Sister Dana sez, “In case you have just crawled out from under a rock, let me announce with pride that Sunday is the biggest, queerest, bestest Pride Parade in the entire universe!!!”
SEX AND THE CITY LIVE! is here and queer and dragalicious! Now in its fifth year, the uproarious drag send-up of HBO’s beloved series Sex and the City is back at the Oasis, now through July 2, Thursday–Saturday at 7 pm, with special late-night shows at 9:30 every Thursday – at Oasis, 298 11th Street (on the corner of Folsom). These two new episodes, never before seen on the gay stage, feature four of San Francisco’s most fabulous drag stars: D’Arcy Drollinger (as sexy Samantha), Sue Casa (Carrie), Lady Bear (Miranda) and Steven LeMay (Charlotte) playing homage to Carrie and the gang, while Drag King extraordinaire Leigh Crow guest stars as Mr. Big. Also featuring Jordan Wheeler and Andy Alabran. Adapted and directed by D’Arcy Drollinger, this fantabulous show shows off D’Arcy’s extreme expertise in making this an even better version of the TV show—adding over-the-top directions, broad comedy for these broads, and perfectly placed pop tunes to enhance the ambiance. The play begins with a drag takeoff of the TV’s familiar opening–Carrie (Sue Casa) getting splashed by a passing bus with her photo and name on it, complete with the theme music. Followed by the traditional constant inner monologue by Carrie’s voiceovers. Episode One addresses “critical” issues: the ordeal of shopping for vibrators (er … I mean … neck massagers); trying to determine if your date is a gay straight man or a straight gay man; the newest annoying NYC rage of raw foods only at a restaurant; how much stuff can you leave at your boyfriend’s place without seeming too pushy; and the guide to talking dirty in bed. Episode Two is all about SM in the latest trendy NYC restaurant, as well as in a new relationship; shoe/foot fetishism; overtly public sex; and your lover leaving you for a year in Paris. And so much more, but why spoil the fun with spoilers?! Find out yourself at Sex and the City Live! Have a cosmopolitan and cheers, queers! sfoasis.com
THE LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO presented the 38TH ANNUAL PRIDE CONCERT at First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center. LGCSF’s special guests included the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, and small ensembles from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. I hate to be a downer, but not ALL of this PRIDE Concert evoked pride in me, so I will only review the highlights that I found enjoyable. GOLDEN GATE MEN’S CHORUS gave a riveting “Hosanna” using only the one word, “Hosanna,” over and over, punctuated by periodic loud stomping. Thrilling! And what a treat to hear Freddy Mercury’s “Somebody to Love” sung in brilliant a cappella! THE LOLLIPOP GUILD–in their festive red lollipop tee shirts–sang a Four Seasons medley along with lively choreography with: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Let’s Hang On.” Fabulous falsetto for days! VOCAL MINORITY–a dozen delightful singers–were certainly not slouches when it came to their choreography of a Chicago medley including classics such as “25 or 6 to 4,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?” HOMOPHONICS, a very gay a cappella group appropriately dressed in yellow raincoats, rain boots, and umbrellas for that disco darling, “It’s Raining Men.” Gay to the tenth power! SWAG (whom I like to call by their acronym, Singers With A Gift) were nine guys who got us clappin’ with “What Is Love” and Bruno Mars’ “Treasure.” And for the finale of the first act, all five of the groups assembled to sing A Boy Band Medley of NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” Boys II Men’s emotional “I’ll Make Love to You,” and NSync’s “I Want You Back.”
For the beginning of Act Two, OAKLAND-EAST BAY GAY MEN’S CHORUS conducted by Music Director William Sauerland gave us the Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreamin”. I especially enjoyed my dear friend Jack Curtis Dobowsky’s composition of “A Bachanalian Song,” a vivacious, bubbly, spirited drinking song whose jubilant music wanted me to jump up and toast the intricate notes of pure joy! Rob Thomas’s “Smooth,” was indeed a smmmoooth and sizzling song. But nothing could top Carly Simon’s award-winning victory anthem, “Let the River Run.” Bold and joyful! They should have stopped there, but instead we had to endure a ten-minute long depressive composition that will go unnamed. But THE LESBIAN/GAY CHORUS OF SAN FRANCISCO saved the day with a traditional spiritual, “Hold On,” encouraging us to, in fact, hold on. Sauerland “changed hats” to direct this chorus and explained the lovely “It’s You I Like” came from the children’s TV show, Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. “Time Is My Friend” was by actress/singer gay icon Julie Andrews, so of course that had to be sung at a pride concert. “One Person” by Jerry Herman was also appropriate in lyrically stating that one person can make a difference. Closing out the evening, the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus joined the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF to sing the brilliant Jack Curtis Dubowsky’s second exciting composition, “Was It the Wind?” to poet Ina Coolbrith’s words–calling up wind sounds with a gentle crescendo and piano, then watery sounds of a flowing brook, to the fortissimo of trees firmly rooted and the glorious sunset over Mount Tamalpais, bursting forth with “a sky bright with sudden stars.” A magnificent tone poem and superb music sweet to the ears!
CASTRO STREET ARTSAVESLIVES STUDIO AND GALLERY presented ARTISTS
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