By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Attorney General Barr is both a total sycophant to His MAGAsty Donald Trump, but also an utter em-BARR-ASS-ment to the Department of Justice!”
MAITRI Board Chair Mike Niemeyer announces the welcome of Rusty Smith as their new Executive Director. Michael Smithwick retires—after years of service to Maitri—to go down South to Palm Springs, where so many of the queer elders seem to migrate.
RIZE UP:STOP ICE was a demonstration held on July 12 at ICE HQ, 630 Sansome Street, responding to the call from the T-rump administration for a weekend of action raiding immigrants—not for safety but for political purposes. We demanded that the camps be closed, the families be reunited, and immigrants be left alone! San Francisco is one of the bigger targets among many metropolitan cities that have openly declared themselves as sanctuary cities. My favorite among placards: “No human being is illegal!” “The Trump administration’s immigration policies and detention camps meet the United Nations’ definition of genocide and crimes against humanity,” said Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, lawyer, activist and organizer. “Congress is refusing to stop the president and his policies. We cannot allow these atrocities to be perpetrated in our name.”
Then on July 15 (the day after Bastille Day), protesters in San Francisco at the Amazon office, 525 Market Street, and across the country, demanded Amazon cut ties with ICE. There was a protest and delivery of petitions with 270,000 signatures calling on Amazon to cut ties with ICE, as part of actions in 9 cities across the country for Prime Day, Amazon’s high profile and busiest shopping day. Demonstrators pointed out that Amazon has directly helped to fuel related problems, and threatens to exacerbate them with continued marketing of its facial recognition software to ICE officials. San Francisco is on the forefront of pushing back on new invasive surveillance technology, with Supervisor Aaron Peskin recently helping to ban the city’s use of facial recognition technology.
Sister Dana sez, “This is the 50th anniversary of the incredible Moon Landing and safe return to Earth. These were heroes who made a difference; whereas the T-rump admin’s Space Force is just a ridiculous joke!”
PEACHES CHRIST PRODUCTIONS kicked off the second half of 2019 with the world premiere of a brand-new stage spectacular, BRING IT ON, QUEEN! This was an outrageous dance-heavy, musical parody of the classic Kirsten Dunst cheerleading comedy Bring It On, at the Castro Theatre on July 13 starring Bob The Drag Queen—Drag Race Season 8 winner and frequent Peaches Christ collaborator; alongside Monét X Change—Drag Race All Stars Season 4 winner; and Peaches Christ. Real-life sibling rivals Monét and Bob play the captains of competing drag queen cheer squads that must fight it out for a national championship trophy. When Monet becomes the captain of affluent suburban cheer team “The Sponges,” she’s pressured to lock in another win for their undefeated run. Her team’s got sass and spirit, and is full of spunk … literally. The Sponges’ road to total cheer glory takes a shady turn when Monét discovers that their perfectly choreographed routines were, in fact, stolen from hip-hop city squad “The Purses,” led by Bob. Also featured in the cast were Meredeath (Missy), Nicki Jizz (Jenelope), Militia Towers (Lava), Roxy Cotten-Candy (Courtney), Chaka Corn (Whitney), Will Woodward (Fred), and Chadd Behavior (Les). A terribly clever parody by Peaches!
The 33rd annual AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO was a 10-kilometer fundraising walk held in Golden Gate Park on July 14. The lead beneficiaries of AIDS Walk SF were PROJECT OPEN HAND, PRC, and WARD 86. Other recipients of major AIDS Walk funding included the NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL, AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL and dozens of other Bay Area AIDS service organizations. ABC7 lead anchor Dan Ashley hosted the Opening Ceremony in Robin Williams Meadow, where celebrities included Barrett Foa (NCIS Los Angeles), Tony winner John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys), Ryan Jamaal Swain (Pose), and actress and activist Meredith Baxter (Family Ties). A Post-Walk Show, also in Robin Williams Meadow, featured TV personality Carson Kressley (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and performances by the First Ladies of Disco: Grammy winner Thelma Houston (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”), two-time Grammy nominee Martha Wash (“It’s Raining Men”), and Norma Jean Wright (formerly of CHIC, “Everybody Dance”); Dan Ashley; and Monet X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race).
MAKE YOUR MARK was a Group Show of 40 artists at Art Attack in the Castro, 2358 Market Street, Suite1. The gallery held a Closing Reception on July 14. Watch for a whole new group of artists and their pieces to be on display very soon. I am hoping my faves will return: resident artist Tracy Piper and Joseph Abbati and Serge Gay, Jr. https://www.artattacksf.com/visit
Sister Dana sez, “The pro-equality House majority has voted to block Trump’s ban on transgender service members. If the Senate steps up to block Trump’s awful ban, transgender Americans will finally be able to serve their country without blatant discrimination!”
