By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Will Trump EVER stop campaigning?! He threw out all kinds of red meat to his alt-right creeps at the American Conservative Union CPAC—including his tired old campaign promises of ‘The Wall,’ ‘Lock Her Up,’ and the ‘Crooked Media.’ Maybe we should let reporters—not teachers—carry guns and shoot down Trump’s ridiculous ideas!”
Speaking of which, possibly you heard about a group activity at the Harmony Learning Center in Maplewood, Minnesota, when a third-grade child was able to reach into a police officer’s holster and fire off his gun. The round hit the floor. Luckily, no one was hurt. This time. Am I wrong to think that educators should educate—not eradicate?
The DREAAM PROJECT was back with their PrEP rally event, “DIAMONDS IN THE SKY” party at Strut in the Castro. D.R.E.A.A.M stands for Determined to Respect & Encourage African American Men. The mission of DREAAM is to help grow this ongoing FREE community event with their continuing goal of unifying the Black community as they welcome allies. We enjoyed a live DJ, drag and other live performances from local artists, $100 Twerk Battle, fun games with great prizes, delicious food, and refreshments—all with our host Terrance Wilder. strutsf.org
Philanthropy and stellar entertainment took center stage at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre as the RICHMOND/ERMET AID FOUNDATION (REAF) presented a special one-night-only benefit cabaret, BOOK OF MORMON singing “Songs Off the Resume,” to raise funds for REAF and BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. Producers Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler brought together cast members to sing many of the songs that the performers had used in the past to audition for their various Broadway roles. Cast members from Bay Area Musical’s THE WEDDING SINGER also participated in this special “One Night Only” benefit show. A few of the song highlights: “Younger Than Springtime;” “Phantom of the Opera;” and two inspirational anthems, “You Raise Me Up” and “This Is Me” (the hit song from The Greatest Showman that inspires everyone to be proud of themselves—no matter what). The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation has worked with over 48 touring casts to date to produce “One Night Only Cabaret” events. To date, REAF has distributed over $3.5 million to AIDS service agencies, hunger programs, and programs for homeless youth. reaf.org
STRUT SF‘s monthly Art Opening on the first Friday of the month—produced by community arts event organizer Baruch Porras Hernandez—is now exhibiting the fine arts photography of Alex Girard, titled MUSE, on display all month long. The Art at Strut program has been exhibiting the work of a local Gay or Queer artist once a month for over 14 years. Boys are Blue. Girls are Pink was the title of Girard’s college drawing professor’s show featuring embroidered boy scout merit badges donning traditionally feminine accomplishments. It was then that Girard started questioning societal gender-roles in media, in his up-bringing, and in his everyday interactions with the people around him. MUSE is an exploration of gender allowing these, otherwise masculine, men to play with their more feminine side. Grace Towers, a brilliant San Francisco drag artist, uses make-up and the power of a wig to transform these men into high fem muses. Girard says, “As I began to edit these photos, I imagined famous artists in history encountering these queer divine beings; inspiring their work in a way that was deemed unacceptable at the time. MUSE pays homage to a history of queer artists who lived in fear of expressing their true identity.” My fave among the many fierce guyz in makeup is “Emmett” for his expressive eye makeup and boldly pink hair wrap. alexgirardphotography.com and strutsf.org
We kicked off the 2018 SAN FRANCISCO EQUALITY AWARDS at the EQUALITY CALIFORNIA‘s CAPITOL CLUB RECEPTION on Thursday, February 22, at Xoom HQ downtown. There we heard from special guest speakers, event co-chairs Senator Scott Wiener, Bevan Dufty, Laura Zagar, Kristen Kavanaugh, and Rebecca Saltzman. Each spoke about EQCA’s work and this year’s lineup of honorees—announcing that Senator Tammy Baldwin will join their previously announced slate of honorees that will include Congressman Mark Takano and Laverda Allen & Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The SF Equality Awards gala will be held on May 12, 6–11 pm at Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell Street. At the kickoff, a new logo and slogan, “Until the Work Is Done,” were presented. eqcaawards.org
The monthly CASTRO ART WALK on March 1 included art displays (that I assume will remain on exhibit all month long) at the following galleries: Art Attack, 2358 Market Street, Suite 1; Spark Arts, 4229 18th Street; Norden Living, 3618 17th Street; Blush Wine Bar, 476 Castro Street; The Apothecarium, 2029 Market Street; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties, 2324B Market Street; Dog Eared Books, 489 Castro Street; and Local Take, 3979 17th Street. I urge my readers to check out the amazing art at these venues. The Castro Art Walk, sponsored by Castro Merchants, occurs every first Thursday of the month from 6–9 pm. Participating businesses extend their normal hours to host special events and to share artwork with the neighborhood. Each venue will have many works on display and for purchase. This event is free and open to the public. I want to especially mention my fave visit at Spark Arts. The art was a beautiful black and white photography exhibit by Monique Relova of transgender women in India. The live music entertainment was provided by Morgan Nilson & Ofir Vziel of Maleh Klez klezmer band at the Purim-themed party. Fantastic lip synch of Katy Perry‘s “Swish Swish” was delivered by hilarious Miss Shugana as the Biblical Queen Esther beating up a pop-up Bozo clown doll.
