A celebration of the birthdays of “Betty’s List” founder and San Francisco Bay Times Co-Publisher/Editor Dr. Betty Sullivan and columnist, philanthropist, and renowned entertainer Donna Sachet took place on April 28, 2022, at The Academy SF in the Castro. The event was produced by Co-Publisher/Editor Jennifer Viegas in conjunction with The Academy’s Nate Bourg.
Escorted via a motorcade through the Castro neighborhood by leaders of Dykes on Bikes®, Betty and Donna arrived in a bright blue Mustang GT convertible to a welcome by CHEER SF and a cluster of photographers and videographers. Special thanks to Dykes on Bikes President Kate Brown, Laura Martell, and Marla Foreman for their help in transporting the guests of honor in true Castro style. (Check out the SF Bay Times Facebook page for footage of Betty and Donna’s arrival.)
Balloons by Sparky decorated The Academy’s outdoor garden patio where serenades were presented by an ensemble of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, conducted by Artistic Director and Bay Times columnist Dr. Tim Seelig, and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band (SFLGFB) directed by Drum Major Mike Wong. SFLGFB president Julie Williamson spoke on behalf of the band and was accompanied by surprise guest Heidi Beeler, a band member and PR maven who currently lives in Canada.
The event’s Co-Emcees were Carolyn Wysinger, SF Pride President, and Gary Virginia, SF Pride Former President. They skillfully led the program throughout the evening with entertaining banter.
Mayor London Breed was the featured speaker along with ABC7 News anchor Dan Ashley. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, along with Mayor Breed, presented commendations to Betty and Donna, with the Mayor joking that hers were larger than that of the Supervisor, who is a former Bay Times columnist.
Bay Times volunteer coordinator Juan Davila curated a copy of the San Francisco Bay Times Pride 2019 issue, featuring Mayor Breed on the cover, and it was presented to her. He, along with volunteers, raised funds for the Rainbow Honor Walk.
The evening culminated with the Divas & Drinks Name That Tune contest with iHeartRadio’s DJ Christie James, presented by Olivia Travel. Competing teams included the returning champions, Team GGBA led by Captain Krystal Drwencke and teammates Jay Greene and Garret Groenveld of Guaranteed Rate completed against Team Women’s March SF led by captain Sophia Andary and teammates Kudrat Dutta Chaundhar and Selam Tekle Asmerom. Team GGBA prevailed and will return to complete once again at the next event. Team Women’s March will hopefully return in a few months, so stay tuned! Guests received goodie bags and a keepsake sandstone drink coaster commemorating the memorable evening. It was crafted by Audry deLucia and Fran Herman of ellaprint.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the next Divas & Drinks @ The Academy on Thursday, May 26!
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