Going on a big gay cruise boat probably doesn’t sound like a vacation from San Francisco. It’s actually more like San Francisco on steroids, or on acid, or on the most perfect trail mix of party drugs.
Which means for this Original Fag Hag and self-proclaimed cruise director, it’s a sun-soaked slice of heaven. Blazing sunshine is really the only thing the “Dick Deck” has that San Francisco doesn’t have when it comes to a perfect gay world. Setting sail on an Atlantis cruise is like living in a biosphere where the only concerns are whether you have enough sunscreen on and what to wear to the next party.
Living in the bubble of San Francisco feels like gaycation a lot of the time. We work really hard to play really hard, but hedonism is really our full-time job. The rest of the gay world looks to us to set the standard!
On the boat, the hedonism is more intensified, and the agenda more compressed. Instead of 3 parties a weekend, it’s 3 parties a day, and instead of the occasional weekend in Speedos on Boy Beach, it’s a nonstop parade of underwear models in banana hammocks. It’s like a weeklong reality-show challenge, in which one’s skills as a homosexual are put to the ultimate test.
Coming home from a gay cruise ain’t pretty, even when you’re coming home to Oz. I’ll be back just in time for Halloween, a holiday that reminds me yet again how special San Francisco is. Costumes are practically our uniforms here over the rainbow, and there’s a pagan ritual going on somewhere every night of the week.
October 23
Queens Are Wild: StopAIDS Project and Elbow Grease invite you to roll the dice
A Halloween casino event and dance party, hosted by Bebe Sweetbriar, plus a special appearance by Kristine W
Casino games, pornstar dealers, and a costume contest from 8pm-midnight; dancing until 3am at Mezzanine, 444 Jesse Street at 5th, tickets start at $25
www.stopaids.org/queensarewild or 415.575.0150 x260
AND
GhettoDisco: DJ Hawthorne’s Birthday Bash, wth Shawn Perry & Cuervo
11pm-11am, featuring an extended crazy-funky afterhours set beginning at 2am, no cover before midnight
Endup, 6th and Harrison
www.theendup.com/events/ghettodisco.html
October 24
Pornstar returns with music by producer/remixer DJ Escape
Featuring Rascal Exclusive Jeremy Bildingmusic; Host Michael Brandon and Gogo studs Damian Rios, Race Cooper, and Darren Summers
With 2 floors and 3 bars of Manly Mayhem, with a Perky Booty contest in the 70s soul/disco lounge
9pm-3am at Club Eight, 1151 Folsom, $15 before midnight/$20 after
AND
Memory/Healing Party: HIV Era Veterans Celebration
Celebrate the everyday heroes who have survived and thrived in the HIV era, with music, dancing, workshops, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
1pm-5pm, War Memorial Veterans' Hall, 401 Van Ness, free
www.richtrove.com
October 25
Church: Celebrating 10 years of Our Love!
Go to church with Bebe Sweetbriar; Free brunch with soul food, old-school gospel, hip hop and R&B spun by DJ Olga T; special guest performances by the Black Men of the Castro Calendar, with dancing and mimosas
1pm-5pm at The Café, 2367 Market Street
October 26
Defying Inequality: A Celebrity Benefit for Marriage Equality at San Francisco Palace of the Fine Arts
Join the cast of Wicked San Francisco, Broadway stars, members of the San Francisco Arts Community, and a variety of celebrity guests for an evening of song and dance in support equal rights.
Entertainment includes Patty Duke, Bruce Vilanch, the Cast of Wicked San Francisco, Matt Alber, Clifford Banagale, Boylesque, Connie Champagne, Carmen Cusack, Ava Garter, Judy Gold, Selene Luna, Meg Mackay, Scott Matthew, Billy Philadelphia, Laughing Pizza, Empress XXX Donna Sachet, and Suzanne Whanghunter, Las Vegas).
7:30-9:30 pm VIP Reception (Show only, $100; Show and VIP Party, $250)
www.defyinginequality.com
October 31 – Halloween
Colossus: A Celebration of Lost Idols with DJ Manny Lehman
Major dead celebrity costume contest with cash prizes
10pm-4am, high atop the Metreon at the corner of 4th & Mission, $50 advance/$60 door
http://www.guspresents.com/colossushalloween
FOLLOWED BY: reLOAD Afterhours at 525 Howard with DJ Pornstar, $20 door
AND
Halloween: A Party! Presented by Trannyshack & Midnight Mass
Hosted by Heklina as "Dragula" & Peaches Christ as "Tran Helsing"; Featuring Putanesca, Holy McGrail, Lady Bear, and Syphilis Diller, Raya Light, Holotta Tymes, Cookie Dough and More; Co-Starring Jackie Beat, with DJs Pinky Ring & Silencefiction
9pm-3am, midnight show at The Cat Club, 1190 Folsom St. at 8th, $15 cover/$25 out of costume
www.trannyshack.com
AND
Big Top: A Homoween Disco Circus
With DJs Kevin Graves (NYC) and Marcus Boogie; a midnight show featuring Oxana Olsen, Miss Rahni and Tess Tickle; Juanita MORE’s annual Halloween costume contest; Booty Call portraits
9pm-3am at Club Ei8ht, 1151 Folsom, $10 door
AND
Social Club: Halloween Fun House with DJs Lee Decker, Luke Fry, Pornstar and Joshua J
Sideshow freaks, spectacular live acts, Ringmaster Hostess Lady Lumpia, Psycho Circus Clowns
9pm at Lookout, 16th and Market in the Castro
November 1
Come see the Original Fag Hag on the gogo box at:
Halloween Fresh with DJ/Producer Tony Moran – his Fresh debut!
Benefiting World Bike, 6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street @ Geary, $20 advance/$25 door
www.freshsf.com
November 6:
Nasty: A Filthy Fun-raiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund
The Black Party: Get your leather goth on!
