April 11, 2013 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter

20 years of law scholarships

6

Castro abuzz with new eateries

ARTS

3

17

Whiffenpoofs

The

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Serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1971

Gay travel agent dies

by Seth Hemmelgarn

E

ven as Jonathan Klein’s depression, housing troubles, and other problems finally overtook him, the beloved Castro travel agency owner sought to help others.

“An hour before he jumped off the bridge, he was thinking about people,” Peter Greene, who launched Now, Voyager with Klein alCourtesy Ken Ferraris most 30 years ago, said Tuesday, April 9 Jonathan Klein – one day after Klein, 61, apparently plunged to his death from the Golden Gate Bridge.

“Through everything, he kept helping me in my situation, even though every day must have been torture for him,” said Greene.

Greene, who frequently broke down in tears Tuesday, said that Klein, who was gay, sent an email Monday morning “that gave some indication he was going to do something.”

But “even in his last moments,” Klein was trying to “make it easy for everybody,” Greene said. He had even closed out the most recent sales report for the business, at 4406 18th Street, so that Greene wouldn’t have to deal with it.

After he received his longtime business partner’s last note, Greene called the police.

“I told them he’s probably in his car, and I suspect he might go out to the bridge,” he said. “I guess they found him out there shortly after.”

In an email to the Bay Area Reporter Tuesday, Lieutenant Keith Boyd, assistant chief deputy coroner for Marin County, said, “We are working a case involving Jonathan Klein ... who is a suspected suicide related to the Golden Gate Bridge.”

Longtime connection

Greene and Klein met on a gay bike trip in China in the early 1980s and started Now, Voyager, which is named after a Bette Davis film, in 1984. Klein bought out Greene’s half of the business about 20 years ago. Greene lives upstairs from the agency and had continued to help Klein with the work.

At one time the bustling travel agency had five employees, Greene said. It was an exciting time as gay men and others could look to Klein’s knowledge in booking trips, including gay cruises.

The convenience of the Internet brought challenges for Now, Voyager, but Greene said people were still “flocking” to the business, drawn by the expertise of Klein, who had been a leader in the International Gay and See page 13 >>

Vol. 43 • No. 15 • April 11-17, 2013

Healthy Penis returns to SF

by Matthew S. Bajko

L

ater this spring the health department’s most famous mascot for STD testing is coming out of retirement.

In May the Healthy Penis will be popping back up in San Francisco as officials address spiking rates of various sexually transmitted diseases and aim for further reductions in the number of new HIV cases among gay men.

“We want to resurrect the Healthy Penis campaign,” said Joseph Imbriani, a health educator with the Department of Public Health’s HIV Prevention Section.

When it debuted in 2002 the campaign, initially begun by the health department’s STD Prevention and Control Section, featured cartoon advertisements starring penis characters and was solely focused on combating rising rates of syphilis. It ended after a five-year run but never fully went away; it has returned in some form over the ensuing years.

This time the character is coming back as stress relief squeeze toys stamped with the message that sexually active gay and bisexual men should get tested for HIV every six months (and every three months for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis). They will

Rick Gerharter

The Healthy Penises, including Byron, Pedro, and Clark, promoted safer sex in the Castro in 2009 with their nemesis Phil the syphilis sore.

be part of safer sex packets given to clients at the city’s HIV testing sites over the course of the new initiative.

The expansion of the Healthy Penis’ testing message to include HIV is just the latest

example of the collaboration the health department’s various sections have embarked on in recent months, explained Dr. Susan Philip, director of the STD section.

See page 12 >>

New museum puts Bay Area on exhibit

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

he trunk and partial root system of an old growth Douglas fir grace the bayside East Gallery inside the Exploratorium’s new waterfront museum. Discovered in Olema on a woodland spiritual retreat owned by the Vedanta Society, the seven and a half ton specimen has been carved into four sections with benches made from its wood providing respite for tired visitors.

“We wanted to have a large object or a large organism because it helps represent the life all around us,” explained Michael Brown, a gay man and local artist who helped conceive of the installation. “I refer to it as my big wood.”

Look closely at the base of the 343-year-old tree; there growing on the bark are moss and a young blackberry plant.

“It is supporting life,” said Brown, 52, who was hired two years ago to help design the exhibit, titled “The Tree Experience.”

He began his collaboration with the science institution two decades ago as an artistin-residence, which led to his exhibit titled “Meanderings.” Over the years he assisted with the museum’s “Revealing Bodies” and “Frogs” shows.

This time he scoured the state’s old growth forests, with trips north to Humboldt and Mendocino counties, in search of the right tree to import back for the new exhibit. He found it about an hour north of San Francisco pre-

Rick Gerharter

Artist Michael Brown “stabilizes” a 343-year-old Douglas fir tree that he carved and formed into “The Tree Experience,” an exhibit at the new Exploratorium on the Embarcadero.

served on a hillside where it had come to rest after being toppled by the wind 10 years prior.

Pointing to a small circular ring in one cut section of the trunk, Brown explained that, “here, you can see where a little branch popped out.”

As the relocated Exploratorium readies to open its doors at Piers 15 and 17 along the Embarcadero Wednesday, April 17, Brown took part in a sneak peak media day Tuesday, April 9

{ FIRST OF TWO SECTIONS }

to show off the renovated warehouse and outdoor spaces now teeming with science displays and exhibits that showcase the bay and city life.

“If you are at all interested in science, this is a great place to come to,” said Brown.

Exploratorium officials are betting visitor numbers will increase now that they are housed in a more centrally located facility. Until last year the museum, founded by Frank OpSee page 13 >>

<< Community News

2 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

Friends mourn loss of Pac Heights doctor

by Seth Hemmelgarn

F

riends of a popular gay San Francisco dermatologist who was found dead in his Pacific Heights apartment Sunday night, April 7 are recalling his spirit and generosity.

Police and paramedics responded to the home of Dr. Elias Michael, 47, at about 9:45 p.m. Sunday. Michael, whose death is regarded as suspicious, lived with his elderly aunt at 2030 Vallejo Street.

“He was one of the most generous people,” said Jenny Georges, 35, an event producer who lives in San Francisco. Georges last spoke with Michael through email about a week ago, and “he was in great spirits,” she said.

The medical examiner determined that the death appeared suspicious and homicide investigators were assigned to the case.

San Francisco Police Department spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said Tuesday, April 9 that police haven’t determined that Michael’s death is a criminal matter. Investigators have to wait for the medical examiner’s autopsy report, he said. That agency likely won’t release the cause of death for several months.

Police have questioned and released a man who appeared to be Michael’s houseguest but haven’t identified any suspects.

Michael’s body “did not have any obvious signs of trauma,” such as gunshot or stab wounds, Esparza said in an interview. He didn’t know if Michael’s aunt had been home when he died, but he said she hadn’t been injured. It’s unknown whether drugs were involved, Esparza said, and he

Steven Underhill

Dr. Elias Michael

didn’t know if there were any signs of a struggle.

‘A tragedy’

Georges and Michael became friends when they met at an Academy of Friends AIDS benefit three years ago, she said in an email.

“I have been on many fundraising committees and Elias never failed to buy tickets to the events and also donate a package from his practice for the silent auctions,” she said. “...

He loved to say, ‘You look fabulous, darling,’” and he also “loved to have fun and dance around and be silly,” she said.

“Losing Elias is a tragedy,” Georges added.

San Francisco event producer Mark Rhoades said that Michael always attended events that he hosted, such as his LGBT Pride party and

t

film events at the Castro Theatre.

“It is such a shock, and it makes it more painful not to know what really happened to him,” Rhoades said in an email.

Veronica Christina, 34, a magazine editor who lives in San Francisco, described Michael as “incredibly kind and generous” and highlighted his devotion to his aunt. She said that she last spoke to Michael via text message Sunday around noon.

Michael had invited several friends to join him at the End Up club, 401 Sixth Street, the night before, and he hadn’t appeared to be having any problems, she said.

Michael worked at Union Street Dermatology, and Georges said he’d been talking about expanding his practice. She said he’d wanted to take care of his aunt, who’s 89, and said, “I don’t see him hooking up and bringing somebody back to his house.”

Georges said, “It’s not like you can just walk on in” to the sprawling apartment building where Michael lived. A woman at the front desk there Wednesday, April 10 wasn’t able to share any information on Michael.

Anyone who may have information in the case may contact the SFPD anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to 847411 and type SFPD, then the message. The incident number is 130 285 487.

A memorial and rosary service is planned for 7:30 p.m. Thursday (April 11) at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1300 Junipero Serra Boulevard, San Francisco. The funeral will start at noon Friday at the church.t

Openhouse to honor Achtenberg, Brown compiled by Cynthia Laird

T

he LGBT senior agency Openhouse will honor former San Francisco Supervisor Roberta Achtenberg and former Mayor Willie Brown at its ninth annual Spring Fling Sunday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market Street, San Francisco.

An out lesbian, Achtenberg, 62, was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1990. She resigned in 1993 to take a position in the Clinton administration. She left that post in 1995 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor. Currently, she serves as a trustee for the California State University system. In 2011, President Barack Obama appointed her to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

She will be honored with the Adelman-Gurevitch Founders Award.

Brown, 79, is a straight ally who served for decades in the state Assembly, including 14 as the powerful speaker. One of his legislative hallmarks was his 1975 bill to repeal state sodomy laws. With the advent of term limits, Brown left the Assembly in 1995 and ran for San Francisco mayor, defeating Achtenberg. Last year Brown served as Lifetime Achievement grand marshal of the LGBT Pride Parade. He will be honored with Openhouse’s Trailblazer Award.

Openhouse is currently working on plans for its affordable housing project at 55 Laguna Street. It also offers programs for LGBT seniors at the LGBT Community Center

Roberta Achtenberg

and other locations. The upcoming benefit, themed Sparkle, is its annual fundraiser and includes a champagne reception and brunch.

Tickets are $175 and available online at www.openhouse-sf.org/ springfling.

Shanti speakeasy party benefits breast cancer program

Shanti will pull out all the stops this weekend when it holds a speakeasy cocktail celebration and fundraiser for its breast cancer program.

Guests will be transported back to the 1920s at San Francisco’s historic Old Mint building, 88 5th Street, Saturday, April 13 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Bay Area Reporter society columnist Donna Sachet will emcee the

afternoon festivities and Shanti will honor Dr. Judith Lice, director of oncology services at San Francisco General Hospital.

In addition to drinks and light appetizers, there will be a silent auction featuring such items as an Oahu vacation package, Sonoma getaway, and lower box seats to a San Francisco Giants game.

Shanti’s breast cancer program provides critical one-on-one services to over 450 of the city’s most vulnerable residents diagnosed with the disease. It primarily targets lowincome and uninsured women.

Tickets to Saturday’s speakeasy are $125 and can be purchased online at http://www.shanti.org.

Youth sought for advisory board seats

The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Families is seeking applicants for the advisory board of its Youth Empowerment Fund.

The advisory board is made up of eight to 12 outstanding youth leaders between the ages of 15-20.

Members hail from communities throughout San Francisco and provide leadership and oversight to the fund, which works closely with the Youth Commission and other youth organizations. Youth selected to the advisory board will begin their terms in August.

In addition to the age requirements, applicants must live in San Francisco, have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher, be committed to making a positive change for the youth in San Francisco, and be willSee page 7 >>

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Community News>>

April 11-17 , 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

Couple marks 20 years of helping gay law students

by Elliot Owen

A

gay Castro couple who has helped gay and lesbian law students for two decades recently handed out their annual scholarship and celebrated the occasion at a reception.

Golden Gate University third year law school student Kate Baldridge was awarded the Michael A. Zamperini/W. Clay Burchell Endowed Scholarship during an event last month at the Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass LLP offices in San Francisco’s Ferry Building.

The scholarship, created 20 years ago by Zamperini, a GGU law professor, and his partner Burchell, is awarded annually to one gay or lesbian law student beginning the fall semester of their third year. Recipients write a short essay about being part of the university’s LGBT community, and exhibit outstanding academic achievement through their grade point average and performance in writing and research courses. This year, the scholarship was $3,000.

Baldridge, who studies environmental law, said she was honored to be recognized for her merit-based accomplishments but more specifically, for being a member of the LGBT community.

“It makes me proud to not only represent GGU, but the LGBT community doing well in law school.” Baldridge said at the March 27 event. “To be recognized for those things is something I’ve never experienced before.”

Before enrolling at GGU, Baldridge was heavily involved in LGBT community activism in Fresno, California.

Identifying LGBT visibility as a problem there, she founded a grassroots nonprofit organization called commUNITY Fresno, which worked toward getting local LGBTs involved in community service.

“The whole point was visibility,” Baldridge said. “The more you expose the world to the equality of the LGBT community, the more the world will embrace it. I would like to get back involved – to be able to integrate that into a career no matter what I’m doing, would be something to strive for.”

By financially supporting the education of future LGBT lawyers, Zamperini and Burchell are contributing to sustained LGBT visibility within the realm of law. Zamperini, who teaches a course called “Sexual Orientation and the Law,” said gay people have historically been oppressed by the law, which underlines the importance of out lawyers.

“People are oppressed if they’re not visible,” Zamperini said. “If you don’t have visibility, if you don’t have gay people in power positions, you might as well give up. While I’m always grateful for our straight allies who lend a hand, we also need to do it for ourselves.”

Also present at the event was Julia Adams, 2002 recipient of the scholarship. Adams, who gave the keynote speech, currently works at the law offices of Kimball, Tirey and St. John.

She said it was an honor to speak at the event for the school that gave her so much. Additionally, she emphasized how important it is to be an out attorney.

“The law helps people,” Adams said.

“Future generations need to know that there are people out there just like them, are looking out for them, and can help them in whatever situation they might be in.”

Adams’s wife, Rebecca Prozan, who is the director of community relations at the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, also attended the event. Prozan was partnered with Adams during Adams’s last year at GGU and spoke about how meaningful the scholarship was for her wife.

“That scholarship really helped her get through that last loop and she’s had

Elliot Owen

Scholarship recipient Kate Baldridge, left, is congratulated by W. Clay Burchell; Golden Gate University Professor Michael A. Zamperini; 2002 scholarship recipient and event keynote speaker Julia Adams; and Adams’s wife, Rebecca Prozan, director of community relations at the San Francisco District Attorney’s office.

a close relationship to Professor Zamperini for years,” Prozan said. “I think this was one of the first gay scholarships in the country. Twenty years ago, for gay lawyers, that’s funding for civil rights, people on the front lines.”

Baldridge is currently the 9th Circuit

survey executive editor of the Golden Gate University Law Review and is looking forward to graduating later this year.

“To join the 19 other recipients that have come before me and are doing excellent things as GGU grads,” she said, “is humbling.”t

4 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

Volume 43, Number 15 April 11-17, 2013 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Thomas E. Horn Bob Ross (Founder, 1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko Seth Hemmelgarn Jim Provenzano CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aiello • Tavo Amador • Erin Blackwell Roger Brigham • Scott Brogan Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Duran Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Peter Hernandez • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr Matthew Kennedy • David Lamble Michael McDonagh • David-Elijah Nahmod Elliot Owen• Paul Parish • Lois Pearlman Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr Donna Sachet Adam Sandel • Jason Serinus Gregg Shapiro • Gwendolyn Smith Ed Walsh • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION T. Scott King ONLINE PRODUCTION Jay Cribas PHOTOGRAPHERS Danny Buskirk Jane Philomen Cleland Marc Geller Rick Gerharter Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja Steven Underhill Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge Christine Smith GENERAL MANAGER Michael M. Yamashita DISPLAY ADVERTISING Simma Baghbanbashi Colleen Small Scott Wazlowski NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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<< Open Forum

t Time to end project appeal madness S

upervisor Scott Wiener’s proposed legislation to create a statutory process for appeals to the Board of Supervisors under the California Environmental Quality Act should be approved by the board’s land use committee and sent to the full board for approval. Contrary to what opponents claim, Wiener’s legislation would neither affect environmental impact reports that are typically required for large projects nor would it amend CEQA itself because it’s state law and can only be changed by the Legislature.

It’s already difficult enough to construct projects in San Francisco.

There are myriad permits, inspections, hearings, reports, and community meetings developers and project proponents must complete.

Those who are smart enlist the support of local neighborhood groups before the process even begins, with the goal of preventing last-minute appeals that can stall a project.

But late last week, mere hours before the deadline, an appeal challenging the Dolores Park renovation plan was filed with the Planning Department. Dr. Claudia Praetel is concerned about what she claims is a “loss of open space for children” because the park plan calls for two off-leash dog play areas. The park, she said in her letter, is in “desperate need for open space for children to run and play in order to stem childhood obesity pandemic.”

