By Donna Sachet–
Sacramento’s Imperial Coronation on Saturday, April 20, reminded us that many courts across the country are filling an important role in their communities as well as belonging to and contributing to the larger International Court System. We were in the excellent and inquisitive company of Imperial Crown Prince Brent Daddy Monro, battling traffic in order to arrive in a reasonable length of time. Brent has just embarked on a year with Imperial Crown Princess Electra Cute to support the Reigning Monarchs, Emperor Terrill Monro & Empress Baby Shaques Monro, and to continue the longstanding work of the Imperial Court. We arrived in plenty of time to pin up our crown and do last minute touch-ups before entering the main room. Courts from across the continent sent representatives, including 10 or so from the Imperial Court of San Francisco, and Queen Mother of the Americas Nicole Murray and King Father Terry Sidie welcomed everyone. Despite some drastic changes in the time-worn order of the evening, monarch anniversary productions and other entertainment was top notch and the stepping down Emperor Devon Musgrow & Empress Jena Un Dunt must have had a marvelous year based on their reception by the crowd. A four-number step-down performance kept friends tipping throughout. Watch for and support this year’s fundraising efforts by Reigning Emperor Ashton M. Principle all over Sacramento.
The stars truly aligned for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s 40th Anniversary and Easter in the Park! Weather warmed, throngs gathered and frivolity ensued! We shall report little detail here about the program of the day, since much is being written elsewhere and since we arrived after the conclusion of contests for Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary. A gorgeous blue sky framed a truly “only in San Francisco” gathering that included sisterly blessings, holiday competitions and languid basking in the sunlight. Needless to say, our visually stunning Easter bonnet was a hit and the Sisters’ triumphant return to Dolores Park was spectacular!
The Castro Business District opened a storefront office on Market across from Safeway. (Haven’t we talked for years about enlarging the footprint of the Castro?) Executive Director Andrea Aiello, outgoing President Dan Bergerac and incoming President Jamal Cool hosted a small reception last week and welcomed Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Tom Temprano, Steve Adams, Gareth Gooch and many others.
The success of Disco Coalition continued last Friday at Lookout, this time honoring Mark Bingham, hosted by Bay Area Fog Rugby, and benefiting OpenHouse. We coincidentally toasted our birthday there in the stimulating company of Suzan Revah, Rusty Best, Julian Marshburn, Troy Arnold & Ira Olney, Leandro Gonzales, Dan O’Leary & Jonathan Teel, Kevin Lisle and CoCo Butter. Don’t forget that the money raised for a different charity each week at this event from bar proceeds 5–8 pm is generously matched by Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ 13th annual Crescendo presented by Wells Fargo last Saturday night at The Fairmont Hotel will long be remembered as a celebration, a recommitment and a rollicking good time! The evening started with a VIP cocktail reception that morphed into the general reception and extensive silent auction and chance to socialize with California State Senator Scott Wiener, Deb Stallings & Sharna Fey, Dan Jorenstaad & Bob Hermann, Rebecca Rolfe, Dave Earl, Okan Sengun & Cip Cipriano, Natalie Ray, and Gala Co-Chairs Cammy Blackstone and Kenyon DeVault. Once inside the formal ballroom, we were treated to a program which, although it seemed overly long at times, was stuffed with inspirational moments, bittersweet remembrances and elevating performances. Both Musical Director Tim Seelig and Executive Director Chris Verdugo shared their vision for this 40-year old organization, while reflecting on a year of incredible advances, including Gay Chorus Deep South, a film documentary chronicling the Lavender Pen Tour to Southern States, the acquisition and transformation of their own building, and It Gets Better and Rhythm outreach programs. Zendesk and its CEO Mikkel Svane received the Corporate Champion Award from local drag sensation and activist Honey Mahogany, and Mayor London Breed brought greetings from City Hall. Famed Olympic skater Brian Boitano presented the Trailblazer Award to recent sensation Adam Rippon and composers/musicians Steven Schwartz and Andrew Lippa introduced Vanguard Award winner Kristin Chenoweth. This was a program where no one left early; who would, when Chenoweth was about to appear before the crowd? After she won over the house with her soft delivery and refreshing candor and beautifully sang three songs accompanied by Schwartz himself on piano, most thought the program had come to a suitable end. We were coincidentally seated at the same table as a charming couple and their lovely daughter who told us she would be singing with Chenoweth. Lucy Swinson had been selected from Bay Area arts high schools for an opportunity of a lifetime. Without even meeting each other first, Swinson and Chenoweth approached the stage and the introductory notes of “Changed for Good” from Wicked filled the room. Their playful repartee, comfortable affection and superb singing brought the audience to its feet and brought Crescendo to a rousing finish. Only local favorite DJ and now international super-star Phil B. could keep the crowd dancing until the wee hours.
Don’t miss the final concert series of the SFGMC’s 40th year when Queens pays homage to the art and power of drag through the decades with crowd-pleasing music and special celebrity appearances at the Sidney Goldstein Theater, June 21 & 22.
This weekend, San Francisco will have to keep twirling without us, while we attend Pacific Pride Foundation’s Royal Ball in Santa Barbara. This annual fundraiser supports all kinds of LGBTQ programs there and we can’t wait to share the weekend with friends. And yes, Peanut plans to travel with us!
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!
The Starlight Room
Sir Francis Drake Hotel
10:30 am Brunch, 11:30 am Show
$75 inclusive
https://starlightroomsf.com/sundays-a-drag
Wednesday, May 8
Dustin Lance Black
Commonwealth Club
609 Sutter Street
6:30 pm
Coming of Age in Red & Blue America
$25 & up
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/
Saturday, May 11
EQCA Gala
Fairmont Hotel
950 Tony Bennett Way
5:30 pm
Honorees Scott Wiener, John Rahaim, and Rita Moreno
$600 & up
https://www.eqca.org/equality-awards/san-francisco-2019-2/
Wednesday, May 15
PRC Grand Opening
170 Ninth Street
5 pm
With Mayor London Breed
FREE!
https://prcsf.org/
Saturday, May 18
Spotlight on Broadway!
SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
Hosted by Donna Sachet
8 pm
Sir Francis Drake Hotel
450 Powell Street
$65 & up
https://sflgfb.townalive.com/
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