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom, $5
Nasty Girl Suzan Revah hosts; Nasty Boys play STICK IT IN!; Special performance by Glam Electro Pop Duo Ejector; with dirty dancing & dirty demos; free massage by Alex of Club EROS
www.powerhouse-sf.com
Suzan Revah is a writer, performer, promoter, fundraiser, and party bringer in the gayest city on earth.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Bring It! October 2, 2009
San Francisco has its own way of doing everything, and it’s particularly apparently this time of year, our peak season.
I’m not just talking about our Indian Summer. Much like the Jewish calendar has its own timeline and its own set of holidays, San Francisco’s calendar doesn’t quite synch beyond the bubble.
While the rest of the Western world cues its seasonal stress to Thanksgiving and Christmas, our “high holidays” in Oz are marked by Pride and Folsom, with the Castro Street Fair feeling something like New Year’s Eve. Much like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, our major holidays give us the chance to celebrate another year of glitter while atoning for our “sins.” (I don’t know about you, but I’m still licking my wounds from Folsom!)
While “normal” people are storing away their beach blankets and going through crates of Christmas ornaments, San Franciscans are wondering if their rainbow flags are in good enough condition to fly proud through the rainy season. We’re planning our gaycation budgets, and we’re repairing our leathers so they’ll be in good condition for the next “formal” event.
I never cared much for Easter before I moved to San Francisco, but it’s now among my favorite holidays. It’s perfectly irreverent, and a perfect tribute to the birth of spring. Our rites and rituals take paganism to a whole new level, and the significance of gathering San Framily to “observe” holidays like The White Party or even Fleet Week - gotta have an excuse for sailor suits! - is no less real than any church meeting.
Our need for fundraisers, support groups, and booster clubs is no less real, either. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from the fabulous blur of parties and parades by this time of the year, and Halloween is just around the corner!
I’m not just talking about our Indian Summer. Much like the Jewish calendar has its own timeline and its own set of holidays, San Francisco’s calendar doesn’t quite synch beyond the bubble.
While the rest of the Western world cues its seasonal stress to Thanksgiving and Christmas, our “high holidays” in Oz are marked by Pride and Folsom, with the Castro Street Fair feeling something like New Year’s Eve. Much like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, our major holidays give us the chance to celebrate another year of glitter while atoning for our “sins.” (I don’t know about you, but I’m still licking my wounds from Folsom!)
While “normal” people are storing away their beach blankets and going through crates of Christmas ornaments, San Franciscans are wondering if their rainbow flags are in good enough condition to fly proud through the rainy season. We’re planning our gaycation budgets, and we’re repairing our leathers so they’ll be in good condition for the next “formal” event.
I never cared much for Easter before I moved to San Francisco, but it’s now among my favorite holidays. It’s perfectly irreverent, and a perfect tribute to the birth of spring. Our rites and rituals take paganism to a whole new level, and the significance of gathering San Framily to “observe” holidays like The White Party or even Fleet Week - gotta have an excuse for sailor suits! - is no less real than any church meeting.
Our need for fundraisers, support groups, and booster clubs is no less real, either. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from the fabulous blur of parties and parades by this time of the year, and Halloween is just around the corner!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bring It! August 31, 2009
I’m a Pollyanna of the gay dance circuit. In my eyes, all is glittery and love under the disco ball, a community coming together to move their bodies and spirits.
Which is why it warms my gay heart when the community also comes together behind the scenes, with party producers/promoters joining forces to deliver a disco double-whammy.
Take Sundance, the Russian River circuit revival brought to us by Gus Presents, along with some help from DJ Luke Johnstone’s Dig-It-Talent. After a 5-year hiatus, the event made a hugely successful comeback, bringing the boys together for an unforgettable day of dancing in the sunshine.
From my perspective on the dancefloor – which is somewhere in between work and play, somewhere between promoter and party girl - collaboration and cooperation produce better results than competition.
Take Black XXXmas, another event Gus and Luke come together to produce each year. It’s unique and huge, and we look forward to it each year. Can we get some more of that, please?
I know it sounds idealistic (Pollyanna), but my take is that our nightlife scene is really working when we’ve got the best of our producers and promoters working together.
With all the fun parties/scenes in San Francisco, it’s hard enough out here for a promoter. Party people are moody and fussy. We’re skeptical of new events, even though our favorite complaint is that that there aren’t enough of them. We always want more but we don’t want to pay more, and we have short memories when the essentially thankless job of producing goes well.
That just means we’re no different than any other city, but I like to think of San Francisco as a city that transcends.
Like at this year’s Pride, when the Wunderland team threw its support to the boys behind The Disco. The party surpassed expectations and was the hit of the weekend. Gay Day Great America brings together Fresh’s Janine Shiota and DJ Luke Johnstone, and the result is an event that consistently overflows with talent.
The power to have more partnerships and less drama lies within us. We vote by showing up, and we can easily encourage our nightlife scene to be less war-torn and more like a gay United Nations.
The Folsom Street Fair couldn’t be what it is today without promoters and producers rallying together. It’s now a worldwide model of what can happen when a simple party transcends, having grown up into not just a San Francisco icon, but a massive fundraiser as well.
Why wouldn’t we want more parties backed by more people who know how to give us the goods? If my gays have taught me nothing, it’s that more is more and less is a bore, so to all the promoters who are willing to tag-team to give us more, I say “Bring it!”
Which is why it warms my gay heart when the community also comes together behind the scenes, with party producers/promoters joining forces to deliver a disco double-whammy.
Take Sundance, the Russian River circuit revival brought to us by Gus Presents, along with some help from DJ Luke Johnstone’s Dig-It-Talent. After a 5-year hiatus, the event made a hugely successful comeback, bringing the boys together for an unforgettable day of dancing in the sunshine.
