individual artist grant from the SF Arts Commission. She's the recipient of the 2016 Jeanne Córdova Words Scholarship. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared in Eleven Eleven, Foglifter, Four Way Review, Broadly, TimeOut Mag to name a few. She’s the creative director of RADAR Productions a queer literary non-profit in San Francisco. Donna Persona is a 71 year old San Francisco transgender/ gay community activist and drag queen performer. She began her career and activism at the age of 59. At age 20, she was associated with SF drag legends. Around 2005 i reunited with then and began a public life. She has been of the boards of Trans March, Trans Visibility, and Trans Day of Remembrance. She has worked to name SF streets after a trans woman and an historical event in The SF Tenderloin, Compton's Cafeteria Riot. She went on to co- write a play about the riot which had a successful run in San Francisco last year and will be remounted this year. She is currently working with a filmmaker on a documentary on her experiences. She also continues to perform on stages, stay involved with activism, and entertain gay seniors and patients in hospitals and several retirement homes. Donna helped fly the transgender flag with Mayor London Breed and has been nominated as Grand marshall for 2019 Pride. Nic Sommerfeld is an Oakland based actor and playwright, originally from Montana. They wrote for Best of Playgound 2018 and have written for UCSF, Killing My Lobster, and The Olympians Festival. As an actor they have performed with Berkeley Playhouse, SF Playhouse, Fuse Theatre, Landmark Musicals, and others. They are also a drag king known as Chester Vanderbox. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick. Music by Marc Capelle. Podcast produced by Brandi Howell.
A not-to-miss variety show celebrating the wonderment and weirdness of SF's landmark indie bookstore with author Mary Roach, illustrator Wendy McNaughton, Thao of the Get Down Stay Down, Vetiver's Andy Cabic, Forum's Michael Krasny, author Robin Sloan, author and musician Willy Vlautin and more! Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on September 6, 2017 at the Great American Music Hall. Recorded and Mixed by Brandi Howell
From the Litquake archive! In this recording from our 2018 festival, the Bay Area’s long-running Porchlight storytelling series returns with "advice"-themed tales from Steve Almond, Dickson Lam, Sands Hall, Sisonke Msimang, Maggie Rowe, and Betty Charbonnet Reid Soskin, the nation's oldest park ranger. This event was co-hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick, and recorded live at the Swedish American Hall on October 15, 2018. Litquake's 20th anniversary festival will take place October 10-19, 2019. For all the latest updates, follow us @litquake on Facebook and Twitter!
It's our 15th birthday and we're putting on a killer storytelling show to celebrate! BACK IN THE DAY will feature true tales from a stellar assortment of humans including: Muni Diaries founder Eugenia Chien Lawyer, activist, and artist Matt Gonzalez Bartender and writer Ginger Murray Master bookbinder Dominic Riley Writer and contributor to The New Yorker, Vice, and The Guardian, Carvell Wallace Writer, performer Cintra Wilson Musical Guest Sonny Smith with your emcees Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick
Every year, we join forces with the amazing Litquake Literary Festival to bring you a night of stories told by authors and writers. Our theme for this show is ripped from the Talking Heads song “Life During Wartime,” and involves tales of explosive scenarios, epic struggles, and living each day like it could be your last. With Greg Milner, Laurie Notaro, D. Watkins, Jack Boulware, Eric Spitznagel, Bucky SInister, and Pamela Alma Weymouth. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick, with music by Marc Capelle.
Porchlight partners with Greenhouse, a software company that optimizes hiring practices, for a show of stories about JOBS. Our storytelling superstars for this special edition include writer/musician Eric Shea, HIV educator Ed Wolf, and producer/comedian Dana Merwin. Hosted by Arline Klatte at the Hilton Union Square on May 26, 2016. Recorded by PSAV and mixed by Patty Fung.
Porchlight returns with a Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution edition featuring Wavy Gravy, Bob Barsotti, Eric Shea, Deanne Franklin, Bart Davenport, and Lorrie Murray. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on May 12, 2016 at The Contemporary Jewish Museum. Recorded by Brandi Howell. Mixed by Patty Fung.
