By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Thanks to all the ‘illegal aliens,’ people who voted more than once by changing shirts and hats, and the millions upon millions who stuffed the ballot box! Without you, we could never have achieved the Blue Wave. As if!”
PROJECT INFORM presented their annual EVENING OF HOPE: Building a Future within Reach on November 15 at Fort Mason, Gallery 308. After listening to the lovely, stylish tunes (both current and golden oldies) of Synchronicity Strings, Project Inform Board of Directors members Glen Lubbert & Nic Marcheso welcomed everyone and acknowledged the work of partners and friends who’ve made a difference this year. PI Interim Executive Director David Evans spoke of PI’s mission: fighting for a world where people living with or at risk for HIV and HCV can live and thrive. He said that “the future we are building and one we believe is within reach.” PI’s efforts go to guarantee the fundamental human right to effective prevention and health care. Receiving the Martin Delaney Visionary Award (named after PI’s founder 35 years ago) was Morey Riordan, who has been involved in HIV activism and work for over 25 years, and he has served as the executive director of four nonprofit organizations. He is currently the Founding Director of the TRANSGENDER STRATEGY CENTER (TSC), a strategic, intersectional effort informed by the lived experiences of trans people. Special entertainment was provided by the rich tenor/falsetto voice of Matt Bloyd, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, who performed, among others, “Signed, Sealed, and Delivered,” Whitney Houston‘s “How Will I Know” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.
According to The Hill, on Saturday, November 17, at least seven LGBT couples traveling with the Central American migrant caravan held a symbolic wedding near the U.S. border with Mexico. One of the officiants described the wedding as an “act of justice.” Congratulations!
BAY AREA MUSICALS’ production of CRAZY FOR YOU runs now through December 16 at San Francisco’s Alcazar Theatre, 650 Geary Street. It features the thrilling soprano voice of Danielle Altizio as “Polly Baker” and the amazing tap-dancing skills of Conor DeVoe as “Bobby Child” and an incredible cast of singers, dancers and actors playing cowboys and chorus gals with remarkable energy. The choreography is astonishing and the use of props is extremely creative. Throw in the number of classic Gershwin tunes, and you have a hit musical that is as professional as the high-priced Broadway shows (tickets run from $35 to $65, and there isn’t a bad seat in the intimate theater). Bay Area Musicals (BAM!) is a professional, nonprofit theatre organization dedicated to presenting the highest-caliber of musical theatre in San Francisco. The story: a young New York banker is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, he falls for the spunky daughter of the failing theater owner. It’s city slicker versus country maiden versus long-term fiancée, and the town’s last gasp effort to put on a show. A standout moment brings to mind the hilarious vaudevillian mirror act of Harpo Marx—when a drunken Bobby mimics a big Broadway producer and his every move in identical synchronicity. Hysterical! https://www.bamsf.org/
Hank Wilson’s legacy was celebrated at THANKS TO HANK: KICKOFF FOR THE KICKSTARTER at the Tenderloin Museum on November 20. This included a sneak peek of the new documentary, Thanks to Hank, alongside art by local drag queen Mrs. Vera, a drag performance by Grace Towers, and a blessing ritual by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Music was by DJ Danny Snodgrass (Electroluxx). There were many moving remarks from filmmaker Bob Ostertag and others who knew and worked closely with Wilson. Hank Wilson’s work in San Francisco’s Tenderloin spanned 30 years, and included co-founding and spearheading organizations such as the TENDERLOIN AIDS RESOURCE CENTER, THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL, and THE HARVEY MILK LGBT DEMOCRATIC CLUB. People can donate directly to the kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/845108579/thanks-to-hank
We got our Stoli and Bolli on for ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS LIVE! D’Arcy Drollinger presented this hysterical drag parody of the beloved TV cult classic, starring some of San Francisco’s premiere drag performers: Michael Phillis, doing a stunning representation of the boozy, sexy Patsy; Terry McLaughlin as the fussy, silly Edina; Dene Larson as stuffy introvert Saffy; Peggy L’Eggs as Mother; Raya Light as dimwitted Bubble the secretary, and so many more. The hit British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous began in 1992 and remains one of the BBC’s highest rated and most popular shows. There are two classic episodes, “Sex” and “Jealous.” One episode allows us to witness the downfall of Edina at a P.R. awards show and a hidden love affair with Saffy and a University professor. Another is a peep show of Edina’s first anonymous orgy hook-up and a mix-up of a college genetics study video tape with a porno. You will absolutely die! Hurry to see this fabulous show, sweetie-darlings, because it’s squish squish goodbye on December first. https://sfoasis.com/
Sister Dana sez, “Congratulations to Kyrsten Sinema, who made history and will become the first bisexual U.S. Senator from any state in the union, and is just the second LGBTQ person ever elected to the U.S. Senate!”
