April 24, 2014 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter

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Vol. 44 • No. 17 • April 24-30, 2014

Critics rip Prop 8 book

O’Connor leaving EQCA

analysis by Lisa Keen

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o say there’s been a flurry of discussion around the release Tuesday of a new book on the legal case that challenged Proposition 8, California’s same-sex marriage ban, would be an understatement.

Jo Becker The book, Forcing the Spring: Inside the Fight for Marriage Equality, by New York Times reporter Jo Becker, has been thoroughly pilloried by many plugged-in LGBT activists and journalists this week, both publicly and privately. While a few have attempted to cut Becker some slack for documenting some behind-thescenes litigation and political strategies, most fault her for an approach that seems hell-bent on making Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin and high-profile conservative attorney Theodore Olson into the white horse heroes of an upcoming Hollywood docu-drama about How the Marriage Equality Movement was Won. Hollywood movies do have a tendency to skew the historical record for audiences that have not been paying attention to the real world events; and, if it does come to the silver screen, Forcing the Spring will carry an impressive credential – that it was based on a book by a “Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist” (even though Becker co-authored the entry that won in 2008).

The intense negative reaction from the LGBT community to Becker’s book indicates the prospect that the marriage equality movement’s real history will be lost is very troubling to many LGBT people who have watched and been part of that movement. It did not begin with the Griffin-Olson lawsuit in 2009, but with individual couples as early as the 1970s and with veteran civil rights legal activists beginning in Hawaii in the 1990s.

Conservative gay commentator Andrew Sullivan led the assault on Becker’s book. In an April 16 blog entry for his Daily Dish, Sullivan berated Becker for suggesting Griffin is on par with legendary black civil rights activist Rosa Parks. He dismissed the book as riddled with “jaw-dropping distortion,” such as Becker’s claim that the marriage equality movement “for years had largely languished in obscurity.”

Sullivan’s assault was joined quickly by an impressive string of critiques: writer-activist Dan Savage (“a bullshit ‘history’ of the movement for marriage equality”), former New York Times columnist Frank Rich (“For a journalist to claim that marriage equality revolution began in 2008 is as absurd as saying civil rights struggle began with Obama”), and White House strategist Jim Messina.

Becker offered a defense against the criticism, explaining to Politico.com that she See page 10 >>

by Seth Hemmelgarn

J

Twerking to victory T

Rick Gerharter

werk It Jesus was the winner of the Hunky Jesus contest at the San Francisco Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s 35th annual Easter Celebration that took place Sunday, April 20 in Golden Gate Park. Warm weather and several

As health falters, seniors face stark choices

by Matthew S. Bajko

H

aving been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Bernard Mayes was confronted with a stark choice. Should the fiercely independent gay man move into a senior assisted living facility?

Or was it feasible to hire caregivers so he could remain in his home in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood? At the time, he was living with a younger gay male couple he helped introduce while living on the East Coast and later presided over their wedding.

“You deteriorate until you become incompetent. My friends and I decided I should be in permanent care,” said Mayes, 84. “I couldn’t go it alone.”

One of his former housemates, Matthew Chayt, recalled, “It was a process of several years where we all sort of struggled with what was the right thing to do.”

Chayt, 37, first met Mayes when he enrolled at the University of Virginia in 1995 and was assigned Mayes as his faculty adviser. At the time, Mayes chaired the Communications Department at the school, where he was first hired in 1984 to teach English.

Years later, while both were living in Washington, D.C., Chayt attended a party Mayes cohosted with his friend, Will Scott. Chayt and Scott ended up falling in love, and when Scott, an Episcopal priest, was hired to work at Grace Cathedral, they convinced Mayes to move west with them.

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activities, including the annual 4/20 marijuana celebration, saw a crowded park; the Sisters held their Easter event there due to renovations under way at Dolores Park. For more photos of the Sisters’ party, see the Shooting Stars page in BARtab.

ohn O’Connor is set to leave Equality California a year and a half after he became the statewide LGBT lobbying Rick Gerharter group’s executive director, the organization said in a surprise John O’Connor announcement Tuesday.

EQCA board member Rick Zbur, a senior partner with the law firm of Latham and Watkins, will replace O’Connor, who will leave in July. Zbur will begin leading EQCA full time September 1.

Courtesy EQCA In an interview, O’Connor, 43, cited personal reasons for Rick Zbur his departure.

“Jobs like these, and this job in particular, are exhausting,” said O’Connor, who among other previous posts was the founding director of the California Hall of Fame. “They take me all over the state constantly, with huge amounts of responsibility, so there are pieces of See page 8 >>

SFBotanicalGarden.org

Matthew Chayt, left, and his husband, Will Scott, visited with their longtime friend, Bernard Mayes, near his home in a retirement community in the Marina district.

Jane Philomen Cleland

Mayes had lived in San Francisco once before. Shortly after arriving in the U.S. from Britain in the late 1950s, Mayes, an ordained Anglican priest, was hired by the Diocese of California to oversee a parish near the city.

He founded San Francisco Suicide Prevention, and later, having worked for the BBC as a journalist, he founded KQED-FM and served as the executive vice president of KQED-TV in San Francisco. He would go on to be a co-

founder and the first working chairman of NPR prior to his academic career.

In an interview last fall with the Bay Area Reporter, Mayes acknowledged that he had never planned out his golden years or contemplated being unable to live on his own until later in life.

“It is something we hold off for ourselves See page 8 >>

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2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

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Nevada congresswoman visits SF cannabis club

by David-Elijah Nahmod

A

Nevada congresswoman who represents Las Vegas came to San Francisco to see first hand how the city’s medical cannabis dispensaries operate.

Representative Dina Titus, (D), visited the Apothecarium, one of San Francisco’s leading medical marijuana clinics.

Titus’s visit was due to a change in policy regarding medical marijuana in Nevada. Voters passed a law allowing medical cannabis use back in 2000 but it’s only been in recent years that counties can decide whether to allow clinics.

As of last spring, each city and county in Nevada can now decide for itself whether to allow clinics.

Las Vegas is now working out the details for 10 clinics it will open.

The state allows a maximum of 10 clinics per county.

“I want the state to learn from someone who has done it right,” Titus told Apothecarium staff during her April 16 visit.

Titus also said the federal govern-

said, an apparent reference to the U.S. attorney for the northern district of California raiding and shutting down medical cannabis clubs in the Bay Area.

Titus said that she supported Nevada’s medical cannabis ballot measure in 2000 and that a ballot measure allowing for recreational pot use in Nevada was now in the works.

“It’s getting started up,” she said. “I would support it. I definitely support the defelonization of marijuana.”

Located on Market Street right off of Church, the elegantly appointed Apothecarium is the opposite of the image so often associated with such places. Spotlessly clean and with a friendly security Rick Gerharter team at the front door, the club’s Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada), right, smells the different interior features artwork and crysvarieties of medical marijuana during her visit to the Apothecarium. Carlos tal chandeliers. A knowledgeable Blumberg and Lara DeCaro look on. staff works behind the counter to answer clients’ questions.

The staff showed Titus many ment should not prosecute people District of Columbia. of the products that are available who are following medical mari“The federal government should to those who have a medical marijuana laws in their states. Medical not be going after people who are juana card, which can only be obcannabis is legal in 21 states and the obeying their own state laws,” she tained by consulting with a medical

doctor. Pain management, muscle relaxation, clinical depression, and other mental health issues were among the conditions that could be treated with cannabis products, as well as conditions such as glaucoma and HIV/AIDS. Titus examined products, which included pills, candy bars, and pastries, all of which were made with carefully measured amounts of medical marijuana.

Titus listened intently as she was told that only a doctor could recommend a patient to the clinic.

“I think there’s a great need for this,” Titus said, noting the staff ’s knowledge and expertise.

Some staff members are also clients themselves.

“Many of us came to medical marijuana because of our own issues,” said Apothecarium staffer Sarah Payan, a stage three colon cancer survivor. She pointed out that cannabis has greatly alleviated the suffering of many people who live with cancer and HIV. “It’s a good way to help people be comfortable in their end stages of life,” Payan said.t

Dating workshop too hot for Grindr – but not the B.A.R. compiled by Cynthia Laird

A

longtime Bay Area gay psychotherapist had an advertisement for his upcoming men’s dating workshop censored by Grindr because it contained the word “hook-up.”

Oakland resident Merle Yost, LMFT, said in an email that he tried to get the word out about “Steps to Love: Making Sense of Gay Dating” with an innocent enough sounding tagline: “How do you find love in a hook-up world?” Yost said that the headline

and the marketing promotion, created by William Boyce of Steamboat Factory for the mobile app and online market, was rejected by Grindr because it used the word hook-up.

“I was stunned to hear that Grindr said Apple’s antipornography policy around iPhone mobile apps is causing them to effectively censor publicity about my workshop,” Yost said in a news release.

“I am trying to help gay men find relationships. Strangely enough, our access to the market is blocked

by Apple’s censoring of a common

non-pornographic word.”

Steve Levin, head of sales at Grindr, told the Bay Area Reporter in an email that the policy is not from Apple but that Grindr has chosen to formulate its guidelines based on Apple’s.

“We are actually stricter for several reasons,” he said.

Levin explained that part of Grindr’s success is its “ability to desexualize the app compared to some other companies with similar apps.”

“I know that sounds sort of silly, but the reason we’ve grown to 10 million users is that we provide an outlet for gay men no matter what they are looking for,” Levin said.

“While meeting (or hooking up) is

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obviously a very common occurrence, we choose to downplay this.

We don’t allow users to use that terminology in their profiles and we have the same guidelines for advertisers.”

According to Levin, Grindr is able to come up with “many more clever ways to express the same message but with verbiage that we feel will be better received by our users.”

He also said that Apple “very closely” scrutinizes new releases. Including advertising content.

“If an overzealous (and uninformed) Apple monitor happens to flag a version being reviewed, we risk a hold-up for as long as two weeks – we simply can’t risk that happening,” Levin said.

Yost’s Steps to Love workshop, launched earlier this year, teaches gay and bi men how to successfully navigate social apps and the online dating world. Yost will hold the next session Saturday, April 26. The daylong workshop, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will take place at 3903 Broadway, #202 in Oakland.

Yost said that the class gives gay men the knowledge and confidence to find other men who are interested in love and commitment.

The cost for the workshop is $159.

For more information or to register, visit www.myost.com/workshops.

Castro Country Club’s grand reopening

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The Castro Country Club, a 12step recovery gathering space located in the heart of the gay neighborhood, will hold its grand reopening celebration Friday, April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m., at 4058 18th Street. All are welcome.

Club manager Terry Beswick said that the sober space has been closed for renovations for the past four months. The club’s cafe, meeting room, and back patio have been totally remodeled, he said in an email.

Additionally, the cafe’s food offerings have expanded to include sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as the full Peet’s menu.

A highlight of the open house will be the dedication of the main meeting room in memory of the late Stu Smith, who died in February of cancer. Smith, who was 73, was open about his sobriety and served as a Castro Country Club board member from 2012-1013.

“Stu was a longtime supporter and friend to the Castro Country Club,” Beswick said in an email

Courtesy Merle Yost

Psychotherapist Merle Yost

shortly after Smith’s death.

For more information about the club, visit www.castrocountryclub. org.

Pre-order Milk stamps

The long awaited Harvey Milk stamp is available for pre-order ahead of its May debut.

On Monday, April 21 the U.S. Postal Service announced that preorders could now be made online at https://store.usps.com/store/.

It also confirmed that the leaked image for the Milk stamp will be the one officially unveiled at a White House ceremony on May 22, which is Milk’s birthday and a state holiday in California. A special dedication ceremony in San Francisco is also being planned for May 28.

In April Linn’s Stamp News posted the image of the Milk stamp online. As the Bay Area Reporter noted at the time, it appeared to be taken from a photo by Dan Nicoletta, a photographer who was a friend of Milk’s. In the original photo Milk’s hair is slightly tousled by the wind, whereas his hair appears combed in the stamp image.

In a press release, the postal service said the 49-cent forever stamp is based on a circa 1977 black and white photograph that Nicoletta had taken of Milk in front of his Castro Street camera store.

The release added that Antonio Alcala of Alexandria, Virginia, was art director for the stamp. It is the first time an American has been honored with a stamp due to their role in the fight for LGBT equality.

Milk was the first out elected public official in San Francisco when he won a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated a year later, along with then Mayor See page 3 >>

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Community News>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

Man to stand trial in stylist’s death

by Seth Hemmelgarn

A

judge has ordered the man accused of killing Steven “Eriq” Escalon, a gay San Francisco hairstylist whose body was found bound and gagged in June 2012, to stand trial in the case.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Wallace P. Douglass on Friday, April 18 ordered James Rickleffs, 47, to be held on charges of murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, and one count of firstdegree robbery, according to Alex Bastian, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office.

<<

Rickleffs allegedly met Escalon, 28, at the bar 440 Castro and took a cab with him back to Escalon’s home early on the morning he died.

A roommate found Escalon in a bedroom at their Diamond Heights area apartment.

The medical examiner’s office determined that Escalon had died from GHB and nitrate intoxication. A twisted piece of cloth that “smelled strongly of apparent amyl nitrate” and had reportedly been in Escalon’s mouth was near his head.

People who knew Escalon have described him as outgoing and thoughtful.

News Briefs

From page 2

George Moscone, in City Hall by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White.

Over the ensuing decades Milk has become a worldwide icon for the LGBT community. Since the late 1980s there have been calls to honor him on a postal stamp.

Seminar on chronic back pain

The Arthritis Foundation will hold a free seminar on inflammatory back pain/spondylitis Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street.

The seminar will feature rheumatologist Dr. Lianne Gensler, director of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Clinic at UCSF, and a panel of people living with the condition. It is geared for people with chronic pain in the lower back and buttocks that worsens after resting or sleeping, but is reduced after exercising or taking a hot shower or bath. Bowel inflammation, psoriasis, iritis, or uveitis may also exist.

RSVP is required and can be done by contacting afncintern@gmail. com or 888-391-9389, ext. 13. People will be asked to provide contact information for each attendee.

Group plans Manning Pride contingent

While Army private Chelsea Manning sits in a military prison

Rendering of Harvey Milk stamp

following her conviction of leaking classified government documents, a group of supporters will meet in San Francisco this weekend to discuss organizing the contingent for Manning in this year’s Pride parade. Earlier this year Manning was named an honorary grand marshal by the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee. She is not expected to actually be at the parade, due to her prison sentence.

Farah Muhsin is the new local organizer for the Manning contingent, which will meet Sunday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Global Exchange, 2017 Mission Street. Interested people are welcome to attend.

Pride Night at Great America

California’s Great America in Santa Clara will celebrate the 15th

Obituaries >> Carey W. Craig March 27, 2014

On March 27, 2014 we lost our dear friend, Carey W. Craig.

Carey spent most of his adult life living and working in the Bay Area. In the early days of the AIDS crisis, Carey served as a board member for the Academy of Friends (known in those days as Friends of Oscar). Carey, along with his fellow board members, carefully guarded and nurtured the legacy of the Academy of Friends gala, a signature of HIV/AIDS fundraising in the Bay Area. The gala was a social highlight of the year, where old friends would gather and be guaranteed a glass of bubbly at the door, a warm welcome from the board and an evening of delights – much of if orchestrated under Carey’s watchful eye. The gala continues today and the Academy of Friends has raised millions of dollars for various Bay Area AIDS organizations, thanks in part to Carey and his service and leadership with the organization.

In 1989, Carey left the board to assume his role as co-executive director of the organization, a position he held for well over a decade. In addition, Carey was a founding partner of the David-Carey Group, focusing on HIV-related fundraising nationwide.

One of the pinnacle events under his tenure at the David-Carey Group was 7th On Sale. The 7th On Sale weekend drew thousands of people from all walks of life and raised record mil-

lions for HIV research and care in the Bay Area. Through 25 years of fundraising, Carey became a respected, admired and dedicated individual in the HIV nonprofit community. He mentored many young professionals just starting out in the nonprofit fundraising world and his presence in this arena will be greatly missed.

Carey went on to form his own event company, CW Production Company, which expanded beyond the Bay Area and produced memorable civic, corporate, and social events worldwide. He was very passionate about his work and a true professional. His profession allowed him to indulge one of his greatest passions – travel. Carey loved being on a plane, going somewhere new to explore or somewhere where he was welcomed by one of his many friends around the world.

Carey was an amazingly talented, handsome, and generous man. He had an infectious smile and never shied away from a challenge or a wonderful bottle of champagne. He carved out a sanctuary in his Sausalito home and it was the setting for many gatherings of friends and family over the years. He was demanding of others at times when he saw the potential that they could attain if they just pushed a bit harder, as he always did himself. He was an achiever, a mentor, and a friend to many.

We invite you to honor and remember Carey at a memorial to be held at one of his favorite organizations and places in San Francisco, the National AIDS Memorial Grove, on Saturday, May 3, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Esmeralda Escalon, Escalon’s mother, has said her son “drank and liked to have a good time,” but he didn’t use GHB. Skye Emerson, a friend of Escalon’s, has said in an email, “Seeing him out laughing and having a great time with a few cocktails was very normal,” but Escalon “never used drugs.”

Douglass’s ruling last week followed a three-day preliminary hearing. In a text message to the Bay Area Reporter afterward, Esmeralda Escalon said, “It’s been a long one and a half years. I’ve waited for this day. I’m happy things are mov-

ing forward ... We’re finally getting closer to justice.”

She added that she’d told her son, “I will make sure this idiot will serve time for what he did to you. This idiot doesn’t know what he took from us.”

Rickleffs’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Niki Solis, didn’t respond to a request for comment Monday. Rickleffs has been in custody since his arrest in September 2012.

The next court date in the case is May 2 for arraignment. Assistant District Attorney Diana Garcia is prosecuting the case.t

anniversary of Pride Night Friday, May 23 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and discounted tickets are available for a short time.

E Network star Ross Mathews of the hit show Hello Ross, who was recently announced as a San Francisco Pride celebrity grand marshal, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Platinum recording artists Karmin will highlight the stage show.

This year’s star-studded lineup also includes British pop star Neon Hitch, drag queen pop group DWV, DJ Luis Perez, and Bay Area drag queen Pollo Del Mar. Tickets are $35 until April 27, and then $45 until May 22. Day of event tickets cost $55.

For more information, visit www. cagreatamerica.com/pridenight.

cussion about why there is no market solution to the climate crisis and offer attendees information on the party’s views on achieving environmental sanity. There will also be reports on the efforts to free Mexican political prisoner Nestora Salgado, the fight to save City College of San Francisco, and other campaigns.

Lunch (with vegetarian options) is available at 1:15 for an $8 donation. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information or childcare call (415) 864-1278 or email bafsp@earthlink.net.

Socialists take on capitalism

The Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women will offer their perspective of “Why Capitalism Can’t Save the Planet” at its meeting Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at New Valencia Hall, 747 Polk Street in San Francisco. The venue is seven blocks from the Civic Center BART/Muni station.

The meeting will feature a dis-

LGBT center to hold career fair

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will hold its 31st career fair Wednesday, April 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at 1800 Market Street.

Officials said that employers ranging from NASA to Apple to Macy’s to Kimpton’s Hotel and Restaurant Group will be in attendance.

There is no cost to attend. People can pre-register by visiting www. lgbtcareerfairspring2014.eventbrite. com or by emailing employmentservices@sfcenter.org.

Courtesy SFPD

Defendant James Rickleffs

CCOP to hold volunteer training

Castro Community on Patrol, a group that provides extra “eyes and ears” for law enforcement, will hold a volunteer training Saturday, May 3 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Ken Craig, director of volunteer training and emergency services liaison, said the upcoming training session will be the organization’s 40th since its inception in 2006.

Craig said that CCOP has distributed more than 50,000 free safety whistles, donated more than 6,000 hours of patrol time to the community, and supported more than 600 community events and meetings in the last eight years.

To sign up for the training, visit www.castropatrol.org and click the “Sign Up Now” button. The training location will be provided.

Once training is complete, volunteers are asked to make a commitment to complete one three-hour patrol a month.

CCOP is a program of, and is fiscally sponsored by, SF SAFE, which stands for Safety Awareness for Everyone.

See page 10 >>

Legal Notice

If you called a StubHub customer service line from a cell or cordless phone between January 27, 2011 and February 1, 2012 while you were in California and spoke to a StubHub customer-service agent, you could get money from a class action settlement.

A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit claiming that StubHub, Inc. violated California law by recording and monitoring telephone calls made to its customerservice lines without informing callers that the call may be recorded or monitored. StubHub has denied the claims, but agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the costs and uncertainty of litigation.

Who’s Included? The settlement includes everyone that called a StubHub customer-service line from a cellular or cordless telephone—while they were located within the State of California—and spoke to a StubHub customer-service agent any time between (1) January 27, 2011 and March 7, 2011, and (2) March 8, 2011 and February 1, 2012 (“Class Members”).

What Does the Settlement Provide? If the settlement receives final approval, Class Members who submit a valid Claim Form will receive between $20 and $400 payment based on the date they called a StubHub customer-service line and the total number of valid claims submitted.

How Do You Get Benefits? You must submit a valid Claim Form by June 13, 2014. Claim Forms may be printed from www.StubHubSettlement.com or obtained by calling 1-866893-8380 or by writing to StubHub Claims Administrator, PO Box 43249, Providence, RI 02940-3249.

Your Other Options. If you do nothing you will be bound by the Court’s decisions and you will not get a settlement payment. If you do not want to be legally bound by the settlement and keep your right to sue StubHub for any claim resolved by this lawsuit, you must exclude yourself from it. The deadline to exclude yourself is June 13, 2014.

If you exclude yourself, you cannot get a payment from the settlement. If you stay in the settlement, you may object to it by June 13, 2014. More information is in the class notice and Settlement Agreement and Release available at www.StubHubSettlement.com.

The Court’s Fairness Hearing. The San Francisco Superior Court will hold a hearing in this case at 9:30 a.m. on July 22, 2014 in Department 302 to consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement, including a request for attorneys’ fees up to 30% of the total settlement amount and costs. You may appear at the hearing, but you do not have to.

You may also hire your own attorney, at your own expense, to appear or speak for you at the hearing. The time and date of the final approval hearing is subject to change. The final hearing date will be available at www.StubHubSettlement.com.

Want More Information? Call 1-866-893-8380, go to www.StubHubSettlement.com or write to StubHub Claims Administrator, PO Box 43249, Providence, RI 02940-3249.

<< Open Forum

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

Volume 44, Number 17 April 24-30, 2014 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) 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 Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Guarino Peter Hernandez • Liz Highleyman Brandon Judell • John F. Karr • Lisa Keen Matthew Kennedy • David Lamble Michael McAllister • Michael McDonagh David-Elijah Nahmod • Elliot Owen Paul Parish • Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff Jim Piechota • Bob Roehr Philip Ruth • Donna Sachet • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Jim Stewart Ed Walsh • Sura Wood ART DIRECTION Jay Cribas PRODUCTION/DESIGN Max Leger PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Rick Gerharter • Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja • Steven Underhill Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge Christine Smith ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION Colleen Small VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.359.2612 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad, Esq.

BAY AREA REPORTER 225 Bush Street, Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94104 415.861.5019 www.ebar.com A division of BAR Media, Inc. © 2014 President: Michael M. Yamashita Chairman: Thomas E. Horn VP and CFO: Patrick G. Brown Secretary: Todd A. Vogt

News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor • arts@ebar.com Out & About listings • jim@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement which the publisher believes is in poor taste or which advertises illegal items which might result in legal action against Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation.

Advertising rates available upon request.

Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential and is not sold. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, and writers published herein is neither inferred nor implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.

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Proof that Scouts’ policy is wrong It looks like Robert Gates will have his hands full when he assumes his duties as president of the Boy Scouts of America. Gates, a former defense secretary under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, was announced as the youth organization’s next leader last fall; he will take over at the Scouts’ annual meeting in May. As we noted in this space last year, Gates is an inspired choice who could well rid the organization of its anti-gay policies.

Yet before Gates even begins his term, the Scouts are in the news for the wrong reasons. It was reported this week that the organization revoked its charter agreement with a Seattle church that refused to remove a gay troop leader after the Scouts withdrew his membership. Geoff McGrath, 49, is a Seattle software engineer and an Eagle Scout. Kudos to the Rainier Beach United Methodist Church for standing by McGrath, who had been leading the Boy Scout troop since it formed last fall.

McGrath told the Associated Press that he will continue to participate in the church’s youth program even if it can’t use the Boy Scouts name.

According to the AP report, McGrath said he was gay while being profiled by NBC News.

That led the Scouts to revoke his registration, saying that McGrath violated the group’s leadership qualifications.

This is precisely the problem we anticipated when the Scouts changed its policy last year to admit openly gay youth, but not gay adults as troop leaders. Men like McGrath, who grew up participating in the Scouts, want to give back to the organization but are prohibited from doing so because they are gay. As we editorialized last year, the Scouts policy, which went into effect in January, sends a mixed message to gay youth, who will grow up to be openly gay men. The kids in McGrath’s troop, wheth-

er gay or straight, are seeing first hand the destructive effects of the Scouts’ policy, by taking away the Scouts name and all that goes with that.

When Gates comes on board, he must immediately work to bring the Scouts into the 21st century and rescind the policy that prohibits openly gay troop leaders. As defense secretary, Gates has some expertise in this field, as he was one of the key figures in overturning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which prohibited out gays and lesbians from serving in the military. His recent memoir, Duty, goes into some detail about his work on repealing DADT, and he acknowledged reservations at first, mostly, he wrote, because the U.S. was involved in two wars. But one of the

key takeaways for Gates were the results of an all-military survey that showed most people in the armed services would have no problem serving alongside their gay and lesbian coworkers. Once that “unit cohesion” argument was shown to have no merit, the military brass got on board with Obama, who was determined to end the discriminatory practice.

