After years of holding benefits for local nonprofits, the SF Eagle Bar will be helping a fellow business as it recovers from a break-in and robbery with a fundraiser Saturday, April 13, from 3 to 6 p.m. at 398 12th Street.
According to a news release, the Eagle benefit will help the Cat Club, a late night club located at 1190 Folsom Street. Both establishments are within the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in the West South of Market area. The Eagle is a longtime LGBTQ bar that caters to the leather and bear communities.
A break-in and robbery occurred at the Cat Club that resulted in thousands of dollars worth of damages, the release stated.
Randy Maupin, general manager of the Cat Club, told the Bay Area Reporter that the incident occurred about three weeks ago in the early morning hours. The safe was stolen and the perpetrator got into the club's liquor room and took product, he said. About $10,000 in cash was in the safe, Maupin said.
The break-in was reported to the San Francisco Police Department, Maupin said, adding that the club's head of security happened to be on site early and noticed the safe was missing.
SFPD did not respond to a request for comment.
Maupin, a queer man, said he's grateful for the SF Eagle to be stepping up.
"I'm very fortunate to have them in my life," he said. "For them to step in as a SOMA bar and assist other venues is huge."
Lex Montiel, the owner of the SF Eagle, stated that he's happy to lend a hand.
"We believe in the strength of our community and the power of coming together in times of need," he stated. "This fundraiser is our way of demonstrating our unwavering support for our neighbors and ensuring that those affected have access to the assistance they deserve."
Attendees of the fundraiser can contribute by purchasing a $20 beer bust cup, which includes a substantial meal, the release stated. Additionally, adding an extra layer of entertainment, guests will be treated to performances by local drag artists. Cat Club's Porter Venn will DJ the event.
Castro cleanup event
The Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association is holding a Castro cleanup event Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. According to the group's newsletter, people should meet at Jane Warner Plaza at the corner of 17th and Castro streets. EVNA will provide gloves, tongs, a trash bag, and safety vests.
Attendees can meet EVNA board members Rob LeVan and Gabriel Markoff.
In the event of rain, the cleanup will be postponed to Saturday, May 11.
Gay chorus to hold 3rd oral history panel
The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will hold the third of its Memory Keepers Initiative oral history programs Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the Chan National Queer Arts Center, the chorus' home at 170 Valencia Street.
This installment is titled "Raising the Curtain on San Francisco's Queer Arts Legacy," and is hosted by the GLBT Historical Society.
Panelists will include Scrumbly Koldewyn, one of the Cockettes original founders; Jewelle Gomez, an author, poet, and playwright; and Seth Eisen, founder of Eye Zen Productions.
The Cockettes, a legendary performance group, caused a sensation and set a tone for a new type of queer performance, a news release noted. Another of its original members, Rumi Missabu, died April 2 at his Oakland home, as the B.A.R. reported.
Gomez's early novel, "The Gilda Stories," helped define the term Afrofuturism.
Eye Zen is known for its creation of a hybrid form of theater that combines live performance and visual media.
"San Francisco's queer arts legacy has a rich and complex history and has brought artists like Divine, Sylvester, and Kiki and Herb to national attention," stated Jacob Stensberg, a gay man who is the chorus' artistic director, referring to the late drag artist, late disco star, and drag cabaret duo that performs in New York City.
In addition to the 90-minute interactive panel discussion, attendees are encouraged to remain afterward and record their own stories about queer history in the Bay Area. Volunteers will be on hand to audio or video record anyone with a story to tell and a desire to share it for posterity.
Tickets are pay what you can, ranging from $10 to $50, with $30 the recommended amount. For tickets and more information, click here.
Dine out to help SFAF
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Dining Out for Life fundraiser will be held Wednesday, April 24, at various participating restaurants.
As in past years, an email announcement stated, a portion of diners' bills that day will benefit SFAF's mission to promote health justice for all. The event is expected to attract 10,000 patrons.
People can check out doflsf.donordrive.com for a list of participating restaurants. There are also volunteer opportunities to serve as an ambassador at an eatery or to be a table captain.
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