November 12, 2015 Edition of the Bay Area Reporter

Indulgent holiday treats

ARTS

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Odysseo

Leslie Jordan

The

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

Vol. 45 • No. 46 • November 12-18, 2015

Trial starts in ’13 SF Pride shooting

CA groups prepping trans education campaign

by Seth Hemmelgarn

by Matthew S. Bajko

A

T

he defeat last week in Houston of a sweeping antidiscrimination ordinance due largely to transphobic messaging centered on fears the local law would allow male sexual predacourtesy EQCA tors into women’s restrooms has Rick Zbur raised concerns a similarly focused campaign could succeed here in California.

Post election coverage of the defeat in Texas saw headlines equating the loss to the passage in 2008 of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the Golden State.

Just as the LGBT groups who waged the marriage fight seven years ago faced criticism for ignoring communities of color and failing to put LGBT people front-and-center in their advertising, the leaders of the progay Houston campaign were called out for not targeting people of color or showcasing the stories of transgender people in their advertising.

But LGBT leaders in California told the Bay Area Reporter this week they have learned from the mistakes made during the Proposition 8 battle and vowed not to repeat them as they prepare to defeat an expected ballot measure next fall that will center on transgender people’s access to public restrooms.

Asked if the state’s LGBT groups (or community as a whole) will be prepared in time to prevent what happened in Houston last week, longtime San Francisco-based transgender advocate Cecilia Chung told the B.A.R., “We are. California LGBT groups have taken the Prop 8 lessons to heart and have built a diverse, statewide coalition that is prepared to fight the ballot measure.”

In a fundraising appeal sent two days after the November 3 election to members of Equality California, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, Executive Director Rick Zbur wrote that Houston’s “harmful campaign” did not go unnoticed here on the West Coast.

“Opponents of fairness will stoop to any level of fear mongering and misdirection to try and thwart our progress. It’s startling – and the worst part is they have plans to bring these same fear tactics to a statewide anti-transgender ballot question here in California,” wrote Zbur. “But we won’t stand by and let them spread lies about transgender Californians – we’re going to fight back with the truth.”

See page 13 >>

SF vets honored in parade

S

an Francisco held its annual Veterans Day Parade Sunday, November 8, which featured members of the Alexander Hamilton American Legion Post 448, including, from left, John McCaffrey, Jimmy McConnell, Robert C. Potter, Rene Puli-

Rick Gerharter

atti, and Tony Benfield. This year’s parade started at the Embarcadero and ended near Fisherman’s Wharf, which resulted in more people attending. For a profile on Potter, 88, the oldest activemember of Post 448, see the Political Notebook column on page 5.

n attorney for a man who was shot at the 2013 San Francisco LGBT Pride celebration told prospective jurors this week that organizers had done nothing to prevent the incident, and he suggested that the hundreds of thouRick Gerharter sands of people who Plaintiff Trevor attend the annual Gardner, shown party should have to outside of court go through metal deMonday. tectors and have their bags checked.

But an attorney representing the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee in the lawsuit filed last year by Trevor Gardner, 25, of Los Angeles, said the shooting in the city’s Civic Center area was “a random act of violence,” and SF Pride See page 13 >>

Vetting underway for next walk honorees

by Matthew S. Bajko

A

Rick Gerharter

Kathy Amendola, left, Robert Holgate, and Al Baum stood by the plaque honoring Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca during the September 2014 dedication ceremony of the Rainbow Honor Walk.

s the board that oversees the Rainbow Honor Walk in the Castro vets LGBT people to commemorate next, it has welcomed additional members to the oversight body.

In September 2014 the volunteerled private project installed 20 plaques along the sidewalks in San Francisco’s gayborhood that recognized the contributions and achievements of LGBT people in the arts, politics, and social sciences.

It is now looking to add an additional 20 names to the list and honor those individuals with their own bronze plaques, the installation of which would be sometime in the summer of 2016.

The board overseeing the vetting process is adhering to the same criteria used to select the first group of honorees. The individuals must be deceased men and women who lived openly either as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender and made sizeable contributions to the arts, sciences, or social policy.

“We are so thrilled to have the first 20 done and are en route to get the next 20 done,” said gay public relations professional David Perry, a co-founder of the project, in a recent interview

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The honor walk board has already met twice to begin its deliberations. It reviewed the 170 names that were submitted during the first selection process, said Perry, and whittled that list down to 90 people. And it continues to receive additional names for consideration sent in by the public.

The honor walk board strives to pick people that represent not just the city’s LGBT residents but also the global LGBT community. It also looks for honorees of various ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

“Every name is discussed at great length to find the right mix for the next 20,” said Perry, who six years ago teamed up with Castro businessman Isak Lindenauer to launch the project.

(Lindenauer is now a member of the walk’s advisory committee.)

The board continues to pare the pool of potential picks as it works to finalize the second group of honorees by early 2016.

“We are in the process of narrowing it down.

I am hopeful by January or February we will be able to present the next slate of 20 honorees,” said Perry.

Helping to make those decisions are four new members to the Rainbow Honor Walk’s now 15-person board. They include Madeline Hancock, a native San Franciscan, who works as a learning specialist at the Hamlin School in the city, and B.A.R. society columnist Donna Sachet, a drag queen who lives in the Castro.

See page 13 >>

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Community News>>

t Shanti expands women’s cancer program

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 3

courtesyt Shanti Project

Supervisor Katy Tang, left, Supervisors Jane Kim and Malia Cohen, Shanti Executive Director Kaushik Roy, in back, and Assemblyman David Chiu, second from right, Tuesday announed the agency’s expanded program for women with cancer.

by Sari Staver

U

nderserved San Francisco women diagnosed with cancer can receive a wide variety of social services under a $1 million program announced this week by the Shanti Project, which is expanding its service that formerly just served women with breast cancer.

The nonprofit, which last month marked its 41st anniversary, provides emotional and practical support services to people with life threatening and chronic illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. At a news conference outside City Hall Tuesday, November 10, Shanti officials and political leaders announced the renamed Margot Murphy Women’s Cancer program.

Those in attendance included Supervisors Katy Tang, Jane Kim and Malia Cohen as well as Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and a representative from gay state Senator Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) office.

Financed with public and private funds, the program is expected to reach 400-500 underserved women in its first year, Kaushik Roy, Shanti’s executive director, said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter before the event.

Of the $1 million budget, approximately 36 percent comes from the city, 46 percent from foundations and corporate support, and 18 percent from individual donations, Roy said.

“One of our goals is to continue bringing in new individual and corporate supporters who are committed to supporting underserved women’s health,” Roy said in an email. “I think as more people learn about this program and how important it is, hopefully we will continue to increase our private support.”

Roy added that the agency wants people to know it does more that serve people with HIV/AIDS. “A lot of people in San Francisco, when they hear ‘Shanti,’ still automatically think about HIV/AIDS, which is understandable because of our legacy of work with people with HIV,” Roy said. “Our job is to educate the community about the impact we are now making for other

underserved or marginalized communities too.”

Groups supporting the new program include many of the city’s hospitals, health care agencies, and nonprofit groups.

The community-based effort represents an expansion of Shanti’s 14-year-old program providing services to women with breast cancer.

That program was called the Margot Murphy Breast Cancer program in 2013, after a private donor, Michael Murphy, made a multi-year grant in memory of his late wife.

According to Roy, the new initiative is the most comprehensive women’s cancer services program offered in San Francisco. After a cancer diagnosis, “we don’t always know the path” we will take, Roy said, but under the new program, “you won’t have to walk it alone.”

Women participating in the program are eligible for a wide range of services and benefits, including assistance in navigating the medical system and accompaniment to appointments. The program also supplies vouchers for transportation and groceries; translation services; emotional and practical support; community referrals; and wellness and support groups.

Each woman in the program could receive 50-100 hours of “oneon-one” support from a trained volunteer or staff member.

At the news conference, Shanti client Tracy Griffin thanked the agency for its support following her recent cancer diagnosis.

“Having Shanti by my side has made me feel much more optimistic,” she said.

Specifically, Griffin said the transportation vouchers were enormously helpful during her post surgery recuperation. Shanti’s guidance with outreach programs was also beneficial, she added.

Shanti is currently seeking a director for the new project; the interim director is Alyssa Nickell, Ph.D., Shanti’s director of program development and research. Volunteer training programs for the project will begin in January.t For more information, visit www.shanti.org.

Correction The November 5 article, “Victory and defeat for gays in local races in U.S.,” identified gay New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora as a Republican. He is a Democrat. The online version has been changed.

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All bathrooms, all the time

T

he staggering defeat of an anti-discrimination ordinance by Houston voters last week should shock every Californian. For many LGBTs here, last Tuesday night was an awful flashback to November 2008, when voters in our state took away same-sex couples’ right to marry. It took us five years to get that right back, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that tossed the initiative known as Proposition 8.

Like that ugly fight seven years ago, the campaign against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, effectively employed a similar bogeyman using fear to manipulate voters. Instead of a little girl running home to her mom saying she could marry a princess (one of the most effective ads the Yes on 8 folks used here), the No on Prop 1 campaign in Houston relied on five words, “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms.” And it aired an outrageous ad that showed a creepy man following a little girl into a women’s restroom. Its message was stark, terrifying, and very effective. Even though HERO would have protected 15 classes of people, the campaign against it boiled down to one class and the baseless charge that men preying on women could decide on a whim to be a woman to enter a women’s bathroom. That’s not the reality for the trans community, who often face a years long process involving therapy, medical procedures, and the courageous decision to live one’s life authentically. All of that was lost in Houston.

And California could be next.

Right now, the anti-LGBT group Privacy for All is collecting signatures for a November 2016 ballot measure that would prohibit trans-

gender people from using public restrooms in government buildings. It’s called the “Limits on Use of Facilities in Government Buildings and Businesses.” Transgender people could be sued for up to $4,000 in damages if anyone is offended by their presence in a public restroom, including those in public schools. It’s a hateful, unnecessary, and regressive proposal that flies in the face of California’s strong anti-LGBT discrimination laws.

Privacy for All is surely gloating over the defeat of HERO, and likely taking pages right out of the No on 1 campaign’s playbook. Since the signature threshold is so low for a statewide initiative (thanks to the low voter turnout two years ago, which determines the number of qualified signatures needed), it is very possible that we will be voting on this initiative next year.

That means the campaign to defeat it must start now, and is being addressed by the folks at Equality California, Transgender Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and others.

But the effort to defeat the anti-bathroom initiative, should it make the ballot, must improve on the failures of the No on 8 campaign.

People often vote for or against initiatives based on their personal fears, not logic. The Yes on 8 campaign took advantage of parents’ fears about what their kids learn in schools. At that time, same-sex marriage wasn’t as common here; California had only allowed it for the five months leading up to the election so it was relatively new. One of the No on 8 campaign’s fatal mistakes was not using gay and lesbian couples in its ads, squandering the op-

t

portunity for voters to see same-sex couples as real people, not some abstract idea.

Trans people are a very small percentage of the population and some trans people aren’t even out about their status. There are very few out trans role models, and celebrities such as Caitlyn Jenner have drawn a mixed reaction, even though to date she’s handled her coming out very well. Jenner has acknowledged her privileged status but it’s not the common experience of the majority of trans people. Most people in California don’t know a trans man or woman. That must change.

Trans people need to start coming out and telling their stories. Those who are already out should mentor those who aren’t. Parents of trans children – yes, kids are realizing their gender identity at younger ages than ever before – need to come out, not only to support their children, but also to send a positive message to other parents that their kids aren’t “freaks” or “boys in dresses.” These efforts need to start now, well in advance of any campaign. Groups like EQCA and TLC should begin holding media training sessions in cities around the state, especially in non-urban areas like the central coast and Central Valley. For those in urban areas, the meetings will also be helpful as trans people can network and strategize. Stories should be pitched to mainstream media outlets of all types: newspapers, magazines, and TV. And if the initiative does qualify for the ballot, trans people must be front and center of the campaign to defeat it. Trans people need to be in the ads. Trans kids need to be in the ads with their supportive parents.

The sooner people throughout the state know about trans people and hear their stories, the better it will be if we have to band together next year to fight a transphobic, discriminatory ballot initiative.t

In Houston, opponents won with five words

by Theresa Sparks

N

O MEN IN WOMEN’S BATHROOMS. On the surface, that statement seems not to be necessarily discriminatory. But in last week’s elections in Houston, Texas, it became a way to spread fear and feed already deepseated discrimination against transgender and gender-queer (TGGQ) people and possibly others. This single phrase was successful in misrepresenting not only TGGQ people and their rights but also those of many other disenfranchised communities as well.

On November 3, Houstonians went to the polls to establish a citywide ordinance to protect its citizens against discrimination. Proposition 1, the proposed Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, referred to as HERO, established the very simple premise that, “No Houstonian should be discriminated against based on sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy,” a core value not only shared by most Houstonians but also most democratic societies.

HERO was defeated by voters by nearly a two to one margin primarily based on the five-word slogan, “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms,” and a statement boasting, “The defeat of this proposition is about protecting our grandmoms, and our mothers and our wives and our sisters and our daughters and our granddaughters from sexual predators.”

The proposed ordinance would have enumerated 15 different categories of people in which discrimination currently exists in Houston and protected them in the future, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The opponents of HERO used only hateful and misleading characterization of TGGQ people, and their right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity and expression, to attack and defeat the simple and mainstream concept of protecting its residents from discrimination, in all its manifestations.

