Above: Center ED Rebecca Rolfe looked on as the Academy of Art’s Sue Rowley spoke to the roof deck audience. Right, top: DJ christopher played for the dance. Right, bottom: Jessica Ridge, Erin Smith and Jerime Black generously pured Barefoot wine all af

A Fifth Anniversary Blowout on Four Floors

The Academy of Art University sponsored the San Francisco LGBT Community Center’s fifth annual Pride Party, and they supported The Center in a big way. The Academy’s Executive Vice President of Education and International Admissions/Services Sue Rowley resoundingly declared her honor to speak at the celebration on June 19. More than 100 guests at the roof deck margarita soiree listened avidly as Rowley mentioned that her girlfriend liked the word “elated” to sum up her joy in joining the tradition of diversity of San Francisco Pride and among the Academy’s students from over 100 countries all over the world. And she said that diversity makes some people uncomfortable and scares others, but that it is necessary for good changes to happen. Rowley stated that the Academy stands with the LGBT community as neighbors and with a shared vision that people of all cultures and backgrounds should be given the opportunity for their contributions, artistic and otherwise, to be made to society. And she encouraged the community to reach out to the Academy for support in the future. 

The sound and music at the soiree was excellent, thanks to DJ Christopher Berini, who is blonde and handsome and wholesome-looking in a field where that look stands out. Hunky filmmaker David Lynam joined Rowley to represent the Academy of Art; his short film was shown recently at the Frameline Film Festival. Preceding Rowley’s talk at the event was The Center’s Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe, and the party’s co-chair Wes Freas and board chair Debbie Chau also spoke to the multitude who had mobbed the margarita bars. 

Aaron Dolson, who is well known as the guy who mounts the fine Tingle Tangle shows at CafĂ© Du Nord, was manning a Taylor’s Tonics soda booth at the event. Strong flavors as a description for these tonics does not even come close, and the caffeine level had one stud saying that he was going to drink a couple cupfuls and take a guy he spotted up the street to Beck’s Motor Inn. Jessica Ridge, Erin Smith, and Jerime Black were pouring at the Barefoot Wine booth and sharing a rainbow feather boa. Barefoot is celebrating 20 years of support with San Francisco Pride and their continuing generosity was appreciated on Saturday afternoon. 

Marga Gomez was the headliner of the entertainers, and she was again a big stage success. Unfortunately the Rainbow Room’s heat again turned some guests around at the door, so they missed the performances. The food, the raffles, and the open bars made for an overall  successful party  for The Center.