The release party for “Season of the Witch” will be a celebration of the San Francisco values of social tolerance and experimentation, as explored in David Talbot’s new book. This event will feature music and art of the 1967-‘82 era as well as speakers recounting some of the wild stories that defined this explosive time. Guests include director Oliver Stone, who will discuss how films like “The Doors” channeled the demonic energy of the period, and how his love for the San Francisco 49ers was reflected in “Any Given Sunday.” Other special guests include Scrumbly Koldewyn and Fayette Hauser of the infamous drag queen troupe the Cockettes; Peter Lewis of the legendary band Moby Grape; activist Cleve Jones; and other political, sports and literary luminaries.

Date: Friday May 18, 2012, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Location: 1687 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103



If you plan on attending you must confirm by emailing your name to RSVP@salon.com.



Salon Core members: You can avoid the $8 entrance fee by clicking here and using the RSVP button on the left side of this landing page. If you’re not a member of Salon Core, please consider joining today — in addition to gaining access to this event, you’ll enjoy the many great benefits listed on the Salon Core landing page.

Want to know more about “Season of the Witch”? Check out the video below and then use one of the links to the right to order a copy now, pick up a copy at your local bookstore or buy a signed copy at the “Season of the Witch” release party on May 18.

Just added: David Talbot will also be appearing at Book Soup in Los Angeles on May 14 and at Town Hall Seattle on May 24. There will be private receptions after both of these events for Salon Core members — use the RSVP links in the right column of the Core landing page to confirm your attendance and receive further details.

Salon has always believed in not just truth, but beauty. Our original design back in 1995 – a clean, art deco look created by Salon’s first art director, Mignon Khargie – immediately set Salon apart. Now Salon is once again separating itself from the cookie-cutter digital clutter that defines too much of the Web with a bold and striking new design.

We asked designer Kelly Frankeny to create a news tabloid as imagined by Coco Chanel. Frankeny — a globetrotting designer who is often dropping into beleaguered democracies in Africa and Latin America to work her wonders for embattled newspapers – responded to our challenge with a sophisticated and dynamic design. A brilliant and sassy blond Texan, she has created a new Salon as big as her personality. And yes, while invoking the brassy urgency of a news tabloid, the new design also conveys the elegance of the House of Chanel. Both Frankeny and the new Salon know how to use red lipstick and a simple black dress for maximum effect.

As winter thaws, the hot spots of the Occupy movement are seeing the first ripples of resurgence. From New York to Oakland, Calif., crowds are returning to the streets, but will the plan for a May 1 General Strike spark an American Spring or will the movement splinter and fade into Tea Party-like irrelevance? Watch the Salon webcast with Occupy correspondent Natasha Lennard to hear her thoughts on these issues:

To participate in upcoming Salon webcasts with staff and friends, join the Salon Core community.

Salon has covered the Trayvon Martin killing relentlessly, but none of our coverage has struck a nerve like the article “Is My Son the Next Trayvon?” by the chief operating officer of Salon Studio, Quincy McCoy. As a black man who escaped the rough neighborhoods of his youth to provide a better life for his child, Quincy’s article conveyed the constant anxiety suffered by all black parents — regardless of class.

Quincy recently hosted an online conversation on the epidemic of violence against young black men. Here is the full video of that discussion:

To participate in Salon’s webcasts with staff and friends, join the Salon Core community.

Two years after the president signed it into law, Obamacare is beginning to have a big impact: Millions more young adults are insured; prescription costs for the elderly are on the decline; and children with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied coverage. Yet, as Andrew Leonard detailed on Tuesday, it’s at this very moment when the legislation is starting to extend coverage and reduce costs that the Supreme Court seems determined to destroy it.

As the justices debate constitutionality of the legislation, we want to know how the law is affecting regular Americans. Has the Affordable Care Act changed you or your family’s healthcare experience?

Blog about it on Open Salon – and we may feature your story on Salon.

Rock legend Levon Helm — the drummer and a lead singer for the Band — is batting 1.000 at the Grammys. Last month, when his “Ramble at the Ryman” won best Americana album, he made it three in a row — three nominations, three wins — following Grammy Awards for his two previous albums, “Dirt Farmer” (2007) and “Electric Dirt” (2009). Not bad for a 71-year-old survivor of throat cancer, who had once lost his voice completely.

These days, a happy-to-be-alive Levon Helm presides over what he calls “midnight rambles” — concerts in his Woodstock, N.Y., barn, where he’s surrounded by musical friends and family, including his daughter, singer Amy Helm. His voice may be raspy, but his energetic drumming and high-beam smile can warm the coldest winter night. Following rousing versions of “The Weight” and “Ophelia,” Helm invites Marco Werman into his house for after-midnight conversation.