Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Happy HoliDaze to all, and please try to keep the Spirit of the Season rather than being too overwhelmed with shopping frenzy!”
RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presented their big fundraiser “HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XX: Feliz Navidad” on December 5 at Brava Theater. REAF provides needed aid for HIV services, hunger programs, and support for homeless and disenfranchised youth and seniors. The star-studded cast included David Burnham: Broadway, TV star; Leanne Borghesi: Cabaret star; Rodney Earl Jackson: Broadway actor/co-founder Bay Area Theater Company; Steve Knill: from TV’s The Voice; Sharon McNight: Tony nominated cabaret star; Jai Rodriguez: Broadway, TV star; Shawn Ryan: from TV’s America’s Got Talent; Marta Sanders: MAC award winning cabaret star; Bruce Vilanch: Broadway (Hairspray), TV star; Lisa Vroman: Broadway (Phantom of the Opera) star; Paula West: Cabaret/recording star; and Salsamania: world champion dance troupe.
RAINBOW WORLD FUND held the 16th Annual RWF WORLD TREE OF HOPE LIGHTING CELEBRATION on December 6 at Grace Cathedral. We enjoyed the Grammy winning San Francisco Boys Chorus, Emcee Donna Sachet, Emperor David Glamamore, Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Landa Lakes performing a Native Blessing, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, Origami Artist Linda Mihara (explaining the tree decorations consisting of thousands of folded white cranes with wishes written within from folx around the world), RWF Founder Jeff Cotter, Assessor Joaquin Torres presenting a Certificate of Recognition to RWF, Opera Singer Lerberta Loral accompanied by Tammy Lynne Hall-Hawkins on organ, The Right Reverend Marc Andrus (Bishop of California), and seven of us Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence blessing the Tree and leading the countdown to its dramatic lighting.
Sister Dana sez, “For 2022, Repugnicans under McConnell are now ditching their original ‘Contract with America’ to instead have NO platform other than ‘Opposite Day’ and anything NOT Biden but ONLY Trump!”
I was so happy to discover the monthly CASTRO ART WALK had returned after the damn-demic had shut it down. On December 9, two venues were of special note on my journey. ART HOUSE SF at 2324 Market Street had just been opened in June. Max Khusid had left his high-end career with Apple to become a curator in the Castro. He wants to display a diversity of eclectic artists. Showing currently are the quite amusing “Happy Houses” oil series by George Abramidze, born in Georgia (the Russian one) in 1966. The many-storied buildings appear to sway back and forth in the artist’s colorful renderings. Or was that just the champagne Max served? No, it was definitely the artist’s intention! https://www.arthousesf.com/
THE ART OF AVIVA KANOFF is now on every wall at SPARK ARTS, 4229 18th Street. Aviva, the proprietor and curator, always throws a fabulous reception during Castro Art Walk, and this night was no exception. The wine flowed, as did the vodka. There were baked delicacies, fun sandwiches, and delicious desserts. All this, plus the amazing live Greg Jacobs Trio of piano, standup bass, and percussion to dance to! And what a surprise when Aviva presented me with a framed portrait by her of me wearing a party hat at one of her many festive events! https://sparkarts.com/
Sister Dana sez, “Contrary to some Republican politicians’ advice: Using mouthwash will NOT destroy the coronavirus; however, it might take the nasty taste of ivermectin horse paste out of their mouths!”
