By Sister Dana Van Iquity, Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun–
Sister Dana sez, “Happy Dore Alley! You don’t HAVE to be an aficionado of leather, rubber, fetish, BDSM or kink—but it helps!!!”
Up Your Alley/DORE ALLEY Street Fair & Fetish Festival is Sunday, July 30, 11 am to 6 pm at Dore Alley, 9th, and Folsom Streets. In the general SoMa area you will find many activities pre- and post-event. FREE, but you might want to donate. As some may say: “Up Your Alley” is only for real players—and not for the faint of heart—where leather daddies rule the streets of SoMa. Not to exclude feathers and sequins—but basically, if you’re into it, there’s probably a scene for you. “Dore” typically features DJs, go-go dancers and bondage & kink performers, plus you can cruise 40 “adult” vendors selling all sorts of gear. https://www.folsomstreetevents.org/
At MOULIN ROUGE, KREWE DE KINQUE raised funds for our first-ever TEAM KDK in the AIDS WALK! Organized by KdK King XX Mez, this was a fun event whether or not we were walking on July 16. The theme, “Moulin Rouge” was all about the “rouge” (red) décor throughout the Midnight Sun on July 15. KdK Queen VII Sister Dana wore a red habit to collect donations at the door.
RICHMOND-ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presented Help Is on the Way XXVII: Broadway & Beyond on July 16 at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre. REAF produces fundraising events for HIV/AIDS, hunger, and youth services. Co-producers Ken Henderson and Joe Seiler welcomed us and brought out the touring cast of Les Miserables to sing the very welcome “Another Opening, Another Show.” Then one of my dear friends and a fabulous chanteuse, Leanne Borghesi, joined Marta Sanders to give us a very campy version of “Bosom Buddies” and “Friendship.” Note: the last time I saw Leanne at a show, during the intermission she gave me a quickie makeup makeover just for kicks. But back to reviewing this show: more cast members of “Les Miz” performed, and then veteran Broadway baby Lisa Vroman stirred our hearts with “Ordinary Miracles” by Marvin Hamlisch. What a treat to listen to Del Shores and his stories and a fascinating tribute to the late, great Leslie Jordan! Joe Seiler provided a vast array of clips featuring the always hilarious Leslie. Before Act 2 commenced, Governor Gavin Newsom sent a Certificate of Recognition to REAF. For the second half of the program, Debby Holiday took on the character of the late TINA TURNER in a wonderful tribute with a rousing “Help” by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. And for the third tribute of the evening, Seiler and David Engel edited clips of a tribute to the late CAROLE COOK and her comic wit. It should be noted that both Cook and Jordan were more than frequent performers at REAF fundraisers. And they were always ready for a big hug after the show. Closing the star-studded night were singers David Burnham, Vroman, and the entire cast singing the traditional finale number, “Help Is on the Way.” And with REAF raising funds, help is most assuredly on the way! Sister Dana sez, “There have been so many different versions of the BARBIE doll; but I am waiting for Barbie the nun—so Sister Barbie Dana can live happily in the Barbie Dream Chapel!”
Sister Dana sez, “There have been so many different versions of the BARBIE doll; but I am waiting for Barbie the nun—so Sister Barbie Dana can live happily in the Barbie Dream Chapel!”
HELLO YELLOW BRICK ROAD was performed by the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS on July 19 at Davies Symphony Hall along with the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA—all conducted by Jacob Stensberg. It was a wild and wonderful celebration that combined highlights from Elton John’s groundbreaking album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road—marking its 50th anniversary—along with favorites from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Stephen Schwartz’s blockbuster musical, Wicked. The choreography was simply superb because of singer and in-house choreographer Steve Valdez. It was also a goodbye party for him as he leaves SFGMC. Mayor London Breed sent a Certificate of Recognition to Valdez and her official declaration of Steve Valdez Day in San Francisco. Naturally the acoustics were awesome in the Symphony Hall. There was plenty of drag that evening, including over a dozen guys picking out the perfect dress to wear from a rack onstage. Well, what do you expect when the Billy Elliot song, “Expressing Yourself,” should be illustrated so colorfully?!