Like DADT, the Scouts’ policy on adult leaders makes them hide who they are or risk being expelled, as happened to McGrath. It is an untenable situation. It also adversely affects kids who are in scouting because they may suddenly lose a trusted leader. Meanwhile, people like McGrath who are committed to working with youth are drummed out of scouting.

It’s likely just a matter of time until the Boy Scouts have a non-discriminatory policy for troop leaders. With Gates taking over, it should be sooner rather than later.t

AHF’s Weinstein wrong on ‘Truvada whore’

by Adam Zeboski

T

here were 50,000 new HIV infections in the United States last year. If condoms-only messaging could prevent new HIV infections, then how can we account for these new infections?

As an HIV test counselor, I know that condoms are not being used regularly. And that’s totally okay. It’s a reality of the world gay men live in today. The antiquated one-size-fits-all message about condoms is not meeting the needs of our community. It’s important to have options and for individuals to be able to choose what is right for them. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, Truvada for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a new and effective HIV prevention strategy that we can add to our prevention toolkit. Analysis from the iPrEx PrEP study reveals that daily Truvada adherence yields HIV protection estimated at more than 99 percent. PrEP works best when you take one pill every day, as it is prescribed. Go to http://www.PrEPfacts.org to see if PrEP is right for you.

Back on November 9, 2013, Michael Weinstein, the president and CEO of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nation’s largest community HIV/AIDS health care organization, said, “if a person takes Truvada (as PrEP) when they are supposed to, and they take it every day, then their chance of becoming infected with HIV is close to zero.” This is a nonjudgmental and scientifically sound argument for PrEP. But on April 6, in a nationally circulated Associated Press article by David Crary, Weinstein claimed, “If something comes along that’s better than condoms, I’m all for it, but Truvada is not that. Let’s be honest: It’s a party drug.” Ouch.

Putting Truvada in the same category as crystal meth, GHB, and ketamine is a damaging blow to the PrEP movement. Instead of empowering individuals to make informed choices to protect themselves, Weinstein is stigmatizing them using shame-based rhetoric eerily similar to the oral contraception movement 50 years ago. It’s funny how history repeats itself. Welcome to 2014!

Calling Truvada a party drug reinforces the stigma and slut-shaming that many people who utilize PrEP encounter during interactions with doctors, sex partners, and friends. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, medical director of the ambulatory

hashtag #RemoveWeinstein.

HIV program at New York’s If anything positive has Mount Sinai Hospital, finds come from Weinstein’s recent “that opposition irresponcomments, it has been his sible. If some men don’t want ability to bring people and to use condoms, they won’t. communities together while You have to deal with it by acindirectly promoting awareknowledging that sometimes ness of the efficacy of PrEP. unprotected sex happens, As gay men, do we really want and you can still prevent HIV someone representing us who infections.” In a very predictemploys outdated stigma tacable fashion, opponents of tics, likens us to substance usPrEP claim that PrEPsters ers, tells us we can’t adhere to “irresponsibly” forgo conour prescriptions, and generdoms and attend countless ally reduces us to infants? Or drug-fueled sex parties. Dr. do we want someone who can Robert Grant, PrEP pioneer Courtesy Adam Zeboski provide us with unbiased, sciat Gladstone Institutes and entifically sound information UCSF, noted that people who Adam Zeboski has taken to soso that we can make informed chose to use PrEP didn’t ig- cial media sites like Instagram decisions concerning our own nite “a wildfire of promiscu- to reclaim “Truvada whore.” sexual and health needs? The ity. In fact, we saw the opbottom line facts are that Truposite. People tended vada works and it should be available to everyto be safer.” PrEPsters are called “Truone at low cost. Sounds simple and self-evident vada Whores” simply for using this doesn’t it? As Paul Morris from Treasure Island highly effective and FDA-approved Media put it, “When you’re dealing with billions HIV prevention strategy. Weinstein is of dollars and the medical and social infantilizareinforcing the social stigma assocition of the gay masses, nothing is all that simple.” ated with PrEP, creating yet another This is just the beginning. The #Trubarrier against those who may most vadaWhore T-shirts I’m selling to reach my benefit from it.

AIDS/LifeCycle 2014 fundraising goal are helpIn a BuzzFeed interview on April ing to spark a national conversation and combat 17, Weinstein said that most of the stigma. By reclaiming the term “Truvada Whore,” backlash from his “party drug” comment is we are taking the power away from those that use coming from the “bareback porn industry.” it against us. #TruvadaWhore also builds a sense He said, “They’re all associated with bareback of community, raises awareness about PrEP, and porn, which kind of makes my point that it’s a allows us to share information easier through party drug.” Michael Lucas of Lucas Entertainsocial media. Check out TruvadaWhore.com ment finds his statements irresponsible, beand follow me on Twitter @pupbones. Be proud lieving that Weinstein is very good at painting #TruvadaWhore, don’t let stigma stop you from gay men “in the most unattractive light” and doing what you know is best for you. should be removed from his position of power.

In closing, let me say, I’m not doing this for Is it just me, or does Weinstein seem to be work and Gilead is not giving me money for overly preoccupied with condomless porn and this. I’m an advocate for PrEP and a proud party drugs? #TruvadaWhore.t Mr. LA Leather 2014, Eric Paul Leue, is the current face of AHF’s LGBTQ community outreach campaign, “Test Your Limits.” But Weinstein’s reAdam Zeboski is an HIV test counselor/ cent “party drug” comments and refusal to apolrecruiter at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The views expressed in this column ogize pushed Leue to question his involvement are Mr. Zeboski’s only and not those of with AHF. He recently started an online petition the foundation. The AIDS/LifeCycle ride asking AHF to remove Weinstein from his posibenefits SFAF and the LA Gay and Lesbian tion. To get involved, please search http://www.

Center. change.org for “Remove Weinstein” or search the

t

Politics>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5

Mozilla sponsors Bay Area LGBT youth summit

by Matthew S. Bajko

National group endorses Campos

T

he lead sponsor for a Bay Area LGBT youth summit taking place in San Francisco’s gay Castro district next weekend will be the Mozilla Foundation, organizers disclosed to the Bay Area Reporter.

The nonprofit arm of the technology company behind the popular Firefox web browser is donating $5,000 to cover the cost of the Bay Area Youth Summit, or BAYS for short. The funds will also help pay the speaking fees to have transgender activist Janet Mock, who reduced her rate, keynote the event.

Initially launched on a biennial schedule in 2011, the gathering is aimed at addressing bullying faced by middle and high school LGBT students and other youth. After the success of the 2013 event, organizers decided to annually host the summits.

In a statement to the B.A.R. Mozilla credited BAYS for its “admirable work to create safe and open spaces for LGBTQ youth to thrive at school and as they build their careers.” It added that its sponsorship of the summit “is part of the work that Mozilla has been doing for years to expand understanding of the open web, teaching and empowering underserved communities to become creators of the web, not just consumers.”

News of Mozilla’s sponsorship comes just weeks after the company’s former CEO Brendan Eich resigned after 11 days on the job due to intense backlash from employees and other technology leaders over his $1,000 donation in 2008 to a successful ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California. Last week Mozilla named former chief marketing officer Chris Beard as its new interim CEO and a board member as it tries to move beyond the controversy.

The boardroom brouhaha came as BAYS organizers were looking for sponsors of their event. As it turned out, they had met a company official, Lukas Blakk, last fall at a hacka-thon for LGBT youth.

“We actually were considering reaching out to Mozilla the entire time but we didn’t know who to contact. Then I remembered meeting Lukas from Mozilla. It so happened to be after news broke about the CEO,” said Nicholas Spears, 21, a junior at Stanford who is president of the BAYS board. “Yes, considering the recent events, it definitely helped us secure their sponsorship.

We are truly indebted to them being so committed to LGBTQ youth and activism as a whole.”

Asked about the timing of the BAYS summit sponsorship, Blakk told the B.A.R., “I don’t see it tied into the CEO flap.”

A release manager for Firefox Desktop and Mobile, Blakk added, “I don’t want to see it eclipsed by one PR nightmare a few weeks ago that, thankfully, is starting to subside.”

Four years ago Blakk, 39, launched a diversity initiative with funding from the Mozilla Foundation after approaching Mitchell Baker, the company’s executive chairwoman. It started with a focus on recruiting women to the technology field but has since broadened its scope to working with various under-represented communities in Silicon Valley.

The diversity initiative was a fiscal sponsor of the first Out in Tech LGBT event held at Facebook and four transgender hack-a-thons held across the country, said Blakk, who quipped she is “not a gay man but everything

Rick Gerharter

The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the tech company behind the Firefox browser, looks to move beyond its CEO controversy and is the lead sponsor for the upcoming Bay Area Youth Summit.

else” under the LGBT umbrella.

In November Mozilla’s office space on the Embarcadero along San Francisco’s bayside waterfront hosted the LGBT youth hack-athon where Blakk and Spears met.

“I wasn’t familiar with the BAYS summit. I am glad he kept in touch and brought it back up,” said Blakk, who plans to attend the summit to moderate a workshop promoting open source technology and how it can assist the LGBT community.

This year’s BAYS summit focus, said Spears, is on LGBTQ youth who are transgender, youth of color, or come from religious conservative backgrounds.

“We want to help bring these communities into the fold and help them feel comfortable being LGBTQ,” he said.

The summit takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, 4235 19th Street in San Francisco. Adults are encouraged to attend.

“We want everyone to feel welcome here,” said Spears.

There is a suggested donation of $15 but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. A free lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to noon prior to the summit’s official start.

For more information visit http:// www.bayareayouthsummit.org/.

SF supes adopt trans street name

San Francisco supervisors voted unanimously at their meeting Tuesday, April 22 to name a street for the first time in honor of a transgender person.

The name of Vicki Marlane, who hosted a popular drag revue show at gay bar Aunt Charlie’s located at 133 Turk Street, will be added to the street signs along the 100 block of Turk in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Marlane died in 2011 at the age of 76 due to AIDS-related complications.

In 2012 the B.A.R.’s Political Notebook suggested renaming the block of Turk between Jones and Taylor as Vicki Marlane Way. The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club and friends of Marlane’s formally announced a street-naming campaign in early 2013.

Wanting to avoid a confrontation with those with addresses on that block, backers of the proposal sought to have Vicki Marlane’s name added in parenthesis below the word Turk. District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim signed on to the effort and was the lead author of the street-naming resolution.

The city is expected to have new street signs in place to be unveiled at this year’s Trans March the evening of Friday, June 27.

Gay District 9 Supervisor David Campos picked up the endorsement this week of a national LGBT group, allowing him to tap into its network of donors across the country as he raises money for his state Assembly bid.

Campos and his board colleague, District 3 Supervisor David Chiu, are running to succeed gay state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), who is termed out of his 17th Assembly District seat this December and has endorsed Campos.

The candidates are locked in a tough campaign for the seat and have been fighting for support from within the city’s LGBT community.

Chiu, a straight ally, opted to open his campaign headquarters in the gay Castro district as he faces questions for why he is running for a seat that has long been held by out politicians.

This week the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund entered the fray by endorsing Campos. In a statement issued Tuesday, April 22, the fund’s CEO Chuck Wolfe pointed to Campos’s rags-to-riches story of being an undocumented immigrant in his youth to graduating with a law degree from Harvard. (Chiu was raised by immigrant parents and also earned a law degree at Harvard where he was a classmate with Campos.)

“David’s story is the epitome of the American Dream, something that can only be achieved through unbelievable commitment and determination,” stated Wolfe. “Those qualities have been on regular display in the numerous capacities in which David has served the city of San Francisco.”

Senior advocate to be honored

Bill Ambrunn, a gay attorney who chaired San Francisco’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, is being awarded for his human rights work.

The California Association of Human Relations Organizations is honoring Ambrunn during its statewide training conference this Friday, April 25, in San Francisco. The award is given out to individuals or groups that have made an outstanding contribution to a California community in the area of human relations or human rights, according to the statewide group.

“I am extremely gratified that the hard work of the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force is being noticed. I hope this award will bring more attention to the unique challenges and resiliencies of LGBT seniors,” Ambrunn, a donor relations officer for the ACLU of Northern California, told the B.A.R. Ammiano, whom Ambrunn worked for as an aide when Ammiano served as a San Francisco supervisor, will address the conference and present Ambrunn with the award.

“Receiving a human rights award is humbling, especially as a first generation American and the son of a Holocaust survivor,” Ambrunn wrote in an emailed reply. “I am only able to make a contribution now because my father survived one of the worst human rights disasters in the history of the world. Instead of being bitter and withdrawn, my father emerged from his WWII experience with a love of life, a deep respect for other people’s differences, and a commitment to human decency, all of which he taught his children through example.”t

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

This week’s column reported on an SF supervisor hearing about the LGBT aging panel’s report.

<< Travel

6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

New Mexico enchants LGBT visitors

by Heather Cassell

A

s we drove along the Rio Grande I looked up at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and was mesmerized by how the rays of the sun fell upon the jutting rocks, providing a fantastic vision right out of one of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings.

New Mexico’s breathtaking, raw natural beauty and the independent spirit of its people is what enchanted O’Keeffe, who put the state on the nation’s cultural map. Today, many other artists and collectors continue to find their way to the Southwest-

ern corner of the country.

The Land of Enchantment remains a haven for artists and independent thinkers to create and for their followers to support them, but it is also so much more as my girlfriend and I found out during a recent trip to New Mexico, where we explored Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.

The Wild West never left, and that rugged past remains close to the surface in modern New Mexico, which allows visitors a glimpse into history through architecture and traditions that are centuries old and deeply rooted in the state.

New Mexico is a seat of history

from its trading routes – the Santa Fe Trail and Route 66 – to the Spanish settlements of the West to more modern times with art, aliens, and atomic bombs. Yet the 47th state is more than what has shaped it in recent history, including its legalization of same-sex marriage last December.

It is an undiscovered outdoor wonderland filled with cycling, golf, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and more for the soft to hardcore adventurer.

It is also the perfect place to simply relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover yourself at one of the many retreats and spas.

New Mexico is also a gastronomical wonderland offering up traditional Southwestern cuisine and local delights for the traveling foodie. Microbrewery aficionados will be amazed to find a burgeoning brewing industry in Albuquerque.

Oenophiles will find a flourishing wine country older than Napa and Sonoma.

Take your pick for the adventure you wish to have.

We decided to follow O’Keeffe and other artists in Taos and Santa Fe. In Santa Fe we also took in golf, spas, and food. We continued our culinary adventure in Albuquerque, taking in some microbreweries and wine, too.

Gay enchantment

While there aren’t gayborhoods in Santa Fe and Taos, Nob Hill is a quasi-gay neighborhood in Albuquerque. There’s no question that New Mexico’s LGBT community is vibrant throughout the northern part of the state, particularly in the capital, Santa Fe. Santa Fe has many gay and lesbian political leaders, including newly elected Mayor Javier Gonzales; City Councilmembers Patti Bushee and Signe Lindell; County Commissioner Liz Stefanics and her partner, Community College Governing Board member Linda Siegle; District Attorney Angela “Spence” Pacheco; Santa Fe Community College interim President Randy Grissom; and the executive director of the Santa Fe Visitor and Convention Bureau, Jim Luttjohann.

“Santa Fe is amazing,” said Bushee, who attributes the city’s historic connection to the Old Santa Fe Trail and Route 66 for the influence of diversity throughout New Mexico.

“Santa Fe has always had a real interesting diverse mix of people who love this community,” added Bushee, who was one of the key proponents for legalizing same-sex marriage in New Mexico. “We embrace our immigrants [and] our LGBT community has been embraced.”

The influence can be seen in the city’s art and cultural institutions from the famed Santa Fe Opera House to the museums and restaurants, she pointed out.

Santa Fe is a bubble, similar to San Francisco, outside of it in Taos and Albuquerque, the LGBT community isn’t quite as pronounced, but more integrated into the fabric of the general community.

Artsploration

My girlfriend and I started our discovery of New Mexico through the artistic perspective in Taos, where we largely followed the footsteps of O’Keeffe. We went to the San Francisco de Asis Church and the Mabel Dodge Luhan House (one of the places she briefly stayed), then to nearby Morada and O’Keeffe’s “Black Cross, New Mexico” before exploring contemporary artists at some of the local galleries.

Similar to Santa Fe, Taos is a permanent retreat for artists, but without the glamour and excitement

t

Geena Dabadghav

Great Face and Body partners in life and business Keith and Andre West-Harrison seek to capitalize on the Breaking Bad television show that was set in New Mexico.

that makes New Mexico’s capital city sparkle.

Taos is more down-to-earth, rugged in a way and attracts particularly fiercely independent women.

So much so that they were the subjects of an entire book, Remarkable Women of Taos: A Yearlong Community-wide Celebration Honoring Outstanding Taosenas, edited by Elizabeth Cunningham, published last year.

Lesbian photographer Kathleen Brennan, 58, whose The Art of the Documentary is currently on exhibit at the Harwood Museum of Art (through May 4) and her partner, Kat Duff, a neurofeedback therapist and author of The Secret Life of Sleep, are featured in the book.

“New Mexico is a Western frontier and it really does draw strong, independent women. It’s always been that way and it’s not just Taos, it’s all of New Mexico,” said Brennan, who settled in the city in 1992.

Gay architect, artist, and entrepreneur James Matthew “Matt” Thomas also felt an unexplainable pull to Taos like many others before him. But it wasn’t until a job brought him to Taos 11 years ago that he fell in love, he said. Now he’s exhibiting a mixture of 15 pieces of his old and new artwork at the Taos Artist Collective through the end of April.

On May 31, a show of eight of his new works will open in The Spring Experiment exhibit at the David Anthony Fine Art gallery in Taos. The show runs through June 29.

“Taos definitely gives me the space to just explore,” said Thomas.

New Mexico, particularly in Santa Fe and Taos, provides the perfect place for artists to create as well as have ongoing conversations with art collectors.

“I think they feed off each other,” said Jerry Walter, as he and his partner of more than 55 years, Rick Finney, gave us a tour of their private collection of New Mexico art.

The 76-year-old gay men, who are artists and collectors, have amassed an impressive New Mexican, particularly northern New Mexico, collection that they exhibit in their home, which is the envy of many art collectors and artists we met.

In Santa Fe the dialogue between artist and collectors was everywhere too, particularly at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, where art curator Sara Eyestone has about 46 resident artists whose works are on display for sale throughout the historic hotel. Art on display in the Staab House, where we had drinks, was particularly gender-bending, but I wasn’t surprised as the bar and restaurant is popular with the LGBT community. The night that we were hosted at La Posada hundreds of LGBT Santa Feans gathered for the monthly Friends of Dorothy, an LGBT mixer that rotates locations.

La Posada de Santa Fe is also perfectly located a few blocks from Canyon Road, where there is a mile

of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in one direction and the plaza and downtown in the other direction filled with more boutiques, galleries, museums, bars, and restaurants.

Nearly everything is in walking distance in Santa Fe, even the trendy Railyard District, which is popular with Santa Fe’s LGBT community.

After walking around checking out the galleries and museums, or playing golf, like my girlfriend did at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe, enjoy a relaxing massage at La Posada de Santa Fe’s spa.

In Albuquerque don’t miss Great Face and Body, where you can get a chart reading along with a massage or facial, by partners in life and business Andre and Keith WestHarrison and their new team members openly lesbian Elyse Fahey, a rolfer, and gay cosmetologist Dustin Hill.

Get a bag of their handcrafted Bathing Bad Bath Salts before you leave.

New Mexico delights

Do you like red, green or Christmas? That was the first question we got when we sat down at the table at Plaza Cafe in Santa Fe. Our host wasn’t referring to the holiday, but the red and green chili sauces and both mixed together.

Everywhere we went we couldn’t make a bad decision. The food was phenomenal. We couldn’t get enough of La Boca, which served up Spanish-influenced tapas that were delectable. The empanadas at the Anasazi Restaurant at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi were some of the best we’ve had, and we enjoyed live entertainment and local beer with burgers at Cowgirl BBQ in Santa Fe. On the High Road to Taos we stopped at Sugar Nymphs Bistro, owned by lesbian chef Kai Harper Leah, formerly of Zuni’s and Greens in San Francisco, and her partner, pastry chef Ki Holste in Penasco. We also stopped at local favorite Gutiz Latin-French Cuisine in Taos.

It wasn’t until we got to Albuquerque that we actually experienced traditional Southwestern and New Mexican food at locally owned El Pinto Restaurant and Sadie’s of New Mexico, both considered among the best restaurants in the city. Brunch lovers will delight at the popular Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro in the Nob Hill neighborhood around the University of New Mexico.

To go with our meals we had plenty of local wines to choose from, two of our favorites were from Vivac Winery and Gruet Winery. There was also a wide variety of local beers, especially once we reached Albuquerque, where the microbrewery scene is exploding with IPAs. We explored tasting at the award-winning Marble Brewery, Chama River Brewing Company, and La Cumbre Company, but that was just scratching the surface.

See page 10 >>

WE WANT YOU JUNE 20-29, 2014 worldpridetoronto.com

THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE HUGE The world is coming together for a Pride to remember: provocative art, celebrated film and fierce divas, DJs and rockers spanning over 25 city blocks. An entire city embracing who you are.

Join us for a global celebration of LGBTQ culture. Streets will turn into parades, parks into parties and strangers into friends.

YOUR PRIDE WILL KNOW NO BOUNDS

<< LGBT Aging

8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

<<

True Light

The Most Holy Redeemer Choir Spring Concert Bryce Robinson, Director

Featuring songs of light, love and welcoming by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Duruflé, Fauré, John Williams, Stephen Schwartz and more...

Sunday, May 4, 2014 l 1:00 P.M. Donation: $15.00

Tickets available at the door or email secretary@mhr.org Reception following

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MAKE CONTACT

Join us for our signature monthly networking event!

Make contact and connect with LGBT & Allied business professionals at this month’s Make Contact event.

This month, the Small Business Mega Make Contact event is hosted by the SF LGBT center and sponsored by the Bay Times and Wells Fargo

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 6:00pm - 8:00pm The SF LGBT Center 1800 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 FREE for GGBA Members | $20 for Guests

Since 1974, GGBA is proud to be the LGBT Chamber of Commerce for the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information about this event or to find LGBT-friendly businesses, please visit

GGBA.COM

Stark choices

From page 1

until we need to do something,” he said. “The question is is it better off being by yourself or in a community. A community, though, has rules, which doesn’t sit very well with me.

I like to be independent.”

Chayt and Scott, now 34, pondered at first if they could serve as caregivers for Mayes. But with each at the start of their careers, they determined such a scenario wasn’t feasible.

“We feared we just wouldn’t be able to be there for Bernard,” said Chayt.

So the trio began looking into what assisted living facility would best suit not only Mayes’s health needs but also his personality and lifestyle. They looked at various places around the Bay Area.

“I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with the options we saw.

But I do wish there had been more,” said Chayt, adding that they were also concerned about finding a place that was welcoming to LGBT seniors. “I think Bernard has lived most of his life so far, and will continue to do so, very open and, quite rightly, being unapologetic about being gay and being himself in other ways.”

Scott also recalled being surprised at the lack of assisted living facilities specifically tailored for LGBT seniors.

“I was expecting there to be more options in the Bay Area for LGBT seniors,” said Scott, who also first met Mayes while in college.

“There were some but we need more. If there is any place in the world gay folks in old age would want to be, this seems like the place to be.”

Although facilities outside the city were less expensive, they would have been too far from Mayes’s support network and social life in San Francisco.

“He himself wouldn’t like to be away from the city. And we knew the farther out of the city he was, we would see him less often and he would be socially isolated,” said Chayt.

In the fall of 2012 Mayes opted to move into the Heritage, a retirement community in a Julia Morgan-designed building in the city’s Marina district. Operated by the nonprofit San Francisco Ladies’ Protection and Relief Society, the Heritage also has a 32-bed on-site health center for residents who require more specialized health care.

“I still don’t know if it was the right decision to make. There are all women here,” said Mayes. “It is an excellent location right near parks with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. But it is a long way from the center of the city.”

He still wishes he could have remained in his Bernal Heights home, which he would have done, said Mayes, but didn’t because “I couldn’t walk up the hills.”

<<

EQCA

From page 1

my personal life that have fallen into neglect.” Specifically, there’s “a matter involving a family member,” he said.

He didn’t want to share details. He’s not leaving for a different job.

O’Connor joined EQCA in December 2012 as the nonprofit was experiencing turmoil. The organization had been without a permanent leader for more than a year, following the abrupt departure of Roland Palencia, who lasted just three months in the position.

The group’s finances were shaky, and EQCA seemed to have lost its way after Geoff Kors, who led it for almost a decade, stepped down in

Not alone

Mayes is not alone in preferring to live out his life in his own home.

Many seniors, whether LGBT or straight, do not want to move into retirement communities or facilities.

“They want to age in place and be with the friends they have always been with,” said Hilary Meyer, director of national programs at SAGE, short for Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders.

Location has been an issue for Fountaingrove Lodge, an LGBTfocused retirement community in Santa Rosa roughly an hour north of San Francisco. Since it opened its doors last November, the facility has found it can be a hard sell among those LGBT seniors already living in gay-friendly cities such as San Francisco and Palm Springs.

“Yes, we have run up against some barriers in places, San Francisco being one of them, because it is such a great community there for LGBT people,” said Chris Kasulka, the president and CEO of Oakmont Management Group, which operates the 77-unit Fountaingrove Lodge as well as a companion 22-unit facility called the Terraces for seniors, both LGBT and straight, who need more specialized care for memory impairments or Alzheimer’s.

The lodge is now at 65 percent of capacity, with the majority of residents coming from northern California and the Bay Area, said Kasulka.

The company has not made any plans to open additional retirement communities focused toward the LGBT community. But if it does, Kasulka said, Oakmont would look at acquiring property closer to gay neighborhoods in major cities such as San Diego and San Francisco.

“I think people are really ingrained into their local community, like the Castro or Palm Springs, where their family is, their extended family is, and the people they know are,” she said. “If we want to capture those residents and provide services to them, we may have to come to them versus them coming to us.”

