Sister Dana Van Iquity wonders why so long after Mardi Gras there is still a massive amount of beads and glitter all over his body 

Krewe de Kinque threw a fabulous Mardi Gras masked ball, “Occupy Bourbon Street: Party with the Naughty-nine%!” at Trigger. The décor was all Mardi Gras themed from the purple, green and gold balloon necklaces by Coy Ellison to the giant gold glitter comedy and tragedy masks. Partiers wore colorful masks and costumes, dined on authentic N’Awlins cuisine and drank delicious Stoli vodka cocktails, including flaming chocolate decadence. Sister Dana went as a billionaire nun, because the Church is not taxed, and we are the wealthy 1%. It was the stepping down of KdK Queen VII Garza and King VII Frank Vera, and the crowning of Queen VIII Bebe Sweetbriar and King VIII Tony Leo. Brian Basinger, executive director of AIDS Housing Alliance/SF spoke about his organization, the beneficiary of the night. “AIDS Housing Alliance/SF believes in a world where all people have a safe, decent, and affordable home,” he said. “Toward that vision we prevent homelessness for people with HIV/AIDS by protecting the housing we already have, providing resources to secure new housing and promoting public policy to expand opportunity for all.” KdK is a volunteer based organization made up of individuals (gay and straight) who care about GLBT issues with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. SFKinque.com.

I attended an elegant reception for Representative Barbara Lee, presented by Miguel Bustos and emceed by Donna Sachet at 12 Gallagher Lane art gallery. Rep. Lee is also vice chair of the LGBT caucus. Lee said, thanks to the Tea Party Republicans, there will be more and more damage to repair on the Hill. She said it was a relief to be among her constituents who “inspired and motivated” her, and commented, “We need to do everything we can to get back the House.” She was thrilled to have helped get the next International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. in July, joking she wished it could have been in Oakland. She told me she agreed we need to abolish the ridiculously unnecessary Electoral College system. Rep. Lee has the distinction of being the only congressperson to vote against going to war in Iraq.

Darrell Mcelvane and BeBe Sweetbriar hosted a fun, fabulous “Divas Karaoke 2” for the Stop AIDS/Our Love program (engaging gay, bi and trans African Americans in HIV risk-reduction and the promotion of community health and wellness) at Q-bar. Special guests were Carla Blackwell singing “At Last” by the late Etta James and fLO (CallMeFlo.com) singing an original, “You Can Look, But Don’t Touch” and her latest video, “N-R-G.” Bebe Sweetbriar sang a gorgeous tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston with “I Have Nothing.” Our Love’s Terry Dyer sang “The Way You Look Tonight.” The American Idle judges were Terry, Sister Hera Tique, Emperor John Weber and Norman Tanner.

First prize went to Positive Resource Center Director Brett Andrews for a spectacular a cappella tribute to Whitney with “The Greatest Love;” 1st runner-up was “Lady” Lennie; and yours truly garnered 2nd runner-up with my “Ebb Tide.” Mandy Candy got “Most Congenial” for her “bold attempt at melody and rhythm.”

Mark Rhoades produced a delightful Cupid’s Back 6th Annual Valentine’s Day Party to benefit the GLBT Historical Society with special guest DJ and drag queen extraordinaire Juanita More. There was an open bar with Ketel One vodka and Don Julio tequila all night long. Party guests were “heartily” encouraged to wear Valentine’s red or pink to match the ambiance and décor.

Mark Huestis brought the classic Love Story and its still beautiful star, Ali MacGraw, to the Castro Theatre with juicy gossip about her “moody but nice” costar Ryan O’Neal, her producer husband Bob Evans, and her torrid affair with Steve McQueen. Huestis also showed excellent clips from MacGraw’s films.

That’s all from Tinseltown North, and save two on the aisle for cinema maven Sister Dana.