In San Francisco, throughout California, and in many other regions of the country, people see these kinds of attacks for what they really are; veiled attempts to cover up hatred and deeply-held beliefs of discrimination in many forms, including homophobia and transphobia.

It’s interesting to note that the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled in 2014 that gender identity and expression

million of which 46 percent are Hispanic, 25 percent are African-American or black, 25 percent are white, and all other ethnic groups constitute merely 4 percent. An analysis of discrimination data reported to the city of Houston between May 28, 2014 and September 2, 2015 quantified the types of discrimination that exist in Houston today. Race was the greatest area of discrimination at 56 percent of all reported, followed by gender (sex) at 17 percent, familial status at 13 percent, age at 6 percent, sexual orientation and gender identity combined at A Proposition 1 opponent shared his views in this 5 percent, and all others at a total of 3 photo, which went viral after last week’s election. percent. In addition, Houston has, for the past six years, had a lesbian mayor are already covered by the United States Civil and is known as a city that has a vibrant LGBRights Act of 1964 under the definition of sex TGGQ community. discrimination. The attorney general of the This analysis shows that HERO would have United States agreed with that determination. benefited racial minorities, women, families, It has also been tested in federal court and was and seniors to a much greater extent than gay, upheld. In 2015, the EEOC held that sexual lesbian, bisexual, and TGGQ people. orientation should also be included in that This election in Houston and the defeat determination. This means LGB and TGGQ of HERO using mischaracterized images of people are covered against employment distransgender and gender queer people should crimination irrespective of whether they are set off a number of red flags. covered by any state or local ordinance.

It demonstrates just how misinformed Also in 2014, the U.S. Department society is about TGGQ people and of Education published the same the huge mountain we need to determination as to TGGQ inclimb to get the so-called maindividuals, that they were already stream comfortable with the concovered in the US Civil Rights cept of being TGGQ-identified.

Act of 1964 under the definiWe have already identified this tion of sex discrimination. This challenge and know that it will determination is applicable to take a lot more than Caitlyn grades K through 12, colleges Jenner to educate good people and universities and clarifies about who we are and how we the use of bathrooms, changing are just another part of the fabric facilities, and sex-segregated acof the human condition. tivities by TGGQ people based on their gender It also brings up, though, a more troubling identity and expression. Failure to comply, irquestion of whether society’s lack of underrespective of local statutes, could risk the loss standing and education about TGGQ individof federal funding. uals can be used successfully by racist, misogyAssuming there are relatively unbiased lawnistic, and homo/transphobic people to cover yers in Texas, and the existence of these federal up other forms of hatred and discrimination determinations by the EEOC, DOE, U.S. atsuch as race, sex, familial status and age. That torney general and several federal courts, one might in fact be the case in Houston.t might suggest that the opponents of HERO already knew that their statements were lies Theresa Sparks is the executive director of and misrepresentations and that no matter the San Francisco Human Rights Comwhat the outcome of HERO, TGGQ people mission. The opinions expressed here are would still be protected in employment and those of the author’s only and do not repeducation. resent the view of any organization with Houston is a city with a population of 2.24 whom she is affiliated, past and present.

t

Letters >>

Halloween fun in WeHo

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 5

I went to Halloween in West Hollywood in October. It was a great time. It reminded me of the great Castro Halloween celebrations of the past, before about 2005. West Hollywood closes Santa Monica for one mile and a couple of the side streets like Robertson. It was a fun crowd and included families and non-costumed, clearly straight people. Two big differences from San Francisco: there were no large groups of rowdy, drunk people being followed by police and their probation officers.

My theory of how WeHo is able to avoid the gangs coming in for Halloween is that WeHo

is a tough area to park in compared to the easy access to Castro via Muni and BART. Second big difference: no alcohol being sold on the street. No fair-run alcohol booths, no liquor stores selling booze, and no people selling out of coolers. I am afraid to say that San Francisco is losing its mantle of mecca for the gay community: Castro bars are boring, the Castro Street Fair dying, and Pink Saturday dangerous. Also went to WeHo and Palm Springs prides – yep, better than ours, too. Our only claim to fame left is the Folsom Street Fair.

Kevin Dowling Hayward, California

Gay SF vet witnesses a lifetime of change

Barry Schneider Attorney at Law

by Matthew S. Bajko

G

ay Army veteran Robert C. Potter for the last 22 years has participated in San Francisco’s annual Veterans Day Parade.

Until two years ago, Potter could be seen helping to carry the banner of the Alexander Hamilton American Legion Post 448 – the first Legion post in the country catering to LGBT veterans – in the parade. Due to his needing to use a walker to get about, Potter, 88, now rides on the post’s float in the event, which was held last Sunday.

“When you are a kid growing up, you think how nice it would be to be in a parade,” said Potter. “My God, I am in parades every year now. I get a kick out of it.”

Born June 6, 1927 to an unwed mother, Potter bounced around different foster homes but maintained a relationship with his maternal grandparents. It wasn’t until later in life that his mother disclosed that his grandfather was also his father.

In 1946 the third-generation San Franciscan was drafted into the Army. After going through boot camp in Texas, Potter was first sent to Japan for a week and then to Kimpo Air Base outside of Seoul, Korea. The city, he recalled in a recent interview with the Bay Area Reporter, had been decimated in World War II during the Japanese occupation.

He served there for a year before being flown back to Seattle where he was honorably discharged. He then returned home to San Francisco.

“In the Army I was a total virgin. I can’t even believe it,” said Potter. “I was such a closet case. I was totally repressed.”

It wasn’t until he found himself at the now infamous Black Cat Cafe, a onetime North Beach bar made famous by the late drag queen Jose Julio Sarria, that Potter came out of the closet as a gay man in his early 20s.

“Yes, the Black Cat was my hangout,” recalled Potter, who remembers voting for Sarria when he ran for supervisor in 1961, marking the first political campaign in the U.S. by an out candidate. “None of us would be here without him. Today’s gay kids have forgotten that.”

Potter also credited the bar’s straight owner, the late Sol Stoumen, for standing up for his patrons and successfully fighting in court attempts to shutter the Black Cat due to its being a “hangout for homosexuals.”

“He was papa to all of us,” recalled Potter of Stoumen.

Other than stints in Hollywood, where his attempts to become an actor fizzled, and in Taos, New Mexico, where he represented several Native American artists, Potter has spent the majority of his life in the City-by-the-Bay. For much of that time he worked at a lithograph plant.

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Gay veteran Robert C. Potter stands in front of a portrait of himself by artist Cynthia Bissell.

He credits having the well-paid job with protecting him from police harassment. Several times the cops picked him up late in the morning walking home from the Rendezvous, an underground gay dance club that operated in the 1950s in Japantown.

“They tried to get me on a vagabond charge, but I always had money,” recalled Potter. “Still, they wouldn’t let me go home. I would have to sit there until 8 or 9 a.m. in an office in the old Hall of Justice on Kearney Street.”

Other gay men who got arrested, recalled Potter, lost their jobs because their names were published in the paper.

“But we still had a good time,” he said. “How did we do it? We must have been good little bastards. But we didn’t know any better, that was the way it was.”

Because he didn’t see military action during his time in the Army, Potter never thought about joining a veterans’ group. It wasn’t until after his retirement in 1989 that friends convinced him to join the Alexander Hamilton Post.

Now an officer emeritus, and the post’s oldest, active member, Potter assisted with the group’s involvement in the fight to overturn the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that barred LGBT military members from serving openly. The anti-gay policy was repealed in 2011.

“What a political coup that was,”

marveled Potter.

It was just one of many milestones Potter has witnessed, from walking the Golden Gate Bridge on opening day on May 27, 1937 to seeing the election of the city’s first gay supervisor, Harvey Milk, in November 1977, and surviving the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s that killed many of his close friends.

“We were pioneers and we didn’t know it,” Potter said of his generation. “We were looked down on; we were discriminated against.”

He still marvels at the societal changes that have occurred over his lifetime.

“Electing a black president, my God. I am sure Mrs. Clinton is going to be there,” predicted Potter. “I am happy I am still around and lived long enough to see all of this.”

Gay man leads CA vets agency

One sign of the changes Potter has witnessed was the appointment this fall of a gay man to lead the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

In September Governor Jerry Brown named Los Angeles resident Dr. Vito Imbasciani to be secretary of the state agency. Imbasciani, 69, whose salary is $188,451, has been serving in the position in an acting capacity while he awaits confirmation by the state Senate.

Imbasciani’s confirmation hearing has yet to be scheduled. Now on recess until January, the Senate has until next September to vote on Imbasciani’s appointment.

See page 14 >>

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6 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

<< Business News

t

SF hotel spa, restaurant provides escape from holiday hubbub

by Matthew S. Bajko

Castro Merchants will be decorating the palm trees hotel with a spa and restaurant in the center median along perched atop San Francisco’s Market Street with overNob Hill offers locals and visitors sized bows and is expandalike an escape from the holiday ing the number of lighted hubbub of the nearby Union Square trees along the sidewalk shopping district. on both sides of Market The Scarlet Huntington Hotel, Street between Castro and at 1075 California Street, kitty corChurch-14th streets. ner to Grace Cathedral, is home to The second year for the the Nob Hill Spa, which is offertree lights, Market Street ing a special Gentleman’s Quarters businesses are being asked package that includes a 50-minute to adopt a tree in front of deep tissue massage, followed by an their storefronts and cover artisan flight of three selections of the electricity bill, roughly whiskey, scotch or cognac that can $300 per tree. PG&E probe consumed poolside or outdoors vided the Castro Merchants on a patio with a bird’s eye view of with a “really, really generthe hillside neighborhood. ous,” grant to help offset the Taking up the hotel’s offer to excost for members, said the Scarlet Huntington Hotel perience the spa firsthand, I headed Site sells gay men’s group’s president Daniel An indoor pool at the Nob Hill Spa offers relaxation following massages. over one recent weekday for a 5 used furniture Bergerac. p.m. appointment. If you forget to A locally owned website Although he declined to McGuire table to the maid or an anroughly 1,000 items for sale on the bring along a bathing suit, the spa that resells gay men’s used reveal the amount of the tique sofa to the dog sitter. She came site, the majority listed by the perhas ones guests can use during their furniture is winning accolades for its company’s donation, the money up with the website for selling highson trying to sell it. The listing invisit. clever video marketing campaign. will reduce the cost by $100 per tree end curated furniture,” said Light. cludes the original price, a photo of Post massage I took advantage of Dubbed Previously Owned By for Castro Merchants members.

He turned over an entire storthe item, and a detailed description access to both the men’s only steam A Gay Man, the site is the brainThe lights should be switched on by age unit of old home furnishings including any marks or scratches. and dry saunas before enjoying a child of Oakland resident Michele November 20, though there will be to Hofherr to sell on the site when “We try to represent things as best dip in the pool, housed in a twoHofherr. Launched in the summer various gaps along the streetscape it first launched with the condition we can in the photos, point out any story glass atrium. My scotch flight of 2014, the online marketplace as not every business or property that she “pay the storage bill and flaws, and talk about any damage,” arrived at 6:15 p.m., perfectly timed features various home decor items owner has agreed to sponsor a tree. take it out of my life. That is how it said Hofherr. for me to enjoy a purple/orange their onetime gay owners have tired “In a perfect world we would happened.”

The average price for items on sunset while ensconced in a deck of and replaced. love to have them all the way down Regarding the name, it is somethe site is $700, with more expensive chair outside wrapped in a robe for The website is the outgrowth of Market Street to warm up the what of a misnomer, as the site caritems such as sofas priced at $5,000, warmth.

Hofherr’s own experience of seeing upper Market Street corridor for ries furniture not only owned by whereas cheaper items such as pilAlthough the Talisker 10-year sinher gay friend, Douglas Light, and holiday shoppers,” said Bergerac, a gay men but also wholesalers and lows can cost $50. gle malt scotch was a tad too smoky his partner redecorate their various co-owner of Mudpuppy’s Tub and designers looking to offload their When the item sells, the seller and peaty for my taste, I thoroughly homes over the years and not know Scrub on Castro Street. “It will just old inventory. receives 80 percent and the site gets enjoyed both the Glenrothes select what to do with their now out-ofcontinue to grow on itself we hope.”

“I would imagine most peoa 20 percent cut. Hofherr will also reserve scotch and the Macallan 12favor but still-in-good-conple buying the furniture handle the listing and selling of year single malt scotch.

Hot Cookie changes hands dition furnishings. off the website are probitems for owners, in which case the The Gentleman’s Quarters packThe longtime Castro treats pur“They didn’t want to ably not gay. The people split of the sale is 50/50. age costs $205 per person, gratuity veyor Hot Cookie has changed deal with eBay or Craiglisting, I would think are “It is a fulltime job and then is included and provides access to ownership. But it continues to be a slist and had this stuff gay, which makes sense,” some. It is a lot of work but it is rethe pool and saunas and a Zen regay-owned local business. that was still real good, said Light, who has ally fun,” she said. laxation room. Also available to be In late October Dan Glazer sold so they would just give teamed with Hofherr to The website is at https://previbooked is a private Spa Suite in the the cookie shop on Castro Street it away to people,” repitch a television show ouslyownedbyagayman.com/. hotel that adjoins a spa room. It to his boyfriend’s best friend, Tony called Hofherr, who based off the website’s costs $300 to reserve for four hours Roug, and Paul Perretta, Roug’s is married and now Castro to ring in Christmas name in which he and services such as spa treatments, son. Glazer, who declined to disraising a child with her The Castro Merchants group would star. “It would be food, and beverage cost extra. close the sale price, had owned Hot husband. “One time it will once again be ringing in the like Antiques Roadshow The hotel is also home to the Big Cookie since 1997. was to their gardener and another holidays with a Christmas tree lightwith a gay bent to it.”