There is a growing need for more LGBT-focused retirement communities throughout the country. An estimated 3 million LGBT seniors aged 65 or older are currently living in the U.S. and that number is expected to double by 2030. In San Francisco it is estimated there are upwards of 20,000 LGBT seniors age 60 or older currently living in the city.

A 2013 survey of 616 LGBT city residents aged 60 to 92 years old found that slightly less than 7 percent were living in senior housing, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or an age-restricted community. Respondents who were 80 or older were more likely to be living in such retirement communities than their younger peers, according March 2011. Like many other nonprofits, EQCA had also seen a drop in contributions in recent years.

O’Connor, who’s salary is about $150,000, started working immediately to rebuild the organization. During his time at EQCA, O’Connor sought to develop new funding sources, reorganized staff, and initiated programing to help enroll uninsured LGBT people under the Affordable Care Act rollout.

Among other EQCA-backed bills that became law during O’Connor’s tenure was Assembly Bill 1266, which aims to make sure that transgender youth can fully participate in all school activities, sports teams, programs, and facilities that match their gender identity. Anti-gay activists

t

to the survey results.

“LGBT seniors are more likely to require facility-based care than straight seniors because they are less likely to have informal caregivers available to help them remain in their homes,” according to the report issued last month by San Francisco’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, which had commissioned the LGBT seniors survey.

In addition to concerns about losing their independence, LGBT seniors also worry they may face anti-gay discrimination in a retirement community or assisted living facility and be forced back into the closet.

“LGBT seniors are reluctant to access long-term care facilities for fear of discrimination,” said task force member Marcy Adelman, Ph.D., who co-founded the LGBT senior services agency Openhouse.

To ensure facilities in San Francisco are meeting the needs of their LGBT residents, the aging policy panel has recommended that the city adopt an ordinance to ensure LGBT seniors in long-term facilities receive “appropriate care and treatment” and require licensedcare facilities to have a dedicated LGBT liaison among its staff members.

In its report, the task force noted, “the city has a significant opportunity to innovate and lead in demonstrating how LGBT seniors should be cared for in long-term care facilities.”

“Once you rely on a long-term care system and it becomes unsafe and unwelcoming, that is a problem,” said Robert Espinoza, SAGE’s senior director for public policy and communications.

As he visited various facilities, Mayes said he made a point not only to be out but also to inquire if a facility had other LGBT residents.

“It was a very important aspect of the whole search. I insisted they be gay-friendly at least,” he said.

“They were all uniformly supportive but ignorant as to how many they had.”

The people he has meet at the Heritage have been pleasant, said Mayes, but so far he has not encountered any other LGBT residents, though he suspects there are a few.

“There are people who are but they are terrified to reveal it. People in their 80s lived through a lot of homophobia,” said Mayes. “It is very difficult, even now, to broach the subject.”

One of the biggest adjustments for Mayes has been being assigned seating for meal times and sharing a table with the same people for three months at a time.

“As a person who has been very independent all my life, I find that very difficult to bear,” said Mayes.

“Still, the biggest concern for me is losing my freedom. Groupiness is what I fear most.”t Matthew S. Bajko wrote this article through the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowships, a program of New America Media and the Gerontological Society of America.

have failed in their efforts to repeal the law.

O’Connor also led the organization at a time when marriage equality advocates saw a monumental shift. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially killed the state’s Proposition 8 same-sex marriage See page 9 >>

On the web Online content this week includes the Bay Area Reporter’s online columns Political Notes and Wedding Bells Ring; and the Jock Talk and Out in the World columns. www.ebar.com.

LGBT Aging>>

t Transgender women reflect on a lifetime of change

by Matthew S. Bajko

I

n June longtime transgender activist Felicia Elizondo will celebrate turning 68. Yet she still finds it hard to believe she has reached her senior years.

She also marvels at having lived long enough to see the enormous strides made by the transgender community since she and other trans people stood up against police harassment late one night in 1966 at the now defunct Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district.

“I didn’t think I would live this long to see the changes that have happened over the last 50 years,” said Elizondo, who is also known as Felicia Flames.

In March, Elizondo joined two other transgender women in their 60s on a panel hosted by the GLBT Historical Society to reflect on their lives and the changes they have witnessed.

At 14, Elizondo moved from Stockton to San Jose with a gay man she had met. By 16 she was spending weekends in the Tenderloin, considered back then the “gay mecca” of San Francisco, she said.

“Growing up we were called trash and gutter girls,” she said. “We didn’t matter to the community.”

Elizondo joined the Navy and volunteered to go to Vietnam, because “I didn’t want to be gay,” she recalled. “I thought maybe I would be killed and all this will be over. If the military doesn’t make me a man, nothing will. And it didn’t.”

In 1974 she transitioned while working as a long distance operator for Pacific Telephone.

“Transgender women could not be in the closet. We had to be out and proud,” said Elizondo. “Gay men and lesbians could be in the closet, go to work and make their money.”

Five decades ago “was a bad era.

We couldn’t get jobs. We couldn’t get housing,” recalled San Francisco native Tamara Ching, 64, a transgender woman who also took part in the panel. “In the 1960s we could not walk around in anything other than our birth gender. The police were mean and would disperse you.”

Many of the transwomen Ching knew back then in the Tenderloin turned to prostitution to make a

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April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

living. They rode the “merry-goround,” she said, a circular path along O’Farrell and Ellis between Leavenworth and Jones they continuously walked in an attempt to avoid being stopped by the police.

“We whored, whored, whored,” said Ching. “Sex work empowered me.”

While she suffers from diabetes and hepatitis C, Ching remains HIV-negative despite having never used a condom with the “3,500 tricks” she estimates she was paid to sleep with.

“I expected to have HIV and AIDS like all my sisters,” she said.

In 1987, Elizondo was diagnosed as being HIV-positive.

“I expected it as a punishment for what I had done,” she said. “The AIDS epidemic took a lot of our generation; it took a lot of our history.”

Nowadays one of the biggest challenges Elizondo faces is keeping busy and remaining connected to others.

“As a senior the loneliness is the worst,” she said. “As much as we want the trans community to be united, we are not.”

Social isolation among seniors is known to negatively impact their health. According to the report “Addressing the Needs of LGBT Older

percent of the federal poverty line.

The vast majority, at 77 percent, were renters, with 8 percent owning their homes outright and another 8 percent paying off a mortgage. For comparisons, the survey found that 43 percent of the non-transgender respondents were homeowners and 53 percent were renters.

When compared to the survey’s LGB respondents, the transgender participants were “more likely to use meal site/free groceries, day programs, mental health services, caregiver support services, and health promotion services,” according to the researchers who conducted the survey.

It can be tough to grow old in San Francisco, said Elizondo, unless one has friends they can rely on for support.

“I have a close transgender woman I am friends with. I can count on her for anything and she can count on me,” said Elizondo, who had been named to the city’s aging policy panel but opted to resign shortly after its first meeting.t

Rick Gerharter

Felicia Elizondo, left, responds to an audience question during a panel entitled “Trans in the Tenderloin Since the 1960’s” at the GLBT Historical Society. Others on the panel were, from left, Veronika Fimbres, Tamara Ching, and moderator Don Romesburg.

Adults in San Francisco: Recommendations for the Future,” compared to the city’s lesbian, gay, and bisexual senior population, transgender seniors “are at a much greater risk for poor health.”

Transgender seniors were also found to “have even higher rates of disability, poor general health, and depression than LGB older adults” in San Francisco.

Released in July 2013, the report was based on a survey commis-

sioned by the city’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, which finished its work last month. Of the 616 LGBT city residents aged 60 to 92 years old who took part in the survey, 4 percent identified as transgender.

The 26 transgender respondents were all under the age of 70 and were less likely to be non-Hispanic white compared to their LGB peers. They were also more likely not to have attended college and more likely to be living on incomes at or below 200

Matthew S. Bajko wrote this article through the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowships, a program of New America Media and the Gerontological Society of America.

New Agreement Options

EQCA

From page 8

ban and struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

Zbur, 57, has also garnered attention over the years. In 1996, he ran for Congress against incumbent Steve Horn, a Republican, in what was then California’s 38th Congressional District. He became the first openly gay, non-incumbent to win a contested primary for U.S. Congress, but Horn ultimately defeated him.

Zbur is president and chair of the board of the California League of Conservation Voters, a position he’ll maintain.

In EQCA’s news release, Zbur said, “My focus will be on the organization’s core mission of achieving full and lasting equality for LGBT people through smart and effective legislation, education and outreach, and building and expanding our community’s political power.”

EQCA’s budget is $3.5 million.

That includes expenses for the nonprofit’s educational affiliate the Equality California Institute.

Steve Roth, an EQCA spokesman, said Zbur’s salary “will be in line” with what the group’s paid its former executive directors, but he declined to share the specific figure.t

Maylene Wong, joined in 2005

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10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

<<

Prop 8 book

From page 1

hadn’t tried to write a definitive history of the marriage equality movement or the “gay rights” movement.

“Many people have contributed to the success the movement has experienced. I have the [utmost] respect for all the people who contributed to that success,” wrote Becker. “My book was not meant to be a beginning-to-end-history of the movement. It’s about a particular group of people at an extraordinary moment in time, and I hope that people will be moved by their stories.”

Unfortunately, her introduction to the book and the slick public relations material sent out to promote it proclaim otherwise.

On page 1 of the book, she writes that the marriage equality “revolution ... begins with a handsome, bespectacled thirty-five-year-old political consultant named Chad Griffin. ...” Her own summary of the book calls it “the definitive account of the fight to win the rights of marriage and full citizenship for all ...”

And the Penguin Press release that accompanies review copies of the book calls it, “A deeply insightful and riveting account of a national civil rights struggle ...” It quotes such celebrity legal commentators as Jeffrey Toobin as saying the book is “a superb, behind-the-scenes account of the legal battle to bring marriage equality to the nation.”

The NAACP’s former president, Benjamin Todd Jealous, calls it “the definitive account of one of the great civil rights struggles of our times.”

This is the kind of hype that accompanies many books. It’s how publishers, in a very competitive environment, woo attention and favorable comments from reviewers, television talk shows, and other vehicles in a position to stoke book sales.

But critics of Forcing the Spring take issue with the book beyond the exaggeration of its marketing campaign.

“Forcing the Spring just doesn’t get it right,” writes gay BuzzFeed legal editor Chris Geidner. He noted that Becker quotes Hollywood screenwriter Dustin Lance Black as being rebuffed by an audience of potential LGBT major donors to the litigation organized by Griffin’s American

<<

News Briefs

From page 3

Elections dept. seeks poll workers

The San Francisco Department of Elections is seeking poll workers for the upcoming June 3 primary election.

Poll workers operate polling places on Election Day and assist voters in many parts of the voting process. They include retirees, high school students learning on-thejob civics lessons, and hundreds of people who take a day off from

<<

New Mexico

Foundation for Equal Rights. Becker also reports that the donor meeting’s organizer, Tim Gill, “denounced Black outright.” Geidner provides a link to a video of the closed-door meeting about which Becker was writing that shows Black’s speech was interrupted with applause five times, and won a standing ovation from at least a few in the audience. And Geidner said Gill’s alleged denouncement of Black was “more of a nuanced defense of ‘gradualism’” strategy for winning marriage equality.

Hollywood movies require conflict and struggle, and it may be that the book – whose inside cover touts it as a “gripping behind-the-scenes narrative with the lightning pace of the greatest legal thrillers” – fell prey to the need to dramatize some hurdles for her heroes to overcome.

A more journalistic approach might have conveyed the mixed reaction of Black’s audience and contrasted that with Black’s personal interpretation of how he was received.

It also would have been helpful for Becker to have talked in some depth with LGBT legal activists who have been working on the marriage equality movement for many years.

A number of LGBT legal advocates have pointed out significant factual errors in Becker’s account as reported by the press thus far (none had received a copy of the book in advance) and expressed astonishment at her cavalier pronouncement that the marriage equality movement had been “languishing” in “obscurity” before Griffin and Olson came along.

Becker wrote that LGBT legal activists planned to win marriage equality in 30 states before filing a federal lawsuit.

“Lambda Legal did not have a strategy of getting to 30 states with marriage equality (or any particular number for that matter) before we would consider bringing a federal case,” said Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Jon Davidson.

Becker’s portrayal of Roberta Kaplan, attorney to Edith Windsor in the Supreme Court case that struck down the key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act, as an “outsider” to the establishment legal activists was also widely disputed.

“Robbie was not an outsider,” said Gay and Lesbian Advocates and De-

fenders spokeswoman Carisa Cunningham. “She had worked for the ACLU for years, just as she did on Edie’s case. She also worked with Lambda on the New York marriage case, Hernandez.”

Becker was not hired by the movement to write its history. If she and her book promoters had just been a little more careful to pitch the book as a behind-the-scenes picture of the Proposition 8 litigation, the hue and cry might not be so harsh as it is.

The drama achieved by portraying the marriage equality movement pre-Griffin-Olson as “languishing” and “obscurity” extracts a price from Becker’s credentials. For LGBT people, the Baehr v. Miike trial in Honolulu and its subsequent legal victories – and even its political defeats, including passage by Congress of DOMA – warrant neither of those dismissive assessments. There ensued an intense political war over marriage equality on state ballots around the country beginning in 1998, and, while supporters of same-sex marriage lost those battles, they came back with a steady, methodically planned and executed series of legal challenges that won civil unions in Vermont in the late 1990s and marriage equality in Massachusetts in 2003. And just a month before Griffin and Olson first joined that battle with the filing of the Prop 8 lawsuit, Lambda Legal won a unanimous victory in Iowa. The decades of cultural and legal combat opened up the country to a conversation that became both personal and national and moved public opinion. The Prop 8 case was definitely part of that effort and, near the last paragraph of her book, Becker tempers her assessment of the GriffinOlson effort as having brought the dream of equality “within reach.”

The Prop 8 litigation enabled same-sex couples in California to be married, and other political activists and lawsuits have won marriage equality in more than a dozen other states. The legal team of Olson and David Boies is back at work with a case in the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and other legal teams have similarly situated cases in other federal appeals courts. Each is hoping to win marriage equality for all states. Almost certainly, one of them will succeed. But the credit will belong to the many, not the few.t

their regular lives to be of service to city voters.

There is a training class prior to the election, in which duties are explained in detail. Lead poll workers must also pick up materials before the election and transport them to their assigned polling place the morning of June 3.

Applicants must be lawful permanent residents of the U.S., age 18 or older. All positions are one-day assignments that pay between $145$195. Applicants who speak Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, or Japanese in addition to English

are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested people must apply in person at the Poll Worker Hiring Office, which is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located in the Department of Elections, in the basement of San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.

For more information, visit www. sfelections/org/pollworker or call (415) 554-4395.t Matthew S. Bajko contributed to this report.

Santa Fe. All of the hotels offer luxury at a reasonable price, depending on the property.

Resting up In Albuquerque if New Mexico offers you want to stay close to so many unique Old Town Albuquerque places to stay, such and Nob Hill the Hotel as gay-owned Casa Albuquerque at Old Gallina, where we Town is the best option. were hosted. It’s a The hotel is hosting an charming cluster of LGBT wedding expo five houses renovated May 4, produced by

by Richard Spera, who Geena Dabadghav Pride Guides. is partners with the Architect and artist Matt Thomas stands next to one of If the casinos, mounaforementioned artist, his works at Casa Gallina. tains or wine country Thomas. Casa Gallina are your objective, the is slightly outside of Nativo Lodge might be town for travelers hotel that recently opened. the better option.t looking for a little bit of exclusivity, Santa Fe also has plenty of opbut a short drive to the action in tions in the plaza from La Posada For suggestions where to stay, the plaza. For travelers who wish De Santa Fe Resort and Spa to the eat, and play see the short to be close to Taos’ plaza they have newly renovated Rosewood Inn of resource guides online at the option to stay at Palacio de the Anasazi, the Hotel St. Francis, www.ebar.com.

Marquesa Taos, a new boutique and its sister hotel the Lodge at From page 6

t

Legal Notices>> FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035723400

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035751100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOME CARE AND CLEANING, 440 9TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MARK MANGAMPAT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/15/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/14.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CLEAN N SAVE DRY CLEANERS, 647 BOSWORTH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed FUTIAN HUO & HUI YING ZHU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/31/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/31/14.

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035721100

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035738100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ALMA HOLISTIC, 2040 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ALMA E. ARCINIEGAS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/17/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/17/14.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EARLYWOOD CARPENTRY, 1009 CABRILLO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed KELLY ROGALA & MICHAEL ROGALA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/24/14.

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035754100

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035745700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BETTER WIRED ELECTRIC, 258 EUREKA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed JOSHUA FROST & JAMES FROST. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/01/14.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: APP ACADEMY, 1061 MARKET ST, 4TH FLOOR, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed HASH MAP LABS, INC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/11/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/27/14.

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035723600

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035707900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CITIPETS, 183 WEST PORTAL AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed ALLISON WERGER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/00.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/14.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LEATHER ALLEY; MR SAN FRANCISCO LEATHER; MR SF LEATHER; 584 CASTRO ST #660, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA LEATHER ALLIANCE INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names 03/10/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/10/14.

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-14-550227 In the matter of the application of: SIOBHAN KATHERINE DUNY, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner SIOBHAN KATHERINE DUNY, is requesting that the name SIOBHAN KATHERINE DUNY, be changed to SIOBHAN KATHERINE BAMFORD. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Rm. 514 on the 5th of June 2014 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 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 Graffiti Removal Systemwide, Request for Proposal No. 6M3250, on or about April 18, 2014, with proposals due by 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, May 20, 2014.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED The District intends to engage the services of a company (“CONTRACTOR”) to provide graffiti removal systemwide. The District presently intends to enter into a three (3) year Agreement with the CONTRACTOR selected with two options, exercisable by the District at its sole discretion, to extend the term of the Agreement for one (1) year each.

A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2014. The Pre-Proposal Meeting will convene at 10:00 a.m., local time, at BART Offices located at 300 Lakeside Drive, 17th Floor – Conference Room #1715, Oakland, CA. At the Pre-Proposal Meeting the District’s Non-Discrimination Program for Subcontracting/Small Business Program Policy will be explained. All questions regarding these programs should be directed to Alma Basurto, Office of Civil Rights at (510)464-6388 – FAX (510) 464-7673. 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 Contract Administrator, telephone (510) 464-6543, prior to the date of the Pre-Proposal Meeting.

WHERE TO OBTAIN OR SEE RFP DOCUMENTS (Available on or after April 18, 2014) Copies of the RFP may be obtained: A PDF version of the RFP will be sent to all firms on the Interested Parties List at time of advertisement; or (1) By E-mail request to the District’s Contract Administrator, Aminta Maynard, at amaynar@bart.gov (2) By arranging pick up at the above address. Call the District’s Contract Administrator, (510) 464-6543 prior to pickup of the RFP. Dated at Oakland, California this 16th day of April 2014. /s/ Kenneth A. Duron Kenneth A. Duron, District Secretary San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 4/24/14 CNS-2612879# BAY AREA REPORTER

APR 03, 10, 17, 24, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035721900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FLAWLESS TAN, 5462 NEWPARK PLAZA, NEWARK, CA 94560. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ZILIKA OMAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/18/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/18/14.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035762200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GAME PLAN STRATEGIC, 222 COLUMBUS AVE #203, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed STEFANIE P. KELLY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/01/14.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/04/14.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035748500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STRIVE 360 CHIROPACTIC WELLNESS CENTER, 166 GEARY ST #1102, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIEL AGEGNEHU. 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 03/28/14.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035746500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CHANG’S KITCHEN, 1030 IRVING ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed CHANG SHENG 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 03/27/14.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035756900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 21TECH, 1390 MARKET ST #1202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed 21TECH, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/96. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/02/14.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-035185600 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: KEVIN’S KIMCHI HOME COOKING, 510 26TH AVE #508, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by KEVIN CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 06/17/13.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

Legal Notices>> STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE A-032992400 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as: SEVERE MUSICK, 3467 MISSION ST, SF, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by ANTHONY SEVERO. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/10.

APR 10, 17, 24, MAY 01, 2014 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-14-550248

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035779300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: A + D / PLA A JOINT VENTURE, 98 JACK LONDON ALLEY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed PFAU LONG ARCHITECTURE, LTD., A CA CORP & A + D ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, A CA CORP. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/11/14.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GIRAFFE MARKETING, 660 4TH ST, #497, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed XENTER INC. (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/2002. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/15/14.

APR 17, 24, MAY 01, 08, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035764300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DRAKE, 508 4TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed KINGSTON VENTURES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/13. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 03/21/14.

APR 17, 24, MAY 01, 08, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035773600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FORTHRIGHT STRATEGIC DESIGN, 4301 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CHRISTOPHER W. HAYES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/09/14. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/09/14.

APR 17, 24, MAY 01, 08, 2014 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-035749700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SUPER DOGE STUDIO, 71 BRIGHTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed JIAWEN LIANG. 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 03/28/14.

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April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

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The

Vol. 44 • No. 17 • April 24-30, 2014

www.ebar.com/arts

International perspectives

by David Lamble

T

he San Francisco International Film Festival is 57 years old, and still the city’s most reliable guide to cuttingedge international cinema. This year’s slate, unspooling April 24 through May 8 at the Castro Theatre, New People Cinema and AMC Kabuki Theatres, has special guest appearances by Texas auteur Richard Linklater (Founder’s Directing Award), Isaac Julien (in conversation with critic B. Ruby Rich, 4/27) and critic David Thomson (to introduce the Preston Sturges classic comedy The Lady Eve).

See page 23 >>

A scene from Joaquim Pinto’s What Now? Remind Me, playing the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival.

Opera Parallele marries Weill & Poulenc

Baritone Gabriel Preisser and soprano Rachel Schutz play the leads in gay French composer Francis Poulenc’s opera Les Mamelles de Tiresias (The Breasts of Tiresias).

by Michael McDonagh

S

“

ome people thought it was a bit inappropriate to write something light after the war,” Opera Parallele music director Nicole Paiement notes. The subject? Gay French composer Francis Poulenc’s first opera Les Mamelles de Tiresias (The Breasts of Tiresias), which he wrote in 1944. “Poulenc was a very vocal and outspoken individual who wrote about things he believed in,” she continues, speaking rapidly and with enthusiasm. “It’s extremely powerful dramatically.”

Her director, Brian Staufenbiel, who conceived the Opera Parallele ensemble’s latest show, has chosen to marry Poulenc’s setting of Guillaume Apollinaire’s 1918 play with German composer Kurt Weill’s first collaboration with Bertolt Brecht, Mahagonny Songspiel, which they wrote in 1927. It’s a daring conceit and could make for a shaky marriage, but Paiement and Staufenbiel hope their take on the two pieces will work. Their Mahagonny troupe will be seen traveling through the desert in search not of paradise or “the next whisky bottle,” but of that now most precious commodity, water. The group hopes to find an audience for their performance of Poulenc’s surreal satire, which Paiement says will be about the place “where art intersects with social issues.” And how could it not? Brecht and Weill See page 14 >>

Courtesy Opera Parallele

{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }

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<< Out There

14 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

Bestival festival news!

t

Courtesy Frameline

Actor/activist George Takei in director Jennifer M. Kroot and editorco-director Bill Weber’s To Be Takei, coming to Frameline38.

Courtesy Frameline

A scene from directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White’s The Case Against 8, coming to Frameline38, the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

by Roberto Friedman

W

ith this week’s opening of the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival, our thoughts are full of film festival news. Last week, for example, Frameline38, the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, announced its Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night films for this year’s edition. The world’s first and largest LGBT film festival is coming up on June 19-29, in San Francisco and the East Bay. The complete Frameline38 program will be announced on Mon., May 19. Tickets for Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night films are now on sale to members only.

Their opening-night film will be The Case Against 8 (directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White), a look at the first Supreme Court case concerning marriage equality. “Shot over five years and featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, the film follows the four plaintiffs and the unlikely dream team of attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies as they challenge California’s Proposition 8 from San Francisco to the Supreme Court.” (All blurbs supplied

by Frameline.)

Frameline’s Centerpiece Documentary will be To Be Takei (director Jennifer M. Kroot, editor/ co-director Bill Weber), celebrating “the Star Trek legend, marriageequality advocate, spokesperson for Japanese Americans imprisoned in internment camps during World War II, Facebook phenomenon (with nearly 7 million fans), and the recipient of this year’s Frameline Award, superstar George Takei.” Beam us up!

Centerpiece Narrative will be Lilting (UK director Hong Khaou).

“Ben Whishaw and Pei-Pei Cheng shine in Hong Khaou’s debut feature.

Exploring matters of grief, memory, and cultural barriers with sensitivity and emotional truth, Lilting tells the story of a Chinese mother and her son’s British lover attempting to move on after the death of their beloved. Together, they struggle to connect without a common language, and through a translator they piece together memories of a man they both loved.”

Finally, Frameline38’s closingnight film will be I Feel Like Disco (German director Axel Ranisch).

“Florian is a pudgy teen who loves

disco and struggles with his sexuality.

But his overbearing dad just doesn’t get him at all. When mom is suddenly gone, father and son must reconcile their relationship in this stellar fantasy-fueled coming-of-age dramatic comedy.”

Frameline38 screenings will take place in San Francisco at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Theater and Victoria Theatre, and in Berkeley at the Rialto Cinema Elmwood. Watch these pages for upcoming coverage.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Film Society (presenters of the SFIFF) announced the three winners of their 2014 SFFS Documentary Film Fund awards, totaling more than $75,000, which support feature-length documentaries in postproduction. One of them has a clear LGBT angle. The Joneses director Moby Longinotto and producer Aviva Wishnow were awarded $30,627, which should help them move on to the completion of their film. Per SFFS: “The Joneses is a portrait of Jheri, a 73-year-old transgender trailer park matriarch who lives in Bible Belt Mississippi.

