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San Francisco’s renovated Castro Theatre set to reopen this month

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San Francisco’s renovated Castro Theatre set to reopen this month


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After a $41 million renovation, San Francisco’s iconic Castro Theatre will officially reopen this month with an entertainment lineup that’ll once again shine the spotlight on the storied California movie palace.

The Castro District’s designated historic landmark — a longtime LGBTQ+ cultural epicenter known for its community events and queer film screenings — will reopen on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a sold-out fundraiser for the Castro Community Benefit District.

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Marking the first time the theater has opened its doors since 2024, the “Community Opening” will feature a 35MM screening of the cult classic, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” plus a drag queen costume contest in which the audience is encouraged to “serve the best looks and embody the spirit of Priscilla.”

According to the theater, its highly-anticipated reopening will herald “a new era for this cherished San Francisco landmark.”

Other events coming soon to Castro Theatre

The theater will host a second sold-out “Community Opening” on Sunday, Feb. 7, dubbed “D’Arcy’s Drag & Disco.” The celebration — considered the “soft launch” of the Castro — will feature live DJs, go-go dancers, and pop-up drag performances from Bay Area entertainers.

After that event, Grammy Award-winning singer Sam Smith will launch his 20-night “To Be Free: San Francisco Residency” at the Castro beginning Feb. 10. His performances wrap up on March 14 and are all sold out.

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On Feb. 12, A24’s sold-out San Francisco premiere of the studio’s upcoming film, “PILLION,” will fill the Castro as the venue’s first official post-restoration premiere.

The BDSM romance film stars Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, both of whom will attend the San Francisco premiere. The film is directed by London-based writer-director Harry Lighton.

Check out the Castro’s full lineup for more events currently scheduled through November 2026, including an April screening of “The Princess Bride” as a tribute to the legacy of Rob Reiner and a two-night stint from the Indigo Girls in May.

The history of the Castro Theatre

The Castro Theatre was built in 1922. Its interior was designed by prominent San Francisco architect Timothy Pfleuger, with architectural influences from Spanish, Asian, Italian, and Art Deco styles.

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On its 100th anniversary in 2022, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Castro was the oldest continuously operating single-screen theatre in San Francisco.

In 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into a partnership with the venue, which led to its $41 million rehabilitation. The theater closed for renovations in March 2024.

While seating remains for screenings and comedy shows, the Castro’s overhaul includes new standing-room space for live music — a first for the venue — as it looks to expand its entertainment offerings in its glow-up era.

Other upgrades patrons will discover at the Castro include:

  • NeonWorks’ restoration of the iconic vertical neon blade sign and the theater’s marquee.
  • A new movie screen — the old one was upcycled into art by ART by Queer AF.
  • Revitalization of the ceiling’s original artwork and historic lighting fixtures by Evergreen Architectural Arts.
  • Modernization of the orchestra-level chandelier that has been around since 1937.
  • The installation of a digital organ designed by longtime Castro organist David Hegarty.
  • A new HVAC system, new additional restrooms, and improved ADA access throughout the orchestra and backstage.

According to a press release, the Castro’s renovations were designed to “ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.”



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Giants reassign 3B coach Borg; Wotus named interim replacement

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Giants reassign 3B coach Borg; Wotus named interim replacement


DENVER — The Giants announced on Friday that they have reassigned third-base coach Hector Borg to a new role within their player development staff. Ron Wotus will fill the third-base coaching role on an interim basis until the organization identifies a permanent replacement.
Borg has made several questionable calls from



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Driver Arrested After Pedestrian Killed, Three Injured In Mission District Crash

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Driver Arrested After Pedestrian Killed, Three Injured In Mission District Crash


One pedestrian died at the hospital and three others suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a driver struck them in SF’s Mission District earlier this week.

The San Francisco Police Department arrested a driver suspected of fatally striking four pedestrians in the area of 16th and Mission streets Monday morning, as KRON4 reports.

Officers responded to the scene at 12:13 am and found medics treating one pedestrian with life-threatening injuries. The person later died at a nearby hospital, and three other pedestrians sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver was reportedly detained soon after the collision. The department has not announced what charges they will receive.

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“We hold the victim and their loved ones in our thoughts, and grieve this loss of life on San Francisco’s streets,” said Jodie Medeiros, executive director for Walk SF, in a release. “We all deserve to be able to get around safely in our city.”

This marks the ninth pedestrian death in San Francisco this year. It’s also the second such death in the Mission, following the tragic death of local musician Danielle Spillman at Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue in April, as SFist reported previously.

Four pedestrians were killed throughout the month of March, including deaths in Chinatown, the Financial District, North Beach, and the Outer Mission. In late February, a two-year-old was run over in Mission Bay.

Anyone with information may contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text “TIP411,” beginning with “SFPD.”

Wife of SoMa Hit-and-Run Suspect Says ‘My Husband Is Not a Villain’

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California Supreme Court ruling on bail sparks debate over what it means for San Francisco’s safety

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California Supreme Court ruling on bail sparks debate over what it means for San Francisco’s safety


A recent California Supreme Court ruling is changing how bail is set across the state, and it’s sparking a sharp debate in San Francisco about what it could mean for public safety.

Inside her office, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said every decision carries weight. She views her role through one lens: protecting the public.

“My responsibility to San Francisco is public safety,” Jenkins said. “And to be transparent to me in achieving that safety. This is a ruling that has real-life consequences, and deny that would be untruthful and would not help people understand why we may see retraction from our progress.”

The ruling requires judges to set bail at levels defendants can afford, shifting the focus away from cash bail and toward whether someone poses a risk to public safety.

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Jenkins said she believes that shift could have serious consequences.

“I knew it would be immediately be devastating to public safety and the state of California and had a lot of concerns that I thought needed to be shared with the public and other city leaders,” she said.

She warns that the change could make it easier for repeat offenders, particularly those involved in drug-related crimes, to be released before trial.

“These judges don’t live in San Francisco, many of them,” Jenkins said. “They don’t live in places like the Tenderloin that are most affected by these issues. They are ruling in a way that has impacts on other people’s lives.”

But not everyone agrees with that assessment.

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San Francisco Defense Attorney Marsanne Weese said the ruling does not eliminate accountability and that courts still have tools to detain people who pose a threat.

“In regards to her statements, there is no basis for it,” Weese said. “And the justices pointed out that there are a number of non-financial tools the lower courts can use and should use.”

Those tools include options like pretrial detention and supervised release, which allow judges to consider risk without relying solely on a person’s ability to pay bail.

“So, in regards to this being a drastic change, yes, it will be a drastic change, but not to safety,” Weese added.

For Jenkins, the concern is not just the intent of the law, but how it will be applied in real-world courtrooms and what that means on city streets.

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For now, there is unease for some, optimism for others, and a growing debate over what public safety will look like under this new system.



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