From my perspective on the dancefloor – which is somewhere in between work and play, somewhere between promoter and party girl - collaboration and cooperation produce better results than competition.
Take Black XXXmas, another event Gus and Luke come together to produce each year. It’s unique and huge, and we look forward to it each year. Can we get some more of that, please?
I know it sounds idealistic (Pollyanna), but my take is that our nightlife scene is really working when we’ve got the best of our producers and promoters working together.
With all the fun parties/scenes in San Francisco, it’s hard enough out here for a promoter. Party people are moody and fussy. We’re skeptical of new events, even though our favorite complaint is that that there aren’t enough of them. We always want more but we don’t want to pay more, and we have short memories when the essentially thankless job of producing goes well.
That just means we’re no different than any other city, but I like to think of San Francisco as a city that transcends.
Like at this year’s Pride, when the Wunderland team threw its support to the boys behind The Disco. The party surpassed expectations and was the hit of the weekend. Gay Day Great America brings together Fresh’s Janine Shiota and DJ Luke Johnstone, and the result is an event that consistently overflows with talent.
The power to have more partnerships and less drama lies within us. We vote by showing up, and we can easily encourage our nightlife scene to be less war-torn and more like a gay United Nations.
The Folsom Street Fair couldn’t be what it is today without promoters and producers rallying together. It’s now a worldwide model of what can happen when a simple party transcends, having grown up into not just a San Francisco icon, but a massive fundraiser as well.
Why wouldn’t we want more parties backed by more people who know how to give us the goods? If my gays have taught me nothing, it’s that more is more and less is a bore, so to all the promoters who are willing to tag-team to give us more, I say “Bring it!”
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bring It! August 18, 2009
Life is precious, and short, and there’s no better city than San Francisco to seize the gay day and live to your loudest and proudest.
Some might call it hedonism, but I would say it’s just making the most of our time. We squeeze every last drop out of this life while we can, because when you’re living over the rainbow, that’s just how we roll.
Sure, devotion to pleasure as a way of life can have some pitfalls (sleep deprivation and spending beyond one’s means come to mind), but living the dream is what our nightlife scene is all about. Whatever faggotry you fancy, we’ve got it. San Francisco is the ultimate enabler.
For a small town, our parties are impressively larger than life. Big holiday weekends always remind me that we take the concept of lifestyle to the extreme here in our beautiful little bubble by the bay, and I personally wouldn’t want it any other way.
Here’s where I’ll be bringing it while the bringin’s good…
Friday, August 28
Trannyshack Bjork Night
The annual salute to the Ice Princess
Featuring a midnight show with peformances by Heklina, Putanesca, Peggy L'eggs, Glamamore, Kiddie, Fauxnique, Raya Light, Syphilis Diller, Ambrosia Salad, Vivianne Forevermore, Elijah Minnelli, and many more.
10pm-3am at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, $12
AND
DJ Jamie J Sanchez at Trigger, 2344 Market Street, www.clubtrigger.com
Saturday, August 29
The Return of Big Top, A Homo Disco Circus
A party for fags, dykes, and tranimals
With DJ Juanita More and DJ Goldblooded, plus a drag show dedicated to Michael Jackson featuring performances by Charisma Glitteratti, Ambrosia Salad, Hoku Mama Swamp, and from Ru Paul's Drag Race, Miss Tammie Brown.
9pm-3am at Club Ei8ht, 1151 Folsom between 8th and 9th, free before 10pm, $5 after
Sunday, August 30
Mr. and Miss Golden Gate Gaymes and Picnic
BBQ, buffet, beer and beverage bust presented by the Imperial Council of San Francisco
Noon – 5pm at the Eureka Valley Rec Center Main Field, at 18th and Collingwood in the Castro, $20
Streetcar procession immediately following to the Golden Gate finale at Triple Crown, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, September 5
SF Leather Daddy boy XXVII Contest
Benefiting the AIDS Emergency Fund
9pm-midnight at The Eagle Tavern, 398 12th at Harrison
AND
Wunderland with DJs Eddie Elias and Hawthorne
10pm-6am at Mezzanine, 444 Jesse Street @ Mint, $15 before midnight, $25 after
AND
Underworld with DJ Kevin Lee
Drop your pants and dance!
10pm-6am at 550 Barneveld, $20
www.guspresents.com/underworld
Sunday, September 6
Fresh with DJ Manny Lehman
Benefiting AIDS Project LA
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary, $20 advance/$25 door
www.freshsf.com
AND
Sanctuary with DJs John LePage and Alexander
Men. Music. Muscle.
10pm-6am at 1015 Folsom, $20 advance/$30 door
www.guspresents.com/sanctuary
Friday, September 11
Nasty: A filthy fun-raiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund
With Suzan Revah as your Nasty Girl host, and Nasty Boys playing STICK IT IN!
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom between 9th and 10th
www.powerhouse-sf.com
Some might call it hedonism, but I would say it’s just making the most of our time. We squeeze every last drop out of this life while we can, because when you’re living over the rainbow, that’s just how we roll.
Sure, devotion to pleasure as a way of life can have some pitfalls (sleep deprivation and spending beyond one’s means come to mind), but living the dream is what our nightlife scene is all about. Whatever faggotry you fancy, we’ve got it. San Francisco is the ultimate enabler.
For a small town, our parties are impressively larger than life. Big holiday weekends always remind me that we take the concept of lifestyle to the extreme here in our beautiful little bubble by the bay, and I personally wouldn’t want it any other way.
