By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “So Trump has already launched his 2020 campaign with the slogan: ‘Keep America Great!’ including a big exclamation point. But shouldn’t it realistically end with a question mark?”
We were all Irish for the day and appropriately wore green to celebrate ST PATRICK’S DAY with San Francisco’s KREWE DE KINQUE Mardi Gras-themed fundraising social club on Saturday, March 17, at The Edge. We dug into our Pot ‘o Gold to present a BIG $9,000 CHECK to LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES, our 2017–18 “Bal Masque XV” beneficiary. We also gave SF Bay Times a lovely plaque for being an ongoing media sponsor. Newly crowned KdK King & Queen XV Gareth Gooch & Miss Chief hosted and stirred up shenanigans at our $10 beer bust and open show with emcee KdK Queen II Deana O’Dawn. Patrons earned GREEN BEADS from Queen VII SisterO’Dana, enjoyed some great green cocktails, and competed for Best Costume. Lively performances were by Miss Chief, Deana Dawn, DivaD, Mark Paladini, Jon Weber, and Kelly (“Irish”) Rose. DJ Jack Rojo had us dancing the Irish jig. No Blarney, it was a fine time for Erin Go Bragh: Ireland forever! By the way, good old St. Patrick is one of a surprising number of queer saints and martyrs in Christian history, giving us queers an extra excuse to enjoy his day.
SMOKE + MIRRORS: Exploring Modern Drag is a window into the vibrant nightlife of San Francisco’s diverse drag community as seen through the lens of ever-present nightlife photographer GOOCH. An opening reception was held at the Ravot Gallery on 115 Clement Street. Gooch captures a spectrum of performance identity from drag queens, drag kings, faux queens, and club kids of diverse genders. All photographs were taken either in performance or on the sidelines of performances rather than in studio. Born in the U.K., Gooch attended the prestigious Newport College of Art and Design where he studied under British photographer David Hurn, of the Magnum Photos collaborative. He worked in London for two decades, first apprenticing with important photography studios, and later having his own firm. The focus of his work in the last few years has been on documenting the disenfranchised sub-cultures of our time: the dynamism of street art and the artists who create it; the recent LGBT political struggle with marriage equality; and, as in this exhibition, the LGBT performing arts community. By doing this, he memorializes these fragments of society in what can be a very transitory culture. Some of my faves are of Abomanatrix, Flora Goodthyme, Milk Queen, and a group photo entitled The Monster Show 2016 with Rock M Sakura, KaiKai Bee Michaels, Sue Casa, Justin Sam, Terri Twaught Waffle, K Color, Cruzin d’Loo, Redwood, and Bobby Barnaby. His exhibition is on display now through April 13. ravot-sf.com
SPARK ARTS in the Castro presented a CHARITY/BOOK LAUNCH PARTY hosted by Heather Jacks, who is an award-winning author, Disco Loving Wine Ninja, diehard SF Giants fan, and Saint with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Jacks’ new book, My Headdress Is on Fire … stories from a White Girl growing up on & off Indian Land … is a series of deliciously skewed essays that travel the world from Indian Land to the Australian Outback, single parenting to the Empty Nest. Jacks’ full powers of smart wit are engaged as she unearths stories about an Indian Chief, Bozo the Clown, Kupa Piti, and David the Camel, with heart and candor. Ten percent of all book proceeds, including sales at the launch, were donated to Punks with Lunch, a not-for-profit harm reduction group providing food and other necessities to people experiencing homelessness. The festive event was free, but attendees were asked to bring a new health or toiletry item donation for Punks with Lunch. facebook.com/WriterJacks
Belated big congratz to HMIM Empress Pollo Del Mar and HMIM Emperor Leandro Gonzales, who were crowned at San Francisco’s IMPERIAL CORONATION 53! They will serve us well!
Sister Dana sez, “I am battling the terrible Bronchitis Demon, hacking up a lung, so I didn’t get out much. But here are some fun events I hope I am healed in time to enjoy with you.”
