It isn't hard to imagine DJ Carnita's �- yes, jokingly-not jokingly christened for his love of taqueria meat - 45 collection spilling out of his closet and onto his desk.
"They're everywhere," says Tom Temprano (his name when he's not behind the decks) over the phone. He describes the vast majority of them as '60s soul, R&B and funk- all easy to groove to and closely-related genres showcased at Hard French. Having just celebrated their fifth anniversary, it's a popular dance party with proven longevity and is thrown in the Mission at El Rio.
"Hard French is a collaboration of five people; six when we started," says Temprano. "Having that many people involved with different backgrounds builds community. All these interwoven circles have a place to dance."
And the dance has been going strong since its inception. In March 2010, Temprano, along with fellow DJ-producers Devon Devine, Jorge Portillo, Tina Faggotina, and DJ Brown Amy, took the helm of a brand new party that packs anywhere from 500 to 800 brightly-dressed queers, soul lovers, leather daddies and then some on one of the best back porches the city has to offer.
One of the party's more recognizable traits is the long line that pours out the door and onto the sidewalk, but it's not much of a deterrent for those eager to make their way inside for daytime drinks, dancing and fun. Both Hard French and El Rio won Bestie readers' poll awards this year from Bay Area Reporter (Best non-weekly/monthly Nightlife Event, Best Neighborhood Bar) and they make a convincing winning combo.
"People come back for the community," he says. "Amy [Martinez (Brown Amy)] and I had been talking about throwing a daytime soul party for a couple years. SF has a '60s mod-soul scene, but there weren't a lot of queer people there."
Temprano's referring to 1964 at Edinburgh Castle in the Tenderloin, which he admits enjoying, but says it was straight. "There wasn't a queer presence."
But this is San Francisco, a city saturated with nightlife (daytime in this case) and events that cater to just about everybody's needs. Still, Hard French manages to set itself apart from the others by creating its own desirable niche.
The idea of DJs spinning in the daytime isn't exactly original, Temprano admits. He nods to Mango at El Rio (which also won a Bestie as Best Women's Event) and similar events like SF Eagle's Beer Bust, but somehow it all goes back to nostalgia and feeling comfortable- like you're at home.
"It's stuff I'd listen to when my dad would barbecue on the weekend. Same for Amy; it had that same resonance. It's a music so many people are infused with. You hear Diana Ross and The Supremes; it's like, 'This is a beat I can dance to or a beat I like.' The owner at El Rio said they had a Saturday available. We weren't really modeled after anything other than what we wanted to see. It's not pigeonholed like Castro Top 40 or a hyper-dance remix."
He jokes about the Castro experience for DJs that may veer outside the demographics' tastes. If it's not to their liking or too out there, there'd be demands of "Play MJ" or get out of here. And it certainly isn't in the Castro where they've found their success, which is another notable testament that they offer something different. It's a vibe that counterbalances the often testosterone-driven gayborhood. There seems to be an emphasis on all-inclusiveness and there are plenty of women on the scene.
"When we first started, two DJs were lesbian and four were gay men. Since high school I've had queer women friends. I was the lead singer in an all-lesbian band in high school. I've felt at home with queer women. There are a lot more guys venturing out from the Castro to see what we're up to."
Temprano recalls, "So many Folsom leather-clad guys" one year at a Folsom Street Fair after party outside Public Works. He says their reaction to the music they played surprised him.
"They said, 'I haven't danced to this in years. Where do I find you?'"; thus the importance of creating one's own space and atmosphere. "Part of making women feel comfortable includes women DJs at our events. Knock on wood we haven't had significant problems. It's a positive atmosphere."
The fifth anniversary party is no exception, and the weather goddesses cooperate by delivering digits that flirt with 70 degrees. I arrive a few hours into the party, bypass the signature long line and head back to the music. This month's guest DJ lineup is particularly stellar.
I miss out on KALX's WAM BAM Ashleyanne and DJ Larsupreme, but for now, my eyes are fixated on a sea of flesh, tank tops, shiny glam ensembles, and just about every body shape, size and color, from curvy and bold to long and lanky. A platform seems to be reserved for the best or maybe the most uninhibited of the movers, and two particular pedestals display a pair that can't seem but help shake their stuff.
It's no wonder. I look behind the decks to see Soul Party's Paul Paul holding it down with some girl-group charm, followed by the original Disco Daddy himself, Bus Station John. And with his age-worn beard, ball cap and simple flannel style, he does look like a daddy. Anyone unfamiliar with him might do a double take, guessing he's not the type to spin a disco cover version of an old Stevie Wonder song, but I watched the Motown label rotate with my own eyes as the crowd energy heightened.
Sadly, I missed out on the free barbecue, but the photo booth was still going strong. As part of the community aspect, every month proceeds from the booth goes to benefit a different non-profit organization. This month's recipient being AIDS/ LifeCycle- a seven-day bike ride that stretches from SF to LA.
"I'm always looking to use a platform to advocate for the community, using nightlife and parties as a way to do that," Temprano says. And it seems he has many outlets for just that type of thing. He co-owns Virgil's Sea Room, the bar just a few doors down from El Rio. His other party, Daytime Realness with Heklina and DJ Stanley Frank, once again combines the daylight element with DJs, but with the twist of drag.
Temprano's a man on the scene and he seems to put that same amount of energy into politics and activism. He's been the president, co-president and currently sits on the board of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club. In 2011 Hard French had their own take on Rock The Vote, called 'Funk The Vote' to get voters registered in the mayoral race. Who can forget candidates like former Board of Supervisors' President David Chiu and John Avalos milling about and mingling with the crowd talking politics, but not really being given a platform to speak out since it wasn't anyone's official endorsement.
Temprano says his parents, who had public-service jobs, instilled this side in him at a very young age. His mom, a nurse practitioner, he says, was very "political and progressive."
"I can remember my mom having important discussions on politics," Temprano adds. "Her roommate in college was lesbian and I remember her pulling me aside when I was eight and talking to me about gay marriage." He explained that she told him same-sex couples can love one another just like straight couples and that it was okay.
Some party throwers will never get the exposure the Hard French crew has achieved. They remain a force and their momentum hasn't waned. In fact, their calendar is looking pretty loaded through the summer. They've booked Bronx no-wave legends E.S.G. for their first pride gig in the bar's 37-year existence.
"So many people are commenting like we booked Beyonc�," he says noting their historical and underground significance.
As for Temprano, he comes across as self aware and appreciative of the recognition the party is receiving and the significant impact it's had on San Francisco's events scene.
"Parties in San Francisco tend to have a pretty short shelf-life, so winning an award like this is pretty special. After five years, it's gratifying to know that Hard French is still appreciated by our queer community."
"Hard French" returns to El Rio Saturday April 4, with Honey Soundsystem, 2pm-8pm. 3158 Mission St. www.hardfrench.com www.elriosf.com