Here’s where I’ll be bringing it while the bringin’s good…
Friday, August 28
Trannyshack Bjork Night
The annual salute to the Ice Princess
Featuring a midnight show with peformances by Heklina, Putanesca, Peggy L'eggs, Glamamore, Kiddie, Fauxnique, Raya Light, Syphilis Diller, Ambrosia Salad, Vivianne Forevermore, Elijah Minnelli, and many more.
10pm-3am at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, $12
AND
DJ Jamie J Sanchez at Trigger, 2344 Market Street, www.clubtrigger.com
Saturday, August 29
The Return of Big Top, A Homo Disco Circus
A party for fags, dykes, and tranimals
With DJ Juanita More and DJ Goldblooded, plus a drag show dedicated to Michael Jackson featuring performances by Charisma Glitteratti, Ambrosia Salad, Hoku Mama Swamp, and from Ru Paul's Drag Race, Miss Tammie Brown.
9pm-3am at Club Ei8ht, 1151 Folsom between 8th and 9th, free before 10pm, $5 after
Sunday, August 30
Mr. and Miss Golden Gate Gaymes and Picnic
BBQ, buffet, beer and beverage bust presented by the Imperial Council of San Francisco
Noon – 5pm at the Eureka Valley Rec Center Main Field, at 18th and Collingwood in the Castro, $20
Streetcar procession immediately following to the Golden Gate finale at Triple Crown, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, September 5
SF Leather Daddy boy XXVII Contest
Benefiting the AIDS Emergency Fund
9pm-midnight at The Eagle Tavern, 398 12th at Harrison
AND
Wunderland with DJs Eddie Elias and Hawthorne
10pm-6am at Mezzanine, 444 Jesse Street @ Mint, $15 before midnight, $25 after
AND
Underworld with DJ Kevin Lee
Drop your pants and dance!
10pm-6am at 550 Barneveld, $20
www.guspresents.com/underworld
Sunday, September 6
Fresh with DJ Manny Lehman
Benefiting AIDS Project LA
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary, $20 advance/$25 door
www.freshsf.com
AND
Sanctuary with DJs John LePage and Alexander
Men. Music. Muscle.
10pm-6am at 1015 Folsom, $20 advance/$30 door
www.guspresents.com/sanctuary
Friday, September 11
Nasty: A filthy fun-raiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund
With Suzan Revah as your Nasty Girl host, and Nasty Boys playing STICK IT IN!
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom between 9th and 10th
www.powerhouse-sf.com
Friday, August 7, 2009
Bring It! August 7, 2009
I don’t care nearly as much about Britney Spears as I do about, say, Bebe Sweetbriar, and these days I spend more time looking through photos on Facebook than I do looking through the pages of Us Weekly.
I attribute this behavior to a phenomenon known as “sublebrity” (some call it “localebrity”), and it’s yet another reason why I love living in San Francisco. We have our own unique vibe in all that we do, and our local talent is rich and revolutionary. All the entertainment and amusement I could possibly need resides right here in our beautiful bubble by the bay.
I love to hate Facebook, but I also hate to love it. More and more, it seems like “social networking” is everyone’s favorite version of reality TV. As citizens of the action-packed Castro, it’s easy to feel better about ourselves when we compare to our “peers,” especially those bored and boring souls from our former lives who aren’t privileged enough to live here. (Bless their hearts.)
We feel validated, and our sublebrity status is confirmed, when our hundreds of “friends” and “fans” recognize, appreciate, and support our colorful, quirky little lives on the glittery stage of the San Francisco scene. Keeping this in mind motivates me to go out even more, and to bring it even harder.
Here’s where me and my sublebrity pals will be acting up next, creating the next episode in the days of our fabulous lives. Come on out and make for some good Fagbook TV with me!
Friday, August 14
Lick It: What Do You Have a Taste For?
Benefiting the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and the Positive Resource Center. Come get satiated at this event hosted by Lance Holman. Featuring lickable gogo dancers, decadent raffles, and Ms. V at the bootblack stand.
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street (between 9th & 10th)
www.powerhouse-sf.com
AND
SF Grand Ball: An Old-School Vogue Ball Competition
Part of Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory’s residency at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Push Play Festival
The House of Glitter challenges all of the Bay Area's Houses of Queens, Kings, Butches and every Queerity in between to compete, every Friday in August, leading up to the Battle at Ground Zero Championship on September 11 and a $200 prize for Best in Show. Tommy LaBeija from NYC's Legendary House of LaBeija oversees the judging, so get your house in order!
8pm at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street
http://groups.google.com/group/sfgrandvogueball
Saturday, August 15
Industry San Francisco DJ Showcase with DJs James Torres, Russ Rich, Frank Wild and Jamie J Sanchez
Plus, performances by Suzan Revah Original Fag Hag and the Pussy Posse, including Steven Satyricon and Joanna Parks on the gogo box!
10pm-5am at Mighty, 119 Utah Street at 15th, $15 advance/$25 door
www.industrysf.com
AND
The 14th Annual Drag King Contest
The biggest drag king competition in the world, benefiting P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support)
8pm to 2:30am at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, $15 in advance/$20 door (general admission); $25 VIP, $35 limited balcony seating
www.dnalounge.com
AND
Bearracuda 3-year Anniversary
With DJs Tony Ruiz, BoyShapedBox, and Medic, plus a 10:30pm show with Fruitbomb, Hoku Mama Swamp, Glitterella, and Glamamore
Hot and cold snacks in the pool room, heavy petting all over
9pm-3am at Deco at 510 Larkin @ Turk, $8
www.bearracuda.com
Sunday, August 16
Flagging in the Park with DJ Luke Johnstone
Benefiting Larkin Street Youth Services
Enjoy sun, music, flagging, friends, and fauna at this event, a tradition that started in 1996 as a celebration of life. Open to all of the flow arts - fan dancing, flag dancing, poi - and their supporters.