Dennis McMillan (aka Sister Dana) and a friend inspected the official poster for Frameline43. Photo Credit: Paul Margolis
ROMANTIC ROCK presented “PUNK ROCK & PAINTBRUSHES” temporarily on tour for a day in San Francisco on July 19 at 2358 Market Street. They were celebrating the artworks of Sarah Melvin, Winston Smith of San Francisco: the well-known artist of “The Dead Kennedys,” as well as Chali2na of Jurassic 5, Soma Snakeoil and Lori Herbst, Chris Shary “Descendents,” with Matt Hensley of Flogging Molly, Warren Fitzgerald of The Vandals, Steve Caballero the legendary skateboarder, and Kellin Quinn & Justin Hills of Sleeping with Sirens. It was a perfect day for punkers!
On July 20, KREWE DE KINQUE Mardi Gras Club offered the opportunity for extroverted folks to STRIKE A POSE at The Edge in the Castro. We were raising funds for our BAL MASQUE XVII CHARITY FUND. Club Member Cadillac Barbie was our Hostess with the Mostess and invited talented KdK Queens & Kings to Vogue in the 5 pm Open Show. Barbie was joined by KdK Queen XVI Kelly Rose to create the line-up, entertain, and MC for the afternoon. KdK Queen VII Sr. Dana was “door whore,” collecting $$$ for charity in full-tilt silver disco habit. Topping off the fabulous day, KdK King VI James Holloway was a special guest from Palm Springs!
Sister Dana sez, “Republicans know they could rob us of the White House in 2020 with the help of the Electoral College. That’s how Trump and his Big Money Donors won the 2016 Election. We won’t stand for it. We need to abolish the Electoral College while there’s still time to make a difference. Please sign onto the petition here:”
Sister Dana sez, “Here is some hot stuff for the hot Summer!”
UP YOUR ALLEY FAIR is Sunday, July 28, 11 am to 6 pm on Dore Alley between Howard and Folsom, continuing on Folsom from 9th to Juniper and the adjoining block of 10th Street. Located in front of the legendary Powerhouse bar, nearly 15,000 fellow leather and fetish enthusiasts and their fans gather together to play and shop for gear. This is affectionately known as “Folsom Street Fair’s Dirty Little Brother.” https://www.folsomstreetevents.org/up-your-alley/
The Saturday before “Up Your Alley Fair” is the BIG MUSCLE PARTY on July 27, 1–6 pm at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street. This event will be your first opportunity to see the 2020 BARE CHEST CALENDAR and meet the handsome, hunky Calendar men. Featuring music by DJ Paul Goodyear & DJ Steve Fabus (GoBANG!) https://bit.ly/2LzQrYQ
HAIRSPRAY, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is now playing through August 11 at the Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street. It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire—to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network. It’s a big show, with big hair, and big ladies such as Tracy and her very large mother, Edna (who was played in the original B&W film by dragstress Divine). Go get a whiff of all that hairspray! https://www.bamsf.org/boxoffice
THE HARVEY MILK LBGTQ DEMOCRATIC CLUB proudly offers their 43rd Annual Dinner and Gayla: QUEER ’70s PROM on Monday, July 29, from 6–9 pm in the San Francisco War Memorial, Green Room, 401 Van Ness Avenue. This is the prom you and I probably never had. https://bit.ly/2XXptQF
The classic, timely musical revival, CABARET, is playing now through September 14 at San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, Floor 2M. I enjoyed it immensely. The choreography is really intricate. The dancers are very vivacious. The singers are awesome and astounding. And one cannot help but compare the all too current, horrible immigration crisis that Trump created. Life is a cabaret, so come hear the music play! https://bit.ly/2ZFTOAp
Every First Thursday from 6–9 pm, join Castro’s local merchants as they host arts and culture activities. This event is always free and open to the public. My three favorite art spots are ART ATTACK, DOG-EARED BOOKS and SPARK ARTS. But check all thirteen. For a full list of participating venues and events info, go to https://www.castroartwalk.com/
THE HEART SPACE LABYRINTH is an interactive story-telling of experiences with HIV/AIDS today. Join this poignant community celebration for a day of art, music and reflection with COMFORT & JOY. Opening celebration with High Priest Ganymede, sound healer Erica Sandstedt, and a blessing from The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Saturday, August 3, 11 am–5 pm, AIDS Memorial Grove. https://bit.ly/2Gq9yjM
Sister Dana sez, “Cheers to the 235 House Democrats and 4 Republicans who officially resolved that T-rump is a racist. But jeers to the spineless 187 Repugnicans that refused to believe their Bigot-in-Chief is a racist! And Teflon Don claimed he ‘doesn’t have a racist bone in my body.’ Nope. It’s the racist beliefs in your brain that worry me!”
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