Reconciled with her family after years of estrangement and now living with two of her sons, Jheri embarks on a new path to reveal her true self to her grandchildren. Will their family bonds survive?”

Also coming up film festival-wise, on May 10: “The first-ever Radical

Faerie Film Festival has a one-nightonly screening Sat., May 10, 7:30 p.m., at The Center SF, 548 Fillmore St. The festival features nine short films that embody the radical queer sensibilities inherent in the lives and experience of folks who call themselves Radical Faeries,” (blurb: RFFF.) The festival features many West Coast artists, from Vancouver, BC, to Northern California, including San Francisco-based filmmaker Philippe Roques’ Faerie Tales and Dylan Vade and Chrys Curtis-Fawley’s Trannymal. Roques will be filmmaker-in-attendance for the screening and following Q&A, as will Benel Dreksler, the star of Mark Levine’s Breach of Etiquette, which was filmed on location at the Zuni Mountain Radical Faerie sanctuary in New Mexico.

“A particular treat for San Fran-

<<

Opera Parallele

From page 13

wrote their piece in the long shadow between “the war to end all wars” and the next one, with the economic devastation in Germany and especially Berlin all around them, and Poulenc wrote his opera when Paris was liberated from war. His opera has a further contemporary ring. It’s about the confusion of “sexual identities and overpopulation.” A woman becomes a man, and her husband becomes a woman who gives birth to 40,049 babies in a single day.

Apollinaire’s take on male/female identities/roles may be outre, but the atmosphere at the Sunday afternoon rehearsal at the Kanbar Performing Arts Center’s big, squarish, high-ceilinged white room is serious. The 40-odd complement of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, a large female one, a smaller male one, plus soloists, have memorized their parts and seem to have them in their voices and bodies. Staufenbiel, standing next to and above Paiement, jumps down and around frequently, positioning his singing actors both for sound and look, and demonstrating gestures. He gets quick results, and the physicality of Poulenc’s jazzinfused score, with its rapid changes of density and meter, seems to have inspired him to divide his choruses into massive blocs, with the soloists – soprano Rachel Schutz as Therese/ Tiresias, and baritone Gabriel Preisser as her husband – sometimes standing in-between them. Paiement focuses on diction and volume – “ce soir: don’t say it so loudly” – and rhythmic precision. She’s

ciscans is an early work by David Weissman, who has received wide acclaim for his documentaries The Cockettes (2002) and We Were Here (2011). His 1984 short captures the brilliant antics of some former members of the Angels of Light theatrical troupe, some of the same tribe of people the Cockettes were part of.

“Tickets are available in advance online at www.brownpapertickets. com. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.”

End notes

What do you think of the cover of the new issue of Opera News featuring superstar cover-boy gay countertenor Philippe Jaroussky? One queer operagoer has a quaint qualm: “I’m not saying it’s not fetching, but I’m also uncomfortable that, what with his being openly gay and all, they show him ass-first, jacket vent open. I think it’s on the edge of slur. He also has a nice face, and can sing, you know?”

Finally, B.A.R. contributing writer Victoria A. Brownworth has won the Keystone Press Award from the Pennsylvania State Media Association for her four-part series on trans women sex workers that she did last summer for PGN. Brownworth spent four months on the streets of North Philly and Kensington interviewing for that series. The series is one of only two gay-themed stories to win, from a list of 45 awards. Now it’s on to compete for the Society of Professional Journalists and the NLGJA awards!t more than aided and abetted by pianist Keisuke Nakagoshi, who makes loud or soft sounds in less than a nanosecond. His playing seems to lay bare the percussive character of the score.

Mahagonny inhabits a different yet complementary world, and it will be interesting to see how Staufenbiel, who’s an often “busy” director, manages to capture its deceptive simplicity. It’s a product of the Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) and Amerikanismus movements in the 1920s, and a nascent example of Brecht’s ideas of epic theater, which Walter Benjamin has called “putting on a show.” Staufenbiel’s solutions here, like the colloquial walking back and forth, look apt and unforced, and his singers – tenor Thomas Glenn as Charlie, and baritone Daniel Cilli as Billy, who looks to have one big show-stopping moment – project their words with fervor and precision. Brecht requires those very German qualities of exactitude and control, which may be why Paiement says that his co-conspirator Weill “was not as much appreciated in his own country,” though the severe political climate he had to weather before he emigrated (he was Jewish) surely had more to do with it.

The sounds from Paiement’s pit band: Poulenc – big, irreverent, heartbreaking. Weill – acerbic, plainspoken, sophisticated, and those clarinets. “O, moon of Alabama!”t Opera Parallele performs April 25-27 at LAM Research Theater, YBCA, 720 Howard St., SF. www.cityboxoffice.com, www.operaparallele.org.

t

Music>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 15

Two epic productions

by Philip Campbell

T

Show Boat (1936) (Warner Archive Collection) Screenplay and Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II; Music: Jerome Kern; Director: James Whale Edna Ferber’s sprawling saga of life and love on the mighty Mississippi made more than ample material for dramatization. The shocking consequences of racial intolerance in the plot did pose a most daunting challenge to writers creating shows in the context of an American theater accustomed mostly to operetta, burlesque and mindless song and dance revues. Young Hammerstein II bravely managed to craft a book musical that fused all of those elements into an entertainment that still managed to expose the cruelty of racism while making room for a parade of lovely Jerome Kern tunes and production numbers.

The movie studios sensed the potential and responded over the years with several films, notably the Technicolor 1951 extravaganza starring an impossibly beautiful Ava Gardner as the tragic Julie La Verne.

Gardner’s songs were dubbed, but that wasn’t the only thing lacking in authenticity. The whole production was just a little too Gone With the Wind. The general portrayal of happy darkies workin’ with grins on their faces and rhythm in their toes muted the serious social aspects of the story and simplified the leading characters to stock stereotypes.

Before the color (no pun intended) re-make, there was a much grittier and dramatically episodic attempt to get the whole big, beautiful concoction on the screen in director James Whale’s 1936 B&W production. The cast was impressive, including a young and very pretty Irene Dunne as Magnolia (the real center of the tale) doing her own singing (she was operatically trained) and acting with all the authority and emotion that would make her one of Hollywood’s greatest stars.

Charles Winninger as her goofy and lovable dad Cap’n Andy and Helen Westley as his shrewish but dryly humorous wife give great support to a big cast that also features another young and pretty talent in the male lead. Allan Jones may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but his accurate singing and genuine attempts at emoting make him a credibly dashing Gaylord Ravenal, and he ages with the character believably.

The biggest revelation to anyone

seeing this Show Boat for the first time must be the stunning Helen Morgan in her last film appearance as Julie. Gardner was gorgeous, but Morgan will break your heart. Her rendition of such classics as “Bill” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man” are definitive, but the subtle torment of her acting is haunting.

Hattie McDaniel as Queenie takes the screen whenever she appears, but the legendary Paul Robeson as her husband Joe rightfully steals the picture. “Ol’ Man River” is more than an anthem here. It captures the essence of Ferber’s epic of the South, and Robeson gives it a powerfully simple rendition that proves incredibly moving. The great singer is also a fine actor, and his beautifully nuanced Joe is funny and physically appealing.

Miscegenation laws and brutal segregation are controversial even now, so can you imagine the shock at seeing such subjects portrayed in a musical in the 1930s? Get this DVD (remastered for a long overdue release by Warner Archives) and prepare for an eye-opening reminder of why Show Boat is such an important piece of Americana.

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Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh beach (ArtHaus) Music by Benjamin Britten; Libretto by Montagu Slater; Derived from the poem The Borough by George Crabbe; Filmed at the Aldeburgh Festival, June 2013 Britten-Pears Orchestra, Conductor Steuart Bedford; The Chorus of Opera North with Chorus of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; Directed for

“Kirkwood’s prose is lush and the descriptions of Mardi Gras are intoxicating.”

-San Francisco Book Review

ire Ange:

NGE CLAIRE A

he San Francisco Opera is giving Jerome Kern’s and Oscar Hammerstein II’s beloved and groundbreaking operetta Show Boat the full grand-opera treatment when it opens the summer season on Sunday, June 1 (continuing in repertory through early July). The San Francisco Symphony ends a season-long celebration of Benjamin Britten’s centenary later that month (and also the SFS 2013-14 season) with concert performances of the composer’s dark and deeply disturbing Peter Grimes. Both highly anticipated productions are likely on your must-see lists already, but in case you need a little convincing, two DVD releases might just make up your mind.

the screen by Margaret Williams; Live production directed by Tim Albery When I first heard the Britten centenary was being celebrated in his native Suffolk with a live performance of his greatest opera, Peter Grimes, to be performed open air on the very beach where the action takes place, I thought, “What are they, nuts?”

The Festival originally founded by the composer is in Aldeburgh (pronounce it like Edinburgh), and the rugged and bleakly beautiful coast line has an enormous impact on inhabitants and visitors. The sounds and smells of the wind and the sea and the gulls permeate everything. The nature of the place had a lifelong impact on Britten himself.

He never really left it. So maybe this idea of putting his opera, all about man and the elements and loneliness, on the beach itself wasn’t so mad after all. With the remarkable technology available today (the DVD/Blu-Ray even has a bonus feature describing the low carbon-impact of the filming), recording the orchestra for playback with singers performing microphoned and live sort of sounded feasible. Now if the weather would only hold.

Wonder of wonders, the weather worked perfectly to the advantage of the filming, with the sound of the waves adding realism to the soundtrack, and the clouds and sky giving stunning beauty to the backdrop. The long, horizontal set

by Leslie Travers (who also did the costumes) is part wharf and part promenade, littered by a jumble of boats that serve as everything from Grimes’ hut to a courthouse and a pub. It all packs a visual impact that really gets to the heart of the opera.

The sea is everywhere, and the people who live on it and near it cannot ignore it.

Tenor Alan Oke (say it Oak) takes on the title role for the first time with a scrawny and scruffy air that doesn’t hide his scared eyes and troubled soul.

He is closer to the original Peter Pears in looks and sound than later performers, but he has a unique quality that lets us see the complexity of the character.

Giselle Allen as Ellen Orford gives a totally convincing portrait of a woman torn by her own emotions. She is also vocally excellent, even when the wind is clearly blowing her words back into her own face. The other major standout in a fine ensemble cast is David Kempster as Captain Balstrode.

It is amazing how the commitment of the performers makes us suspend our disbelief at the setting and the wearing of microphones. The story and the sweep of the production absorb us quickly, and the shattering climax, played against a jet-black sky with a burning oil can illuminating the stage, is quietly stunning.

The musical values are never minimized. In fact, if you were only listening, you might think it had been recorded in the best of modern studios. Having that blazing sky light up the famous “Sea Interludes” makes you glad the hundreds of brave artists didn’t listen to reason when mounting the show on location.t

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<< Film

16 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

Adolescence lost & found

by David Lamble

I

t’s exceedingly rare in my job to feel that a good film could have been so much better if only it had been a tad longer. But I have to admit that I could have stood to see the new doc Teenage extend its reach at least through my own awkward teen years (1957-63). It would have been neat to see what my age peers were coping with while I was struggling with my mom’s pet addiction, my wish to have my “white boy fro” resemble the Beatles’ ever-so-hip dos, and the embarrassing realization that not only did I not bring a guy to my high school prom, but I hadn’t a clue about what a prom was.

Director Matt Wolf, whose unconventional bio of queer music artist Arthur Russell Wild Combination was a highlight of Frameline 2008, here provides a found-footage history of adolescence with eloquent narrations

by Jena Malone (American girl), Ben Whishaw (British boy), Julia Hummer (German girl) and Jessie Usher (American boy). Based on Jon Savage’s book Teenage: The Creation of a Youth Culture, 1875-1945, we travel in effect from my British dad’s Edwardian childhood through my American mom’s WWII Frank Sinatra “jumping at the Paramount” teen years. Wolf and Savage’s research not only make clear how revolutionary the whole idea of adolescence was, but also manage to find German teen rebels who resisted the Hitler Youth movement, notably the swing music-loving Tommie Scheel (Ben Rosenfield).

Teenage director Matt Wolf.

Seeds of civil rights victories: a scene from director Matt Wolf’s Teenage.

Wolf and Savage are careful to point out that the invention of this “second stage of life,” bridging young and old, was largely based on a pragmatic grasp of the quickly evolving realities of an industrial world where factories needed to be staffed by creatures once considered mere children. As compensation for kids all-but-chained to assembly lines for 70-90 hours a week, small concessions were made to give these

working almost-adults a culture of their own, a fateful development that would fuel powerful social upheavals following the twin atom bombs that ended WWII. In the excellent production notes accompanying Teenage, openly gay director Wolf confesses his own jumping-off point for this intricately constructed mosaic of archival footage and scenes shot with young actors, seamlessly designed to blend

with the old stock footage.

“In the late 1990s, I was a teenage activist fighting for gay rights and visibility. When I started making Teenage, I thought it was about pop culture. But as I grappled with the material, I reconnected to the feelings of frustration and oppression that I felt in high school. Like the youth in Teenage, I remember feeling a responsibility to change the world, or at least my world, and in some small way I did.”

One of Wolf ’s subtle techniques is to avoid the clichés of MTV-style jump-cutting. Thus we are allowed to see Jazz Age jitterbug dancers in a respectful context that strips them of the unintentionally funny look assigned to our film past by conven-

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tional TV and movie docs.

The script, drawn from Savage’s book, a big hit in the UK, draws on contemporary letters, diaries and news accounts to create a novelistic, “voices of a generation” narration that allows us to imagine ourselves inside the heads of an unemployed American kid in the 30s, or of a young woman who joins the Hitler Youth as an idealistic stab of rebellion against stuffy middle-class parents. A haunting segment halfway through rubs the lofty ideals of President Franklin Roosevelt, trying to provide hope for armies of jobless youth, against an unsettlingly compelling rant of Adolph Hitler warning German parents that the Nazi Party had already won the hearts and minds of their kids.

Ironically, the highest compliment one can pay the makers of Teenage is how well it paves the way for youthful audiences to imbibe great screen fiction treatments of youth in rebellion such as East of Eden, The 400 Blows, Murmur of the Heart, Igby Goes Down, L.I.E. and Almost Famous.

Among its many virtues, Teenage blends footage of same-sex dancing and pre-WWII interracial mixing by teens as a way of demonstrating that the seeds of civil rights and Stonewall queer rebellion were planted in the heads of Depression-era teens, many of whom would later pay a very high price for future freedoms in the course of a savage world war, the fallout from which haunts us to this day.t

Ladies of the stage

by John F. Karr

T

he book’s name may sound frivolous. But Nothing Like a Dame isn’t, not by a long shot. Oh, its 21 interviews with the greatest female stars of Broadway deliver gossip, both dish and diss, and choice nuggets of what really went on behind the scenes. Musical comedy queens will be in heaven.

The rest of us, who want to know

the stuff a musical-comedy star is made of, the backstage nuts-andbolts of how a show is put together, or how a career is built and sustained, well, these theatre mavens will be even more greatly rewarded. Because Nothing Like a Dame is no piece of fan-magazine fluff. It’s not a tossaway. I found it so fantastically informative, with responses so candid and revealing, and I gulped it down so eagerly, that the women began to blur

together. When I finished that heady sprint, I went back and started over.

The interviews in Nothing Like a Dame, subtitled Conversations with the Great Women of Musical Theatre (Oxford University Press, $39.95) were conducted by Eddie Shapiro, who shows on every page an insider’s knowledge, an understanding of an actor’s life, and a great but reasoned passion for Broadway.

Shapiro’s theatre-related criticism and extensive arts coverage have appeared in multiple gay publications, and – isn’t this gay – he’s the author of Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks. He’s the producer of Gay Days at Disneyland, and more seriously and admirably, he’s the former Director of AIDS Walk New York and Los Angeles.

I’m jonesing for this guy; the response he elicits from the great ladies of Broadway attests to his simpatico personality and assured craft.

The subjects were chosen for their devotion to a Broadway career; no one who started in theatre but moved on (Babs), no stars from other media who visit Broadway (Liza), and no one-hit wonders (Ms. J. Holliday). So how’s this for an opening line-up? The book starts with Stritch, Channing and Rivera, and goes on through Angela, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Patti Lupone (or as I like to call her, Patti-lu Pone), and a host of others. All your favorites are here. Okay – almost all your favorites. Missing are Barbara Cook, Kelli O’Hara, Marin Mazzie, and my god, Bernadette Peters. Shapiro says Cook, whose tales of Broadway told in her cabaret act first launched Shapiro into the project, withdrew her interview because she’s got her own memoir coming soon. And one unspecified lady withdrew her interview because she felt it did not make her sound intelligent enough. Who is she? There’s a catty parlor game of endless speculation.

I wondered how the order of the ladies’ billing was arranged; it wasn’t alphabetical, or chronological by

Nothing Like a Dame author Eddie Shapiro with prime subject What’s-her-name?

age. In an e-mail, Shapiro revealed to me an organizational trick you’d never have guessed. “It’s the date they showed up on stage,” Shapiro wrote. “The chapters are chronological based on when each woman made her professional debut.”

As Shapiro guides each lady through a consideration of her career, themes emerge like the duties and difficulties of performers, and their commitment. Surprisingly, despite their ongoing success, the majority reveal insecurity. A comment from Laura Benanti typifies this response: “I wake

up a lot of times, and I’m like, ‘Today’s the day that everybody finds out that I don’t know what I’m doing.’”

Naturally, there’s a lot of talk about Sondheim. Not just his genius, but also his generosity. And I particularly relished Angela’s comparison of Sondheim and Jerry Herman.

But connecting so many of the interviews, providing a continuity to a gypsy’s life, and nearly anointing her Broadway’s Earth Mother, is the performers’ reverence for Chita Rivera. I always thought Chita the pre-eminent star of her generation, and found it kind of thrilling what a touchstone she is to the Broadway community.

Having worked twice with that caviar among performers Judy Kaye, I enjoyed and found myself moved by her remarks. She’s a smart and giving woman. And her payback to Andrew Lloyd Webber is typical of the book’s many dishy asides. Kaye asked Webber about doing the role of the girl in his Aspects of Love, only to be told, “She’s got to go from 15 to 55.” Kaye pointed out that she had gone from 17 to 80 in I Do! I Do!, and Webber replied, “Oh, yes, yes, of course – but she does have to be a great beauty.” He’s cold, that Mr. Webber. But like the rest of the book, it’s hot reading.t

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Theatre>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 17

Heart of hearing

by Richard Dodds

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ina Raine’s play Tribes starts off like an expletive-laden, modern-day version of You Can’t Take It With You. The parents have comically oddball hobbies, and their grown children are dithering about trying to find their groove in the world. Family time is usually a chaotic exchange of friendly fire, some of it piercing, some of it in fun, but all of it loud.

At Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Theatre, you might at first overlook twentyish son Billy, quietly observing the histrionics on which this family seems to feed and that playwright Raine has depicted with obvious relish. Quiet is the operative word for Billy (played by deaf actor James Caverly), and though he is an expert at lip reading, the family’s swirling dervishes of communication often leave Billy in an aural darkness.

When he asks what’s going on, he’s usually given a perfunctory summary of what the latest emotional tsunami was all about. He serves as an easily ignored anchor of calm amid the family chaos – like a “mascot,” he says at one point.

His story moves from the background to forefront, and in some ways mirrors the central debate in Mark Medoff ’s play and movie Children of a Lesser God. But Raine finds unexpected nuances beyond what were introduced in the basic conflict in Lesser God – whether the deaf should be taught to speak

in a verbally compromised manner, or to communicate among a much smaller community exclusively with the purity of sign language – and expands on it to provoke thoughts and emotions among the other characters when the order of their disordered world is challenged.

Director Jonathan Moscone’s production of this play first seen in London in 2010 has a rat-a-tat-tat vibe through most of the first act, as a tightly wound son (the kinetic Dan Clegg) and rudderless daughter (a properly mopey Elizabeth Morton) have moved back home, to their parents’ consternation. Their diplomatic mother (the calming Anita Carey) is a would-be mystery writer, while their father is a retired academic whose opinions are aggressively uncensored and who seems to believe that every conversation should naturally lead into some sort of existential argument. As the father, the wonderful Paul Christopher is a like a predotage King Lear, roaring about the living room with gasp-worthy politically incorrect pronouncements.

A mild example: He considers the dogmatic sign-language contingent of the deaf world to be “the fucking Muslims of the handicapped world.”

The play adds a unique edge to the Lesser God-style debate with the introduction of a character who straddles two worlds and leads the heretofore docile Billy to finally demand his proper seat at the family table. The catalytic character is

mellopix.com

As deaf son Billy, James Caverly, left, tries to belatedly introduce sign language to his mother (Anita Carey) and siblings (Dan Clegg and Elizabeth Morton) in Tribes at Berkeley Rep.

Sylvia, whose complexity is well captured by Nell Geisslinger. Her parents are both deaf, but born as a hearing person, she learned both to speak and to use sign language.

But genetics are playing a cruel trick on her, sending her into deafness at an accelerating rate. She considers Billy lucky because he never could hear, so he doesn’t know what he missed. And in the hierarchy of the deaf world, Sylvia is on a lower tier because her years of hearing have

somehow tainted her.

When Billy starts dating Sylvia, who encourages him to learn sign language, he lands a job and gets his own apartment. A family barely in ballistic balance goes off the rails without their security blanket, their mascot, back at home. The play, too, seems to lose focus in the second act, with a scene at Billy’s new apartment introducing a red-herring legal issue, and life back at the homestead infected with a stammering

ennui. The suddenly upbeat ending is also far too tidy, but for the most part Tribes provides intriguing issues presented in very human ways.

Raine doesn’t give us answers to the intriguing questions she raises, but she does make sure that every character is finally heard.t

“Deus Ex Machina,” a term that is explained to those who need it, and then unfolds in the satirically comic way that displays the traits of Sleeping Cutie when it’s at its best.t

Sleeping Cutie: A Fractured Fairy Tale Musical will run through May 11 at Thick House. Tickets are $30-$35. Call 992-6677 or go to sleepingcutiemusical.tix.com.

Tribes will run at Berkeley Rep through May 11. Tickets are $29$99. Call (510) 647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.

Pen pal-ling around

by Richard Dodds

H

e is in prison for fleecing investors. She is in an institution after suffering traumatic brain injury.

They become online pen pals, and thus fairy tale is born. Sleeping Cutie is the likeable and intermittently clever result, a musical for grownups with a sharp opening song explaining all the things not to expect, like witches, goblins, dragons, or Wicked.

The best moments in this fulllength musical, developed from a 10-minute play first presented at the writers’ workshop PlayGround, are when composer Doug Katsaros and lyricist-librettist Diane Sampson follow through on the musical-theater savvy displayed in the opening number. In one song Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff perform a vaudevillestyled paean to ill-gotten gains. Later, a pair of lawyers pays homage to Gilbert and Sullivan in a patter song that predicts the guilty verdict awaiting the penned-in pen pal.

The longtime online correspondence between prisoner and patient has usually involved the former spinning fantastic yarns for the latter. But his newest tale will be different, he tells his unseen friend, and it quickly becomes clear that this is

his story with only a veneer of fairytale trappings. He is the deposed king, soon to be exiled, and he sets out to find a suitable husband for his daughter, the princess. After rejecting dozens of suitors secured through an online dating service, she finds a nice guy who happens to be blind and also happens to be the lead singer in a rock band looking for a new drummer. And it just so happens that the princess’ dream is to be a drummer in a rock band.

There is mild humor running through most of the two-act production, brightly staged by Cyndi Goldfield in a minimalist situation at Thick House. There are also moments of mild pathos, and unfortunately mild is also the adjective for many of the songs that have melodic refrains without actually developing into full-scale melodies despite the support of an onstage three-piece band.

Most everyone in the cast is a likeable presence, including Jesse Caldwell and Gwen Loeb as the pen pals, Luke Chapman as the blind musician, Stephanie Prentice as the nanny, and Buzz Halsing and John Patrick Moore in a variety of roles.

Marissa Joy Ganz, as the convict’s daughter, has a harder time gaining our empathy both because of the

way her petulant character is written and how she sings and plays it. But when allowed to express a warmer side, Ganz does come through.

The final song in the play is titled

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Jesse Caldwell, center, plays a white-collar convict who joins Bernie Madoff (Buzz Halsing) and Charles Ponzi (John Patrick Moore) in a song-and-dance tribute to greed in a scene from Sleeping Cutie at Thick House.

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<< Out&About

18 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

Unusual Shorts @ Oddball Films

The Letters @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley

Enjoy wacky offbeat vintage short films.

Thu & Fri, each $10, 8pm. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

John W. Lowell’s suspenseful two-person psychological thriller about life under the Stalin regime. $28-$32. Wed-Sat 8pm.

Sun 2pm. Thru June 1. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Fri 25 Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

O&A

Fri 25

Out &About

Mark Morris Dance Group

Comfort Zones

by Jim Provenzano

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ou’re going to have to travel outside your comfort zone to find some of the most amusing and interesting plays and art this week. Marin, even Palo Alto (shocking!) are where zany musicals and comedies await you, and stellar dancing’s over in Berkeley. But of course, you’re brave enough, or you already live out there. Face it, we’re nearly all doomed to be evicted from San Francisco soon enough, so you might as well get used to the suburbs.

Thu 24 Andrew Demcak @ Books Inc. The gay author of the book Ghost Songs reads from and discusses his new novel about a bullied gay teen who enlists the help of a friendly ghost. 7:30pm. 2275 Market St. 864-6777. www.booksinc.net

Chomp! @ Conservatory of Flowers They Came From the Swamp, a new floral exhibit of carnivorous plants includes exhibits, docent talks and a giant replica model so you can feel like a bug about to be eaten. Thru Oct. 19. Reg. hours, 10am4pm. Free-$7. Tue-Sun 10am-4:30pm.

