She is luscious, beautiful, charismatic, talented and inspiring to so many. Yes, I’m speaking of the one and only bombshell, Miss Beth Bicoastal. I met Miss Beth several years ago and she amazed me with her on stage presence. Not only does she sing and play musical instruments, but she also does a tremendous amount of good within our community. Miss Beth is truly a Gem of the Bay.
Kippy Marks: Please tell us about your work and achievements.
Miss Beth Bicoastal: By day, I am an MFT that does social work for a local non-profit advocating for homeless and low income clients. I have my MA in Expressive Arts therapy and am an adjunct faculty professor at CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies). I received my undergrad degree in Psychology from Rutgers University in New Jersey, with a minor in creative writing. I made Dean’s list at Rutgers, and founded the Rutgers Electronic Music Club while I was a student there. At CIIS I learned to blend the medical model of RU psychology with eastern traditions of holistic and creative healing into an urban and modern collaborative approach to mental health treatment. I enjoy life coaching, client advocacy, resource linkage, and creative exploration for groups and individual clients.
By night, I work at the SF Eagle as a booking and promo agent part time. I also perform and MC for various community events and assist in planning charitable events through many different fundraising efforts. I am a singer, comedianne, and burlesque performer- often a combination of all 3. I was first runner up for Ms. SF Leather in 2013, and in 2011 I started a loving leather family we call the Haus of Starfish. We were top fundraisers for the annual Mama’s Family Leather Walk in 2012 and 2013. I host a monthly sexy open-mic event at Powerhouse every 3rd Saturday we call “Haus of Starfish Presents: Kink Salon,” that raises money for the AIDS Emergency Fund and the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
Kippy Marks: How does your work represent or otherwise connect with the LGBT community?
Miss Beth Bicoastal: Essentially all of my performances and events are fundraisers for local LGBT-related charities and non-profits. Also, most of my work at SF Eagle is linking community organizations to the venue, and promoting their events in order to support the fundraising efforts of our many deserving causes. I have also used my performance and event planning skills to work with various community organizations in San Francisco, such as the Ducal Court. I had the title of “Prince Royale” in 2011, and am known as “Mama’s Miss Beth” to the large international organization called “Mama’s Family.” I throw toy drives for the holidays and do on-going fundraisers for the annual Leatherwalk.
Kippy Marks: How did you get started in your career, and who were some of the people that inspired and/or mentored you?
Miss Beth Bicoastal: I was a singer and dancer from a very young age, and was instantly attracted to the stage, Broadway and all things theater. I was fortunate enough to grow up on the Jersey Shore and had easy access to on-going performance arts and theatrical opportunities. I was raised Roman Catholic and first started singing in church choir and cantoring. I also participated in school choir, band, and drama programs. I played trumpet for 10 years and was in marching band in High School. I was also band president and section leader in my senior year. I was also in a ska/punk band in my “free time” with friends and we played shows at venues throughout NJ/NY/PA during my high school years. I learned how to play piano and the basics of improv through this experience as well as (through) my jazz trumpet mentor/teacher Buddy Pastor. My voice teacher in high school, Mr. Ricotta, and my band director Tony Tafrow were great at pushing me to my potential and keeping me on my toes practicing daily and learning important good habits for technique training. In the end of college, I began experimenting with electronic music production and utilizing analog and digital equipment. In 2005, when I moved to SF, I began a project called Bicoastal Disorder that I still work with today, releasing tracks online that I produce with a friend back in NJ.
Bay Times: What are your career goals for the future?
Miss Beth Bicoastal: My dream is to run a creative center for LGBT youth and adults that will give access to arts resources and instruction to those unable to afford materials or private lessons. I hope to have this space available as a performance space and counseling center for those in need of alternative healing as well. I want to use this center as data collection for studies and books to support the arts and counseling in order to improve our current social formal support system. Also, I am currently writing poetry and stories from my life experiences in order to release books in the future that can encourage young people to be outrageous, honest, and fabulous! I hope to continue teaching and performing, and I am always looking for new creative projects to participate in our LGBT community.
You can find me on Facebook at facebook.com/bethbicoastal and www.facebook.com/missbethsf. Some of my music can be found at: www.soundcloud.com/missbethsf
Violinist Kippy Marks entertains audiences worldwide with his inspirational compositions and lively performances that draw from classical, jazz, blues and dance. www.kippy marks.us
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