BARTAB, the LGBT Entertainment and Nightlife Guide

bartabsf.com

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March 2011

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ingredients H March 2011H

Sports; Drinks!

F Page 4 f Ballsy

F Page 6 f Golden Years: Angie Bowie F Page 8 f Galiators F Page 10 f A Sporting Chance F Page 12 f Life in the D-League F Page 14 f On the Tab

F Pages 18-28 f BARchive: Homo Base F Page 30 f

Read more stories online at www.bartabsf.com

V On the Cover: Matthew Moore of the San Francisco Pups softball team (left) and Chris Jansen of the Spikes soccer team share a drink at The Lookout. • Photo: Georg Lester

H H H H H H H H H H H H H Editor: Jim Provenzano • Art Director: Kurt Thomas Designer: Scott King • General Manager: Michael Yamashita Advertising Sales: David McBrayer, Colleen Small, Scott Wazlowski Contributors: Matt Baume, Heather Cassell, Dr. Jack Fritscher, Michael McAllister, Adam Sandel, Ronn Vigh Photography: Rick Gerharter, Lydia Gonzales, Jose Guzman-Colon, Georg Lester, Jim Provenzano, Rich Stadtmiller, Steven Underhill BARtab is published by Benro Enterprises, Inc. Publisher: Thomas E. Horn Benro Enterprises, Inc. 395 Ninth Street • San Francisco CA 94103 • (415) 861-5019 Member of the National Gay Newspaper Guild National Advertising: Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863

March 2011 • bartabsf.com • BARHTAB 3

SPORTS; DRINKS!d O Gay Jocks Compete; Fundraise in Bars • by Ronn Vigh

n the heels of the San Francisco Giants’ World Series victory, an overwhelming feeling of baseball fever is beginning to flow back into the City by the Bay. As the Boys of Summer go down to Arizona, getting into the swing of things with Spring training games, in our own backyards the boys (and girls) of SoMA, the Castro and surrounding communities gear up for their own opening day, March 13, when the first game of the San Francisco Gay Softball League is scheduled.

Even though Buster Posey and Aubrey Huff sound like names you’re more likely to hear on RuPaul’s Drag Race than on World Series champs, modern stereotypes would lead you to believe that gays and sports don’t mix. But when the San Francisco Giants clinched the 2010 series on a Monday night, the streets of the Castro had to be closed down to make way for revelers. That same dynamic spirit and love of sports is found in many who participate in local gay sports teams, ranging from softball to rugby to water polo.

The trim balcony of The Lookout bar in the Castro surrounds the perimeter of the main room like bleachers around a baseball field. Lookout owner Chris Hastings, who plays in the local gay softball and basketball leagues, notes that the Lookout sponsors four softball teams, an AIDS Life/Cycle team, and a basketball league.

“I love how supportive the gay leagues are, especially to new members, and how they help to bring people together in a positive way,” says Hastings.

“I realize that I own a bar, but I think it’s invaluable for our community to interact in a way that doesn’t revolve around a party.”

4 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

Steven Underhill

San Francisco Pups players at Toad Hall.

While some work at sharpening their pitching skills, others may prefer sitting on that aforementioned balcony, presiding over a pitcher of beer. If you’re the latter, you can still support local players at Jock Sundays, a weekly benefit party that raises money for different LGBT sports teams and organizations.

“In the first three seasons of Jock, we’ve raised over $100,000 for LGBT sports teams and organizations,” says Gregg Crosby, general manager of The Lookout.

“Teams at Jock raise money by selling shots and raffle tickets, and they also get a portion of the money from the door charge.” Jock Sundays returns to the lineup to kick off its fourth season, beginning March 13, with softball team The Boomers as hosts.

Pool’s Out San Francisco often boasts something for everyone here. It seems to be no different in the sports field, which includes gay rugby, synchronized swimming, flag football, soccer and even a water polo team.

San Francisco Tsunami is an LGBT (but straightfriendly) water polo team, founded in 2001. John Kennedy, President of the Tsunami Polo team, notes that while the Tsunami are currently the only LGBT water polo team in the Bay Area, the United States is home to many predominantly gay teams from areas such as New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Salt Lake City and West Hollywood.

In 2010, the Tsunami placed sixth in the Gay Games in Cologne, and third at the Out Games in Copenhagen. Despite the competitive nature that comes with participating in tournaments, Kennedy emphasizes that the league is welcoming to everyone,

Matthew Moore of the San Francisco Pups softball team and Chris Jansen of the Spikes soccer team at The Lookout.

Georg Lester

from beginners to the most advanced players.

“Playing for Tsunami provides great physical exercise, teamwork, team camaraderie and a great social outlet,” says Kennedy. “We have players all the way from their early twenties into their early fifties, which is an age range that you typically wouldn’t have at a bar, as well as many women players on our team, many who stay simply because of the great team spirit.”

The Tsunami Water Polo team meets regularly

courtesy Tsunami Polo

Tsunami Polo guys and guys strut their stuff at 2009’s Tsunami de Mayo at Bar on Church.

for practice, games and clinics at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in the Bayview District. The Tsunami is currently under the coaching of Spencer Dornin, a former player on the U.S. National Water Polo team. If you find yourself interested in playing with the team, you can find more details on joining their organization on their website, tsunamipolo.org, or by attending their Tsunami de Mayo tournament and Splish fundraising events, scheduled for May 7 and May 8 here in San Francisco. With Speedo-clad players in fashion shows, and the occasional drag show, these events are quite a hoot.

The options of gay-friendly sports leagues, and meeting real LGBT jocks in bars, are abundant. Get out there, put your game face on and make a splash, on the field, on the courts, in the pool or by squeezing a lemon into your Vodka-Tonic at Jock Sundays. ✸

March 2011 • bartabsf.com • BARHTAB 5

BALLSYd W • Photos by Rich Stadtmiller

ho doesn’t love a sport where you can drink beer at the same time? The annual Boys With Balls benefit for Project Open Hand took place back in January, with live music, hot guys and three-fingered fun. But you can enjoy the lanes at Serra Bowl (3301 Juniper Serra Blvd., Daly City) any day, host your own fundraiser, and have a lot of fun too boot! www.openhand.org www.boyswithballs.com www.serrabowl.com

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Angie Bowie.

Angie Bowie with thenhusband, David Bowie.

GOLDEN YEARSd S Angie Bowie Rocks On • by Adam Sandel he was the counter-culture “It Girl” of the glam rock ‘70s. She helped craft the style and image – and was married to – one of the greatest icons in rock music history. And now Angie Bowie is coming to San Francisco for the Trannyshack David Bowie Tribute on Friday, March 18.

Forty years after changing the face of pop culture, Angie Bowie is still going strong, as I discovered while chatting with her from her home in Tucson, Arizona. “I just got back from L.A. where I was recording my new album Una Ves Mas with Chico Rey,” she tells me. “It’s got a lot of dance, house, club and tango style music as well as spoken word and festival anthem type songs.”

