By Donna Sachet–
See Moulin Rouge, the touring Broadway production that has it all … dazzling lighting, eye-popping sets, flashy costumes, snippets of a host of pop songs, all delivering, and more confetti gun explosions than a New Year’s Eve celebration! What a great way to celebrate CoCo Butter’s birthday! Thanks to Sean Ray and Brett Baker of the Ambassador Theatre Group, our front row main loge seats thrust our group into the show for an unforgettable experience. Broadway in New York may be the home of such productions, but San Francisco offers us the full experience right here on Market Street. Playing through November. Don’t miss it!
Shanti’s recent Compassion Is Universal gala celebrated 48 years of delivering compassionate care. The evening began at the gorgeous Palace Hotel with a cocktail hour, providing long-separated friends the opportunity to catch up. We chatted with Sister Roma, Ken Gorczyca, Nguyen Pham, Manny Yekutiel, Jiim Provenzano, Michael Yamashita, and Dan Bernal, among others. Then the hypnotic percussion of Jiten Daiko led us to the main event in the plush ballroom, skillfully emceed by Kevin Joyce, starting with a song with humorous original lyrics, accompanied by the Joe Warner Trio, and moving the program along with finesse. San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin shared his poetic skills. Dr. Monica Ghandi received the James C. Hormel Community Spirit Award and spoke about her long commitment to fighting the AIDS pandemic, followed by a moving video highlighting the many programs of Shanti. Emcee Kevin Joyce then stepped up again, this time to conduct a brisk “fund-in-need” live auction. Within a few minutes, nearly $130,000 was raised from the generous crowd. After a personal videotaped message from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Thomas E. Horn, Honorary Consul of Monaco, President of the Board of Trustees of the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, Trustee of the San Francisco Ballet Association, and Executive Director of the Bob Ross Foundation,received the Nancy PelosiLifetime Achievement Award. We were seated at his table and able to enjoy conversation with our table-mate Dede Wilsey, finding much common ground with her legendary charitable giving, fondness for Kaushik Roy, former Executive Director of Shanti, and absolute obsession with her four dogs. (Yes, she asked to see a photo of our little puppy Peanut, and we happened to have one on hand.) Compassion Is Universal was an example of how to produce a signature annual event, while keeping your audience’s attention, recognizing key players, and raising significant money … truly one of the most professional galas in memory.
As we begin to emerge from this long pandemic and love seeing events large and small returning to the calendar, we are also deeply grieved by the recent deaths of María José Garza and Ken Hamai. Last Saturday, Gary Virginia, Krewe de Kinque, and other friends of Garza paid tribute to her life at Midnight Sun, raising money to help with final expenses. The event was full of the energy of Garza with performances, remembrances, some of her family members, flowers, and even a photo keepsake for all attendees. The untimely death of Ken Hamai has impacted so many friends, the Asian/Pacific Islander Community, the Imperial Court, and many other groups. Our deepest sympathies go out to his partner of many years, Jack Henyon.
As we were in Portland, Oregon, this weekend, we had the chance to catch up with friends of 10, 20, even 30 years, including Brian Benamati, Joan-E, Jack-E, Champagne, Mr. Bill, Buster Boxx, Scotty Boxx, Cicely, and so many others. It was a chance to reminisce but also to reconnect, as well as meet new people with common ground. In some way, we are shaped by the many people who come into our lives and we took the opportunity every time we could to acknowledge those individuals warmly. We are often reminded that loss is a part of life, but acknowledging that fact does not lessen the impact of the deaths of those within our circle. Whether they are close friends for many years, casual acquaintances, or merely familiar faces in the community, their loss leaves a painful gap. While reflecting on our fond memories with those friends, never let a day go by without making sure that those who live and continue to contribute to the richness of our lives know how much they are appreciated. Resolve now to send a text, compose a memorable email, or even pick up the phone. You’ll be glad you did.
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
Thursday, October 20
Spirit Day: Wear Purple
GLAAD highlights LGBTQ Youth
All day
Free!
https://www.glaad.org/
Thursday, October 20
Celebrating the Founding Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza
With Scott Wiener, Rafael Mandelman, & Cleve Jones
530 Bush Street
6 pm
By invitation
https://www.harveymilkplaza.org/
Friday, Oct, 21
LGBTQ Pride Night with Golden State Warriors
Chase Center
SF Freedom Band, CHEER SF, give-aways
7 pm
$70 & up
https://www.ticketmaster.com/
Thursday, Oct. 27
Divas & Drinks at The Academy
Bay Times party tribute to Jan Wahl
DJ Rockaway, Sister Roma, Frameline’s Nguyen Pham
Halloween costumes encouraged
6–10 pm
$10
https://www.academy-sf.com/
Monday, October 31
Tilly’s V.U.P. Party: It’s a Halloween Thing
With Cockatielia, Deana Dawn, Kippy Marks, Suppositori Spelling & more
Games, snacks, witches’ brew, tricks & treats
4076 18th Street
4–9 pm
Free … but please tip!
https://www.reveillecoffee.com/
Through November 12
Juanita: 30 Years of MORE!
Fashion & History Exhibit
SF Art Commission Main Gallery, War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness
Noon–5 pm
Free!
https://www.sfartscommission.org/
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on October 20, 2022
Recent Comments