This year's Pride events enjoy the fourth incarnation of the multi-event Eden in the Bay production team. With pop stars, 'celesbian' chefs and dance parties each day and night of the weekend, women's events in San Francisco have taken a step up.
Christine De La Rosa (aka Miz Chris) noted the growth of the events she's organized three previous Pride weekends.
"Our first year we had about 2,500 women for evening events," said De La Rosa. "The second year, that more than doubled. This year, we expect a lot more women, so we're offering a variety of different events."
Not that wild grooving dance parties aren't popular. "But we learned not everyone wants to go out late," she said. "So we added comedy shows and food events. For people who want variety, we have that, too."
But the most popular events remain the dance parties. And according to De La Rosa, "These girls are crazy. We sell out of bottle service every year, in advance. People have offered me extra money to let them in, but we can't."
Previous events have been held at Supperclub, The Factory and other local nightclubs. "Any event we had, in the past two years, we sell out. We have to turn people away at the venue."
To adjust to the growing demand for Eden events, the (comparatively) smaller Supperclub will be used Thursday night, June 27. The more intimate ambiance will serve as more of a warm-up, De La Rosa said, "because some people have to work on Friday."
Friday June 28, at The Factory will attract more than 2000 women, and the Saturday night event at warehouse club Mezzanine is "almost always a sell out."
The events draw a "surprisingly younger crowd," said De La Rosa. "We have a large local scene, but it's also become a large national event, with people coming from all over the world to San Francisco, and a lot of people who don't have this anywhere else."
While many women tourists now know of the Eden events, when De La Rosa was visiting only half a dozen years ago, she said, "I didn't know where the party was." That inspired her to create one. "You need to take people through the weekend and let them know where your people are."
Although she's happy with the event's success, she said it's nothing like she predicted. "The first year, I told my partners, 'If we get 500 women, I'll be happy.' We were overwhelmed."
Other upcoming events include their July 15 parties in Sacramento, and San Jose Pride in August. Their expanded tour will soon include events in the Pacific Northwest.
"They want our DJs and performers," said De La Rosa. "We're so lucky to have a plethora of talent at our fingertips. I truck in people from the Bay. We want to hire people who are local, when we travel. And they want our type of parties and music. We're creating these events from the ground up."
And like any beautiful garden, Eden has sprung from some very fruitful ground.
Comedians Dana Goldberg, Gina Yashere and friend 2010 courtesy of Eden Pride Events Photographer Shar G Photography
Garden Fresh
This year, 100 percent of the proceeds from all ten of its celesbian-spangled events goes to the new Eden LGBTQ Youth Foundation.
California's finest female DJs will tear up the turntables at Eden's five dance parties, including Angie Vee, Lady Fingaz, Fusion, Lezlee, LP, Motive, Ry Toast, Ryan, ThatGirl, Trinity, and Val G.
Pop singer Eve will headline several events, and celesbian Chef Khristianne Uy, better known as Chef K, will also raise money for the foundation.
Chef K, winner of the ABC Season 1 The Taste, and the first lesbian to be matched by Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker, will host the Chef K Foodie Brunch on Friday, June 28, 11am to 3pm at Bisou Bistro in the Castro.
"I couldn't be more ecstatic," said Chef K about hosting the brunch and raising money to support LGBTQ youth. "I'm actually doing something I love and helping a cause that I support."
"We were thrilled when Chef K agreed to be one of our celesbians for the weekend," said De La Rosa. The celebrity chef will be helping Eden help LGBTQ youth.
Bay Area lesbian fashion designers will show their style at the second annual Eden Fashion Event on Thursday night, June 27. Alyah Baker, style director of Eden Pride Events and co-owner of Show & Tell, said this year's designers are a mix of homegrown nationally-known brands as well as some "budding new talents." Hosting the fashion show is AzMarie, Next Top Model contestant and L.A.'s latest gender-bending fashion model and performance artist.
On Friday night, world-renowned lesbian comedians Gina Yashere and Dana Goldberg will have the women laughing at Brava Theater.
"I am super excited to have both Gina and Dana this year at the Eden Comedy Show," said De La Rosa. "Both of these fantastic comedians performed at our inaugural Eden weekend in 2010, and this is their first time back for this event."
Rose Garcia, star of The Real L Word's first season, is now the co-host of The Romi and Rose Show. She'll again host Eden events. "I love Christine's passion for bringing such a large event for the women of our community during the biggest Pride event in the country! It's an honor to be a part of it," said Garcia.
Also hosting the weekend are the Bay Area's Aima the Dreamer, spoken word artist Mona Webb, Jazzifer "Jazzy" Miller, Kayko Tamaki and Shanna Holmes.
Participation takes on full swing as Eden will also march up Market Street for the first time in Sunday's Pride Parade with the Eden LGBTQ Youth Foundation float. Volunteers are being accepted.
Eden Pride Weekend will wrap up with the women's first Pride after-party in San Francisco at the gorgeously appointed venue, Salle.
"I love the talent that's showcased and the diversity of the events," said Garcia. "There's something for everyone."
For more information, visit www.Edeninthebay.com
EDEN EVENTS IN JUNE
June 15: Eden Sacramento Pride After-Party @ Shenanigans
Get down with three DJs, two dance floors, live music performances, vendors, beats, eats, and treats. $10-$20. 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. Shenanigans, 705 J St. www.Edensacramento.com
June 27: Kick Off/Fashion Show/After Party @ Supperclub
Get your weekend started with the runway fun show, cocktails and DJed grooves. $10-$20. 9pm-2am. 657 Harrison St.
June 28: Chef K Foodie Brunch @ Bisou French Bistro
Celesbian Chef K, winner of Season 1 of ABC's The Taste and featured on other Tv shows, teams up with Bisou Bistro's Chef Nick to serve up a brunch to support LGBTQ youth. Enjoy a relaxing brunch with celebrities and friends in one of the Castro's best restaurants. You could even be one of the lucky guests sitting with Chef K. $45-$75. 11am-3pm. 2367 Market St. www.Edenfoodie.eventbrite.com
June 28: Eden Comedy Show @ Brava Theater
Get your laugh on with British wit Gina Yashere and Dana Goldberg $25. 7pm-9pm. 2781 24th St.
June 28: Friday Block Party @ The Sound Factory
Be where the girls are at rousing block party, $20-$30. 9pm-3am. 525 Harrison St.
Saturday, June 29: Signature Party @ Mezzanine
Dancing and partying continues at the big event. $25-$35. 9pm-3am. 444 Jessie St.
Sunday, June 30: March with Eden @ San Francisco Pride Parade
Support LGBTQ Youth by marching in the San Francisco Pride Parade with the new Eden LGBTQ Youth Foundation. 9am-12pm. Meeting place to be announced soon. To volunteer, contact Mona Webb, executive director. To learn more, visit www.EdenYouthFoundation.org
Sunday, June 30: After Party @ Salle
Be where the girls are with celesbians, six DJs, two dance floors, gogo gals, food vendors and an artisan market $10-$15. 6pm-12am. 1632 C Market St.