With so many natural disasters surfacing all over the world, from hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean to earthquakes in Mexico and Puerto Rico, and rampaging fires in Northern California, it is easy to become overwhelmed and simply throw one's hands in the air. Look around, however, and you will find people, especially in our LGBTQ Community, organizing events all around you.
Last Sunday, the Rainbow World Fund and Out in the Vineyard partnered with generous sponsors local and elsewhere to host Wine Country Rising at the historic home of John Newmeyer. Engaging the help of Gary Virginia, they were able to gather an extensive silent auction, serve Napa and Sonoma wines and Skyy Vodka, and make a genuine contribution to the recovery efforts underway north of us.
Chef Michael Bilger of Sessions restaurant in the Presidio provided incredible hors d'oeuvres. The crowd was a veritable who's who, including Al Baum, James Holloway, Deana Dawn, Larry Horowitz, Randy Arnold & Greg Knight, Patrik Gallineaux, Skye Paterson, Matt Buchanan, Roy Hunt, Paula Ryan, William Baird, and Doug Waggener.
Hosts Mark Vogler, Gary Saperstein, and Jeff Cotter led a short program, thanking everyone and then singers from Transcendence Theatre Company, who entertained with a rousing set. Don't miss this group's annual holiday spectacular in Santa Rosa at the Luther Burbank Center December 1-3. With only a few weeks planning, over $15,000 was raised, another wonderful example of friends helping friends in need and having fun doing it!
The Castro was alive with unusual events last week. On a Friday night, Jane Warner Plaza sparkled as the recently installed mechanical flower art glowed with multi-colored lights. The following Wednesday, the long anticipated salute to Harvey Milk atop the Soulcycle building at the corner of Market and Castro came to life.
Forty years ago, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and 20 years ago, Gilbert Baker's rainbow flag rose above the Castro neighborhood; now, above the doorway of Soulcycle, tucked into architectural details, is a neon sign reading "Hope Will Never Be Silent," words of Harvey Milk himself, and rainbow-colored laser lights pierce the night sky. This art installation from Ben Davis and the same Illuminate SF team that lit the Bay Bridge, was unveiled in a community rally with remarks from some of Harvey Milk's contemporaries and allies, including the Honorable Tom Ammiano, Carol Ruth Silver, and Anne Kronenberg.
We watched with Juanita More!, Gary Virginia, Deana Dawn, Ruby Red Munro, Anna Damiani, Linda Lee, Sister Roma, and many others as the laser lights first appeared and Queen's soaring "We Are the Champions" swept throughout the neighborhood.
Some remember clearly the night the lights went out in Georgia; we shall always remember the night the lights came on in the Castro! Parties continued well into the night at The Caf�, Lookout, Twin Peaks, Q Bar, and The Edge.
A clear, warm Saturday afternoon brought out throngs for competing events at Beaux, The Edge, Castro Country Club, and Midnight Sun, where we were committed to raising some money for the Rainbow Honor Walk. By now you may have seen the newest eight bronze plaques installed in the Castro neighborhood sidewalks, now stretching down Market Street.
They include markers for Jose Sarria, Sally Ride, Rikki Streicher, Fereydoun Farakzhad, Barbara Jordan, We'Wha, Glenn Burke, and Kiyoshi Kuromiya. Our afternoon fundraiser provided Jello shots, raffle prizes, and a short show with John Weber and Alexis Miranda to gather money for this historic project, unlike anything in any other city.
At the reception and unveiling the following Wednesday, the proceeds from this fundraiser and generous gifts from the Empresses of San Francisco and the International Court Council were announced to help fund the bronze plaques of the Rainbow Honor Walk. Another sixteen plaques are in the process of being created and put in place, so all financial assistance is appreciated.
Ready or not, holiday events get underway, starting tomorrow night, Thursday, November 17, with the Winter Onesie Party benefiting Planned Parenthood at Lookout starting at 9PM. This party is rightfully described as infamous, and with Suzan Revah involved in its creation, you have every right to expect a sexy, naughty night of revelry!
Then, on Monday, November 27, we host the lighting of the Holiday Tree in the Castro right in front of Bank of America, with a family friendly ceremony and special guests the SF Gay Men's Chorus, SF LGBT Freedom Band, Lesbian/Gay Chorus, and Santa Claus himself.
But as they say, "The holidays don't begin until you've seen Donna Sachet's Songs of the Season!" As you read this column, we are in final preparation for the 25th annual and final Songs of the Season benefiting AIDS Emergency Fund at Halcyon (formerly Beatbox) Monday-Wednesday, November 27-29.
Don't miss this last series of nights, celebrating the spirit of the holiday season with a musical cabaret, featuring performers Sharon McNight, Brian Kent, Leanne Borghesi, Kippy Marks, Dan O'Leary, Kenny Nelson (in his San Francisco debut), Paula West (Monday night only), Adam Reeves (Tuesday night only), and Jason Brock (Wednesday night only).
You'll laugh, you'll cheer, and you may even shed a nostalgic tear or two in a magical winter wonderland setting. The grand finale alone will take your breath away. Get your tickets now; we expect three sold out nights.
The National AIDS Memorial Grove's eighth annual Light in the Grove is Thursday, November 30, and honors our champion for civil rights Mark Leno.
The following day is World AIDS Day and among the many events planned, the AIDS Memorial Grove just announced that President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address at their ceremony.
On Monday, December 4, join us in City Hall's Rotunda as we co-host, with KGO-TV-7's Cheryl Jennings, the lighting of the Rainbow World Fund's Tree of Hope. The festivities begin with the San Francisco Boys Chorus at 6PM, followed by remarks from Rainbow World Fund's Jeff Cotter, Mayor Ed Lee, Consul General of Japan Jun Yamada, origami artist Linda Mihara, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
At 7PM sharp, the lights on the world's largest completely origami decorated holiday tree come on. This is truly a lovely San Francisco tradition and you need to include it in your plans.
And on Thursday, December 7, "Drag Queens" on Ice returns to the Safeway Ice rink in Union Square! As always, we'll be the drag queen on the mic, not the ice, joined by skaters Mahlae Balenciaga, Mutha Chucka, Paju Munro, and Kylie Pop with special guests Queen Dilly Dally and Sister Roma.
Watch the Bay Area Reporter calendar of events for so many special ongoing holiday happenings, including "The Golden Girls: Christmas Episodes" at the Victoria Theatre starring Heklina, Matthew Martin, D'Arcy Drollinger and Holotta Tymes, and "Sunday's a Drag Miracle" on Powell Street all through December.