1pm-4pm in the AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park
AND
Fresh with the Perry Twins
Benefiting AIDS Walk
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary
$20 advance or before 6pm, $25 after
www.freshsf.com
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY:
Thick with DJ Luke Johnstone
11pm-3am at Club Ei8ht, 1151 Folsom Street between 7th and 8th, $10
www.eightsf.com
Friday, August 21
Meat Packin’ Contest, Benefiting Under One Roof and the AIDS Emergency Fund
Your chance to show your pride for what you're packing! Don your favorite jock, boxer, or brief to show what you've got, then battle with your bulge for a $100 cash prize. (Contestants need to arrive by 10:30pm.)
Sponsored by Colt Studios, and featuring Suzan Revah the Original Fag Hag on the judging panel (lucky me!).
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom, $5
www.powerhouse-sf.com
All weekend long: August 21-23
Sundance: Russian River Party Weekend
All-day outdoor dancing in the sun under the mighty redwood trees of western Sonoma County. Like one big, gay summer camp!
Saturday:
Daylight Pool Party with DJs Lee Decker and Jason G, 11am-6pm at the Russian River Resort; followed by Moondance Men on the Moon with DJ Matt Consola, 9pm-6am at River Space
Sunday:
Sundance Russian River Morning Party with DJ Phil B, Noon-6pm at a private Guerneville Estate; followed by Sunset Massive Tribal Closing Dance with DJ Luke Johnstone, 6pm-3am at River Space, featuring a special performance by Suzan Revah, the Original Fag Hag, and Travis Creston, Mr. SF Leather 2007.
www.guspresents.com/sundance
ALSO:
Saturday, August 22
Shangri-La August Moon Festival Party with DJs Dan De Leon, Kevin Lee, and Alan Bentley
10pm-6am at The Endup, 6th and Harrison Streets
Free before 11pm, $15 until 2am, $20 after
www.theendup.com
Sunday, August 23
Endup T-Dance with DJ Frank Wild
Sunday “church” begins at 6am, Frank Wild spins at noon. Resident DJs keep the beats going until 8pm.
The Endup, 6th and Harrison Streets
www.theendup.com
Tuesday, August 25
Chaser & Electronic Music Bears Present… The Miss Grrrrrrl Pageant
A night devoted to our plump and furry friends and their lovers.
9pm-late, show at 11pm at The Endup, 401 6th Street at Harrison, $10
www.theendup.com
I attribute this behavior to a phenomenon known as “sublebrity” (some call it “localebrity”), and it’s yet another reason why I love living in San Francisco. We have our own unique vibe in all that we do, and our local talent is rich and revolutionary. All the entertainment and amusement I could possibly need resides right here in our beautiful bubble by the bay.
I love to hate Facebook, but I also hate to love it. More and more, it seems like “social networking” is everyone’s favorite version of reality TV. As citizens of the action-packed Castro, it’s easy to feel better about ourselves when we compare to our “peers,” especially those bored and boring souls from our former lives who aren’t privileged enough to live here. (Bless their hearts.)
We feel validated, and our sublebrity status is confirmed, when our hundreds of “friends” and “fans” recognize, appreciate, and support our colorful, quirky little lives on the glittery stage of the San Francisco scene. Keeping this in mind motivates me to go out even more, and to bring it even harder.
Here’s where me and my sublebrity pals will be acting up next, creating the next episode in the days of our fabulous lives. Come on out and make for some good Fagbook TV with me!
Friday, August 14
Lick It: What Do You Have a Taste For?
Benefiting the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and the Positive Resource Center. Come get satiated at this event hosted by Lance Holman. Featuring lickable gogo dancers, decadent raffles, and Ms. V at the bootblack stand.
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street (between 9th & 10th)
www.powerhouse-sf.com
AND
SF Grand Ball: An Old-School Vogue Ball Competition
Part of Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory’s residency at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Push Play Festival
The House of Glitter challenges all of the Bay Area's Houses of Queens, Kings, Butches and every Queerity in between to compete, every Friday in August, leading up to the Battle at Ground Zero Championship on September 11 and a $200 prize for Best in Show. Tommy LaBeija from NYC's Legendary House of LaBeija oversees the judging, so get your house in order!
8pm at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street
http://groups.google.com/group/sfgrandvogueball
Saturday, August 15
Industry San Francisco DJ Showcase with DJs James Torres, Russ Rich, Frank Wild and Jamie J Sanchez
Plus, performances by Suzan Revah Original Fag Hag and the Pussy Posse, including Steven Satyricon and Joanna Parks on the gogo box!
10pm-5am at Mighty, 119 Utah Street at 15th, $15 advance/$25 door
www.industrysf.com
AND
The 14th Annual Drag King Contest
The biggest drag king competition in the world, benefiting P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support)
8pm to 2:30am at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, $15 in advance/$20 door (general admission); $25 VIP, $35 limited balcony seating
www.dnalounge.com
AND
Bearracuda 3-year Anniversary
With DJs Tony Ruiz, BoyShapedBox, and Medic, plus a 10:30pm show with Fruitbomb, Hoku Mama Swamp, Glitterella, and Glamamore
Hot and cold snacks in the pool room, heavy petting all over
9pm-3am at Deco at 510 Larkin @ Turk, $8
www.bearracuda.com
Sunday, August 16
Flagging in the Park with DJ Luke Johnstone
Benefiting Larkin Street Youth Services
Enjoy sun, music, flagging, friends, and fauna at this event, a tradition that started in 1996 as a celebration of life. Open to all of the flow arts - fan dancing, flag dancing, poi - and their supporters.