Extended thru March 16. 100 JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park. 831-2090. www.conservatoryofflowers.org

Designing Homes @ Contemporary Jewish Museum Jews and Midcentury Modernism, an exhibit of architectural, furniture, dinnerware, photos, and interior design in post-WWII. Also, Arthur Szyk and the Art of the Haggadah, an exhibit of 48 fascinating and richly detailed illustrations of Hebrew stories by the early 20th-century artist (thru June 29). Also, To Build & Be Built: Kibbutz History (thru July 1).

2pm-5pm. Free (members)-$12. Thu-Tue 11am-5pm (Thu 1pm-8pm) 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

Jay Michaelson @ Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley Director of the LGBT Global Rights Initiative and five-time author of scholarly books on homosexuality, religion and culture, discusses Queer Theory, Theology and Activism. Reception 5:30; lecture 6:30. 1798 Scenic Ave. Berkeley. (510) 849-8206. www.clgs.org

Our Vast Queer Past @ GLBT History Museum

Queer Ancestors Project @ LGBT Center An exhibition of prints by queer artists age 18 to 26, with Corey Brown, Joan Chen, Jared Clifton, Amman Desai, Paula Graciela Kahn, Amirah Mizrahi, Courtney Stock & Terry Xiao, and artistic director Katie Gilmartin. Exhibit thru May 16. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org

Sean Dorsey Dance @ Z Space Storytelling and dance combine in a world premiere excerpt from The Missing Generation, based on oral histories of long-term AIDS survivors, and Lou, from Uncovered: The Diary Project, about pioneering transgender activist Lou Sullivan. $15-$25. 8pm. Thru April 24. 450 Florida St at Mariposa. www.seandorseydance.com

SF International Film Festival @ Castro Theatre Opening night of the 57th annual festival of worldwide acclaimed new films; The Two Faces of January starring Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst. $20$50. Thru May 8. 429 Castro St. Other screenings throughout the Bay Area. www.festival.sffs.org www.castrotheatre.com

Shatner’s World @ Bay Area Cinemas Simulcast screening of Star Trek actor William Shatner’s comedic revealing solo stage show, which sold out in its SF run. $12-$15. 7:30pm. Century 9 Cinema, 835 Market St., and many other Bay Area theatres. www.fathomevents.com

Sleeping Cutie @ Thick House Doug Katsaros and Diane Sampson’s musical about a narcolepic teenage girl and jailed father’s pursuit to get her married. $30-$40. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 11. 1695 18th St. at Arkansas. 992-6677. www.sleepingcutiemusical.org

Main exhibit room is closed for a new exhibit installation until May 15, but front area exhibits are open. Reg. hours Mon-Sat 11am-7pm (closed Tue.) Sun 12pm-5pm.

4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistory.org

The internationally acclaimed dance company performs the world premiere of Acis and Galatea set to music by Handel (arranged by Mozart), with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale. $30-$110. 8pm. Also April 26, 8pm and April 27, 3pm. Bancroft Way at Dana St., UC Berkeley campus. (510) 6429988. www.calperformances.org

Communiqué No. 10 @ Exit ofn Taylor

Not a Genuine Black Man @ Osher Studio, Berkeley

Cutting Ball Theatre company’s production of the American premiere of French playwright Samuel Gallet’s drama about tensions in the urban underclass, Muslim and French violence, revenge and riots; translated and directed by Rob Melrose. $10-$50. Thru May 25. 277 Taylor St. 525-1205. www.cuttingball.com

Brian Copeland’s tenth anniversary run of his compelling autobiographical solo show gets restaged at Berkeley Repertory’s studio theatre. $14-$430. Wed 7pm.

Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 31. Osher Studio, 2055 Center St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Company C Ballet @ ODC Theater

SF MOMA on the Go exhibit Public Intimacy: Art and Other Ordinary Acts in South Africa, a collection of photography, with artists Kemang Wa Lehulere, AthiPatra Ruga, Sello Pesa, and Vaughn Sadie, among others. Thru June 29. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 3211307. www.sfmoma.org www.ybca.org

The East Bay dance company performs works by Charles Anderson, Maurice Casey, Charles Moulton and Patrick Corbin. $25-$48. 8pm. Also April 26, May 1-3 8pm. 3153 17th St. 863-6606. www.odctheater.org

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress @ College of Marin Student production of the comic play by gay writer-director Alan Ball ( Six Feet Under, American Beauty, True Blood ) about five reluctant bridesmaids at a Southern wedding reception. $10-$20.

8pm. Also April 26, May 2, 3, 9 & 10, 8pm.

May 4 & 11, 2pm. Studio Theatre, 835 College Ave., Kentfield. 485-9385. www.brownpapertickets.com

Public Intimacy @ YBCA

Shit & Champagne @ Rebel D’Arcy Drollinger’s “whitesploitation” drag satire musical play kicks up the laughs; also starring Matthew Martin. $20-$25.

Fri & Sat, 8pm. Extended thru April 26.

1772 Market St. at Octavia. www.shitandchampagne.eventbrite.com

Celebration of the completed renovations at the Castro sober space, and the opening reception for Rizzo’s exhibit of colorful portraits. $10-$20 benefit includes door prizes. 6pm-9pm. (Exhibit thru May 31).

4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

We Build Excitement, the Central Valleybased artist’s multimedia installation, explores the life and death of the auto industry, with video documentation of his unsanctioned Pontiac car dealerships, interviews with crash victims and more.

Special Fremont event May 5. Local exhibit thru May 3. Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm. 3030 20th St. www.soex.org

New and Classic Films @ Castro Theatre Apr. 25: Mauvais Sang (7pm) and Wild at Heart (9:10). April 26: Frozen sing-along (1pm), Top Gun (7pm) and Cocktail (5pm, 9pm). April 27: Frozen sing-along (1pm), noir flick The Narrow Margin (:5:30, 9:10) and Emperor of the North (7pm). April 29, SF Int. Film Fest presents Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, a live muisc and film show (8pm). April 30: The Bride Wore Black (7pm) and Obsession (9pm). May 1: Daisies (7:30) and Times Square (9pm). $11. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Fri 25

Spring Open Studios

Spring Open Studios @ Mission Artists United District-wide open studios by more than 50 participating artists (including Matthew Frederick, see photo above) in a variety of media. Preview April 25, 6pm-9pm at Bryant Street Studios, 1890 Bryant. Thru April 27. www.missionartistsunited.org/ openstudios

The Suit @ Geary Theatre American Conservatory Theatre presents Peter Brook, Marie-Helene Estienne and Franck Krawczyk’s adaptation of Can Themba, Mothobi Mutloatse and Barney Simon’s play about Apartheid South Africa and a suit that becomes treated like a person; with live African and jazz music. $20-$140. (Bring donations for Dress for Success and get up to 50% off tickets. See www.act-sf.org for details). Tue-Sat 8pm.

Sun 2pm & 7pm. Thru May 18. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Nina Raine’s acclaimed drama about a young deaf man who meets a woman with a non-assimilation perspective, which forces him to confront his parents, and the meaning of language. $29-$99. Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm.

Sun 7pm. Thru May 18. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Fri 25 Five Women Wearing the Same Dress

Berkeley Playhouse performs the Tony Award-winning musical comedy about word-obsessed kids and their families. $17-$60. Thu-Sun various times. Thru May 4. 2650 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 8458542. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org

Dancing in the Park @ Golden Gate Park See 30 Bay Area dance companies perform, including Mark Foehringer Dance Project, Oakland Ballet, Postballet, AXIS Dance Company, and many others. Free. 12pm4:30pm. Music Concourse Drive (near the deYoung Museum) Golden Gate Park. www.mfdpsf.org

David Sokosh: American Tintypes @ Robert Tat Gallery The fine art photography gallery presents an exhibit of Sokosh’s contemporary faux-vintage imagery, created with a 19thcentury Wet-Plate Collodion process. TueSat 11am-5:30pm. Thru May 31. 49 Geary St., #410. 781-1122. www.roberttat.com

Erin Crociani @ Glama-Rama Salon, Oakland Opening reception for the artist’s exhibit of paintings that blend Alice in Wonderland with Victorian pin-up girls. 7pm-10pm.

Thru June 5. 6399 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 655-4526. glamarama.com

Feisty Old Jew @ The Marsh Charlie Veron’s new solo show about a fictional elder man who hitches a ride with surfer-hipsters, and rants about what he hates about the 21st century. $25-$100.

Sat 8pm, Sun 7pm. Thru May 4. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Georgia O’Keeffe @ de Young Museum

Tribes @ Berkeley Repertory

Pearls Over Shanghai @ The Hypnodrome

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee @ Julia Morgan Theatre, Berkeley

“Let It Go” at the Disney animated film screenings, where audience members sing along, dress up in character costumes, and enjoy the family fun, the viewing of which will make your kids gay, according to inane fundamentalist Christians. $10-$16. 1pm.

Also April 27 at 1pm. Also 5pm April 20.

429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

Grand Reopening/Donald Rizzo @ Castro Country Club

Jesse Sugarmann @ Southern Exposure

Sat 26

Frozen Sing-Along @ Castro Theatre

A “Best of Fringe” show, Jill Vice’s solo work portrays an array of characters from the bartending world. $15-$50. Sat 5pm, Sun 7pm. Extended thru May 17. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

The vocalist-pianist performs new and classic songs at the elegant cabaret. $55-$70. 8pm. Also April 25, 8pm.

Nikko Hotel, 222 Mason St. www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx

The musical comedy revue celebrates its 40th year with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Tipped & Tipsy @ The Marsh

Peter Cincotti @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

Thrillpeddlers’ hilarious Cockettes revival returns, with new choreography and costumes, and many of the original cast members. $30-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru May 31. 575 10th St. (800) 838-3006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Mark Morris Dance Group @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

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Modern Nature: Georgia O’Keeffe and Lake George, a new exhibit of paintings focusing on the artist’s New York landscapes. $25.

Thru May 11. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm.

Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. deyoungmuseum.org

Intimate Impressionism @ Legion of Honor The exhibition includes nearly 70 paintings from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., featuring the work of 19th-century avant-garde painters such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh. Also, the Salon Doré, a reconstructed room from the Hotel de La Trémoille, has re-opened. Free/$25. Thru Aug. 3. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. 7503600. www.legionofhonor.famsf.org

Keith Hollander @ 554 Castro Inspiring Faces, a Graphic Abstraction, the local artist’s series of celebrity pop art portraits; live painting events May 9, 5pm9pm. Thru June 1. 554 Castro St. www.keithhollander.com

Lunar New Year Banquet @ Legendary Palace Restaurant, Oakland The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community honors activist and computer engineer Koko Lin; silent auction, raffle drawings, scholarship awards and dinner. 7pm. 708 Franklin St., Oakland. www.apiqwtc.org

Paper and Blade @ Galeria de la Raza Exhibit of works on paper by Mayumi Hamanaka, Adrienne Heloise, Ian Kuali and Kai Margarida-Ramirez. Wed-Sat 12pm-6pm. Thru May 31. 2857 24th St. 826-8009. www.galeriadelaraza.org

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays @ New Conservatory Theatre Center Collection of short plays with several unique takes on the moments before, during and after “I Do” by Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, Jose Rivera, Paul Rudnick, and Doug Wright, conceived by Brian Shnipper. $25-$45. Wed-Sat 8pm.

Sun 2pm. Thru April 27. 25 Van Ness Ave, lower level. www.nctcsf.org

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Out&About>>

Queer Jitterbugs @ Magnet Swing dance lessons and social dancing. $5. 7pm-9:30pm. 4122 18th St. 305-8242. www.QueerJitterbugs.com www.magnetsf.org

SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot @ Oakland Museum Exhibit of eclectic comic and unusual graphics from contributors to the creative zine Giant Robot, which expanded to websites and retail shops. Multiple engaging hands-on activities thru the run.

Also, Judy Chicago: A Butterfly for Oakland, a collection of slides and films of her 1974 Lake Merritt pyrotechnical installation; part of a nationwide group of exhibits celebrating the pioneering feminist artist’s 75th birthday; thru Nov. 30. Also, Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records, about the culture of collecting records, local indie labels; includes sound exhibits, talks, and colorful catalogs. Both thru July 27.

Also, Inspiration Points: Masterpieces of California (thru July 13), A Cinematic Study of Fog in San Francisco (thru June 29) and other exhibits. Free/$15. Reg. hours WedSat 11am-5pm (Fri til 9pm). 1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 318-8400. museumca.org

Woods to Wildflowers @ SF Botanical Gardens See blooming floral displays, trees and exhibits. Also, daily walking tours and more, at outdoor exhibits of hundreds of species of native wildflowers in a centuryold grove of towering Coast Redwoods.

Thru May 15. Free-$15. Daily. Golden Gate Park. 6612-1316. SFBotanicalGarden.org

Wrong’s What I Do Best @ SF Art Institute Group exhibition of works that push the boundaries of social, political and personal fault lines. Opening reception April 26, 7pm-10pm. Free. Tue 11am-7pm. Wed-Sat 11am-6pm. Thru July 26. Walter and McBean Galleries, 800 Chestnut St. sfai.edu

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 19

Sat 26 Young Frankenstein

Mon 28 Chicks with Shticks @ SF Public Library The Kinsey Sicks and 20 Years of Dragapella Activism, a new exhibit about the musical ensemble; thru July 10. Also, Pretty in Ink: North American Women Cartoonists 1896-2013, 4th floor. Thru June 5. Also, You Don’t Say! Wordless Cartoons from the Schmulowitz Collection of Wit & Humor, an exhibit of witty visual comics like Little Lulu, from the 19th to 21st century. Thru May 31. Also, The Black Woman is God, Karen Seneferu’s exhibit focusing on the art of Tarika Lewis, Karen Seneferu, Malik Seneferu, Sydney “Sage” Cain and Ajuan Mance, whose work explores the divinity of Blackness. Thru May 15. African American Center. 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Tue 29 Meditation Group @ LGBT Center

Sat 26

Wrong’s What I Do Best

Young Frankenstein @ Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto Palo Alto Players’ production of the monstrously good musical based on the Mel Brooks film. $26-$48. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm. Thru May 11. 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. (650) 3290891. www.paplayers.org

New weekly non-sectarian meditation group; part of the Let’s Kick ASS AIDS Survivor Syndrome support group.

Tuesdays, 5pm, 1800 Market St. www.

LetsKickASS.org www.sfcenter.org

Positive Pride Toastmaster @ SF AIDS Foundation Public speaking, communication and leadership skills are shared at this weekly meeting for people with HIV. Free. 6pm7pm. 1035 Market St., 4th floor. www. positivetoastmasters.com

Rex Ray @ Gallery 16 Exhibit of strikingly colorful works by the prolific local gay painter and designer. TueFri 10am-5pm. Sat 11am-5pm. Thru May 9.

501 3rd St. 626-7495. www.gallery16.com

Vincent Meis @ Magnet

Sun 27 Anniversary Party @ Food for Thought, Forestville 25th anniversary party for the Sonoma Country HIV/AIDS food bank. 1pm-3pm.

6550 Railroad Ave., Forestville. www.fftfoodbank.org

Katya Smirnoff-Skyy @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko Our favorite exited Russian countess (aka actor-singer J. Conrad Frank) performs Back in the USSR, an all-Beatles cabaret show. $30-$45. 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.ticketweb.com

The World of Mary Blair @ Walt Disney Museum Magic, Color, Flair, an exhibit of original art work from the innovative production design artist for Disney’s Peter Pan, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and other films, and the iconic attractions at Walt Disney World like the “It’s a Small World” ride; thru Sept. 7. Also, Leading Ladies and Femme Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis, drawings of Cruella DeVille, Tinkerbell and other iconic characters; thru Nov. 4. 104 Montgomery St. www.waltdisney.org

Venus and Adonis @ Exit on Taylor Cutting Ball Theatre’s presentation of Ponder Goddard’s one-woman staged reading of William Shakespeare’s epic poem based on Ovid’s Metamorphosis.

Free. 1pm. 277 Taylor St. 525-1205. www.cuttingball.com

The author of Down in Cuba reads from and discusses his new book, with drinks, food, salsa lessons and dancing. 8pm.

4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Wed 30 Career Fair @ LGBT Center Employment day for LGBT job seekers, with reps from NASA, Macy’s Kimpton’s and other corporate employers. Business attire; bring resumes. 12pm-3pm. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org

Du Barry Was a Lady @ Eureka Theatre Gay comic Bruce vilanch stars in 42nd Street Moon’s production of the saucy Cole Porter historical musical comedy about a nightclub washroom attendant who passes out and finds himself in 18th-century France as King Louis XV. $25-$75. Wed & thu 7pm. Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm. Sun 3pm.

Thru May 18. 215 Jackson St. 255-8207. www.42ndStMoon.org

Sony Holland @ Level III The acclaimed jazz vocalist performs with guitarist Jerry Holland. Weekly 5pm-8pm.

Also Thursdays & Fridays. JW Marriott, 515 Mason St. at Post. www.sonyholland.com

Various Exhibits @ California Academy of Sciences New exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth. Special events each week, with adult nightlife parties most Thursday nights. $20$30. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm.

55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. calacademy.org

Yoga: The Art of Transformation @ Asian Art Museum New exhibit of visual art representing the 2,500-year-old health practice.

Other ongoing exhibits as well. Free (members)-$12. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org

Thu 1 Des Voix; Found in Translation @ Various Theatres Month-long festival of contemporary French playwrights and films, in partnership with Cutting Ball Theater, the French International School and the French consulate. Thru May 25. desvoixfestival.com

ebar.com

Eating Cultures @ SOMArts Cultural Center Group exhibit of the Asian American Women Artists Association features 30 artists’ works, including three lesbians (Kay Cuajunco, Sigi Arneho, Genevieve Erin O’Brien), who focus on food as a cultural lens. Opening reception 6pm-9pm. Special events thru the run. Thru May 30. 934 Brannan St. www.somarts.org

Experimental. Electro-Acoustic.

Excellent.

Geoff Hoyle @ The Marsh, Berkeley The veteran comic actor returns with his solo show, Geezer, a nostalgic meditation on his lengthy career and life. $25-$50.

Thu 8pm. Sat. 5pm. Extended thru April 26. 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Jeremy Jordan @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The handsome pop singer performs his solo cabaret show. $45-$60. 8pm. Also May 2, 8pm; May 3 & 4, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.ticketweb.com

Lambda Literary Award Finalists @ SF Public Library Bay Area authors nominated for the LGBT literary award include Jason K. Friedman, Randall Mann, Jean Ryan, Laura Antoniou, Deborah Ross, Ali Liebegott, Ronald Palmer, Joyce Thompson, Toby Bielawski, Karin Kallmaker, Jay Davidson and Daniel Rivers. 5:30pm reception, readings 6pm.

Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room, lower level, 100 Larkin St. 557-4400. www.lambdalit.org www.sfpl.org

Waxing West @ Brava Theater Center Vidhu Singh directs the West Coast premiere of Savian Stanescu’s drama about a Romanian mail-order bride’s life in Bucharest and New York. $20. Thu-Sat 8pm; Sun 3pm. Thru May 18. 2781 24th St. www.brava.org

To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com. Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication. For bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com, and our new merged section, www.ebar.com/bartab

4.24-27 ft mason ctr sfcmp.org/ sweet-Thunder

<< TV

20 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

She kissed a girl

by Victoria A. Brownworth

H

ere’s when we’ll know we have full LGBT equality: When we see dozens of promos for a network series show of two teenage boys kissing. We lost count of the number of times we saw the NBC promo for the April 17 season finale of Parenthood with Haddie Braverman kissing another girl.

Haddie (Sarah Ramos) has been away at college, but in the April 17 season finale she came back. With a new girlfriend, not a new boyfriend. Lauren was played by Tavi Gevinson, the 17-year-old wunderkind creator of Rookie magazine.

But back to our original comment: Perhaps turning Haddie gay was a way of explaining why she’s been off the Parenthood landscape for so long, or perhaps it was a bit of jumping the shark, although that’s not really Parenthood’s style. But what we do know is that NBC promoted the hell out of the season finale of the beloved series, and frontand-center was The Lesbian Kiss.

We’re fine with seeing that. In fact, we could watch it another 100 times. We’re just saying if Haddie had been a college boy instead of a college girl, we’re pretty sure we wouldn’t have seen that kissing promo. Lesbian sex still sells, while gay sex still makes everyone a little nervous because as everyone knows, two “girls” together is a threesome waiting to happen, right? But two guys? That’s just gay. And of course Haddie is, maybe, bisexual anyway, since she’s always had boyfriends before Lauren.

That’s one more reason we’d really like to see that promo, with two cute boys instead of two cute girls. Maybe ABC Family could come up with that for The Fosters, or we could get some cute-boy-kissing out of Teen Wolf.

But really, dear networks and cable

networks, it’s not edgy till it’s fully gay. Because you don’t respect lesbian sexuality and you fear gay male sexuality. So yeah NBC, don’t put a character who’s been off the landscape for a year in your promo just to flaunt your “edginess” at the expense of lesbian sexuality.

Speaking of co-opting people’s sexuality, we’re trying to remember to keep calling Callie on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy bisexual, because some bisexual readers of ours very politely tweeted us about how Callie IDs as bi, not lesbian, so we want to apologize for mis-stating her sexual ID. Lesbians are always being bisexualized on the tube, so we don’t want to do the obverse. Callie did spend several seasons on Grey’s doing a bed-hop with different men before she did the bed-hop with different women, which is how she got pregnant with Sonya, sleeping with her friends-with-benefits bestie, Mark. The reason it took a while for her to forgive Arizona for cheating last season was because her first marriage, to George, ended with his cheating on her with Izzie.

But for now Callie is feeling the lesbian, not straight side of her bi self. As Grey’s barrels toward the season finale (#10), Callie and Arizona are back to being in love.

Which officially makes them the longest-running lesbian couple on prime time.

On the April 17 episode, they flipped a coin to decide their next move. They’ve got the new house.

Now what about a new baby? The coin flip was about which one of them would give birth to their second child. Callie has been broody for several episodes now, fondling the babies of others, notably Meredith’s and Derek’s, and finally told Arizona in the April 10 episode that she wanted another baby. And Arizona, pediatrician extraordinaire,

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initially had a hard time with the idea of having a child at all. But now she’s fully, totally into it. Spoiler alert: Callie’s having the baby. Grey’s just wanted to play with our heads a little thinking maybe Arizona would have the baby or both women would have a baby. But as Arizona told Callie after the coin toss, “I loved how you looked pregnant.” Awwww.

The April 24 episode of Grey’s is going to be a hard one to watch.

After 10 seasons playing one of the most complex female characters on the tube and as one of the only Asian women in a lead role, Sandra Oh is leaving Grey’s. Since season one, Oh’s Cristina Yang has been the character we love to hate. She’s not warm and fuzzy. She doesn’t do hugs. But she and Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) have had such a long platonic affair. They go so deep.

When they lie in bed together holding each other we can’t help hoping this will be the time they realize they really are each other’s soulmate.

But now that can’t happen, because soon there will be no more Cristina and Meredith. The show’s creator Shonda Rhimes has kept a tight lid on how Cristina will exit Seattle Grace, but we’re sure it’s going to be major, since the April 17 episode ended with Cristina not getting the Harper Avery Award she was expecting.

Big bang theory

Meanwhile the season finale of Scandal, Rhimes’ other series, went out with as big a bang as possible, and we can’t believe we have to wait till September to see what happens next. Scandal always takes the audience right to the brink of overthe-top and then says, yeah, we’re gonna go there, anyway. This season has been incredible. Always a show that takes chances, it’s also one of the most popular series on the tube.

This is political drama at its finest and keenest. There are no good guys on Scandal, just less awful ones.

This isn’t the idealism of The West Wing. This is the down-and-dirty politics of now, just as we are used to seeing them in real life.

In the season finale, Cyrus (Jeff Perry), President Fitz’s gay Chief of Staff, never one to let a little killing stand in the way of his plans to maintain power, is undecided about whether or not to tell the President a bomb was about to go off at the church. We see him literally sweating over what to do. But then Jake Ballard (Scott Foley), who has several lifetimes of karma to fix, comes bursting into the Oval Office to declare there’s a bomb about to go off.

When it does, mere seconds after the church has been evacuated, Sally (Kate Burton) is about to get in her limo and go home when her political advisor yanks her out of the car, rubs some dirt on her face, musses her hair and tears her sleeve. He tells her to “tend to the wounded,” and gets the cameras on her.

Olivia (Kerry Washington) bursts into the meeting Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) is having to discuss the events, and tells him he has to get in front of the cameras immediately. But it’s already too late. The news shows the President and his rogue Vice President who is challenging him in the election on a split-screen.

Olivia frantically calls the networks.

“You’re making the President look like he’s a talking head on a Sunday show.” Each network drops the splitscreen, and shows only Sally. Cyrus and Olivia commiserate. “We lost the election,” Olivia says. “People are hurt, and all I can think is that we lost the election.”

Cyrus, pensive – he hasn’t been well since his husband, James (Dan Bucatinsky), was killed by yes, Jake Ballard – agrees with Olivia. Later, another cataclysmic event happens

t

NBC-TV

Sarah Ramos as Haddie Braverman on NBC-TV’s Parenthood.

that changes things back in their favor: the President’s son dies suddenly of the B strain of meningitis.

Once again Cyrus and Olivia are sitting together, this time in the hospital. Olivia says, “A child is dead, and all I can think is that we can win the election now.” Again Cyrus agrees with her and adds, “We’re monsters,” reprising a conversation they had in season one, noting that serving at the pleasure of the President has allowed them both to “shed our skins” and show themselves for the monsters they are.

Wow. Wait till Olivia finds out her mother was responsible for this, just as she was the bombing and the stabbing of Olivia’s father. Mama Pope really is a terrorist, just like Daddy Pope said. We still wonder what will happen to Cyrus now that he doesn’t have James to humanize him. What kept Cyrus from being actually evil (yes, we know killing people is evil, but Cyrus has always done things with the greater good in mind) was his love for James and James’ love for him. They could have made their way back to each other, if only Jake hadn’t taken James out.