Really? There are plenty of other existing areas in the park that provide space for kids to run and play. A $1.5 million playground with all types of equipment opened last year. But more significantly for the process, there were many opportunities for Praetel to voice her concerns. In 2011, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, Dolores Park Works, and hundreds of community members worked together in six extensive workshops, nine steering committee meetings, and over 30 committee meetings to create the best possible plan

for rehabilitating Dolores Park. There have been additional meetings since then, including open houses where project staff sought public input on the proposed changes.

And now an individual can file an appeal that threatens to hold up a project that got started two years ago, and at the same time seeks to pit kids against dogs – a loselose situation in San Francisco.

Wiener’s legislation would prevent an individual from holding hostage a development project at the last minute after the lengthy approval process. His plan, which has been amended more than 30 times, would still provide robust public notice for proposed projects but would add clear timeframes for appeals. Most importantly, it

would require that CEQA appeals be heard simultaneously with related project approvals instead of in separate, duplicative proceedings.

If Wiener’s legislation had been in effect now, Praetel would have had to appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of the Recreation and Park Commission’s approval of the project, since that was the first approval. This way the appeal would be handled before construction starts. As it stands now, the entire park project could be delayed.

Dolores Park is one of the most popular recreation areas in the city used by everyone. It’s a shame that one person can threaten to bring a muchneeded renovation project to a standstill at the last minute.

The board’s land use committee delayed action on Wiener’s plan at its meeting this week. It should approve it soon and send it to the full board.t

Reasons to stay in the closet

by Allen Jones

A

t age 56 and only recently satisfied with revealing my sexuality, I believe it is best that young LGBTs stay in the closet – at least until a more mature society emerges from both sides of the debate for the rights of LGBTs. “In the closet” is a browbeating remark that was most likely created by a jealous homosexual upset with another homosexual for keeping his or her sexuality a secret. However, it is no secret that feeling free and safe about one’s sexuality remains illusive.

Philosophically, I now joke, “I’m not coming out of the closet until I’m finished having sex in the closet” – meaning, mind your own business.

Nevertheless, I feel it is my business to caution against a one-size-fits-all approach toward coming out, based on personal experience and the knowledge that I am not alone in my feelings.

LGBTs can’t help but feel excited about recent victories in the fight for equal rights. But many voyeurs and busybodies have joined up or hijacked well-intentioned gay groups, giving these groups more political clout. Sadly, this has clouded the message of acceptance in a world so divided, due to a one-size-fits-all perception on coming out.

I cannot deny that some of the tactics by these political forces have forced much needed change.

However, voyeurs, busybodies, and even politicians have taken the lead from gay groups. Based on a large number of email solicitations sent to me, an effort to cause young and often confused LGBTs to become beholden to the leaders of the gay rights movement is occurring. Coming out should be a time of standing tall and sometimes alone.

Many years ago, the well-respected Barbara Walters asked singer Ricky Martin if he was gay. A fearful Martin denied it at the time, only coming out years later. More recently, ABC TV personality Katie Couric asked promising college football player Manti T’eo if he was gay (she was interviewing him over the embarrassing fake girlfriend story). T’eo denied it but caused me great shame.

My shame was of the nerve of this so-called journalist, who, despite being uncomfortable, proceeded to put this young man on the spot about his sexuality. Where is empathy?

Some NFL team representatives in fear of selecting a player who might be homosexual, reportedly asked inappropriate questions at this year’s NFL

Combine. Players were blindsided by intrusive questions on their sexual preference. This alone suggests to me that professional athletes need to hold the phone on coming out. The NFL commissioner’s office recently ruled nothing improper occurred after investigating the matter. Only a damn fool would be satisfied with this outcome.

The Last Closet, an organization dedicated to the goal of having owners of professional sports teams encourage their employees (players) to come out, is on a mission. The group strongly feels that if a pro athlete came out while still playing his or her sport, it would help young LGBTs. Again, only a damn fool would have faith in the outcome.

The Last Closet might get its wish. According to recent reports, an NFL player is considering coming out in “a few months.” The player is reportedly not worried about the reactions from his teammates or other players in the league. His main worry concerns fans, who have no shame in expressing their interpretation of freedom of speech.

I believe this unidentified player is right to fear fans of his sport. Fans, famous or infamous for having conniptions over the wrong play call or a key dropped ball in the game, are not the type of people I trust to properly handle my coming out. Sure, I can picture a standing ovation of support in the beginning. But that could quickly change.

If the player in question had the job of catching the football and drops one at a key point, look out.

An embarrassing display of condom, cock rings, or even a dildo will be thrown his way. Followed by mocking of “I bet you can catch this!”

I attended a San Francisco Giants game when a fan, upset with a player, grabbed his own crotch and yelled, “Suck this,” with no respect for a family nearby, and who did not pay to see overly emotional fans.

In 2010, I came across the story of Oliver Sipple. On September 22, 1975 Sipple saved the life of President Gerald R. Ford when he was trying to get a glimpse of the president outside a San Francisco hotel. Sipple saw and grabbed the arm of the would-be assassin, Sarah Jane Moore, as her gun discharged.

At the time of his heroics, Sipple’s parents did not know their son was a homosexual. And when

the San Francisco Chronicle – thanks to Harvey Milk – told the world (against Sipple’s wishes) that a homosexual had saved the life of the president, his parents stopped speaking to him. Later asked if he had the chance to do it all over again would he? He said “No.” Sipple knew that his parents were not ready to handle his sexuality. But because someone else could not understand that, Sipple suffered greatly.

Those who feel that it is the right thing to do, to just come out, are either thinking of themselves or believe one size fits all situations.

My decades of shame began to dissolve when I discovered not only the story of Sipple, but the treatment of Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin.

Sipple, Rustin, and Turing all were heroes, denied honor for simply being homosexual. However, their stories gave me courage to stand tall and alone without beholden to anyone.

Rustin organized the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a Dream” speech. Turing saved Britain in WWII and was later chemically castrated by the British government for being a homosexual. He is also the father of the computer. Astronaut Sally Ride, who died last year, didn’t publicly come out until her obituary was published. Sipple, Turing, Rustin, and Ride are hardly, if ever, mentioned when today’s gay leaders are encouraging young LGBTs to come out.

Instead of trying to get an NFL player or anyone else to come out of the closet with hollow promises of acceptance, we should do a better job of educating people about the heroics of normal people who just happened to be LGBT. No one told me that coming out does not mean I would automatically be relieved of shame.

Mine lasted for 30 years. However, I would rather live in the closet another 30 years than to come out to please an immature society led by gay leaders who I would question.

Until society, led by gay groups, learns of the importance of the contributions of many LGBTs, as well as respect for the privacy of all, I suggest young LGBTs remain in the closet. Or until the coast is clear. Otherwise their coming out might lead them right into the waiting arms of voyeurs, busybodies, and haters.t Allen Jones is a San Francisco resident.

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Politics>>

April 11-17, 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

Out leaders drive BART’s future

by Matthew S. Bajko

F

or the first time since being elected to the BART board in 1996, gay director Tom Radulovich is serving as its president.

The progressive transportation leader holds the 9th District seat and represents most of San Francisco on the regional mass transit system’s oversight body. Joining him is lesbian director Rebecca Saltzman, who won election last November to the District 3 seat representing parts of Oakland, Berkeley, and a section of Contra Costa County.

The two out BART directors are helping shape the system’s future as it strains to deal with increasing ridership, renewed calls for expansion into far flung East Bay cities, construction of an extension into downtown San Jose, and contract negotiations with its unionized workers.

Meeting recently with the Bay Area Reporter, Saltzman and Radulovich both stated that one of their main objectives for BART in the coming year is to focus on the capacity issues and condition of the system’s stations in downtown San Francisco and Oakland.

“For many years BART has been expanding into the suburbs but little time has been spent on maintaining the core system,” said Radulovich, who is the executive director of the nonprofit Livable City, which focuses on improving transit options in San Francisco.

Saltzman added that the entire BART board as well as the agency’s top management agrees on the need to address the system’s core components. The capacity challenges are set to multiply as more housing and offices are built along central Market Street in the city and downtown Oakland.

Also on the horizon: BART cars will begin rolling into new Silicon Valley stations being built by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The Milpitas and Berryessa stations are expected to open in 2018.

To handle the new ridership, the VTA is buying 60 new BART cars.

“We do expect it to be a strain on capacity until the new cars come,” said Saltzman, the government affairs manager at the California League of Conservation Voters.

Radulovich added that “the folks who live and work along that corridor will see a big transformation” due to the new South Bay line. Yet he noted that, “Most ridership growth will be on the urban core.”

Bouncing back from a drop in riders due to the economic downturn, BART now carries close to 400,000 people each weekday and projects that number will rise to 600,000 in coming decades.

“We have a lot of riders now. We are all thinking how will we be able to handle all of them,” said Radulovich.

One idea is to upgrade BART’s control system to increase the number of trains sent through the Transbay Tube during peak travel times. It now handles 24 trains each way; the hope is to increase it to 30 trains.

Another issue is BART’s fleet of 669 cars, which Radulovich said is “the oldest in the U.S. transit world.” They are being rehabbed so they can continue to be used over the next decade.

But the agency plans to replace its entire fleet over a six-year period, with the first batch of new cars arriving in 2017. The new ones will have a third door on each car to speed up passenger boarding and the seats will be oneinch narrower.

The seat makeup remains undecided. BART has been testing out vinyl seats on select trains to replace the old cloth-covered ones. An investigation

Jane Philomen Cleland

BART board members Rebecca Saltzman, left, and President Tom Radulovich, discussed the future of the transit agency.

by the Bay Citizen news website about the unsanitary condition of the old seats led BART to begin addressing the situation.

BART is seeking public input for the new fleet’s interior design. It plans to host a series of public meetings, bring mock-ups of the trains to community events, and post video showing of the design to its website.

“Our surveys on cleanliness have gone up. People go to the cars with the vinyl seats,” noted Saltzman.

Not in the immediate planning for the core system is construction of a new station at Oakland’s Jack London Square or at 30th Street and Mission in San Francisco. Building a second underwater tube across the bay with train stations along a major street in San Francisco’s South of Market district is also unlikely.

“If we were to do a second tube, it would require billions of dollars we don’t have,” said Radulovich.

There are cheaper options BART can explore, said Saltzman, such as improving bus and bicycle access to existing stations and designating increased parking fees for station upgrades. Radulovich cited such ideas as a streetcar system in Oakland and better connecting transit options for places like Alameda, Emeryville, and San Francisco State University.

“We can get people to BART easier,” he said.

A proponent of high-speed rail in California, Radulovich would like to see BART re-examine its Millbrae Station, built as part of the extension to San Francisco International Airport but lacking in the predicted ridership.

One idea is to run the airport’s people-mover system out to the station.

“With high-speed rail coming up the Peninsula, we need to look at that again,” he said. “We need a much better connection to the airport for people coming up from San Jose.”

Asked if they support renaming SFO in honor of slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk, Saltzman and Radulovich both backed the idea. Should that proposal be shelved, they also voiced support when asked about adding Milk’s name to the SFO BART station.

“We could change the station name,” said Radulovich, noting that several BART stations have had their names updated over the years. “They usually get longer,” he quipped.

As for the negotiations over the five union contracts, which all expire June 30, Radulovich said the talks are mainly between management and union leaders but that “the full board is involved in it right now.”

He said BART leaders “are not there yet” on what, if any, pay raises will be offered.

In a release sent out in early April SEIU Local 1021, which represents 1,400 BART maintenance and cleaning staff, noted its members had not

had a salary increase for four years and had foregone a $100 million scheduled pay raise in 2009 due to the economic downturn.

“Our goal is to make the BART system safer for passengers and workers, secure a fair pay package and improve working conditions for the people tasked with keeping BART’s fleet of trains and miles of track clean, safe and ready,” stated Leah Berlanga, chief spokeswoman for the BART workers’ bargaining team.

Radulovich is hopeful an agreement can be worked out in order to avoid seeing a strike be called, as happened during his first year on the BART board in 1997.

His main goal as president this year, he said, is to get “our priorities straight” and to ensure that any talks about further extending the system are coupled with plans to maintain the existing stations.

“An extension is great, but it has to be in conjunction with the core system’s upkeep,” he said.

Castro chain store policy restrictions up for vote

At its meeting Thursday afternoon (April 11) the Planning Commission is expected to adopt new rules for upper Market Street aimed at curbing chain stores from opening along the gayborhood’s main thoroughfare.

As noted in a February Political Notebook about the proposed restrictions, the new rules are devised to prevent national retailers from opening up in prime corner storefronts on Market Street between Octavia and Castro streets. Already, planning staff has informed Starbucks, Chipotle, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf that they do not support their applications to open locations at prominent intersections in the gayborhood.

Under the new criteria for formula retail, any project that brings the concentration of chain stores within a 300-foot radius to 20 percent or greater would not be recommended for approval. The retailer could still seek approval from the Planning Commission, though projects disapproved by staffers rarely receive a favorable vote.

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener is supportive of the rules, as are neighborhood groups such as the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, which helped craft the restrictions.

The commission meets at 12:15 p.m. in Room 400 of City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.t

Web Extra: For more queer political news, be sure to check http:// www.ebar.com Monday mornings at noon for Political Notes, the notebook’s online companion.

This week’s column discussed refinements made to streetscape plans for Castro Street.

Keep abreast of the latest LGBT political news by following the Political Notebook on Twitter @ http:// twitter.com/politicalnotes.

Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 861-5019 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

<< Business News

6 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

A seat at Dante’s Table

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by Raymond Flournoy

A

Castro business owner is expanding locally, as Franceso d’Ippolito, owner of Poesia (4072 18th Street) has begun renovations on Dante’s Table (544 Castro Street). D’Ippolito is working toward opening later this month.

The new restaurant will feature d’Ippolito’s signature Italian cuisine, but in a more casual environment, targeting a slightly lower price point. The eatery will be open in the mornings for coffee and Italian pastries, then later in the day it will feature pizza and small plates served with Italian wines and a full bar. Dinner service will extend until midnight.

Dante’s Table will also feature a tradition from d’Ippolito’s native northern Italy called “aperitivo.”

Occupying the pre-dinner time of 5 to 7 p.m., aperitivo will feature wine and cocktails with complimentary finger foods. D’Ippolito envisions the restaurant as being a first gathering place for friends, and a kick-off point for an evening in the Castro.

The location is the former home of Dancing Pig, and d’Ippolito is currently overseeing a full renovation of the space themed to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. The front dining room will represent the Inferno, painted with a forest of dark, gnarled trees, and featuring quotes from the hellish work. The hallway leading to the back of the restaurant will represent Purgatory, and the back dining room and patio will be the restaurant’s Paradise.

The interior artwork is being produced by John Baden, whose mural of Harvey Milk graces the wall of the Human Rights Campaign Action Center (575 Castro Street) across the street.

A new Beaux in town

The former site of Trigger will find new life this fall as Beaux (2344 Market Street), under a new proposal by the owners of three other Castro bars, Qbar (456 Castro Street), the Edge (4149 18th Street), and Midnight Sun (4067 18th Street).

Co-owner Tim Eicher appeared before the April meeting of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro to present plans for the new bar and to ask for support for the transfer of the liquor license and for a license for live entertainment.

Eicher and his co-owners Rob Cotterman, Jeff Eubanks, and Rob Giljim are all gay.

In presenting the proposal, Eicher described the two major challenges that he and his partners faced in reopening the space: addressing noise complaints from the neighbors, and making the cavernous space more inviting.

Under Eicher’s plan, numerous changes will be made to the building to baffle the sounds from Beaux.

Doors will be rearranged to reduce noise leakage, sound-absorbing materials such as wooden flooring will be added, and an entire second roof will be built over the current roof. In creating the noise-abatement plan Eicher’s designers took sound readings from surrounding roofs and other locations to learn how and where the bar noise was escaping from the building.

“It turns out that the roof basically was acting like an enormous subwoofer, amplifying the sound,” said Eicher, “so the second roof is the best way to solve that problem.”

As for the space itself, Eicher noted that the size of the club is a mixed blessing. “Trigger had the

Steven Kasapi

Poesia owner Francesco d’Ippolito stands among the renovations of his newest project, Dante’s Table, set to open in the Castro soon.

problem that unless a good number of people were in the club, the space would feel empty,” he said. “So they had a lot of pressure to really bring in a large crowd every night.”