But which performer does the envelope-pushing rock icon admire today? One guess. “I like Lady Gaga.

She’s an interesting performer who’s visually exciting and the music’s fine. If I was in a club I’d dance to it.”

She also appreciates Gaga’s carrying on the early ‘70s spirit of civil rights for gays. “Those chores are never finished. It’s nice when someone new comes along and you can say ‘Great, now you do it.’”

Born in 1949 in Cyprus to American parents, Mary Angela Barnett (Bowie’s fullmaiden name) attended boarding school in Switzerland and then The Connecticut College for Women, where a pivotal experience changed her life forever.

The sexually precocious teen had a lesbian affair with a schoolmate that resulted in both of them being imprisoned in the school infirmary. Bowie escaped by jumping out the second story window. “I thought to myself, ‘I think I’ll leave,’ but my girlfriend spent four years at the Yale Psychiatric Institute being told she was a weirdo. That experience affected everything that happened later.”

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Bowie Life Bowie headed for the avant-garde scene in London where she finally felt at home. She met and fell in love with fledgling rock star David Bowie in 1969 when she was 19 – and the rest is rock and roll history. She shared her uber-glam rock look with him, introduced him to talented eccentrics, and the two married in 1970.

Although their split in 1976 was not amicable, they bore a son whom they famously named Zowie (now the film director Duncan Heywood Jones) and Bowie remains proud of what they achieved together. “We put together an amazing company to handle a fantastic artist. It was an exciting time. We built it, formed it, and made it happen. It was my first big marketing job.”

Although she hasn’t seen her iconic ex-husband in 30 years, Bowie has been with her partner Michael Gassett for the past 18 years. In addition to her writing and music projects, Bowie has been active with AidsBeGone, the organization she founded to help find an AIDS vaccine (www.aidsbegone.org).

How does she feel about returning to San Francisco for the first time in 13 years? “I’m looking forward to it!”

(Read the expanded verion on www.BARtabSF. com) ✸ Trannyshack’s David Bowie Tribute, hosted by Heklina, Friday, March 18.

DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. 9:30pm-3am.

Show 11:30pm. $15. www.dnalounge.com www.trannyshack.com

GAL- IATORSd Women Athletes Enjoy Pub Fun

The Bruisers relax at the Lexington between seasons.

S

ports and beer have been partners since jousting days, but it wasn’t until recent decades that people discovered that sporty women are sexy, and in their time off the field, they enjoy celebrating.

Inferno is blazing a new path in the San Francisco Gay Softball League this year with its new sister team: Inferno Blaze. This is the first time an all-male softball organization and leather bar is backing an all-women softball team in recent history, believes team manager Geena “Super G” Dabadghav and Sheryl Phipps, president of Inferno.

Inferno, a nonprofit organization supported by the Performing Arts Social Society, Inc., lines up Lone Star Saloon’s three men’s C- and D-division softball teams – and now the women’s’ C-division team.

“The Lone Star Saloon has been very good to us throughout the year,” said Phipps of the numerous beer busts hosted at the leather bar throughout the year.

A women’s team was a dream until more women joined the Inferno’s D. team, its open division men’s team, recently, said Phipps. Last season Inferno D. made it to the World Series in Columbus, Ohio.

Everyone had a blast playing and hanging out together on the field, at the Lone Star and on the road.

After the World Series, the guys began saying, “Wouldn’t it be fun to have a women’s team?” said Phipps. “It almost felt like it’s their sister team.”

Phipps tapped Dabadghav, who played on the Inferno D. team, to manage Inferno Blaze. Inferno board member and player Blake Joerger coaches

10 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

Whimsy Media

• by Heather Cassell

the team. Joerger looks forward to “building a relationship with the women’s team,” he said, sitting in the bleachers after the Inferno team family’s first practice early last month.

The women are already getting to know each other, but this season means more because the men are backing up the women in a new way. Said Dabadghav, a longtime softballer, “Hopefully it will inspire other boy’s organizations, not just boy bars, to have girl’s teams.”

Girls having fun Sports isn’t all about competition. For these women, it’s also about community and friendship.

Just ask the newest softball team on the block, Stray Bar’s the Knockouts and the Lexington Club’s longtime flag football team, The Bruisers.

“We just wanted to play some ball, hang out with some friends, and have some orange slices,” said Rianna Berkowitz, the coach, referring to her girlfriend, Megan Wells’ self-designation as “team mom” ready to make orange slices for the games.

Berkowitz joined forces with her friend and softball buddy, Eileen Gulian, after the two left Fall Ball, the fall softball season, feeling a bit unfulfilled.

They desired more on and off the field. Scouting fields and networks, they pulled a team together and found a sponsor.

Nearly a dozen friends and family members turned out for the D-division team’s first practice last month, said Gulian, the manager, about the

Whimsy Media

Stray Bar’s newest softball women, the Knockouts celebrate a pre-season drink at Stray Bar.

fans, while hanging out at Stray Bar with some team members recently.

Having fans isn’t going to the team’s head.

They’re more excited about planning a road trip to the World Series in Philadelphia in August, getting to know each other, and being out on the field.

Get a bruising The Bruisers couldn’t agree more with the Knockouts about the spirit of sports that is more about “community and friendship” rather than “playing and winning,” said Shannon Mitchell, founder of the Lexington Club’s women’s flag football team.

A decade of football and beer the Bruisers are still going strong as a “fun and beer,” team, said Mitchell, proud that the “team still has the essence of why it started almost 10 years ago.”

“I never imagined that it would have this endearing effect … and that other people would come in year after year and keep it going,” continued Mitchell, as a group of team members and cheerleaders cheered drinking at the Lexington Club.

Inspired by an ex-girlfriend who played flag football in the league, Mitchell wanted to hit the field in the spirit of fun, not play to win, said Mitchell, a former Lexington Club bartender, snapping her fingers and laughing. “I’m going to start a team. And we are all going to play. And we are going to have fun.”

“We don’t play to win. We love winning, but we don’t play to win,” agreed Kasey Cacace, captain of the Bruisers. “I play for the community.”

The bar and team were a perfect match for Lila Thirkield, owner of the Lexington Club, who said she wanted a team that spoke to her vision of “having fun and fostering sense of community; people to have a good time around it, hoot and holler.”

“It is really, really fun,” said Mitchell. “It’s one day a week where you get to go out there and just be really silly.” ✸ Spring flag football season starts March 2. Softball season starts March 13.

March 2011 • bartabsf.com • BARHTAB 11

Carl Stein, R. J., Heaney, and a friend at a recent San Francisco Giants LGBT Night.

A SPORTING CHANCEd F

Jim Provenzano

courtesy SF Fog

San Francisco Fog rugby teammates sell their popular T-shirts at the Lone Star Saloon

• by Matt Baume

or many LGBTs, the mere mention of sports is enough to conjure up memories of locker room bullying. But guess what? One of the nice things about being a grownup is that you don’t have to put up with rotten kids, and can instead team up with awesome folks to get out and play.