4 Restaurant, housed in a corner Roug, who is currently living in time to their dog nanny.” ing celebration the Monday after For now, there is no information space off the lobby with its own Santa Cruz, and Perretta, an OakYet Hofherr, herself into interior Thanksgiving. posted with the items for sale on street entrance. It derives its name land resident who is overseeing the design and upholstering used furniThe annual tradition in San Franthe website about who the previous from the four railroad barons who day-to-day running of the shop, are ture, saw a business opportunity in cisco’s gayborhood returns at 6 p.m. owners were, though Hofherr said used their fortunes to construct both gay. They would like to open her friends’ unwanted home decor.

Monday, November 30 at the corner the “vast majority” of items come massive mansions nearby back in other Hot Cookie locations in cities So she inquired about selling their of 18th and Castro streets. B.A.R. from individuals looking to sell two the late 19th century. across the country and are working old sofas, patio furniture, paintings, society columnist Donna Sachet to eight pieces of furniture.

The men – C.P. Huntington, on building a website for delivery of and light fixtures for them. is set to once again play hostess to “The idea is the name does not Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, online purchases.

“Their stuff was barely used. the festive event, which will include have to be taken so literally. That can and Leland Stanford – started out “We have to find the right place in It was in such good condition, I Santa Claus with his elf escorts and be the essence of what we are doing,” running shops in Sacramento the right neighborhood,” said Roug. thought someone would pay really seasonal songs from the SF Lesexplained Hofherr, adding that the that equipped those seeking their As for the 57-year-old Glazer, he good money for that,” said Hofherr. bian/Gay Freedom Band, the San concept is “of course a generalization. fortunes among the Sierra’s gold is focused on his music career. He is “It got my brain thinking, ‘I bet peoFrancisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and Not every gay man has good taste.” mines. The quartet struck its own in a new band and working with a ple are now more comfortable shopthe Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San The playing off the stereotype payload with the construction of the videographer on his new song “Mr. ping online and willing to take sort Francisco. about gay men was used effectively Central Pacific Railroad.

Bear.” of that leap because eBay paved the The business association is also in a video created for the website Their homes may no longer exist, As for the name of his band, way for everybody.’ There is nothing in talks with Congregation Sha’ar that was named “Best Video of the destroyed by the 1906 earthquake Glazer said, “It might be Hot Cookgreater than getting a great piece of Zahav, an LGBT Jewish synagogue, Year” at the 2015 Internet Retailers and fire, but a taste of their lavish ie Music. I am working on a name furniture with some history but a lot about hosting a menorah lighting Conference. It depicts a straight lifestyle lives on through the decor right now.”t of legs still left in it.” this year, possibly in Jane Warner twenty-something guy coming out of the Big 4 Restaurant’s piano Light and his partner moved from Plaza, to celebrate the first night of to his parents about using the webbar and dining room with green San Francisco to the Oakland Hills Got a tip on LGBT business Hanukkah, which begins Sunday, site. (It can be viewed at https:// banquettes. last year and have owned houses news? Call Matthew S. Bajko at December 6. Details, however, are vimeo.com/99872968) (415) 829-8836 or e-mail Last Saturday my husband and I in Palm Springs and elsewhere. An still being worked out.

There has been some confusion, m.bajko@ebar.com. enjoyed a dinner of lobster bisque artist and onetime interior designer, said Hofherr, about who the soup, oysters, chicken liver mousse, he met Hofherr years ago when they site is trying to target due to rack of lamb, and filet mignon. The both worked at a Los Angeles talent its name. average price per diner, excluding agency.

“We had people ask ‘I am cocktails and wine, is roughly $71, “She got fed up seeing me give the not gay, can I buy or sell?’ Of course, it is open for everyone,” she said. “We thought the name said a lot about the type of stuff we are trying to sell and the aesthetic principle behind it.”

The popularity of the site came quickly and caught LGBT PROGRESSIVE CATHOLICS † OUR FAMILIES & FRIENDS Hofherr by surprise, as she at first was focused just on the Bay Area. To service orders from across the country, she scrambled to find partners to store and ship the items for sale.

Liturgy & Social: Every Sunday 5pm “Demand outside of the Ron Henggeler First Sunday Movie Night Bay Area is growing quickly.

Second Sunday Potluck Supper Festive Thanksgiving decorations adorn the dining room at We have shipped out of state Third Wednesday Faith Sharing Group more than in state,” she said. the Big 4 Restaurant.

1329 Seventh Avenue † info@dignitysanfrancisco.org Follow us on Facebook!

At any given time there are

A

according to Zagat.

Our waiter that night was Ron Henggeler, a local gay photographer whose work adorns the Nob Hill Masonic Center across the street. He was a wealth of knowledge about the local history the restaurant honors.

To see the Big 4 Restaurant’s seasonal menus, overseen by executive chef Kevin Scott, or to book a table, visit http://www.big4restaurant. com/.

For more information about the spa and to make reservations or purchase gift certificates, visit http://www. nobhillspa.com/.

Celebrating our Sexuality and Love as Gifts of God

t

Commentary>>

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 7

The tip

by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

L

ast year, Time magazine said we had reached the “Transgender tipping point.” Since then, Olympic hero Caitlyn Jenner has joined other high-profile transgender celebrities such as Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and Laura Jane Grace. The visibility of transgender people in the mainstream media has never been higher.

In spite of all the visibility, however, one topic dominates transgender issues more than any celebrity: bathrooms. I’ve talked about bathrooms a lot, so much so that I’m really not sure I have much new to say.

Last week, a referendum on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, failed. The law covered a total of 15 protected classes against bias in several categories in the city, which is the nation’s fourth largest.

It was defeated by a vote of 61 to 39 percent. Once again, the adage that you should never allow a vote on minority rights rings true. Such a struggle almost always fails.

Everyone is now busy trying to figure out why Proposition 1, as the ballot measure was called, lost, and laying blame all over the place. Even unfairly at the feet of the black community, or high-profile celebrities such as Beyoncé, who was born and raised in the city.

I don’t think you can so easily claim that this or that group did not do enough. While I think a lot of LGBT groups could have done more, HERO failed because our opponents dominated discussion. They did so by using the bathroom meme, claiming that the ordinance would somehow allow predators to go into

changing rooms and restrooms and victimize women or children.

Television and radio stations aired commercials making that claim and opponents’ T-shirts declared, “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms. Vote NO on Houston’s Prop #1.”

Few seemed to know what the law actually covered; only believing it was just about men in women’s restrooms.

This is how well the opposition controlled the debate.

As I’ve already said, I don’t want to talk about bathrooms anymore. I feel like I’ve made it as clear as I can that rights for transgender people do not lead to predators in women’s rooms. The facts back it up: there have been no cases of assault in any city where these rights have been obtained. These ordinances do not repeal any sexual assault laws. It’s ludicrous.

You cannot, however, appeal to facts when it comes to arguments claiming people dear to you will be victimized, and you will have no recourse.

As ridiculous as the argument is, for many it seems to trip a primal trigger. People go against logic, seeking only to defend what they find precious.

What the transgender community needs right now is an emotional argument that helps those so trig9.75 in. gered to stand down, to feel they’re loved ones are safe and protected

– and are safer with transgender protections in place.

With the loss of HERO we will see more of these fights against transgender rights crop up, especially in a presidential election year, when conservatives want to get out the vote. This, too, is akin to what went down with Proposition 8 and other anti-marriage bills. This is exactly why conservative groups seem to be heavily invested in culture wars: it gets people out to vote for their candidates as they pull the lever against us.

Speaking of the presidential race: Republican candidate Ben Carson also chimed in on HERO, for what it’s worth. “It is not fair for [transgender people] to make everybody else uncomfortable,” Carson said.

“It’s one of the things that I don’t particularly like about the movement.” This man is one of the top GOP candidates, according to recent polls, which should scare you.

I can’t help but ask who else has

7.625 in.

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“made everybody else uncomfortable” in the bathroom. As I’ve said before, every rights battle seems to have its bathroom moment. Heck, the same arguments were used with race-segregated bathrooms in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment battle of the 1970s.

I got talking about bathrooms again, didn’t I? Enough about them: here’s what I really want to talk about.

In this country, since November 20, 2014, 22 transgender people have been reported killed due to anti-transgender violence. They – and the likely hundreds more killed worldwide – will be honored November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This will be the 17th annual TDOR observance.

The number of deaths is higher than years past, though I can’t tell you for sure if the numbers have increased because we’re paying more attention, or because there are more

trans people being killed.

My gut tells me that it’s a bit of both.

Many have claimed that visibility of Jenner and others that make up “the transgender tipping point” are indirectly responsible for the increase in murders. This, to me, feels a bit like saying Beyoncé not speaking out in support led to the defeat of HERO. For me, though, I can’t help but look at the people fighting laws in Houston and elsewhere.

How can you expect to tell people about how giving rights to transgender people will allow sexual deviants to harm Christine Smith your family and not expect people to react. As I said above, that was the whole point of the bathroom meme.

Some may defend their loved ones by voting, but others do so by grabbing a weapon. Like Carson, some people are uncomfortable – and with their religious and political leaders attacking transgender people, they might feel equally at ease doing so.

Transgender people are being cast as the enemy of decency, as something to fear, something to feel uncomfortable about. It’s not that much a step from this sort of vilification to seeing people seeking to kill us.

HERO, bathrooms, and these attacks on transgender people are just the tip, and the stakes are higher than ever before.t Gwen Smith is so very much not a predator. You’ll find her on Twitter at @gwenners.

<<Community News

8 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

t

TDOR events around the Bay Area

Jane Philomen Cleland

San Francisco City Hall was bathed in pink and blue lights for last year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance observance.

compiled by Cynthia Laird

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vents commemorating this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance are planned in cities around the Bay Area.

The annual event is a time to remember those killed due to antitrans violence. So far this year, 23 transgender people, mostly people of color, have been killed in the U.S., another 20 have died by suicide, according to a compilation

by San Francisco Human Rights Commission Executive Director Theresa Sparks. Bay Area Reporter columnist Gwen Smith, who started Transgender Day of Remembrance 17 years ago, puts the figure at 22 killed so far this year. (See the Transmissions column, page 7.)

In San Francisco, the Transgender Law Center, the LGBT Community Center, and Openhouse are sponsoring the Transgender Day of Remembrance observance Friday, November 20, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the center’s Rainbow Room, 1800 Market Street.

Officials at Openhouse, an agency that works with LGBT seniors, urged members of the elder community to attend.

“While this violence has rightly been dubbed a crisis by activists and community members, few national leaders have responded to these tragedies,” an announcement in the agency’s newsletter said. “We call on you, the LGBT 60-plus community, to respond.”

In Oakland, the 10th annual TDOR event takes place Friday, November 20, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, near the 12th Street BART station.

Once again, the event is being organized by Tiffany Woods, her team, and many East Bay supporters. Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney is serving as honorary co-host, along with Councilwoman Annie Campbell Washington. Other co-hosts include Congresswoman Barbara Lee (DOakland); Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland); Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley; and former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, Melinda Haag.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is expected to make remarks at the observance.

Event sponsors include the Pacific Center for Human Growth in Berkeley, East Bay Stonewall Democrats, and Castro Valley Pride.

In San Mateo, Peninsula Metropolitan Community Church will observe Transgender Day of Remembrance at its worship service Sunday, November 22. The service begins at 12:30 p.m. at 1150 West Hillsdale Boulevard.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes, or-

ganizers said. In addition to providing people an opportunity to mourn lives lost, it also raises awareness of hate crimes against trans people and reminds non-trans people that transgender people are their sons, daughters, parents, friends, and loved ones.

Thanksgiving volunteers needed for SF dinner

Thanksgiving is coming up and the folks at Tenderloin Tessie are seeking volunteers to help with the group’s holiday dinner for those in need.

The dinner takes place Thursday, November 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary) in San Francisco.

Tenderloin Tessie board president Michael Gagne sent out an advisory stating that helpers are needed for Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to pick up items from the group’s storage facility and pick up groceries (some heavy lifting required).

Then on Thanksgiving, volunteers are needed for the following shifts: 9 a.m. to noon, set up and decorate; noon to 4 p.m., help at the dinner and the mandatory meeting around noon; 3 to 6 p.m., help with the last hour of the dinner and tear-down. People can sign up for multiple shifts and all volunteers will get a meal around 2.

Finally, people are needed to take the decorations and other items back to the storage unit Saturday, November 28 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Interested people can sign up online at www.tenderlointessie.com under the “Contact Us” tab on the left side of the page. Then scroll down to the “Volunteer” section. People can also call Gagne at (415) 584-3252 or call (415) 779-6285 or email tenderlointessiedinners@yahoo.com. Donations can be made via the website, under the “Support Us” tab.

DeFrank center to hold Thanksgiving dinner

The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center will have a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility, 938 The Alameda in San Jose.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Ross@defrank.org.

Sandbag Saturdays to help prepare for storms

San Francisco Public Works and the city’s Public Utilities Commission are teaming up to host two “Sandbag Saturdays” to help residents prepare for the winter rainy season.