1pm-4pm in the AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park
AND
Fresh with the Perry Twins
Benefiting AIDS Walk
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary
$20 advance or before 6pm, $25 after
www.freshsf.com
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY:
Thick with DJ Luke Johnstone
11pm-3am at Club Ei8ht, 1151 Folsom Street between 7th and 8th, $10
www.eightsf.com
Friday, August 21
Meat Packin’ Contest, Benefiting Under One Roof and the AIDS Emergency Fund
Your chance to show your pride for what you're packing! Don your favorite jock, boxer, or brief to show what you've got, then battle with your bulge for a $100 cash prize. (Contestants need to arrive by 10:30pm.)
Sponsored by Colt Studios, and featuring Suzan Revah the Original Fag Hag on the judging panel (lucky me!).
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom, $5
www.powerhouse-sf.com
All weekend long: August 21-23
Sundance: Russian River Party Weekend
All-day outdoor dancing in the sun under the mighty redwood trees of western Sonoma County. Like one big, gay summer camp!
Saturday:
Daylight Pool Party with DJs Lee Decker and Jason G, 11am-6pm at the Russian River Resort; followed by Moondance Men on the Moon with DJ Matt Consola, 9pm-6am at River Space
Sunday:
Sundance Russian River Morning Party with DJ Phil B, Noon-6pm at a private Guerneville Estate; followed by Sunset Massive Tribal Closing Dance with DJ Luke Johnstone, 6pm-3am at River Space, featuring a special performance by Suzan Revah, the Original Fag Hag, and Travis Creston, Mr. SF Leather 2007.
www.guspresents.com/sundance
ALSO:
Saturday, August 22
Shangri-La August Moon Festival Party with DJs Dan De Leon, Kevin Lee, and Alan Bentley
10pm-6am at The Endup, 6th and Harrison Streets
Free before 11pm, $15 until 2am, $20 after
www.theendup.com
Sunday, August 23
Endup T-Dance with DJ Frank Wild
Sunday “church” begins at 6am, Frank Wild spins at noon. Resident DJs keep the beats going until 8pm.
The Endup, 6th and Harrison Streets
www.theendup.com
Tuesday, August 25
Chaser & Electronic Music Bears Present… The Miss Grrrrrrl Pageant
A night devoted to our plump and furry friends and their lovers.
9pm-late, show at 11pm at The Endup, 401 6th Street at Harrison, $10
www.theendup.com
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Bring It! July 25, 2009
The yellow brick road that leads to San Francisco leads the way for so many a gay.
The fact that our city gave birth to the concept of bears is yet another reason to be so proud that we live here, as it illustrates and celebrates the diversity of our standard-setting gay community.
Lazy Bear weekend is a lovely chance to reflect on how the freedom we enjoy here allows us to evolve past a community of mere Castro clones. Here in the land over the rainbow, we have a gay for every taste, and a flag for every fag.
The bears are a grrrr-eat example of how our beautiful little bubble by the bay allows everyone to create their own reality - not only to survive, but to thrive.
Bear identity was born in San Francisco in the 80s, in defiance of the smooth ideal of the stereotypical muscle queen. A welcome aesthetic alternative to the swishy twink, our furry, burly bears stand for acceptance. They have been wildly successful in promoting an alternative identity for gay men who just can’t see themselves in the clichés (the Generibears backlash notwithstanding).
These days the bears are a subculture of their own, with their own code, their own titles, and their own circuit. Even aside from the International Bear Rendezvous and Lazy Bear, their neck of the woods is a year-round party.
As a proud Goldilocks with big love for all my bears, from cute little cubs to otters and wolves, it’s great to know that you can skip the gym, pack a picnic, and take a walk on the wild side anytime. Whether it’s Bearracuda, Movie Bears, Bearapalooza or Bearlesque that makes you go WOOF, our bears bring the realness, to the Russian River and beyond.
July 29-August 3
Lazy Bear Weekend in Guerneville
Thousands of men from around the world gather every summer in the forest town of Guerneville for a week of dancing, drinking beer and just being with men. www.lazybearweekend.com
Saturday, August 1
Bearracuda: Mid-summer underwear party
A party for bears, cubs and other wildlife, with free massages, great tunes, tasty snacks, and friendly guys
9pm at Deco, 510 Larkin @ Turk www.bearracuda.com
Friday, August 7
Nasty: A filthy fun-raiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund
With Suzan Revah as your Nasty Girl host, and Nasty Boys playing “Stick it in!”
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street www.powerhouse-sf.com
Friday, August 8
Dancing with the Drag Stars
Who will be crowned champion in the final round? Featuring the Original Fag Hag competing against four of her fiercest drag sisters, with celebrity judges and guest performances.
7pm at Cheryl Burke Dance Grand Ballroom, 1830 17th Street
Wunderland with DJs Hawthorne and Kio Kio
The official Dancing with the Drag Stars afterparty
10pm at Glas Kat 520 4th @ Bryant
Tuesday, August 11
Chaser: The Black Issue, A Tribute to the African-American Drag Diva
Featuring performances by Mercedez Munro, Erykah Daye Munro, Miss Rahni
Carrie BlackShaw, and Honey Mahogany
9pm at The Endup, 401 6th Street @ Harrison
The fact that our city gave birth to the concept of bears is yet another reason to be so proud that we live here, as it illustrates and celebrates the diversity of our standard-setting gay community.
Lazy Bear weekend is a lovely chance to reflect on how the freedom we enjoy here allows us to evolve past a community of mere Castro clones. Here in the land over the rainbow, we have a gay for every taste, and a flag for every fag.
The bears are a grrrr-eat example of how our beautiful little bubble by the bay allows everyone to create their own reality - not only to survive, but to thrive.
Bear identity was born in San Francisco in the 80s, in defiance of the smooth ideal of the stereotypical muscle queen. A welcome aesthetic alternative to the swishy twink, our furry, burly bears stand for acceptance. They have been wildly successful in promoting an alternative identity for gay men who just can’t see themselves in the clichés (the Generibears backlash notwithstanding).
