Co-emcee Anita Cocktail

Sixteen years after opening a bizarre alternative club for off-the-wall themed performances, bent events, and imaginative explorations of creativity, the klub kids will assemble once again on Jan. 24 for two exciting happenings in San Francisco’s quirky SOMA neighborhood. “HaveYouSeenMe?STiTUTE” is an archive show, reunion party, and media orgy with performances at the always alternative Center For Sex & Culture. Then klubbies are encouraged to stumble down the street (having properly imbibed at the bar-STiTUTE) and take over the Stud at 9th & Harrison for “TrannyShackSTiTUTE” with crossover stars of both KLUBSTiTUTE & Trannyshack fame.

KLUBSTiTUTE members give a brief historical background, for those who are curious. “Since 1990, KLUBSTiTUTE has paraded glamour, gore, and gender-blending gambles in honor of a rich tradition. We set the stage for underground queer cabaret, wacky theme parties, and kinky drag performances. In 1995 we founded KLUBSTiTUTE KOLLECTiVE to continue these nontraditional traditions after the passing of our inspiration and founder DIET POPSTiTUTE. He created and sustained a legendary lineup of freaks, performers, and events to make the most jaded queens come out in joyful celebrations of abandonment. Productions include ROCKY HORROR SUPERSTAR: the Jesus of Frankenfurter Story (full-scale drag-a-riffic lip-synch musical); PromSTiTUTE, an alternative alternative to queer youth proms; Ruby’s Rated X-Mas; the Virgin Queen Contest for first-time drag queens; and the Faux Queen Pageant for drag queens trapped in women’s bodies. We envision a world where everyone’s inner-fabulousness is shared and exploited if not downright appreciated. Together we make life a lot more livable. When life is a drag, it’s time to accessorize!”

Organizers say that redefining who and what art is and can be has been a passion for many artists and performers in the underground scene of San Francisco. Sixteen years ago (1990) Diet Popstitute along with other members of the infamous Popstitutes opened KLUBSTiTUTE which begat PLAYSTiTUTE, The KLUBSTiTUTE KOLLECTiVE, the Virgin Queen Contest, PROMSTiTUTE, the Faux Queen Pageant, and countless other wacky offerings infecting the stale nightlife and reinvigorating zany fun into the cold netherworld of Sodom by the Bay.

“The open mikes gave way to a mixture of rock bands, spoken word, DJ/dancing, theatrical productions, musical ensembles, and zany theme nights,” says Alvin Orloff AKA DJ Alvin A-Go-Go & author of GutterBoy. “In no time the club became a favorite of queers, punks, literati, glitterati, differently gendered persons, and political activists.”

“One of my fondest memories was when Juanita More got her new body suit and was running through the club as fast as she could looking naked with just a whisper of fabric and high heels,” says co-organizer Sister Kitty Catalyst OCP, uber-nun and homo-propagandist. “With a crowd that great, the show was just icing on the cake!”

Diet Popstitute once put Klubstitute’s policy succinctly: “We are the bitches that get things done!”

“HaveYouSeenMe?STiTUTE,” undoubtedly the oddest title the Kollective has come up with yet, will feature an extensive archive with tons of photos, press clippings, and artwork. There will also be stunning if not shocking performances by Reigning Faux Queen Hoku Mama Swamp, Dr. Carol Queen, Trixie Carr, Faux Queens Bea Dazzler, Windy Plains, Cricket Bardot and Anita Cocktail. Anita and Coca Dietetica will be mistresses of ceremonies, plus DJ Pusspuss will play his magical mix of global music and such. There will be delightful refreshments. Did I mention the bar?!

“It’s our tributeSTiTUTE night to our founder, Diet Popstitute, whose legacy changed the course of so many lives for the better,” says co-organizer Cameron Eng. “His benefactions have touched thousands upon thousands and created a real family of shameless freaks that I am a proud member of. Please come share this night with us!” Eng says that eventually they will be donating an archive to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society and the Performing Arts Library and Museum. “If you’ve got photos, clippings, reviews, stories, etc, please contact us at only@klubstitute.com and we can scan, photocopy, or stuff it into the archive. We’d love to have your memories.” 

Doors open at 9pm with show at 10pm at the Center For Sex & Culture, 398 11th Street at Harrison: $4.98 cheap!

PART TwO-STiTUTE
Then two blocks down is TrannyShackSTiTUTE, where crossover stars of both KLUBSTiTUTE & TrannyShack fame will perform at the legendary club featuring Suppositori Spelling, Trauma Flintstone, Princess Kennedy, Tom Orr, Deena Davenport’s tribute to Lois Turd 3000 with Johnny Kat & Timmy Spence, Ethel Merman, Princess Kennedy, Ruby Toosday, Jazizi Capuccino, Cricket Bardot, and many more. All this will be femceed by the filthy yet lovely Heklina and darling Deena Davenport. DJ Derek will spin tunes and door mistress will be Miss Chocolate. The $7 cover show is at the Stud, Jan. 24, starting at midnight. If you are queer, LGBT, Str8 but not gay, questioning, queen, freeeek, geek, klub kid, tranny chaser, or a person with a heartbeat, DO NOT MISS these two awesome events!!!