That’s the appeal of San Francisco’s fabulous gay sports teams, which make it possible to meet new friends and test your physical skill, all in the company of folks who think gay is great.

For ease of entry, no sport beats running. But it’s a lot more fun when you do it with friends like San Francisco Frontrunners (sffr.org). At twice-weekly fun runs, Frontrunners circle up, introduce themselves, and present a couple of different routes. Attendees choose the one that sounds the most fun and then set off, followed by an optional post-run meal.

Join SFFR every Tuesday at 6:30pm in front of the Ferry Building, or Saturday mornings at Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park at 9am. Come June, they’ll host an annual Pride Run that attracts a thousand folks.

And thanks to sponsors like Starbelly, Bats Improv, and the Pilsner Inn, their Pride runs have raised thousands of dollars for charities.

By far, the highest-profile sports group in the city is the San Francisco Gay Softball League, with close to 1,000 members and 62 teams (sfgsl.org). That means that it’s easy for newcomers to find a team that matches their style, from the super-competitive to the just-for-fun.

“It serves three purposes,” said Vice Commissioner Gordon Mannings at a recent beer bust fundraiser at 440 Castro, sponsor of the SF Fury team. “It’s a social outlet, you learn a new skill, and there’s the competition.”

“For gay people, it’s athletic acceptance,” said newcomer Tony Michaels. “And I just needed to get 12 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

out and get exercise and expand my social circle.”

Looking for something a tad more European?

Check out the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, which has a position for just about everyone (sffog.org).

“A lot of people expect that everyone has to have a linebacker look,” said Club President Kory Salisbury.

“But one of the great things about rugby is there’s 15 different positions on the field, and in each position a different body type is ideal.”

The club holds periodic rugby 101 clinics before heading out to the pitch on Treasure Island. And between rough-and-tumble matches, the team mixes it up with fundraisers at the Lone Star Saloon.

Speaking of rough-and-tumble, the Golden Gate Wrestling Club celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year. The group of men and women meet on Tuesday and Friday evenings and Saturdays at noon at the Eureka Valley Rec Center (ggwc.org). Giving back to the community is built into the club’s DNA, with their Alliance Wrestling program that offers coaching to kids from eight to eighteen.

“It’s exciting to be able to pass on your skill and technique, said GGWC President Gene Dermody, “and to see somebody else use them, and to win with them!”

While their past demonstration matches at local bars may be a thing of the past, the club’s yearly fundraising at the Folsom Street Fair brings in the bulk of their budget, with beer booths and demonstrations by club members gay and straight.

“The straight guys love coming to the Folsom Street Fair,” Dermody grinned.

The San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club competed in the first Gay Games in San Francisco in 1982, and currently boasts 100 active members across 4 teams within the club (sfspikes.com).

courtesy SFPA

The San Francisco Pool League plays at several local LGBT bars.

“We do see a lot of newcomers who have never played soccer,” said team manager Chris Swanson.

“To get players up to speed, we hold indoor and outdoor practices that are both fun games and skill development drills. Because we are a large club, we can tailor practices to the different skill levels.”

The club’s frequent fundraisers are a good opportunity to meet members: look for them at Jock Sunday at the Lookout, or at booths during Pride and Folsom Street Fair. And then there are the pub crawls, movie nights, game nights at players’ homes, and even the occasional camping trip, snowboarding trip or bowling/karaoke night out. Oh, and they also get together to play soccer.

If you don’t feel cut out to be an athlete, you can still be an athletic supporter by attending the San Francisco Giants’ LGBT night, which attracts several hundred people every year.

It all started in 2003, when Carl Stein noticed that singles night at the stadium was awfully straight. He emailed the team and they jumped at the chance to host LGBTs. Online ticket sales allow fans to all sit together, and participants get a pre-game party.

“As far as I’m aware, it’s the longest-running LGBT promotion that any major league baseball team has,” Stein said proudly. Keep an eye on www.sfgiants.com/ specialevents for this year’s blowout.

For a physical challenge with a cerebral component, head over to Esta Noche, Thieves Tavern, Marlena’s, Lucky 13, or any of the two dozen other bars that host the San Francisco Pool Association (SFPApool.org).

Since the 1970’s, the SFPA’s been welcoming players of all skill levels.

“One of the things that’s great about the pool league is that the people who are really good are happy to help the people who aren’t,” said Travis Bernard, SFPA President. “The heart of playing pool,” said SFPA Vice President Leif Smith, “is the friendships that you build.”

And connections like those are why pool – and rugby, softball, baseball, wrestling, and running – mean so much, no matter your orientation. ✸ March 2011 • bartabsf.com • BARHTAB 13

Chris Munro, left, and Lon Troyer, right warming up.

LIFE IN THE D- LEAGUEd A

Rey Cervantes

Eric Stumbaugh

Michael McAllister at bat.

• by Michael McAllister

break-up is like a mid-life crisis. You come out of it, look around, and take stock. You buy hair plugs or find yourself doing things you’ve never done before – like joining a gay softball team.

Heartbroken, with a lot of time on my hands, I ran into a friend who told me he’d just joined a D- league gay softball team.

“There’s a D league?” I asked. I never knew gay softball had divisions below C. I’d never played a team sport, having been one of those gay boys easily cowed by chest-thumping straight boys. But I bought cleats and a glove and showed up for the first practice of the Lone Star Inferno team, fantasizing that a hidden talent would emerge and I’d be hastily promoted, maybe up to the B-league. Our coach would shake her head: “I hate to let him go, but I can’t in good conscience stunt his natural athleticism.”

Let’s just say I was lucky there was no F-league. Of all the sports I could have chosen to launch my newly single life, softball may have been the one for which I was least suited. I dropped balls, tore hamstrings, and struck out.

I hated being bad at something, especially in front of so many people. Now, we’re talking D-league gay softball; the stakes couldn’t have been lower. But as a writer, I’d just received a string of career rejections, and the failure of my relationship – of which I’d had great hopes – only compounded my feelings of inadequacy.

But hot guys came to our Lone Star beer busts, I’d begun to understand the particular satisfaction of belonging to a team, and our second baseman said I looked hot in a catcher’s mask, so I decided to stick around.

I spent the next few weeks researching sports

14 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

anxiety, downloading a podcast geared specifically to the softball player that was hosted by an old ex-wrestler who counseled the listener on self-confidence.

“Ladies,” he said, “You may be a natural alpha bitch…”

I’d imagined that turning myself into an athlete would earn me more respect. I’d get a sports cup and a baseball cap and life would change. Still, I hit every practice with focus, if not finesse, and hit the batting cages on my own time. I listened to my coach and the other players. I improved at practice, hitting and fielding a little more reliably each time. But stepping into the batter’s box at games, I’d feel my chest tighten, and I’d strike out every time.

I just wanted a single. One little base, and we’d go from there.

