"I love being 33," Juanita MORE! said with a laugh.
MORE! has been celebrating her 33rd natal day for many years. This time she's going full throttle as she throws herself a wild birthday party on September 20 at Haum, a Mission District Yoga Studio. In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, MORE! explained that in the past she had held most of these soirees in her tiny Tenderloin apartment. But with so many people attending, moving around became a bit of a problem, so this year she and her friends will bring the party to a larger venue.
"I only turn 33 once a year," MORE! said. "So, this time I wanted a bigger venue. I've had a few outside my apartment. Once in an art studio/warehouse in Los Angeles, we sat everyone at a beautiful long table. It's also fun to mix it up and challenge what I do."
Everyone who attends the party must be nude; no shoes allowed. There will be a clothes check. Along with her many other popular monthly and annual events since the 1990s, MORE! has been throwing these naked parties since 2012.
"The local magazine Das Einhorn was launching its third issue, and they asked if I would like to participate and host a dinner party," said MORE! "I agreed, and we all thought it would be more fun if everyone was naked. After the issue came out, everyone wanted to attend."
MORE! promised that all ages and body types are welcome. She recalled past parties where first-time attendees told her how nervous they were before coming. At the end of the party, they couldn't wait to return for the next one, and that attending was very liberating.
There will be a few people who will remain clothed.
"Everyone is nude except for me, fashion, the door person, security, and the chef, fire," said MORE!
Three DJs will be part of the event, all of whom are part of MORE!'s extended San Francisco family. They've been attending her naked birthday parties for years and know how to keep the dance floors bumping. DJ Jumpr has been part of Fog City Pack, Dad SF, and Stank. DJ Fawks is a music and events producer and has been creating queer underground spaces that focus on kink and community at FawksTales and Mull. DJ Milos Gilic is an art and design director who loves bass and techno.
"Haum is 2500 square feet," MORE! said. "There is plenty of room to dance naked and barefoot."
Proceeds from the evening will benefit a cause that's near and dear to MORE!'s heart, The Rainbow Railroad.
"They are a global not-for-profit organization that helps at risk LGBTQI+ people who are facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics get to safety worldwide," said MORE!. "With everything happening in our world and country, keeping our queer family safe is most important."
MORE! hopes that attendees of the nude birthday bash will come away with a sense of freedom.
"The freedom to just be yourself," she said. "So come, get undressed, and start a conversation with someone. We all share the common bond of loads of love."
Juanita MORE! Naked Birthday Dinner and Dance Party, September 20, Haum, 2973 16 Street, 8pm-midnight, no entries after 10pm, $25. www.eventbrite.com
www.juanitamore.com
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