Kitchen Confidential is back! Hear some of SF's finest onstage with their insider stories about food, restaurants, kitchens, customers, and the vagaries of having a life in the service industry. Writer and restaurant person Karen Leibowitz. Natural foods expert/writer Matt Levine. Cookbook author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. Comedian Kyle Mizono. Chef/teacher Erika Almeida Mooney and superstar chef Richie Nakano. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on April 13, 2016 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Brandi Howell. Mixed by Patty Fung.
You're Doing It Wrong: Stories from Porchlight's annual SF Sketchfest show featuring Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte with guests Iris Haas-Biel, Moshe Kasher, Jackie Kashian, Kyle Mizono and Aparna Nancherla and songs by Bart Davenport. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick January 22, 2016 at the Swedish American Hall Recorded by Brandi Howell. Mixed by Patty Fung.
Litquake’s edition of the Bay Area’s long-running Porchlight series (15 years!) returns to the festival for a special storytelling night of authors and writers, telling tales on the theme of “Kill Your Darlings.” Featuring stories by Heather Mackey, Martha Tolles, Neal Pollack, Mark Haskell Smith, Siamak Vossoughi and Ali Liebegott. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on October 12, 2015 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Brandi Howell. Mixed by Patty Fung.
It seems like only yesterday that we got some friends together at the Hemlock Tavern to tell us their stories and now BAM, it's somehow 13 years later! Arline, Beth, and Marc celebrate the thrill again as some of our favorite Bay Area storytellers delight and surprise you with the theme Flip The Switch: When Things Change In an Instant. Featuring stories by Virgil Shaw, Tara Jepsen, Scott Kravitz, David Lynch and Dominic Riley. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on June 19, 2015 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.
Kitchen Confidential, Porchlight's most anticipated show of the year. Get all the dirt from the top food people in this unapologetically food-obsessed town, as stories from the kitchen, the front of the house, and the food truck are told onstage. Stories from: Chef and TV Personality Joey Altman, James Beard Award Winner and Slanted Door's Charles Phan, Author and St. Vincent Owner David Lynch, Restaurant Family Scion and ll Fornaio Co-Owner Mike Mindel, Writer and Culinary Tour Guide Nina Tamburello, and Former Private Chef Zahra Noorbakhsh. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Delfina's Craig Stoll on May 19, 2014 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.
For the fifth year in a row, Porchlight teams up with the San Francisco Sketchfest to bring you a rollicking night of storytelling by a line-up of people in the writing and funny business. Working with the theme FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT, six superstars tell ten-minute stories for your joy and entertainment. Stories from: Shelley McLendon, Derrick Brown, Frank Portman, Phoebe Robinson, Scott Capurro and Ophira Eisenberg. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 25, 2015 at the Verdi Club in San Francisco. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.
Porchlight Halloween show. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Marc Capelle on October 27th, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern
Every month Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte organize Porchlight, a venue for unscripted and unrehearsed storytelling. The Spark episode "First-Person Narratives" follows Lisick and Klatte as they put together an evening of testimonials at San Francisco's Café du Nord that share the theme "I Quit."
Stories of Fans, Stalkers, Acolytes, and Zealots. Hosted by Arline Klatte on February 24, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Club.