By this point in the season I’d been hanging out again with Joe, my ex, and we treaded around each other cautiously, trying to figure out if there was something left to salvage. He started showing up at my games to cheer me on.

At the next game we were down by four runs in the last inning, with two outs. If I struck out or popped up, the game would be over. Mouth dry, I stepped into the box, where I quickly racked up two balls and one strike.

After each pitch I’d try to fill the bottom of my lungs.

Then I’d exhale and repeat, “Eye on the ball, eye on the ball, all the way in, see the ball hit the bat…”

The ball hit the bat.

With a nice solid grounder, I dropped the bat and took off running, all the way through first base. Safe.

The next batter got me to second, and the next batter got me home. I crossed that plate like a D-league god,

x

John Chen

w

Blake Joreger (left) and James Camacho (right) at the Lone Star Saloon.

Steven Matulis (left) Michael McAllister (right) at the Lone Star Saloon.

John Chen

and stood trembling in the dugout. All of that pressure I’d put on myself. All of that worry. I’d merely hit a single, in D-league gay softball.

But this was never just about D-league gay softball.

It was about courting risk: the risk of disappointing others. The risk of looking stupid in public. The risk of working your ass off towards a goal but still failing.

I felt a rush of embarrassing emotion, and turned and faced away from the field, since there’s no crying in softball. My ex, who’d climbed down from the bleachers, gripped my fingers through the chain link fence as the tears got the best of me. He already knew why.

I’d joined softball as a social outlet, but as the season progressed I’d found a new confidence spreading into other areas of my life. Compared to the gray zones of love and writing, where successes and failures were hard to quantify, softball offered solid data. Knowing I’d hit four singles in one game filled me with solid satisfaction as I limped away from the field on torn ligaments. At the end of the season, my team awarded me a prize of which I am deeply, unabashedly proud: “Most Improved Player.” ✸

March 2011 • bartabsf.com • BARHTAB 15

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eON THE T~AB f ~March H

Fri 4➠ Chicken Strip @ The Cinch

Juanita Fajita brings her frisky and unpredictable male strip contest to The Cinch every Friday night. Juanita’s Taco Truck starts at 8:30pm for your late night cravings. Strip contest starts at 10:30pm. Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place ($25-$75). The Cinch 1723 Polk St. at Clay.

Club Dragon @ Club Eight

Weekly Asian gay dance club with frequent themed nights.

1151 Folsom St. at 7th. 431-1151. www.clubdragonsf.com

Dope @ The Lookout

Monthly music and pop culture party (1st Fridays), with DJs Papa Tony and Crashfaster. 9pm-2am. 1600 Market St. at Noe. www.lookoutsf.com

Duplicity @ Deco Lounge

One-year anniversary of the monthly fun drag show, with MC Duplicity, Ginger Snap, Kitty Tapata, Kristy Kat, Jasmine Diamond Legs, Ziggy Starbust, Mr. Don’Avonne Leak, Statutory Rachael and DJ Dirty. $10-$12. 6pm-8:30pm.

510 Larkin St. at Turk. www.decosf.com

Ghetto Disco @ The Endup

i

Joey Arias & Sherry Vine @ The Rrazz Room, Fri. 4

o

Thu 3➠ Heavy Liquid @ SF Eagle

Local band with a solid rock sound and hunky front man Kent James performs at the popular leather bar; Psychology of Genocide and Semi-Feral also play. 9pm. 12th St. at Harrison. www.sfeagle.com Also March 19 (10:30pm, with three other bands) at The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. www.kentjames.com

Miss Toolbox Pageant @ Club 93

Alexis Von Fierce

Heklina, Trauma Flintstone, Scott Capurro, Lynn Breedlove and David Hawkins (actually, his Cher doll) judge the new wild atypical drag “beauty” pageant. Alexis Von Fierce MCs. 11pm-2am.

93 9th St. at Mission.

Redlight @ Risque Lounge

DJ Hawthorne, Gypsy Love and guests bring a new weekly retro classy lounge for music, fashion, art and cocktails.

45 Maiden Lane. 6pm-10pm. www.ghettodisco.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

Retro tunes and retro cruisy crowd, each Thursday. DJ Bus Station John plays records. $4. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

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DJs Hawthorne and guests spin dance grooves til dawn. $15-$20. Free before 12am. 11pm-6am. 401 6th St. at Harrison. 646-0999. www.theendup.com

Hard @ Q Bar

Electro pop dance night at the intimate Castro bar-club, with DJ Haute Toddy. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Jock Straps @ Chaps II

Strip down to your jock strap on the jocular jock night.

9pm-2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Joey Arias & Sherry Vine @ The Rrazz Room

Enjoy two drag sensations in one act. New York legend Arias, known for everything from backing up David Bowie and starring in Cirque du Soleil to his Billie Holiday song stylings, teams up with the irreverent Vine, whose Lady Gaga song parodies have run wild on YouTube. Mature audiences only! $27.50. 10:30pm. Also Mar. 5. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis.

(800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Nasty @ Powerhouse

Suzan Revah’s second anniversary filthy fun fundraiser, with prizes and bawdy fun. Proceeds benefit the AIDS Emergency Fund. $5. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. 552-8689. www.powerhouse-sf.com

Strangelove, Erasure-esque @ Café du Nord

Depeche Mode and Erasure tribute bands perform. Sanity Assasins, a Bauhaus tribute band, opens. $10. 21+.

8:30pm. 2170 Market St. 861-5016. www.cafedunord.com

Richmond-Ermet AIDS Foundation; Grand Marshall Bruce Vilanch; costumes gaily encouraged. A king and queen will be crowned! VIP reception, 6pm-7pm ($50-$1500). Formal ball 7pm-10pm ($20-$25). 2344 Market St. www.reaf.org www.sfkinque.com

Sat 5➠ Bangkok @ The Stud

DJs Shawn P and Lamb Chop spin tunes; Stoli gogo guys tempt you at the monthly dance night (1st Saturdays). Free before 11pm. $8.

21+. 10pm-2am. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.studsf.com

Men in Gear @ Chaps II

Serious leather, rubber and kink-wear night, chaps. 9pm-2am.

1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Cockfight @ Underground SF

Get Down @ Maya

Free monthly party for women, queers and pals. 1st Saturdays, with DJs Olga T and Astro. Taco menu, cheap beer buckets, private room reservations. 9pm-2am. 303 2nd St at Harrison. www.mayasf.com

Krewe de Kinque Ball Masque @ Trigger

Studio 69, A Night of Decadence and Dance, is a Mardi Gras-themed gala event with proceeds benefitting the

Le Perle Degli Squallor @ Hot Spot

DJ Bus Station John’s intimate monthly (1st Saturdays) retro disco night redecorates the cozy dive bar into a cool zdance hangout and upstairs cruise space; popular with bear cubs and friendly hipsters. No cell phones on the dance floor, please. 2 for 1 drinks 9pm-11pm. Open til 2am. $5.