For Act 2, The Lollipop Guild (an offshoot of SFGMC) sang what else but “The Lollipop Guild” from the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Plus a few other tunes before HomoPhonics(an a capella off-shoot from SFGMC) took the stage to give us “As Long as You’re Mine” from Wicked and then Elton’s “The Bitch Is Back.” For the perfect encore, the entire cast (including the dancers) got us all on our feet to sing along to the Elton classic, “I’m Still Standing.”
After three seasons, Bob The Drag Queen, Eureka, and Shangela are about to “sashay away” from HBO’s award-winning reality series, WE’RE HERE. HBO is welcoming three crowned queens to its drag family: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 champ and All Stars 7 competitor Jaida Essence Hall; the first-ever winner of Canada’s Drag Race (and recent Lip-Sync Assassin) Priyanka; and published author/Drag Race season 9 victor Sasha Velour. The HBO press release states: “The series’ new structure will allow it to take an in-depth and more immersive look at the local political systems and participants, anti-LGBTQ legislation and opposition, and their effect on the LGBTQ community.” I have been watching this show since its inception, and I hope the new format will keep the rural vs. citified ladies learning to find common ground. And please keep us laughing!
RIP legendary singer Tony Bennett—and I will let our Senator and Mayor express my feelings. “Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco, and so many San Franciscans’ hearts broke this morning when we learned of his passing,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “Bennett created intense beauty, and he captured San Francisco’s essence. Rest in peace.” Mayor London Breed stated, “Tony Bennett provided us with a song, a spirit, and a magic that is intertwined with the history of San Francisco and who we are. His contributions to this city go far beyond words on a page or melodies in the air.” She recalled, “From the first day he sang ‘I left My Heart in San Francisco’ at the Fairmont Hotel and through all the decades since, Tony Bennett embodied a love for this city shared by all San Franciscans. Today we honor his memory and celebrate his legacy that will stay with us forever.” Mayor Breed ordered the flags of City Hall to be lowered to half-mast in honor of Bennett’s life, legacy, and love for the City of San Francisco.
It’s finally here. The legendary musical A CHORUS LINE—considered by many to be the greatest of all time—made its debut on the San Francisco Playhouse stage on June 22. Seventeen Broadway dancers are auditioning for eight spots on a chorus line. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of performers, A Chorus Line captures the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition. It is the winner of the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, winner of nine Tony Awards, four Drama Desk awards, three Obie Awards in 1976, and a Special Gold Tony Award in 1984 in honor of becoming Broadway’s longest-running musical. 450 Post Street. Now through September 9. Ready, dancers: and 5, 6, 7, 8: get your tix before it’s too late! https://www.sfplayhouse.org/
It’s been six months since MAGA took over the House of Representatives, and there have been few if any hearings on rising inflation, high gas prices, and other vital discussions being ignored; whereas there has been an abundance of sham hearings regarding Hunter Biden’s laptop, nude photos, and various absurd conspiracies. Sister Dana sez, “Yep, that’s our Congress diligently (not) working for us!”
THE SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE (SFMT) has returned to doing what they love and do best: LIVE FREE Political Musical in the Bay Area parks. The Tony Award-Winning SFMT opened their 64th season with BREAKDOWN – A New Musical, now through September 4. “Sometimes it’s not all just happening in your mind.” By the way, they aren’t really mimes, because they speak and have something to say! https://www.sfmt.org/
And thank you, Mission Local, for the accidental shout-out to Sister Dana Van Iquity regarding the SF Mime Troupe: “San Francisco has long been portrayed by right-wing politicians and press as a den of iniquity.” Thanks so much, and I’ll take it!
Just days before the return of Sunday’s a Drag at Club Fugazi in August, hostess Donna Sachet will present eleganza extravaganza performances by her and Christina Ashton paying tribute to Tina Turner, Cher, and other music greats. Yes, it’s Divas & Drinks & Drag produced by the SF Bay Times at the Academy, 2166 Market Street, on July 28, 6–10 pm. Legendary DJ Page Hodel and piano bar ace Dr. Dee Spencer will bring music to your ears. https://www.academy-sf.com/
Sister Dana sez, “Thank the Lord below for Governor Ron DUH Santis keeping the children safe from killer drag queens and teaching them their revised history that slavery was really not that bad!”
Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun
Published on July 27, 2023
Recent Comments