Next week will see two Castro venues take a step back in time to the disco era when they host events honoring Sylvester, the legendary "Queen of Disco."
The late Sylvester James, who had a string of hit singles in the late 1970s, was a Castro icon when he lived in the neighborhood in the years before his death due to AIDS complications in 1988. Now, a new CD, Sylvester's Mighty Real: Greatest Dance Hits, was recently released by Fantasy Records and the gay neighborhood will celebrate Wednesday, August 14.
At Harvey's, 500 Castro Street, people can join one of this year's Pride parade grand marshals, BeBe Sweetbriar, as she hosts Harvey's "Mighty Real" Trivia Night from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Meanwhile, at the Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street, fans can join the "Mighty Real" disco video party from 9 p.m. to midnight.
The evening's events will feature Disco-Licous drag queen performances, raffles, and trivia prizes, including CDs and double hot-pink vinyl albums of the new album.
Royalties from the sales of Sylvester's music continue to help people living with AIDS as they benefit Project Open Hand and the AIDS Emergency Fund.
AEF Executive Director Mike Smith said that over the last couple of decades, the two AIDS organizations have received a total of about $200,000 in royalties.
"It took years to pay off Sylvester's end-of-life debts before POH and us got anything," Smith said. "It's generally not more than $15,000 a year total."
The "Mighty Real Night in the Castro" is co-sponsored by the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro and Fantasy Records.
Filipino parade and festival this weekend
People from around the Bay Area can come to San Francisco this weekend to explore the flavors of the Philippines at the 20th annual Pistahan Parade and Festival.
The parade takes place Saturday, August 10 along Market Street from Civic Center to 4th Street. The festival is Saturday and Sunday, August 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Yerba Buena Gardens (Mission and 4th streets). Admission is free.
Organizers said that popular events include free ice cream samples along the parade route Saturday; a live recreation of the parade dance scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off; the ninth annual professional and amateur chef Adobo Cook-off; and a "purple freeze ice cream eating contest," where the crowd will see whether the West Coast can beat the East Coast champion.
There will be Filipino food, performances, and much more at the festival, which is organized by the Filipino American Arts Exposition.
For more information, visit http://www.pistahan.net.
GAPA 35-plus potluck
The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance's 35-plus group for gay and bisexual Asian or Pacific Islander guys, is holding its monthly potluck Sunday, August 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at a home in Hayward.
The dinners are generally devoted to discussion on a topic and the theme for the evening is, "What's a 35+ Asian gay guy do for fun?" There will also be an open mic available to anyone who wants to do a song, dance, comedy routine, or theatrical passage (limited to three minutes). Those interested in performing should email [email protected] at least one day prior.
People interested in attending the dinner should bring a meat, seafood, or vegetable dish to share and email Vincent Baduel at the address above. If space is available, you will receive a confirmation email with the address.
Bare Chest Calendar benefit
The Bare Chest Calendar dinner-date auction this year takes the form of a Monte Carlo night.
The Tuesday, August 13 fundraiser takes place from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Public Works, 161 Erie Street in San Francisco. Emcees will be Lenny Broberg and Bay Area Reporter society columnist Donna Sachet. There will be a special performance by Jason Brock at 10.
Each of the 13 men for the 2014 calendar will be auctioned off. This year the date includes dinner with the team followed by Macy's Glamorama and an after-party September 19. Glamorama features Sheryl Crow and Cirque du Soleil. Macy's has also provided a $500 shopping spree to the highest bidder of the night. Each auction also includes a basket of items for event sponsors and local merchants.
Tickets, which are $50, also include an evening of blackjack, craps, and roulette, and chances to win the Monte Carlo raffle, where the top prize is a weeklong condo stay for two in Puerto Vallarta. The high-stakes blackjack table will feature celebrity dealers BeBe Sweetbriar and Kylie Minono, and more.
The Bare Chest Calendar raises funds for AIDS Emergency Fund and Positive Resource Center. Since 1985 the calendar has raised $1.7 million for the two AIDS service organizations.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.barechest.org/tickets.
Pride events coming up
Two Bay Area cities and Reno, Nevada will see LGBT Pride events in the coming weeks.
First up is San Jose, where the 38th Pride festival takes place August 17-18 from noon to 7 p.m. at Discovery Meadow Park, located at West San Carlos Street and Woz Way in the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate.
This year's theme is "Strength Through Diversity." Saturday is community day, and will feature local talent, vendors, food, and fun. Highlights this year include a traditional Aztec ceremony and dance performances.
Sunday is "Danc'n in the Park" and features headliners Crystal Waters and David Hernandez, from American Idol . Mona Moore will present "Battle of the Queens," a drag revue. There will also be plenty of DJs spinning.
Both days will feature a Matrimonial Grove offering on-site weddings, wedding planning tips, and an expo of services.
For more information, visit http://www.sanjosepride.com.
That same weekend is also the 17th annual LGBT Pride festival in Reno. The weekend kicks off with a comedy night August 16 featuring Bruce Vilanch at Sammy's Showroom at Harrah's Reno. Tickets are $20 per person.
The celebration continues with the Pride festival Saturday and Sunday at Wingfield Park, 2 N. Arlington Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All-day festival access and entertainment tickets are $5.
The Pride event is produced by the Nevada Gay and Lesbian Visitors and Convention Bureau.
For more information, visit http://www.renogaypride.com.
Finally, Oakland will host its Pride festival Sunday, September 1 in the Uptown neighborhood. Entry is at 20th Street and Broadway, near the 19th Street BART station. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $10 and $5 for children 12 and under.
This year's headliner is En Vogue.
For more information, visit http://www.oaklandpride.org.