By Sister Dana Van Iquity
Sister Dana sez, “Did everybuddy survive the earthquake last week? And have you prepared your survival kit for The Big One? At least throw a flashlight, some batteries, canned food, can opener, and gallons of bottled water into your cupboards. Don’t quake with the next shake!”
THE RICHMOND/ERMET AIDS FOUNDATION hosted HELP IS ON THE WAY 20, the glorious 20th Anniversary Gala & Concert, Northern California’s largest annual,star-studded AIDS benefit concert and gala, at the Palace of Fine Arts. The gala benefited four Bay Area AIDS Service Organizations: Abzyme Research Foundation, Aguilas, AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP), and Positive Resource Center (PRC).
Stars from stage, screen, and the recording industry all gathered for an evening of outstanding entertainment. The celebrity performers included Florence Henderson, Carole Cook, Richard Chamberlain, Alex Newell, Paula West, Jason Brock, Maureen McGovern, Roslyn Kind, Meg Mackay, Lisa Vroman, Jon Maher, Jake Simpson, Wesley Alfin, David Friedman, Valarie Pettiford, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Craig Shoemaker, John Navarez & Andrew Cervantes, and cast members from Motown: The Musical. All gave their talent and their all for a very worthy charity!
GAYCITIES and STOLICHNAYA PREMIUM VODKA presented the return of the annual STOLI GUY CONTEST at Beatbox. Celebrity judges included Donna Sachet, Pat N Leather, Eve Volution, Brian Kent, and international menswear and undergarment superstar Andrew Christian. There were special performances by singer Anita Cocktail and current America’s Got Talent live show finalists, same-sex salsa dancers Andrew Cervantes and John Navarez. But in the spotlight were six of the most authentic, original, and inspired guys in EssEff who showcased their original talent – with one winner, Spencer B, crowned Stoli Guy SF 2014 and receiving an all-expense paid trip to New York for the Finale in latter September, where he will face off against finalists from 11 other cities across the USA. The national champion receives $10,000, and the “Fan Favorite” winner based on online voting receives an all-expense paid four-night vacation at five star men’s resort Island House Key West. With their celebrity, hopefully they will go on to host fabulous fundraisers in the future.
CUMMING UP!
BEA DAZZLER presents (in association with the KLUBSTiTUTE KOLLECTiVE) FAUX QUEEN PAGEANT 2014: Fashion Faux-ward! that is the original Pageant for Drag Queens Trapped in Women’s Bodies, Saturday, September 6th, doors & bar open 9pm, pageant, 10pm at SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street, between 8th & 9th Streets. Tix $20 in advance (cash only) at Retrofit, 910 Valencia at 20th Street, $25 at the Door (cash only), $35 VIP with reserved upfront seating, raffle ticket, and Pageant poster. Celebrity femcees are the illustrious and First Faux Queen titleholder, the indomitable Laurie Bushman aka Coca Dietetica (FQ 1995), and original faux queen and stylish entrepreneur behind the Glama-Rama Hair Salon, Deena Davenport. Celebrity judges include last year’s title winner Cara Couture (FQ2013); Trannyshack’s own Heklina; Miss Diva USofA Brandi Amara Skyy; Therese Wonnacott; and pageant founder Ruby Toosday! fauxqueenpageant.blogspot.com
The 17TH CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL is September 11th-14th. The festival will be coming to the Castro Theatre for the first time this year, and in addition to playing classic favorites like Sixteen Candles and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (incidentally, Julie Newmar will be in attendance and will be honored with an award), they will be playing two movies that will be making their San Francisco premiere: John Apple Jack and The 10 Year Plan.
In the cult classic, To Wong Foo, Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, and the late Patrick Swayze star as three drag queens traveling cross-country. Things take an interesting turn when their car breaks down and they are stranded in a small town. The film also features Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, and a cameo from Julie Newmar. VIP reception at 7pm, followed by the screening at 9pm on Friday, September 12th.
CAIFF celebrates the 30th anniversary of one of John Hughes’s most celebrated teen comedies, Sixteen Candles, with a special screening of the movie that gave a new perspective on a teenager’s “Sweet 16” and made Molly Ringwald an ‘80s icon. The screening will also feature special guest appearances by cast members including Justin Henry who played Molly Ringwald’s little brother as well as Debbie Pollak and Gedde Watanabe who played the memorable couple, Marlene “Lumberjack” and Long Duk Dong. Reunion and movie at 6:15pm on Friday, September 12th.