San Francisco residents can get up to 10 free sandbags at five neighborhood pop-up distribution sites See page 11 >>

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Community News>>

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 11

NCLR brings star power to women of color benefit

by Khaled Sayed

women of color to see the work of NCLR as being work that is focused n its effort to continue engagon the LGBT community, but with ing women of color to increase a racial justice analysis and framing, their visibility as philanthropists in and to have people commit at whatevthe LGBT movement, the National er level they can to support that work.”

Center for Lesbian Rights brought A spokesman said the event out the stars for a recent benefit. raised $11,000.

The event, billed as “Music and Kendell said that the most chalConversation with Sara Ramirez,” lenging issue is one that has been a drew over 100 people to the San constant, which is families rejecting Francisco LGBT Community Centheir own kids for being gay. ter Saturday, November 7 to sup“Being rejected by families is such port NCLR’s Ruth Ellis Women a common experience, no matter of Color Giving Circle. Ramirez, a what is your ethnicity,” Kendell said. straight ally, currently stars on the “By empowering LGBT people to hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy. While feel good about themselves, endon Broadway, she received a Tony ing shame, ending stigma, and reAward for her role as Lady of the ally making folks be responsible for Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot. their own future, regardless of famAlso on stage that evening was ily rejection, you can set yourself on Maya Jupiter, who co-founded Artiva path where you can be the agent of ist Entertainment, an your own destiny.” entertainment compaKendell acknowlny committed to createdged that it is hard ing and supporting art to overcome family and music that inspires rejection. positive social change, “If you experience and Cambalache, family rejection, or a Chicano-Jarocho if you have been a group based in East victim of conversion Los Angeles. therapy, where our “What I love about families try to crush the NCLR is that it is who we are as LGBT Khalid Sayed all-inclusive,” Ramirez people, that challenge said. “When I look out Actress Sara Ramirez continues, even with and see the people who took part in a benefit all the victories we are involved with the for the National Center have had,” she said.

NCLR, I see a lot of dif- for Lesbian Rights last According to Kendferent faces, I see a lot of weekend. ell there is a long way people with lives, expeto go for LGBT people riences, backgrounds, to gain equal human cultures and colors, and I want to see rights in the U.S.; marriage equality more of that. They help hundreds of didn’t end the fight for equality. individuals with their work in immi“What we succeeded in doing gration and their work with LGBTQ with marriage equality is that the youth, and I’m very interested in all government is no longer an agent of these intersections between all of in our discrimination, but the culthese communities, for obvious reature is,” Kendell said. “Families are, sons, because a lot of these communineighbors are, churches are, and ties resonate with me.” communities are.”

Longtime NCLR Executive DirecKendell pointed out various istor Kate Kendell, who has been at the sues that still affect the community. nonprofit for 21 years and headed it “LGBT people may be able to get for 20, said that the fundraiser was married, but can still be fired from focused on elevating the voices of their jobs for being gay; can get marlesbians of color and gay men of color ried, but can still be rejected by their within the organization. families; can get married but still “This is really is Ramirez’s vision,” can’t adopt,” Kendall said, referring Kendell said, “to come together and to laws in many other states. “So we do an event to benefit LGBT people have succeeded in that the governof color within LGBT organizations, ment is no longer really putting in this case NCLR.” its thumb on the scale around our According to Kendell there was equality. But we have a way to go in no specific financial goal for the order for us to have an equality of fundraising event. life, where we feel free and we feel “We really didn’t set a financial any opportunity is ours, and we are goal,” she said. “The goal is for people not hampered based on our sexual to be better connected with the ororientation or gender identity. We ganization. Particularly for men and are a long way from that moment.”t

I

<<

News Briefs

From page 8

the next two Saturdays: November 14 and 21.

The sandbags are intended to protect properties prone to flooding. People must show proof of San Francisco residency to receive them.

Sandbags will be available on the above dates between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations: San Francisco Fire Department training facility, Folsom Street at 19th Street; Marina Green parking lot, Marina Boulevard and Marina Green Drive; the Great Highway at Balboa Street; Lake Merced – Sunset Circle parking lot, Sunset Boulevard and Lake Merced Boulevard; and Recology Golden Gate, 900 7th Street at Berry Street.

Youth organization to hold benefit

City Youth Now, or CYN, a nonprofit that supports San Francisco’s

foster care and juvenile justice systems, will hold its Winter Bliss party and benefit Friday, December 4 from 6 to 11 p.m. at chef Traci Des Jardins’ restaurant Arguello, located at the Presidio Officer’s Club, 50 Moraga Avenue in San Francisco.

The evening’s activities will include a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception, dancing, and an opportunity to help support CYN. Proceeds from the party will go toward ensuring youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems have a better chance at overcoming the cycle of violence and addiction that often entraps so many of their peers and adult community members.

Tickets are $75 until November 13, and $100 per person after that.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (415) 753-7576, or visiting www. cityyouthnow.org and clicking “Winter Bliss” under the “News and Events” tab.t

DECADES

Housewares - Toys - Hardware - Craft - Gifts 479 Castro Street - cliffsvariety.com

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Pottery artist and community volunteer, Richard Williams has more time now; time to create and enjoy his friends. Freed from life’s chores like cleaning and cooking which are provided by The Sequoias, he invests his time in his real love, throwing pottery. Call Candiece at (415) 351-7900 to learn more and how to manage future health care costs. Be passionate!

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12 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

<< Sports

t College athletes’ action spurs president’s resignation

by Roger Brigham

Steven Underhill

PHOTOGRAPHY

feces on the wall of a dormitory.

Sick and tired of living in a hosocially aware football players in tile, literally shitty environment, Missouri this week showed soand seeing no response from the cially aware football fans in Texas that school administration to actions are more effective than words. deal with the situation, November began with voters in students demanded and Houston rejecting a city ordinance then forced action. that would have provided non-disStudent Jonathan crimination protection for individuButler went on a hunals regardless of sexual orientation or ger strike November 2, gender identity, as well as sex, race, demanding the resigcolor, ethnicity, national origin, age, nation of Tim Wolfe, familial status, marital status, milipresident of Mizzou. tary status, religion, disability, genetAt first it drew miniic information, and pregnancy. That mal attention; gay forrejection by the electorate left Housmer Missouri football ton as the largest city in the country player Michael Sam said he took without protection for LGBT indiwater to Butler on the second day viduals. The campaign for that rejecof his hunger strike and found just tion was fueled by false propaganda a couple of tents camped out next saying the ordinance would allow to him. men to use women’s bathrooms.

But more and more students Outraged activists immedibegan camping out with Butler, and ately sprang into discussion, the tide was turned Saturday, petition-filing, blogging, and November 7, when half of the letter writing. Their targets: black members of the Mizzou big-ticket major media events football team withdrew from that provide millions of dolfootball preparation activities. lars for the local economy and That prompted coach Gary hundreds of cameras and miPinkel to say he supported crophones to capture not just the football protesters, a facthe events, but also the proulty group lined up behind the tests surrounding them. Speprotesters, and, with the unicifically, protesters wanted the versity facing the likelihood NCAA to take the 2016 men’s of having to pay $1 million to Final Four basketball tournaBrigham Young University if ment away from Houston and it canceled its next game, the for the NFL to pull the plug on university’s board of curators, Houston’s Super Bowl LI in its governing body, called an February 2017. emergency meeting Monday, The Human Rights CamNovember 9. paign wrote a letter to NFL At the start of that meeting, Commissioner Roger Goodell Wolfe resigned. asking for an emergency meetOnly time will tell us the ing to discuss the situation, Missouri student Jonathan Butler staged long-term changes this Noand a petition was launched on a hunger strike over racist incidents at the vember’s events will cause change.org asking for the event university. in Columbia and Houston. to be moved. The NFL nixed In the short term we are left both ideas, saying it would do with the impression of the its best to assure visiting fans would have been escalating since nationalpower athletes have when they act be protected at the event. ly publicized police violence in Fercollectively and with a sense of soYou know, the same kind of asguson, just 200 miles away, earlier cial consciousness, a willingness to surance Qatar is providing queers this summer. As the school adminsacrifice their dreams, and hopes who decide to attend its World Cup. istration remained as silent as Presifor the betterment of others.

Similarly, the NCCA said it would dent Ronald Reagan in the early Talking heads in Texas couldn’t not move the Final Four, but said years of the AIDS crisis, the student stop events months and years Houston could not expect favors body president said he was called a away. Athletes in Missouri down the road. racial slur while crossing campus, showed they had the power to kill “It takes years to plan and implean African-American acting troupe an event a week away – and the ment this world-class event,” said Dan said they were racially taunted while will to do so.

Gavitt, NCAA vice president of men’s performing, and – the final straw – Guess that’s why they call it the basketball championships. “We will a swastika was smeared in human Show Me State.t

S 415 370 7152

WEDDINGS, HEADSHOTS, PORTRAITS

stevenunderhill.com · stevenunderhillphotos@gmail.com

San Francisco Columbarium A cemetery for cremated remains in the City.

Some thoughts with the holiday approaching...

Gratitude is the heart’s memory.

Meet Your Neighbors wemix doand formingle ourselves dies with us.will one You’re What invited to with the people who day sharewe your San and Francisco address.

What dopermanent for others the world remains and isOpen immortal.

Wine & Cheese House Friday, July 19, 2013 2—5pm

We are grateful and filled with Pride RSVP Required: (415) 752-8791 to serve the LGBT Community and Loraine Court—San Francisco, CA 94118 for 1the confidence you have shown in us we are deeply grateful.

Our best Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Call Mary Regan (415) 336-2419 Reserve your niche in history!

Visit us at 1 Loraine Court, in the Richmond District Serving the LGBT Community with Pride!

continue our work with the Houston Local Organizing Committee to provide an inclusive environment for the student-athletes competing in and visitors attending our games and events in April. This vote, however, could impact the NCAA returning to Houston for a future Final Four. There are many factors in a thorough bid process that the NCAA considers when determining what cities will host the Final Four, including, but not limited to, local, city, and state laws and ordinances.”

Meanwhile, as protesters in Houston were producing sound bites, protestors in Missouri were producing results.

Racial tensions on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia

John Conley, priest who was whistleblower, dies

by Cynthia Laird

F

ather John Conley, a gay man who entered the priesthood later in life but was castigated by Archdiocese of San Francisco officials after he reported to police a fellow cleric who he suspected of sexually abusing an altar boy, died November 4 at his residence in South San Francisco. He was 71.

Mr. Conley was a federal prosecutor when he decided to follow his dream of becoming a priest. According to a news release from the archdiocese, Mr. Conley entered

Saint Patrick’s Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood April 17, 1993 at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco by then-Archbishop John R. Quinn.

But it was in his role as a whistleblower that he made news, having witnessed what he believed were improper actions by another priest, James Aylward, at a Burlingame church in 1997. Mr. Conley reported the incident to his superiors but was later viewed as an outcast by Aylward’s supporters.

See page 13 >>

courtesy Kate Hoepke

Father John Conley

Obituaries >>

Mark Gittus

October 4, 1958 – October 31, 2015

M

ark Gittus died peacefully at a Phoenix, Arizona area hospice at age 57. He was a resident of the

San Francisco area for the past 30 years.

Mark is survived by his mother and two brothers. He was a co-founder and creative director at U.S. Pacific Media and later became an independent computer consultant. For the past several years, Mark owned an Alcatraz tour brokerage company. Most recently, he was an account executive for Compete

magazine in Tempe, Arizona.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015, at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, founded by his grandparents, at 3405 N. Higley Road, Mesa, Arizona, 85215. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunshine Acres.

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Community News>>

Trans campaign

From page 1

Since June anti-LGBT groups under the banner of Privacy for All have been circulating a ballot measure that would require people to use facilities in government buildings and public schools based on the gender they were assigned at birth.

It is part of the ongoing efforts by anti-LGBT groups to repeal AB 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, authored by gay former Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) that went into effect January 1, 2014.

An effort that year to qualify a ballot measure overturning AB 1266, which requires public schools to allow transgender students access to various facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, failed.

Court challenges to the law were also unsuccessful.

The latest ballot measure is titled “Limits on Use of Facilities in Government Buildings and Businesses.”

Beyond placing restrictions on how

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Pride trial

From page 1

had done extensive work to protect attendees.

Meanwhile, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos, who’s overseeing the case, this week warned both sides to “be respectful” toward each other as tempers started to rise.

Attorney Ryan Lapine, who’s representing Gardner, told potential jurors Tuesday that SF Pride organizers “do not follow industry customs and standards” by not checking people’s bags or having metal detectors, among other tactics.

Gardner, “a trained gymnast,” had been working as a model at the Tropicana Las Vegas booth June 30, 2013 when someone in the area became upset that alcohol sales at the festival had ended. (The shooting occurred just after 6:30 p.m., when the celebration had officially concluded.)

Because there was “no security,” Lapine said, the “brawl” that erupt-

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Walk honorees

From page 1

Also joining the board are Karen Helmuth, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist employed at Kaiser San Francisco who lives with her wife and daughter in Bernal Heights, and Barbara Tannenbaum, a San Rafael-based author and journalist.

In an emailed response, Tannenbaum, who is married to Leah Brooks, said she wanted to join the board because as a writer she is drawn to how a city reveals its history.

“I’ve written about all kinds of public art in civic spaces in S.F. and the U.S. So of course I’d already

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John Conley

From page 12

Then-Archbishop William Levada transferred Mr. Conley to a parish in Mill Valley, and ordered him not to discuss the incident he witnessed with nuns assigned to St. Catherine’s parish, where Aylward was pastor, according to a 2004 SF Weekly article.

