Where else can one meet a wicked witch, a porn star and a golden girl? Where else can one sing along, dance along, and drag along? Where else do Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas blend into a unique LGBT holiday season? Only in San Francisco!
Check out all the fabulous festivities after the jump.
October 2009
What a Wonderful World: The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus announces their upcoming cabaret show at the plush Lodge of the Regency Center with 8 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24, 2009 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Here’s a rare opportunity to hear individual voices of the chorus in solo performances and small ensembles, including the popular Vocal Minority, all conducted by Carl Pantle and hosted by Donna Sachet. Expect dynamic vocal renditions, delightful “choralography,” and a healthy dose of humor from this talented bunch. For additional information visit www.sfgmc.org.
Defying Inequality: The touring cast of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, featuring Patty Duke, hosts a fundraising variety show Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. Imagine performing six nights a week with two matinees and still giving up your one night off for a great cause, Marriage Equality USA. Additional confirmed performers include Bruce Vilanch, Matt Alber, Connie Champagne, Judy Gold, Meg Mackay and Billy Philadelphia. After the 7:30 p.m. performance, get up close and personal with the cast and crew at the VIP reception. Witches, both good and bad, are most welcome. For additional information visit www.cityboxoffice.com.
Halloween 2009: In response to unmanageably large crowds in the Castro for several years, San Francisco continues to encourage its citizens to enjoy diverse Halloween celebrations in their own neighborhoods on Oct. 31, 2009. A whole witches brew of events is posted at www.homeforhalloween.com. As always, there are great parties of interest to the LGBT Community leading up to that haunted day, most notably Queens Are Wild benefiting STOP AIDS Project at Mezzanine from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. Hot adult video stars will be dealing in the casino; while DJs Jason G and Lee Decker rule the dance floor, Bebe Sweetbriar hosts, and the phenomenal Kristine W performs. For additional information visit www.stopaids.org. On Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, Castro businesses will welcome respectful party people, but the streets are not scheduled to close. As an alternative that night, check out Halloween: A Party! at the Cat Club from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. hosted by the inimitable Heklina and Peaches Christ, complete with costume contest, horror film videos, midnight drag show, and more surprises.
Shoktoberfest 2009 – The Torture Garden: From Oct. 1 through November, Thrillpeddlers presents a series of performances at Hypnodrome Theatre at 575 10th St. Historic and often gory one-act plays alternate with the comic mock-operetta Pearls Over Shanghai, originated by the legendary SF Cockettes. Outrageous costumes, original songs, and sensory experiences including a lights-out spook show make these evenings truly haunting. For additional information visit www.thrillpeddlers.com.
November 2009
Mr. and Miss Gay San Francisco Pageant: On Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Hotel Whitcomb, Mr. Gay SF J.P. Soto and Miss Gay SF Charisma Glitterati step down and contestants vie for the 2009 title during a spirited evening sponsored by the Imperial Court. For more than 30 years this pageant has featured talent, interview, casual wear and eveningwear, often including five or more contestants for each title and a panel of celebrity judges. Think Project Runway meets American Idol meets Survivor. For additional information visit www.imperialcouncilsf.org.
From the ‘Hood to the House’: Glide Church, where many in the LGBT Community have found a welcoming spiritual home, gives thanks to the Reverend Cecil Williams in his 45th year of service with this annual holiday festival at the War Memorial Opera House Thursday, Nov.12, 2009. The 7 p.m. show features Maya Angelou, Rita Moreno, Alonzo King and the Glide Ensemble Choir. Beneficiaries include Mo’s Kitchen and Glide’s other charitable community programs. You’ll be on your feet with excitement most of the evening. For additional information visit www.glide.org.
Golden Gala Tribute to Rue McClanahan: Yes, the much beloved, bawdy “Golden Girl” is coming to the Castro Theatre Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, thanks to Mark Huestis, creator of Sordid Lives Del Shores. Join the VIP Reception at 6 p.m., followed by the 8 p.m. main event including an on stage interview, local entertainers, classic clip highlights on screen and much more. Partial proceeds benefit the AIDS Housing Alliance. For additional information visit www.ticketweb.com.
December 2009
17th Annual Songs of the Season: The intimate Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko again hosts this charming musical variety show, Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 30 through Nov. 2, 2009 created by Donna Sachet and including guest performers Abigail Zsiga, Sharon McNight, Connie Champagne, Bill Bunn, and more. Don’t expect the typical Christmas carols, but rather a spirited celebration of the warmth and gaiety of the season, benefiting the AIDS Emergency Fund. For additional information visit www.songsoftheseason.net.
Dance Along Nutcracker: The Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, conducted by Jadine Louie, returns to Yerba Buena Arts Center Dec.12 and 13, 2009 for this truly unique twist on holiday traditions, inviting the audience to leave their seats and join in self-expressive abandon as the band plays rousing music from The Nutcracker and other seasonal favorites. Festive costumes are encouraged and even available on site. The matinee performance especially welcomes children of all ages. For additional information visit www.sflgfb.org.
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy: Only local comedian Lisa Geduldig could assemble this blend of comedy, food and ethnicity, Dec. 24 through 27, 2009, at the New Asia Restaurant in Chinatown. This year’s confirmed performers include headliner Jonathan Katz of Comedy Central, Brian Malow, and Hilary Schwartz, who will guarantee sidesplitting laughter between bites of potstickers. For additional information visit www.koshercomedy.com.
Home for the Holidays: For those looking to create their own holiday traditions, there is nothing like the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, conducted by Kathleen McGuire, at the Castro Theatre on Christmas Eve. Pick from three scheduled concert times and relish in favorite seasonal carols, boisterous sing-alongs, hilarious comic routines, and heart-warming family moments. For additional information visit www.sfgmc.org.