As a solution to that problem, Beaux will feature an elaborate reflective curtain that can be drawn to divide the space on weekday nights when business is slower. The curtain will create a more cozy space, which Eicher describes as a “cocktail lounge feel.” Then on busy nights, the curtain will be drawn back to reveal the full space, which includes a dance floor and mezzanine level.

Renovations will begin once administrative approval for the licenses has been granted, and Eicher is targeting September for the opening of Beaux. MUMC voted unanimously to support the liquor license transfer and the license for live entertainment.

Pica Pica: A ‘little bit’ of Venezuela

Foodie favorite Pica Pica has finally opened the doors of its new Castro location at 3970 17th Street.

The restaurant, whose name means “a little of this, a little of that” in Venezuelan slang, is the third location for the local mini-chain.

The restaurant has been in development for the past two years, but was delayed repeatedly as owner Adriana Lopez Vermut dealt with health issues. The space Pica Pica occupies faces onto Jane Warner Plaza and was created during the renovation of the Cafe (2369 Market Street) back in 2009. The storefront stood empty until Pica Pica’s launch on March 23.

The centerpiece of Pica Pica’s menu is the arepa, a corn meal cake split to form a pocket, and stuffed with various fillings. Currently Pica Pica is offering a special “Arepa Panda” in honor of San Francisco Giants player Pablo Sandoval, who hails from Venezuela. The tribute arepa is stuffed with black beans and cheese, and then dyed Giants orange.

Pica Pica is currently open for lunch and dinner, and is working through permitting issues for its liquor license. When asked for a guess on when Pica Pica would begin serving beer and wine, business partner Tom Carlaccini said, “We fully expect to lift a glass and celebrate with our neighbors and fellow foodies by the end of this month.”

Macy’s Men’s fashion benefit

Macy’s and Out magazine are putting the spotlight on men’s designer fashions, with proceeds benefitting the San Francisco LGBT Community Center (1800 Market

Street), the Human Rights Campaign, and the Trevor Project.

The fashion event will be held on April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the Macy’s Union Square location (120 Stockton Street). Attendees will preview spring lines from major designers while enjoying a 25 percent discount in the Designer and Impulse departments.

Local queer-identified clothier Jake Wall will also be presenting items from his Artful Gentleman collection.

Tickets for the event cost $25, with the money going directly to one of the three beneficiary organizations.

To RSVP, visit http://www.macysmensdesigner.eventbrite.com.

More Macy’s Men’s

Details magazine is on the lookout for one stylish shopper to appear in its July issue. Could you be the one?

Come to Macy’s semi-annual Men’s Style Event Saturday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at the Union Square location, where representatives from Details will be searching for someone with the right look for the summer spread. Even if you are not chosen, you can still enjoy a 25 percent discount off of a menswear purchase of $100.

Networking opportunity for lesbian businesswomen

A new organization for connecting lesbian businesswomen has formed in the North Bay. The kick off event will be held on April 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the offices of Monty White, LLP (1000 Fourth Street, Suite 425, San Rafael). According to the group’s Facebook page, “We will be hosting recurring events where women can showcase their businesses and network among each other. These events will be an amazing foundation to create new connections and to reach out to lesbians and allies in our community.”

To learn more, visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lesbian-Businesswomen/583804558298171.

Castro beautification benefit

The Castro-Upper Market Community Benefit District and Herth Real Estate are hosting an art show to raise funds for the hanging flower baskets along Castro Street. The event will be held April 18, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Herth’s location at 555 Castro Street.

Attendees can enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while browsing artwork by local artists. Twenty percent of the art sales will go toward the flower basket fund.

The goal for the fundraiser is to raise $15,000, which would support 20 baskets on 10 poles throughout the Castro district.t

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Community News>>

April 11-17 , 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

Man sues city to be patrol special officer

by Heather Cassell

J

on Gray is going up against San Francisco’s legal and police authorities again, this time, he says, for mishandling and not following procedure for his application to be an assistant San Francisco Patrol Special Police officer.

The openly gay former deputy sheriff won a worker’s compensation claim in 2007 after a judge agreed that he sustained “injury to his psyche” due to online attacks against him during his employment with the Sheriff ’s Department.

Gray, 49, has been fighting the city for nearly three years simply to be hired as an assistant patrol special officer. His goal is to take over the late patrol special Officer Jane Warner’s beat in the Castro and eventually purchase the beat from Serge White, the beat owner and a patrol special police officer.

“I’m hoping that they will appoint me an assistant patrol special,” said Gray. “Hopefully, I can buy that beat from Serge White and develop that whole area in the Castro.”

Gray has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court over the matter.

On March 19, a judge denied Gray’s defense against the city’s demurrer (challenge) in his case and allowed him 30 days to amend his complaint.

Gray, who was never sworn in as an assistant patrol special, is asking the city to pay $475,000 in damages for failing to adequately process his application and appoint him as a patrol special officer.

Assistant patrol specials are sponsored by beat owners. Those owners are patrol special police officers who are appointed by the

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News Briefs

From page 2

ing to work with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds.

The time commitment is up to five hours per week; weekly meetings are on Wednesdays. Responsibilities include making decisions on how to fund and support youth-led projects, facilitating workshops and trainings, and learning about youth programs and community organizations in the city.

Advisory board members also receive a stipend of up to $2,000 per year.

For more information and to download an application, visit http://www. dcyf.org/. The deadline is Thursday, April 25.

Panel on global gay issues

The Global Forum on MSM and HIV will host a panel discussion entitled “Global Health and Human Rights of Gay Men” Wednesday, April 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street.

The organization noted that recent research has estimated that HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men is as high as 18 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, 15 percent in Latin America, 15 percent in South Asia, and 25 percent in the Caribbean. Forum leaders said that the high HIV rates are driven by increased stigma, discrimination, and violence facing gay men and other MSM. “We hope this series of events will provide a broader perspective on the current status of gay health and human rights globally, creating important linkages between activists working on these issues in the Bay Area and abroad,” said Executive Director George Ayala, Phys.D, in a statement.

Jane Philomen Cleland

Jon Gray

San Francisco Police Commission and sworn in by the city’s police chief. The SFPD processes assistant patrol special applications and station chiefs supervise patrol specials and their assistants.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s office denies Gray has any claim. Herrera’s office believes that Gray has failed to show a cause of action to file an intentional tort based on California law that shields government entities from liability for common law torts. Furthermore, the city believes that Gray hasn’t proved that city officials have broken any laws based on the city charter clauses regarding patrol specials or showed a right to employment based on statute, rather than department policy or contract.

Gray, who doesn’t have legal representation, disagrees and

The Global Forum is also holding an open house with keynote remarks

by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (DOakland) Friday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at its headquarters, 436 14th Street, Suite 1500, in Oakland.

For more information on the panel, visit www.msmgf.org/sfpanel. For information on the open house, visit http://tinyurl.com/cujjdtt.

White House announces Milk Champions of Change

The White House has announced that nominations are now open for Harvey Milk Champions of Change, a program that will recognize a group of outstanding LGBT state and local elected and appointed officials. Established in 2011, the Champions of Change program regularly spotlights ordinary citizens who are doing extraordinary things.

Members of the public are invited to nominate candidates for consideration. Nominees should be LGBT individuals who have been elected or appointed to state or local office, and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. In the spirit of the program, the White House is looking for those leaders whose contributions have gone unrecognized.

Milk was the first openly gay person elected to office in San Francisco, when he won a seat on the Board of Supervisors. He was murdered, along with Mayor George Moscone, in November 1978 by disgruntled ex-Supervisor Dan White.

To nominate a Champion of Change, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions/nominate.

(Under “Theme of Service, select Harvey Milk Champions of Change.) The deadline is Friday, April 19.t

plans to file his amended complaint before April 19.

Gray applied to be a patrol special in 2010, but his application was lost along with a letter of intent to hire by White. According to Gray’s lawsuit, then-Police Commissioner Jim Hammer and Gray pushed to find the application. It appeared a month later, after an April 2011 inquiry, but was never processed in spite of constant inquiries into his application, according to Gray’s complaint.

There are deadlines in the application process, but once an application reaches the patrol special liaison at the police department, there are no specific processing deadlines, according to the application procedures that went into effect in 2009.

According to Gray’s suit, SFPD Lieutenants Richard Yick and Henry Parra actively dissuaded Gray from pursuing his assistant patrol special officer application and encouraged him to apply to become a reserve police officer for the city. Gray said he applied in April 2011, but that application hasn’t been processed either.

During the past three years, Gray has found other avenues to continue working in law enforcement. Recently, he has been working with Ernest L. Tachihara, owner of San Francisco Private Security Patrol Services, as a licensed security officer registered with the state of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

Tachihara is a former patrol special police officer who left and started his own private security firm.

Buying a beat “would not be at all worth it” because the pa-

trol specials are “slowly being chopped off at the knees,” said Tachihara.

There are now only about five beat owners in the city. The struggle to hire assistant patrol police officers and to retain their policing rights has been an ongoing battle with the Police Commission and SFPD for nearly two decades.

In spite of his personal belief that fighting the city isn’t worth it, Tachihara supports Gray because the city and certain police officers have not followed through on

policies and procedures, he said.

“His application was never acted on, therefore, that is a violation of the accepted rules and procedures on how this process should have happened,” said Tachihara, who believes that SFPD officers misrepresented facts about the application process to Gray. “He was denied the full access and privileges and procedures of the San Francisco Police Department of attaining [the position of ] assistant patrol special.”t

<< Community News

12 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

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Healthy Penis

From page 1

“We see that as a furthering of the message and the Healthy Penis is helping get that message across and helping them extend the use of that tool,” said Philip, adding that, “the Healthy Penis does not just belong to us.”

Anyone who tests for HIV or an STD between May and the last week of October at one of the city’s testing sites will receive a safer sex packet, which will also include a coupon redeemable at nearly two dozen Castro businesses. The coupon will resemble dollar bills, but with the face of the penis character known as Byron H Penis replacing that of President George Washington.

Posters listing participating businesses, which will also feature the cartoon phallus, will be hung at the various testing sites. Imbriani is hoping to recruit at least 30 stores to participate and pitched the new campaign during the April meeting of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro.

“It is the STD section’s brainchild, which was absolutely incredible, and we are just going to make some good use of it in a slightly different way and have businesses involved,” Imbriani told the Bay Area Reporter this week.

It is believed to be the first time the HIV prevention section has recruited business owners in the gayborhood as partners in one of its campaigns, said Imbriani. It is modeled partly on a community effort that he led eight years ago that saw volunteers approach people in the Castro and say hello as a way to foster community and bolster gay men’s health.

“I haven’t seen a huge community effort in terms of health and well-being for a long time,” Imbriani said during the MUMC meeting in explaining the genesis for the new initiative.

He credited Ken White, the manager of the Books Inc. Castro location, with the idea for the coupons.

The store discounts are meant to be minimal, as the real push behind them is to show that the community supports seeing gay and bisexual men remain healthy.

“The business involvement is mostly symbolic. It is saying this business cares about our community’s health and well-being,” explained Imbriani. “I think it is nice to walk into a business and know it just doesn’t want my money but cares about me.”

White told the B.A.R. this week that the upper Market Street bookstore has yet to finalize what sort of discount to offer for the coupons.

Describing the Healthy Penis characters as “cute,” he saw the new campaign as fitting into the company’s desire to have an active role in the neighborhoods where it has stores.

“Every Books Inc. store is meant to be a part of the community where it lives. This is a community effort and it is a way for us to contribute to the well-being of the neighborhood,” said White.

Mike Holland, the owner of Worn Out West 2nd Generation on Market Street, also agreed to take part.

He expects to offer a 15 percent discount in exchange for the coupons.

“Anything we can do to help in the community, we want to help do that,” said Holland, who added, “this issue certainly is worth the effort.”

Ensuring that men who have sex with men get tested for HIV and know their status is a proven tactic in reducing new infections. Health officials hope the reintroduction of the Healthy Penis and community backing of the new campaign will bring them closer to their goal of ending transmission of the virus.

Penis characters had an impact

Since their inception the Healthy Penis characters have proved to be effective ambassadors to educate gay and bi men about the need to test frequently for STDs. The cohort of multi-racial phalluses includes Pedro, who is Latino, and Clark, who is African American. There is also their nemesis Phil the syphilis sore.

Over the initial four years of the campaign, cases of syphilis in San Francisco declined, posting a 20 percent decrease in one two-year period. Then in 2008, two years after the Healthy Penis advertising had ended, syphilis rates reversed and began increasing.

Correction The April 4 article “Obstacles limit affordable housing” should have specified that Peter Cohen, with the Council of Community Housing Organizations, supports the creation of a small-sites acquisition fund for affordable housing. His direct quotes in the story were referencing the lack of sites in the Castro for larger affordable housing developments. The online version of the story has been corrected.

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As part of their response to combat the upward trend in cases, health officials brought back the Healthy Penis in 2009. Syphilis rates then flat-lined, but a year later, the STD section changed focus and stopped featuring the cartoon penis characters in its advertising.

Despite various new approaches and messages health officials have rolled out, rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia have annually increased. Based on preliminary figures for 2012, male rectal chlamydia rose nearly 13 percent last year, while rectal gonorrhea in men rose 26 percent. Early syphilis cases grew by 31.5 percent.

In the first two months of 2013, initial STD reports show cases of both chlamydia and syphilis outpacing the cases from the same period in 2012. Gonorrhea cases, however, are slightly less so far in 2013 than was seen during January and February of 2012.

As for HIV rates, however, the data shows there have been steady decreases in the number of new infections in San Francisco. In 2007 there were 533 new infections, while last year initial reports had the total at 377.

The reasons behind the disparate trends in HIV and STDs are myriad, say health officials, who point to gay and bi men’s sexual practices based on their partners’ HIV status, adherence to the testing guidelines and health officials’ adoption of a test and treat model as contributing factors.

“I would hesitate to say that a certain campaign is the answer or not the answer,” said Philip. “We know it is a very complex issue, people are very complex and sexual behavior is very complex.”

Steps that work for preventing the transmission of HIV can inadvertently lead to acquiring STDs, making the need for cooperation between the HIV and STD prevention sections critical, said Philip.

Thus, she sees having the Healthy Penis be an ambassador for both as a logical step.

“We have to look at it holistically,” she said. “We have to have a discussion with the community about what sexual health looks like in San Francisco and what we should be aiming for.”t

On the web Online content this week includes the Bay Area Reporter’s online columns, Political Notes and Wedding Bell Blues; the Jock Talk and Out in the World columns; and stories on City College, and a local rock camp for women. www.ebar.com.

Obituaries >>

Richard Tony Haze October 11, 1958 – April 5, 2013

Richard Tony “Purple” Haze died April 5, 2013 at home in San Francisco. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut and went to Pulaski High School, where he was co-editor of the school newspaper. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1973.

He was at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. He arrived in San Francisco in 1977 and marched with Harvey Milk. He was at the White Night riot in 1979.

Tony lived in Santa Cruz from 1980-1991. He worked at the Crepe Place on Pacific Avenue. He later worked at the Santa Cruz SPCA, where he developed a costume dog character named “Tag.” Tony would be “Tag” at parades, county fairs, schools, and boys and girls clubs, educating people about the need for proper ID tags so their pets wouldn’t stay lost. He was also the manager of volunteer services, helping people help animals.

In 1991, Tony returned to San Francisco, where he worked for a year

as a telex operator. He was later a private chef.

Tony was active in animal rights, gay rights, San Francisco Atheists, medical marijuana access, and the right to die movement.

Tony was HIV-positive and went on disability in 1996. He continued to be active in the community. He adopted a black cat named Cougar and they lived in an apartment until Cougar’s death on February 1, 2011.

Tony’s ashes will be mixed with Cougar’s and placed in the Pacific Ocean by a friend, in a private setting.

To honor Tony, friends are asked to donate to the San Francisco SPCA Emergency Hospital or Maitri Hospice.

Matthew L. Shinnick April 26, 1968 – February 25, 2013

We lost Matthew on February 25, 2013 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a gifted writer who made us laugh, an inspired artist who found ways to

turn things like old tires and rusty bolts into amazing wall art, a wonderful son and friend. He also left behind a treasure of great stories, paintings, and memories that we will always cherish.

He graduated from San Francisco’s Lowell High School in 1986 and bounced around in Minnesota, New York, Washington, Florida, Rhode Island, Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as overseas. He is remembered by his parents, Andrew and Ruth Shinnick and Linda and Bob Dunn, Grammy Hillier, and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends from coast to coast and beyond. He is especially remembered by the children he has loved through the years and who adored him in return. We love him.