These days the bears are a subculture of their own, with their own code, their own titles, and their own circuit. Even aside from the International Bear Rendezvous and Lazy Bear, their neck of the woods is a year-round party.
As a proud Goldilocks with big love for all my bears, from cute little cubs to otters and wolves, it’s great to know that you can skip the gym, pack a picnic, and take a walk on the wild side anytime. Whether it’s Bearracuda, Movie Bears, Bearapalooza or Bearlesque that makes you go WOOF, our bears bring the realness, to the Russian River and beyond.
July 29-August 3
Lazy Bear Weekend in Guerneville
Thousands of men from around the world gather every summer in the forest town of Guerneville for a week of dancing, drinking beer and just being with men. www.lazybearweekend.com
Saturday, August 1
Bearracuda: Mid-summer underwear party
A party for bears, cubs and other wildlife, with free massages, great tunes, tasty snacks, and friendly guys
9pm at Deco, 510 Larkin @ Turk www.bearracuda.com
Friday, August 7
Nasty: A filthy fun-raiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund
With Suzan Revah as your Nasty Girl host, and Nasty Boys playing “Stick it in!”
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street www.powerhouse-sf.com
Friday, August 8
Dancing with the Drag Stars
Who will be crowned champion in the final round? Featuring the Original Fag Hag competing against four of her fiercest drag sisters, with celebrity judges and guest performances.
7pm at Cheryl Burke Dance Grand Ballroom, 1830 17th Street
Wunderland with DJs Hawthorne and Kio Kio
The official Dancing with the Drag Stars afterparty
10pm at Glas Kat 520 4th @ Bryant
Tuesday, August 11
Chaser: The Black Issue, A Tribute to the African-American Drag Diva
Featuring performances by Mercedez Munro, Erykah Daye Munro, Miss Rahni
Carrie BlackShaw, and Honey Mahogany
9pm at The Endup, 401 6th Street @ Harrison
Friday, July 10, 2009
Bring It! July 10, 2009
There’s nothing a gay boy loves more than an only-in-San-Francisco event, and Up Your Alley is, well, right up my alley.
Leather, fetish, and BDSM have come a long way since this hard-core street festival began in 1985. Kink is hardly unique or hardly subversive anymore, but that doesn’t make it any less essential to the distinct and distinguished character of our beloved bay of pigs.
There may never be a time again when I’ll be one of just a handful of females daring to do Dore. That’s bittersweet, personally, for an old-school fag hag like me, but it’s also undeniable progress politically. There’s no longer actual risk associated with strutting SOMA in your chaps and nipple clamps, because sexual freedom is no longer a privilege, it’s our right. That’s a real reason to celebrate.
No matter what color hanky you flag, and no matter if your gear is actually just drag, set aside a day devoted to dancing, demos, and debauchery. Depravity is as much a source of pride for our community as anything with a rainbow on it, so rock out with your cock out!
That’s what I’ll be doing at all the Up Your Alley events, and I hope you’ll come play with me. I expect to see your ass, too, or I’ll paddle it until you beg for mercy. Out of respect for Dore, I’ll even leave the glitter at home!
Friday, July 17:
Happy Hour with DJ Christopher B
5:30-8:30pm at Lookout, 2600 16th Street @ Market
www.lookoutsf.com
AND
MANnequin Fridays
Tragically gorgeous flowers, legendary Diptyque smell, and the sound waves of Amasha & Mc Clure
BOC, 198 Church Street
$2, 2-for-1 Ketel One drinks until 12am
www.mannequinsf.com
AND
SMACK! Hosted by Juanita MORE! and Nathan Rapport of Detroit’s SASS
Featuring Detroit ex-pat Jason Kendig and Detroit tastemaker Chuck Hampton delivering a very potent shot of Detroit-style dance fun.
10pm-2am at Underground SF, 424 Haight Street, $5
www.juanitamore.com
AND
GhettoDisco
The Endup, 6th & Harrison Streets
11pm-11am, always free before midnight
http://www.theendup.com/events/ghettodisco.html
Saturday, July 18:
Michael Jackson Night at Club Gossip
Authentic 80s music and video in two rooms hosted by Randy Maupin, with a heavy dose of Michael Jackson between 11pm and midnight
9:30-3am at The Cat Club, 1190 Folsom Street, free before 10pm, $8 after
Sunday, July 19:
I’ll be celebrating my birthday on the gogo box at Fresh, my favorite T-dance. There’s an open invitation to spank me, which makes it the perfect warm-up for Dore!
Fresh with DJ Dan DeLeon
Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary, $20 advance or before 6:30pm, $25 after
www.freshsf.com
Tuesday, July 21:
Posh Tuesdays with Donna Sachet
5pm-7pm at Infusion Lounge, 124 Ellis Street
http://www.infusionlounge.com
AND
Bulb: Blockbuster, a Hagztravaghanza hosted by Precious Moments
An interdisciplinary spectacular of electrifying vocalists, titilating trannies, and burlesque. Dance your inspired ass off to classic NYC House beats, featuring the Original Fag Hag and her girl Joanna with bombastic gogo artistry.
11pm-3am at The Stud, 9th and Harrison Streets, $8
Friday, July 24:
Not an official Up Your Alley event, but the Cockettes are officially part of San Francisco’s sexual revolution, and this play celebrates their 40th anniversary, so come pay tribute (through August 16)…
Pearls over Shanghai – Starring Steven Satyricon and Precious Moments!
A comic mock-operetta about white slavery and miscegenation set in the colorful world of 1937 Shanghai.
