On Jan. 13, 1939, five prisoners managed to saw through the bars of their individual cells in D block, get to the island’s western shoreline, and fashion a raft out of discarded lumber. Ultimately, two escapees were shot (one fatally) by guards, one fell from a cliff edge (and survived) and the final two were peacefully captured wearing only their skivvies.

On Jan. 13, 1939, five prisoners managed to saw through the bars of their individual cells in D block, get to the island&rsquo;s western shoreline, and fashion a raft out of discarded lumber. Ultimately, two escapees were shot (one fatally) by guards, one fell from a cliff edge (and survived) and the final two were peacefully captured wearing only their skivvies.

This Little-Known Escape From Alcatraz Almost Closed the Prison in 1939

How Bay Area Victorian Women Used Hatpins for Self Defense

‘On Loop’ Book Details Oakland’s Crackdowns on Black Sonic Expression

Kartar Dhillon's sense of fairness propelled her towards every equality movement that crossed her path, throughout her entire life. Dhillon’s quest for justice for all working and disadvantaged people literally knew no bounds.

Kartar Dhillon's sense of fairness propelled her towards every equality movement that crossed her path, throughout her entire life. Dhillon&rsquo;s quest for justice for all working and disadvantaged people literally knew no bounds.

Rebel Girls: The Indian American Essayist Who Championed Social Justice and Feminism

This comprehensive and gorgeous book is so full of reverence for the prettier flying insects in our midst, so lacking in pretension, and so easy to understand, it’ll inspire even the most fervent city-dwellers to get outside and find the little buggers.

This comprehensive and gorgeous book is so full of reverence for the prettier flying insects in our midst, so lacking in pretension, and so easy to understand, it&rsquo;ll inspire even the most fervent city-dwellers to get outside and find the little buggers.

A New Book About Butterflies Makes the Bay Area a More Magical Place

As the first large-scale exhibition of its kind in North America, Art of Manga at San Francisco’s de Young Museum feels like stepping inside an animation. A feast for fans, but still accessible to manga outsiders, it guides the viewer patiently through the genre’s terms, stories, storyboard sketches, influences and techniques.

‘Art of Manga’ is on view Sept. 27, 2025–Jan. 25, 2026 at the de Young Museum (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco). Tickets and more information here.

 

As the first large-scale exhibition of its kind in North America,&nbsp;Art of Manga at San Francisco&rsquo;s de Young Museum feels like stepping inside an animation. A feast for fans, but still accessible to manga outsiders, it guides the viewer patiently through the genre&rsquo;s terms, stories, storyboard sketches, influences and techniques.
&lsquo;Art of Manga&rsquo; is on view Sept. 27, 2025&ndash;Jan. 25, 2026 at the de Young Museum (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.famsf.org/exhibitions/art-of-manga">Tickets and more information here</a>.
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‘The Art of Manga’ Brings New Worlds to the de Young Museum

‘Kim’s Convenience’ runs through Oct. 19 at the Toni Rembe Theater (415 Geary St,, San Francisco). 

&lsquo;Kim&rsquo;s Convenience&rsquo; runs through Oct. 19 at the Toni Rembe Theater (415 Geary St,, San Francisco).&nbsp;

‘Kim’s Convenience’ is a Funny, Touching Play About an Immigrant Family Business

Cuisine and Couture will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., at the Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak St., Oakland). Tickets ($25–$75) are available online until sold out.

<a href="https://www.visitoakland.com/oakland-style/cuisine-couture/">Cuisine and Couture</a>&nbsp;will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11:30 a.m.&ndash;1:30 p.m., at the Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak St., Oakland).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cuisine-and-couture-tickets-1530841571349">Tickets</a>&nbsp;($25&ndash;$75) are available online until sold out.

Oakland Teens Weave Food Into Fashion at 'Cuisine and Couture' Fashion Show

SF Opera's "Dead Man Walking" Tackles Controversial Issues in Contemporary Way

For Elaine Black Yoneda, it wasn’t a choice. When authorities informed her that her three-year-old son Tommy would be imprisoned in a concentration camp for the crime of being half-Japanese, Yoneda — a white Jewish woman — insisted on going with him. Her Japanese American husband Karl was already being detained at Manzanar, a camp in the desert beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains. Now, just as the Yonedas had adjusted to the idea of a long period of separation, they would live as a family once more — albeit behind barbed wire.

For Elaine Black Yoneda, it wasn&rsquo;t a choice. When authorities informed her that her three-year-old son Tommy would be imprisoned in a concentration camp for the crime of being half-Japanese, Yoneda &mdash; a white Jewish woman &mdash; insisted on going with him. Her Japanese American husband Karl was already being detained at Manzanar, a camp in the desert beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains. Now, just as the Yonedas had adjusted to the idea of a long period of separation, they would live as a family once more &mdash; albeit behind barbed wire.

Rebel Girls: The Jewish ‘Red Angel’ Who Withstood Incarceration for Workers’ Rights

KQED's Arts Team brings you their picks of the best things to do, see, and hear around the Bay.

KQED's Arts Team brings you their picks of the best things to do, see, and hear around the Bay.

The Do List

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

KQED

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