“But newly unsealed court documents show that long after Aylward admitted having touched boys for sexual gratification, Archbishop Levada expressed misgivings about Conley’s role and said that under the same circumstances he – Levada – would not have reported Aylward to police as Conley had done,” the paper reported.

Mr. Conley was vindicated years later when Aylward admitted sexual misconduct and when the church

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 13

transgender people could use public bathrooms, it would also allow anyone offended by the presence of an individual in a restroom to sue that person for $4,000 in damages, as well as attorney’s fees.

Backers of the proposed initiative have until December 20 to gather 365,880 valid signatures to qualify it for the November 2016 ballot.

“Any effort to gather signatures in California is a gargantuan undertaking and doing it around the busy holiday season presents additional challenges. But as we showed with 2008’s Proposition 8, wide coalitions can work to thwart the liberal agenda,” California Family Alliance research analyst Lori Arnold wrote in a piece circulated last week.

Yet LGBT organizations in California are not waiting to see if their foes succeed in submitting the needed signatures. They have been meeting over the last five months to organize a response well ahead of Election Day next year.

They are prepping to roll out a public education campaign by the

end of December aimed at educating voters about the transgender community. The Brown Boi Project, API Equality, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and TransLatina Coalition are all part of the organizing committee.

The main groups leading the effort, EQCA and the Transgender Law Center, are hiring dedicated staff to work on the public education efforts.

“One of the things we have learned, and they were aware of,” said Zbur, referring to the Houston LGBT leaders, in an interview this week with the B.A.R. “is it is really hard to educate people about the challenges transgender people and their families face as well as the talents and gifts the community offers.”

The task is doubly difficult amid a bitter election battle, added Zbur.

“That is why we are very focused here in California on a broad-based education campaign in advance of a ballot measure campaign,” he said.

“It is easier to educate people when

not in the midst of a high-pitched political election where the other side is able to play off fear and lack of understanding.”

Despite the recent media coverage of trans celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox, the majority of people have never personally met a transgender person, said Zbur. He cited research that has found only one in 11 people personally know of a transgender person.

“Some of what we are dealing with is educating the public about people they don’t know as well as they do others in the LGBT community. It is not that different an issue as we faced as L, G, B people around the marriage fight: people are not afraid of people they know and understand,” said Zbur. “We know far fewer members of the public know transgender people. So part of this is about educating the broader community. We are much further behind in educating the public about the transgender community than we are about the LGB portion of the community.”

A group of national LGBT

funders has contributed $1 million to pay for the education campaign, Zbur said, which will last for up to five months. It will run in various ethnic media outlets, feature transgender people and their families, and include transgender Spanish speakers to serve as spokespeople.

“A key part of that is really featuring transgender people and also helping the public understand their families and the communities that support them,” said Zbur, who added that the campaign would also include speakers of at least one Asian language. “We don’t have enough funding to include all of the various languages that are part of the API community.”

Should the transphobic measure qualify for the ballot, EQCA is working with the American Civil Liberties Union and NCLR on what, if any, legal arguments could be made to spike it before it goes before voters.

At this date, it remains to be seen if it will make the 2016 ballot.

“We don’t have a good sense of that,” said Zbur.t

ed resulted in Gardner being shot in the leg.

“No one broke it up, even though they should have,” Lapine said of the fight, and Gardner was “left on the street bleeding” “This entity did nothing,” he said.

“They went and hid.”

SF Pride attorney Maria Caruana told the approximately 150 prospective jurors that Gardner’s shooting was “a random act of violence.”

She said contrary to what jurors would hear about there being no security at the event, SF Pride “relies on the San Francisco Police Department to provide a safe environment for everyone in attendance,” and in 2013, the committee also had help from safety volunteers and three security companies.

“The plaintiff will ask you to ignore all that San Francisco Pride does each year to produce this event,” Caruana said. “... Security and safety is a primary concern.”

Prior to the 2013 festival, she said, “each and every permit for this event was approved without objection, seamlessly,” by city officials.

She added that measures a security expert testifying for Gardner would suggest would be “impracticable and ineffectual.”

Lapine also referred to some violent incidents that have been associated with SF Pride but weren’t directly related to the event. For example, he alluded to the 2010 killing of Stephen Powell, 19, at the end of the Pink Saturday celebration in the Castro.

Pink Saturday was for decades organized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a nonprofit unrelated to SF Pride. The Sisters opted not to produce the party this year, citing concerns over years of violence.

Gardner has consistently appeared in the courthouse with no obvious injuries, but Lapine said he continues to experience pain, and his ability to work is limited.

In his 2014 complaint, Gardner said he was seeking “not less than $10 million.” Lapine said Tuesday that his client isn’t seeking punitive damages, but funds for medical expenses and other costs.

Sparring in court

SF Pride’s finances have been a contentious issue in the proceedings leading up to the trial, and they inspired some of the sparring that’s already happened between attorneys.

The nonprofit, which has contributed more than $2.4 million to other organizations since 1997, had a budget this year of $2 million.

Lapine has said the committee has a $5 million insurance policy.

On Monday, as she went over motions attorneys had filed in the case, Bolanos said that as she understood it, Lapine didn’t want Caruana to be able to tell jurors that a judgment against SF Pride “could somehow prevent the committee from continuing to put on the gay Pride event” or that it could damage the LGBT community.

Caruana said, “Before I read that” in documents filed by Gardner’s attorneys, “the thought had never crossed my mind.” However, she said, SF Pride “doesn’t necessarily have infinite resources.”

Lapine said that he wanted to be able to talk about SF Pride’s insurance

policy if SF Pride’s attorneys were able to imply it couldn’t pay damages.

Bolanos said it would be “fine” to mention the committee is a nonprofit, “but talking about budget concerns is really not relevant.”

At that point, Caruana noted the Bay Area Reporter’s presence in the room, and said Lapine was just talking about the insurance policy in order to “taint” the jury pool.

Lapine again criticized what he predicted would be Caruana’s plans.

Bolanos told the attorneys, “This is going to be a long trial” and asked them to “make an effort to be respectful of each other.”

The trial could take until December 18 to conclude. Bolanos warned jurors they may have to come back to court in early January, after the holidays, if the verdict hasn’t been reached before the December date.

Gardner has also sued Tropicana over the shooting incident. The status of that case wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday.

Eric Ryan, who was also shot in the 2013 incident at Pride, has also filed a lawsuit against SF Pride.t

walked the sidewalks around the Castro and enjoyed the experience of reading the plaques of the first 20 honorees that RHW laid down in its initial tribute,” wrote Tannenbaum.

She added that she supports the selection criteria the board has decided to follow in determining the next LGBT luminaries to honor. In particular, Tannenbaum said the board’s decision to limit the choices to the deceased was a smart move.

“We don’t want to ever raise even the slightest doubt that a living person could possibly influence us to vote for him or her,” she wrote. “And frankly, we already have a list of hundreds – if we extended the vote

to the amazing LGBT people alive today, we’d have thousands. That’s the nice thing, isn’t it? As a culture, we’ve made such progress.”

The board is striving to have the second set of bronze plaques, which measure three feet by three feet, installed next year sometime between Pride in late June and October 11, which is National Coming Out Day. Perry’s brother-in-law, Spanishbased architect Carlos Casuso, who won a competition to design the first plaques, will create the next batch.

The Rainbow Honor Walk board needs to raise more than $100,000 to pay for the creation and installation of the new plaques. It expects to

have $10,000 by the end of this year.

“We are actively fundraising now.

I am not worried about it,” said Perry, pointing out that the current iteration of the honor walk is a visible draw for potential donors. “At first it was challenging to fundraise around a concept. Now people can see what the plaques look like and people have a better understanding of what we are trying to do.”

Where the new plaques will be installed has yet to be determined, said Perry. The Rainbow Honor Walk, as initially envisioned, is to one day extend from Castro Street north along Market Street to Octavia Boulevard, where the LGBT Community Cen-

ter is located.

“We had decided the other day at our board meeting, we are not going to decide where the next 20 are going to be until we know who the next 20 are,” said Perry.

The public can submit additional names for consideration by emailing info@rainbowhonorwalk.org or by sending a private message via the walk’s Facebook https://www.facebook. page at c o m / R a i n b o w - H o n o r - Wa l k 179733452063499/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf.

For more information about the project, including the list of the first 20 honorees, visit http://rainbowhonorwalk.org/.t

grudgingly admitted that Mr. Conley had acted properly in reporting the incident, the paper stated.

“He had made peace with the archdiocese,” his niece Kate Hoepke told the Bay Area Reporter in a phone interview Monday, November 9. “It was a long, drawn-out ordeal.”

Hoepke said that her uncle was the type of person who “was not going to let go of it until it was resolved.”

“John challenged the Catholic Church in a way that they don’t get challenged,” she said. “He challenged them about horrible crimes against children” and the subsequent cover-up.

Hoepke said she and Mr. Conley’s surviving family members were “very proud” of his actions during that time.

The archdiocese eventually settled with Mr. Conley. SF Weekly

reported that the settlement allowed Mr. Conley to retain his privileges as a priest, provided a lump payment, and monthly annuity payments.

Mr. Conley was born December 10, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, to Elizabeth McNamara and William Raymond “Ray” Conley. He was the youngest of seven children. Mr. Conley attended Catholic Central High School in Detroit and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1965 with a degree in history. He completed his law studies at Detroit College of the Law in 1971.

While still in his early 30s, Mr. Conley was appointed by President Gerald Ford as chief federal prosecuting attorney for Southwest Michigan. He served as chief of the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Detroit before turning to private practice in Flint, Michigan.

Mr. Conley came to San Francisco in 1983, where he was employed as an estate administrator and attorney with the federal bankruptcy court, Northern California District.

In his capacity as a pastor, Mr. Conley served as parochial vicar at Saint Brendan Church, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Saint Bartholomew Church, Saint Catherine of Siena Church, and Saint Philip the Apostle Church, the archdiocese said in a statement. He retired in January 2003 and lived independently for 10 years until his health necessitated his move to an assisted care facility in South San Francisco.

Hoepke said that her uncle loved people, partly because he came from a large family where people were always around.

“He had a fierce sense of justice,” Hoepke said. “Throughout

his life he felt deeply about things and wanted to right things that were wrong.”

Mr. Conley loved to travel, Hoepke said, and she said that he told her that he learned a lot about himself. He also enjoyed and studied history, particularly the early part of the 20th century.

“And drinking coffee and sitting around talking,” she said, mentioning other things Mr. Conley enjoyed.

In addition to Hoepke, Mr. Conley is survived by his sister, Jane Anne Williams; nephew Tom Conley; and many other family members.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, November 13 at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 100 Diamond Street, San Francisco.

Mr. Conley will be buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.t

<< Classifieds

14 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

<<

Political Notebook

From page 5

A Democrat, Imbasciani had served as state surgeon for the California Army National Guard from 2006 to 2014 and as a surgeon in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1986 to 2014.

He and his partner, Dr. George DiSalvo, have two adopted children.

Last year Imbasciani had ran for a state Senate seat but was unable to advance past the June primary.

A urologic surgeon since 1997 with the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Imbasciani had been its director of government relations since 2004.

Equality California, the statewide LGBT advocacy group, praised Imbasciani’s appointment in a blog post shortly after it was announced. It noted his “tireless” advocacy for ending DADT through his “testifying before Congress, and lobbying legislators, military leaders and even President Obama behind-the-scenes.”

EQCA Executive Director Rick Zbur stated “it’s hard to imagine anyone more qualified for this job than Dr. Imbasciani.” He praised him for his helping “to heal injured Californians in Iraq, in Saudi Arabia and here at home” over the past three decades.

“His long history as a physician and of service with distinction under the dehumanizing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy make him an inspired choice to serve California’s veterans,” stated Zbur.

Gay men sweep Palm Springs races

As the Political Notebook reported last week, on Election Night it appeared that a trio of gay candidates had swept the races for mayor and two city council seats in Palm Springs. But with more ballots to be counted, it was unclear if council candidate J. R. Roberts would maintain his slim lead over City Councilman Paul Lewin.

Now, with all the votes tallied and the election results certified by the Riverside County registrar of voters, Roberts ousted the incumbent with a 76-vote margin of victory. Lewin has declined to request a recount, and barring any voters doing so by the November 16 deadline, Roberts will take his oath of office December 2.

That Wednesday Mayor-elect Retired Navy Commander Robert “Rob” Moon and councilman-elect Geoff Kors, EQCA’s former executive director, will also be sworn into office. The newcomers will comprise a three-person majority on the city’s five-person city council; the mayor is a voting member of the body.

They will serve alongside lesbian City Councilwoman Ginny Foat, who lost to Moon in the mayor’s race but has two years left in her council term, and City Councilman Chris Mills, the lone straight member of the oversight panel.

The shakeup at City Hall is largely due to an ethics scandal that torpedoed the political career of outgoing gay Mayor Steve Pougnet. He is the subject of state and federal investigations into his voting for projects backed by a developer he worked for as a consultant.t

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

This week’s column reported on a major endorsement for gay Sacto councilman Steve Hansen’s reelection bid.