1414 Market St. at Polk.

Logan Scott @ Porn Star, Sat. 5

Poppers @ The Lookout

Gus Presents hosts; DJs a busy crowd and cocktail specials. $5. 9pm-2am. 1600 Market St. at Noe. www.lookoutsf.com

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Culture Whores’ big slutty dance party in a little club, with Pansy the Drunken Panda and saucy gogo guys. Now 1st and 3rd Saturdays. $7. 9pm-2am. 424 Haight St. www.cockfightsf.com

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Porn Star @ The Watergarden, San Jose

Local, lusty and large, adult performer Logan Scott does a live show at the spacious South Bay bath house; 2nd edition of the monthly hot show (1st Saturdays). $16-$39. 9pm. 18+. 1010 The Alameda, San Jose. (408) 2751215. www.TheWatergarden.com

Mon 7➠ Q Comedy @ Martuni’s

Kat Evasco, Dana Cory, Maggie Dolan, Nick Leonard, MC Cookie Dough and more. Partial proceeds benefit the SF Ducal Charity Fund. Piano bar sing-along afterward. $5$16. 8pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.Qcomedy.com

Kat Evasco @ Q Comedy, Mon. 7

Stallion @ Rebel

Joshua J’s new sexy night at the new bar (formerly Triple Crown). DJ David Harness and Joey Jinks spin tunes while hot gogo guys shake it and offer lap dances. $5-$8. 21+. 9pm-4am.

1760 Market St. at Octavia.

Mardi Gras Madness @ The Lookout

Louisiana native DJ Robbie Martin spins Fat Tuesday favorites. Earn your beads! Food and drink specials.

6pm-11pm. 3600 16th St. at Market.

431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon

Benefit for various local charities each week. 4pm-8pm.

1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsaloon.com

Benefit for the Boob @ Wild Side west

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence host a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, with burlesque gals, drag kings, faux queens, comedy fan-dancing, raffles, kinky sex ed and more. $5-$20. 4pm-10pm. 424 Cortland St. 6473099. www.myspace.com/wildsidewest

Cabaret Showcase Showdown @ Martuni’s Best Art Song is the theme of the third round of the 2nd annual fab singing contest. Bring sheet music for two songs. Judges include Madame Jo and Kitten on the Keys. Trauma Flintstone and Katya Smirnoff-Skyy cohost. $5.

7pm.4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

DJ Dandy Dixon spins vintage rock, R&B, disco and other genres while you enjoy tasty happy hour beer and brats. Weekly, 6pm-9:30pm. 2832 Mission St. 970-9015. www.rosamundesausagegrill.com

Tue 8➠

Sun 6➠ The most popular daytime gay bar event in Northern California, with benefits for local LGBT and AIDS charities and organizations. $10 (for beer bust). 3pm-6pm. 12th St. at Harrison. www.sfeagle.com

Sausage Party @ Rosamunde Sausage Grill

Meow Mix @ The Stud

Weekly drag and variety show. 9pm-2am. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.studsf.com

Queer Night @ Easy Lounge, Oakland

Weekly LGBT electro space jam night with DJ Dr. Sleep, organic cocktails, patio, chill vibe. No cover. 8pm-close.

3255 Lakeshore Ave. www.easy510.com

Starfucker @ The Independent

Pop-synth quartet with a queer edge (known to don dresses onstage) performs live; Unknown Mortal Orchestra opens. $15. 8pm. 628 Divisadero St. 771-1421. www. theindependentsf.com Also Mar. 9 at The Rickshaw Stop (also with UMO). $15. 7:30pm. All ages. 155 Fell St. at Van Ness. 861-2011. www.myspace.com/strfkrmusic Starfucker @ The Independent

Wed 9➠ Dream Queens Review @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

Jock @ The Lookout

Drag show each 2nd and 4th Wednesday at the classic Tenderloin bar, hosted by Collette LeGrandeAshton. No cover. 10pm.

133 Turk St. 441-2922. www.dreamqueensrevue.com

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room

Fetish Nights @ Chaps II

Afternoon schmooze and booze, with door and donations benefiting gay sports teams. $2. 3pm-8pm. 3600 16th St. at Market. 431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

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Different kinks get their own nights once a month at the intimate leather bar. Draft beer as low as $2. 9pm-2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Enjoy drink specials and other fun stuff at themed nights at Chaps, The Eagle, The Powerhouse, Truck and Hole in the Wall. 21+. www.lonestarsaloon.com

Thu 10➠ Heartbeat @ Deco Lounge

Kelly Rivera Hart hosts a monthly fundraiser for AIDS/Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, with live acts, open mic, guest DJs, raffles and fun themes. 6pm-8pm. 510 Larkin St. 346-2025. www.decosf.com

Teatro Zinzanni @ Pier 29

Theatre-tent-dinner extravaganza with a new show; Caliente, with Rebekah Del Rio, Ann Bernard, aeuialist Ling Rui, Les Petits Freres, comedy, a five-course dinner, and a lot of fun. $117-$145. Saturday 11:30am “Breve” show $63--$78. Wed-Sat 6pm (Sun 5pm). Pier 29 at Embarcadero Ave. 438-2668. www.teatrozinzanni.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

Retro tunes and retro cruisy crowd, each Thursday. DJ Bus Station John plays records. Tonight’s a special kick-off party for SPKR (see March 12). $4. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

Leo Forte @ Nob Hill Theater, Fri. 11

Fri 11➠ Dope @ The Lookout

Monthly music and pop culture party (1st Fridays), with DJs Papa Tony and Crashfaster. 9pm-2am. 1600 Market St. at Noe. www.lookoutsf.com

Fuzz @ Chaps II

Hairy beary very hot night. 9pm2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 2552427. www.chapsbar sanfrancisco.com

Ghetto Disco @ The Endup

DJs Hawthorne and guests spin dance grooves til dawn. $15-$20.

Free before 12am. 11pm-6am. 401 6th St. at Harrison. 646-0999. www.theendup.com

Leo Forte @ Nob Hill Theatre

Open every day with a variety of stripper talents live on stage, the historic burlesque joint presents the sexy Latin porn star. Also Mar. 12. $30. Check website for showtimes.

Reg. hours, Sun-Thu 11:30am-12am. Fri & Sat 11:30am1:30am. 729 Bush St. at Powell. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

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Men’s Club @ SoMa Bars

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Hot Box @ Bench and Bar, Oakland

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Lick It @ Powerhouse

Lance Holman hosts the sexy monthly fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund; gogo guys, raffles, bootblacks. $5. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. 552-8689. www.powerhouse-sf.com

Weekly women’s night produced by Movement Productions, with DJs Astro, Olga T, Rapture and Val G. specialty drinks, cafe seating, special events each week, with frequent live acts, including prizes, giveaways, and holiday-themed special events. Text 368638 for discounts on admission. $8-$15. 9pm to 3am. www.hotboxinthebay.com

Joan Rivers @ Castro Theatre

The irrascible comic, author, red carpet diva, talk-show host and reality show superstar does her no-holds-barred stand-up act. Yes, it’s pure live, uncensored Joan. $35-$76. 8pm. 429 Castro St. 392-4400. www.castrotheatre.com

Player’s Club @ The Lookout

DJ Robbie Martin and Charisma Glitterati bring you a new monthly scenester night. 9pm-2am. 3600 16th St. at Market. 431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

Military Night @ Chaps II

Sat 12➠

Don (and then doff?) your camo, dude. It’s armed sexy forces night.