He will be missed.

We will remember and plant a tree in the National AIDS Memorial Grove for him on April 15 at noon. It is a beautiful, peaceful place that Matthew would approve of and that we can visit often.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Matthew’s name.

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From the Cover>>

Travel agent

From page 1

Lesbian Travel Association.

“Jonathan still came to work every day and held the hand of everyone who needed help,” Greene said. “His combination of smarts and kindness kept people walking in the doors for almost 30 years, even in the age of online travel.”

Klein lived on 17th Street in the Castro for several years but, after being threatened with an Ellis Act eviction, he took a buyout. (The state Ellis law enables landlords who want to go out of the rental business to evict tenants.)

After the move from 17th Street, which Greene estimated was in the fall, Klein had lived in his Palm Springs home and also stayed with friends. He had just moved into a new place in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, Greene said.

Greene repeatedly highlighted his friend’s depression, which he said Klein had lived with since childhood, and he also indicated that Klein had struggled with getting older and bad financial investments. The mix presented “a perfect storm,” Greene said, but despite everything, “most people had no idea he was suffering.”

Passion for travel

Upon learning of Klein’s suicide, longtime friend Audrey Joseph said, “I can’t imagine why he would do that. Jonathan was the most not depressed human being. He was always happy.” Joseph, an event producer and San Francisco entertainment commissioner, had traveled with Klein to Thailand and other countries.

“Traveling the world was his pas-

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April 11-17 , 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

New museum

From page 1

penheimer, had called the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina home.

“Now we have this brand new platform to be more impactful and to attract many more audiences than we ever did before,” said Exploratorium Executive Director Dennis Bartels.

While the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and bay were stunning, the old location was inaccessible for many tourists. Locals also found it hard to access, and the institution set out in 1998 to find a suitable site closer to the heart of the city and its public transit infrastructure.

While the palace site was “beautiful,” said Bartels, it was also “a bit dark, a bit dusty, and a bit isolated. Today we get to open on the front porch of San Francisco, the city we love.”

Bayside home

Two years ago construction began on the Exploratorium’s new $300 million bayside home. Its 330,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space is three times the size of its previous location and has been filled with 600 exhibits, 150 of which are brand new.

The interior space resembles the former exhibition hall and Bartels promised that old location’s “quirkiness and funkiness” survived the move.

Being more connected to the heart of the city is reshaping how staff view the role the Exploratorium plays and what will now be on exhibit, said Shawn Lani, a senior artist and curator of the new site’s outdoor gallery space. Especially for the installations outside, the goal is to have visitors rethink how they comprehend the urban landscape.

“We are enlivening the view not only by having you see more but also understanding more. What happens after you leave is more important than what you see here,” he said. “It is a civic role we are asking the museum to play now. It is a very different relationship the

Rick Gerharter

Peter Greene, left, and Jonathan Klein, celebrated Now, Voyager’s 25th anniversary in October 2009.

sion,” she said.

Joseph recalled meeting Klein when she first moved to the city, around the time Now, Voyager opened. She was buying her then-girlfriend a ticket to return to New York.

“I just walked over to 18th Street and went into Now, Voyager Travel and met Jonathan,” she said. “We became fast friends.”

When Klein, who she said was diagnosed with HIV years ago, would have problems, “he’d kvetch to me like one little old Jew to another.”

State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), said of Klein’s suicide, “This is tragic news to hear.”

“I’ve known Jonathan for many decades, initially as we each started our own small business at about the same time,” Leno, who is gay, said.

“He loved his work. He provided a great service to his clients and to the community. I always knew him to be a perfect gentleman, and this is a great loss for all of us.”

Greene said that Klein loved the opera and classical music. He had a strong baritone voice, his friend said, and had once sung with the professional men’s singing group Chanticleer.

Greene himself is facing housing displacement. He said the building that houses Now, Voyager and his apartment has been sold. He hasn’t been evicted from his home, he said, but he’s been given relocation money. Greene, who indicated he has until May 9 to leave his apartment, had planned to stay with a friend in Palm Springs, but he now seems unsure of what he’ll do.

Klein left Now, Voyager to him, Greene said, but whether the agency stays open “remains to be seen, because we don’t know what’s going to happen with the rents in the building.”

Information on a memorial wasn’t available as of late Tuesday afternoon.t

museum has with the city.”

An art installation called “Fog Bridge” by the Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya, that is located on a pedestrian bridge between the two piers accessible to the public, is aimed at fostering a love affair between San Franciscans and their famous foggy weather.

“It is based on meteorological conditions. The air is the mold; the wind is sculpting,” explained Nakaya. “I just create water droplets in the same form as the natural fog.”

In the Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery above the Seaglass Restaurant exhibits focus on the city, its geology, and the local weather conditions.

“It is dedicated to exploring the local landscape,” explained Susan Schwartzenberg, a senior artist at the Exploratorium.

Other exhibits visualize the conditions of the bay itself and track the ships sailing by. Sebastian Martin, a geologist and co-curator of the space, created a topographical map of the Bay Area that can have various data points projected onto it, from census numbers to U.S. Geological Survey findings.

“It is a blank canvas on which we can bring the bay to life with any data we choose,” said Martin.

The ability to showcase exhibits has also been incorporated into the museum store, which is larger and now open to the public. One installation called “Vortex” that models tornados was specifically built for the space.

“It is incredibly exciting,” said store manager Rachel Hayden, 35, a bisexual woman who lives in Oakland. “We are able to bring a little bit more overlap between science and art in the museum.”

The Exploratorium will cost $25 for general admission, with a variety of discounts for Bay Area residents and certain groups. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday and until 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

Thursday evenings from 6 to

10 p.m. will be adults only (ages 18 and up) and cost $15, $10 for members. To purchase tickets online go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit.t

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

14 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 11-17, 2013

Classifieds

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The

Gaylesta2x2_0610CN Gaylesta2x2_0610CN Client_size_issue

Counseling>>

Real Estate>>

Legal Notices>>

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Or email us at contact@gaylesta.org restored historic cottages in a row with large Jacuzzi suites; 4th is a Victorian replica (built 1993) 1x4over 150 therapists.

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The Ozarks are the perfect escape! Elegant B&B Inn for sale in gay-friendly Eureka Springs, AR. Three Diversity weekends a year. Lots of gay-owned businesses. Only B&B Inn in heart of Historic Downtown Victorian artist colony. Three beautifully restored historic cottages in a row with large Jacuzzi suites; 4th is a Victorian replica (built 1993) with huge kitchen, office, 2 Jac. suites, Great Room for Commitment Ceremonies. Separate owners’ apt. w/ hottub in the woods. All properties zoned Commercial so you can do any biz you like in any of them. Two caves. Has wine license. Gardens ideal for outdoor café. Inn highly visible.Same founding owner since 1993 wants to retire. Most furnishings/antiques included. Lots of return guests. Will stay on to train new owner. www.cliffcottage.com. 314-616-9290 or 479-253-7409 for info.

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CUT TO CONTRAST, 1907 OCEAN AVE., SF, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Jerry Jay Tupas. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/06/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/06/13.

resTOred hisTOric cOTTages in a rOw wiTh large Jacuzzi suiTes; 4Th is a vicTOrian replica (builT 1993) wiTh Office, 2 Jac. suiTes, huge greaT rOOm fOr cOmmiTmenT ceremOnies. separaTe Owners’ apT. w/hOTTub OuTside. all prOperTies zOned cOmmercial sO yOu can dO any biz yOu like in any Of Them. 2 caves. gardens ideal fOr OuTdOOr café. inn highly visible.same fOunding Owner since 1993 wanTs TO reTire. mOsT furnishings/ anTiques included. lOTs Of reTurn guesTs. will sTay On TO Train new Owner. www.cliffcOTTage.cOm. 314-616-9290 Or 479-253-7409 fOr infO.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034970900

M OVING & S TOR AGE , I NC .

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRECISION HAIR DESIGN, 1622 POLK ST., SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Yan Li Lu. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/13.

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MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034965900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IMAGINARY DEN, 640 MASON ST. #503, SF, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Karan Jain. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/14/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/13.

E9-E12

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E15-E16

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Public Notice Fax to: Fax to: >> REA REA EPORTER AY EPORTER

Legal Services>>

395 Ninth CAS.F. CA 395Street NinthS.F. Street

BABY JEROME

395 Ninth Street S.F. CA PHONE 415.861.5019 FAX 861-8144

MEMORIAL SERVICE - Friday April 12th - 1 PM - San Francisco Columbarium - 1 Lorraine Court San Francisco - The public is welcome to attend and participate - Garden of Innocence provides dignified burials for abandoned and unidentified children - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! - Please write us at goibayarea@gmail.com or log onto our webpage below.

Fax Fax from: Faxfrom: to:

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Health & Fitness>>

Did you know Tom Burdick(1950-1993)?

No obituary was written, but he deserves to be remembered.

Seeking friends’ descriptions / memories of Tom plus a picture as an adult (with Bob?) to complete his life story.

E-mail: orygunwolf@yahoo.com

E49

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034964800

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MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034958000

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034948300

Home: 415•401•7653 Cell: 415•897•6145

EAGLE

In the matter of the application of: EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES III, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES III, is requesting that the name EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES III be changed to COOPER GAINES. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 514, Dept. 514 on the 30th of April 2013 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AL JAZEER MARKET, 1209-1211 SUTTER ST., SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Mohamed A. Abdullah.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/11/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/11/13.

E52

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC13-549307

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AARON SIGN & CONSTRUCTION, 4 DORMAN AVE., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Harun Cetin. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/14/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034968900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EMPEROR’S KITCHEN, 418 LARKIN ST., SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Ben Gu Yu. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034965500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE HAPPY EGG COMPANY, 50 FRANCISCO ST. #203, SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Noble Foods Inc. (DE).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034945600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: D&H SUSTAINABLE JEWELERS, 2323 MARKET ST., SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Daunell and Higgins Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/05/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/05/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013

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April 11-17, 2013 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 15

Legal Notices>> FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034967400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: REGROUP, 709 NOE ST., SF, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Dais, Inc. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034956200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: YOUR COMMUNITY FOODS, 1711 REVERE AVE., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed The Center for Self Improvement and Community Development (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/08/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034971100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BARROW, 256 SUTTER ST. 4TH FL., SF, CA 94108.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Queen of Clubs LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034969300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TAPS, 1516 BROADWAY, SF, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Red Stick Enterprises, LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/13.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-031881300 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: EMPEROR’S KITCHEN, 418 LARKIN ST., SF, CA 94102. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by Sharon V. Tran. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/09.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-033292100 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: AL DESIGN, 239 CERVANTES BLVD. #1, SF, CA 94123. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by Ana Lazaro Campos.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/24/11.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-032975000 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: MISSION DELI & CAFE, 5457 MISSION ST., SF, CA 94112. This business was conducted by a general partnership and signed by Po Ka Yim & Yim Fan Li. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/17/10.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-031312300 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: FRANCES LEGAL NURSE CONSULTING, 1484 33RD AVE., SF, CA 94122. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by Frances Woo. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/17/08.

MAR 21, 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Dated 03/21/13 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: CHUBBY MARINA, LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 2205 LOMBARD ST., SF, CA 94123-2703. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 2013 NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Dated 02/15/13 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: SERGIO HUAMAN, EPIFANO C MOREANO. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 33 New Montgomery St. #1230, SF, CA 94105 to sell alcoholic beverages at 3299 MISSION ST., SF, CA 94110-5006. Type of license applied for

41 - ON-SALE BEER & WINE - EATING PLACE MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 2013

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME & GENDER IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC13-549384

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC13-549394

In the matter of the application of: RAVEN LEE PARDUE, for change of name & gender having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner RAVEN LEE PARDUE is requesting that the name RAVEN LEE PARDUE be changed to VINCENT LEE PARDUE, and requesting a decree that the petitioner’s gender be changed from female to male. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 30th of May 2013 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

In the matter of the application of: DEAN ARTHUR IGNACIO GONZALES, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DEAN ARTHUR IGNACIO GONZALES, is requesting that the name DEAN ARTHUR IGNACIO GONZALES, be changed to DEAN IGNACIO. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 4th of June 2013 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034973900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEVIS SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY, 3150 18TH ST. #264, SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Bailey Venkatraman Levis. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034951800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ONENINETYSEVEN, 450 TOWNSEND, SF, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Eric Thoreson. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/07/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/07/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034985700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HIGH RISE JANITORIAL & MAID SERVICES, 1026 ALABAMA ST., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Alberta Teran. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/22/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/22/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034963100

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034990100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ADVANTAGE CLEANING SERVICE, 389 TEMPLETON AVE., DALY CITY, CA 94014.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Oscar Parish Jr. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034987700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KING POULTRY & PRODUCE, 758 BROADWAY, SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Qiqiong Guan. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/22/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/22/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035002500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STELLA SF RECORDS, 1288 MISSION ST. #239, SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Carlos Dahl Araiza. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/28/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/28/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034997400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CITY LUNCH, 2101 INGALLS ST., SF, CA 94124.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Jae Sup Choi. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/13/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BURN THE BOX STUDIOS, 3466 16TH ST., SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Tamara Lynn Albaitis.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034991300

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035007300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: V.I.P. MASSAGE, 266 SUTTER ST., 5TH FLOOR, SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Paul Young. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KARMA DELIVERY SERVICE, 384 STRATFORD DR., SF, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Hak Wong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034986300

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034999100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: UNCONQUERABLE, 1 POLK ST. #605, SF, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Carey Leo. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/22/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/22/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: APRIL NINE THAI KITCHEN, 701 RANDOLPH ST., SF, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Karuna Jaramonburapong.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/27/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034980300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEADER HOUSE, 1409 SUTTER ST., SF, CA 94109.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Yorbarn USA Corporation (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034981700

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034969400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAN FRANCISCO NEUROMUSCULAR MASSAGE, 1290 SUTTER ST. #208, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Nathaniel Wells Willis. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/15/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034960400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: R&D CONSTRUCTION CO INC., 224 ELMIRA ST., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed R&D Construction Co Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/20/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/20/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BEAUX, 2344 MARKET ST., SF, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Deviate SF Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/12/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034954600

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034967300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JW DECORATION, JW FLORAL, 1916 LAWTON ST., SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Infinite Creation LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/08/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IGNITION POINT CONSULTING, 139 HENRY ST., SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Kelliher Marketing Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/14/13.

MAR 28, APR 4, 11, 18, 2013

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035005000

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035021700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PRETTY PRINCESS CORP., 805 STOCKTON ST., SF, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Pretty Princess Corp.

(CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/29/13.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE HAPPY COLLECTIVE, 158 A YUKON ST., SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed Michael E. Reilly & Aaron KLLC. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/05/13.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/05/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034964300

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JJARDINE CATERING & EVENTS, 4104 24TH ST. #355, SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed JJardine LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/08/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/13/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035009500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FINA-LINA WEAR, 675 25TH AVE. #102, SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Josefine Gylleback McLean. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/02/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/02/13.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-032965700 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: PRETTY PRINCESS, 805 STOCKTON ST., SF, CA 94108. This business was conducted by a corporation and signed by Shu Qing Luo. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/12/10.

APR 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035019800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GENTLE COMPUTER CONSULTING, 584 CASTRO ST. #638, SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Elizabeth C. Vogt.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on NA. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/05/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035019000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: NICK FIT, 644 A NATOMA ST., SF, CA 94103.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Nicholas Smith. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/05/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035014200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FINDERS KEEPERS, 5400 FULTON ST., #104, SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Susan Rohlman. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/03/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/03/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035027500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: PERFORMANCE BRAND MANAGEMENT, 1 DALEWOOD WAY, SF, CA 94127. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RASAP Marketing Inc. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/25/13.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/09/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034965800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MISSION ORTHO, 2460 MISSION ST. #215, SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Yang DDS Inc. (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/14/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/14/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-034992900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OWL270, 1800 TARAVAL ST. #16385, SF, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Owl Spiritus (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/14/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/25/13.

