The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance again presented a thoroughly entertaining Runway 26: Villains & Femme Fatales at a new location for them, the Marines' Memorial Theater, on August 2. The spacious lobby teemed with excitement anticipating the competition between three for Mr. GAPA and five for Miss GAPA 2014.
Glimpsed in the crowd were City Supervisor Scott Wiener, Ken Hamai, Benjamin Leong, Deena Cartier, Ray McKenzie & Matt Homier, Jenny Twoblocksaway, Colby Michaels, David Fleming, Salvodar Tovar, Patrice, and so many Emperors, Empresses, Grand Dukes, and Grand Duchesses that we were recognized from the audience and even on stage during the evening.
The talented and spontaneous Tita Aida skillfully emceed the contest, having fun with contestants, stage assistants, and the audience, while judges Kristina Wong, Kat Evasco, Jesse Mandapat, Trevor Nguyen, and Holy McGrail scored the competition. From their first appearance on stage, we knew this was going to be a tough contest! The favorite categories were questions from the judges and fantasy presentations.
As always, the audience played a role in the selection of Mr. and Miss GAPA, not only by their applause, but with electronic voting by phone during intermission. Before the winners were announced, we bid good-bye and congratulations to last year's winners Mr. GAPA 2013 Nguyen "Sir Whitney Queers" Pham and Miss GAPA 2013 Khmera Rouge, both of whom spent their year actively engaged in GAPA and other community organizations and stepped down with touching final performances. Keep an eye on these two; they will continue to contribute to their community.
Finally, it was time for the announcement, as competitors for Mr. GAPA Neokoni-Mario Pagala, Franz Vincent Lacanlale, and Jaden Duong and competitors for Miss GAPA Brenda Dong, Carney Asada, Lily Rose, Livivan Truong, and La Moni Stat lined up on stage. Mr. GAPA 2014 is Franz Vincent Lacanlale and Miss GAPA 2014 is Brenda Dong, both thrilled with their selection and ready to represent their constituents.
Shanti hosted an intimatel pre-gala reception last Monday at the Fairmont Hotel in the owner's suite, a gloriously decadent arrangement of rooms, including a Moorish pool room, circular library, and stunning outdoor patio with City views. From what we hear, if those walls could talk, we would be listening! As supporters ogled the rooms, co-chair of the October 18 gala Bahya Murad and Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy welcomed guests and thanked sponsors. Also attending were Lenny Broberg, Michael Montoya & Kevin Shanahan, Joy Bianchi, Antonio White, Joel Goodrich, and many others.
moments before it got quite naughty! photo Steven Underhill
The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club's annual dinner always brings together an intriguing mix of political junkies and this year was no exception. Its location changes each year, often as a reflection of its leaders, and this year co-presidents Tom Temprano and Laura Thomas chose City College's Mission Campus. The place overflowed with elected officials, including State Assemblymen Tom Ammiano (recipient of the Harry Britt Lifetime Achievement Award) and Phil Ting, City Supervisor David Campos, Public Defender Jeff Adachi, Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, and City College Trustee Rafael Mandelman (both recipients of the City College Champion Award), political activists Dan Choi, Gary Virginia, Mark Murphy, Gabriel Haaland, Alix Rosenthal, Bob Dockendorff, Brian Basinger, and Michael Petrelis, and transgender spokespersons Tita Aida (Bill Kraus HIV/AIDS Activism Award recipient), Cece McDonald (Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Award recipient), and Cecilia Chung. Although the breeze got progressively cooler as the outdoor program grew longer, the conversation was consistently hot and engaging.
Saturday found us at Beaux for Shenanigans, one of the ongoing monthly fundraisers of the Reigning Emperor and Empress, this time hosted by Mr. Gay Tyler Nelson & Miss Gay Kipper Snacks. The boisterous show included performances by Empresses Galilea, Alexis Miranda, and Renita Valdez, Miss Cowgirl Piper Angelique, Synergy, Patrice, and our hosts. Jello shots, beer bust, and raffle tickets all contributed to a successful event.
Sunday ended up as one of those multiple event marathons. After two great shows at The Starlight Room with Sunday's a Drag, we flew to Lewis Sykes' birthday party for Jim Connor at their welcoming home near the Panhandle. The eclectic collection of mementos within was rivaled only by the eclectic collection of guests, ripe for conversation and happy to celebrate with their hosts.
From there, we accompanied Richard Sablatura to join Xavier Caylor & Jeff Doney for a spectacular show of Vanessa Bousay 's at Martuni's to benefit Tenderloin Tessie's Holiday Dinners. This singing drag sensation is drawing rave reviews and kept that audience spell-bound.
We went from there to The Edge for an unofficial closing party for Under One Roof, the venerable San Francisco retail venue which has raised millions for a variety of causes over the years and is now winding down its operation. With a disco theme, we knew it would be crowded, and it was! Deana Dawn and Gary Virginia organized this incredible event complete with spinning mirrored ball, scantily clad gogo boys, disco musical performances, retro hair-dos and outfits, and a throng of happy celebrants. Once again, The Edge proved to be the place to end a beautiful Sunday night!
This Tuesday, August 19, at 6PM, head to the LGBT Community Center for a fascinating panel discussion of the life and legacy of Jose Sarria, sponsored by Openhouse, which is committed to housing, services, and community for LGBT seniors. We'll be moderating a panel which includes friends of Jose and experts on LGBT history.
The following weekend is packed with the Stoli Most Original Guy contest at Beatbox on Friday, Aug. 22, Peaches Christ's 17th annual Showgirls Spectacular at the Castro Theatre on Sat., Aug. 23, and Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation's 20th annual Help is on the Way at the Palace of Fine Arts on Sun., Aug. 24.
In a final plug for Help is on the Way, let us simply say that if you miss this extravaganza of music, laughter, and heart, you will deeply regret it. San Francisco is richer and kinder due to these 20 years of cabaret performances and we thank Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler for keeping the show alive and for raising significant funds for so many local AIDS related organizations.
Good news for fans of drag! After too long an absence due to the closing of beloved Marlena's bar in Hayes Valley, Empress Galilea has created a brand new show called Birdcage Follies, to be held at the 180 Eleventh Street Showroom of The Arc SF on the fourth Saturday of each month. The inaugural show in July showcased a newly refurbished club with built-in booth seating, full bar, and dazzling lighting with special thanks to Emperor Jerry Coletti and Steven Zyski. The next Birdcage Follies will be on Sat., Aug. 30, starting at 8:30PM and you don't want to miss it!