For over 40 years, TENDERLOIN TESSIE HOLIDAY DINNERS, an all-volunteer organization, has fed the community of San Francisco on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. They work hard to prepare a bountiful meal, a smile and a gift to all the patrons in a welcoming environment. These dinners average a thousand people each holiday and take place at the First Unitarian Church at the corner of Franklin Street and Geary Boulevard.
Sister Dana sez, “While anticipating the new House majority’s cannon of 85 subpoenas, here’s cool stuff to do meanwhile.”
42ND STREET MOON is mounting DAMES AT SEA now through December 16 at San Francisco’s Gateway Theatre (formerly the Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson Street. It’s 42nd Street meets Anything Goes meets Busby Berkeley in Hollywood in this gem of a show which opened Off-Broadway in 1968 and helped launch the career of Bernadette Peters. Sweet, innocent Ruby arrives in New York with big dreams and lands in the chorus of a new show—but the theatre is about to be torn down! Can sailor-turned-songwriter Dick find a new venue for the show while juggling temperamental diva Mona, frazzled producer Hennesy and starry-eyed ingénue Ruby? http://42ndstmoon.org/
Completely unique and always a sell-out, LIGHT IN THE GROVE is attended by over 600 guests every year and was voted best LGBT gala in the Bay Area. Held on the eve of WORLD AIDS DAY, November 30, 6 pm, guests experience a moving candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends, the heart of the Memorial, then walk through the spectacularly-illuminated Redwood Grove to a warmly-lit banquet tent. Inside, they enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a buffet dinner with special musical and choreographed artistic performances. This year’s Lifetime of Commitment Honoree is longtime AIDS activist and outgoing Board Chair, Michael Shriver. Monies raised help to maintain this breathtaking memorial and ensure that the story and lessons of AIDS will be available for the benefit of future generations, and the countless lives lost never be forgotten. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/light-in-the-grove-2018-tickets-49106226044
This year’s WORLD TREE OF HOPE presented by RAINBOW WORLD FUND will be displayed at Grace Cathedral. The World Tree of Hope is the largest origami holiday tree in the world, standing 23 feet tall and decorated with over 17,000 origami cranes and stars, each containing written wishes of hope and peace from children and individuals from around the world. Since 2006, RWF has presented the Tree as a symbol of global unity and hope, to promote peace, love and humanitarian action. The public is invited for the 13th Annual RWF World Tree of Hope TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION on Monday, December 3 from 6:30–8:30 pm at Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street. Emcee Donna Sachet will introduce Deputy Consul General of Japan, Heklina, Rev. Malcom Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral, Lauren Meyer from 42nd St Moon’s production of Dames at Sea, pianist Tammy Hall, Lesbian Gay Chorus of San Francisco, origami artist Linda Mihara, RWF Founder Jeff Cotter, and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who will bless the tree. Admission is free. http://www.rainbowfund.org/
NOW WE’RE HERE is a celebration of the music of QUEEN and the novel, Now I’m Here, by author Jim Provenzano who hosts a salon-style acoustic concert of more than a dozen Queen classic songs at the beautiful historic F’Inn, the Alamo Square Victorian guest house and performance space, 814 Grove Street, Thursday December 6, 8 pm, with musicians Peter Fogel, Suzanne Ramsey, Diogo Zavadski, Coleton Schmitto, Adam Dragland and special guests Leigh Crow, Ruby Vixen and Jason Brock. https://queencelebration.brownpapertickets.com/
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS is offering BRASSY AND SASSY on December 7 and 8 at Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes Street. SFGMC will present the full spectrum of holiday revelry. They welcome guest star coloratura soprano Marnie Breckenridge (San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, Los Angeles Opera), who will bring her own sass and class to the stage. Along with a brilliant brass quintet, they will dash from glorious classical fare to swing to big band sounds—with a few new twists on holiday classics. Sing along with your favorites and delight in the breathtaking sound of men’s voices performing everything from “Silver Bells” to “Sleigh Ride” and a striking rendition of “Silent Night.” https://www.cityboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2520
Sister Dana sez, “Trump has announced support for prison sentencing reforms. Good for him! And I mean LITERALLY good for him—as we all know he worries about going to jail.”
Recent Comments