By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “Every year I question why do we make such a big deal over VALENTINE’S DAY? A day named after Saint Valentine, a 15th century martyr, who on February 14th was beaten to a pulp with clubs, then stoned, finally beheaded, and unceremoniously buried. How romantic?! Puhleeeze!”
On January 28, the EDUCATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION (ETF) virtual gala THEATRE ALIVE: A CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL THEATRE was livestreamed on iHeartRadio Broadway. The show opened with a rousing “This Is Me” (which I think should be our national gay anthem). We watched being honored award-winning director, producer, and actor Kenny Leon with its second annual Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award and The Shubert Organization with the foundation’s annual Standing Ovation Award. They joined an exciting lineup of performers that included Tina Fey, Wayne Brady, LaTanya Richardson, Samuel L. Jackson, Chasten Buttigieg, along with hilarious hosts Nia Vardalos and John Stamos. We were treated to showcase singing by Jennifer Hudson (“I Know Where I’ve Been” from Hairspray); Audra McDonald (“Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music);and Amber Riley (“Home” from The Wiz)—alongside performances by current high school students. The event was co-chaired by Broadway and television producer Robert Greenblatt and film and television producer Neil Meron. The incredibly inspiring program supported two critical ETF programs: the new PATHWAY program to address racial disparity in theatre and THESPIAN RELIEF GRANTS TO SAVE SCHOOL THEATRE, which assist theatre programs financially struggling from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. BTW I was a proud member of Thespian Troupe #508 when I was a “drama fag” actor in high school. And as Wayne Brady of Thespian Troupe #4276 proclaimed, “Theater gave me life!”
Miss Gay San Francisco Linda Summers with TMIM Emperor William Bulkley and Empress Mimi Osa presented a virtual variety show, “GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT!” with Mr. Gay San Francisco Sage Sanchez Munro and Linda Summers co-hostingon February 7. It was a lovely afternoon of drag, music, and dance performances by some of our local artists/performers in the Bay Area. It was a fundraiser for LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES, a nonprofit organization that has helped hundreds of youth overcome homelessness.
Sister Dana sez, “Happy Lunar New Year! 2021 is a year of the Ox, starting from February 12th, 2021 (Chinese Lunar New Year Day), and lasting until January 31, 2022.”
Learn more about how Lunar New Year is observed around the world with the ASIAN ART MUSEUM CULTURAL CELEBRATION PACKET. For many, this is the most important day of the year. It’s a time for thinking about the past, honoring ancestors, and making preparations for a successful year to come. https://asianart.org/cultural-celebrations
Congratulations to Pete Buttigieg becoming the first out LGBTQ person to be nominated for a Cabinet position and confirmed by the Senate. Buttigieg was confirmed on February 2 as the Secretary of Transportation by a bipartisan vote of 86 to 13.
Sister Dana sez, “It’s outrageous! They’re at it again. After t-Rump lost, the GOP has launched over 100 bills in 28 states restricting voting rights!”
President Joe Biden will deliver his first public address before a joint session of the U.S. CONGRESS on February 23. While not technically a State of the Union address, it is commonly called such for a first-year president. We can expect Biden to detail every single way that Trump left this country in a mess.
AIDS/LIFECYCLE will present TOGETHERIDE: A Drag Show on February 12, 6 pm online. It will showcase the fiercest fashionistas in the TogetheRide community, special guest performances, and everything you need to know about drag. It will benefit SF AIDS FOUNDATION and LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER. https://www.togetheride.org/
RICHMOND/ERMET AID FUNDRAISING (REAF) is known for producing outstanding live entertainment events and now, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re creating some wonderful virtual concerts utilizing some of the best archival performance clips from their 25 years of live concerts. Their Valentine-themed ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: A Valentine Concert happens on Saturday, February 13, 7 pm, live-streamed on YouTube Live. This special concert will raise funds for REAF’s Small Emergency Grants Program to support members of the theater community impacted by the pandemic. This stellar show will feature stars from broadway, film, TV, and the music industry, including Susan Anton, Barbara Cook, Spencer Day, Sharon Gless, Leslie Jordan, Kimberley Locke, La Toya London, Carly Ozard, Bruce Vilanch, and many more. https://www.reaf-sf.org/
BLACK HISTORY MONTH is an opportunity to consider the specific challenges that arise when preserving Black LGBTQ places. One challenge is conducting thorough historical research to open “historical closets”—to uncover and identify the people and events that haven’t been talked about within an LGBTQ context. This also entails examining the broader networks of queer Black people, in order to reconstruct social worlds and find unexplored threads.