APR 11, 18, 25, MAY 2, 2013

ebar.com

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS GENERAL INFORMATION The SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT (“District”), 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California, is advertising for proposals for Utilization Review Services and Bill Review Services for the District’s Workers Compensation Program, Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 6M4280, on or about April 6, 2013, with proposals due by 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED The District is soliciting the services of a Contractor to provide Utilization Review Services and Bill Review Services (“URS/ BRS”) for the District’s Workers Compensation Program in accordance with District standards and in compliance with all State DWC requirements. The Contractor shall oversee and coordinate all URS/ BRS activity on behalf of the District and utilize methods that support the prompt closure and resolution of claims while ensuring maximum savings, all as specified in the RFP. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013. The Pre-Proposal Meeting will convene at 1:00 PMlocal time in the District’s Board Room, Kaiser Center 20th Street Mall – 3rd Floor, located at 344 – 20th Street, Oakland, California 94612. At the Pre-Proposal Meeting the District’s Non-Discrimination Program for Subcontracting and the Small Business Program will be explained. All questions regarding MBE/WBE participation should be directed to Ms. Alma Basurto, Office of Civil Rights at (510) 464-6388 – FAX (510) 874-7470. Prospective Proposers are requested to make every effort to attend this only scheduled Pre-Proposal Meeting, and to confirm their attendance by contacting the District’s Principal Contract Specialist, telephone (510) 464-6390, prior to the date of the Pre-Proposal Meeting.

Networking Session: Immediately following the Pre-Proposal Meeting, the District’s Office of Civil Rights will be conducting a networking session for subcontractors to meet the prime contractors for MBE/WBE participation opportunities.

WHERE TO OBTAIN OR SEE RFP DOCUMENTS (Available on or after April 5, 2013) Copies of the RFP may be obtained: (1) By written request to the District’s Principal Contract Specialist, 300 Lakeside Drive, 17thFloor, Oakland, CA 94612. Reference RFP No. 6M4280 and Title and send requests to Fax No. (510) 464-7650.

(2) By arranging pickup at the above address.

Call the District’s Principal Contract Specialist, (510) 464-6390 prior to pickup of the RFP. (3) By E-mail request to the District’s Principal Contract Specialist, Ms. Irene G. Gray, igray@bart.gov.

(4) By attending the Pre-Proposal Meeting and obtaining the RFP at the meeting.

Dated at Oakland, California this 3rd day of April, 2013. /s/ Patricia K. Williams for Kenneth A. Duron, District Secretary San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 4/11/13 • CNS-2468499# BAY AREA REPORTER

To place your Classified ad, Call 415-861-5019.

Then go have a drink and relax...

Time warp

20

Tinsel hearts

Fast company

22

Out &About

19

O&A

18

The

www.ebar.com/arts

Vol. 43 • No. 15 • April 11-17, 2013

The Yale Whiffenpoofs, 2013 edition.

an as Chadwick Bosem in n Jackie Robinso director Brian Helgeland’s 42.

Singing to end bullying

by David-Elijah Nahmod

O

n Saturday, April 20, the legendary a cappella group The Yale Whiffenpoofs will appear at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. They’ll be performing a concert to benefit New Conservatory Theatre Center’s educational program Youth Aware. The Whiffenpoofs will be joined by a most distinguished guest star, actor Taye Diggs. Diggs first came to prominence as Benny in the original Broadway company of the musical Rent. He has since been seen in many film roles, including Rent, and is one of the stars of the hit TV series Private Practice.

The Yale Whiffenpoofs were founded in 1909. Each year, 14 carefully selected senior Yale men are chosen to be Whiffenpoofs, which is now the oldest and best-known a cappella group in the USA. Openly gay Henry Gottfried is a current group member.

“Being part of the Whiffenpoofs means, in

practical terms, a chance to make new, close friendships, and see part of the world,” Gottfried said in a telephone interview with the B.A.R. “It’s being part of a really long legacy.

Being an ambassador for Yale and the USA is a big responsibility.”

Gottfried reports that the group’s current roster represents a variety of sexual identities. “It’s a rare opportunity to be part of a mixed group where no one is in the minority. We’re gay, straight, and queer. Musically, the group has a conservative slant, but socially and politically, it’s a very open and supportive group towards all kinds of differences.” The group’s music, Gottfried reports, represents various musical styles from different time periods.

The singer is well aware of the bullying issues that the Whiffenpoofs are highlighting through their San Francisco appearance.

“Fortunately, I’ve always been in a safe and supportive environment,” he said. “I’m delighted that the Whiffs are able to contribute See page 20 >>

r e g d o D l u f t r The A ble id Lam

by Dav

s.

Courtesy Warner Bro

I

n a pivotal yet lighthearted moment in 42 (The Jackie Robinson Story), Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) has just broken organized baseball’s unofficial but viciously enforced half-century-long ban on African American players. The year is 1947, and while he’s on the Brooklyn Dodgers payroll and

making headlines daily for his brash, physically flamboyant style of play, Robinson has yet to be embraced by the other 24 white players. Sitting in the sanctity of the Dodgers’ tiny, dilapidated clubhouse, off-limits to the press, Robinson encounters one of his half-dressed teammates, See page 26 >>

Bands & ampersands

by Gregg Shapiro

H

eloise & The Savoir Faire ratchet up the meat of their beats on Diamond Dust (Simian), the long-awaited follow-up to their 2008 debut Trash, Rats and Microphones. It’s just Heloise Williams now, although she hasn’t lost her own savoir faire. What she has gained is an even more 1980s retro outlook, which comes through on “Time Lords,” the early Madonna mode of “Oh Pioneer,” the Teena Marie tease of “Bottom to the Top” and the designer jeans reference of “K.O.P.I.O.” (which stands for “Keep On Pumping It Out”). She’s at her most modern on “Dance Floor Destroyer,” which sounds like an open invitation for some rump-shaking wreckage.

Like Heloise, Marina & the Diamonds are mainly a one-woman show. Electronic dance music is the order of the day on Electra Heart (Elektra), beginning with

{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }

“Bubblegum Bitch” and “Primadonna,” which sound like Ke$ha and Katy Perry cast-offs. Even if she comes off as somewhat derivative, Marina is at her most intriguing when she gets us up and dancing, as on the feminist statement “Sex Yeah,” the instructional “How to Be a Heartbreaker” and the glowing “Radioactive.”

Don’t be put off by the rock roar of the album-opening title track to The Lion The Beast The Beat (Hollywood) by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, because what follows doesn’t resemble it at all. The funky bass line, drum loop (courtesy of The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach) and handclaps of “Never Go Back” are another animal altogether. “Parachute Heart” beats to a pop rhythm, and “Stars” allows Potter’s torch and twangier side to shine.

“Loneliest Soul” goes for the psychedelic gold, and with See page 26 >>

<< Out There

18 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

Time will tell

by Roberto Friedman

L

ast week at SFMOMA, Out There had our first encounter with The Clock, artist Christian Marclay’s 24-hour cinematic masterpiece. Marclay edited together film clips indicating the passage of time from all sorts of movies, then assembled them so that they progress seamlessly in real time. When it is, say, 4:20 p.m. in real time, someone onscreen is looking at a clock that says 4:20 p.m. The effect is mesmerizing, otherworldly, and transporting. We had time to watch about two hours of the piece, from 11:50 a.m.-2 p.m., and plan to return at other times to see more.

SFMOMA will be hosting several full 24-hour screenings of the work, including Saturday nights in May. Also last week, museum staff held a press conference in which they filled us in regarding their plans for the closure of the Mario Botta building on June 3, and what they will be offering in the 30 months before reopening in new, expanded facilities. When SFMOMA returns in its new form in Jan. 2016, it will have tripled its size. Until then, it’s “SFMOMA on the go,” projects that forge collaborations with other Bay Area museums.

In May, the museum will mount the site-specific outdoor installation Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field, the largest display of his sculptures ever on the West Coast. The first of the other collaborative exhibitions, with the Contemporary Jewish Museum/ SF, will be Beyond Belief, taking up issues of spirituality as seen in modern art from SFMOMA’s collection, including works by Klee, Kandin-

sky, Mondrian and Rothko (opens June 28). Flesh and Metal, at the Cantor Arts Center, gets its title from a classic Hans Bellmer photograph (opens Nov. 23). Public Intimacy, at YBCA, focuses on photography in South Africa (opens Feb. 14. 2014); Gorgeous, at the Asian Art Museum, juxtaposes modern art with classic Asian art (June 14, 2014); and the following two years will include similar collaborations with the Oakland Museum of California, the Museum of the African Diaspora and the Berkeley Art Museum.

During the final four days before closure, Thurs., May 30-Sun., June 2, admission will be free. This Countdown Celebration will run Thurs., May 30, open 10 a.m.-9:45 p.m.; Fri., May 31, open 10 a.m.5:45 p.m.; Sat., June 1, 24-Hour Party, open 10 a.m. to closing time the following day; Sun., June 2, Final Day, the museum closes at 5:45 p.m.

The 24-Hour Live Art Variety Show will transpire Sat., June 1, 6 p.m.Sun., June 2, 5:45 p.m. This is “a nonstop, 24-hour live art marathon hosted in the museum’s Rooftop Pavilion, offering 48 artists, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and writers a turn onstage, guided by hosts Wonderment Consortium (Packard Jennings, Steuart Pittman, Scott Vermeire), Marga Gomez, George Chen, and Peaches Christ. The list of performers will be available at sfmoma. org starting in early May.” This iteration of SFMOMA gets played off with a tick-tocking bang.

LOL cat

We don’t usually plug kitty or doggy books, but we’re going to

t

Courtesy the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York

Video still from The Clock (2010), single-channel video with stereo sound, 24 hours, by Christian Marclay.

make an exception for Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology by author Caroline Paul and her partner, the artist Wendy MacNaughton (Bloomsbury). It’s the funny true tale of Paul’s and MacNaughton’s quest to recover their missing cat Tibia in their residential neighborhood of San Francisco (it’s never identified, but we’re guessing Bernal Heights).

Paul resorts to using GPS tracking units, “cat-cams,” pet detectives and psychics to discover where “Tibby” is going off to and being fed in the hood. MacNaughton’s charming four-color illustrations humanize the “kitty-person” obsessiveness of Paul’s mission. It’s hilarious and touching. Finally, a cat book for people who don’t read cat books.

Rainbow players

News of auditions for the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS).

“BARS invites orchestral musicians, particularly violinists and bass play-

ers to audition for our next concert at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music on Sat., June 8, under the baton of guest conductor Dawn Harms. Harms is a member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, coconcertmaster with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, and a former fellow of the American Academy of Conducing at the Aspen Music Festival. On the bill are lesbian composer Clarice Assad’s Brazilian Fanfare, Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Emil Miland, and gay composer Saint Saens’ Symphony #3, Organ. Our musicians and audiences recognize the high artistic quality and social atmosphere of the ensemble at our sold-out concerts. You’re sure to enjoy our weekly rehearsals at SF State University on Wed. evenings from 7:30-10 p.m. Visit www.bars-sf.org or e-mail recruitment@bars-sf.org for more information about auditions, by April 16.”

And so it goes

News of the Palace Hotel’s heinous treatment of artist Maxfield Parrish’s masterful “Pied Piper” painting – they ripped it right off the wall of the hotel bar it was created for – was a shot heard round the world. We received many an outraged missive. Even Beantown Bo was moved to write. “So Bobby, it turns out that the last time I took a cocktail in the shadow of ‘The Pied Piper,’ it was with you, which makes

it historic, if not hysteric.”

Out There, still not over it, wrote back. “Due to public scorn, the corporate owners of the Palace Hotel have rescinded their threat to sell the Parrish painting, but have not yet said they will re-hang it in the bar. They suggest it might be rehung elsewhere (like in a corporate meeting room?), but it was created for the bar, it’s site-specific! Shades of the Piazzoni murals!”

There has never been any threat that Parrish’s similar “King Cole” mural at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan would be unceremoniously yanked down and auctioned off to the highest bidder. But maybe that’s because there’s a vibrant and critical arts press in NYC? Here in SF, we have things like the chairwoman of the board of a major arts institution backing a big show of her son’s photography collection. The press yawns. A former mayor, a “columnist” for the major daily, is busy plugging his lobbyist clients. Willie the Shakes wrote, “O brave new world, that has such people in’t.”t

On the web This week, find Victoria A. Brownworth’s Lavender Tube column, “Open mouth, insert foot,” online at www.ebar.com.

Jerry L. Thompson

Figolu (2005-11), painted steel, steel buoys, by Mark di Suvero; installation view of Mark di Suvero at Governors Island: Presented by Storm King Art Center. Collection of the artist.

t

Theatre >>

April 11-17, 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

Channeling Cockettes chaos

by Richard Dodds

Would that they had first put that foot forward.

Pearls Over Shanghai was also the show that first connected Thrillpeddlers with the Cockettes canon, running an astounding two years.

It was a show that subversively traveled through a myriad of genres and subjects, and Tinsel Tarts is more limited in its itinerary. It shuttles

T

here must be vats of glitter backstage at the Hypnodrome. That is the venue for Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, and lips, faces, hair, and even penises are adorned with those reflective little specks. The sets may be proudly cardboard, but the flesh is defiantly not weak.

Tinsel Tarts is the latest foray by the Thrillpeddlers troupe to channel the briefly aglow life-force of the Cockettes, an ongoing revival that has now outlasted its inspiration. Tinsel Tarts wrote a particularly notable page in the underground group’s history as the show that traveled to New York in 1971 on an enormous wave of mainstream publicity, only to collapse in front of an opening-night audience of star-studded slummers. It’s only minutes into the new production that this notoriety is addressed. “Do your amateur night in an insane asylum,” suggests columnist Vedda Viper in her radio review of the show we are about to see.

Pam Tent, one of three original Cockettes in this production, has taken on the role of the high-hatted Vedda Viper, and also worked with fellow Cockette alum Scrumbly Koldewyn (now at the piano) on creating a new libretto. It is an understatement to say that Tinsel Tarts was not then and is not now a densely plotted show, and probably was not the Cockettes’ best

dannynicoletta.com

Over-sized bananas get a workout in one of the production numbers in Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, the latest Thrillpeddlers revival of a Cockettes musical.

chance to take Manhattan. During the second half of the New York run, the group staged Pearls Over

Shanghai, and garnered some good press that could not change the overall trajectory of the trip.

Patter for Algernon

by Richard Dodds

I

t’s probably not all Lerner and Loewe’s faults, but after they transformed Pygmalion into My Fair Lady, the floodgates were opened.

What great play might make the next great musical? The answer: precious few.

You can quite reasonably argue that My Fair Lady, if not exactly improving on Shaw, provided an experience more generally appealing than its inspiration. The same goes for what Hello, Dolly! did with Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker. The test of success comes when an internal yearning swells for a song to appear after a triggering bit of dialogue when watching the original play.

That is unlikely to be the case for audiences who will someday again encounter Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest after seeing Being Earnest at TheatreWorks, or in any subsequent productions. There are pleasures, to be sure, in this world premiere production, which is never less than a genial encounter. And one or two moments actually gain from an incisive musical interpolation.

But it all comes at the cost of diluting Wilde’s delicately balanced masterpiece.

Librettist, lyricist, and co-compos-

er Paul Gordon has experience turning period pieces into musicals, with adaptations of Emma and Jane Eyre in his resume. Being Earnest continues that tradition with a significant twist. The period, rather than Wilde’s Victoriana, is now the swinging ’60s of Carnaby Street, Twiggy, and the musical revolution ignited by the Beatles.

Relaxing a purist’s grip, it is a fun device, allowing for costume designer Fumiko Bielefeldt to go go-go, the actors to play with body language, and Gordon with co-composer Jay Gruska to tickle with sound bites from what we call the British Invasion. (But what do the British call it?)

Ironically, much of this is relevant only to first scene, set in London, and when the story moves to a country estate, the look and much of the attitudes are pretty much as you would expect them to be in 1895.

The most notable missed opportunities are in the music, which could playfully stoke reams of memories but settles for generic, repetitive pattering rhythms. One happy exception is “Age of Ideals,” which gently mocks Les Miz-type anthems as the character Gwendolen sings that any contender for her hand be named Earnest. And the first-act finale “Brothers” is a jaunty duet for friends

Mark Kitaoka

Hayden Tee (left) and Euan Morton play friends with name problems in Being Earnest, a musical updating of The Importance of Being Earnest at TheatreWorks.

Algernon and Jack. These gentlemen of leisure both find themselves purSee page 20 >>

between Hollywood and Broadway, with a come-and-go plot that mostly serves as a vehicle for a parade of period-song parodies. The good news in this scenario is that more often than not the songs and their elaborately staged production numbers are like mini-musicals See page 26 >>

<< Film

20 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

Radicals and their secrets

by David Lamble

T

he Company You Keep is an absorbing, fast-paced political thriller with a stellar cast that could probably only be assembled from director/star Robert Redford’s Rolodex. An aging lawyer, Jim Grant (Redford), awakens to some very disturbing news: a 1960s fugitive radical, Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon), has been busted by the F.B.I. for a long-ago bank robbery in which a guard was murdered.

