MC Donna Sachet, Assemblyman Mark Leno, REAF’s Ken Henderson and Joe siiler and MC Tim Gaskin at Slide Night Sclub. It was all about Ken & Joe’s 25th anniversary, fine performances and supporting the Richmond/Ermet AIDS F

Benefit magazine kicked off the new year with a benefit party for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) at Slide, a 1920s style speakeasy and nightclub. Guests got into the spirit, donning their best ‘20s style duds to look like characters from the novel, Great Gatsby, as well as gangsters, flappers, and others in festive attire who came for a hot time to raise funds for REAF and celebrate the 25th anniversary of two of REAF’s founders, Ken Henderson and Joe Seiler, as life partners. It was also the 15th anniversary of REAF. The braver attendees (like myself and my escort Brad) chose to enter the party going down a huge, twisting wooden slide that sent us whizzing down into the arms of handsome helpers below, making sure we didn’t bust our butts in the process. What a rush! If guests had failed to bring their boas (we of course wore ours), they could purchase colorful ones at the party to look fabulous and contribute to the charity at the same time.

Benefit publisher Tim Gaskin welcomed the guests, remarking on how happy he was to see so many show up for such an important charity and such a wonderful anniversary of the couple that started it. Gaskin verified that the venue had indeed been a speakeasy, and the slide was the only way one could get in (after giving the password, of course) and have a glass of illegal bathtub gin. Nowadays people can choose to use the stairs if they’re not bold enough to risk the steep slide.

Assemblyman Mark Leno presented a certificate of recognition to the honored couple, saying that he had the great pleasure many years ago of being a part of REAF and its yearly fundraiser featuring stars from stage, screen, and recording studios. He was supervisor at the time and shared hosting duties of REAF events with then Supervisor Gavin Newsom. During that event long ago, Leno said he had wanted to do something special that would reflect the theme - Cole Porter night - as he presented a certificate to REAF. He chose to sing some off-color lyrics to the Porter tune, “You’re the Top” (such as “You’re the breast of Venus; you’re King Kong’s penis; you’re self abuse”). Leno said he turned and looked directly at Newsom to twist the actual last line into, “Baby you’re the bottom; I’m the top.” Seriously, Leno noted, “If it weren’t for your 25-year relationship, we would all be the poorer.” He pointed out that REAF has given away over $2 million over the years. He gave a Jewish blessing: “You should be like Moses and be together 120 years.”

The couple came out onstage, and Seiler was the first to speak. “I see old friends and new friends out there, although I really hate to use the word, ‘old.’” “We’re thrilled to see faces, not necessarily new or old,” said Henderson. He especially recognized Ken Abrams, who was there at the End Up gay bar on the night they met on New Year’s Eve. Later on Abrams told Bay Times of his experience with Seiler and Henderson. “EVERYBODY met at the End Up in those days,” he said.

“I wish all of you the same experience that I’ve had,” said Seiler. “I’ve found a person who is probably the best person you could know, and I feel very privileged.” They both hugged as everyone clapped. Henderson noted that the original REAF co-founder, Peggy Ermet, was no longer with us, and that Barbara Richmond was not feeling well enough to come to the party. These two moms of gay sons who died from AIDS joined forces along with Henderson and Seiler to create the Foundation. Henderson said the party was also a kickoff for their plans for 2007, including the next One Night Only cabaret at Club Fugazi (date to be detemined) with the cast from the hit musical, Jersey Boys. He announced the theme of this year’s star-studded fundraiser: “Help Is on the Way Goes to the Movies: the Music of Hollywood’s Best Films.” The show will be staged at the Palace of Fine Arts on Aug. 5.

Co-hostess Donna Sachet brought to the stage San Francisco’s hometown sweeties, the Diamond Dagger Gaiety Girls – “a queer carnival ride of 20th century foxes with shimmyin’ fringe, sequins and rhinestones, and good ol’ bad-ass sass.” These delicious dames - featuring Nanny Fuller and Vidalia Paradise as Velma and Roxie from Chicago - were dolled up in red, including a red flapper hat and red rose to compliment their red-hot lingerie. They danced to the show’s “I Can’t Do It Alone,” doing high kicks, Charleston dance moves, and just generally tearing up the stage as people hooted and howled.

Next on the bill was Tim Hockenberry, who has performed at many an REAF event. His sold-out performances have thrilled fans at places such as the Plush Room. That night he played piano and growled out, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.” The lyrics stated: “In your pocket, not one penny; and all them friends, you haven’t any; but soon as you get up on your feet again, everybody loves you like a long lost friend.”

Meg McKay (dressed that night in black flapper dress and long, long strands of pearls) and Billy Philadelphia (in bold red and white striped shirt with matching suspenders and arm garters) are also longtime alumni of REAF functions, who did the very first fundraiser for REAF. She sang as he played piano to “It’s Very Clear (our love is here to stay),” as a tribute to the long lasting relationship of Seiler and Henderson.

Chanteuse extraordinaire Connie Champagne said she was randomly listening to the radio when she heard someone say they were a family station and were going to talk about music that will turn your child gay. “I thought I’d certainly like to be more cheerful, so I listened to the list,” she joked. On the list were the Scissor Sisters, BeeGees, Elton John (a no-brainer), Nickelback (that’s a shocker), and most of all Cole Porter.

Naturally she sang a Porter tune – “Find Me a Primitive Man” from the 1929 movie, Fifty Million Frenchmen - and turned us all gay – especially when she sang a stanza in French. Henderson and Seiler took the stage to rip off their smokin’ smoking jackets and reveal glittery silver disco shirts and white pants a la Saturday Night Fever, which led into everyone dancing to Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money.” We toasted them and ate cake with their 1982 likenesses on it. Donna Sachet closed with “The Nearness of You,” with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Ned Washington. The lyrics summed up the couple’s relationship: “When you’re in my arms and I feel you so close to me, all my wildest dreams come true.” And REAF truly does make the dreams of many an AIDS service organization come true!