The Folsom Street Fair celebrates three decades this year. It's hard to believe that it's been thirty years since it started as a modest street fair. It's since become the largest leather/fetish street fair in the world. As if it couldn't get any better, there are several things to check out this year: Folsom Street Events will be doing time-lapse photography of the fair. They're also compiling 30 stories of Folsom, which people can submit. You can still purchase the official Folsom Street Fair posters online.
Be sure to check out the performance arts stage at the fair which features hook suspensions, and of course the cage dancers. The following is a guide to all of the main parties and events scheduled for the weekend.
But the fair isn't just a big fun party. The weekend's events raise tons of money for various charities. Check out the website for details. And most of all, be sure to have fun, be safe, and get very, very nasty. If you don't have fun at some point, then we need to talk!
The fair itself starts at 11am on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets. Go to www.folsomstreetevents.org for details.
FRI 27
Bearracuda @ Public Works
The Folsom edition of the big bear party includes a 7-hour set from London's DJ Hifi Sean, plus upstairs grooves with P-Play, Mark Louque and others. Pre-drinks at Truck, 7pm-9pm, then the big beary blowout dance party. $20-$30. 9pm-4am. 161 Erie St. www.bearracuda.com
Christopher Daniels, Hans Berlin @ Nob Hill Theatre
The two porn studs perform a live Folsom-themed onstage sex show. $25. 8pm and 10pm. Also Sept 28. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com
Folsom Friday BDSM Men's Play Event @ SF Citadel
The 15 Association of San Francisco presents their annual Folsom Dungeon Play Party. Come join the biggest net of the year in the larges BDSM men's club. This is a men's only event. Invitation required for new guests. $25 donation. 8pm-1am. www.15sf.org
Full Fetish @ The Factory
ReCon returns to host the Official Friday Night Play Party of Folsom, a men-only truly sleazy, Euro-style play party. Dress code is encouraged: Leather, rubber, sports gear, spandex, military, punks, jockstraps, boots, harnesses, etc. 21 and over only. $30 advance. $40 at door. 10pm-3am. 525 Harrison St. www.fullfetish-eorg.eventbrite.com
Gear Buddies @ Blow Buddies
Gear up for the Official Play Space of the Folsom Street Fair. Have some nasty fun at the joint Gear Buddies (sponsored by Gear Up Weekend) & Blow Buddies play party, with a bondage table, St. Andrew's cross, slings, and more. Blow Buddies memberships are available at the door. Club opens at 3pm. Gear event starts at 9pm-4am. 933 Harrison St. www.blowbuddies.com
Mark I Chester's Open Studio @ Mark Chester Studio
All weekend, Mark I Chester opens his doors to feature "Narratives of Desire," a show of radical sex erotic narratives with new added images. Friday opening party 7-10pm. Sat 2-5pm. Sun 11am-6pm. 1229 Folsom St. www.markichester.com
SF Rollcall @ TBD
The San Francisco division of the B&B (Boots and Breeches) Corps hosts this special uniform event at a culinary venue to be announced at the time of purchase; hosted bar, silent auction, all proceeds go to Project Open Hand. $90. 7-11pm. www.bbcorps.com/events/roll_call.html
Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club
Officially a CMA meeting, this is open to all Anonymous 12-step Fellowship members. 9:30-10:45pm. 4058 18th St. www.soberkink.wetpaint.com
Steam @ Powerhouse
Folsom edition of the bath house-esque night, with a $100 wet towel contest, Chicago DJ Harry Cross, clothes check, towels, massages, and Steamworks goodies. Proceeds benefit the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. $8. 9pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhouse-sf.com
Up Yours @ Mr S Playspace
Hell Hole's Folsom Fisting party is back and bigger than ever! 15 slings, benches, dungeon bed, free clothes check, free bottled water and snacks.Touch-up facilities available, as are paper towels, gloves, condoms and cleaning supplies. You must be 18 years or older. This is a safer-sex, drug-free party. This is a private party, so you must be on the list to be admitted. $25. 8pm - doors close at 2am. www.hellholesf.com/invitationform.htm
W�F @ The Edge
The official launch party for w�fGear. Come and check out the gear and get your Folsom weekend started; brought to you by Mr. Edge Leather 2013 and w�fGear Founder/CEO Patrick Dean Holstine. 8pm-2am. 4149 18th St. www.qbarsf.com/EDGE
