The Bitch is Back: Stories of Resurgence

We wrap up our North Beach series with an interview with Graziano Cerchiai, the patriarch of the city's legendary Bimbo's 365 Club, on his 91st birthday. 

Our guest this week is theater director and current Chief Producer at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Jonathan Moscone. Jon talks about his North Beach memories, including memorable nights at Tosca, and how the pandemic has unveiled inequities in our society that we cannot ignore. 

Arline and Beth catch up with poet Jack Hirschman.  He looks back on his friendship with Lawrence Ferlinghetti and shares a poem he wrote for Lawrence on the night of his passing.  

Arline and Beth catch up with City Lights Books' linchpin Stacey Lewis. She looks back on 25 years at the iconic bookstore and remembers her mentor and friend Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

A year after Tuttle's death, Arline and Beth remember the tattoo icon with his friend and archivist Danielle Boiardi. 

Arline and Beth talk to San Francisco legend Peggy Knickerbocker. The cookbook author and gal about town talks about The Dolphin Club, her new memoir, and childhood friends helping get her through the pandemic. Her story about running around North Beach was recorded at Bimbo's in 2018. 

Beth and Arline remember a great show back in 2019 in the perfectly lit, crowded lounge at Bimbo's. Porchlight favorite Jesse DeNatale was there. He spent the pandemic creating a beautiful album "The Wilderness." Hear all about it and the roads that lead us wherever the hell we wind up.

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. 

Who am I?

It's a queston that never fails to amuse, confuse, bewilder, and humble us as we plunk along our journey on this earth. To what end, no one knows. To paraphrase Oliver Sacks, it is an enormous privilege and adventure to be a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet. And you are free to have canned fish for lunch every day, if you wish. 

As Porchlight celebrates fourteen years of personal storytelling onstage, we look to a theme where storytellers can choose to reflect or freak out on the whats, whys, and hows of who they think they are. 

Cousins author Mary Roach and bookbinder Dominic Riley
Mythbusters legend Adam Savage
writer and actor Moon Zappa
Executive strategist Karla Martin
Writer/performer/psychic hotline operator Ben McCoy
Bawdy Storytelling dynamo Dixie De La Tour

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 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

Mom, philanthropist and former model--Paula Williams

Fashion blogger--Adelle McElveen

Crafty lady and "What Not To Wear" victim--Pam DeLuco

Interior designer--John James

Former model turned writer--Meghan Ward

Author, teacher and performer--Richard Silberg

From March 21, 2011 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.

Stories of lies, deception, and trickery from:

The Roxie Theatre's--Mike Keegan
Artist and radio producer--Stacy Bond
Author and Litquake co-founder--Jack Boulware
San Francisco real estate agent--Steve Mavromihalis
Mills College professor--Maura Finkelstein
YA 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.

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 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.

Stories from NY Times crossword puzzlemaker Andrea Carla Michaels, fashion blogger Adelle McElveen, singer/songwriter Sonny Smith, San Francisco scene king Anthony Bedard, DJ and Reverend Bertie Pearson, and author Tamin Ansary.

Stories from singer/songwriter Chris von Sneidern, BDSM educator/actor Mollena "Mo" Williams, writer/performer Les Milton, and tech faerie Dennis Collinson.

Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte.  Produced by Briana Breen. From May 21, 2012 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.

Stories of being young and in love from Porchlight's main stage at the Verdi Club.  Stories from Suzanne Kleid, David Berkeley, Elise DiCharry and Isaac Fitzgerald.

Hosted by Beth Lisick and Tara Jepsen.  Produced by Briana Breen. From February 20, 2012 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.

On The Couch: The Therapy Show features stories by writers Marianna Cherry, Suzanne Kleid, and writer/cartoonist Shannon O'Leary. Recorded live at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco in 2004. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick. Music by Aaron Novik.