Sister Dana sez, “Hello from Tinseltown North! I am your fierce reportress for us Bay Area Hollyweird queers: I’ve got the scoop. The best Oscar Party in town, produced by ACADEMY OF FRIENDS (AOF), happened on Sunday, March 4, at City View. We came to celebrate on Oscar Night the films that dazzled us this past year—while raising much money for the Bay Area’s AIDS/HIV community. Beneficiaries were: AIDS Legal Referral Panel; Aguilas; HIV/AIDS Nightline; Maitri Compassionate Care; Positive Resource Center; and Project Open Hand. Of course, we loved the gold-painted, living Oscar statue guyz ‘n galz, worked the red carpet, got snapped by the paparazzi, and got the whole Hollywood VIP treatment. The title and basically the theme of the evening was UNDER THE BIG TOP where we saw many a clown (some were bearded ladies who were mostly drag queens with fake facial hair), ringmasters, and circus freaks. But enuff about us attendees—live entertainment was served up sensationally by Wooden Lickel Circus with acrobatics, juggling, flying trapeze, and contortion. We got a rare visit from Barbra Streisand (sensational impersonator) clutching to her breast a faux Oscar statue while lip synching “My Man.” Flawless. My only disappointment in the evening—no fault of AOF—was that we folks everywhere (warts & all) did not get our props for Song of the Year for “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. I think this should be our interplanetary anthem for “being our authentic selves.” NUNtheless, I was utterly exhilarated upon the announcement of Best Adapted Screenplay for the way-gay romance, Call Me by Your Name—which also got noms for Best Actor and Best Picture. Not bad for an Oscar event. Queers rule! We had an amazing evening, with delicious food and wine and spirits–all hosted by the wonderful Carnie Asada and Joel Riddell. Hooray for Hollywood!
I am proud to say that members of the SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS joined international superstar Demi Lovato onstage when her world tour arrived at San Jose’s SAP Center on Wednesday, February 28. They sang “Tell Me You Love Me” and “Sorry Not Sorry” with her. How kewl is that?!
Sister Dana sez, “So March Madness will be here again, which means I am MAD that some of my TV is gonna be pre-empted by stinkin’ basketball. Oh well, I’m sure you’ll go MAD for these upcoming events.”
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY is currently exhibiting EMPOWERMENT IN PRINT: LGBTQ ACTIVISM, PRIDE, & LUST at their 4127 18th Street museum in the Castro. The new exhibition highlights the GLBT Historical Society’s holdings of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex periodicals published in Northern California from the 1950s to the 2000s. Curated by the society’s managing archivist, Joanna Black, and museum & exhibitions manager, Jeremy Prince, the show features 26 carefully selected titles—one for each letter of the alphabet—that suggest the range and depth of the institution’s periodicals collection, one of the largest in the United States. The magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and zines on display reflect how queer people have used periodicals to create community, develop culture, express desire, and inspire activism. As the sign in the museum states: “From sober to sleek, from coy to explicit, from apolitical to militant, the publications demonstrate the myriad ways LGBTQ people have found empowerment in print.” The exhibition runs through May 21 at the GLBT History Museum.
