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Jul 16th 2026 at 2:00 pm
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Cover of the latest California Magazine issue.
Latest Issue

2026 Summer

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Culture

Black-and-white photo of performers in theatrical costumes Members of Shotgun Players, circa 2000. Courtesy of Patrick Dooley

The Subterranean Scene

By James Pagett Tollen

For decades, a familiar Berkeley pizza parlor has housed a truly underground theater.

Kelmar and her son smile Courtesy Stephanie Kelmar

The Daily, for Kids

By Alison Bowen

Five questions for Stephanie Kelmar ’90, founder of KidNuz podcast

Book covers Nathalia Alcantara

2026 Summer Reading List

By Editorial Staff

For your entertainment, here are our favorite books this season

Images from Backyard Bird Chronicles Images from The Backyard Bird Chronicles. © 2025 by Amy Tan. Used with permission. Illustration By David Junkin.

Humble Recipient

By Apoorva Tadepalli

Author Amy Tan is Cal’s 2026 Alum of the Year.

Historic group portrait of young men Bancroft Library, Digital Collections.

Editor’s Note: Summer 2026

By Pat Joseph

“If you went to Cal, we want you to be proud that this is your magazine. If you didn’t and you stumble upon a copy, we want you to wish you had.”

Black-and-white photo of a person sitting on the floor with Rolling Stone magazine posters displayed behind them. Baron Wolman Collection/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame/Getty Images

It Came from Berkeley

By Pat Joseph

The Cal origins of Rolling Stone magazine

Room with multiple screens showing Bob Dylan in sunglasses Bob Dylan Center Multitudes Gallery. Photo by Lester Cohen.

The Dylan Beat on Tulsa Time 

By Bill Hinchberger ’80, M.A. ’92

A Berkeley alum and Oklahoma transplant oversees the shrine of his idol

Books and art Top left: Lucy Stark. Bottom center: Eli Thorne. Bottom right: Michael Pollan, by Christopher Michel

Mixed Media

New works by Berkeley authors and artists

Cris Chu Courtesy of Chris Chu

Accidental Album

By Emma Silvers

Musician Chris Chu discovered recordings he doesn't remember making.

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