Sister Dana Van Iquity is pissed that he’s not a Pride Parade Grand Marshal, and Sister Roma is!
Nah, jus’ kiddin’! Roma’s my longtime good buddy. I just wrote that as a sneaky trick to get you to read this: THE SISTERS’ ROAST OF SISTER ROMA, Wednesday, June 20, at SupperClub, benefiting Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners and The Sisters’ own “Stop the Violence” campaign. Rouge Bar opens 7pm with lavish cocktails and hot tacos as the who’s who of the queer community arrive. Roast begins 8pm with searing presentations by Lenny Broberg, Bevan Dufty, Donna Sachet, Peaches Christ, Sasha Soprano, Heklina, Steven Scarborough, Tim Valenti and ChiChi LaRue! The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (me included) join Cockatielia, BeBe Sweetbriar and SupperClub’s own Marina Luna to set Roma ablaze. Roma is acclaimed as a SF Pride Parade Grand Marshall (or Marshmallow, after this roast!). Co-producer Sister Bella de Ball, says, “It is no small thing to walk in the shadow of someone as huge as Sister Roma. Yes, I did. I just called her ‘fat.’” Co-producer Guard TheO Pressed, comments, “I’m glad to see Roma is finally getting some much deserved recognition. God knows, she’ll put on face just to go to the opening of an envelope!” $20 tix: TickeyFly.com.
3-1 was the score at LGBTQ NIGHT OUT AT THE GIANTS with the “Betty’s List”/Bay Times group when SF trounced the Arizona Diamondbacks. I enjoyed a pre-game reception in Seals Plaza with Grand Marshall Gary Virginia and Krewe de Kinque Queen Deana Dawn. In the stadium, the Giants played their “It Gets Better” video (the only national baseball team to do so). Bay Area recording artist Diana Nagy sang “The National Anthem.” Members of the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Two gay guys smooched each other on the Kiss Cam. At the 7th inning stretch, it was 1-1; but we waved our rainbow flags furiously as the Giants scored 2 more homers!
GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS, honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community, held their 23rd annual awards: “Lights! Camera! Take action!” at Marriott Marquis with Glee’s Dianna Agron hosting, featuring Extra’s Mario Lopez, quadruple-threat Rita Moreno, Chelsea Lately’s Fortune Feimster & Chris Franjola, and Happy Ending’s Adam Pally. TV creator/producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal) received both the Golden Gate Award and Outstanding Drama Series. Outstanding Daily Drama was Days of Our Lives. Outstanding Digital Journalism was Adam and Pete: Love in a Time of War. Wells Fargo got Corporate Leader and Facebook got Special Recognition awards. The Voice’s season one finalist Beverly McClellan and Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere entertained. New GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said he originally came from not-so-liberal Alabama and is thrilled to be in SF “where you can be exactly who you are.” He stressed, “It’s time for our community to go on the offensive!”
“FABULOUS BY DESIGN” was the fundraiser for GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) NETWORK at the De Sousa Hughes Design Showroom. Executive Director Carolyn Laub noted that in California alone, the Network (founded in 1998) supports 880 GSA’s with the mission to provide a safe space empowering youth activists to fight homophobia, transphobia and bullying in schools by training student leaders. 34 other states now have GSAs, including Kentucky and Arkansas. Laub praised the FAIR Education Act, requiring schools to include queers in history and social studies curriculums. Two incredible youth leaders spoke of their challenges and triumphs.
SF GAY MEN’S CHORUS’ UNPLUGGED will feature a cappella versions of hits ranging from Broadway to the Beatles, and contemporary pop classics from Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” to American rock band One Republic’s “Good Life,” and more. It’s just 250 men singing. Unplugged! SFGMC contacted the man known the world over as “the father of a cappella singing,” Deke Sharon, arranger and vocal producer of NBC’s hit series The Sing-Off. He works with the Chorus adding his special sparkle. No instruments other than beat-boxer Kid Beyond. June 15 & 16, 8pm, Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore. Tickets start at $25, vendini.com.
5TH ANNUAL PRIDE KICKOFF PARTY, Thursday, June 21st, 7-11pm is at the beautiful, iconic Bently Reserve, 301 Battery Street & Sacramento, hosted by Mark Rhoades. Food provided by Kimpton hotels & restaurants. Open bar by Ketel One vodka and Don Julio tequila. Special guests are comics from the Chelsea Lately show, Heather McDonald & Loni Love. The fundraiser is for the Victory Institute, helping LGBTQ people run for political office. Tix: VictoryInstitute.org/Pride.
LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART is at New Conservatory Theatre Center through July 1st. Terrence McNally’s comic drama takes place July 4, 1991. David has died from AIDS, leaving his exquisite Fire Island gay neighborhood beach house to his dowdy, pragmatic sister Sally (Marie O’Donnell). For the holiday, she and her uncouth, Jersey husband Sam (Michael Sally) have invited Sam’s attention-grabbing, high-strung sister Chloe (Sarah Mitchell) and Chloe’s stuffy, arrogant spouse, John (Cameron Weston). The scenery is magnificent – you’d swear you were poolside at a beachfront getaway. The script is witty, if not just a tad long. AIDSphobia, homophobia and racism raise their ugly heads. We get to know each character’s inner psyche through tableau and revealing monologues the others cannot hear. Find out what that wacky title means! Tix 861-8972 or nctcf.org.
Do not miss SEX AND THE CITY at Rebel, 7 & 9pm, June 18, 19, 26, 1760 Market at Octavia! $20 advance, brownpapertickets.com/event/245268 or $25 door. This mostly drag cast hilariously portrays four professional women in search of the perfect relationship ... and orgasm: sassy columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Heklina); slutty publicist Samantha Jones (D’Arcy Drollinger), cynical attorney Miranda Hobbes (Lady Bear); and prudish art gallery curator Charlotte York (Trixxie Carr). Also featuring Cookie Dough and Jordan Wheeler, with Leigh Crow as Mr. Big. Fan-tabulous!!!
Sister Dana is thrilled that summer is almost here, hoping to see a lot less clothing and a lot more flesh out there on you queeple (“queer people” – do ya think that’ll catch on?!)