9pm-2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Cockblock @ Rickshaw Stop

Lesbo-rific queer homo dance night each 2nd & 4th Saturday. $5-$7. 21+.

10pm-2am. 155 Fell St. www.rickshawstop.com

Frolic @ The Stud

Meshell Ndegeocello @ The Independent, Sun. 13

Monthly costume dance party for Furries and friends. Dress up and dance, you animal. $7 w/o $3 with costume. 9pm-2am. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.neonbunny.com/frolic www.studsf.com

SPKR @ Public Works

Honey Soundsystem presents a benefit for the GLBT Historical Society, with veteran DJs Steve Fabus and Bobby Viteritti spinning classic disco music, and exhibits about the golden gay days of dance clubs and groovy grooves. $50 VIP catered reception, 8pm-10pm. $15 public gallery showing and dancing, 10pm-3am. 161 Erie St. at Mission. www.honeysoundsystem.com

Sun 13➠ Honey Soundsystem @ Holy Cow

The coolest Sunday music mix crew has moved yet again, but not too far, and to the original home of The Stud. Look for the suspended cow. 10pm-2am. 1535 Folsom St. at 11th. www.honeysoundsystem.com

John Pizzarelli, & Jessica Molasky @ The Venetian Room

Popular cabaret duo perform classics by Berlin, Gershwin, Ellington, Sondheim , even Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits.

7:30pm (5pm show sold out). $40-$45. Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St. 927-4636. www.bayareacabaret.org

Linda Purl & Kevin Spirtas @ The Rrazz Room

The two accomplished TV and film actors show off their impressive singing skills in Rhapsody in Two, a night of songs

by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins and more. $35-$40. 3pm. Also Mar. 14, 8pm. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Meshell Ndegeocello @ The Independent

Fantastic singer covers songs by Prince. Martun Luther opens, covering Beatles songs. $25. 8pm. 628 Divisadero St. 771-1421. www.theindependentsf.com Also Mar. 12 at The New Parish, 579 18th St., Oakland.

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La Pachanga @ Blue Macaw

local drag talents in the film, and performing in a live show before the screening, along with score composers Ejector. $30 special VIP party in the mezzanine, 6pm. $20 pre-show and film, 7:30pm. $10 film only, 10pm. 429 Castro St. www.babyjane2010.com www.castrotheatre.com

Salsa bands play, with dancing and lessons (lessons 5pm, band 6pm) weekly at the mixed/gayfriendly nightclub. $10. 21+.

2565 Mission St. at 22nd. www.thebluemacawsf.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550

Country-western dancing for the LGBT community and its friends two night a week, every Sunday and Thursday. $5.

21+. Sundays 5pm-10:30pm, lessons 5:30–7:15pm. Thursdays 6:30–10:30pm, lessons 7pm-8pm. 550 Barneveld Ave., near Bayshore and Industrial. www.sundancesaloon.org

Mon 14➠ Comedy Night @ El Rio

Lisa Geduldig presents another edition of her laugh-filled night, with Carla Clayy, Karen Ripley, Erin Souza, and Samson Koletkar. $7-$20. 8pm. 3158 Mission St. at Precita. www.elriosf.com

The Smiths Indeed @ Café du Nord

Smiths cover band perform hits by, well, The Smiths. $10. 21+. 8pm. 2170 Market St. 861-5016. www.cafedunord.com

Tue 15➠ Baby Jane? @ Castro Theatre

Baby Jane? @Castro Theater, Tue, 15

Blue Room Comedy @ Club 93

David Hawkins hosts the night of big laughs at the tiny bar.

Free. 10pm. 93 9th St.

Queer Night @ Easy Lounge, Oakland

Weekly LGBT electro space jam night with DJ Dr. Sleep, organic cocktails, patio, chill vibe. No cover. 8pm-close.

3255 Lakeshore Ave. www.easy510.com

Wed 16➠ Mexican Radio @ Lone Star Saloon

Twice monthly (2nd and last Wed) fun night with gogo guys, cheap drink specials ($2 Bud, Bud Light and Rolling Rock draft), DJ Carsonova, and beartastic ambiance.

7pm-11pm. 1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsaloon.com

Whatcha Doin’ Wednesdays @ Castro Bars Monthly promotional events (each 3rd Wed.) at Castro bars, and live performances in Jane Warner Plaza.

7pm-11pm. www.lookoutsf.com

Theatrical premiere of Billy Clift’s locallySamson Koletkar at made, strangely hilarious comedic Comedy Night @ El Rio Thu 17 parody of Whatever Happened to Baby Anniversary Celebration @ Jane?, starring Matthew Martin and The Rrazz Room Katya Smirnoff Sky, with Heklina, Ethel Merman and other

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different charities, with raffles, $12 “bottomless draft beer Kegger Cups,” and fun. This month, it’s the SF LGBT Community Center. $5. 9pm-2am. 3600 16th St. at Noe/Market.

431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

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The swellegant nightclub cabaret celebrates three years, with a speical star-studded benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Sarah Dash, Joyce DeWitt, Sally Kellerman, Florence LaRue, Melba Moore, Martha Reeves, Paula West and others perform. $TBA. 8pm. 2-drink minimum.

Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Dial Up @ Public Works

St. Patrick’s Day Party @ The Lookout

Kinky rope demos by Sam La Belle and Jorge Vieto, Jr. Now you can honestly say, “Sorry I’m late; I was all tied up.”

9pm-2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Salsa Club @ Cafe Cocomo

Same-sex dancing and lessons with a live band. 21+.

8:30pm-12am. 650 Indiana St. www.QueerBallroom.com

Some Thing @ The Stud

Wild weekly drag show with SF’s most unusual talents.

10pm-2am. 399 9th St. Orchestral Manoeuveres www.studsf.com in the Dark @ Fox Theatre, Oakland, Sat. 26

Sat 19➠ Big @ The Stud

Pollo del Mar hosts a greentastic Jell-O shots debauche; DJ Kidd sysko.

