The saga of a sign with a storied past has come to a close as two of the city's history-saving groups have worked out a deal to store the neon relic.
Last week the GLBT Historical Society, with the help of moving company Ergowiz, successfully moved the sign for defunct drag club Finocchio's from a warehouse on Treasure Island to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society's off-site storage facility in South San Francisco.
As the Bay Area Reporter first reported in March, the approximately 19 foot long by 5 foot wide sign for the famous North Beach establishment had been housed on the manmade island since 1999 after Finocchio's last performance. But last year the Navy decided it wanted its warehouse back and evicted the city's preservationist group from the building.
The decision set off a months-long search for a new home to store the sign, which is too massive to fit into the elevator at the gay history museum and archives' space on Mission Street downtown. Ultimately, it was determined there was room for the sign to be stored at the city group's new storage space.
Movers gingerly relocated the old electrical barker to its new resting place Thursday, August 27. It cost the GLBT historical society less than $800, and the group signed a contract to house the sign, at a cost of $50 a month, with the other local artifacts through at least August 1, 2012.
"I feel really relieved and much better knowing it is in a safe place and we have a contract and are making a commitment to keeping it," said Rebekah Kim, the GLBT historical society's managing archivist.
When the public will once again see the sign remains to be determined. It will not fit at the new city museum being built in the former Mint building at Mission and Fifth Streets, and a permanent home for the LGBT group is still an unrealized dream.
"We don't have the space to exhibit it," said Kim.
Bollywood dance classes
Roke Noir Productions in Oakland has announced the start of queer women-operated Bollywood fusion dance classes that begin Tuesday, September 8. A beginners class takes place from 7 to 8 p.m., while a dance troupe class takes place from 8 to 9. Noir said that the dance troupe performed at last weekend's Sistahs Steppin' in Pride and was a great success.
Advance tickets are $20 for both classes ($70 for the month) or $12 for one class ($45 for the month). The cost is slightly higher at the door. The lessons take place at the Lake Merritt Dance Center (also known as the Oakland Veterans Building), 200 Grand Avenue, in the upstairs multipurpose room.
For more information, visit http://www.rokenoirproductions.com/bollywoodbeats.htm.
Gender based violence conference
Survivors International will hold a conference at the University of California Hastings College of the Law on Saturday, September 12 to highlight the issue of men and women who have experienced persecution based on gender or sexual orientation. These victims often flee to safety in the United States, yet remain hidden within the general immigrant population. Organizers at Survivors International noted that people often are unaware of their right to safety and protection, including gender asylum, which results in a service gap, with the needs of survivors of gender based persecution being severely under-addressed.
Next Saturday's daylong conference is being organized by Survivors International's Gender Asylum and Recovery Project, which provides clinical services, training, advocacy, and research. The conference will present an overview of the general issue and implications of gender based violence on immigration.
The conference will include a keynote speaker, panel discussion, and artistic performances. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at UC Hastings, 200 McAllister Street in San Francisco. Admission is $15. For more information, visit www.survivorsintl.org.
Service for LGBT seniors on Peninsula
Family Service Agency of San Mateo County's senior peer counseling program has received a one-year $283,000 contract renewal from the county and is trying to get the word out that its program includes services for LGBT seniors. Apparently only one LGBT senior person is currently utilizing the program, and officials would like to see that figure increase.
The peer counseling program is free and open to San Mateo County residents 55 years of age or older.
In addition to making LGBT seniors in San Mateo County aware of the program, Family Service Agency is also having an orientation and training for county residents 55 years and older who want to volunteer. The orientation is coming up on Monday, September 14; the training is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 29, and will continue twice weekly through November 30.
Administered under Family Service's senior services program, the senior peer counseling program is managed by Howard Lader, LCSW. The LGBT component is managed by Ellyn Bloomfield, who serves as its coordinator. The peer counseling program seeks to develop a bond of trust between people of similar age, experience, values, wisdom, and culture.
For more information about becoming a volunteer, or to become a client, contact Geri Lustenberg at (650) 403-4300, ext. 4389 or [email protected].
Holiday party tix now on sale
Men's Associated Exchange, a gay social group, and City Youth Now are teaming up for City Youth's 54th annual Green Room party and tickets for the December 5 event are now on sale. The holiday benefit raises funds to provide over 2,000 wrapped holiday gifts to youth in San Francisco's foster care and juvenile justice systems, targeting youth between the ages of 10-19.
Attendees at the party will enjoy fine food, dancing, and can enter to win several raffle prizes. The party takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Green Room of the War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue.
Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at www.thegreenroomparty.org.
Matthew S. Bajko contributed to this report.