By Donna Sachet–
Thank you, Palm Springs, for showing us a fabulous time over Pride Weekend! With so many friends down there, it was impossible to see them all, but the weekend was packed with official and unofficial events, pool parties and get-togethers. The entire affair may be quite a bit smaller than we are used to here in San Francisco, but a lovely sense of community permeated everything! Special thanks to our host, Tom Ray, for his boundless generosity and hospitality and to Parade Community Grand Marshals, Tom Oliver & Matthew Stocker, for inviting us as their guests to the VIP Pre-Parade Breakfast.
Back home, it was a tough week learning of the death of our friend and generous philanthropist Walter Leiss. We attended his services at Hills of Eternity Chapel in Colma on Thursday morning in recognition of his leadership in the Jewish community and the LGBT Community. In attendance were Gary Virginia, Mark Leno, Russell Kassman, Jerome Goldstein & Tom Taylor, Jim Gatteau, Al Baum, James Carlson, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and many of Walter’s extended devoted family. Speakers shared personal remembrances with humor and nostalgia, making it clear that here was a man who lived life fully, shared his success with many, and left his world richer because of his munificence.
Wednesday morning also demanded morning drag as we helped with the official opening of the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines. Robert Keith emceed the event, joined by Noah Kieserman from the cast of Broadway Tony Award winning Dear Evan Hansen, Safeway’s Wendy Gutshall, California State Assemblyman David Chiu, Olympic champion skater Brian Boitano, SF Giants mascot Lou Seal, and the SF Ice Dance Company. The rink is open now through January, featuring special nights including Flashback Fridays on the second Friday of each month, Drag Queens on Ice on Thursday, December 6, Silent Skate Party on Thursday, December 13, and Polar Bear Skate on Tuesday, January 1. This year’s Drag Queens on Ice, a truly only-in-San Francisco event, will feature performances by Dusty Porn, Muthachucka, Kylie Minono, Kylie Pop, BeBe Sweetbriar, Tara Lipsynki, Paju Munro, and Mahlae Balenciaga. Once again, we’ll be the drag queen on the mic, not on the ice! Whether you skate or not, the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is a place you must check out during the holidays.
And speaking of “musts” for the holidays, don’t miss The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes at the Victoria Theatre, November 29 through December 23, starring Heklina, Matthew Martin, D’Arcy Drollinger and Holotta Tymes. These talented artists will keep you in stitches re-enacting stories from the hit television series, but with special Gay twists. Get your tickets soon; they are already selling like crazy!
Two holiday trees hold special significance for our community. First, get into the holiday spirit on Monday, November 26, 6 pm, in front of Bank of America, at the lighting of the Castro Holiday Tree, a project of the Castro Merchants. We return as the emcee of the festivities, joined by Santa Claus and some of his lively elves and wonderful holiday music.
After 12 years in the Rotunda of City Hall, the World Tree of Hope will sparkle at Grace Cathedral this year. You can be a part of this Rainbow World Fund project by helping to decorate the tree with lights and thousands of paper origami inscribed with personal wishes of hope; come to the cathedral November 24–30 from 9 am–5:30 pm and join a band of volunteers. Then join Heklina, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF, Tammy Hall, Linda Mihara, Jeff Cotter, the Deputy Consul General of Japan and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for the lighting on Monday, December 3, starting at 6:30 pm, emceed by this humble columnist.
As you may have read in our last column, Donna Sachet’s Songs of the Season, which officially ended with its 25th edition last year, returns in a new form Monday–Wednesday, November 26–28, 8 pm, at Feinstein’s at the Nikko Hotel. For all those years, a dedicated team of volunteers, loyal audiences and sponsors, and talented performers put so much into this annual fundraiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund, but the energy of the core group had waned and as the creator, we decided to end it after 25 years, opening the way for others to produce their own holiday shows. But, much like the enthusiastic audiences for Cher’s tours, often announced as final, the public appetite for this established and entertaining annual event did not disappear. Brian Kent, successful producer of so many different parties, approached us about taking over the complex production aspects, respecting the cherished traditions while infusing new energy, performers and entertaining elements; we couldn’t resist the opportunity to collaborate. And so, Songs of the Season evolves this year and we invite you to attend and/or sponsor this heart-warming cabaret show. We’ll be making an appearance, singing some of our favorite holiday songs, but Brian brings a fresh perspective and extensive contacts in the music business to this fundraiser for PRC, now merged with AIDS Emergency Fund and Baker Place. Announced performers include Frenchie Davis, David Hernandez and Effie Passero, all American Idol contestants, and local favorites Leanne Borghesi, Dan O’Leary, Kenny Nelson, Kippy Marks, the Lollipop Guild of the SF Gay Men’s Chorus, and Brian Kent himself! We hope you’ll join us as Donna Sachet’s Songs of the Season hosted by Brian Kent ushers in the 2018 holiday season!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Every Sunday
Sunday’s a Drag
10:30 am Brunch, 11:30 am Show
The Starlight Room
Sir Francis Drake Hotel
$75 inclusive
https://starlightroomsf.com/sundays-a-drag
Thursday, November 15
Evening of Hope: Building a Future Within Reach
6–9 pm
Gallery 308, Fort Mason Center
$175
https://projectinform.org
Friday, November 16
Winter Onesie Party
9 pm–2 am
Lookout, 3600 Market Street
$5 suggested
https://www.facebook.com/events/321953925272509/?active_tab=about
Saturday, November 17
50 Years of Fabulous – Marlena’s Reunion
6–9:30 pm
432 Octavia Boulevard
$10–20
https://www.facebook.com/events/335573340565479/
Wednesday, November 21
4th Annual Empress’ Bake Sale
6–8 pm
Lookout
Free
Monday–Wednesday, November 26–28
Donna Sachet’s Songs of the Season
Hosted by Brian Kent
8 pm
Feinstein’s at the Nikko
$60–$100
https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1782371-songs-season-san-francisco/
Monday, November 26
Castro Holiday Tree Lighting
Emceed by Donna Sachet with Santa Claus & elves
6 pm
Bank of America on Castro
Free
https://www.facebook.com/events/1978191539140473/
Friday, November 30
Tenderloin Tessie Christmas Cabaret Spectacular
7 pm
First Congregational Church of SF, 1300 Polk Street
$25
https://www.facebook.com/events/529987974102191/
Saturday, December 1
Fauxgirls Final Show!
8 pm
Encore Karaoke Lounge, 1550 California Street
Free
https://www.facebook.com/events/255452441809392/
Monday, December 3
World Tree of Hope Tree Lighting
6:30–8:30 pm
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street
Free
https://www.facebook.com/events/747259702274651/
Monday, December 10
Help is on the Way for the Holidays XVII
7:30 pm
Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street
$60 & up
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/help-is-on-the-way-for-the-holidays-xvii-tickets-49458383356
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