By Donna Sachet–
Mid-July was a time of celebration! We started on Saturday, July 15, at Midnight Sun at Krewe de Kinque’s monthly fundraiser, this time with a Moulin Rouge theme and raising money for AIDS Walk San Francisco. King XX Mez and Queen XX Moxie paid tribute to the historic film and iconic Parisian club with decorations, Jello shots, and raffle prizes, while also celebrating the birthdays of Mark Paladini and Diva D. Online as well as in person generosity yielded $1000 for AIDS Walk SF and a good time was had by all.
A smaller group of us then adjourned to Beaux for a festive retirement party for well-known and much beloved Michael Daniels aka Papasan. Gary Virginia added to the private bar service with hors d’oeuvres as many of Michael’s well-wishers came by to celebrate. The highlight of the evening was a rare performance, requested by Michael, we are told, from Khmera Rouge. We wish Michael a happy new chapter of his life in retirement, but hope we continue to see him among our community.
The following day we spent a few hours at Daytime Realness at El Rio, where friends of Suzan Revah gathered to celebrate her birthday. The music was great, the weather ideal, and the vibes incredible. We are sure Suzan felt the love!
That evening was Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation’s annual Help Is on the Way, this time raising money for Project Open Hand and the REAF’s own Small Emergency Grant program. The Marines’ Memorial Theatre again welcomed the event, providing a perfect showcase for the staged show and a bustling lobby space for pre-show and intermission mingling and silent auction.
Having attended every one of these annual Help Is on the Way shows, we can assure you that Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler provide their audience with a wonderful evening of outstanding vocal talent, star power, and welcome laughter. Highlights this year included local favorite Leanne Borghesi performing with her frequent musical partner Marta Sanders, capturing the audience with bawdy lyrics, playful staging, and first-rate vocals, Broadway veterans David Burnham and Lisa Vroman singing passionately, masterfully, and beautifully, and Debby Holiday, fresh from an extensive tour tribute to Tina Turner, giving a dazzling performance in her honor. Members of the touring cast of Les Misérables added immeasurably with large ensemble numbers, as well as singing in smaller groupings. The child actors were an undoubted hit. Most moving were two memorial tributes to frequent past participants in Help Is on the Way, Leslie Jordan and Carole Cook, both of whom we were fortunate to get to know over the years. Their dedication to fundraising and specifically REAF was remarkable and greatly appreciated. Del Shores of Sordid Lives fame, among many other credits, was on hand to assist with a short and lively auction after intermission.
After the performance, the cast and VIP audience members adjourned to the Beacon Grand Hotel, formerly the Sir Francis Drake, for a spirited party with food, drink, and photos galore. We are always amazed at the generosity of the cast, after a demanding event, to spend time meeting with fans and receiving their praise. We chatted with Sophie Azouaou, Doug Waggener, Dennis White & Lawrence Wu, Ken Ferraris & Matt McClelland, Lynn Luckow, Beth Schnitzer, and so many others. Whenever you see an upcoming REAF event, get your tickets and go!
The SF Gay Men’s Chorus once again proved to be the perfect choral ensemble to deliver gorgeous music, unrivaled humor, and community spirit at Davies Symphony Hall last Wednesday with Hello, Yellow Brick Road. The first half of the concert paired the 300-strong chorus with the San Francisco Symphony, providing lush arrangements of favorites from The Wiz, The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, and Sir Elton John standards. The second half featured several of the small ensembles of the chorus, strong solo performances, and the choreographic antics for which they are so well known. Longtime choreographer Steve Valdez received heartfelt recognition for his decades of talented assistance, much to the delight of the chorus on stage and the audience in the house. Artistic Director Jake Stensberg seems to have reached a great comfort level with this historic group, bringing fresh exchanges and buoyant energy. Half the fun was reuniting with fellow attendees during intermission, including Betty Sullivan, Michelle Jester, Paul Franz, Cicero Braganca, Jim Oerther, and former Artistic Director Tim Seelig.
We ended the week with Patrick Rylee, Producer of Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi, at the incredible new event space at One Sansome for San Francisco Magazine’s Best of the Bay party. Planners made the most of the historic architectural elements while adding sweeping modern touches, offering a variety of areas for multiple events. Everyone, from event organizers and small business owners to entertainers and San Francisco stalwarts, was there and a lively raffle for several prizes benefited the local creativity of Illuminate, represented by Ben Davis. His recent installations at Coit Tower, Sutro Tower, and Market Street are part of the Summer of Awe, and we love how they lift our spirits and renew our optimism. Joining our group were Sara Beckstead, Janet Lee, and Allison Van de Berghe of New Deal Hospitality, the team that has been promoting our Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi. Performances start Sunday, August 6, for the four Sundays of August only! What a wonderful opportunity to take a show that delighted audiences for nearly 15 years at The Starlight Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel to North Beach and the iconic home of Beach Blanket Babylon for so many years! We hope to make Harry Denton and Michael Pagan proud. Don’t miss it!
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, July 28
Divas & Drinks at The Academy
Monthly party produced by the Bay Times & The Academy
Emceed by Donna Sachet
DJ presented by Olivia Travel
Bacardí cocktails, Extreme Pizza
Name That Tune game
The Academy, 2166 Market Street
6–10 pm
$15
https://tinyurl.com/y6cksukz
Saturday, July 29
Judy vs Liza Fundraiser
Cavalcade of performers, including Connie Champagne
Hosted by Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
DJ Jimmy Strano
Beaux, 2344 Market Street
5–8 pm
Sunday, July 30
Dore Alley Street Fair
11 am–6 pm
Free!
https://www.folsomstreet.org/
Sundays, August 6, 13, 20 & 27
Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi
Classic San Francisco Drag
Italian brunch by Tony Gemignani of Tony’s Pizza
With Donna Sachet, Holotta Tymes, Mercedez Munro & more
Club Fugazi, 678 Green Street
11 am doors, Noon show
$75
www.sundaysadrag.com
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on July 27, 2023
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