Broken hearts on the stage at Porchlight Open Door. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood on February 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
PL+Sketchfest 2014 Stories from comics Nick Thune, Kevin McDonald, April Richardson, Anthony Bedard, Anna Seregina, & Caitlin Gill. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 26, 2014 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories of appetites, obsessions, and hunger pains. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spottswood on November 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
Extra helpings of family secrets, evil step-grandmothers, famous fathers, and horrible dinner table conversation will be served. Stories from: Sean Keane, Marianna Cherry, Christopher Caen, Jay Beaman, Karen Duffin and Ali Liebegott. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on November 18, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Etiquette advice for stalking celebrities, becoming a man through Bar Mitzvah and phone sex, how breaking bones can be good for your health, and why sometimes you really need a BB gun to take down the Xmas tree. Stories from: Bobcat Goldthwait, Moshe Kasher, Caitlin Gill, and Anna Seregina. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 20, 2012 at the Purple Onion in San Francisco. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
Stories about Doubt, Debt, Drugs, and Determination: What to do when your writing session is interrupted by men with guns, how a writer shouldn't plan for her retirement, a writer’s life in the porn industry, and one of Oprah's favorite things that you won't find on The O List. Stories by: Kent Zimmerman, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jerry Stahl, and music by John Vanderslice and Marc Capelle. From October 14, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
Stories of making an exit from: Mike Morasky, Brittney Gilbert, Michael Ching, Broke-Ass Stuart aka Stuart Schuffman, and Kelly Beardsley. Special musical performance by Carletta Sue Kay. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on September 16, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
Adventures and escapades with friends and lovers. The do's and dont's of vacationing with your S.O (platonic or romantic), including what to say when a Guatemalan judge asks you, "Do you know Michael Jordan?" Also, helpful notes for finding love in a bar in San Francisco or on a street corner in New Orleans. Stories from: Law partners--Whitney Leigh & Matt Gonzalez, Bloggers, columnists, and fabulous gals about town--Melissa Griffen & Beth Spotswood, Artists and lovers--Danny Levesque & Joel Casey, and Queens of the SF literary empire, Radar Productions--Ali Liebegott & Beth Pickens. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on November 21, 2011 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
Get schooled with these stories from teachers, students, and people learning (or not learning) formative lessons. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Jack Boulware September 24, 2012 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
STORIES FROM: British bookbinder—Dominic Riley Writer—April Sinclair Literary superstar—Michelle Tea YA author and Mr. T. Experience frontman—Frank Portman Poet, actor and storyteller—Hai Ning Luan Musician and talent booker—Anthony Bedard Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick July 26, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast Produced by Briana Breen
Stories of lies, deception, and trickery from: The Roxie Theatre's--Mike KeeganArtist and radio producer--Stacy BondAuthor and Litquake co-founder--Jack BoulwareSan Francisco real estate agent--Steve MavromihalisMills College professor--Maura FinkelsteinYA novelist and MR. T Experience frontman--Frank Portman Hosted by Arline Klatte and Jon Moscone June 17, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
Litquake and Porchlight team up to bring you six stories from six different storytellers about putting the best spin on an impossible situation. Laugh with us as we listen to stories from comedians Michael Ian Black and Tom Rhodes, rapper Lyrics Born, authors Caitlyn Myer and Tamar Adler, and publicist (and occasional ghostwriter for Boo, the world’s cutest dog) April Whitney. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Recorded at the Verdi Club.
Misbehaving bar patrons, a trip to Mexico to unlock the secret recipe of a magical tostada, harrowing tales of restaurant openings, hitting rock bottom as a waitress, celebrities and reservation booking madness from inside one of New York's top restaurants, and when ramen noodles go wrong. Stories from: bartender and performer--Jill Vice, Tacolicious executive chef--Telmo Faria, Nopa, Chow, and Kokkari, Chef and co-owner--Laurence Jossel, writer and recovering watiress--Ali Liebegott, owner of St. Vincent Tavern and author of Vino Italiano--David Lynch, Hapa Ramen chef-owner and author of over 20k tweets--Richie Nakano Hosted by Arline Klatte and Craig Stoll May 20, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From May 20, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories of parents and drug dealers, and parents who are drug dealers, an M.P. guarding high value detainees in Baghdad, how not to get into Egypt, lawlessness in Cambodia, spanking, late night run-ins with campus police, what to say when a cop wants to search your vehicle, and bedbugs. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spottswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From March 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
A Porchlight show unlike any other. Storytellers and readers take the stage for a unique literary, storytelling, and musical mixtape. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Evan Karp. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From April 15, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories about getting over it and moving on from: Deputy Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom--Deirdre Hussey, writer and comedian--Miles K., high school teacher--Karie Rubin, writer and performer--Kurt Bodden, and surprise stoytellers! Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From January 21, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories from: Criminal defense attorney--Renee Paradis Comic and union organizer--Nato Green San Francisco Poilice Department Sergeant--Carl Tennenbaum Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit--Alex Kozinski Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.From March 18, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.
