The San Francisco Design Center provided the perfect home for the Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) Dining by Design annual event, where interior designers stage an elaborate dinner setting in the style of their choice. We attended the preview party on Wednesday and Randy Shields gave us a guided tour from the fourth floor down to the lobby, sampling wines and food along the way. Settings ranged from plush and luxurious to spare and modern, wild mixes of color to monochromatic simplicity, and from exotic foreign inspirations to local San Francisco flavors. Attendees included Robert Fung, Porter William, MeMe Pederson, Brian Dittmar, Kathleen Jose, and co-chairs Anthony Garrett, Ronette King, and Christie McRae. We were particularly struck by a white room with hundreds of strips of paper dangling from the ceiling upon which were written hopeful expressions in response to the AIDS pandemic. Guests were invited to clip a strand and share its message. How refreshing to see a bold reminder of the cause for which money is being raised!

The next two nights took us to North Beach, first to Cobb's Comedy Club with Lenny Broberg, Norm Claybaugh, and Richard Sablatura to see long-time supporter Bruce Vilanch in action. As always, his hilarious Hollywood stories and Gay dish delighted the small, but supportive audience. We joined Sister Roma afterwards at the stage door for a little meet and greet with Bruce. Imagine my surprise when earlier in the night, while walking from our car to the club, we passed by La Rocca's Corner Tavern and the proprieter called out to us by name! A little run-down bar with 80 years history in the heart of North Beach, certainly not our regular stomping ground, and he knew us by name. We had to return there after the show for a quick drink!

The following night we were back in North Beach at Caffe Macaroni's Purple Onion for the Imperial Court's Back to Our Roots cabaret, benefiting Under One Roof.   Local singers Mark Paladini, Ed Morgan, Emma Peel, Cockatielia, T.J. Istvan, Brian Benamati, Trauma Flintstone, and Bebe Sweetbriar all performed, demonstrating an incredible range of styles and delivery. Special guest Irene Soderberg flew in for the show and had us all in stitches with her musical parodies. The biggest surprise of the night, however, was Jose Sarria, visiting from Palm Springs, who shared some on-stage remembrances of the North Beach where he performed at The Black Cat for years. With a little encouragement from the audience, he then broke into a bawdy song, dripping in innuendo and sly humor. What a treat! There to witness this historic event were Sean Bulmer, Coy Ellison, Laura Spanjian, Sister Dana Van Iquity, Tony Onorati, Gary Virginia, Deana Dawn, Hector Crawford and Ralph Hibbs, among others.

Afterwards, we joined a raucous group at The Powerhouse for the meat-packing contest. In addition to the contest proceedings, which were exactly what you are probably imagining right now, we helped bar manager Scott Peterson celebrate his birthday, complete with lap dance and cake.

Saturday afternoon's memorial for Marcus Hernandez was truly a remarkable tribute to this man's life and a demonstration of unity in the LGBT Community. As predicted, the attendance was incredible, with over 500 people from all over the globe jamming the City Nights club on Harrison. After a formal color guard presentation and a moving video created by Audrey Joseph, Queen Cougar introduced a short list of speakers, each representing an aspect of Marcus' life, including his dear friend Vern Stewart, his son Curt Hernandez, State Senator Mark Leno, International Mr. Leather creator and producer Chuck Renslow, Chair of the Emperors' Council Jason Ladd, and BAR Publisher Tom Horn. The room was transfixed as Kim Kuzma sang two songs with deep passion and rare sensitivity. Rounding out the afternoon was a rousing choral segment from the City of Refuge Choir. All in all, the personal memorabilia display, heartfelt speeches, soaring music, and overflowing crowd provided the perfect send-off for this historic and renowned figure who will be sorely missed.

Saturday night, we emceed a fundraiser at Trigger for Cheer SF to send them to Cologne, Germany for the Gay Games next year. This energetic group has attended every Gay Games since the beginning, attended two presidential inaugural parades, and brings smiles wherever they go with their chants, cheers, and acrobatic productions. In a few short hours of raffle ticket sales and drag performances (several by first-timers), nearly $1000 was raised.

We ended the weekend dancing at Fresh at Ruby Skye, another wonderful gathering of happy people with DJ Kimberly S. at the helm and producers Janine Shiota and Mike Lane on hand.

Have a marvelous Thanksgiving Weekend surrounded by loved ones and then plunge into the holiday event calendar. On Sunday, November 29, Mr. Cowboy Brent Olivier and Miss Cowgirl Saybeline invite you to a Hard Candy Christmas Show at Marlena's from 4-8PM, benefiting the Night Ministry and the Imperial charity fund.

On Monday, November 30, gather near the Castro Bank of America at 6 p.m. for the annual MUMC Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with the SF Gay Men's Chorus, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus, the Freedom Band, MCC Choirs, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and more.

Then, please join us on any of three nights, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, or 2, for the 17th annual Songs of the Season AIDS Emergency Fund benefit at The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko.   We are thrilled to welcome to the cast Sharon McNight, Abigail Zsiga, Kathleen Antonia, Bill Bunn III, Six in the City, Connie Champagne, Eric Hanson, and on opening night only, November 30, Paula West and Val Diamond. With this incredible line-up and generous early sponsorships, all indications are for a record-breaking year.

And remember, "The holidays don't begin until you've attended Donna Sachet's Songs of the Season!"