Why should Grant care? Well, for one thing, the media flap brings to his door a nettlesome young reporter, Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf), asking questions for which there are no safe answers: Why, for example, isn’t Grant defending Solarz?

After resisting the urge to physically kick the newshound out of his New Jersey law office, Grant collects his school-age daughter Isabel (Jacqueline Evancho) and hits the road, first parking the kid with his brother, Daniel Sloan (Chris Cooper).

Back at the paper, Shepard tries to convince his editor, Ray Fuller (Stanley Tucci), who operates on a short fuse, that this time he really has a big story. For one thing, the reporter discovers that there is no record of a social security number for the seemingly respectable Grant before 1978.

We learn that Shepard’s sleuthing is aided by his extracting leads from his ex-girlfriend, Diana (Anna Kendrick), who conveniently works as a very junior G-girl. Diana’s boss, F.B.I. bureau chief Cornelius (Terrence Howard), finds Shepard ever bit as annoying as Grant and Fuller, but thinks the kid may be useful as bait to grab Grant and other aging radicals. Cornelius allows Shepard to audiotape an interview with Solarz as the agents listen in.

“Kids our age were being murdered by our government. We made some mistakes, but we were right.

What are you going to do?”

“My job.”

While Susan Sarandon has been more entertaining in juicy turns like Igby Slocum’s pill-popping mom (Igby Goes Down), there’s no question she’s invested in Redford’s message. Which is what, exactly? As in the man-on-the-run classics from his glamour-boy leading-man days All the President’s Men and Three Days of the Condor, or as director, as in his X-rays into hidden fissures in the psyches of upper-middle-class American families Ordinary People and Quiz Show, Redford has consistently warned against the dangers to the individual in a supposedly free society whose politicians, educators and commercial avatars are invested in sugar-coating their agendas and “entertaining us to death.”

Like his contemporary Woody Allen, Redford no longer gets the girl.

When he does appear before the cameras, it’s usually to present a subliminal message about the ravages of time.

The sight of his Jim Grant running for his life in search of we-know-notwhat is borderline slapstick, mixed with just a swig of pathos.

Where’s LaBeouf?

Every thriller needs an engine to keep things hopping so we don’t feel the need to check our phones or get bogged down with the filmmaker’s message until long after the movie, when it should be just beginning to tap into our psyches. Shia LaBeouf ’s bratty, irresponsible, pesky reporter, stooping to any means to get a career-making hot story, is the engine

<<

Being Earnest

From page 19

suing women whose love dare not speak any name but Earnest, which, beyond saying that comic complications ensue, will have to suffice as the plot summary.

Being Earnest might be described as a chamber musical, with Robert Kelley’s production avoiding singing ensembles and choreographed production numbers. The characters are limited, with a tiny exception, to

<<

Whiffenpoofs

From page 17

to an important cause that we all need to take seriously.”

Youth Aware Program Director Sara Staley informed the B.A.R. that bullying is only one of the issues that she attempts to address in Northern California schools.

“Youth Aware started in the late 1980s with HIV prevention,” she said. “Since 2000, we’ve addressed bullying, homophobia, and diversity.” HIV prevention remains a topic addressed by the program, accord-

t

Doane Gregory, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Robert Redford as Jim Grant in The Company You Keep.

Doane Gregory, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Shia LaBeouf as Ben Shepard in The Company You Keep.

that drives The Company You Keep.

Ever since his decision at age seven to find an agent to launch a standup comedy career, Shia Saide LaBeouf has been on a collision course with a Robert Redford movie. Like a young Albert Brooks, and very much like Dustin Hoffman’s jittery turn as Carl Bernstein, the less couth of All the President’s Men’s team of crack reporters, Shia’s ability to subtly raise and lower the degree of irritation he inspires with his betters in every scene keeps us on our toes. It allows Redford to hide the salami of just what his cast of characters past retirement age is really up to.

How fitting it is, for the filmmaker who inspired so many journalistic careers to bring us back to earth with the reality that many working journalists are anything but heroes.

Even as heroes, they can be irritating as hell if they’re after your secrets.

The other surprises are the cameos from Nick Nolte as an old codger radical – a comic reprise, 40 years later, of his tough Vietnam vet on the run in Who’ll Stop the Rain; Richard Jenkins as an ex-radical full of re-

grets who begs Grant “to never visit me again”; and the venerable 1960s “It girl” Julie Christie, whose pivotal role I won’t spoil.

Lem Dobbs’ script, based on a novel by Neil Gordon, is a serviceable jumping-off point for Redford’s journey both metaphysical and geographical. As he did with his fly-fishing memoir A River Runs Through It, Redford employs beautiful scenery as something far more useful to the soul than mere cinematic eyecandy.

Anyone upset about a movie that some see as an apology for “domestic terrorism” should remember our own queer insurrection, 1979’s White Night Riot. White Night is less maligned because fortunately there were no casualties that night, but that may also be why this signal event is slipping out of the annals of respectable LGBTQ history. If you’re a fan of The Company You Keep, you may want to continue the experience with Irish biographer Michael Feeney Callan’s warts-and-all Robert Redford (Knopf, 2011).t

the ones that Wilde created. The clear standout among the cast is Euan Morton (Boy George in Broadway’s Taboo), who plays Algernon with a kind of Dudley Moore-Eddie Izzard insouciance. Hayden Tee is fine as Jack, while Mindy Lym and Riley Krull are more than that as Gwendolen and fellow Earnest-lover Cecily.

Maureen McVerry brings an inviting flair to Lady Bracknell, but this magnificently imperious character loses some edge being pulled out of her original period.

Being Earnest is TheatreWork’s 63rd original production, many of them musicals, which is a rare and welcome distinction for a major regional theater. If results were not unpredictable and sometimes bumpy, it would mean the theater were not doing its job.t

ing to Staley.

Youth Aware hires professional actors, who range in age from late teens to early 30s, to perform in original plays at schools. The plays are designed to educate students and give them a platform where they can talk about whatever they’re dealing with.

The actors themselves take part in the post-performance discussions.

“We provide tools for teachers to start and continue conversations around these issues,” said Staley. “We want all students to be respected.”

Staley is delighted that an actor

as well-known as Diggs is participating in the concert. “It’s great of him to donate his time to support the work that Youth Aware is doing.”t

Being Earnest will run through April 28 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are $23-$73. Call (650) 4631960 or go to www.theatreworks. org.

A Benefit Concert To End Bullying, featuring Taye Diggs and The Yale Whiffenpoofs, Sat., April 20, 8 p.m., Palace of Fine Arts, SF. Tickets ($25-$100; limited VIP tickets $150, includes a reception with Mr. Diggs): http://ayayale.tix.com.

More information about Youth Aware can be found at New Conservatory Theatre Center’s website, www.nctcsf.org.

t

Books >>

April 11-17, 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 21

Mother’s day

by Jim Piechota

My Mother’s Wars by Lillian Faderman; Beacon Press, $25.95

T

he task of reconstructing a parent’s passions and struggles is no easy feat, but lesbian history scholar and author Lillian Faderman accomplishes this with equal parts lavish prose, grand embellishment and impeccable historical detail in My Mother’s Wars.

Using “stories my mother or Aunt Ray told me or grumbled or grieved over aloud all during my childhood,” Faderman takes great liberties in creatively reimagining a decade in her mother Mary Lifton’s life, through passages drenched in emotion and a distinctive atmosphere of need and desire during Depression-Era New York City.

A Latvian Jewish immigrant, Lifton was only 17 when she left Latvia to live in the United States, narrowly skirting the encroaching Nazi occupation. Her sewing talents kept her employed in the grueling Manhattan garment industry through her 30s, while a persistent urge to dance and entertain itched from within, and kept her dreaming while her back was breaking through tedious tasks and abhorrent working conditions. Her living situation was anything but seamless as well. Clashing personalities forced her out of her

stepsister’s apartment and onto the couches of friends, and eventually into her own furnished room. Sacrificing friendships and romance for long hours at the clothing factory, she became lonely and isolated, yet never forgot about her family still residing in Latvia and her persistent determination to have flesh and blood join her in the States.

Morris Faderman would change her life forever, and the author’s exacting recollection of her mother’s torrid love affair with this man captures and holds the reader throughout. His version of romance greatly differed from hers, however, and Lifton endured Faderman’s strange extended absences, lackadaisical attitudes toward marriage and Lifton’s desperation for her family’s immigration, and his insistence that she abort their first two pregnancies. Once wise to his games, however, she becomes defiant and shines independently, and at nearly 42 years old, knowing it’s the last biologically-sound chance to become a mother, she becomes pregnant for the third time and is resolved, whatever the circumstances hold, to keep and raise the child – to be named Lillian – herself.

Lifton is devastated upon learn-

DVD >>

Grand delusion

by David Lamble

I

n one of Tinseltown’s great first acts, two fading stars, William Holden and Gloria Swanson, become one of the Silver Screen’s deadliest odd couples.

“You’re Norma Desmond.

You used to be in silent pictures, you used to be big!”

“I am big. It’s the pictures that got small!”

“Aha, I knew there was something wrong with them.”

Sunset Boulevard is that rare cinema classic bridging elements often considered incompatible and even toxic.

For the first time available in a restored Blu-ray disc loaded with bonus features, this Hollywood gem remains by far the most bitter take on the film community by two of its most talented insiders, Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett. Their mix of film noir, dark comedy and monster-movie tropes makes Sunset Boulevard the first of Wilder’s corrosively funny takes on the American Century.

Down on his luck and one jump ahead of the repo man, floundering screenwriter Joe Gillis (Holden) is adopted by mad former Silent Screen star Norma Desmond (Swanson) and her loyal former director-turned-chauffeur Max (Erich von Stroheim). Eschewing camp, Wilder and co-writer Brackett use Norma’s delusional comeback bid to demonstrate why Hollywood inevitably devours its own. As you marvel at Swanson’s mad queen, savor critic Bernard F. Dick’s comparison of Norma Desmond to Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Tennessee Williams’ neurotic pain-in-the-neck Blanche DuBois in Dick’s witty Wilder career appraisal from Da Capo Press.

Sunset Boulevard also represents the peak and the end, as it turned out, of the fabulous “marriage” between Wilder and writ-

ing partner Brackett. Henceforth Wilder’s films, such as his poke at America’s media feeding frenzy Ace in the Hole, would double down on Wilder’s old-world cynicism and carry their creator to dark places resisted by the more commercially oriented Brackett.

Over two-and-a-half hours of

ing of her family’s victimization under the German Nazi regime and demise from the Holocaust, and this guilt would seek to underscore the remaining years of her life.

Faderman’s 2003 memoir Naked in the Promised Land incorporated memories of her mother into her own touching story of being the illegitimate child to a woman haunted

by Hitler yet fueled by dreams of stardom, while working her way through college posing as a pin-up girl. The “emotional truth” of her mother’s existence resonates thoughtfully and dramatically throughout this sad but loving homage to the hard life of an incredibly resilient woman.t

Blu-ray features include featurelength commentary from Billy Wilder biographer Ed Sikov; a visual reconstruction of the original infamous opening morgue scene, cut from the release print after Midwestern preview audiences laughed in the wrong places; a deleted scene; and several docs on the creation of Sunset Boulevard.

This Blu-ray matches the wit and near-encyclopedic depth of Sam Staggs’ classic, breezy history, Close-Up on Sunset Boulevard.t

<< Out&About

22 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

t

Big Bang Gala.

Thu 18

Scenic overlook

by Jim Provenzano

V

isually stunning, awe-inspiring treats for the eyes; saucily subversive and scintillating sounds fill our week, led by a tour of gay airline staff (Plane Queer). The interior wild mind of Hamlet’s gal pal goes outdoors (Ophelia), a stormswept prince lands in Berkeley (Pericles), Cuban dance fills the Mission (Cuba Caribe Fest), and AXIS Dance upends our presumptions about movement.

AXIS Dance Company.

Fri 12

Fri 12 Aaron Hartzler @ Books Inc. The author of Rapture Practice, a new memoir about growing up gay in the Bible belt, reads from, discusses and signs copies of his debut book. 7:30pm. 2275 Market St. 864-6777. www.booksinc.net Also, April 11 at Barnes & Noble, 7pm, 6050 el Cerrito Plaza. www.aaronhartzler.com

Acid Test @ the Marsh Warren David Keith’s solo show, Acid Test: the Many Incarnations of Ram Dass, about the ‘60s guru, returns. Fri 8pm. Sat 5pm.

Thru May 18. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd.

282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Thu 11

David DeSilva

The Balcony @ Vulcan Studios, Oakland Jean Genet’s still-controversial play is performed by Phoenix Sanctuary Theater Project, with deleted scenes, nudity and a queerly sensual immersive environment. Proceeds for some performances benefit the St. James Infirmary and Wolf Creek Sanctuary. $15. 8pm. Fri-Sun thru April 27. 4401 San Leandro Blvd., #25.

(510) 499-5751. brownpapertickets.com/ event/344421

Classic Films @ Castro Theatre April 11: Talk to Her and All About My Mother. April 12, Touch of Evil and Blood Simple. April 13, Moonrise Kingdom, Rushmore, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. April 14, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. April 16, The Pink Panther hosted

by Robert Osborne, with guest Robert Wagner. April 17, Antonioni’s Blow Up, and Deep Red. April 18, Epidemic Film Festival. $8.50-$12. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Cuba Caribe Festival @ Dance Mission Theatre Ninth annual dance festival of performances and workshops with Caribbean and Latino musicians and choreographers; special guests Danza del Caribe from Santiago, Cuba. $10-$25. Different programs nightly.

Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. 3316 24th St. Thru April 14. (not wheelchair accessible). Also April 19 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., and April 26-28 at Laney College Theater. www.cubacaribe.org

Dial Collect @ SOMArts Cultural Center Group exhibit of interactive installations that focus on life goals, social technologies and the nature of friendship. Participatory event April 11, 7pm. Thru April 25 (closing reception 6pm-9pm). Reg hours Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm. Sat 12pm-5pm. 934 Brannan St. 863-1414. www.somarts.org/dialcollect

Melissa Manchester @ Yoshi’s, Oakland Grammy-winning singer-songwriter performs her classic hits. $29-$35. 8pm & 10pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square. (510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

Ophelia @ Fort Mason Center Carte Blanche’s innovative, site-specific interactive environmental dance-performance work based very loosely upon Shakespeare’s Hamlet, experienced from the perspective of his tragic love, Ophelia. (some spaces outdoors; so bring/wear warm clothing). $22. 8:30pm Thu, Sat & Sun thru April 14. www.carteblanche-sf.com

Spencer Day @ Yoshi’s SF Popular local jazz/pop singer-pianist’s release party and concert for his new CD, The Mystery of You. $16-$22. 8pm & 10pm. 1330 Fillmore St. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

Plane Queer @ GLBT History Museum Historian Phil Tiemeyer discusses his new book, Plane Queer: Labor, Sexuality and AIDS in the History of Male Flight Attendants. He’ll be joined by Bill Wright, a Pan Am flight attendant from the 1950s through the 1980s. 7pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

The River @ A.C.T. Costume Shop Richard Montoya’s drama, directed and co-created by Sean San Jose, explores the cross-border cultural tensions of California immigrants, hipsters, families and desperados. $25-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 4.

1117 Mission St. at 7th. 626-2787. www.theriver2013.eventbrite.com

Stuck Elevator @ A.C.T. American Conservatory Theatre’s production of Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis’ innovative operetta about an immigrant Chinese food delivery man who gets stuck in an elevator, but can’t call for help, as it will draw attention to his illegal immigrant status; his dreams and nightmares unfold in a series of hallucinations. Several special nights, including LGBT Out with A.C.T., April 17. $20-$85. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sat 2pm. Sun 7pm. Thru April 28. 415 Geary St. 749-2250. www.act-sf.org

Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma @ The Hypnodrome Thrillpeddlers performs Scrumbly Koldewyn and Pam Tent’s new, full-length restored version of The Cockettes’ 1971 wacky drag musical comedy on the 42nd anniversary of the original production. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru June 1. 575 10th St. at Bryant. (800) 8383006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

The Arsonists @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Aurora Theatre Company’s production of Alistair Beaton’s new translation of Max Frisch’s classic comic parable about bourgeois complacency, and an absurdist allegory of the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia. $35-$60. Tue & Sun 7pm.

Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Sun 2pm. Thru May 12. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 8434822. www.auroratheatre.org

AXIS Dance Company @ Malonga Casquelourd Theater, Oakland 25th Anniversary concert of the pioneering physically-integrated dance company, with newly commissioned works by Victoria Marks and composer Beth Custer (with live accompaniment), and Marc Brew’s Full of Words. $10-$25. 8pm. April 13, 8pm. April 14, 2pm. 1428 Alice St., Oakland. (800) 838-3006. www.axisdance.org

Being Earnest @ Mountain View Center for the Arts Lyrical adaptation (and groovy 1960s London update) of Oscar Wilde’s comic play, The Importance of Being Earnest. $23-$73.

Tue-Wed 7:30pm. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Also Sun 7pm. Thru April 28. 500 Castro St. (650) 463-1960. www.theatreworks.org

The Bus @ New Conservatory Theatre James Lantz’ drama about two boys living in a rural conservative church town who have romantic trysts in an abandoned bus. $14-$45 (also pay what you can nights).

Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru April 28. 25 Van Ness ave, lower level. Also tours May 3-11 in Central California. www.nctcsf.org

Carnival! @ Eureka Theatre 42nd Street Moon theatre company performs Bob Merrill’s jaunty musical about a girl who falls in love with a carnie. $25-$75. Wed- 7pm. Thu 7 Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm Sun 3pm. Thru April 21. 215 Jackson St. 255-8207. www.42ndstmoon.org

The Coast of Utopia @ Ashby Stage, Berkeley Shotgun Players performs Shipwreck and Voyage, two parts of Tom Stoppard’s shipwreck utopian trilogy, about Russian pre-Revolutionary artists and lovers, in repertory. $8-$35. Wed & Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Thru April 21. 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org

28. 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org

If Gender is a Kind of Doing @ MCCLA Gallery Group exhibit of visual art exploring the constructions of female gender. Opening reception April 12, 7pm. $5-$10. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. Thru May 25. Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St. 643-5001. www.missionculturalcenter.org

Hedwig and the Angry Inch @ Boxcar Theatre New local production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s popular transgender rock operetta, with multiple actor-singers performing the lead, including Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Jason Brock, Arturo Galster and Trixxie Carr. $25-$40.

Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Sat 5pm. Extended thru April 13. 505 Natoma St. 967-2227. www.boxcartheatre.org

A Killer Story @ The Marsh Berkeley Dan Harder’s fast-paced noir tale involves and scientist’ “brain chip,” and a deft combination of digital and retro plots. $20$50. Thu-Sat, pre-show cabaret 7:15pm, with “noir” cocktails for sale. Curtain 8pm.

Thru May 18. 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley.

282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Narada Michael Walden @ Book Passage Author of Whitney Houston: The Voice, the Music, the Inspiration, and an Emmy- and Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, performs and discusses his book about the deceased pop singer. 6pm. 1 Ferry Bldg.

835-1020. www.bookpassage.com

Pericles, Prince of Tyre @ Berkeley Rep Obie Award-winning director Mark Wing-Davey revamps Shakespeare’s action-packed play seafaring drama full of knights, pirates, villains and kings. Special events thru the run. $29-$77. Tue-Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Also Sat & Sun 2pm.

Thru May 26. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. at Shattuck. (510) 647-2949. www.BerkeleyRep.org

Rock ‘n’ Roll @ Live Oak Theatre, Berkeley Actors Ensemble of Berkeley performs Tom Stoppard’s popular play about a Czech student who becomes fascinated by London’s rock music scene in the 1960s, how music works toward social revolution, and their 20-years-later reunion. $12-$15.

Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru May 4. 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 649-5999. www.aebofberkeley.org

Sat 13 Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. Reg: $25-$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm.

(Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 4214222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Beast of the Bay Awards @ El Rio Bay Woof magazine’s annual benefit for animal rescue groups, with MC Kentucky Fried Woman, DJ Dandy, lots of live performers, a dog costume contest and plenty of canine-friendly fun. $10. 21+. 4pm-9pm.

3158 Mission St. 525-4040. www.baywoof.com www.ElRioSF.com

The Bereaved @ Thick House Crowded Fire Theater’s production of the West Coast premiere of Thomas Bradshaw’s darkly comic play about sex, drugs and the American dream, or nightmare. $10-$35. Wed-Sat 8pm. Thru April 27.

1695 18th St. at Arkansas. 746-9238. www.crowdedfire.org

Bernadette Cooper & Klymaxx @ Yoshi’s, Oakland Platinum-selling women’s band performs their classic hits like “Meeting in the Ladies Room.” $27-$29. 8pm & 10pm (open dance floor). 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square. (510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

China’s Terracotta Warriors @ Asian art Museum The First Emperor’s Legacy, an exhibit of ten of the famous life-size sculptures of guards of China’s first emperor, and 100-plus other treasures from 2,200 years ago. Free-$22 ($10 Thu eves, 5pm-9pm).

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thru May 27. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.terracotta-warriors.asianart.org

Dating That Works @ The Women’s Building Five-hour workshop on dating skills for gay men ($25; 12pm-5pm), with an evening gay single men’s party afterward ($10 – free for workshop attendees; 6:309:30pm). 3543 18th St. www.discoverycommunity.org

The Happy Ones @ Magic Theatre Bay Area premiere of Julie Marie Myatt’s play about a 1970s appliance store owner in Orange County who’s life gets upended. $22-$45. Wed-Sat 8pm. Tue 7pm. Sun 2:30pm. Thru April 21. Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, 3rd floor. 441-8822. www.magictheatre.org

Harvey’s Soundtrack @ Marines’ Memorial Theater The ensembles of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus perform music from the life of Harvey Milk, with special guest Matt Alber; featuring the Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority. $20-$30. 8pm. 609 Sutter St. 392-4400. www.sfgmc.org

John Wentz @ Modern Eden Gallery Opening reception for the artist’s exhibit of works with a darkly witty post-holocuast scenery. Also, a group exhibit, Deconstruct, curated by Wentz. 6pm-10pm. Thru May 4. 403 Francisco St. 956-3303. www.moderneden.com

Leo Kottke @ Yoshi’s Veteran acoustic guitar instrumentalist performs. $35. 8pm. Also, April 14, 7pm.

1330 Fillmore St. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Fri 12

Fallaci @ Berkeley Rep

Cuba Caribe Festival. Thu 11

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright/ journalist Lawrence Wright’s intriguing two-person play dramatizes an interview with real-life journalist Oriana Fallaci. $14.50-$89. Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru April 21. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Guys and Dolls @ Julia Morgan Theatre, Berkeley Berkeley Playhouse stages the classic Loesser Swerling/Burrows musical comedy about oddball romances between New York gamblers and missionaries. $17-$60.

Thu-Sat 7pm. Sat 2pm. Sun 3pm. Thru April Jamaica Itule Simmons

Kevin Berne

t

Out&About >> Bat for Lashes @ Regency Ballroom

The Last Drag @ LGBT Center

Pop Brit music group, led by singer Natasha Khan, perform live. $25. 8pm. 1300 Van Ness Ave. 673-5716. www.axs.com/events/3222/bat-for-lashes

First night of a weekly 7-session LGBT quit smoking group; presented by the Coalition of Lavender Americans on Smoking & Health. Free. 7pm-9pm. 1800 Market St. 339-STOP. www.lastdrag.org www.sfcenter.org

Fred Raker @ Stage Werx Theatre How to Make Your Bitterness Work for You, the performer-comedy writers acerbic parody of a self-help program. $15. Sundays, 2pm, thru May 5. 446 Valencia St. www.bitternesstobetterness.com

Joyce Laws @ Dance Palace Opening reception for an exhibit of pastoral Marin landscapes by the local artist.

2pm-5pm. Thru May 13. 503 B St. Point Reyes. www.dancepalace.org

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square.

395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Mon 15

Ophelia.

Thu 11 Charline Formenty

Kehinde Wiley @ Contemp. Jewish Museum

New exhibit, The World Stage: Israel, a series of vibrant portraits of Middle Eastern and African men, created by the gay artist.

Thru May 27. Also, The Radical Camera: New York’s Photo League. Other exhibits ( California Dreaming and Black Sabbath ) ongoing. Free (members)-$12. Thu-Tue 11am-5pm (Thu 1pm-8pm) 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

New Exhibits @ Museum of Craft and Design Dogpatch warehouse is now a museum store, gallery and program space. Inaugural exhibitions are Michael Cooper: A Sculptural Odyssey, 1968-2001 and Arline Fisch, Creatures from the Deep. Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm.

2569 Third St. 773-0303. www.sfmcd.org

Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus @ Various Venues Man, Oh Man! , the chorus’ spring concert series, led by new artistic director Jeremiah Selvey, includes medieval chants, renaissance polyphony, spirituals and campy show tunes. April 13, 7pm: Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, Clayton. April 14, 5pm: Napa United Methodist Church. April 20 (7pm) & 21 (5:30pm) at Odell Johnson Theatre, Laney College, Oakland. (800) 706-2389. www.oebgmc.org

Reasons to be Pretty @ SF Playhouse Local production of Neil Labute’s dark comedy about superficial “beautiful” straight people. $30-$100. Tue-Thu 7pm.

Fri/Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm. Thru May 11. Kensington Park Hotel, 2nd floor, 450 Post St. 677-9596l. www.sfplayhouse.org

SF Underground Short Film Festival @ Victoria Theatre Peaches Christ and Sam Sharkey present a slew of funny, odd and amazing short films, including La Bamba 2: Hell is a Drag and other weird flicks, plus live music with citizen Midnight and Zbornak. $12. 18+. 3 programs. 7pm-1am. 2961 16th St. www.peacheschrist.com

Speakeasy @ The Old Mint Fundraiser for Shanti Breast Cancer program, with a Prohibition old jazz theme; MC Donna Sachet, vocalist Betty Fu, drinks, nibbly things, a silent auction full of travel, shopping, sports, theatre and other packages, and amazing ambiance in the historical building. $125 and up. 3pm-6pm.

88 5th St. 674-4724. www.shanti.org

Texas Rose Country Western Dance @ Lake Merritt Dance Center, Oakland Queer women’s trans-inclusive community dance and buffet. $5-$10. Beginner’s twostep classes 6:30. 8pm-11pm open dancing and social. 200 Grand Ave, Oakland. (510) 504-2176. lakemerrittdancecenter.org

Sun 14 SF Hiking Club @ Tomales Bay State Park Join GLBT hikers for a 9-mile beach and forest ramble next to pretty Tomales Bay; hike from Heart’s Desire Beach and then climb up the Johnstone Trail in a forest tangled with curving tree branches, huckleberry vines, wax myrtle; then to Shell Beach for a picnic and perhaps a swim. Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, layers, swimsuit, good shoes. Carpool meets at 9:15 at Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 378-5612. www.sfhiking.com

April 11-17, 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 23

California Native Plant Bloom @ Botanical Gardens Seasonal flowering of hundreds of species of native wildflowers in a century-old grove of towering Coast Redwoods. Free$15. Daily thru May 15. Golden Gate Park.

6612-1316. www.SFBotanicalGarden.org

Porchlight Storytelling @ The Verdi Club Baruch Porras-Hernandez, Rupa Marya, Mario de la Vega, Jan Richman and Quiet Lightning are among the storytellers in this popular nightclub event. $10-$20. 8pm.

2424 Mariposa St. www.verdiclub.net

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104 David Perry’s talk show about LGBT people and issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm.

Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

Tue 16 Feast of Words @ SOMArts Cultural Center Raquel Gutierrez is the featured author and culinary guest Jenn Hartman anchors the potluck at this monthly literary-cuisine event. $5-$12. 7pm. 934 Brannan St. at 8th. www.somarts.org

Molly Ringwald @ Yoshi’s

Legendary @ GLBT History Museum African American GLBT Past Meets Present, an exhibit focusing on African American words, images and sounds that connect inspirational commentary by local queer community leaders with historic artifacts. Migrating Archives: LGBT Delegates From Collections Around the World, features historical items from nearly a dozen countries and archives, each showcasing an archive of prominent LGBT person. $5.

Reg hours Mon & Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Smack Dab @ Magnet Open mic cohosted by Kirk Read and Larrybob Roberts, welcomes author William Benemann, whose American history books focus on forgotten aspects of gay life: A Year of Mud and Gold: San Francisco in Letters and Diaries, 1849-1850; Male-Male Intimacy in Early America; and Men In Eden: William Drummond Stewart and Same-Sex Desire in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Sign-up 7:30pm., readings 8pm.

4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Thu 18 Arlo Guthrie @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley Consummate folk singer performs a concert of songs paying tribute to his iconic father Woody Guthrie. $22-$48. 8pm.

Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., Berkeley.

(510) 642-9988. calperformances.org

Big Bang Gala @ California Academy of Sciences Explore the tastes, sounds, and creatures of the night at the California Academy of Sciences during Big Bang: Party After Dark , a special evening that supports critical conservation and sustainability programs at the Academy. Retro-soul crooner Mayer Hawthorne will headline the night with a live DJ set. Del Popolo serves up pizzas, plus open bars, and exhibits in an architectual wonder. $75 and up. 21+. 6pm-12am.

55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.calacademy.org/events

Comedy Bodega @ Esta Noche

The actress and author also sings, and quite well, with a four-piece band. She performs jazz songs from her debut CD, Except…Sometime. $25-$45. 8pm. 1330 Fillmore St. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night, often hosted by Marga Gomez. 8pm9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Without Reality There Is No Utopia @ YBCA

The classy drag revue (3rd Thursdays) now in its 12th year features Victoria Secret, Alexandria, Chanel, Maria Garza, Mini Minerva, Kipper, Daffney Deluxe and Ruby LeBrowne, with special guest Anya; dinner seating at 7pm. Show at 8pm. No cover.

124 Ellis St. 421-8700. www.fauxgirls.com

Group exhibit/installation of politicallythemed art focusing on the clash of Capitalism/Communism, propaganda/disinformation, financial lies and truths, and other global issues. Free/$10. Thru June 2.

701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.ybca.org

Wed 17 Conversation 6 @ SF Arts Commission Gallery SF-based Jason Hanasik and Amsterdam artist Berndnaut Smilde’s dual installation about home, dislocation and impermanence, which includes Smild’e fascinating indoor clouds. Thru April 27. Main gallery, 401 Van Ness, Veterans Bldg. Hours WedSat 12pm-5pm. www.sfartscommission.org

Global Forum on MSM & HIV @ LGBT Center Series of meetings and panels with dozens of HIV and gay activists, focusing on health and sexuality issues. 7pm-9pm. 1800 Market St. Open house and keynote speech

by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, April 19, 6pm-8pm at MSMGF headquarters, 436 14th St., Suite 1500, Oakland. www.msmgf.org

Fauxgirls @ Infusion Lounge

My First Love @ SF Public Library Second in a three-part reading series by LGBT poets: Sam Sax, Wonder Dave, Josh Merchant, Blytha Baldwin. 7:30pm. James Hormel Gay & Lesbian center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Tokyo String Quartet @ Herbst Theatre Farewell performance of the classical music ensemble, started in 1969; also one of the last music concerts at the theatre before its three-year renovations close it. $36-$48.

8pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. 392-4400. www.chambermusicsf.org

To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com.

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

For more bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com

SF Underground Short Filmfest. Sat 13

(((((((((

www.ebar.com )))))))))

<<Society

24 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

Personality parade

t

by Donna Sachet

W

e hope you are as thrilled as we with the B.A.R.’s Best of the Gays 2013 results! Many such lists and contests exist, but who better to make such an effort than the oldest continuously published LGBT paper in the country? We see many of our personal favorites on the winning list, including CHEER San Francisco, SF Pride, Orphan Andy’s, Catch, 440 Castro, The Edge, Mudpuppy’s, Joe’s Barbershop, Café Flore, and Wells Fargo. Check out our list, and be sure to vote next year!

If last Thursday’s kick-off party at Cityscape is any indication, the GLAAD Media Awards on May 11 will be phenomenal! Joining special guest and GLAAD National Spokesperson Wilson Cruz were locals Adam Sandel, John Marez, Rick Hamer, Patrik Gallineaux, Cassandra Cass, and Christopher Vasquez. The hottest news was that celebrity Adam Lambert will receive the Davidson/Valentini Award at the San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards at the Hilton Hotel on May 11. More celebrity appearances will be announced soon.