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

Got a tip on LGBT politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 8298836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.

t

Legal Notices>> WORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551615

In the matter of the application of: AMANDA MARIE MURPHY, 3367 17TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner AMANDA MARIE MURPHY, is requesting that the name AMANDA MARIE MURPHY, be changed to MANDY MURPHY CARROLL. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 24th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551620

In the matter of the application of: YING JIE ZHENG, 605 BRUNSWICK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner YING JIE ZHENG, is requesting that the name YING JIE ZHENG, be changed to JESSIE JIE ZHENG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept.

514, Room 514 on the 10th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551516

In the matter of the application of: D MICHELE RAGLAND DILWORTH, 576 EUREKA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner D MICHELE RAGLAND DILWORTH, is requesting that the name D MICHELE RAGLAND DILWORTH aka DEBORAH MICHELE RAGLAND DILWORTH aka D MICHELE RAGLAND-DILWORTH aka DEBORAH MICHELE RAGLAND-DILWORTH aka DEBORAH MICHELE RAGLAND, be changed to MICHELE RAGLAND DILWORTH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 3rd of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036736100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CARS BEAUTY; WATERLESS CAR WASH; 2315 20TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed RUIRONG MA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/19/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/19/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036734600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: GOLDEN STATE PLUMBING, 1675 EDDY ST #304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DAN YI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/16/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/16/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036733400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: 926 RACING, 742 KIRKWOOD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed CARLOS M. JIMENEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/15/15 OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036726300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FOUNDATION CONSULTING, 5214F DIAMOND HGTS BLVD #808, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NICOLE BARAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/09/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036727400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BLUE POPPY CONFECTIONS, 1914 47TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed PEGGY INGALLS & JENNIFFER INGALLS. 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 10/13/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036729200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RIPPLE, 268 BUSH ST #2724, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed RIPPLE LABS INC (DE).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/06/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/13/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036733900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOTEL VIA, 138 KING ST SUITE B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed COGAG GROUP. 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 10/16/15.

OCT 22, 29, NOV 05, 12, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551550

In the matter of the application of: CHUN FEN WANG & XIANG YANG HUANG, 1345 TURK ST #112, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner CHUN FEN WANG & XIANG YANG HUANG, is requesting that the name GUANG MEI HUANG, be changed to CHRISTINE GUANGMEI HUANG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 24th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551608

In the matter of the application of: MIRNA ELIZABETH ZEPEDA ZEPEDA, 1783 PALOU AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner MIRNA ELIZABETH ZEPEDA ZEPEDA, is requesting that the name MIRNA ELIZABETH ZEPEDA ZEPEDA aka MIRNA E. ZEPEDA ZEPEDA aka MIRNA ELIZABETH ZEPEDA aka MIRNA E. ZEPEDA aka MIRNA ELIZABETH aka MIRNA ZEPEDA aka ELIZABETH ZEPEDA, be changed to ELIZABETH SANTELIZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 10th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551607

In the matter of the application of: DAYSI ARACELY ZEPEDA DIAZ, 1783 PALOU AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner DAYSI ARACELY ZEPEDA DIAZ, is requesting that the name DAYSI ARACELY ZEPEDA DIAZ aka DAYSI ZEPEDA aka DAYSI A. ZEPEDA DIAZ aka DAYSI ZEPEDA DIAZ aka DAYSI Z. DIAZ aka DAYSI DIAZ aka DAYSI A. ZEPEDA, be changed to DAYSI SANTELIZ. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 10th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551631

In the matter of the application of: ROBERT THOMAS MCCULLOUGH, 96 CRESTLINE DR #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner ROBERT THOMAS MCCULLOUGH, is requesting that the name ROBERT THOMAS MCCULLOUGH, be changed to MICHELLE MCCULLOUGH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 24th of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036745600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: T & C REALTY INVESTMENT, 2147 14TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed WAI CHUCK TAM. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/26/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/26/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036741200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CIRQ, 355 SERRANO DR #1A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed BRYAN DICKINSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/21/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/21/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036747100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: IRENE AVETYAN CONSULTING; IA EXPORT SERVICES; 759 17TH AVE #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed IRENE AVETYAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/06/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/26/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036743000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE BIG TEASE, 447 SUTTER #428, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed MITRA MASSIH. 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 10/22/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036737100

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WILD RUMPUS 2, 1226 20TH AVE #3, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SOPHIE HUET. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/20/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/20/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036734000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WILL SWAGGER, 107 COLLINGWOOD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed WILLIAM R. MARTIN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/16/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036735000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SAGE BAKEHOUSE, 1905 LAGUNA ST #307, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed NICHOLAS LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/15/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/16/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036739600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ON MARS SALON, 210 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed SUMMER MURASE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/21/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/21/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036742300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BAY-LA EXPRESS MOVING; NIMBUS MOVING & STORAGE; 1388 HAIGHT ST #57, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed SAPIEN ENTERPRISES INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/07/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/22/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036741600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HOFFS HANDYMAN; CASTRO HANDYMAN; 227 ROMAIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed HOFFS HANDYMAN (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/10/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/22/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036743800

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: RAINBOW HANDYMAN, 227 ROMAIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed HOFFS HANDYMAN (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 10/23/15.

OCT 29, NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551567

In the matter of the application of: LINDA MARGARET BERTHA GILLESPIE, 115 ANDOVER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110 for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner LINDA MARGARET BERTHA GILLESPIE, is requesting that the name LINDA MARGARET BERTHA GILLESPIE, be changed to ELGY GILLESPIE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Rm. 514, Dept. 514 on the 21st of January 2016 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036750400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CITYDENT, 15 CHICAGO WAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANTHONY GUERRA. 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 10/28/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036756400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CURB APPEAL ADDRESSING, 660 4TH ST #126, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIEL PHELAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/30/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/30/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036756700

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KIRLEY PLUS, 1521 COLE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KEITH KIRLEY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/30/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036749900

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TIAN YUN CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC, 1752 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed VICTOR SHU & LIJUAN LIU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/28/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/28/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036749600

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JOHANNA’S HOUSE CLEANING, 162 EDINBURGH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed HAROLD MARTINEZ & ADDONIS MARTINEZ. 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 10/28/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

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 to provide ACTUARIAL CONSULTING SERVICES, Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 6M4424, on or about November 5, 2015, with proposals due by 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at the District Secretary’s Office, 23rd Floor, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California, 94612 (mailing address: P.O. Box 12688, Oakland, California, 94604-2688). The Proposers are responsible to ensure that their Proposals are received at the time and location specified.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The District is soliciting for the professional services of consulting firms or joint venture (“CONSULTANTs”) to provide Actuarial Services primarily to perform Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) in order to comply with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement Nos. 43 (Financial Reporting For Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans) and 45 (Accounting and Financial Reporting

by Employers for Post-Employment Benefits Other Than Pensions) which establishes standards for the measurement, display and recognition of OPEB expenses and liabilities. Additionally, the Actuarial Consultant will be required to assist the District on other assigned tasks to support the District in its mission – a key example would be supporting the District in its labor negotiations. The full scope of services and other pertinent requirements are further described in the body of RFP No. 6M4424.

Proposers should note that this Agreement is subject to the District’s Small Business Program that includes a preference of five percent (5%) of the lowest responsible Proposer’s price, up to a maximum of $250,000, for a certified Small Business Prime Consultant submitting a Proposal on this Agreement.

Estimated Cost and Time of Performance : The District intends to make one (1) Agreement award as a result of this RFP. The District intends to enter into a five-year (5) agreement with the Consultant, with the option to extend the Agreement, for two (2) additional one (1)-year periods at the District’s discretion. The District estimates the total value of the proposed base five (5) year Agreement to be in the approximate range of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to one million- three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000).

WHERE TO OBTAIN OR SEE RFP DOCUMENTS

(Available on or after November 5, 2015) Prospective Proposers who are not currently registered on the BART Procurement Portal to do business with BART are required to register on the BART Procurement Portal on line at https:// suppliers.bart.gov in order to obtain Solicitation Documents, updates, and any Addenda issued on-line and be added to the On-Line Planholders List for this solicitation. If a Prospective Proposer is a partnership or joint venture, such entity must register on the BART Procurement Portal with the entity’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) and download the Solicitation Documents so as to be listed as an On-Line Planholder under the entity’s name, in order for the entity to be eligible for award of this Agreement.

PROPOSERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED ON THE BART PROCUREMENT PORTAL PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL, AND DID NOT DOWNLOAD THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS FOR THIS SOLICITATION ON LINE SO AS TO BE LISTED AS AN ON-LINE PLANHOLDER FOR THIS SOLICITATION, WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD OF THIS AGREEMENT. A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Monday, November 23, 2015. The Pre-Proposal Meeting will convene promptly at 1:30 P.M., local time at the District’s Offices, at Conference Room 2200, 22nd Floor at 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California.

At the Pre-Proposal Meeting the District’s NonDiscrimination and Small Business Programs will be explained. All questions regarding these programs should be directed to Cindy Chan, Office of Civil Rights at (510) 464-6574. 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, Ron Coffey, telephone (510) 287-4775, email at rcoffey@bart.gov , prior to the date of the Pre-Proposal Meeting.

Proposals must be received by 2:00 P.M., local time, Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the address listed in the RFP. Submission of a proposal shall constitute a firm offer to the District for one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days from date of proposal submission.

Dated at Oakland, California this 2nd day of November 2015. /s/ Kenneth A. Duron Kenneth A. Duron, District Secretary San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District 11/12/15 CNS-2812864# BAY AREA REPORTER

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

Legal Notices>> NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINSTER ESTATE OF KEVIN MICHAEL SHEA IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: FILE PES-15-299254 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of KEVIN MICHAEL SHEA. A Petition for Probate has been filed by JOHN J. CULLEN in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.

The Petition for Probate requests that JOHN J. CULLEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: NOVEMBER 23, 2015, 9:00 am, Dept.

204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the latter of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: JOHN J. CULLEN #42766, LAW OFFICES OF CULLEN & WOOD, 1 ESTABUENO DR, ORINDA, CA; Ph. (925) 938-2337.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036756400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: CURB APPEAL ADDRESSING, 660 4TH ST #126, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed DANIEL PHELAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/30/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/30/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036756700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: KIRLEY PLUS, 1521 COLE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KEITH KIRLEY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/20/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/30/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036749900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: TIAN YUN CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC, 1752 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed VICTOR SHU & LIJUAN LIU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/28/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/28/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036749600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: JOHANNA’S HOUSE CLEANING, 162 EDINBURGH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a general partnership, and is signed HAROLD MARTINEZ & ADDONIS MARTINEZ. 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 10/28/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036760200

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay area reporter • 15

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036759200

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LARED, 450 POST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed SF BAY GROUP LLC (CA).

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/11/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/02/15.

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NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: H2 AND CO, 2776 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed HEATHER LUPLOW HARTLE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/27/15.

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NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

In the matter of the application of: PING CHUNG YU, 1910 31ST AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner PING CHUNG YU, is requesting that the name PING CHUNG YU aka BING CHUNG YU aka JONATHAN PING YU, be changed to JONATHAN PING CHUNG YU. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514 on the 12th of January 2016 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551664

In the matter of the application of: YU YANG, 2600 18TH ST. #11, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner YU YANG, is requesting that the name YU YANG, be changed to SUSIE YANG. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 14th of January 2016 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551629

In the matter of the application of: AUTUMN CATRICE KENDALL EVANS, 5400 FULTON ST #203, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner AUTUMN CATRICE KENDALL EVANS, is requesting that the name AUTUMN CATRICE KENDALL EVANS, be changed to AUTUMN CATRICE KENDALL WYLDER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 31st of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

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In the matter of the application of: KIMBERLY ANN STINER-ZERCOE, 5400 FULTON ST #203, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121, for change of name having been filed in Superior Court, and it appearing from said application that petitioner KIMBERLY ANN STINER-ZERCOE, is requesting that the name KIMBERLY ANN STINER-ZERCOE, be changed to KIMBERLY ANN WYLDER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Dept. 514, Room 514 on the 31st of December 2015 at 9:00am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036762500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO AIKIDO; MAINTAINING MOBILITY; 365 VERMONT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed ANNE F. SABLOVE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/04. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/04/15.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036766900

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NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE CNC-15-551628

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The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LAURA PERKINS EDITING, 601 VAN NESS AVE E602, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed LAURA PERKINS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/23/15.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036747400

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MAI DO, 1581 WEBSTER ST #260, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed NBC STATIONERY AND GIFT INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/23/15.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 10/26/15.

NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE A-036765000

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: ESSENTIAL SKIN CARE CLINIC BY ROSA, 3303 BUCHANAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a married couple, and is signed ROBERT MUSGRAVE & ROSA MUSGRAVE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/03/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/03/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: WEVIST, 2331 25TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed KENNEDY W. WEIMAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/06/15. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/06/15.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: SHINE-N-SEAL EXPRESS CAR WASH, 367 BAYSHORE BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed BAYSHORE WASH LLC. (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 11/05/15.

NOV 05, 12, 19, 26, 2015

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NOV 12, 19, 26, DEC 03, 2015

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Dog dreams

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History lessons

Desert tracks

22

Vol. 45 • No. 46 • November 12-18, 2015

www.ebar.com/arts

Bay Area native Brennan Figari works on a hoop in one of his featured scenes in the SF-bound Odysseo, the newest show from the creators of Cavalia.

High-flying man at the mane event

by Richard Dodds

T

here’s a largely unexplored route to being one of the cool kids in high school: Learn how to soar on the flying trapeze. “It was exciting, it was physical, and it was cool,” said Marin native Brennan Figari. “There aren’t many people in high school who take flying trapeze lessons. But I didn’t realize it would end up being a career.”