LUNA RIENNE gallery at 3318 22nd Street and Valencia in the Mission features visual artists working in contemporary mediums who integrate elements of urban culture with traditional techniques. Their current show, LITTLE WONDERS, is a collection of small-scale works by 11 of their exhibiting artists. Accustomed to producing larger work—some on walls up to 14 stories tall—these artists are also able to translate their style and craft to smaller surfaces, a skill that is sometimes underestimated. I am particularly drawn to the many acrylic pieces by Ursula Xanthe Young. She is a painter, illustrator, and graphic designer whose urban fairy tale images have become a trademark of street culture in San Francisco and beyond. Be sure to admire these beauties: “Fairy Dreams,” “We Are Made of Stars,” “What You See When You Close Your Eyes,” and “On the Edge of Dreamland.” Also, if you happen to sit out at the patio, you will be excited to see her very large-scale piece permanently painted on wood back in 2007! https://tinyurl.com/5n8s4aru
KUNG PAO KOSHER COMEDY—Jewish comedy on Christmas in a (this year, virtual) Chinese Restaurant—is an annual tradition in San Francisco. Due to the pandemic, the show, which has been operating every December since its inception in 1993 in San Francisco’s Chinatown, took place on Zoom and YouTube Live last year and reached audiences throughout the country and some internationally. Kung Pao will take place virtually again this year; but next year in 2022 for their 30th Anniversary, they plan on being live in-person, while keeping the online component. Now in its 29th year, Kung Pao, which answers the age-old question, “What are Jews supposed to do on Christmas?” is a take-off on the tradition of Jews going to a Chinese restaurant and a movie on Christmas. The brainchild of San Francisco-based Jewish comedian Lisa Geduldig, is one of San Francisco’s longest running comedy shows. This annual Jewish Christmas tradition spans three days, December 24–26, and will feature Jewish comedians Ophira Eisenberg, Jessica Kirson, Lisa Geduldig, and Arline Geduldig (Lisa’s 90-year-old mother). For info and tix: https://tinyurl.com/bdhzv6r2
If the precedent of Roe v. Wade, which is considered one of the landmark rulings in American history, is allowed to be overruled, that will likely mean that other rulings affirming the rights of American citizens could get overruled as well, no matter how set in stone they seem or how much controversy and blowback the decision to roll them back might cause. Sister Dana sez, “If abortion rights go, so could same-sex marriage!”
Sister Dana sez, “And if the Supreme Court continues its radical course, it won’t stop at that!”
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS rang in the holiday season on December 10 and 11 at Sydney Goldstein Theater with its annual seasonal extravaganza, HOLIGAYS ARE HERE…AGAIN! Returning to the stage for the first time since the 2019 holiday season, SFGMC brought back everything that has made this concert one of San Francisco Bay Area’s annual signature holiday treats. This year’s concert featured something for everyone, including “Festival Gloria,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Go Tell It on The Mountain,” “Los Peces en el Rio,” and “Silent Night.” Special guests were SFGMC’s very own HOMOPHONICS doing “Who Spiked the Eggnog” and “We Three Impossible Kings;” plus THE LOLLIPOP GUILD with “Santa’s My Boyfriend” and “What’s This?” from Nightmare Before Christmas. This show also served as a teaser for the SFGMC Christmas Eve show, 5 pm, 7 pm, and 9 pm at the Castro Theater. Not to spoil anything, but on December 24 expect incredible choreography, dancing, and prancing along with gorgeous singing. And anticipate witnessing a whole bunch of nuns, drag queens, and the usual holiday characters—along with some rather bizarre ones! https://www.sfgmc.org/
Sister Dana sez, “The good news is that horrible Repugnican Rep. Nunes is retiring from the House! The crazy news is that he is becoming CEO of Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ media platform! Neither truth nor social, right?!”
President Joe Biden is appointing an out gay man to run his White House’s personnel office. Gautam Raghavan, currently the deputy director of the OFFICE OF PRESIDENTIAL PERSONNEL, is going to be appointed as Director following current director Catherine Russell’s selection to become the Executive Director of UNICEF, the White House has announced. During the Obama administration, Raghavan was the White House liaison to the LGBTQ community and the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. He worked to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the military’s ban on out gay and bisexual people.
Sister Dana sez, “It is such a victory that on December 9 the Appeals Court had ruled against Trump in his attempt to block his administration’s revealing documents regarding the insurrection! Now we dare the Supreme Court to even ATTEMPT to interfere with justice!”
THEATRE RHINOCEROS will present THE 2021 RHINO HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA on December 30, 8 pm at the Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson. Join powerhouse performer Tanika Baptiste (as your host), Rhino star and comedian Justin Lucas (Midway! and Breaking the Code), chanteuse Leandra Ramm (Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz), crooner Bobby Singer (Hot Greek Boys), spoken work artist Stan Stone (Pandemic Performances), drag artiste Elsa Touché (The Edge), comedian/songster Jesús U. BettaWork (2019 NYE Spectacular), the cast of Foodies: The Musical (David Goodwin, Kim Larsen, Lisa McHenry, and Deborah Russo) and more! It will be an evening of song, dance, comedy, celebration, with drinks, food, raffles, and a huge balloon drop—a full day before NEW YEAR’S EVE! (Night before my birthday). Who could ask for anything more? http://therhino.org/
Sister Dana sez, “I won’t be writing to you until next year, so allow me to wish y’all right now a very Happy Queer New Year! Twenty Twenty-two: There ain’t nothin’ we can’t do!!!”
Published on December 16, 2021
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