By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “And the Oscar for the Best Actor in a Presidential Farce or Musical Major Mess-up Movie goes to Donald Jackass T-rump. Accepting the award is the man behind it all, Vladimir Putin.”
KREWE DE KINQUE, San Francisco’s Mardi Gras-themed social and charitable organization, presented our BAL MASQUE XIV benefiting HOMOBILES. The theme was “14 KARAT GOLD,” because it was our 14th annual Mardi Gras masked ball fundraiser. Homobiles is a CA 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to providing secure and reliable transit to the SF Bay Area LGBTIQQ community and its allies. Fares are by donation, and riders are not turned away by lack of funds. Partygoers experienced the true spirit of Mardi Gras at the spectacular Castro nightclub, The Café. There were wild costumes, outrageous performances, regal Kings & Queens, & sexy shenanigans by the West Coast’s authentic krewe! There was a VIP Host Party with Southern buffet, and colorful beads (distributed by Queen VII Sister Dana – Official Bead Beyotch). The festivities were hosted by KDK King XIII Sergio Fedasz & KDK Queen XIII China Silk (at their sensational stepping-down ceremony), featuring DJ Prince Wolf, a second line parade led by Celebrity Grand Marshal Juanita MORE!, and a costumed tableaux show—all culminating with the crowning of KDK King Barry & KDK Queen Lady Kuki.
The show featured Mistress of Ceremonies KDK Queen Donna Sachet with dancers Jim Collins, Maggie Mae & Paul Williams; National Anthem on trumpet by KDK Member Aaron Priskorn; and live numbers by a talented bunch: Empress XLI Galilea, King X Kippy Marks, Ethel Merman, Queen II Deana Dawn & King IX Tony Leo, King II Mark Paladini, King XII John Weber, Queen VIII Garza, Emperor XLII JP Soto, Miz Eva Sensitiva, Kirsten Swanson, Grand Duke Peter Griggs, Empress XL Tiger Lily, and Miss Gay SF 2006 Patrice. For the finale, we paid tribute to our Saints Above KDK Members with “Love Is in the Air.” We truly “Let the Good Times Roll,” as is the official slogan of Mardi Gras everywhere.
ARTSAVESLIVES threw yet another fun monthly reception/party at the studio gallery of Thomasina DeMaio at 518 Castro Street. On display then, and continuing all month long, are the creative art pieces by Jane Windsor, Fletcher Oakes (photography of well-known drag queens and kings), Michael Staley (with a life-size guitar made of glass and beads), Michael Lownie (miniature wall sculptures with my faves featuring Trump being ridiculed and tortured), Robert Beamer, Basul Parik, Corky Engel, Kim McLaughlin (with a “21-Gun Salute” of plaster phalluses), Patrick Parnell, Jim Housely, Liam Peters, Dominic Martello, Joel Hoyer (sculptures and gold leaf), Jack Stelnicki (I really loved his “Cock-a-Doodle Doo” rooster, since this is the Chinese Year of the Rooser), Ed Schnaars, Tammy Bickel, Precious aka Alex, V, Peter Dolittle, and DeMaio’s classic “Facade,” the beast in all of us—depicting a scary furry creature casually slipping on a human woman skin suit over its beastie hoofed self. The fun also included talented live performances on stage emceed by the very clever Kristine Wilson. Alas, the show was forced to go unamplified because of (what I would deem) unreasonable requests from (whom I would call) overly fussy neighbors for quiet time after 8 pm. Even though the official noise restrictions in the City go up until 10 pm. It seems to me if you live in the heart of the Castro, you can expect noise until at least midnight. But that’s just this one nun’s opinion.
Coming soon at ARTSAVESLIVES studio and gallery is the appearance of Gilbert Baker, universally known as the creator of the iconic RAINBOW FLAG—who will unveil his latest queer creation, adding a lavender stripe to the other existing six to include transgender people and others who don’t necessarily identify as LGB. You heard it from this nun’s mouth. This is absolutely epic!
GOLDEN GATE GAYME (3G) Night for February was held again by Mr. Golden Gate William Bulkley & Miss Golden Gate Mimi Osa at Lookout bar with a lively crowd. The vision of this reoccurring event is to use queer people’s titles (emperor, empress, duke, duchess, Mr. or Ms Gay, or others) as the Golden Gates to “bridge” the community by extending invitations out to other groups/organizations to join the festive 3G Night as a social mixer to get to meet and learn more about each other in a (mostly) relaxed and casual setting (some of the games can get a little wild). 3G is usually every 3rd Wednesday of each month. The February 15th night featured the gang at KREWE DE KINQUE, and so many titled folks too numerous (and humorous) to mention. Sister Dana had the honor of facilitating the notorious “Cards Against Humanity” game. If you don’t know what that is—go Google it!