The Hypnodrome, 575 10th Street
www.thrillpeddlers.com
Saturday, July 25:
Twisted Nastier - Up Your Alley Eve
Filthy dirty gogo dancers (including myself, the Nasty Girl!) and heavy cruising.
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street between 9th and 10th
www.powerhouse-sf.com
AND
Bay of Pigs with DJ Ted Eiel & DJ Luis Cintron (in the dungeon)
Sexy dancers, demos, and play spaces galore.
10pm-4am at 181 Eddy Street, $40 advance/$50 door
http://www.folsomstreetfair.com/bayofpigs/
Sunday, July 26:
Up Your Alley
The Folsom Street fair that’s not for tourists or gawkers.
11am-6pm on Dore Alley between Folsom and Howard Streets, and in the adjoining blocks of Folsom between 9th and Juniper Streets. $7 suggested donation
http://www.folsomstreetfair.com/alley/
AND
PLAY T-Dance with DJ Rob Kaftan
Flirt, Frolic, and Dance at the Up Your Alley T-Dance and Closing Party
5pm-midnight at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street
$20 tickets available from a PLAY Pal (like me!), or $25 advance/$30 door
www.playtdance.com
Leather, fetish, and BDSM have come a long way since this hard-core street festival began in 1985. Kink is hardly unique or hardly subversive anymore, but that doesn’t make it any less essential to the distinct and distinguished character of our beloved bay of pigs.
There may never be a time again when I’ll be one of just a handful of females daring to do Dore. That’s bittersweet, personally, for an old-school fag hag like me, but it’s also undeniable progress politically. There’s no longer actual risk associated with strutting SOMA in your chaps and nipple clamps, because sexual freedom is no longer a privilege, it’s our right. That’s a real reason to celebrate.
No matter what color hanky you flag, and no matter if your gear is actually just drag, set aside a day devoted to dancing, demos, and debauchery. Depravity is as much a source of pride for our community as anything with a rainbow on it, so rock out with your cock out!
That’s what I’ll be doing at all the Up Your Alley events, and I hope you’ll come play with me. I expect to see your ass, too, or I’ll paddle it until you beg for mercy. Out of respect for Dore, I’ll even leave the glitter at home!
Friday, July 17:
Happy Hour with DJ Christopher B
5:30-8:30pm at Lookout, 2600 16th Street @ Market
www.lookoutsf.com
AND
MANnequin Fridays
Tragically gorgeous flowers, legendary Diptyque smell, and the sound waves of Amasha & Mc Clure
BOC, 198 Church Street
$2, 2-for-1 Ketel One drinks until 12am
www.mannequinsf.com
AND
SMACK! Hosted by Juanita MORE! and Nathan Rapport of Detroit’s SASS
Featuring Detroit ex-pat Jason Kendig and Detroit tastemaker Chuck Hampton delivering a very potent shot of Detroit-style dance fun.
10pm-2am at Underground SF, 424 Haight Street, $5
www.juanitamore.com
AND
GhettoDisco
The Endup, 6th & Harrison Streets
11pm-11am, always free before midnight
http://www.theendup.com/events/ghettodisco.html
Saturday, July 18:
Michael Jackson Night at Club Gossip
Authentic 80s music and video in two rooms hosted by Randy Maupin, with a heavy dose of Michael Jackson between 11pm and midnight
9:30-3am at The Cat Club, 1190 Folsom Street, free before 10pm, $8 after
Sunday, July 19:
I’ll be celebrating my birthday on the gogo box at Fresh, my favorite T-dance. There’s an open invitation to spank me, which makes it the perfect warm-up for Dore!
Fresh with DJ Dan DeLeon
Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
6pm-midnight at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street at Geary, $20 advance or before 6:30pm, $25 after
www.freshsf.com
Tuesday, July 21:
Posh Tuesdays with Donna Sachet
5pm-7pm at Infusion Lounge, 124 Ellis Street
http://www.infusionlounge.com
AND
Bulb: Blockbuster, a Hagztravaghanza hosted by Precious Moments
An interdisciplinary spectacular of electrifying vocalists, titilating trannies, and burlesque. Dance your inspired ass off to classic NYC House beats, featuring the Original Fag Hag and her girl Joanna with bombastic gogo artistry.
11pm-3am at The Stud, 9th and Harrison Streets, $8
Friday, July 24:
Not an official Up Your Alley event, but the Cockettes are officially part of San Francisco’s sexual revolution, and this play celebrates their 40th anniversary, so come pay tribute (through August 16)…
Pearls over Shanghai – Starring Steven Satyricon and Precious Moments!
A comic mock-operetta about white slavery and miscegenation set in the colorful world of 1937 Shanghai.
The Hypnodrome, 575 10th Street
www.thrillpeddlers.com
Saturday, July 25:
Twisted Nastier - Up Your Alley Eve
Filthy dirty gogo dancers (including myself, the Nasty Girl!) and heavy cruising.
10pm-1am at The Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street between 9th and 10th
www.powerhouse-sf.com
AND
Bay of Pigs with DJ Ted Eiel & DJ Luis Cintron (in the dungeon)
Sexy dancers, demos, and play spaces galore.
10pm-4am at 181 Eddy Street, $40 advance/$50 door
http://www.folsomstreetfair.com/bayofpigs/
Sunday, July 26:
Up Your Alley
The Folsom Street fair that’s not for tourists or gawkers.
11am-6pm on Dore Alley between Folsom and Howard Streets, and in the adjoining blocks of Folsom between 9th and Juniper Streets. $7 suggested donation
http://www.folsomstreetfair.com/alley/
AND
PLAY T-Dance with DJ Rob Kaftan
Flirt, Frolic, and Dance at the Up Your Alley T-Dance and Closing Party
5pm-midnight at DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street
$20 tickets available from a PLAY Pal (like me!), or $25 advance/$30 door
www.playtdance.com
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