In 10 Year Plan, Myles and Brody are best friends that made a pact to become a couple if neither of them have found the right guy in 10 years. As the deadline to find Mr. Right quickly approaches, each of them tries everything he can to avoid being each other’s last resort. VIP reception with cast at 5pm, followed by the screening at 6pm on Saturday, September 13th.
In John Apple Jack, John, a rich playboy and heir to a restaurant empire, finds out that his sister is marrying his childhood crush, Jack. Of course, he must try his best to stop the wedding. As a result, his world turns upside down in this food-centric queer romantic comedy. VIP reception with cast at 8pm, followed by the screening at 9pm on Saturday, September 13th.
Additional programming at the Castro Theatre includes a screening of Mobiliize, Waiting In The Wings: The Musical as well as a special showcase of shorts starring and directed by some of Hollywood’s finest actors including Sarah Drew, Missy Pyle, Sharon Lawrence, Doug Jones, and Taylor Kitsch. For more information about the festival visit caiff.org
LEATHERWALK 2014 is the official kick-off for SAN FRANCISCO’S LEATHER PRIDE WEEK, which culminates one week later at the Folsom Street Events Street Fair. LeatherWalk is a benefit for AIDS EMERGENCY FUND and BREAST CANCER EMERGENCY FUND on Sunday, September 14th from noon to 3pm. We walk together to celebrate leather, kink and community – all while raising funds for two great agencies. Each year, hundreds of LeatherWalkers take over Market Street and march from the Castro to SoMa, beginning at the Harvey Milk Plaza with a short rally and entertainment, including stops at some of EssEff’s favorite watering holes, ending with a beer bust dance party at the SF Eagle, hosted by the Bare Chest Calendar Men. LeatherWalk raises awareness, visibility, and community. There are no registration fees but fundraising IS encouraged! Register at eventbrite.com/e/leatherwalk-2014-the-official-kick-off-for-san-franciscos-leather-pride-week-tickets-12297294539. leatherwalk.org
The upcoming 2014 GLAAD GALA San Francisco is entitled GAME CHANGERS! Join GLAAD for this special occasion highlighting distinguished honorees and the Ric Weiland Award, a new honor for innovators who advance LGBTQ equality through tech and new media. Your support of GLAAD Gala SF will help GLAAD extend its long history and successful track record of advocating for queer equality into a safe and inclusive digital world. Proposition 8 plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier will be honored at the event, receiving the Presidential Local Hero Award. The gala will be hosted by Orange Is the New Black star Taryn Manning and will feature a special performance by Glee star Alex Newell. Other special guests include TV host and political pundit Meghan McCain and actor/director Peter Paige, as well as YouTube LGBTQ advocates Tyler Oakley & Hannah Hart. For tickets, visit glaad.org/SFgala or contact ticketing office at tickets@glaad.org Saturday, September 13th, Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Doors open 5:30pm.
For 32 years, AIDS EMERGENCY FUND (AEF) has been a financial lifeline, providing more than $32,000,000 to help tens of thousands of San Franciscans disabled by HIV/AIDS avoid eviction or utility shut-off and live stably and independently in our community. LEATHER AND FEATHERS is AEF’s annual gala, paying tribute to our supporters in the kink and drag communities. They are pleased to introduce for the first time their Fantasy Runway, in which community members show their finest in leather gear, fetish wear, and drag on Thursday, September 18th, 7pm at Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard. Join them for cocktails, passed food, and special performances, as well as awards commemorating the work of community members to make San Francisco a better place.
They are honoring Beach Blanket Babylon, Joanie Juster, and Dana Van Gorder as award recipients for their fine work in the community. Donna Sachet & Sister Roma will once again MC the event. They have sexy and stylish AEF supporters lined up for the Fantasy Runway: on the Leather Runway: Beth Bicoastal, Michael Brandon, Andy Cross, Philippe Gosselin, Lance Holman, Dalton Huckaby, Jr., Julian Marshburn, Demetri Moshoyannis, Noodles and Beef, TitanMen exclusive Nick Prescott, Al Saadia, and Emperor JP Soto; and working the Feathers Runway: Tita Aida, Mahlae Balenciaga, Cockatielia, Leo Forte, Kitty Glamour, Honey Mahogany, Holy McGrail, Mercedez Munro, Mr. Pam, and BeBe Sweetbriar. aef-sf.org
Sister Dana sez, “ Congress has introduced a new bill known as the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act. If passed, this would allow religiously affiliated adoption or foster care agencies to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or religious affiliation. We must tell Congress that protecting discrimination is NOT religious freedom!”
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