On February 19, Jeffrey “Free” Harris will join Shayne Watson in a program presented by the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY about LGBTQ historic preservation. Harris will discuss online some significant sites of Black queer history and how preservationists are correcting and updating the historical record. https://tinyurl.com/y5ga9vxt
During Black History Month, the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL honors Black lives lost to AIDS with a specially curated selection of 56 blocks of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The exhibition uses the beauty and power of the Quilt to bring to light stories of the countless men, women and children who have died, and the impact AIDS has had on Black Americans. Open free through March 31. https://www.aidsmemorial.org/
In the 40 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported, Black Americans and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by AIDS. By 1993, HIV was the leading cause of death for Black men between the ages 25–44 and by 2004, HIV became the leading cause of death for Black women in the same age group. In 2018, Black Americans made up 42% of the nearly 38,000 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S., with half of those living in southern states. The Quilt is a powerful tool to reach these communities through its stories of resilience, healing, hope and remembrance represented in each panel.
For more information regarding BLACK HISTORY MONTH: https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about/
Sister Dana sez, “ Wow! After four years of nothing but LIES coming out of the White House, President Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki promises she is COMMITTED to telling the TRUTH! So refreshing!”
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continues her America First Agenda by cosponsoring Rep. Jeff Duncan’s Old Glory Only Act (H.R. 85), which would ensure that only the American flag flies over U.S. embassies. The MODERN MILITARY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MMAA)—the nation’s largest LGBTQ military and veteran nonprofit organization—has condemned Congresswoman Greene’s speech on “hate American flags,” including the PRIDE flag. “Congresswoman Greene’s statement told over ten million LGBTQ Americans that their existence and their symbol, the Pride flag, of diversity and unity is divisive, hateful, and unwelcome,” said MMAA Executive Director, Air Force veteran Jennifer Dane. “America’s history has long been written by diverse voices and differing experiences, including those who are LGBTQ. Comparing LGBTQ Americans to a hate group that wants to bring mass destruction and erase history is extremely problematic. Congresswoman Greene must be held accountable for her unethical statement.”
Sister Dana sez, “Let’s all start calling her ‘Marjie Q Greene’ because of her dangerous QAnon conspiracies!”
And if you despise Marjie Q, check out Randy Rainbow‘s sterling Streisand song parody to “Evergreen.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ8ldD9wKmY&feature=emb_
STREAM ALLY presents WORLD’S FIRST DRAG QUEEN GAME SHOW every Wednesday, 5 pm. Hosted by Nicole Halliwell, two new queens compete every week. https://captionthat.streamally.live/
Sister Dana sez, “Let’s not get TOO bipartisan in Congress over the budget, remembering that the Trumpy Repugnicans spent three trillion dollars in debt and did not pass over 350 proposed bills.”
Longtime HARVEY MILK CLUB member and my friend Terrrie Frye passed away at age 74 at a Washington Hospital in Fremont. Granny Gear, as Terrrie was known by many of us, had deep roots in the Milk Club and did not tolerate bull crap easily throughout her decades of progressive activism—particularly on AIDS and cannabis rights related issues.
Lisa Geduldig‘s next installment of the monthly (every 3rd Thursday of the month) “LOCKDOWN COMEDY” show is on Zoom, February 18, 6 pm. The February show will feature Jackie Hoffman (NY), Elvira Kurt (Toronto), Bernadette Luckett (SF), Lisa Geduldig and Arline Geduldig (Lisa’s mother – Florida). It’s great fun to Zoom in and hear yourself and others laughing out loud!
SOUTH BAY MUSICAL THEATRE will present South Bay Cabaret: Classic vs. Contemporary Show Tunes virtually on Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 pm. Each singer will perform one classic show tune and one contemporary show tune, in a cabaret that should please all. This will give a chance to contrast the changes in culture in musical theater from yesteryear vs. today. https://www.southbaymt.com/join-us/estudio/
San Francisco’s 42ND STREET MOON will hold a virtual 2021 Gala, YOU CAN’T STOP THE BEAT, an evening of uplifting performances and optimism for the future of the arts. Streaming on Sunday, February 28, 6 pm, it will showcase the who’s who of Bay Area talent performing hit numbers from musical theatre favorites like Hairspray, Come From Away, Bye Bye Birdie, Hamilton, and so many more! https://app.mobilecause.com/e/SHD63w?vid=glhgx
Be truly inspired by “What Will We Hear,” SF GAY MEN’S CHORUS‘ virtual performance featuring Kristin Chenoweth and composed by Andrew Lippa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCJR1kFNoWo&feature=youtu.be
Sister Dana sez, “We need to do better in this vaccination process. EVERYBODY should get a shot! Vax to the max!”
Published on February 11, 2021
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