On Saturday, March 10, at 4 pm, A MARCH TO REMEMBER & RECLAIM QUEER SPACE will take place. LGBT leaders, LGBT and neighborhood organizations, activists, and community members will gather at the former site of The Gangway, 841 Larkin Street, and march through Polk Gulch, laying black wreaths at the sites of former queer spaces in the historic LGBT district. Participants will call on elected officials, foundations, and philanthropists, as well as residents and lovers of San Francisco, to both commemorate the City’s LGBTQ past and take active steps to sustain the City’s living queer heritage and culture. Hosts: Juanita More, Cleve Jones, The GLBT Historical Society, SF LGBT Center, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Lower Polk Neighbors, Middle Polk Neighborhood Association & and more.
Ravot Gallery is pleased to present SMOKE + MIRRORS: Exploring Modern Drag by the award-winning San Francisco-based photographer GOOCH. This will be Gooch’s first solo exhibition of his glorious nightlife photography. This is a free exhibition. All photos are for sale. The exhibition runs March 16–April 13. The Ravot Gallery is at 115 Clement Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue). ravot-sf.com/gallery and garethgoochphotography.com
Written by four-time Tony winner Terrence McNally, IT’S ONLY A PLAY thrusts you into the middle of the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of a Broadway play. It’s the opening night of hilariously harried playwright Peter Austin’s new play, and everyone has gathered at the daffy producer’s townhouse to await the reviews. Joining Peter are his television producer best friend, a hilariously washed-up Hollywood diva, a lethal drama critic and more. Don’t miss this snappy sharp satire about the business of big-budget theater, complete with impromptu selfies and celebrity take-downs galore, at San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Avenue. nctcsf.org
KREWE DE KINQUE is putting on a ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY at The Edge hosted by newly crowned Krewe de Kinque King Gareth Gooch & Queen Miss Chief. They will be shaking snakes & stirring up shenanigans for our $10 Beer Bust, Open Show, Raffle, & GREEN Jell-O Shots. Come earn some green & gold beads, enjoy some great drink specials, & win a prize for best costume! Join MC Deana O’ Dawn for a toast to the Irish! Performances by Miss Chief, DivaD, Mark Paladini, Gerri Lawler & Kelly Rose. Remember to wear green–or don’t, but I might have to pinch you! Come to The Edge on March 17th, 4-7pm, 4149 18th and Castro Streets. No cover.
TRANSITIONS by John Fisher is about a Russian President, an American President, and a drag queen in a story about gender and sexuality in the world of geopolitics. A surprising relationship between a young Republican and a no-nonsense drag queen almost sets the world on fire. But in a moment of international crisis this romance might just save the planet, as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are about to find out. It is a satirical drama ripped from the world’s headlines in the tradition of filmmakers Billy Wilder and Oliver Stone. Shows are at the Gateway Theatre (formerly the Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson at Battery Street. therhino.org
PEACHES CHRIST PRODUCTIONS proudly presents DRAG BECOMES HER, a hysterical theatrical parody of “Death Becomes Her” starring Jinkx Monsoon, Bendelacreme, Heklina, & Peaches Christ on Saturday, March 10, at The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro, for two performances only, 3 pm and 8 pm. Each performance will be followed by a rare screening of an original Death Becomes Her film print-starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini on the enormous Castro Theatre screen. peacheschrist.com
Sister Dana sez, “There are memos, and then there are MEMOS! In their retort memo, House Democrats charged that the GOP memo unfairly maligned the FBI and the Justice Department for citing in their surveillance application information from the author of a controversial dossier alleging that Trump had ties to Russian officials. Now THAT’S a memo! BTW kudos to CA Rep. Adam Schiff, ranking member of the House Intel Committee, for keepin’ it real!!!”
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