By Donna Sachet–
Back in the good ole US of A, we are especially happy to embrace our increasingly rare and delightful moderate weather. Yes, San Francisco summer has arrived, but with it come our welcome fog bank, fresh breezes, and clear skies, quite the opposite of so many areas of the country, suffering record-breaking heat cycles and water shortages. Looking ahead to a very busy weekend, we’ll be merrily celebrating a number of occasions with comfort and joy.
On Wednesday, September 13, PRC opened the doors of its expansive headquarters on 9h Street for an open house and reception. It became a great opportunity for staff, volunteers, supporters, and clients to mingle, learn, and recommit to the important work of this organization. CEO Chuan Teng and Chief Development Officer Randi Paul led a short program, surprising Gary Virginia and this columnist with the unveiling of a tribute to us that will be hung in the main lobby of the building. We have long supported PRC and appreciate this honor and applaud the work of so many at PRC. Don’t miss PRC’s annual gala Mighty Real, coming up on November 9 at St. Joseph’s Arts Society!
Saturday’s Krewe de Kinque benefit at Midnight Sun benefited their Bal Masque Fund and King Mez and Queen Moxie gathered performers and other volunteers in a teasing prelude to Folsom Street Fair. A plethora of raffle prizes ensured that nearly every attendee went home with a prize, in addition to tasty Jello-shots. After a successful event, what could one do but follow a willing group of friends on a short bar-run, including 440 Castro, Twin Peaks, and Last Call. Tantalizing hints of activity at Q-Bar, Badlands, and the soon-to-be-renamed Harvey’s suggest a welcome burst of energy emerging in the Castro as the city recovers from so many challenges, and once again, our community leads the way!
And on Sunday, at the invitation of Stacy Marshall, President of the Emperor Norton Legacy League, we attended the official renaming ceremony of part of Commercial Street as Emperor Norton Place. In the heart of the Financial District, most recently highly publicized as one of the most abandoned and endangered neighborhoods in our city, members of the San Francisco Historical Society & Museum, the Order of E Clampus Vitus, the Emperor Norton Trust, and the Imperial Court of San Francisco joined Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin and well-known local characters dressed as Emperor Joshua Norton and Countess Lola Montez at the official unveiling of the new street sign. Adding wonderful revelry to the proceedings was the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. We smiled as a truck bearing three of the Doggie Diner heads pulled up and impersonators of the Brown Twins strolled by. Talk about an “only in San Francisco” moment!
Most significant for us, however, was the attendance by no fewer than seven of the Emperors of San Francisco, direct descendants of the honoree, all dressed elegantly and topped with the official laurel leaves representing their titles. Imagine the impact of Emperor XXXVI John Weber, Emperor XXXVIII Stephen Dorsey, Emperor XLIV Salvador Tovar, Emperor XLVII Terrill Grimes Munro, Emperor XLVIII William Bulkley, Emperor L Brent Daddy Munro, and the Reigning Emperor Michael Anthony Chua all gathered together to witness this timely recognition of their ancestor! For us, and we dare say, for many assembled, it was a very proud moment. Well done!
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
Friday, September 22
50 Years of Camp & Royalty
Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco
Cocktails, buffet dinner, speakers, DJ
California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive
6 pm
Sold out!
www.sfducal.org
Saturday, September 23
Grand Ducal Coronation XLIX
Step-Down of Grand Duke Gregg Starr & Grand Duchess Kelly Rose
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness
5 pm
$60
www.sfducal.org
Saturday, September 23
Brian Kent presents MAGNITUDE!
Official Saturday Night Dance Event of the Folsom Street Fair
Biggest, best dance event of the year!
DJs Morabito, Brady Prince, & Boomer Banks
SVN West, 10 Van Ness
10 pm–4 am
$100 & up
www.magnitudefolsom.com
Sunday, September 24
FOLSOM STREET FAIR XL
Biggest street fair in San Francisco
Community stages, booths, demos & revelry
Free! (donations encouraged)
www.folsomstreet.org
Wednesday, September 27
73rd Annual SFCDMA Gala Celebration: The Culture Capital
Hosted by Cream & Donna Sachet with music by Wobbly World
Green Room of War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness
5:30–9 pm
Sold out!
www.sfcdma.org
Friday, September 29
Divas & Drinks at The Academy
SF Bay Times presents monthly party
Honoring Linda Tillery & SF Pride volunteers
With Melanie DeMore, Shelley Doty, Barbara Higbie,
Sharon Washington & more
DJ Rockaway courtesy of Olivia Travel, Bacardí cocktails
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
$15
www.academy-sf.com
Saturday, September 30
51st annual Mr./Miss/Ms./Mx. Gay San Francisco Pageant
Hyatt Regency, 50 Third Street
6 pm
$25 & up
www.sfimperialcouncil.org
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on September 21, 2023
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