6pm-9pm. 3600 16th St. at Market. 431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

Monthly dance party for big men and their friends (3rd Sundays). $5. 6pm-11am. 399 9th St. www.phattestevents. com www.studsf.com

Cockfight @ SF Underground

Fri 18➠

Culture Whores’ big slutty dance party in a little club. Now 1st and 3rd Saturdays. $7. 9pm-2am. 424 Haight St. www.cockfightsf.com

Amanda McBroom @ The Rrazz Room

Cabaret singer and storyteller performs songs by Jacques Brel, Cole Porter, Astor Piazzola and others. $35. 7:30pm. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Bad Girl Cocktail Hour @ The Lexington Club

Every Friday night, bad girls can get $1 dollar margaritas between 9pm and 10pm. All drinks being served up by the fabulous bartending duo of Tanya and Amy. 3464 19th St. between Mission and Valencia. 863-2052. www.lexingtonclub.com

Cece Peniston @ The Rrazz Room

Soulful pop and swing singer performs with her band in a rousing night of original music. $35-$45. 9:15pm. Also Mar. 19. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Latin Explosion @ Club 21, Oakland

Renovated gay Latin dance club (eight bars, more dance floors, lounge) shows off their hottests gogo studs. Happy hour 4pm-8:30pm. Dancing 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Pledge @ The Lookout

Monthly “Fraternal Fridays”-themed party raises funds for

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Fauxgirls @ Kimo’s

Classic drag show with Victoria Secret, Alexandria, Chanel, Davida Ashton, Tiger Lily, Maria Garza and more; each 3rd Saturday. No cover. 10pm.

1351 Polk St. 885-4535. www.fauxgirls.com

Laugh It Up @ The Cinch

Comics Candy Churilla, Natasha Muse, Loren Kraut and host Morgan bring on the giggles at a benefit for LyonMartin Health Services. $15. 7pm. 1723 Polk St.

Sun 20➠ All-Male Amateur Strip Show @ Deco Lounge Ginger Snap hosts the wild and sexy night of newbies gettin’ nude. $100 cash prize! DJ Lambchop spins tunes.

510 Larkin St. at Turk. 346-2025. www.decosf.com

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

The most popular daytime gay bar event in Northern California, with benefits for local LGBT and AIDS charities and organizations. $10 (for beer bust). 3pm-6pm. 12th St. at Harrison. www.sfeagle.com

Beer Bust @ Lone Star Saloon

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New monthly dance night with DJs RJ and Dr. Sleep. 161 Erie St. www.publicsf.com

Rope @ Chaps II

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Benefit for various local charities each week. 4pm-8pm.

1354 Harrison St. www.lonestarsaloon.com

Louise Pitre @ The Rrazz Room

Tony-nominated actress ( Mamma Mia!) brings her musical tribute to Edith Piaf to the intimate stylish nightclub. 2-drink minimum.

Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Local drag legend and star of Baby Jane? returns with All Singing, All Dancing, All Dead!, a musical tribute to Hollywood chantueses of yesteryear (Judy, Bette, Peggy and more). $30. 8pm. Also Mar. 23. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Wed 23➠ Jay Nash @ Café du Nord, Sun. 27

Swing-out Sundays @ Rock-it Room

Marga’s Funny Mondays @ The Marsh, Berkeley

Marga Gomez (“the lesbian Lenny Bruce”: Robin Williams) brings her comic talents, and special guests, to a weekly cabaret show. $10. 8pm. 2120 Allston Way. (800) 8383006. www.margagomez.com www.themarsh.org

Monday Night Smackdown @ Bloodhound

Football and food trucks blend each week in a beer and cocktail night at the stylishly rustic mixed/gay-friendly bar.

1145 Folsom St at 7th. www.bloodhoundsf.com

Tue 22➠

Ongoing popular weekly social and networking event for gay men and their friends. Sign up to get invites to a different bar each week. 9pm-12am. www.sfalist.com

Dream Queens Review @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

Slim Jenkins and other bands play weekly for your sameand opposite-sex swing dancing pleasure. $5 includes a lesson. 8pm-11pm.

406 Clement St. www.

SwingChampionships.com

Mon 21➠

A-List Martini Nights @ Bar TBA

Drag show each 2nd and 4th Wednesday at the classic Tenderloin bar, hosted

by Collette LeGrandeAshton. No cover. 10pm.

133 Turk St. 441-2922.

www.dreamqueensrevue.com

Fetish Nights @ Chaps II

Different kinks get their own nights once a month at the intimate leather bar. Draft beer as low as $2. 9pm-2am. 1225 Folsom St. at 8th. 255-2427. www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com

Thu 24➠ Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an everchanging lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$80. Wed, Thu 8pm. Fri, Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only).

678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Butch Queen @ Delirium

Juicy @ The White Horse, Oakland

Joshua J. and Robert Jeffery’s new weekly night for homos and friends. No cover. 10pm-2am. 3139 16th St. at Guererro. www.joshuajpresents.com

Hip Hop, R&B and soul. 9pm. (karaoke, drag king shows other nights, too). 6551 Telegraph Ave. (510) 652-3820. www.whitehorsebar.com

Lady Gaga, Scissor Sisters @ Oracle Arena, Oakland

Fri 25➠

The most popular pop singer alive and the fabulous fun band perform in what promises to be the gayest arena concert of the year. $49.50, $85, $175. 8pm. 7000 Coliseum Way. Also Mar 23 at Arco Arena, Sacramento. (510) 569-2121. www.scissorsisters.com/tour www.ladygaga. com Join the pre-concert party bus from The Lookout; 5:30pm-7pm departure. $5 round-trip tickets. 3600 16th St. at Market. 431-0306. www.lookoutsf.com

Matthew Martin @ The Rrazz Room 26 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

Latin Explosion @ Club 21, Oakland

Renovated gay Latin dance club (eight bars, more dance floors, lounge) shows off their hottests gogo studs. Happy hour 4pm-8:30pm. Dancing 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Snap-a-Licious @ Deco Lounge

Ginger Snap’s fun drag show features Holotta Tymes, Mahlae Balenciaga, Synergy, Kylie Minono and more.

10pm-2am. 510 Larkin St. at Turk. www.decosf.com

Big Top @ Club Eight

Joshua J’s monthly funfest presents Raja from this season’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, performing live and meeting her fans at her only Bay Area gig. Also performing; Heklina, Rotissary Ethnicity Jackson-Houston Ross (winner of the Trannyshack Star Search pageant), and from Seattle, DJ Nark and Lisa Dank. 3 Bars, 2 Floors, 2 for 1 drinks 9pm-10pm. No cover before 10:30 in drag or club kid attire. $5-$15. 9pm-3am. 1151 Folsom St. www. joshuajpresensts.com www.eightsf.com

Go Bang @ Deco Lounge

Groove-alacious monthly disco dance night features DJs Steve Fabus, Tres Lingerie, Stanley Frank and Sergio, and special guest DJ Tim Zawanda, who’ll share Chicago House and Space Rock disco dubs. $5. 9pm-3am-ish. 510 Larkin St. www.gobangsf.com www.decosf.com

Hot Glass, Cold Beer @ Public Glass

The glass art studio’s popular events, where patrons can sip beer, wine or soft drinks, enjoy music, watch glass-

Boylesque, Soiree 9 @ Design Center Galleria, Sat. 26

blowers in action, and get a souvenir mug, presents San Jose artist Vivian “Viva” Paredes. $25.