For the past four years, that career has been with Odysseo, the newest attraction from the Cavalia company created by Cirque du Soleil co-founder Normand Latourelle that first visited San Francisco in 2004. Figari is one of 45 performers in the production, but they are outnumbered by a horse population of 65. Those who saw Cavalia in its two previous big-top productions at AT&T Park know that the main attraction is the maned contingent, but Odysseo has been designed to outdo its forerunner with amped-up acrobatics, special effects, equine feats, and sheer size.

See page 26 >>

Wild imaginings in the galleries

Nicholas Pishvanov, Estate of Leonor Fini, Weinstein Gallery

Chris Waits

Out &About

19

O&A

17

by Sura Wood

W

omen rule as authors of their art, which doesn’t mean that men don’t make solid showings, in gallery exhibitions running through December.

Take a look.

Theatrical and fiercely independent, a woman in a man’s world who slept with a harem of famous men and dressed in such a flamboyant manner as to render onlookers speechless, Leonor Fini was an iconoclast in art and in life. The wildly imaginative Argentine/Italian painter, stage designer and illustrator of texts by Poe, Verlaine, Baudelaire and Shakespeare – she was costume designer for Fellini, whose films she could have stepped out of – once said she painted the way she dreamed.

(Though she mined her subconscious for material and was labeled a surrealist, she was not, in fact, a member of the tribe.) Fini’s outsized high-priestess persona and the company she kept anchor Realisme Irreel, a show at Weinstein Gallery.

See page 24 >>

“La Lecon de Botanique,” oil painting

by Argentine/Italian painter Leonor Fini, part of Realisme Irreel at Weinstein Gallery.

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18 • BAY AREA REPORTER • November 12-18, 2015 2pub-BBB_BAR_110515.pdf

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aurie Anderson is the consummate American artist of our time. Her film Heart of a Dog opens at Landmark Theatres in San Francisco on Fri., Nov. 13. It’s the first film from writer-director-artistmusician Anderson since her Home of the Brave in 1986, and that was a concert film. This new offering is a meditation, an essay in words, music and images, about love, death, empathy and the state of America.

Out There screened a streaming Courtesy the artist & Abramorama video of the piece on OT’s laptop, Self-portrait of the artist, from Laurie Anderson’s new film which is not at all the same thing Heart of a Dog. as seeing it on a movie screen (a word to the wise, film publicists!), but nevertheless we saw evidence versal themes, such as the connecalso revelations from family anecof all the trademark Anderson tion between love and death, and dotes, found footage of home movtraits: pithy aphorisms, telling anthe importance of empathy. The ies, and paeans to the sky. The artist ecdotes, hypnotic imagery, purpose of death, Andercalls herself a lifetime “sky-worshipdreamy accompanison the sage has come per.” Spiritual precepts and Budment on strings and to see, is the release of dhist philosophy from The Tibetan synthesizers. We also love.

Book of the Dead underlie much of listened to the Heart Longtime fans will the film, including concepts of the of a Dog CD (Nonerecognize stories, moafterlife and ideas from Anderson’s such), which contains tifs, even musical quoteacher Mingyur Rinpoche, ways to the full soundtrack to tations from earlier “learn how to feel sad without bethe 75-minute film. works and periods of ing sad.”

Anderson has said in her decades-long ca“What are days for?” Anderson interviews that she reer. There’s music from asks, after poet Philip Larkin. “To considers the piece to the Heart of a Dog score wake us up, to put between the endbe something of a radio play, in that found in different forms on her 2010 less nights.” Heart of a Dog is a visual the audience hears her in voiceover album Homeland, her 2001 album collage and a musical composition and visualizes many of the images Life on a String, and her 1994 album made to wake us up to certain existhemselves. In this respect, listening Bright Red. Lyrics, insights, and song tential realities, but paradoxically it’s to the CD (on a real stereo system, titles are recycled from earlier outfull of dreamy imagery, hand-drawn not through tinny computer speakings. Here, “From the Air” is the title animation, artwork, humor and ers) is fully as satisfying mystery. It’s a must-see as watching the film, or must-hear for lovers and we confess we will of matured creativity. do both, again and again.

Pet sounds Anderson is the only There Out There was artist we can think of in the barking house who can draw links at The Marsh Berkeley between the paralast Saturday night for noid, proto-Fascist writer-performer Lisa “See something, say Rothman’s new solo something” mindset show Date Night at Pet of post-9/11 America Emergency, directed by and the linguistic and Courtesy the artist & Abramorama David Ford. It’s her semiotic insights of Berkeleyish tale of mariLolabelle the rat terrier (snout, far right) on a hike philosopher Ludwig tal strife, challenging through the Marin headlands, from Laurie Anderson’s Wittgenstein, who rechild-rearing, and OD new film Heart of a Dog. alized that if you can’t emergencies with rescue express something in dogs, and since Rothlanguage, it doesn’t, man is a natural-born storyteller, it of a 9/11-resonant story. It’s a very in a sense, exist. This sounds deep, all comes together in an appealing different piece on her 1982 album but the concept is clear in her tellpackage. OT isn’t straight (duh), Big Science, itself eerily 9/11-preing. The contemporary surveillance will never procreate, and thinks cats scient (“Here come the planes”). state has often been a target of her have it way over dogs, but we were Most of all Dog recalls Nothing in attentions, but here are more uniwith her every step of the way. Did My Pockets (Rien dans les poches), you know there’s such a thing as a wonderful sound diary Anderson mother-infant yoga instruction in did on commission for the radio the Bay Area (of course there is)? program Atelier de création radioTurns out babies don’t enjoy the phonique, for France Culture radio mother-infant yoga warrior pose, in 2006. This seems her truest form. go figure.

The through-line for the new Plus origami, ant farms and film is Anderson’s late rat terrier dog poop. Plays Saturdays, 5 p.m., Lolabelle, who late in life learned to through Dec. 5 at The Marsh Berkepaint and play piano. Some of the ley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. piece’s most amusing footage was Tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale; $55shot at dog’s-eye level via GoPro $100 reserved seating), (415) 282cam during doggy walks through 3055or themarsh.org.t the rainy West Village. But there are

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Lisa Rothman’s solo show Date Night at Pet Emergency is on the boards at The Marsh Berkeley.

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<< Theatre

20 • BAY AREA REPORTER • November 12-18, 2015

Drama teacher’s POW lessons

by Richard Dodds

I

n a program note, playwrightdirector John Fisher says he was a big fan of Hogan’s Heroes as a kid, at least until he realized that life in a Nazi POW camp wasn’t much like a sitcom. But in Fisher’s Shakespeare Goes to War, his new play for Theatre Rhino, it could be a little bit like theater camp for grunts, albeit with a Nazi officer as its artistic director.

“Get to the smooch-smooch kissy part,” he commands two American male prisoners in a Shakespeare play, cast, by necessity, in the allmale custom of Shakespeare’s day.

The men, at least some of them, are reluctant to engage in same-sex smooching, but the reward of extra food for the half-starved prisoners helps them over this barrier. The events at the POW camp near the end of the war provide context for and something of a mirror to the framing scenes that take place at a suburban California high school in the late 70s. Offering an allusion to Nazi philosophies is the pending vote on the highly divisive Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from working in California’s public schools.

If it had passed, you just know that the drama teachers would have been first to the chopping block.

most potency as Fisher himself successfully plays two very different mentors in the apposing scenes, the kindly Mr. Smith at high school and the severe POW camp commander in wartime Germany. That potency is continued as Gabriel A. Ross sensitively plays both high schooler Jack, who worships Mr. Smith, and the young version of a teacher at POW camp, who always ends up in the women’s roles.

Kevin Copps gets the biggest display of versatilDavid Wilson ity, creating six characters Writer-director John Fisher, center, plays a high school teacher surrounded by of very different demeanstudents (Jesse F. Vaughn, Gabriel A. Ross, and Sean Keehan) in a scene from or, including a British Theatre Rhino’s Shakespeare Goes to War. colonel, a Russian major, and even Gov. Ronald Reagan (who, bless him, And the primary potential victim of House theater space. The audience actually came out against the Briggs the play’s concerns was one of those is seated on stage while the action Initiative). As both the class clown Shakespearean prisoners of war transpires on the steep rise of the and a POW racist, Sean Keehan who now teaches English and theusual seating area, which is now can be both funny and a little scary. ater with a rare passion. Mr. Smith is bare except for several utilitarian Jesse F. Vaughn is believably gruff also the favorite teacher of the play’s set pieces that can be rearranged as the only black POW in this parnarrator, who is realizing he himself to become Desdemona’s death bed ticular camp (and is made to play, is gay and makes a misguided atin a POW Othello or a lectern in a of course, Othello), and he’s also tempt to protect Mr. Smith’s teach1970s classroom. Further fusing the believably sweet as Jack’s first boying career. long-ago, far-apart scenes is having friend in high school.

With the play frequently travelthe 15-character play performed by Fisher can usually be counted on ing between time and place, Fisher just five actors. to write at least one new play each makes ingenious use of the Thick This dual-role casting has the

t

season for Theatre Rhino, of which he is executive director, and Shakespeare Goes to War is one of his strongest plays in years. From the intriguing symmetry of scenes past and present to the emotional richness of the main characters, he finds a comfortable mix of the comic and the serious. Scenes in the POW camp can indeed be funny, not because of the circumstances, but through human idiosyncrasies on both sides of the war. And there is, as one might expect, plenty of humor in the high school scenes, but there are also leaden clouds hovering.

The play is undoubtedly too long, especially in the second act, in which gay love begins to bloom for Jack, and the should-we-or-shouldn’t-we flirtations aren’t worth all the time they are afforded. And while some characters are understandably exaggerated for comic effect, it pushes plausibility when a flamboyant middle-aged teacher appears in a student production wearing barebottom chaps. That alone would have gained the Briggs Initiative at least a few votes.t Shakespeare Goes to War will run at Thick House through Nov. 29.

Tickets are $10-$35. Call (800) 838-3006 or go to therhino.org.

Channeling Lenny Bruce

by Richard Dodds

S

teve Cuiffo gained early prominence as a magician, winning major awards at a young age, but sleight of hand has evolved into sleight of man. One man in particular, and that would be the very particular Lenny Bruce.

The comic and social satirist, who once got arrested in San Francisco for saying “cocksucker” on stage, is returning to the city and the theater where he appeared 54 years to the day when Steve Cuiffo is Lenny Bruce begins a three-performance run at the Curran Theatre on Nov. 19. It’s part of the Curran’s Under Construction series with both performers and audiences on stage while the theater is undergoing renovation.

Although acquitted of obscenity after his 1961 SF arrest, authorities across the country, and even across

the oceans, began monitoring and/or banning Bruce’s performances, and many more arrests followed. Bruce’s last recorded performance was at the Berkeley Community Theatre in 1965, and the last performance of his life was at the Fillmore in SF in 1966.

The Berkeley recording presents a lucid and on-point Bruce, while the Fillmore appearance a year later was recalled as a paranoid’s ramblings in presenter Bill Graham’s memoirs.

Six weeks later Bruce was dead from what the L.A. coroner ruled was an accidental overdose of morphine.

For his Curran appearance, Cuiffo will deliver a compilation of Bruce’s iconic routines on a range of topics that includes organized religion, race, illegal and prescription drugs, sexual mores, obscenity, and the Constitution. Cuiffo first got hooked on Lenny Bruce in 2006, when he listened to a box set of Bruce’s recordings hoping for

Ken Regan

Steve Cuiffo recreates a Lenny Bruce performance as part of the Curran Theatre’s Under Construction series.

inspiration for a stage satire of Dr. Strangelove that he was developing.

“I don’t know why, but Lenny Bruce just hooked into me,” Cuiffo told an interviewer a few years ago.

He spent many hours studying recordings and videos of Bruce’s performances trying to capture Bruce’s intonations, rhythms, and timing.

“Most people probably won’t catch it, but it’s gotten to the point where I actually get upset with myself if I miss an ‘uh.’”

Cuiffo believes the best way to understand Bruce is to see his work in a live situation rather than through recordings or YouTube clips. “I don’t know how he’d feel about any of this,” Cuiffo said, “my trying to make myself a beat-by-beat simulacrum of him. I hope he’d see the sincerity.”t Tickets are available at sfcurran.com.

Celebrated personalities

by John F. Karr

Y

ou would expect a biography of four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway star Gwen Verdon to provide lively reading. You would have expected wrongly in the case of Gwen Verdon – A Life on Stage and Screen (McFarland & Co., $35.96).

This first bio of the famed dancer is by Peter Shelley, an Australian playwright who has previously published six film-oriented biographies.

I wonder if they’re as ham-fisted as this one. It’s not just the clumsy syntax, paragraphing, and punctuation. And it’s not the lack of proper editing and fact-checking. Verdon’s height is listed as both 5’3” and 5’4”, and it is simply not possible that the Original Cast Album for Sweet Charity was released the day after it was recorded. Impossible. No, it’s that Shelley’s flat-footed writing turns an exciting, complex life into a fairly dull recitation of facts.

Biographies of Jack Cole and Bob Fosse have previously brought us much of this book’s content. To

Shelley’s credit, he brings forth a great deal of information that even I, a well-informed reader of Broadway-associated material, found new.