Porchlight and SF Sketchfest present stories from: Soccer journalist--Alan Black Stand-up comedian--April Richardson Zinester, illustrator, and pet portrait artist--Nicole Georges Comedian, actor, musician, and host of “The Dave Hill Explosion”--Dave Hill Comedian, actor, and writer --Scott Capurro Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From February 8, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories about mormons, stoners, sailors, families, a Civil War in West Africa, and Walt Whitman. Brave stories from courageous storytellers at Porchlight Open Door. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From January 28, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
Stories about lost soulmates, painful geography lessons, Mexican prostitutes, an Afghani girl who wanted to become a pilot, Christian lesbian rappers, as well as insider tips for playing the slots in Vegas. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From January 30, 2012 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
Stories From: Ethan Waters - Author of Urban Tribes, co-founder of the SF Writers' Grotto, contributor to print, radio, and TV Kelly Kegger-Beardsley - BART train operator, tour and school bus driver, and storytelling star Veronika Cauley - Activist, former Army football player, and the first transgendered officer appointed to the San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Commission Alex Momtchiloff - Marriage and family therapist Joyce Maynard- Author of fiction and non-fiction works including At Home in the World, To Die For, Labor Day, and The Good Daughters Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From 2004 at San Francisco's Cafe Du Nord.
STORIES FROM: Davy Vain - heavy metal legend Chuck Prophet - singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Eric Shea - writer and musician Anthony Bedard - musician, band booker, and co-founder of the Coalition of Aging Rockers Brian Gorman – Musician, teacher, founder of Rock Band Land, and the Verdi Club’s own master of sound Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From November 2012 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories from: Tom Rhodes - comedian, actor, and travel writer Tamar Adler - chef, teacher, author, and editor Lyrics Born - rapper, producer, songwriter, and epic tweeter Caitlin Myer - novelist, playwright, and founder of the literary reading series Portuguese Artists Colony April Whitney - book publicist and occasional ghostwriter for Boo the world’s cutest dog Michael Ian Black - comedian, actor, writer, and director Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Music by Marc Capelle. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From October 2012 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Stories of getting busted: rock stars, famous actors, car thiefs, truth-seekers, and more. Stories from: *SF Film Festival programmer, SEAN UYEHARA *Legendary music journalist, SYLVIE SIMMONS *BART train operator and tour bus driver, KELLY BEARDSLEY *Writer, public radio commentator, and author of “The Ramen King and I,” ANDY RASKIN *Law professor, author, and community activist, the late LINDA MABRY *Film soundtrack composer and founder of Secret Studios, Mr. HAPPY SANCHEZ *Namer, crossword puzzle writer, and comedian, ANDREA MICHAELS *Writer and musician, ERIC SHEA Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Music by Marc Capelle. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From July 2004 at San Francisco’s Café Du Nord.
Stories of babies in bar fights, how not to prepare for a pitch meeting with a TV show, what to do when someone orders you to “Pickup the gun!” and behind the scene secrets from a diet and fasting clinic. Invaluable lessons and incredible storytelling from Sean Kelly & Anneke Swinehart, James Reichmuth & Rob Baedeker, Boots Riley, and Ed Wolfe & Kirk Read Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Music by Marc Capelle. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From September 17, 2012 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
Stories from the worst and best wedding guests, a newlywed, and a runaway bride. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From June 25, 2012 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
With music from singer/songwriter VIRGIL SHAW. And stories from: designer and metal fabricator, KYLE METZNER, master bookbinder, DOMINIC RILEY, performance artist, BEN MCCOY, stand-up comedian, ANNA SEREGINA, and Kasper Hauser sketch comic, ROB BAEDEKER. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Produced by Briana Breen. From July 13, 2012 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Part Three of our four part 10th Anniversary Show Extravaganza Stories From: BART train operator and tour bus driver, KELLY BEARDSLEY, author and funny lady, CASSIE SNEIDER, managing editor of The Rumpus and co-founder of Pen & Ink, ISAAC FITZGERALD, Ms. Leather 2010, BDSM educator, actress and writer, MOLLENA WILLIAMS, and author and Litquake founder, JACK BOULWARE. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Produced by Briana Breen. From July 13, 2012 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
Part Two of our four part anniversary show extravaganza! Stories from the founder of the San Francisco Food Adventure Club BETH PICKENS, rocker and skater ERIC SHEA, filmmaker VERO MAJANO, author, publisher and California Native American and Bay Area history expert MALCOLM MARGOLIN, and spoken word legend BUCKY SINISTER. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Produced by Briana Breen. From July 12, 2012 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.