Meanwhile, Dan Bucatinsky has been talking about his sudden exit from Scandal, which apparently he didn’t see coming any more than James did. The out gay actor won an Emmy last season, and has been a writer and producer on both Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy for years.

He told the Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t think [James] deserved to die.”

Bucatinsky added that he was “completely stunned” when he got the news his days at Scandal were numbered. “It was really hard to take. I pulled over to the side of the road and was in shock. It took me a long time to wrap my head around. I started going through the five stages of grief: anger, denial, bargaining. I sent an email to producers playing out some thoughts I had. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I hadn’t tried! Then I entered the sadness stage. I kept thinking about James’ glasses, pockets squares and daughter, Ella. I started to feel the sadness of the death of the character.” That’s how we felt, too.

Even if you don’t watch Scandal, that episode is worth watching. Unlike other dramas that just elide a gay character from a script with no preamble or post-mortem (yes, we’re looking at you, Smash), Scandal gave James as loving a send-off as possible, given that he was being murdered. We saw James and Cyrus back when they were most deeply in love.

As Bucatinsky said to Hollywood Reporter, “I can’t complain. As an actor who has to die on a show, I feel honored to be in an episode like that.”

Bucatinsky said the Scandal cast

was caring and sensitive, particularly Scott Foley in the days they were shooting the scenes where Jake kills James. “The biggest gift, among the many Scott gave me, was unbelievable compassion on the night we shot the final scene in the street. It was hard. I was mad, confused, annoyed and sad. But it played out as such a beautiful episode about Cyrus’ coming out as he loses his first authentic love and remembers how he loved a man for the first time.

I’m very proud of this episode.” And now it’s Cyrus and Olivia, because how is Fitz going to walk away from Mellie (Bellamy Young) when they just lost their son? Will the Gladiators become monsters? It’s a lot of months before we find out.

Jimmy Kimmel, who’s been having some ratings issues since Jimmy Fallon took over The Tonight Show and David Letterman announced his impending retirement from the The Late Show, devoted his April 17 episode to Scandal. His only guest was Shonda Rhimes. But in the kind of comedy that has made Kimmel the edgiest of the late-night hosts, Kimmel parodied Scandal as a telenovela, Behind the Scandalabra, using his sidekick Guillermo, himself and all the main players from Scandal: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Perry, Katie Lowes, Bellamy Young, Josh Malina, Darby Stanchfield, Columbus Short and Guillermo Diaz. If you watch Scandal you must watch this episode of Kimmel at ABC.com. It’s hilarious.

ABC’s latest new drama series, Black Box, debuts on April 24 in the Scandal slot after Grey’s Anatomy.

The show’s co-producer is Ilene Chaiken, who created The L Word.

One of the two leads is Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave. She doesn’t need money, so she had to be invested in the project, which means it could be another in a list of stellar new shows in this continually evolving mid-season spring season. As ABC promos describe Black Box, Catherine Black (Kelly Reilly) is a famous neuroscientist who secretly has bipolar disorder. The only person who knows is her psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hartramph (Vanessa Redgrave), who was with Catherine after her first break and has been a maternal figure for Catherine since her mother, who also suffered from bipolar disorder, committed suicide.

Like Homeland’s Carrie, Catherine is striving not to be defined by her illness. But Catherine also has an addiction, to the manic episodes. She goes off her meds regularly, and when she does, she’s a very different person.

The series is episodic, so will address a neurological case each episode. It will also, the producers See page 22 >>

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Music>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 21

Boy George reclaims his crown

by Gregg Shapiro

A

fter a 20-year absence from recording original material, and a history of substance abuse played out in the public arena, you might think that This Is What I Do (Kobalt), gay singer/songwriter Boy George’s return to recorded music, might sound like Marianne Faithfull’s Broken English. But you’d be wrong. Boy George’s voice, which is neither as ravaged as Faithfull’s nor as unblemished as it used to be, is well-suited to the material. Beginning with opener “King of Everything,” co-written with former Culture Club bandmate Mikey Craig, George is diplomatic and graceful when he sings, “What’s the word on the street?/Have I lost my crown,/or will I be king again?”

George tackles religion and faith (“My God”), heartbreak (“It’s Easy”), journeys (“Any Road”), new love (“Nice and Slow”) and politics (“Feel the Vibration”). Yoko Ono gets special attention, including a shout-out in “Bigger than War” and a respectful cover of her “Death of Samantha.” I spoke with Boy George about the new album earlier this year.

Gregg Shapiro: On the album cover for This Is What I Do, you’re wearing a fabulous hat, as you

have done on many album covers.

How many hats do you own?

Boy George: Probably 40. They often go on to another life. Whenever I get asked for auction items, it’s usually a hat. The hats do get recycled quite a lot.

Do you have an all-time favorite hat that you’ve hung onto over the years?

I have a new hat that I haven’t worn yet! The guy that makes my hats, a guy called Philip Treacy, is a very amazing milliner in London.

He gave me this beautiful Swarovski crystal hat. I just don’t have anything to wear with it! It’s such a number of a hat! I keep thinking, “What the hell will I ever wear it with?” Maybe it will appear on my tour.

Do you have a cowboy hat to go with the country vibe of “It’s Easy” and “Any Road?”

I don’t, no. That might be a little too literal.

Did you hear them as country tunes while you were writing them, or did they evolve that way?

I’m not someone who is frightened of country. It’s always been jazz, country, blues, it’s always crept into what I do. Certainly “It’s Easy” was always going to be a country

the groove. We sat around and came up with that guitar line. That was the starting point to create a mood.

The idea was that I would narrate – speak, really. A lot of the lyrics came from stream of consciousness.

Courtesy Kobalt

Boy George is mounting a comeback tour for This Is What I Do.

song. The idea of it was a Patsy Cline-type song. Very simple, to the point. “It’s easy when you’re the one who stops loving first” felt like a classic Patsy Cline-Tammy Wynette-Dolly Parton tune. The song was written around that line.

I really love “Any Road,” with its powerful message, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”

That song was written around

“King of Everything” was cowritten by Mikey Craig, a former Culture Club bandmate. What was it like to work with him again?

It was great to have Mikey involved. I think he’s become quite confident as a writer. He plays around with keyboards now, not just bass. It was fun to see how he’s grown as a writer and a musician.

Back in the day we wrote some incredible songs together.

What does your cover of Yoko Ono’s “Death of Samantha” say about you?

I’ve always loved the song. I think it’s a really beautiful lyric. A lot of people say to me, “Yoko Ono, she just screams.” They don’t think of her as a writer. It’s a song I always play to people when I talk about Yoko. I love her acoustic version of the song. Lyrically, it feels like something I would have written.

The five songs that bring the album to a close are all in the

reggae style. What made you decide to arrange them in that fashion?

Originally, when we started the record, it was all going to be reggae.

That was our starting point because Richie Stevens, who produced the record, is a white-boy reggae-head.

He’s a great reggae drummer. That’s why the album has such a solid feel, because of his drumming. As things went along, we felt it was a little too restrictive, so we allowed certain songs to be what they wanted to be. There’s a strong connection between reggae and country anyway.

Do you have plans to make music videos for any of the songs on This Is What I Do? There is a “King of Everything” video and a “My God” video. There are other ones planned. They’re not going to be like back in the day, 100 grand! The video for “My God” we made in my house. I think the way you do things now is very different.

You can do things on a budget. It’s almost come full-circle back to the beginning when there weren’t massive budgets and you had to be a bit more creative.t Boy George performs on Apr. 28 at The Fillmore.

Tradition with a lesbian twist

by David-Elijah Nahmod

I

sle of Klezbos might not be invited to perform at weddings or bar mitzvahs in the insular world of Orthodox Judaism, but the lesbian musical group has definitely built up a following elsewhere. Their new CD, Live from Brooklyn, finds the band in top form as they perform the music of their ancestors while proudly proclaiming the out, proud women they are.

Klezmer is the musical tradition of Eastern European Jews. Klezmer began in the Jewish shtetls (villages) of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and other countries during the 19th century.

It’s a celebratory musical genre, performed at joyous occasions. It’s meant to be danced to, and has long illustrated the strength and endurance of a people who’ve endured much hardship and hate, yet never lost the capacity to find pride and joy in who they are. Isle of Klezbos leader Eve Sicular chatted with the B.A.R. about herself, the band, and its music.

David-Elijah Nahmod: Where are you from, and what is your coming out story?

Eve Sicular: I am a native New Yorker, born and bred in New York City, and now living across the street from the tenement building where my grandfather was born.

I realized I was attracted to girls early in high school, but told almost no one. My only boyfriends of those years mostly came out later, too.

Starting college, I was intrigued with LGBT campus groups, and terrified of being identified myself. Then I fell in love with one of my freshman year roommates at college. I spent hours listening as she practiced the piano, and the first time I voiced my feelings was the following year.

A couple of years later, I drove with a very cool straight friend to see Vito Russo’s Celluloid Closet presentation in Eugene, OR. Soon after in Seattle, I was outraged that an LGBT film festival declined to book him because they weren’t sure he’d be healthy enough to come to lecture, so I formed a non-profit and produced Vito’s clips/lectures myself at the Museum of History and Industry.

What draws you to Klezmer music?

My first experience with Klezmer felt like something came alive in me that had just been waiting to be

awakened. The modal melodies and syncopated rhythms in Klezmer thrill my ears and move my drumsticks in exuberant counterpoint. I love that this genre encompasses both gentle and rambunctious dance tunes, for group as well as solo enjoyment, not just dance tunes. Also haunting, introspective and ethereal trance melodies. Then there’s captivating Yiddish swing and tango. All this variety is traditionally performed with lush acoustic instrumentation, which delights me. Klezmer shares timbre mixtures which, depending on respective lineups, overlap more or less with Cajun/ Zydeco, Balkan, Romanian, Brazilian choro, early Calypso and other styles I adore: clarinet, accordion, fiddle brass, upright bass.

With Klezmer, the ornamentation often recalls old-style cantoral vocalizing, which in fact attracted me, because I had only rarely heard such moving musical expression. Also, it was a joy and relief to find a sense of cultural identity not drawn to Israeli music and dancing or Zionist politics.

The leftist historical connections to labor-rights organizing and Eastern European heritage were roots I could more naturally and eagerly relate to.

The energy and emotion expressed in Klezmer music led me to a much deeper understanding of all this.

There’s a real sense of homophilic community among many of the major Yiddish cultural innovators around New York, the Bay Area and in Europe.

What goes into the decisionmaking process when choosing the pieces you perform and record?

Each piece we introduce has its own charming, challenging and/or convoluted path into our repertoire. These include everything from complete new originals to obscure genre classics to everything in-between. We seek out tunes that are lesser-known gems to give us neo-traditional variety, whether from forgotten vintage soundtrack pieces, out-of-print books or musician manuscripts, or harder-to-find 78s.

How do you describe Klezmer to the uninitiated?

The music has a beautiful soul and many moods: joyous, yearning, raucous, meditative, lilting, grooving, sensual, prankish, and when celebratory, very danceable.

Why do you think people unfamiliar with Klezmer will

enjoy it?

Because they do so after every concert, broadcast and party that we play at. To paraphrase a dear reviewer from the UK: Isle of Klezbos mixes the levity with the gravity, and we try a new variation each time.t Isle of Klezbos: Live From Brooklyn is now out on CD. Band website: Klezbos.com

Courtesy the artists

Eve Sicular (center) leads lesbian Klezmer band Isle of Klezbos.

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<< Music

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

Stations of the cross

by Tim Pfaff

have to reawaken to the dissonance.

There’s nothing tame in whatever solemnity you can find in this performance, and some of the music leaps out at you like licks of flame.

You feel exactly that as the two singers explode with “Make my heart burn with love for Christ our Lord,” attacked from above and built on braces of synched trills.

Fasolis’ tempos are peppy, going for maximal expression. If sometimes the effects are almost jarring – the springing rhythms in the depiction of Mary mourning, grieving, and trembling can make it sound jolly, and Lezhneva’s singeing trills are a match set to Jaroussky’s tightly coiled fuse in the “Infammatus” – they also come as a reminder of how far we are in sensibility from our Baroque forebears. That there is a common humanity bridging the gap is borne out in the greatly moving final verse, “When my body dies,” when the singers, hushed and at their most inward, consider their own mortality.

The excellent band, augmented by brass, and the choir come more into play in the two choral works – Laudate Pueri Dominum and Confitebor Tibi Domine – that round out the disc. It brings the work of these two fine singers into a new, more expansive sonic perspective, and the pieces emerge as far more than “filler.”

Exactly 200 years after the Per-

golesi premiere, in a private chapel in Naples, Francis Poulenc had a conversion experience at Our Lady of Rocmandour that reignited in him the Catholic faith into which he was born. If it didn’t quite drive the sound of the music hall and the “Paris sexuality” of his heady days among Les Six out of his music, it did lead to the composition of a considerable body of “church music for the concert hall.”

Listening to his Stabat Mater – even in as exemplary a performance as Daniel Reuss’ with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, with soloist Carolyn Sampson (Harmonia Mundi) – the realization that Poulenc was largely, and certainly initially, self-taught as a composer is never far off. By this late stage in his highly successful career, he was writing with confidence, mastery, and his characteristic flair. But even though his Stabat Mater was conceived as a quasi-requiem upon the death of his close friend Christian Bernard, a painter and set designer, it’s sometimes a strain not to hear it as a confectioner’s Stabat Mater.

I have no idea if Poulenc knew Pergolesi’s piece, but it’s uncanny that the verse I described above as almost (textually inappropriately) jolly comes to a close in Poulenc I can only describe as saucy. And if there are fewer dissonances per se than in Pergolesi, the sliding one at the end of the second stanza, describing the sword piercing Jesus’ side, is pungent.

It’s overall a fetching, impressive work, and the Estonian musicians weigh in with a performance of such substance and uplift, the only faith you would question is your own, not Poulenc’s. But more interesting, at least to me, is the curtain-raising Sept Repons de Tenebres, a 1963 take on a particularly French aspect of Good Friday music, commissioned

by Leonard Bernstein for the New York Philharmonic.

In it, too, you wonder why in the thick of Jesus’ despairing “God, why have you forsaken me?” Poulenc drops in a harp glissando out of nowhere. But what makes these Seven Responses gripping is their generally darker and more iridescent colors and wild changes of mood. Poulenc was insistent that the choir be allmale, with boys in the treble, and if Reuss’ performance makes a strong case for it with more conventional forces, it’s clear it would be even more powerful and unsettling with all men.t

of the role. Oh, those wigs! Oh, that pink dressing room, which Harris says he needed to “give me energy.”

Steven Trask, who composed the songs & lyrics for the musical, said he always knew Neil Patrick Harris would be fantastic as Hedwig, and watching the clips of Harris’ performance just made us want to head to New York. We’ve loved Harris’ previous forays into musicality, and we have no doubt he is magnificent in the role.

Finally, the RuPaul controversy just will not go away. The back-andforth match between drag queens, SRS trans women and non-SRS genderqueers has been heating up all over social media. RuPaul just penned a new response to the critics and announced some changes are in the works for Drag Race, including removing the word some younger trans view as a slur but which RuPaul has used to describe himself for

decades, “tranny.” (We personally think this should have been done eons ago.)

Not being trans or a drag queen, we can’t wade in on a personal level.

All we can say about this is, respect the people who came before you as much as you respect your own politics. In the era before social media, some of us were literally risking our lives to do activism, and RuPaul (and Calpernia Addams and Andrea James) was one of those. Now 54, he was behind and in front of the camera, he was in the streets, and he was never hiding behind a keyboard in mom’s basement. Nor were those brave drag queens taking on the police at Stonewall. Activism doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Nor should it.

So to catch season finales, lesbian promos (yes, Orange Is the New Black is almost back!) and actors being activists, you really must stay tuned.t

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here’s more than just two centuries separating two settings of the defining Good Friday hymn Stabat Mater, recently released on two superb CDs. The Latin poem, thought to date from the 13th century, contemplates the mother of Jesus looking at her son on the cross with a psychological penetration and interiority still startling today. So, not surprisingly, it has fired the imaginations of composers across the centuries since, few contrasting as much as Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, who composed his Stabat Mater on commission in 1734, and Francis Poulenc, one of the more floridly gay composers of the last century, whose far more expansive setting had its premiere in 1951.

The Baroque composers who did not set the Stabat Mater would make a shorter list, but Pergolesi’s – a “late” work, written, as it was, shortly before the opera composer died at 26 – has long held a kind of pride of place.

The early-music revival now in its third generation has assured that it has won superlative recordings from directors as different as Claudio Abbado and Christophe Rousset, the latter of whose seemed to me unbeatable until the latest – Diego Fasolis’ with his I Barocchisti, new-on-the-scene soprano Julia Lezhneva, and gay countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, “superstar” cover boy of the new edition of Opera News (Erato) – earned a place right beside it at the foot of the cross.

It’s a hothouse flower. It achieves the blend of high voices critical to its success with Leshneva’s achingly pure (and more often than not vibratoless) soprano peeling off the top of Jaroussky’s far more pungent and innately expressive sound. Only the hearing-impaired could confuse the two, or lose sight of who’s singing at any given moment, but together they do have an uncanny ability to create a shared sonority – particularly in unison, of course – that sounds like a third, single voice.

It’s precisely the kind of ear-fuck the Baroque thrives on, and for all the fine period-sensitive singing we’ve become accustomed to, it’s something we haven’t heard this potently in a good while, and it’s captivating.

Those generations of historically informed performance have, ironically, made us so familiar with dissonance as it is made in the Baroque that we’re almost inured to it. It sounds so right, rather than wrong or even chafing, that you almost

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From page 20

say, underscore the importance of taking one’s meds. The show used Kay Redfield Jamison’s The Unquiet Mind as a template. Jamison is herself a psychologist who suffers from bipolar disorder. Reilly has musical hallucinations in Black Box while she’s off her meds, so there’s a lot of dancing. The show will either be awesomely good or awesomely awful. We’ll keep you posted.

We caught a Nightline/GMA/ WNN mashup segment spotlighting everybody’s favorite gay actor, Neil Patrick Harris, now on Broadway in the title role of the transgender singer/dancer in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The interview was fun, informative, and just the right touch of political. Harris, clean-shaven and much thinner for the role, told GMA’s Lara Spencer all the tidbits As the PsPrint logo get smaller the symbol will vary in size in relation to the “DELUXE” copy.

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Film>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society

Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society and Cohen Media Group

Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris star in director Cedric Klapisch’s Chinese Puzzle, playing the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival.

A scene from director Fernando Eimbcke’s Club Sandwich.

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unique approach to educating the children of its many recent immigrants. In the course of 90 minutes we experience life in a Paris middle-school “reception class” where a sensitive teacher helps kids from over two dozen world cultures find their way to speak passable French and secure a future for themselves in this nation of 60 million souls.

American viewers will get a timely lesson in the importance of a common tongue for a society’s ability to remain vibrantly diverse and democratic. (New People, 4/27, 28) The Seventh Walk Amit Dutta provides an aesthetically rich trip

SFIFF 57

From page 13

What Now? Remind Me This remarkable film memoir from Portuguese documentary-maker, sound technician and longtime HIV survivor Joaquim Pinto is much more than a 164-minute account of a peripatetic artist’s bid to outlast a deadly disease. In the process of describing his life with AIDS and younger boyfriend Nuno, Pinto celebrates the lives and unique perspectives of a generation of European filmmakers. Beginning with a meticulous account of his often-painful treatment strategies and ranging to how his travels, films and pets have nourished his creativity and will to live, Pinto celebrates life itself as well as subtly documenting the wide gulf between European and American styles of personal film expression.

Warning: this is not a casual viewing experience, and at nearly three discursive hours, many in the YouTube generation will be tempted to bail, or retreat to their iPads for bite-size, downloadable segments. (Kabuki, 4/25, 5/7; BAM/PFA, 4/27) Chinese Puzzle French auteur Cedric Klapisch finds a Gotham stage for the climax of his trilogy (The Spanish Apartment, Russian Dolls), about the life and loves of a writer/lothario who takes the idea of serial monogamy to an absurdly complicated plane. Xavier (the romantically nimble Romain Duris) is wrenched away from his beloved Paris when his ex-wife starts life anew with a fresh hubby and Xavier’s school-age kids. Landing in the trendy Brooklyn digs of lesbian pals,

Xavier is soon living over a Chinese bakery while time-sharing his kids, creating a marriage of immigration convenience, and packaging this soap opera for his pulp-fiction-loving publisher. The charming Duris gives a vivid performance in a story that is the male version of French auteur Julie Delpy’s Two Days in New York. (Kabuki, 4/26) All About the Feathers Firsttime Costa Rican director Neto Vittalobos brings us face-to-face with the realities of an ordinary guy who becomes unreasonably attached to a large, beautifully plumed gamecock.

Our man has dreams of winning big bucks by having his bird peck out the eyes of other fighting roosters in a cockfighting event. But complications ensue, and pretty soon our guy is evicted from his apartment, threatened by his boss, and refused a ride on a city bus. This cock-ofthe-walk road comedy is an example of why we love film festivals. (BAM/ PFA, 4/25; Kabuki, 4/27, 29) All That Jazz (1979) A tour de force self-portrait by the brilliant writer-director-choreographer Bob Fosse, as seamlessly impersonated in a career-peak turn from Roy Scheider. This darkly funny dramedy ranges from the dance floor to the casting couch to one of the most incredibly vivid near-death experiences ever captured in a fiction feature. One viewing and you’ll never forget the comic/tragic nuances of Fosse’s shower mantra, with pills and the day’s first cigarette: “It’s showtime!” (Kabuki, 4/27; BAM/ PFA, 5/2) Club Sandwich Fans of David O. Russell’s Spanking the Monkey and

Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society

All About the Feathers director Neto Villalobos, with the talent.

Louis Malle’s Murmur of the Heart will appreciate the cinematic pedigree of Fernando Eimbcke’s lowkey tale of a possessive mom and her fleshy 15-year-old son left with way too much time on their hands off-season in an all-but-deserted Mexican resort. Mom is fond of rubbing Sonny down with scented lotions, managing to creep up to but not cross the mother of all taboos.

Things get a bit messy when Sonny finds an age-appropriate girlfriend.

But Mom is not easily discouraged, as demonstrated in a lovely comic update on spin-the-bottle. It’s a surprisingly tasteful hot-weather treat from the director of the classic Mexican teen-boy farce Duck Season.

(Kabuki, 4/26, 5/4; New People, 4/28) History of Fear Argentine director Benjamin Naishtat conjures up the spirit and unsettling rhythms of The Blair Witch Project in this weirdly wired sample of the paranoia that envelops the citizens of Buenos Aires during a paranormal incident whose parameters are never entirely spelled out. (Kabuki, 4/30; New People, 5/2; BAM/PFA, 5/7) No No: A Dockumentary Even the title of Jeffrey Radice’s portrait of a fabulous eccentric is a tad inside baseball. A “no no” is baseball lingo for a no-hitter, and the dock in question is the early-70s African American high-wire act, the LSDloving Dock Ellis. While one would think that his Hall of Fame-worthy LSD stunt would have secured Ellis’ future, the irascible athlete lost command of his pitches, career and life, setting the stage for a truly remarkable comeback. (Kabuki 4/25, 26, 5/4) The Double In the first of two Jesse Eisenberg features getting their Bay Area debuts at the festival, director Richard Ayoade gives us a double scoop of Jesse as the actor morphs into his own doppelganger.

This feature promises a doubling down on the young Gotham-based actor/writer’s trademark motifs of angst and humiliation. (Kabuki, 4/26, 29) The Reconstruction This lowkey drama, which bears an odd resemblance to the Jack Nicholson/ Bob Rafelson 1970 masterpiece Five Easy Pieces, begins with an Argentine oil worker, Eduardo, consumed by the isolation of his life and an unresolved grief. Eduardo gets a second chance to reclaim his emotional bearings when an old friend summons him to aid in a desperate life crisis. In an extraordinary performance from the ruggedly handsome Diego Peretti, we see how an embittered soul learns to subsume his anger for the sake of others. Juan Taratuto’s beautifully spare narrative reminds us why Argentina remains the capital of Latin American narrative filmmaking. (New People, 4/25, 30; Kabuki, 4/28) School of Babel Julie Bertuccelli’s intimate doc examines France’s

through Northern India’s gorgeous Kangra Valley that is blissfully subtitle-free. (BAM/PFA, 4/26; Kabuki, 4/29, 5/1) Tangerines Zaza Urushadze’s slow-percolating drama finds a simple farmer navigating a perilous truce between warring factions in the 1992 border war between Georgia and Estonia. This dilemma, torn from today’s headlines, demonstrates just how much a good man can and can’t do to keep the peace between bitter ethnic rivals. (Kabuki, 4/26, 27; BAM/PFA, 5/6)t Info: www.sffs.org

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glass pieces part of program 8 triple bill

MAY 1–11

Don’t miss three exuberant ballets

by America’s most legendary dance makers! Set to a score by Philip Glass, Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces is a heart-stopping work that pulses with the energy of the big city. Plus two works by the dance world’s most celebrated choreographer, George Balanchine: Agon and Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet round out the evening.

JEREMY RUCKER IN ROBBINS’ GLASS PIECES (© ERIK TOMASSON)

nite out: FRI, MAY 9

After a thrilling performance, join Nite Out hosts Principal Dancer Damian Smith and Corps de Ballet Dancer Shannon Marie Rugani and other SF Ballet dancers for a post-show party. Get to know our dancers, enjoy complimentary cocktails, light bites, and a live DJ.

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PERSONALS Vol. 44 • No. 17 • April 24-30, 2014

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Cheap Eats

LEATHER

Perfect Plates for Post-Tax Penny-pinching

by Sean Timberlake

A

See page 2 >>

Brent Ichishita

s a freelance writer, I feel the pinch especially bitterly come tax season. If Uncle Sam’s hands were any deeper in my pockets, I’d ask him to buy me dinner first.

Speaking of dinner, even a poor guy’s gotta eat, and though my husband and I are capable and frugal cooks (seriously, you wouldn’t believe what we can do with leftovers), sometimes we just want to enjoy a bite out in the world.