SAT 28
Code @ The Edge
Code is glad to be back, just in time to gear up for Folsom. Enjoy geared up gogo guys, drink specials, and Dara (Oregon State Bootblack) working her bootblack station. 9pm-2am. 4149 18th St. www.qbarsf.com/EDGE
Golden Shower Buddies @ Blow Buddies
The official play space of Folsom Street Fair get wet at the night that's all about the golden showers. Club membership available at the door. Doors open 6pm-4am. Club open to 6am. 933 Harrison St. www.blowbuddies.com
Hot Boots Party @ SF Eagle
The annual Folsom Fair weekend party for men into boots; sponsored by Hot Boots. 2-6pm. 398 12th St. www.hotboots.com
Leather Cruise @ SF Bay
The Golden Gate Guards and BLUF present the third annual leather cruise around San Francisco Bay. Cruise departs and returns to Embarcadero Pier 3. Check in at 4:30pm. $75. www.ggguards.org
Liberation @ The Powerhouse
Kink party presented by The Rubbermen of SF; wear your rubber! 5-9pm. 1347 Folsom. www.rmsf.org
Men's Spanking Party @ The Power Exchange
The SF Men's Spanking Club presents their Folsom Spanking Party; male only; must be 18 years or older. $20. Half off for military or student ID. 1-6pm. 220 Jones St. www.voy.com/201188/
Magnitude @ The Factory & Terra
The official Saturday night dance event is the biggest of the year for the leather and fetish community, this year expanded to two combined venues, with a five-thousand square foot dungeon play area; complimentary expanded coat and clothes check. Enjoy a spectacular 3D projection-mapping visual show, lasers, and live performances by the most perverse adult entertainers in the business. DJs Jack Chang, Tony Moran, Russ Rich and Phil B. Tickets at FSE@Eventbrit or Mr S Leather (385 8th St.) or Phantom (516 Castro St.) and Chaps (4057 18th St.). Limited tickets available for $100 at the door. Must be 21 or older. 10pm-3am. 525 Harrison St. www.folsomstreetevents.org
Nips in the Afternoon @ The Powerhouse
Will Swagger and Allen Silver lead the pack with a no-shirts day. It's all about having your shirts off and your libido on! Free clothes-check for shirts off; drink specials too. 2-5pm. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhouse-sf.com
Sadistic Saturdays @ SF Eagle
The Folsom Edition of Michael Brandon's popular, and sadistic, Saturday night parties starts at 10pm, with BDSM displays. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com/storm
SUN 29
Aftershock @ CityNights
Aftershock is about dancing your ass off all-night with your friends till the sun comes up on Folsom Street Fair. Every year thousands of guys from around world set their alarms so they won't miss DJ Abel spin his magic with New York's Guy Smith and Rob Montenegro controlling the lights and steaming media art. Aftershock is the official after-hours dance party of Folsom Street Fair and just two short blocks from Magnitude. $40 (full price) tickets will be available for sale at the door based on club occupancy. Tickets available at Body on Castro and Mr S Leather in SoMa. 4am-10am. 715 Harrison St. www.discosf.com
Deviants @ Beatbox
The official closing party of Folsom Street Fair draws nearly 2,000 of the craziest kinksters from every walk of life. The event features live entertainers, uncommon DJs, and lots of unexpected surprises. Taking place on the fairgrounds this year (off Folsom on 11th St.), you don't have to walk far to be right inside the party. And, the ticket price won't empty your wallet. You have to check it out to believe it. Tickets on sale at FSE@Eventbrite, Mr. S Leather (385 8th St.), Phantom (516 Castro St.) and Chaps (4057 18th St.). Limited tickets may be available for $35 at the door. 21+. 4:30pm-2:30am. 314 11th St. www.folsomstreetevents.com
Folsom Street Fair @ SoMa
The 30th annual gathering of thousands of leather fans, freaks, and the merely curious. Donations at the gate $5 and up. 11am-6:30pm. Folsom St. between 7th and 12th. www.folsomstreetevents.com
Real Bad @ Club 1015 Folsom
The dance party that's off the hook is most probably already sold out, but that's because it's one of the most fun events, and all proceeds go to local LGBT and AIDS/HIV nonprofits. 7pm-4am. 1015 Folsom St. www.realbad.org
MON 30
Climaxx @ Beatbox
Tristan Jaxx and the Chaos crew host the second annual late night-early morning post-Folsom party. $15-$25. 3am-12pm. 314 11th St. www.beatboxsf.com