Born in South Korea and brought to Illinois by his white adoptive parents as an infant, Joel Kim Booster says, "I literally knew I was gay before I was Asian."

Oscar fans enjoyed watching the annual academy Awards as patrons of Academy of Friends, this year held at The Commonwealth Club's theatre, reception area and rooftop.

Like what you see? See what you like? Along with new nights, we bid a fond farewell to a popular drag night. Vote for your favorites places, people, businesses and nightlife stuff in our annual Besties Readers Survey!

This year marks the 10th annual Bay Area Reporter readers' poll, the Besties, and voting begins Thursday, January 30.

Jazz chanteuse Paula West will perform the first of nine shows at Feinstein's At the Nikko beginning February 6. The fact that her run at Feinstein's is stretched out over an extended period is a tribute to West's popularity with audiences.

A little dance, a little drag, Get out, have fun. Don't make us nag.

In an industry where entertainers gets labeled, Wynonna has refused. She has raised the bar as a visionary with great success. Wynonna is famous for saying "Don't ever let them tell you who you are." Maybe this is the foundation of our adoration for her.

Live music acts, drag galore and a few porn stars here and there; nightlife awaits.

The Edwardian Ball returns for its 20th anniversary. The two-day extravaganza, which takes place at The Regency Ballroom, promises to be a fusion and a celebration of art, music, theater, fashion, technology, and of the creations of the late Edward Gorey.

Moby Dick, the longtime Castro district's favored bar for casual gatherings, pinball and pool, is also notable for its beautiful aquarium above the bar.

What if you went to a bar or nightclub you've never visited before? Would you feel nervous, self-conscious? Out of place? Disrupt the dress codes, and unspoken ageism and race codes at Bay Area bars and clubs. Be the unexpected.

Ask a local San Francisco leather person what they're doing on a Sunday afternoon and you'll often here them say they're going to the beer bust. That typically means the weekly Sunday SF Eagle beer bust.

The 50th anniversary of The Cockettes was celebrated at the Victoria Theatre on Jan. 4 with hours of numbers from original Cockettes musicals, and other songs.

Now is the winter of our discoteque, or disco, but no techno. Anyway, shake a tail-feather to cool comedy, dancing bears and Bowie tributes.