6pm-10pm. 1750 Armstrong Ave. 671-4916. www.PublicGlass.org

Jonathan Poretz @ The Rrazz Room

Local crooner brings back the classic lounge stylings of Sinatra and other great male singers. $25. 10:20pm. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Orchestral Manoeuveres in the Dark @ Fox Theatre, Oakland

Iconic British band is on tour again with their first album in 18 years. $30. 9pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave. (19th St. BART). www.omdbrightantenna.com www.ticketmaster.com www.thefoxoakland.com

Soiree 9 @ Design Center Galleria

Enjoy a fabulous La Dolce Vita (1960s Italy, paparazzi, and glamour!) theme at the ninth annual fundraiser gala for the Center, with a hosted bar, gourmet morsels, a silent auction, and live entertainment (Boylesque, Fauxnique, GAPA Chorus,

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Uh Huh Her @ Great American Music Hall

Glamamore, Honey Mahogany, Honey Soundsystem, Leigh Crow, Miss Rahni, Monistat, SF Lesbian/Gay freedom Band, Veronica Klaus and more). $95. 21+. 7pm-11pm. 101 Henry Adams St. www.sfcenter.org www.soiree9.wordpress.com

Jay Nash @ Café du Nord

Wed 30➠ Ongoing popular weekly social and networking event for gay men and their friends. Sign up to get invites to a different bar each week. 9pm-12am. www.sfalist.com

Hunky rock-ballad singer performs music from his fifth album, Diamonds and Blood, and other songs.

Josh Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale open. $10. 21+.

8pm. 2170 Market St. 8615016. www.jaynash.com www.cafedunord.com

Ari Hest @ Café du Nord

Uh Huh Her

The sexy Grammy-winning singer performs intimate variations of his Latin music hits with a backup trio. $45-$55. 8pm. Also Mar. 25 & 26.

2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis.

(800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Salsa Sunday @ El Rio

Gorgeous singer performs his equally gorgeous music. $15. 7pm. 21+. 2170 Market St. 861-5016. www.arihest. com www.cafedunord.com

Men’s Club @ SoMa Bars

Enjoy drink specials and other fun stuff at themed nights at Chaps, The Eagle, The Powerhouse, Truck and Hole in the Wall. 21+. www.lonestarsaloon.com

Thu 31➠

Dance lessons and hot music at the neighbhorhood bar where everyone (over 21) is welcome.

Free BBQ 3pm. Show 4pm. $8. 3158 Mission St. at Cesar Chavez. www.elriosf.com

Redlight @ Risque Lounge

DJ Hawthorne, Gypsy Love and guests bring a new weekly retro classy lounge for music, fashion, art and cocktails. 45 Maiden Lane. 6pm-10pm. www.ghettodisco.com

Mon 28➠ 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

Los Angeles duo, whose music has been featured on Showtime’s The L Word, perform new music. Diamonds Under Fire opens. $21. (with dinner, $45.95). 8pm. 859 O’Farrell St. (888) 233-0449. www.uhhuhher.com www.gamh.com

A-List Martini Nights @ Bar TBA

Sun 27➠

Jon Secada @ The Rrazz Room

a queer bent at the divey small bar. 10pm.

93 9th St. at Mission.

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

Ari Hest

Tue 29➠ Ashford & Simpson @ The Rrazz Room

R&B legends return to the intimate nightclub for three nights of classic romantic songs. $47.50-$55. 8pm. Also April 2, 7pm & 9:30pm, and April 3, 7pm. 2-drink minimum. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. at Ellis. (800) 380-3095. www.therrazzroom.com

Blue Room Comedy @ Club 93

Weekly adults-only jokes with host David Hawkins giving it

28 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

Retro tunes and retro cruisy crowd, each Thursday in the risky part of town. DJ Bus Station John plays records. $4. 10pm-2am.

133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

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For updated events, visit www.BARtabSF.com To submit your April events, send by April 15 to BARtabSF@ebar.com

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eBARchivef

Sara Lewinstein (left) with the 1980 Artemis Café softball team

courtesy Gene Dermody

Golden Gate Wrestling Club at the SF Eagle in 1985.

HOMO BASEd • by Jim Provenzano

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ike a yin-yang of stalwart athleticism and Bacchan celebration, gay bars and gay sports have gone together for more than half a century.

Here in the Bay Area, the first gay sports event was actually organized by discreet lesbians in the 1950s, as documented in the first issue of The Ladder, the historic women’s periodical.

By 1968, the Community Bowling League, sponsored by the Society for Individual Rights (SIR) held regular competitions at Park Bowl (which was demolished in the ‘90s). By 1971, 22 teams competed locally.

Pool and billiards followed close behind in the late 1960s, as soon as gay bars began to establish themselves, with or without the then-needed police payoffs. As disco swept popular culture in the 1970s, groovy recreational sports like the Bay Area’s Gay Skate Night drew hip crowds.

But it was softball that really became the giant of gay sports, thanks to tireless organizers, coaches and fledgling jocks. The support of local gay-owned taverns like Sutter’s Mill, the Pendulum, and other byone bars, was pivotal, and provided a perfect post-game social outlet.

As local gay newspapers, both the Bay Area Reporter and The Sentinel, documented the growing softball league in all its excitement and controversies, participants like the late Jack “Irene” McGowan fiercely penned expansive columns of victories and losses.

30 BARHTAB • bartabsf.com • March 2011

A relaxing moment at a 1976 Gay Softball League game. courtesy GLBT Historical Society

courtesy Sara Waddell-Lweinstein

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But the softball league at the time was men-only, until Sara Lewinstein, owner of The Artemis Café, rounded up some pals and started what became a thriving women’s softball league. Along with Rikki Streicher and her bar Maud’s (and 12 years later, Amelia’s), women-owned bars and cafes supported women’s sports, creating a thriving community.

Meanwhile, Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell, when not competing in bar-sponsored flag football, worked to raise funds for the first “Gay Olympics.” (changed to the Gay Games).

Lewinstein’s legacy with the Gay Games not only includes the family she raised with and after her marriage to Waddell. A decades-long softball coach and bowler, she also now manages Serra Bowl in Daly City, where gay leagues frequently take to the lanes.

Mark Brown, who also aided the Games movement, later became the Gay Softball League’s commissioner, and an honored Hall of Famer. “There were so many good things that happened and went on during the ‘70s, which I must say, was a privilege for me to be a part of, not only as a player,” said Brown, who turned 77 this year. He still coaches the Hustlers team, which enjoys sponsorship from the SF Powerhouse.

Swimmers, wrestlers, runners, and tennis and hockey teams have held countless fundraising events at bars like the Pilsner Inn, Daddy’s (now 440), The SF Eagle, in a tradition which continues today. As we mourn those lost from AIDS in past years, many a bar night will host a benefit for AIDS Life/Cycle riders. For many patrons, their local gay bar is the place where everybody knows your name, and your game. ✸