Luckily, San Francisco is one of the great capitals of cheap eats, despite our famously high cost of living. While it’s not hard to drop a few Benjamins on a meal in this town, if you’re canny you can easily make George your dining partner for the night. The major questions are where and when.

Left: Paella at Congito Above: A chef at The Palace.

Shirts and Skin

Bare Chest Calendar Finals Take It Off

by Jim Provenzano

I

Rich Stadtmiller

n what has become an ongoing tradition at The Powerhouse for years, men of all shapes and sizes have been taking their shirts off in the fun and sexy Bare Chest 2015 Calendar competitions. With eighteen finalists chosen from the many smaller competitions, the final event will be held Sunday April 27, 5:30pm at DNA Lounge, all to raise funds for the AIDS Emergency Fund and Positive Resource Center.

A stalwart host of the fundraisers for three years, Mark Paladini said that the Bare Chest events have been held at The Powerhouse Bar since 1999. The annual events go back to 1984, where they were first held at The Eagle.

See page 3 >> MC Mark Paladini and Bare Chest finalist Fons Mendoza at The Powerhouse.

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

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Cheap Eats

cheap eats can be found in the more easterly Inner Richmond at Wing Lee (503 Clement Street) and Good Luck (736 Clement Street).

From page 1

Mexican, Duh The glorious beast that is the San Francisco-style burrito is the ultimate bargain bite, a mighty tube of meat, beans, rice and whatever else you can cram in there. I wouldn’t deign to tell you which taqueria is the best – I’ve seen heated conversations nearly turned to fisticuffs over such arguments – but a few consistently draw devotees.

Among the most downtempo is Taqueria Cancun (2288 Mission Street and 1003 Market Street), with locations at two fragrant and scenic locations. Your basic burrito starts at just $4.99, with a super or wet just a buck more. Massive Taqueria Pan- The festive décor at Taqueria Cancun cho Villa (3071 16th Street) and smaller sister El Toro basic model competes on price with (598 Valencia Street) are Mission Cancun. Of course there’s more to mainstays, and a basic meat ‘rito will Mexican than burritos, and tacos set you back just seven smackers. A can be an even more affordable oppoll from Esquire magazine recently tion. I have a friend who says that saw the burrito at El Farolito (2779 anyone who doesn’t like La TaqueMission Street and other locations) ria (2889 Mission Street) is dead to rated as “Most Life-Changing” in her, and luckily I am a fan of their the country, and at $5.25 for the tacos, which come in under four bucks. The tacos from the trucks at El Tonayense (Harrison Street at 14th, 17th and 19th) are the real deal, fresh and hot, and just two dollars a pop. The meat options for the tacos at La Palma (2884 24th Street) are expansive, including their heartstoppingly rich chicharrones

EDITOR Jim Provenzano DESIGNERS Jay Cribas, Max Leger ADVERTISING SALES Scott Wazlowski 415-359-2612 CONTRIBUTORS Ray Aguilera, Race Bannon, Matt Baume, Heather Cassell, Coy Ellison, Michael Flanagan, Dr. Jack Fritscher, Peter Hernandez, John F. Karr, T. Scott King, Sal Meza, David Elijah-Nahmod, Adam Sandel, Donna Sachet, Jim Stewart, Ronn Vigh, Cornelius Washington PHOTOGRAPHY Biron, Wayne Bund, Marques Daniels, Don Eckert, Lydia Gonzales, Rick Gerharter, Jose Guzman-Colon, Georg Lester, Dan Lloyd, Jim Provenzano, Rich Stadtmiller, Monty Suwannukul, Steven Underhill BARtab is published by BAR Media, Inc. PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT Michael M. Yamashita CHAIRMAN Thomas E. Horn VP AND CFO Patrick G. Brown SECRETARY Todd A. Vogt BAR Media, Inc. 225 Bush Street, Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94104 (415) 861-5019 www.BARtabSF.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. Melbostad Member National Gay Newspaper Guild Copyright © 2014, Bay Area Reporter, a division of BAR Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t Poo-poo Pupusas There’s more to masa than tortillas. Pupusas, native to El Salvador, are a sort of stuffed tortilla, filled with cheese, meat or vegetables – definitely try the loroco, the flower buds of a plant from Central America. Among the most popular pupuserias are El Balompie (3349 18th Street and 3801 Mission Street), where a mínimum order of two pupusas will only cost five big boys, and a gutbusting combo platter is barely 10. Oldschool fave El Zocalo (3230 Mission Street) sells theirs for even less, just $2 apiece.

These have come in very handy after a few late nights at El Rio, nearby.

Dinner at El Balompie.

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classic New York ‘za as you can get anywhere in the Bay Area.

Affordable Luxury On the off chance that you came into a small windfall from your tax return, you can invest in a ceBudget-Slicing Slices lebratory meal while still leaving a Even the city’s highfalulittle scratch on the side. By far one tin Neapolitan pizzas are of the greatest value meals in the relatively affordable, but if city is at The Palace (3047 Mission you want to get the most Street), a former neighborhood dough for your dough, hit steakhouse gone boho haute. Chef up Goat Hill Pizza (300 Manny Gimenez converted two Connecticut Street, 171 previous jenky eateries, Mr. Pollo Stillman Street and 170 W and Roxy’s Cafe, creating afforPortal Avenue) on Monday dable tasting menus by focusing nights for their all-youon farm-fresh ingredients and can-eat pizza and salad exminimizing overhead. travaganza for just $10.95.

At The Palace, he pours even If you’re just looking for greater attention on the food, with bite, Arinell Pizza (509 a protein-centric five-course $50 Valencia Street) sells slices tasting menu that would cost doufor $2.75 each. They call it ble anywhere else. Currently he’s Neapolitan, but don’t be featuring scallops with beets and fooled – this is as close to dandelion pesto; red snapper with fresh peas, artichoke puree and crispy artichoke hearts; handmade fettuccine with garlic sauce and black truffles and lamb chops with pencil asparagus, pickled ramps, foraged candy cap mushrooms and paked potato. The culmination is Snake River Farms teres major, or shoulder tender, sort of a poor man’s filet mignon, which can be upgraded to wagyu rib eye for an additional $25 – still a relative bargain. The restaurant recently got their beer and wine license, and Sean Timberlake have selected one white and red each available by the glass or bottle to pair, or corkage is just $15 if you care to BYO. Over in Noe Valley, Contigo (1320 Castro Street) offers a standard five-course tasting menu of the restaurant’s greatest hits most nights for $42, but Tuesdays have a special $34 tasting menu centered on the chef ’s amazing paella. Both menus start off with small bites from their selection of tapas, like their toasts with local sardines, avocado, pickled onion and smoked salt, and croquetas with jamón iberico. The paella changes at the chef ’s whim, at times leaning more heavily on seafood, or perhaps a stronger focus on chicken and sausages. No matter which you get, it’s delicious, and easily could feed four.t

Troll the Tenderloin The Mission One of Pakwan’s sumptuous curry dishes doesn’t have a lock on cheap chow. You Grab Some Dim Sum can pop into nearly any eatery in the If your sole exposure to dim sum Tenderloin for an inexpensive bite is a certain downtown restaurant, with a global perspective. Indian you can be excused for thinking it and Pakistani food prevail here (a too easy to run up a wallet-busting friend once coined the neighbortab. But if you take an excursion Goat Hill Pizza hood the “Tandoorloin”). The enviout to the avenues, you’ll find oprons are decidedly unfancy, but what tions that are far more you sacrifice in atmosphere you budget-friendly. Among gain in value at places like Shalimar the most esteemed is (532 Jones Street), Chutney (511 Shanghai Dumpling Jones Street), Lahore Karahi (612 King (3319 Balboa O’Farrell Street) and Pakwan (501 Street), and indeed their O’Farrell Street), where curries tend famed Shanghainese to run in the range of six to eight soup dumplings (xiao dollars. long bao) are indeed deAlternatively, hit up some Vietlicious, but be sure not namese, like steaming bowls of fillto miss the egg puffs. ing pho at Turtle Tower (645 LarOne time we went with kin Street), Pho 2000 (637 Larkin a group, ate our weight Street), Pho Tan Hoa (431 Jones in dumplings, and the Street) or Four Seasons (721 Larkin bill came to $11 a perStreet). Or, for the ultimate low-cost son. Believe it or not, bite, grab a banh mi, arguably the just across the street at world’s greatest sandwich, at SaiJook Time (3398A Balgon Sandwich (560 Larkin Street) boa Street) the dumpfor just $3.25. I defy you to find a lings and buns are even cheaper, more satisfying meal. cheaper. Other super- A stylish dish at The Palace

Brent Ichishita

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April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

Bare Chest

survive on Social Security.

The ‘emergency’ isn’t the same these days; it’s about surviving long term.”

While other larger nonprofits have received criticism for high executive salaries, the Bare Chest recipients keep their budgets reasonable.

“Its one of the the appeals of working with AEF and PRC,” said Victoria. “They have some of the highest returns for their client rate in the nonprofit world.”t

From page 1

“There used to be two a month,” said Paladini. “Now we’ve redesigned it where there’s a preliminary round for the first three months of the year. Then if those gentlemen garner a certain amount of points, they make it to the finals at the end of April.”

Along with selling lots of raffle tickets for prizes at the preliminary events, Paladini said contestants “are busy and very well-informed. Before they get involved, there’s an orientation process. These guys go into it knowing what’s going to be required for them, not just semi-finals night, but for the entire process.”

The early years of the Bare Chest Calendar events focused mostly on contestants’ hunky qualities. But as Paladini said, “Now it’s evolved, like most other projects, to be about the mind, spirit and body. We’re looking for guys that have a great sense of humor, not just a physical aspect, but that they’re into it, and have a style about them. We’re looking for a whole guy. That has allowed us to open up to a lot of different communities.”

As stated in the event’s website, scoring for the semi-finals is based on five categories: salesmanship, overall participation, stage presence, responsibility and raffle sales amount. The shift from the contest’s original leather focus is notable as well.

“You see that reflected in today’s calendar,” said Paladini. “It’s got a different focus and a different vibe.

Tradition is important, but we do try to reflect the personality of the guy in the calendar, which will reflect him.”

An amusing example is looking back to see Andy Cross photographed on a beach with a surf board, before he was later crowned Mr. SF Leather and Mr. IML Leather.

For the final competition and

Rich Stadtmiller

Bare Chest finalist Ron Evcimen with MC Mark Paladini at The Powerhouse

The Bare Chest Calendar Finals will be held Sunday, April 27, 5:30 to 9pm, at DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. $5-$10. www.barechest.org www.dnalounge.com/ tickets

fundraising community since 1998.

“Some of them are coming out of their comfort zone, getting to know people, and making connections with guys they would have never talked to.

This is a really great way to connect to the community.”

This is just an additional component at the heart of the contests, which is to raise funds for AEF and PRC. “Of course, the money’s important to these organizations and to their survival,” said Paladini. “But it’s also about conRich Stadtmiller nections. It’s a really different part of our Bare Chest finalist Paul Younadim strips off community. There’s his shirt. something beyond

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Measuring a patron’s inseam with raffle tickets at The Powerhouse.

show at the DNA Lounge, Paladini mentioned the entertainment, which will include violinist Kippy Marks, co-MC Cookie Dough, and guitarist-vocalist Peter Feliciano.

Admittedly, “Some still compare it to a male beauty pageant, and there are some aspects that will reflect that,” said Paladini. “Guys will wear their favorite sexy gear, and answer more reflective questions. But the event is meant to be a celebration of the sales and fundraising of all participants, not just about the twelve guys who will be chosen.”

And this weekend’s finals are just the beginning for the calendar men.

Among the upcoming events are the annual dinner date auction, where winning bidders and calendar men will attend the Macy’s Passport gala in autumn.

“It’s amazing to see the guys involved in the process,” said Paladini, who’s been part of the local event

just some guys in gay bars.”

For the Bare Chest’s Managing Director Will Victoria, “The Powerhouse has been my stomping ground for the past several years, so it seemed a good fit,” he said.

Now in his third year in the position, he admitted that, “It’s a pretty big job, but by the finals, it’s really a celebration of all the hard work the contestants do. They’ll raise well over $60,000 by the end. It’s a celebration of their commitment.”

Among the grand prize raffles at the Finals are a Macbook Pro, a Public road bike, and a local shopping spree at several participating stores.

As we discussed the atmosphere of complacency around AIDS/HIV in the gay community, Victoria emphasized the importance of both the AIDS Emergency Fund and Positive Resource Center.

“These two groups serve several thousand clients who are trying to

win one of these prizes!

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Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

BARchive: Barbary Coasting

by Jim Stewart

T

he crew was anxious to knock off. It was a fine April afternoon in San Francisco, 1976. We’d finished the drywall in the Victorian on Fillmore. I was anxious to start asswarming the meat rack at The Ambush on Harrison when Jim Goldsmith, owner of Jade Enterprises, my boss, nodded me over. Oh-oh.

Had I screwed up the drywall?

“How’d you like to come to the talent show the Barbary Coasters are putting on Saturday?” he said.

“It’s our tenth anniversary.”

I hadn’t screwed up the drywall!

“Sure,” I said.

Goldsmith, his partner Chris, and the third member of their ménage a trios, Thaddeus, were members of

the Barbary Coasters Motorcycle Club. I’d seen them in denim overlay colors sporting the blue and gold buddy-riders by the Bay emblem.

“Where is it?”

“California Hall,” he said, “625 Polk.”

I knew where that was. A lot of gay events were held there. I’d heard of the infamous gay ball there the cops had tried to break up on New Years Eve 1965.

“Starts at nine,” he said and handed me a ticket.

“I don’t have to perform?”

I didn’t. “Can I bring my camera?”

I could.

After meeting for almost a year, the Barbary Coasters were officially incorporated as a “Mutual Benefit” nonprofit with the California Secretary of State on November 25, 1966.

As part of the post WWII California gay motorcycle club movement, they cultivated the rebel biker image popularized by Marlon Brando’s 1953 film The Wild One. The Barbary Coasters’ outings or “runs” to such places as Stanislaus National Forest near Yosemite (1987) often featured grand pageantry and campy drag shows not dissimilar from the thes-

pian productions of the City’s famous straight “gentlemen’s club” at its private Bohemian Grove hidden in the Sonoma County forest.

I found a parking space, presented my ticket, and entered. I was greeted by an all-male crowd, mostly in black leather, many with various denim club overlays.

“There you are,” Goldsmith said.

He put his arm around my shoulder and gave me a squeeze. He was in full leather including the Coasters overlay.

“Brought your camera,” Chris

t

said. He and Thaddeus were both dressed in black tuxes with ruffled shirt-fronts and big bow ties.

“Let’s get our seats,” Goldsmith said. He herded us into the auditorium. I sat on the outside aisle so I could maneuver quickly to make the best of my Nikon. With no flash I had to slow down the exposure speed.

There were a dozen or so amateur acts on stage, including an artfully clumsy drag ballet, “Schwanz Lake;” an umbrella twirling drag grandmother bawdily “Singing in

Jim Stewart

Leathermen on Air-Motorcycle in Barbary Coasters’ Amateur Talent Contest.

the Rain;” and a racy Puck from the Bard’s “Midsummer-Night’s Dream.” My favorites were Snow White singing a risqué version of “Someday My Prince Will Cum” and a trio of leathermen performing on an air-motorcycle as if they were cruising Ringold Alley after the bars closed.

The Barbary Coasters won the “Best Run of the Year Award” from the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance nine times out of eleven from 1978 through 1988. Their last nonprofit statement filed with the California Secretary of State on October 27, 1989 listed them as “Suspended.”t

Jim Stewart

Leatherman at Barbary Coasters’ 10th Anniversary.

© 2014 writerJimStewart@hotmail. com For further true gay adven-

Jim Stewart

Snow White in Barbary Coasters’ Amateur Talent Contestant.

tures, check out the award-winning Folsom Street Blues: A Memoir of 1970s SoMa and Leatherfolk in Gay San Francisco by Jim Stewart.

Jazz Hands Chorus’ Casino at Beatbox

Jeff Benson

SWAG, the SF Gay Men’s Chorus’ newest ensemble.

by Jim Provenzano

E

njoy “le jazz hot, baby” on April 25 when members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will present a casino and cabaret night at Beatbox.

Jazz Hot Casino Cabaret, a fundraiser for the Chorus’s financial assistance program, will feature performances by SWAG, their newest ensemble, and The Divas, a flapper-girl drag trio. Guests can enjoy blackjack, card games and

baccarat while gambling with “Carlotta Cash,” the event’s play money, available via donations of real cash to the event.

The gin won’t be bathtub bootleg, but it will be served by Beatbox’s studly bartenders. Prizes at the event include dinner at the awardwinning restaurant A16.t Jazz Hot Casino Cabaret; Friday April 25, 7pm-10pm. Beatbox, 314 11th St. www.sfgmc.org www.beatboxsf.com

The Divas perform their flapper act.

t

Read more online at www.ebar.com

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5

Galas and Giggles

by Donna Sachet

blywoman Fiona Ma, and SF Health Director Barbara Garcia, presented s promised here two weeks ago,

by Supervisor David Campos. The Equality California’s Gala on most moving speech of the night April 12 packed the grand Palace was by State Farm Good Neighbor Hotel with political movers and Award recipient Vivienne Ming, shakers, reminding us of the onwho told of her story of living for going fight for full and equal civil so long with the secret of wanting rights for the LGBT Community. to be a woman and fearing the devWe arrived with Gretchen astating consequences of revealing Fleischmann, Lyz Rigili, that secret, professionand Chris Carnes, ally and personally. In longtime board mem2005, she faced that ber of EQCA. During fear head on, and tothe cocktail hour we day enjoys life as a wife, hob-nobbed with Julian mother, and entrepreChang and Wade Estey, neur in the high tech Matt Haney, Larry industry. Stories such Block, Paul Henderas hers are still the exson, Rebecca Rolfe, Zoe ception rather than the Dunning, Jennifer Sha rule, but hearing them Chan, Steve Adams, Jon Ballestegives hope to so many others. After ros, Joe D’Alessandro, Mark Reisbrief remarks from Executive Direcbaum, and co-chairs of the evening tor John O’Connor, this crowd was Bevan Dufty and Suzy Jones. ready for some roof-raising music The seated program included

by Frenchie Davis and high energy awards to City Attorney Dennis dancing into the night.

Herrera, presented by State AssemLast Sunday’s Gay Comedy Show for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation brought together a great group of comics, many of them friends to the LGBT Community for years. Bruce Vilanch emceed, keeping the evening moving while sharing stories of his own.

This was definitely an adult evening as comic after comic pushed the envelope of correctness, but always keeping the audience’s attention.

Shann Carr, Marga Gomez, Kit Tipata Chris Carnes, Donna Sachet and Bevan Dufty and Ali Fame Mafi at the Equality California gala. delivered fast-pace

A

stand-up routines, while Katya Smirnoff-Sky, Shawn Ryan, Jason Brock, Leanne Borghesi, and B.O.O.B.S. used music to get the crowd laughing. Rounding out the night was a sensational performance by the gorgeous Cassandra Cass and a quick, profitable live auction overseen by Lenny Bro-

Steven Underhill

Donna with singer Shawn Ryan at The Big Gay Comedy Show.

berg. At the VIP reception with the performers afterwards in the recently expanded and improved lobby of the Marine’s Memorial Theatre, we also caught up with Linda Lee, Jerome Goldstein and Tommy Taylor, Miguel-e Gutierrez-Ranzi, Gary Virginia, Larry Horowitz, Richard Sablatura, Jeff Doney, Charles Roseberry, Beth Schnitzer and Patrik Gallineaux.

Miss Eva Sensitiva, current Miss Golden Gate of the Imperial Court, celebrated her birthday with a well-attended drag show at the Verdi Club, a new location to us in Portrero Hill with full stage, bar, and lots of room for attendees.

The well-rehearsed opening num-

ber by Eva and Nic Hunter, current hosted by this columnist. Although Mr. Golden Gate, and a cadre of you may be familiar with our parsexy dancers set the stage for a fun ticular penchant for red, you may night. Other stand-out performbe surprised how well it looks on a ers included Daft-Nee Gesuntheit, variety of drag queens and first-timCockatielia, Baby Shaques Shakes, ers, some from the handsome bar Keri Hanna, Patty McGroin and team for AIDS LifeCycle. Help us emcee Deana Dawn. The audience raise money while getting in touch reflected her wide range of friends with your softer side! and benefited Bay Area Young PosiAnd the following Friday, May tives. Throughout the night, scantily 9, is Cirque de l’Arc, a not-to-bedressed volunteers sold Jello shots missed extravaganza at 1500 Howand generally kept the room stimuard St. with a circus theme, silent lated. We enjoyed most of the show and live auction, food and drink, in the company of CoCo Butter, and outstanding entertainment Kevin Lisle, Erin Lavery and Gary including Kitty Glamour, CockaVirginia, then returned to the Castielia, Galilea, Alexis Miranda Patro, as evidenced by the accompanytrice, Rahni, Mercedes, the Sisters ing raucous photo at The Edge. of Perpetual Indulgence, and memBy the time you read this, it should be official that the name of Vicki Marlane, the late popular transsexual entertainer and activist, will be added to a block of Turk Street, address of Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, where she last performed in a regular show with the Hot Boxxx Donna and pals at The Edge Girls. Congratulations to those who worked so hard bers of the SF Gay Men’s Chorus. to make this happen.

Last year’s finale production includThis Sunday April 27 is the finale ed clients of The Arc performing to of the Bare Chest Calendar Contest Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, and it at DNA Lounge hosted by Cookie brought the house down! This funDough and Mark Paladini and feafilled annual event benefits The Arc, turing all the handsome finalists for which provides life-changing serthis 31st edition of the fundraising vices to people with intellectual and calendar. This is always a night of developmental disabilities. Their good-hearted, sexy competition. recently created event space has Don’t miss the second annual hosted many community events, so Red Dress Ball at The Lookout on let’s support this event designed to Saturday, May 3, starting at 9PM, finance their ongoing programs.t

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<< On the Tab

6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

TAB f eON THE –May 1 April 24

Underwear Party @ Powerhouse Strip down to your skivvies at the weekly cruisy SoMa bar night. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhouse-sf.com

VIP @ Club 21, Oakland Hip Hop, Top 40, and sexy Latin music; gogo dancers, appetizers, and special guest DJs. No cover before 11pm and just $5 after all night. Dancing 9pm-3am.

Happy hour 4pm-8:30pm 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

★

Sun 27

Fri 25 Bad Girl Cocktail Hour @ The Lexington Club Every Friday night, bad girls can get $1 dollar margaritas between 9pm and 10pm. 3464 19th St. between Mission and Valencia. 8632052. www.lexingtonclub.com

Fedorable @ El Rio

Joe Guzman-Colon

Free weekly queer dance party, with gogos, prizes, old groovy tunes, cheap cocktails. 9pm-2am. 3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.elriosf.com

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi The musical comedy revue celebrates its 40th year with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 4214222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Bearracuda @ Beatbox The bear-tastic fun returns with DJ Paul Goodyear $6-$10. 314 11th St. www.bearracuda.com

Beer Bust @ Hole in the Wall Saloon Beer only $8 until you bust. 4pm-8pm. 1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. www.hitws.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle The classic leather bar's most popular Sunday daytime event. 3pm-6pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Bootie SF @ DNA Lounge The weekly mash-up dance night, with resident DJs Adrian & Mysterious D. No matter the theme, a mixed fun good time's assured. $8-$15. 9pm-3am. 21+. 375 11th St. at Harrison. www.BootieSF.com www.DNAlounge.com

La Bota Loca @ Club 21, Oakland DJed tunes, gogo hotties, drag shows, drink specials, all at Oakland's premiere Latin nightclub and weekly cowboy night. $10$15. Dancing 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Club Rimshot @ Bench and Bar, Oakland Weekly hip hop and R&B night. $8-$15.

9pm to 4am. 510 17th St. www.bench-and-bar.com

Coco Peru @ Feinstein's at the Nikko The winsome comic drag performer shares songs and stories. $25-$40. 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

Freak-E Friday @ SF Eagle

Katy Smirnoff-Skyy

P

op goes the calendar, as a local favorite countess goes Beatles, an 80s gay pop icon returns, a boy band hunk grows up and goes solo, and younger musicians groove with retro reverance.

Thu 24

Nap's Karaoke @ Virgil's Sea Room

Big Bang Gala @ California Academy of Sciences

Sing out loud at the weekly least judgmental karaoke in town, hosted by the former owner of the bar. No cover. 9pm.

3152 Mission St. 829-2233. www.virgilssf.com

The museum's annual festive gala fundraiser, includes insightful talks, a seated dinner, and a museum-wide party with music by Ra Ra Riot and Youngblood Hawke, and a silent disco near the animal exhibits (earplugged humans, non-freaked animals). $100 includes drinks, desserts and light eats; 8:30pm-12am. Dinner and VIP reception $1000 and up; 6pm-12am.

55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences Themed event nights at the fascinating nature museum, with DJed dancing, cocktails, fish, frogs, food and fun. $10$12. 6pm-10pm, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Circle Jerk @ Nob Hill Theatre

Michael Brandon hosts a kink-themed night at the fave leather bar, with Element Eclipse, Sister Phyliss With-Litaday and the Big Cock Contest. 9pm-2am. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Friday Night @ de Young Museum Nightlife event at the museum takes on a 1920s theme, with Trio Zincalo & the Magik Magik String Trio, dancing and drinks. Presented by SF Bay Guardian. $20-$35. 6pm-8:30pm. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. www.deyoung.famsf.org

Go-Beaux @ Beaux Gogo-tastic weekly night at the new Castro club. Bring your dollahs, 'cause they'll make you holla. 9pm-2am.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Happy Friday @ Midnight Sun The popular video bar ends each week with gogo guys (starting at 9pm) and drink specials. Check out the new expanded front lounge, with a window view. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Latin Explosion @ Club 21, Oakland

Sat 26

Big talent Rafael Alencar's back in town; enjoy a whacking good time in the theatre arcade's underground playroom ($10, 9pm) the night before his stage shows April 25 & 26 ($25, 8pm & 10pm). 729 Bush St. at Powell.