Although it occurred some weeks ago, we must send out great congratulations to Tim Seelig and the SF Gay Men’s Chorus and Beach Blanket Babylon on their first collaboration at Davies Symphony Hall March 25 & 26. Rarely do two iconic entities join forces with such success! The story line of BBB, where Snow White searches high and low for her perfect partner, was gently altered to cover San Francisco and slyly refer to the sexual orientation of this first openly gay chorus in the world, now in its 35th year of singing. The bold costumes and spectacular hats of BBB were appropriately joined by the Gay Men’s Chorus’ skillful choralography, colorful costume changes, and moving musical talents. There were moments of uproarious laughter and touching emotion, resulting in two concerts that would have made BBB’s creator Steve Silver most proud. Next up for the chorus is their Davies Symphony Hall June 27 & 28 musical tribute to Harvey Milk, featuring the world premiere of Broadway composer Andrew Lippa’s I Am Harvey, bound to be a landmark performance and a historic occasion.

As to other upcoming events, first of all, we must apologize for listing incorrect information in our last column. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Imperial Court will not hold Investiture in the vacated Diesel building this Saturday. Instead, it will be held on the second floor of the vacated Tower Records space, on Market near Café Flore. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with Sister Roma and this columnist as co-emcees, followed by lots of entertainment and fun, including the creation and induction of the Court of the Wild Kingdom, led by Reigning Emperor Drew Cutler and Empress Patty McGroin. We’ve seen great things from this pair already, including this past weekend in New York City with them for Night of a Thousand Gowns, so don’t miss Investiture this Sat., April 13.

That same day from 3-6 p.m., the Breast Cancer Program of Shanti invites you to Speakeasy a roaring 20s-style party at the Old Mint.

What better setting for this rollicking celebration than this historic brick building which survived the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and continues to charm the city with its structural details and period ambiance. We’ll handle emcee responsibilities as guests eat, drink,

Steven Underhill

Miss Coco Peru with Luiz Faria, in the role of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, at the Castro Theatre for her performance in She’s Got Balls!, directed by Michael Schiralli, and produced by Marc Huestis.

Steven Underhill

Seen at the St. Stupid’s Day Parade in downtown San Francisco, on April Fool’s Day.

Steven Underhill

Seen on Easter Sunday at Dolores Park, before the downpour that put the kibosh on the Hunky Jesus contest.

and bid on a variety of items to sup-

See page 25 >>

t

Karrnal >>

April 11-17, 2013 • Bay Area Reporter • 25

Porno chic revisited

by John F. Karr

A

deluxe double DVD set of The Opening of Misty Beethoven was sitting right there on a shelf at the Center for Sex and Culture – a fine and simultaneous example of both sex and culture. I took it home and watched it that very night.

I’d never seen the movie – I might have been in the Nob Hill for every week’s opening of a new gay porn bill, but I sure wasn’t seeking out straight flix. Even though they were all the rage amongst the hets. Unbeknownst to me at the time, when The Opening of Misty Beethoven premiered in 1976, it was considered the apex of porno chic. You don’t recall porno chic? It was porno leaving behind the raincoat brigade and going mainstream – bring your date! – when for several years, feature film porn was the (pseudo) high brow’s low-brow thing to see.

Unlike the loops that preceded them, these movies had actual budgets. Plus known directors who had at least a foot in legit, and performers who were real-live actors (at least, Off-Broadway actors). The movies were reviewed in mainstream papers – in the New York Times, and by Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times – and in magazines as reputable as Time and Newsweek.

Why was porn rearing its newly cosmeticized head? It was still an underground thing, no matter how high aboveground it peeked.

As such, it was forbidden yet legal, was disdained yet acclaimed. The zeitgeist of the time, swelling upon the 60s sexual revolution, gave it a pedigree. The final meeting of porn and Hollywood. Gerard Damiano, the writer-director of Deep Throat, prophesied, “If it’s left alone, within a year sex will just blend itself into film.”

OoMB’s remastering late last year for both DVD and Blu-ray disc rescues it from a decades-old, soggy VHS edition and general obscurity.

We’d heard of it, but who’d ever seen it? The new slip-covered set is molto deluxe. It’s got both hardand soft-core cuts of the movie, a 60-page illustrated booklet, and over three hours of supplemental material. You may have thought you didn’t need to know anything about OoMB, only to have this reissue tell you that you need to know everything.

Not that you won’t want to. It’s all pretty interesting. A good deal of it more interesting than the movie itself. I watched the movie. I didn’t scan any of it, not even the interminable pussy-eating scenes, which, to my biased eyes, all look the same.

Beside observing that both men and women had pubic hair in 1976, two things impressed themselves on me.

First though, a bit of plot. OoMB is a near-direct retooling of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. A noted sexologist picks up a guttersnipe hooker and sets himself the challenge of remaking her into the world’s greatest lover – so great that even the world’s most noted hedonist will anoint her. Misty is taught all the felicities of sexuality. She seduces an impotent man, brings three uniformed butlers to simulta-

<<

On the Town

From page 24

port the important work of Shanti.

Friday night, join us for another fabulous #HOMO dance party at Beatbox, where extraordinary DJ Russ Rich will keep you on your

Screen grab by Karr

The fine features, delicate complexion and golden mane of Ras Kean, in a screen grab from The Opening of Misty Beethoven.

neous orgasm (gad, they’re a mangy trio), and lays waste to the hedonist.

She claims her title not merely by being a great fuck, but by pegging the guy – and in the mid-70s, pegging was an almost unknown and certainly unheralded act. Seeing it in a film raised the high brow’s brows higher even than the sky-hooked brows of the divine Divine.

Okay. The first thing that impressed me, albeit adversely, is that if there’s a man on the screen, he’s being blown by a subservient woman. To whom he pays no attention whatsoever. Not even a second’s ripple of pleasure to acknowledge that he’s even aware he’s being blown. It’s as if they’re showing their extreme cool by being detached. I found it more than passionless. It’s sterile.

And everybody back then thought it was just too groovy, man. But porn without emotion is – ah, fill in

your word.

The second thing that impressed me was the pegging. Years ahead of acceptance (these days, there are entire companies devoted to strap-on babes ballin’ boys). This pegging is also special because the rump getting pegged is a stand-in!

It belongs to world-famous gay star Casey Donovan, who earlier in the movie made a featured appearance to play the impotent man. As a body double, Casey’s superb. His rump accepts without a qualm the most vigorous tooling.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention the best reason to watch OoMB. The hedonist is played by a guy named Ras Keen, and he’s a stunner. He’s got enough shimmering blond cascading glamor hair for a decade’s worth of Clairol ads, and a face that’s – well, Ras is to men what a Dalmatian is to dogs: an elegant distillation of the most refined features. I bring you a photo of the hot Ras; as for Misty B, it’s a curio that’s more historic than hot.t

feet, and multi-talented entertainer and recording artist Bebe Sweetbriar performs at Midnight. Locoya Hill has really created a fabulous new monthly dance party, so don’t miss #HOMO on Fri., April 12!

The following Sun., April 21, will find us at one of the largest and

most elegant parties of the year, Meals on Wheels’ 26th annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala at Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, 5-11 p.m. You’ve never seen such a beautifully dressed crowd, tasted such food, drunk such wine, or witnessed such generous bidding!t

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

26 • Bay Area Reporter • April 11-17, 2013

<<

24: Jackie Robinson

From page 17

star pitcher Ralph Branca (Hamish Linklater).

“Let me ask you something, Jackie. How come you don’t ever shower until everybody else is done?”

“I don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable.”

“Why don’t we shower together?”

(Uncomfortable pause.) “That came out wrong.”

And there it is, the elephant in the room – for African American athletes in a post-WWII America, where that very year President Tru-

man would order desegregation of the armed forces – and for today’s queer-identified young men and women plotting careers in a post”Don’t ask, don’t tell,” military, Jackie Robinson’s story speaks to the watershed moment when a minority is finally allowed inside the temple, but not without a bit of nervous laughter.

While the beats in 42 that might directly link Robinson’s historic breakthrough (and, some might add, symbolic martyrdom) with that of Harvey Milk are mostly subtext, writer/director Brian Helgeland again demonstrates, as he did in his scripts for LA Confidential

and Mystic River, how agonizing the struggle is for any despised minority to finally get their foot in the door.

In LA Confidential, Helgeland wrote a tumultuous scene where a scrum of white police officers gets boozed up at the stationhouse, then proceeds to beat the crap out of Mexican American prisoners while a conscience-stricken officer (Guy Pearce) tries but fails to intervene.

In 42, Robinson is race-baited by a fiery bigot, Philadelphia manager Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk), until finally one of his teammates, Eddie Stanky, confronts Chapman in “the City of Brotherly Love.” Chapman later dissembles for the press, claiming that the vile insults hurled at Robinson were just part of the way real men play the game on the field, and were akin to the ethnic slurs used against Jewish baseball pioneer Hank Greenberg or Joe DiMaggio.

Attending a preview screening of Helgeland’s entertaining, superbly cast, viscerally exciting, remarkably witty and verbally unexpurgated film, I was struck and pleased by the sight of two youngsters in Little League uniforms, one of them clutching a hardball. This is one of the few times I’ve witnessed fairhaired, junior high school-age, allAmerican boys receiving an unvarnished chunk of American history from a big-budget Hollywood film – the others being Milk and X. Fittingly, Helgeland reaches into Tinseltown’s “a child will lead them” playbook for scenes where tykes become moral avatars: a black boy adopts Robinson as a folk hero and later becomes a big-league player

<<

Bands & ampersands

From page 17

the right remix, “Turntable” could make its way onto turntables in dance clubs.

Modern country legend Steve Earle might have started out on his own, but over the years he’s recognized the value of having an ampersand and a band after his name.

The title tune on The Low Highway (New West) by Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses) finds one of alternative country’s most politically outspoken artists picking up where he left off, firmly stationed on the left. Earle and the band, including his wife Allison Moorer, make wondrous music together, exemplified on “After Mardi Gras,” “Pocket Full of Rain” and “21st Century Blues.”

Versatile and prolific Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer made history with the Kickstarter campaign (raising a ton of money) that financed her latest project, Theater Is Evil (8 ft.) by Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra.

Solo or as one-half of The Dresden Dolls or Evelyn Evelyn, Palmer is never anything short of riveting.

But it really feels like she has found

<<

Tinsel Tarts

From page 19

unto themselves. It’s akin to the inscrutably entertaining numbers in a Broadway musical as imagined in a movie musical like 42nd Street.

Only four songs have been carried forth from the 1971 production, and Koldewyn has written a dozen new melodies to replace the adulterated popular standards that were first used. The satire becomes less sharp toward the evening’s end, at least until the finale that is a deglittering maelstrom.

Thrillpeddlers founder Russell Blackwood is at the helm, finding ways to suggest a well-organized chaos that honors the Cockettes spirit. He also plays Hollywood diva Madge the Magnificent in full dragon-lady mode, a performance

t

himself; a young white boy picks up his red-faced dad’s race-baiting in the stands in a game in Cincinnati where legendary Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black) embraces Jackie on the field; and Robinson’s boss and mentor Branch Rickey reminds him just how big a role model he’s becoming. “Robinson, I saw a little white boy today.

You know what he was doing? He was pretending to be you.”

42 is an enchanting compendium of the distinctly colorful world of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball that would embrace Robinson: team manager Leo Durocher, whose profanity-laced Midnight tirades to his players halted an anti-Robinson player petition; the literate radio announcer Red Barber (John C. McGinley), whose Southern intonations and literary aphorisms constituted the narrative for a magical season; the pint-sized traveling secretary Harold Parrott (T.R. Knight), who had to scramble when racist hotels expelled the whole team in lieu of letting Robinson “stain” their sheets; and Robinson’s one-woman morale squad, wife Rachel (Nicole Beharie), who to this day keeps the flame alive at the Robinson Foundation. This authenticity gets an essential boost from the digital paint-box that allows us to pretend that scenes are actually occurring at sacred old ball temples like Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field and the New York Giants’ vast, bathtub-shaped Polo Grounds.

The key relationship is between Boseman’s Robinson and Harrison Ford’s Branch Rickey. In today’s secular pop-media world, it’s easy

to forget how important religion could be in binding very different types of men together as they headed into battle. The cigar-smoking Rickey, whose grand schemes came in a cloud of Biblical musings that caused his Brooklyn Heights office to be dubbed “the cave of winds,” was amused that both he and Robinson considered themselves creatures of heavenly providence. “Robinson’s a Methodist, I’m a Methodist, God’s a Methodist, can’t go wrong with that.”

At the very moment in history when Mahatma Gandhi was leading a campaign of non-violent resistance to British rule in India, and a decade before Gandhi’s philosophy would be adopted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Branch Rickey preached his own version of Gandhi to a skeptical Robinson, who was quite capable of taking on his opponents with his fists.

“You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight?”

“No, I want a player who has the guts not to fight! We can win if the world’s convinced that you’re a gentleman and a gifted baseball player.

Like our Savior, you have to turn the other cheek.”

42 is cast in a realistic but celebratory mode, climaxing at the apex of Robinson’s first season; it’s as if Milk had ended with Harvey passing SF’s gay rights law. For those wanting more, consult Stanford scholar Arnold Rampersad’s magnificent Jackie Robinson (Knopf, 1997). For the parallel queer story, get Michael Smith’s anthology Black Men, White Men (Gay Sunshine Press).t

her most consistently rewarding voice with this project.

In spite (or maybe because) of the album’s title, Palmer maintains her theatrical edge on “Want It Back,” “Do It with a Rockstar,” “ Tro u t Heart Replica,” “Berlin” and “The Bed Song.” Heck, there’s even “A Grand Theft Intermission” at the center of the disc. But underneath it all, Palmer’s still a modern rocker, and songs such as “Massachusetts Avenue,” “The Killing Type,” “Lost” and “Olly Olly Oxen Free” allow her to be one.

Chicago’s Matthew Morgan & The Lost Brigade do their part to carry on the alt-country tradition that has its roots in the city on

Found (CAUDoug). If Chicago can be a source for alternative country sounds, then so can Minnesota, and Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles prove it on the scorching Heat (Video Grandma). Like her sister Jenni and father Geoff, Clare Muldaur Manchon of Clare and the Reasons is a born performer, well worth exploring on KR-51 (Frog Stand), the third full-length disc she’s released with her band.t

smartly balanced by Bonni Suval’s keen variation on a wide-eyed ingenue whose star is on the ascent.

Various roles are double cast, so whom you see may not match what you read here.

If you are fortunate, you will see the delicious mugging of Rumi Missabu, the third original Cockette in the show, as a luncheonette counter girl who, too, wants the glamorous life. He’s part of a large cast, and many performers move through multiple roles. It’s only possible to mention a few for exceptional drollery, such as BirdieBob Watt and Dalton Goulette as world-weary conjoined twins, Leigh Crow as the Queen of Mars, Gerri Lawlor as martinet film director Cecil Von Paramour, and Jim Jeske as Groucho Marx.

Star billing is certainly due cos-

tume-designer extraordinaire Alice Cunt, whose work is both enchanted and berserk. Suval and Noah Haydon get primary program credit for the eclectic choreography, and other estimable crew members include wig designer Flynn DeMarco, set designer James Blackwood, and lighting designer Nicholas Torre.

It takes a village, it seems, to put on a Thrillpeddlers-Cockettes show.

And half of that village is actually in the seats, with a quorum of giveand-take needed to make the experience viable. That shouldn’t be a problem except for those suffering from extreme glitter intolerance.t Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma will run through June 1 at the Hypnodrome. Tickets are $30-$35.

Call 377-4202 or go to tinseltarts@ brownpapertickets.com.

▼

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Celebrating 10 Years Benefiting Local Charities & Institutions

Smith ctor Mike e ir D e v ti h at Execu artha Was M a iv D o d’s 30th and Disc gency Fun r e m E S D 12. the AI Gala in 20 y r a s r e iv n An

SF Ballet School students.

Photo: Erik Tomasson

(Left to right) D onna Sachet, M ayor Ed Lee, Distric t 8 Supervisor Sc ot t Wiener, former District 8 Super visor Bevan Dufty, G LBT Historical Society Board Co-C hair Amy Suey oshi and District 9 Su pervisor David Campos inaugu rate the openin g of the GLBT Histo ry Museum in 2011.

Since 1984, Lar kin Street Yout h Services has pr ovided homeles s, runaway and at -risk kids betw een the ages of 12 an d 24 with the h elp they need to re build their lives .

Dan Tracer (left) and Eric Esquivel star in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s 2013 production of James Lantz’s “The Bus,” directed by Sara Staley.

Local star chefs receive applause for their contribution to the annual gala for Meals On Wheels San Francisco, which visits homes and delivers meals to seniors’ homes.