OPENHOUSE COMMUNITY, 55 Laguna Street, is offering TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY lunch on March 29, 12 pm. Openhouse honors transgender elders. TDOV aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia. Join them for a special lunch honoring the transgender community on Thursday March 29 at Openhouse Bob Ross LGBT Senior Center. RSVP to Michelle at 415-728-0195 or email michelle@openhouse-sf.org
ART SAVES LIVES studio gallery and show place at 518 Castro Street will host the MARCH ARTIST RECEPTION on March 23, 6–8:30 pm. Free for everyone. Nibblies and bevvies are also free. Artists include Liam Peters, Lisa Feldman Keith, Brandy Harper, Paisha Rochlin, Vincent Escareno, Cass Alecs Leung, Jacqui Ray, Brett Vanhorn, Grasson, Star Mott, Jim Knosp, Michael Fasanella, and curator Thomasina DeMaio. Entertainment will be provided by Tribal Baroque, Penny McClish, and Kitten on the Keys. It’s a delightful evening of art and performance and friends who love that!
THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE once again are throwing a big Easter party in Golden Gate Park on April first (April Fools’ Day), entitled SACRED JESTERS, WISE FOOLS. It’s our annual 39th Anniversary celebration in Hellman Hollow area. The day kicks off with the family-friendly Children’s Easter (which includes an egg hunt, games, and face painting for the little ones) from 10 am to 12 noon; followed by the main event from 12 noon to 4 pm. Starting at noon, the PG-13 fun begins with the Easter Bonnet Contest, followed by some amazing performances, live music acts, drag shows, nun vows, saintings, and grants, and everyone’s favorite Easter traditions in San Francisco: the Foxy Mary and the Hunky Jesus contests emceed by Sister Roma and Sister Dana! Appearances and performances will be by Kat Robichaud (The Voice); Honey Mahogany; Carlotta Sue Kay; Rachel Lark; Gooferman; Juanita More!; The SF Imperial, Krewe de Kinque and Ducal Courts; Breanna Sinclaire; Tribal Baroque; Sugah Betes; The Monster Show; Electric Spectrum Circus; and many more! Bring your blanket, picnic supplies, and join us for a wonderful afternoon of irreverence and fun.
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY is now promoting ILLUMINATING ARTIFACTS, a 33-day crowd-funding campaign launched at their 33rd anniversary celebration on March 16 to preserve the GLBT Historical Society’s Art & Artifacts Collection. Sometimes poignant, often naughty, and always emblematic of the diversity of the queer community, these materials need to be properly documented, stored and displayed. From Gilbert Baker’s rhinestone tambourines to Sylvester’s glove collection, from Phyllis Abry Kaplan’s World War II scrapbooks to leather-clad teddy bears, the Art & Artifacts Collection contains thousands of banners, pins, buttons, costumes, sculptures, paintings, t-shirts, historic business signs, theatrical props, and everything in between. You can donate in any amount. Share this link everywhere: glbthistory.org/artifacts
JASON BROCK (X-Factor finalist) returns to Martuni’s, 4 Valencia Street, in a solo show! This time singing gospel/Christian songs that he loves (but finds conflict with since he is no longer a Christian himself). Between songs, he’ll tell stories about how Christianity and Christian music affected his life (including his fundamentalist Christian mother who rejects him because he’s gay and bases it on her religion). It’s going to be fun, funny, touching, and will warm your heart (and body if you’re drinking). SFSU Jazz Department Founder and esteemed composer/performer, Dee Spencer, will be on the piano. Saturday, March 24, 7 pm; Sunday, March 25, 7 pm; Saturday, March 31, 7 pm. jasonbrockvocals.com
THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS (SFGMC) under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director, and Christopher Verdugo, Executive Director, continues Season 40 with BRIDGES, a one-night-only homecoming concert centered around music’s ability to move hearts and minds and catalyze momentous change. Presented by the John C. Kish Foundation, “Bridges” will take place at Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Avenue) on Thursday, March 29, at 8 pm. Tickets range in price from $25–$125 and are available by calling City Box Office at 415-392-4400 or visiting sfgmc.org
Sister Dana sez, “Shortly after firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for speaking out against Vladimir Putin, DarnOld Trump nominated CIA chief Mike Pompeo for the nation’s top diplomatic post. Pompeo is a xenophobic, pro-torture, climate change-denying war hawk. If the Senate confirms him, it will be disastrous and undermine progress on multiple continents for years!”
Sister Dana also sez, “On top of that, Andrew McCabe, Deputy Director of the FBI, was vindictively fired just 26 hours before his retirement by T-rump. As McCabe put it: ‘This attack on my credibility is one part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally, but to taint the FBI, law enforcement, and intelligence professionals more generally. It is part of this Administration’s ongoing war on the FBI and the efforts of the Special Counsel investigation, which continue to this day. Their persistence in this campaign only highlights the importance of the Special Counsel’s work.’ Can I get an AMEN?!”
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