397-6758. thenobhilltheatre.com

Speical Easter party with bunny-hoppin' gogos. Enjoy eight bars, more dance floors, and a smoking lounge at the largest gay Latin dance night in the Bay Area. March 21, Valentino's birthday bash. Happy hour 4pm-8:30pm. Dancing 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

The Crib @ 715 Dance night for the younger guys and gals. 9:30pm-2am. 715 Harrison St. www.thecribsf.com

Manimal @ Beaux Gogo-tastic night starts your weekend off right. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www. beauxsf.com

La Femme @ Beaux Ladies' happy hour at the Castro nightclub, with drink specials, no cover, and women gogos. 4pm-9pm.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Rafael Alencar @ Nob Hill Theatre Big talented Brazilian porn stud offers his hot strip show and lap dances. Bring your tip money. $25. 8pm & 10pm. Also April 26. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com Rich Stadtmiller

Fuego @ The Watergarden, San Jose Weekly event, with Latin music, halfoff locker fees and Latin men, at the South Bay private men's bath house. $8-$39. Reg hours 24/7. 18+. 1010 The Alameda. (408) 275-1215. www.thewatergarden.com

Sat 26

t

Shit & Champagne @ Rebel Bearracuda

Gym Class @ Hi Tops Enjoy cheap/free whiskey shots from jock-strapped hotties and sexy sports videos at the popular sports bar. 10pm2am. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.

HiTopsSF.com

Jukebox @ Beatbox Veteran DJ Page Hodel (The Box, Q and many other events) presents a new weekly dance event, with soul, funk, hip-hop and house mixes. $10. 21+. 9pm-2am. 314 11th St. at Folsom. www.BeatboxSF.com

Magic Parlor @ Chancellor Hotel Whimsical Belle Epoque-style sketch and magic show that also includes historical San Francisco stories; hosted by Walt Anthony; optional pre-show light dinner and desserts. $40. Thu-Sat 8pm. 433 Powell St. www.SFMagicParlor.com

The Monster Show @ The Edge Cookie Dough's weekly drag show with gogo guys and hilarious fun. $5. 9pm-2am.

4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Pan Dulce @ The Cafe Amazingly hot Papi gogo guys, cheap drinks and fun DJed dance music. Free before 10pm. $5 til 2am. 2369 Market St. www.clubpapi.com www.cafesf.com

Pearls Over Shanghai @ The Hypnodrome Thrillpeddlers' hilarious Cockettes revival returns, with new choreography, costumes and cast members. $30-$35. Thu-Sat 8pm.

Thru May 31. 575 10th St. (800) 838-3006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Peter Cincotti @ Feinstein's at the Nikko The vocalist-pianist performs new and classic songs at the elegant cabaret. $55$70. 8pm. Also April 25, 8pm. Nikko Hotel, 222 Mason St. www.hotelnikkosf.com/ feinsteins.aspx

Thursday Night Live @ SF Eagle The weekly live rock shows have returned.

9pm-ish. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

edgeonth

D'Arcy Drollinger's "whitesploitation" drag satire musical play kicks up the laughs; also starring Matthew Martin. $20-$25.

Fri & Sat, 8pm. Extended thru April 26.

1772 Market St. at Octavia. www.shitandchampagne.eventbrite.com

Code @ The Edge

Sleeper Agent @ Brick and Mortar

The monthly leather event celebrates its first anniversary, and includes three hot gogo guys, kink-friendly ambiance and drink specials. Follow the leather dress code or go elsewhere, please. 9pm-2am.

4149 18th St. www.edgesf.com

Garage pop band performs. Holychild and Pagiins open. $12-$15. 9pm. 1710 Mission St. 800-8782. www.brickandmortarmusic.com

Some Thing

Lunar New Year Banquet @ Legendary Palace Restaurant, Oakland

Mica Sigourney and pals' weekly offbeat drag performance night. 10pm-2am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Steam @ Powerhouse DJ Brian Urmanita spins tunes at the wet cruisy towel-snapping night. $100 Wet Towel Contest. $5 door benefits Project Inform. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhouse-sf.com

Sat 26 Okapi Sun

Okapi Sun @ Milk Bar

Themed Nights @ The Brig If you're looking for a new sexual adventure, check out this new space.

Weekend events take place Fridays through Mondays, and the intimate venue with a jail theme offers slings, tables and various spaces for erotic play. Sat-Mon, above PopSex960 at 962 Folsom St. at 6th St. www.BrigSF.com

The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community honors activist and computer engineer Koko Lin; silent auction, raffle drawings, scholarship awards and dinner. 7pm. 708 Franklin St., Oakland. www.apiqwtc.org Pop-tribal-techno duo performs at the local club to debut their new album Techno Prisoners. $10. 9pm. 1840 Haight St.

Bleaux @ Beaux Haute Toddy and Linsay Slowhands' twerky poppy fun night at the stylish Castro bar-nightclub. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

ShangriLa @ EndUp Dress for bed at the sexy Pajama Party, with DJ Oren Nizri, and Jim Z. $10-$20.

10pm-6am. 401 6th St. www.shangrilasf. eventbrite.com www.endupsf.com

t

On the Tab>>

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7

Sun 27

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room

Naked Night @ Nob Hill Theatre

Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon

Donna Sachet hosts 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.starlightroomsf.com

Strip down at the strip joint. $20 includes refreshments. 8pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell.

397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Mon 28

Weekly game night for board and electronic gamers at the warehouse multipurpose nightclub. 21+. 6pm-12am. 1425 Folsom St. www.showdownesports.com

The ursine crowd converges for beer and fun. 4pm-8pm. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsf.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle The cmost popular Sunday daytime event in town draws the menfolk. 3pm-6pm.

Now also on Saturdays. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Boy George @ The Fillmore The gay ‘80s pop star and musical composer is back on tour. $35-$47. 8pm.

1805 Geary Blvd. www.thefillmore.com

Brunch @ Hi Tops

Cock and Bull Mondays @ Hole in the Wall Saloon

Enjoy crunchy sandwiches and mimosas, aat the popular sports bar. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Cocktailgate @ Truck Suppositori Spelling's wild weekly drag show night. $3. 10pm-2am. 1900 Folsom St. www.trucksf.com

Sat 26 ShangriLa

Specials on drinks made with Cock and Bull ginger ale (Jack and Cock, Russian Mule, and more). 8pm-closing. 1369 Folsom St. 431-4695. www.hitws.com

Irish Dance Night @ Starry Plough, Berkeley Weekly dance lessons and live music at the pub-restaurant, hosted by John Slaymaker. $5. 7pm. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www.thestarryplough.com

Karaoke @ The Lookout Paul K hosts the amateur singing night.

8pm-2am. 3600 16th St. at Market. www.lookoutsf.com

LOL Mondays @ Club OMG Comedy night with Natasha Muse, David Obrien, Iris Benson and Mike Spiegelman, Free. Open mic sign-up 6:30, show 8:15.

43 Sixth St. www.clubOMGsf.com

Showdown @ Folsom Foundry

Modern Ball @ Yerba Buena Gardens/ City View SF Museum of Modern Art gala fundraiser dinner and party, with music by Holy Ghost and DJ Passion Pit. $125-$1000. 6pm-1am.

750 Howard St. 618-3263. www.sfmoma.org

Queer Salsa @ Beatbox Weekly Latin partner dance night. 8pm1am. 314 11th St. www.beatboxsf.com

Tuesday Night Live @ Beaux

Red Hots Burlesque @ El Rio

Jason Brock and pianist Dee Spencer cohost a new night of piano bar classics.

Pop tunes and throwback hits. 9pm. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Women's burlesque show performs each Wed & Fri. Karaoke follows. $5-$10. 7pm.

3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.elriosf.com

Trivia Night @ Hi Tops Play the trivia game at the popular new sports bar. 9pm. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Vincent Meis @ Magnet The author of Down in Cuba reads from and discusses his new book, with drinks, food, salsa lessons and dancing. 8pm.

4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Wed 30 Bottoms Up Bingo @ Hi Tops Play board games and win offbeat prizes at the popular sports bar. 9pm. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

So You Think You Can Gogo? @ Toad Hall The weekly dancing competition for gogo wannabes. 9pm. cash prizes, $2 well drinks (2 for 1 happy hour til 9pm). Show at 9pm.

4146 18th St. www.toadhallbar.com

Sony Holland @ Level III The acclaimed jazz vocalist performs with guitarist Jerry Holland. Weekly 5pm-8pm.

Also Thursdays & Fridays. JW Marriott, 515 Mason St. at Post. www.sonyholland.com

Trivia Night @ Harvey's BeBe Sweetbriar hosts a weekly night of trivia quizzes and fun and prizes; no cover.

8pm-1pm. 500 Castro St. 431-4278. www.harveyssf.com

Mahogany Mondays @ Midnight Sun Honey Mahogany's weekly drag and musical talent show starts around 10pm, with a RuPaul's Drag Race viewing as well.

4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Monday Musicals @ The Edge The casts of local and visiting musicals often pop in to perform at the popular Castro bar's musical theatre night. 7pm2am. 2 for 1 cocktail, 5pm-closing. 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Showers Bring...

EDGE brings you the latest and greatest in LGBT news and entertainment 365 days a year!

henet.com Full of Grace @ Beaux Weekly night with hostess Grace Towers, different local and visiting DJs, and pop-up drag performances. No cover. 9pm-2am.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

GayPocket Guide Theatre Rhino Fundraiser @ The Cinch Join cover model search finalists for the Gay Pocket Guide, local GLBT entertainers, and bid for fabulous raffle prizes at this annual beer bust to support Theatre Rhinoceros. 3pm-6pm, 1723 Polk St. at Washington. www.gaypocketusa.com www.cinchsf.com

GlamaZone @ The Cafe Pollo del Mar's weekly drag shows takes on different themes with a comic edge.

8:30-11:30pm. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Jock @ The Lookout The weekly jock-ular fun continues, with special sports team fundraisers. 3pm-7pm.

3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

No No Bingo @ Virgil's Sea Room Sue Casa, Tom Temprano and VivvyAnne ForeverMORE bring you board games and Monday fun. (2nd & 4th Mondays). 8pm11pm. 3152 Mission St. 829-2233. www.virgilssf.com

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni's Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

Shanté, You Stay @ Toad Hall BeBe Sweetbriar hosts a weekly viewing party of RuPaul's Drag Race, with a live drag show challenge. 8:30-11:30pm. 4146 18th st. at Castro. www.toadhallbar.com

Sports Night @ The Eagle The legendary leather bar gets jock-ular, with beer buckets, games (including beer pong and corn-hole!), prizes, sports on the TVs, and more fun. 398 12th St. at Harrison..www.sf-eagle.com

Tue 29 Katya Smirnoff-Skyy @ Feinstein's at the Nikko Our favorite exited Russian countess (aka actor-singer J. Conrad Frank) performs a new cabaret show, Back in the USSR, full of Beatles songs. $30-$45. 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.ticketweb.com

Liquid Brunch @ Beaux No cover, no food, just drinks (Mimosas, Bloody Marys, etc.) and music. 2pm-9pm.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Salsa Sundays @ El Rio Salsa dancing for LGBT folks and friends, with live merengue and cumbia bands; tapas and donations that support local causes. 2nd & 4th Sundays. 3pm-8pm.

3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.elriosf.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550 The popular country western LGBT dance night; enjoy fun foot-stomping twostepping and line-dancing. $5. 5pm10:30pm with lessons from 5:30-7:15 pm.

Also Thursdays. 550 Barneveld Ave., and Tuesdays at Beatbox, $6. 6:30-11pm. 314 11th St. www.sundancesaloon.org

Thu 1 Jeremy Jordan

Broadway Bingo @ Feinstein's at the Nikko Joe Wicht and Katya Smirnoff-Skyy cohost the weekly fun musical theatre trivia singalong night. Pull up a comfy chair or sofa, enjoy a cocktail or three, and test your Broadway knowledge. On haitus thru May. Kanpai Lounge, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. No cover. 7pm-10pm. 394-1111. www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx

Mad Manhattans @ Starlight Room The new weekly event includes classic cocktails created by David Cruz, and inspired by the the show Mad Men, plus retro food classics like prawn cocktails and Oysters Rockefeller, all with a fantastic city view. 6pm-10pm. 21st, Sir Francis Drake Hotel. 450 Powell St. www.starlightroomsf.com

Mon 28

Underwear Night @ SF Eagle Strip down to your skivvies at the popular leather bar. 9pm-2am. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Way Back @ Midnight Sun Weekly screenings of vintage music videos and retro drink prices. Check out the new expanded front window lounge. 9pm-2am.

4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Thu 1 Gym Class @ Hi Tops Enjoy cheap/free whiskey shots from jockstrapped hotties and sexy sports videos at the popular new sports bar. 10pm-2am.

2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Jeremy Jordan @ Feinstein's at the Nikko

13 Licks @ Q Bar

The handsome pop singer performs his solo cabaret show. $45-$60. 8pm. Also May 2, 8pm; May 3 & 4, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.ticketweb.com

Weekly women's night at the stylish intimate bar. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Nightlife @ California Academy of Sciences The museum's weekly cocktail parties continue, this week with a Jackpot gambling theme. $10-$12. 6pm-10pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park.

379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Block Party @ Midnight Sun Weekly screenings of music videos, concert footage, interviews and more, of popular pop stars. 9pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 8614186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Pan Dulce @ The Cafe

Bombshell Betty & Her Burlesqueteers @ Elbo Room

Enjoy amazingly hot Papi gogo guys, cheap drinks and fun DJed dance music. Free before 10pm. $5 til 2am. 2369 Market St. www.clubpapi.com www.cafesf.com

The weekly burlesque show of women dancers shaking their bonbons includes live music. $10. 9pm. 647 Valencia St. 5527788. www.elbo.com

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey's Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gay-friendly comedy night. One-drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Ink & Metal @ Powerhouse Show off your tattoos and piercings at the weekly cruisy SoMa bar night. 10pm-2am.

1347 Folsom St. www.powerhouse-sf.com

Boy George

Miss Kitty's Trivia Night @ Wild Side West The weekly fun night at the Bernal Heights bar includes prizes, hosted by Kitty Tapata.

No cover. 7pm-10pm. 424 Cortland St. 6473099. www.wildsidewest.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie's Lounge Tenth anniversary of the intimate groovy retro disco night with tunes spun by DJ Bus Station John. $4. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

Want your nightlife event listed?

Email events@ebar.com, at least two weeks before your event.

Event photos welcome.

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8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

San Francisco’s 18+ Sex Club!

t

Rafael Alencar The Hardest Working Man

by Cornelius Washington

H

aving been described as The Energizer Bunny of Gay Porn, Rafael Alencar is one of the most sought-after men in the world of erotica. Mocha-skinned and ravenhaired, with a massive set of equipment, he rocks the entire planet with sexuality and a smile. A Nob Hill Theater favorite, here’s the lowdown on what it’s like to be a gay porn icon.

Cornelius Washington: Everyone at the Nob Hill Theater loves you! What’s it like performing live there?

Rafael Alencar: I’m not the best dancer they have, but probably I’m the one who interacts with the audience the most. Everyone who comes to watch me, they know they will get more than what they expected.

As a world traveler, what do you see as some major cultural differences to approaches to porn and/ or gay sex, as opposed to the US? I’ve done porn movies in many countries, but still USA is the place to be if you are a porn star. Other countries, they like to hire me as a

Rafael Alencar packs his underpants.

definitely the most popular among the entire porn business. I also like Dreams of Rafael by Black Scorpions and Fuck me Hard by Lucas Entertainment (among many others).

With whom would you like to work in your next film, and what would you do?

Hard to choose only one, but I’d fuck all the porn stars I fucked before and whoever I didn’t do a scene

What are your sexual limits?

I guess just the average like everyone. I don’t like pain or blood in me, but I’ve caused a lot of pain and blood to others, so it’s a partial limit.

Oh yes, and I don’t do barebacking sex, even though my best friends (actually everyone around me) likes raw sex.

What do you do in films that you don’t do privately?

Nothing. Everything that you see in the movies, I can do in privacy with you; just ask me.

What do you do privately that you don’t do in films?

Fuck all the famous actors, singers and congressmen that you see on TV. They don’t like cameras and I never tell names, to keep them coming back.

Open daily at 12pm

2051 Market St. at Church St. Info: 415-864-EROS (3767) Rafael Alencar in a stylish nude shot.

“post-production” after they watch the movies. Some countries they have no access to porn, but they find a way to get ahold of me.

What inspired you to do porn?

Everyone wants to fuck a porn star. I love sex, and I guess that’s the best job I have in mind. I used to be a dental surgeon (no secret about it), but quit to do fashion, then jumped to porn.

What was the first porn film that you ever saw, and what effect, if any, did it have on you, and in what way?

Gee, first porn I ever saw; it was my brother who put on VHS –I was like eleven years old– called something like: Bally Haly Bunny, straight porn. Then later, I saw those old Catalina/Falcon super-skinny models with mustaches. Don’t remember the name, but they were hot. I thought, ‘I want to be like them one day, or at least meet them.’

And I did meet some of them and fuck some of them, too.

with yet, they are more than welcome to join me.

Who in the porn industry do you admire?

Mr. Pam (Naked Sword director), Edward James (Men.com director), Michael Lucas (Lucas Entertainment director) and all the other amazing directors I’ve worked with, and they know we had a fun time together.

What is/was it like to run your own porn studio, Black Scorpion Studios?

It was awesome! I had a dream together with a friend (Chris) we made it happen and we stuck together as long as we could manage.

For several reasons I had to stop, but I considered my mission accomplished. We produced the highest quality videos I have ever seen so far.

How do you prepare yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.) to perform on film?

I just relax, get comfortable and get into the set thinking to make my best scene ever. The good attitude of the partner and the crew helps a lot.

I’ve been lucky to always perform well, If I recall I might’ve had one or two problems out of almost 300 scenes I’ve done. All the others, I had an awesome time.

Do you have a favorite film in which you’ve starred?

Prison Shower by Men.com is

Rafael Alencar, dressed to impress.

What do you see as the next big gay porn trend?

I did movies in VHS, DVDs now only stream in the internet. What’s next? We have similar fantasies about sex, so I guess the same sex we saw long ago I hope to keep seeing forever. That turns me on a lot.

Barebacking - pro or con?

I’m in no position to change this.

I can only say that I am not ready to do barebacking on camera even if the partner is tested negative like me, since I make my income from escorting more than porn movies. I wouldn’t be comfortable barebacking as an escort everyday. But honestly, I think it’s hot to watch barebacking movies and also safe sex movies. What many people don’t know is that I’d rather see a huge dick going into a bubble ass. I’d hate to see a raw sex movie where the top has a small dick. I stick to the basics where size is more important than raw sex or not.

Do you have any special goals for your porn career?

I think I reached them all. I’m very happy to be in the porn movies industry for over ten years (Jesus!).

I wanted to quit several times, but I keep getting invitations from other studios all the time. Eventually! I also thought about going back to the dental practice in the hospitals, like before. So, I guess when I stop with the movies I’ve no further plans to keep in the porn business, even though I had so much fun.t Rafael Alencar performs at The Nob Hill Theatre: Circle Jerk, Thursday April 24, in the theatre arcade’s underground playroom ($10, 9pm) the night before his stage shows April 25 & 26 ($25, 8pm & 10pm). 729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

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April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

Your Cheatin’ Heart

by John F. Karr

W

as it just coincidence, or did the gods (and mr. goddesses) of Naked Sword plan the one-two punch that saw the release of Boyfriends 2 followed by Cheaters? Last week, lovers were all lovey-dovey, and this week they’re all lies and deception.

Cheaters, directed by mr. Pam, is a near twohour movie with four sex scenes. Three are preceded by brief setups, in which a guy arranges a hook-up by texting, and tells his spouse he’s going to the gym. In the fourth scene, one of the deceived accepts the consolatory advances of a taxi driver.

I don’t think it was the nature of these clandestine assignations that

Vance Crawford and Donnie Dean snuggle in Cheaters.

left me unsatisfied, and it wasn’t the lies. Plenty good fiction has been based on lies, and the deceptions in Cheaters actually were food for thought. It was the rambling camera and the relentless editing. The camera restlessly swoons and slides over the bodies, so constantly closeup that we register only fragments of body; made me seasick and left me frog-eyed. Further fragmentation comes from antsy editing. Was this an attempt to convey the time constraint of an assignation that couldn’t be longer than a gym workout? The scenes actually have standard timings; they just feel abrupt.

In the first tryst, Vance Crawford leaves his wife and her babe in arms for a hook-up with Donnie Dean, who cautions him to be quiet. They can’t wake up Dean’s lover, asleep in a drunken stupor. Although it’s

vaguely intimated that this play date is Dean’s spiteful payback to his lover, it still seems senseless that the guys make out right beside the open door of the lover’s bedroom.

Although the script gives no clue, I guess the danger of their being discovered was supposed to be arousing. And though Crawford is a wholesome lad, with a spritely pop-up cock, and Dean is butch and buff, I was not aroused by their merely proficient performances. I perked up when Dean told Crawford, “I wanna eat your cum,” but Crawford misses most of it during Dean’s clumsily achieved climax. At scene’s s end, I wondered if the script was telling us something about either women or marriage by portraying Crawford’s wife as cluelessly inane. She maintains a half-witted smile as she tells Crawford he smells of man.

In the second scene, when Landon Conrad legitimately leaves to meet a client, his lover Tyson Tyler invites in Ray Diaz for a flip-fuck.

Tyson’s a slyly beautiful black man, and Diaz pays some attention to his yummy dark chocolate foreskin. Their sex is playful, but, again, feels hatcheted. Tyler licks up Diaz’ cum, and then deposits his own in Diaz’ mouth.

Scene three ends NakedSword with another “I was at the gym” lie. The drunken lover of

scene one wakes up, and takes advantage of his boyfriend’s absence by adjourning to the Nob Hill Theatre, where he tricks with a stranger.

This is uncut Andrew Fitch, who has nothing special about him in either looks or performance. The former drunk is gangly Ashton Weber, who is unprepossessing in body and personality—although he does have a nice cock, with very loose and lowhanging nut sack. And gets Weber’s load landed on his tongue.

The finale is an ostensible star turn. Aware of his lover’s deception, Landon Conrad wanders the city, disconsolate. Finally, far from home, he calls for a taxi to pick him up at 107 Collingwood, while standing in front of a door clearly addressed 2752. Hello!

The taxi driver is handsome, much muscled Angel Rock, who offers advice to the lovelorn while climbing atop Conrad in the back seat of the cab. With two guys along with the not exactly petite mr. Pam and her camera, it’s kinda cramped.

Hard to take in what’s going on.

But, oh my, the positions the guys accomplish within the car’s confines. They have an especially good RC, and the movie’s most aggressive sex, as well as its best orgasm—not much juice, but a whole lotta fervor.

But I don’t need a guide to possible back seat sex positions. Especially constrained ones. I need to watch some good sex. And good sex, the movie seems to say between the lines, isn’t possible when it’s extramarital. Okay, guys—what’ll it be?

We’ve earned the right to marry.

But coupling so you can cheat? Or cheating resulting in bad sex? I know Cheaters isn’t trying to make a statement of any sort. But unengaged by the movie’s sex, I pondered its confusing subtexts.

Leo Forte is credited with the movie’s underwritten script. Reminds me of the Broadway musi-

NakedSword

Landon Conrad gets his ass punctured by Angel Rock in Cheaters.

NaKedSword

Tyler Tyson and Ray Diaz are gonna flip it real soon in Cheaters.

cal 42nd Street, which had a script so succinct it was credited as LeadIns and Crossovers. Similarly, what Forte has provided for Cheaters might not be credited as Script, but as Set-Ups. A script has context, or a point of view. Uninterested by the sex during Cheaters, I wondered, how are we to couple love with sexual freedom? Forte shows us one way—to marry for love, and then lie for freedom. He clearly doesn’t read Dan Savage. Go ahead, Dan says, get married, and don’t lie about your extra-marital rendezvous. Because, to what degree is a marriage that includes lies a marriage?

As in most porn, a simple idea for a movie wasn’t developed into anything substantial. Is it the lack of skill among the porn industry’s “talent,” or simply the rush to production that prevents scenarios from being worked out to any depth or meaning?t

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10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 24-30, 2014

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Shooting Stars

April 24-30, 2014 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

Photos by Steven Underhill

T

he Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Easter in the Park moved to Golden Gate Park’s Hellman Hollow (aka Speedway Meadow), due to construction at Dolores Park.

But despite the change, festivities took place with the usual merriment and frivolity. To celebrate their “emerald” 35th anniversary, a special Wizard of Oz theme blended in with traditionally irreverent hunky Jesuses, foxy Marys, Easter bunnies, and other variations, like an Easter Island bunny, as well as a festive array of Easter bonnets with a gay twist.

For more info on The Sisters, visit www.thesisters.org.

See more event photo albums on BARtab’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife and on www.StevenUnderhill.com See this and other issues in full page-view format at www.issuu.com/bayareareporter t

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For headshots, portraits or to arrange your wedding photos

call (415) 370-7152 or visit www.StevenUnderhill.com or email stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

PRIDE 2014 Reservations now being accepted !

The Bay Area Reporter has been covering San Francisco Pride celebrations since before the annual June events were known as “Pride”.

We were there for Christopher Street West and we were there for the Gay Freedom Parades during the seventies. We’re proud to have been there from the beginning and continue this rich tradition. Join us!

On June 26, 2014, we’ll publish our 44th annual edition celebrating the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration.

Reach the largest (audited and verified) audience of LGBT consumers of any other media outlet in Northern California.

PUBLICATION DATE: SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE:

June 26, 2014 June 13, 2014

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