SISTER DANA SEZ, “THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS, AS T-RUMP MIGHT SAY, BECAUSE THESE EVENTS REALLY AND TRULY ARE COMING UP!”
Now in its tenth year, “GENERATIONS – BLACK LGBTIQQ HISTORY EXPERIENCES” is an ever-growing multi-media celebration of African-American history and culture to mark BLACK HISTORY MONTH. This year’s event will be held at SOMArts (934 Brannan Street in San Francisco) on Friday, February 24, 6–9 pm. “Generations” began with members of BLACK BROTHERS ESTEEM’s drop-in group as a Black History workshop submitting presentations honoring their favorite African-American historical figures. BBE later partnered with the GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, who provided historical information and loaned BBE items from their collection to mark the event. Food has been generously donated by Rainbow Grocery and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH). DPH will also be on site to offer free HIV/STI testing for all male attendees. sfaf.org
Their Most Imperial Majesties Emperor Salvador Tovar and Empress Emma Peel announce San Francisco’s 52nd Imperial Coronation, “IMPERIAL BEAUX ARTS BALL: A REGAL BLACK AND WHITE COSTUMED AFFAIR” on February 25 at San Francisco Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street. Doors 5 pm, Coronation promptly at 6 pm. facebook.com/events/1160851660701389
“FLIM FLAM” is the hilarious tale of three desperate actors taking to the road in search of roles. Along the way, they encounter highway hooligans, porno shoots, offended PC youths, and all the crazies of America. “All the world’s a stage” and it’s an actor’s nightmare in this comedy about America “trying to be great again.” (Trump fans will not be seated. Heeheehee). Flim Flam starts February 24 to March 1, 8 pm at Eureka Theater, 215 Jackson Street. Presented by THEATRE RHINOCEROS productions. therhino.org
Get ready for an amazing night at the 37th annual ACADEMY OF FRIENDS‘ OSCAR NIGHT GALA AND VIEWING PARTY benefiting San Francisco Bay Area HIV/AIDS organizations! It’s on February 26, 5 pm–11:30 pm at The Midway, 900 Marin Street, San Francisco. In typical Academy of Friends’ fashion, everyone at the “SHANGHAI NIGHTS” gala will enjoy delicious food provided by the Bay Area’s finest restaurants and caterers, wine, and champagne by amazing vintners along with a fun way to watch the 2017 Oscars. 100% of ticket sales will be distributed to the six HIV/AIDS services beneficiaries following the gala. academyoffriends.org
Celebrate FAT TUESDAY (Mardi Gras 2017) with SF’s KREWE DE KINQUE! This annual bar crawl aboard the KDK Party Bus is always a night to remember with elaborate costumes, masks, beads, hurricanes on the bus, yummy snacks, Jell-O shots, authentic music, and fun bar stops with photo taking and other N’Awlins fun. (BYOB is allowable; no host at visiting bars.) We’re keeping our price the same as from our first crawl in 2004—just $20. RSVP REQUIRED. Crawl schedule to be announced. Queen II Deana Dawn will keep us on track, and our new King Barry & Queen Lady Cuki will lead the Second Line parade entrances to each bar. Noisemakers, umbrellas, bling & boas encouraged! This year’s beneficiary for the bus crawl is HOMOBILES. 21 and over. The party bus has upholstered seats, overhead storage, music, and restroom. We meet at Lookout on February 28 and ride on from there at 7 pm. Laissez les bons temps rouler! facebook.com/groups/202756774136
Come and celebrate STRUT‘s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! They opened their doors one year ago, and it has been a wonderful first year. They are very proud of their accomplishments and invite the community to come and share in the celebration. Join them for appetizers, wine and cake. There will be a special program and entertainment. The celebration is March 6, 6:30–8:30 pm. Strut is at 470 Castro Street. strutsf.org
Sister Dana sez, “T-rump plans to completely eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The administration wants to shrink federal government spending by eliminating ‘waste.’ Not only are art, culture, and creativity vital to a thriving society, but funding for NEA and NEH is a very tiny portion of the federal budget! RESIST!”
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