Yet he doesn’t reveal which interviews he conducted himself, and which he’s pulled from the archives. There are no footnotes. There’s barely a direct quote anywhere.

Throughout the book, it’s “It is claimed,” or “Some sources say.”

The book chronicles Verdon’s route from overcoming a severe leg deformity that was psychologically as well as physically crippling, to her film debut at 11 as a solo ballerina. She evolved from an accomplished dancer into a charismatic triple-threat performer, winning four Best Performer Tony Awards in an amazingly tight fiveyear period (1954-59), then originating her two most famed roles, Charity Hope Valentine and Roxie Hart, before retiring from the stage

and undertaking acclaimed film roles. Along the way, she appeared in at least 109 television shows, each of which Shelley enumerates in high (nearly numbing) detail before

listing them in a presumably complete Appendix of Performances on Stage, Film, Television and Record.

Good if not acute attention is paid to her complicated relationship with choreographer and director

Fosse, whose various mistresses she endured for the sake of retaining his artistic collaboration. She died, still working, at 75, in 2000. Shelley offers the full life, in detail, but finds no joy in the telling.

Then there’s Charlotte Rae, dynamite singer, character actress, and inimitable comedienne. You remember her playing Edna Garrett on the hit television series Diff ’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. I first encountered Rae on the Off-Broadway Cast Album of The Threepenny Opera revival, where she was a gusty Mrs. Peachum.

Although she wanted to play Shakespeare, Shaw, and Ionesco, she was the rollicking Mammy Yokum when L’il Abner hit Broadway.

Are you ready for Full Disclosure?

Charlotte Rae was my babysitter.

How’zat? My childhood friend was Doug Lubotsky, and it must have been somewhere in-between Mrs.

Peachum and Mammy Yokum that Doug’s aunt, Charlotte Rae Lubotsky, watched over us one evening. It was many years before I figured out the connection between babysitter and Broadway star, and in the meantime I’d been a great fan of Ms. Rae. Her new autobiography, The Facts of My Life, written with Larry Strauss (BearManor Media, $34.95), is just about as riotous and rollicking as the roles she played. There are poignant moments, too. She doesn’t hold back from relating the trials of her son’s autism and her own alcoholism, long conquered.

Of special interest are Rae’s adventures during TV’s Golden Age, and as a mainstay of the New York cabaret scene and manifold OffBroadway revues of the late 1940s and early 50s. There’s full attention paid to her subsequent successes in film (as The Lady in the Pink Dress, dancing on a table in the movie of Hair) and on so many hit TV shows.

In my book, she was a hit throughout her 70-year career, and her memoir is a fine souvenir.t

t

Music>>

November 12-18, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 21

Repertorie highlights fill Davies Hall

by Philip Campbell

R

ecent weeks at the San Francisco Symphony have been highlighted by the debut of Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko, the welcome return of Yan Pascal Tortelier, and some brilliant performances by guest soloists, violinist Gidon Kremer and pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Looking especially festive with the elaborate eighth annual Dia de los Muertos decorations adding vivid color throughout the lobbies, Davies Symphony Hall was primed and ready for action.

Both programs were successful, but it was Tortelier’s all-French bill last week that proved most consistent and satisfying. It also displayed a freshly energized maestro.

As a regular visitor to DSH and newly appointed Principal Conductor of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra beginning in the 2016-17 season, Tortelier seems a perfect example of music directors who continue to grow with maturity. Not quite sure what all the swooping arm gestures or jumps in the air were all about.

The more reserved conductor of memory looked a tad overemphatic at times. Yet who could argue with the results? The orchestra was up for the dynamic challenge, and I was

ready to keep moving on from my Piano Concerto in D Major for the last recollection of Tortelier, when he Left Hand (1930). Starting from the led the orchestra during the onstage murky depths to introduce a fairly collapse of beloved SFS principal brief essay, kaleidoscopically angry, oboist William Bennett in February sad, and lyrical, Ravel’s characteristi2013. His poise and professionalism cally jazzy and entrancing work was were absolutely approgiven a startling perforpriate and sympathetic mance by the pianist. at the time, and he will A seatmate remarked, always hold a place in “It’s good he shakes our hearts for reacting hands with the right” at so well. the abrupt and shockPoignant memories ing conclusion, and I of Bill Bennett aside, was happy to see the the French musician triumphant soloist’s (son of renowned celleft appendage still atlist Paul Tortelier) tached to his arm when filled the hall on this he took his bows. It was appearance with nona rendition that lacked stop power and exthe last degree of tenciting repertoire. His derness, but it was unCourtesy SFS elegant control also deniably thrilling. added a fine frame- Maestro and guest The evening began work for the guest conductor Yan Pascal with a new selection of soloist.

Jean-Efflam Tortelier returned to pieces from Bizet’s MuBavouzet has recorded Davies Hall. sic from the Carmen both of Ravel’s fabuSuites that crackled lous piano concertos and blazed with coiled with Tortelier on the classy Chandos energy and exquisite orchestral solabel, and if there were ever a good los. What a good reminder that the reason for still collecting discs, this San Francisco Opera is presenting would be one. Bavouzet subdued the old girl in all her sultry glory in his right hand (if not his right side) the upcoming summer season, with to perform the frighteningly difficult a provocative staging by director

Calixto Bieito. Tortelier’s Carmen didn’t shock, but sounded instead gorgeously melodic and suitably fiery.

The concert ended with another blood-pumping piece, Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, Organ. With typically Gallic finesse, Saint-Saëns used the mighty king of instruments sparingly but tellingly to create a melodically cohesive and uplifting score.

The great Ruffatti organ at DSH doesn’t get included often enough on SFS programs, though the towering pipes are always a visual presence, so organist Jonathan Dimmock’s appearance at the console was a special treat. The audience reaction was ecstatic, and this most recent and hopefully ongoing return of Yan Pascal Tortelier was a real gem in the season thus far.

Music legend

The week before, another famous soloist (and conductor all-in-one) appeared at DSH with conductor Andrey Boryeko, who was making his SFS debut. Their program pleased but did not completely satisfy. Gidon Kremer is a living musical legend with his pioneering Kremerata Baltica and his wonderful discography of contemporary and 20th century works. His own skill as

a violinist is undisputed, especially in underrepresented modern repertoire, so his presentation of Bartok’s early Violin Concerto No. 1 (1908) was eagerly anticipated.

The composer himself said the First was essentially a love letter to his unrequited love, violinist Stefi Geyer, but she rejected both Bartok and his showpiece. The wonderfully modern-sounding writer also felt his concerto, shockingly neglected still, was one of his least shadowy works. It didn’t get a public airing until many years later, and even now, Kremer appears to disagree with the author. His interpretation is more intense and dark than what Bartok might have had in mind, and he often seems to wander reflectively through the brief span of the score. It offered some lovely moments but little structure, and was interesting but unpersuasive. We don’t get much opportunity to encounter Kremer’s genius, so this was a little disappointing.

The program opened with a delightful reading of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kije Suite, Opus 60 (1934).

Boreyko understands and has obvious affection for the parade of good tunes, and he allowed the orchestra a chance to shine. His control was a little overcareful, but still adept.t

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<< Out&About

Sun 15 Jewel City @ de Young Museum

Palatial

by Jim Provenzano

T

he Palace of Fine Arts is one of few remaining buildings from the World Expo, now celebrating its centennial. And what are our fair city’s politicos considering a hundred years later? Turning it into luxury apartments or a pricey restaurant. Tell your (s)elected officials to stuff this crass corporate whorish concept and save one of the icons of our city. Attend one of the exhibits that include the Palace of Fine Arts, or see a show that takes place there. Sign the change.org petition, and find out about attending Parks & Rec. community meetings at http://chn.ge/1SDYYnh.

Thu 12 5+5 Gay Poets Dead and Alive @ SF Public Library, Alley Cat Books The Gay Ancestors Project presents two readings, with a diverse array of gay and trans authors: Nov 12: Bruce Snider, Wonder Dave, Roberto F. Santiago and Joe Wadlington (6pm.

100 Larkin St. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, www.sfpl.org) and Nov. 13 (Snider, Santiago, Merchant, Wadlington and Ari Banias), 7pm, 3036 24th St. www.alleycatbookshop.com

Barbary Coast Revue @ Balancoire The third season of the popular cabaret show returns, with Danny Kennedy as Mark Twain, a cast of diverse performers. Thursdays thru November. $14-$64. 8pm. 2565 Mission St. at 22nd. www.BarbaryCoastRevue.com

BenDeLaCreme @ Oasis The fab drag performer (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6) brings her Cosmos show to SoMa. $25 and up. 7:30pm & 10pm. Also Nov. 13 & 14, 7:30pm.

11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

The Broken Knife @ ODC Theater 13th Floor performs Jenny McAllister’s graphic novel for the stage, a stylized dance-play about gods’ power struggles and mortals’ retaliation in an epic test of wills. $15-$45. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Nov. 15. 3153 17th St. www.13thfloortheater.org

Christina Bianco @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The comic singer, known for her hilarious 18 Divas Sing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” routine, performs her new solo show, Party of One, at the elegant downtown cabaret/nightclub. $35-$50.

8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.christinabianco.com www.ticketweb.com

Curse of the Cobra @ Hypnodrome Thrillpeddlers’ new Halloween season spine-tingling show offers terror and titillation! $25-$35. Wed-Sat 8pm.

Thru Nov. 21. 575 10th St. 377-4202. www.hypnodrome.org

Dhaya Lakshminarayanan @ Exit Studio The local stand-up comic performs her new solo show, Nerd Nation. $15-$25.

Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 21. 156 Eddy St. www.divafest.info

Goapele @ Yoshi’s Oakland The gorgeous -and gorgeoussounding- R&B/pop singer performs at the elegant restaurant-nightclub. $29-$34. Nov. 12 & 13, 8pm & 10pm; 14, 7:30 & 9:30pm. 15, 7pm & 9pm.

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland.

(510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

If/Then @ Orpheum Theatre Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp and Lachanze star in the national touring company of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Tony-nominated hit Broadway musical about parallel lives, chance and possibilities in contemporary New York City. $40$212. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Dec. 6. 1192 Market St. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com www.ifthenthemusical.com

Megan Timpane @ The Marsh The film, stage and TV actor performs her solo show, Having Cancer is Hilarious! $15-$50. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 8:30pm. Thru Nov. 28. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Monstress @ Strand Theatre American Conservatory Theatre’s staging of Philip Kan Gotanda and Sean San José’s drama about FilipinoAmerican Bay Area life and struggles. $20-$100. Tue-Sat 7:30pm. Wed & Sat 2pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Thru Nov. 22.

1127 Market St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

New & Classic Films @ Castro Theatre Nov. 12: snowboard doc Chasing Shadows (8pm). Nov. 13: Transgender Film Festival, Major, the doc. About Miss Major GriffinGracy. Nov. 14: Apocalypse Now (2pm, 8pm) and The Thin Red Line (4:50). Nov. 15: Chantal Ackerman films. Nov. 15: Seven Samurai (4:45) and The Seventh Seal (8:30). Nov. 16: Wim Wenders’ The State of Things (6pm) and Paris, Texas (8:10).

Nov. 18: Junun (7:30, 9:15). Nov. 19: InForum event with Chef Tyler Florence (7pm). $10-$15. 429 Castro St. www.castrotheatre.com

Nicki Green, Caitlin Rose Sweet @ SMAart Gallery Dual exhibit of ceramics visualizing queer bodies as vessels of nature.

Reg. hours Tue-Sat 11:30am-5:30pm.

Thru Nov. 21. 1045 Sutter St. www.smaartgallery.com

The Pandora Experiment @ Exit Theatre Christian Cagigal’s unique and mysterious solo show with magic, illusions and spooky themes, returns in a new version. $20-$30. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 21. 156 Eddy St. www.theexit.org

Pound @ Brava Theater Center Marga Gomez’ hilarious satire solo show skewers lesbian cinema depictions with a cast of crazy characters. $15-$20. Thu-Sat 8pm.

Sun 3pm. 18+ only! Thru Nov. 15.

Upstairs Studio, 2781 24th St. at York www.brava.org

Q-Ball Masqueerade @ Mission Cultural Center Queer LifeSpace fundraiser, with host sister Roma, DJs Taco Tuesday, Olga T, queer youth poetry slam, cocktails and soft drinks, hors d’oeuvres, art installations, and silent auction. $18-$24. 6pm-10pm. 2868 Mission St. www.missionculturalcenter.org

Sail Away @ Eureka Theatre Noel Coward’s witty 1961 musical comedy, set on a cruise ship, gets a deft restaging by 42nd Street Moon. $25-$75. Wed & thu 7pm.

Fri 8pm, Sat 6pm. Sun 3pm. Thru Nov. 15. 215 Jackson St. 255-8207. www.42ndstmoon.org

Stephanie Gayle @ Books Inc. The author of Idyll Threats discusses her new mystery. 7pm. 2275 Market St. www.booksinc.net

Transgender Film Festival @ Roxie Theater 14th annual (also first and longestrunning) fest of short, documentary and feature films by, for and about transgender people from around the world. $5-$15. 7:30pm. Nov 13 at Castro Theatre (429 Castro St.), 7pm and Roxie 9pm. Nov. 14, 7:30 & 9:30pm. Nov. 15, 2pm & 4pm. 3117 16th St. www.sftff.org

Unusual Movies @ Oddball Films Weekly screenings of strange and obscure short films. $10. 8pm Also Fridays. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilm.com

Fri 13 Alonzo King Lines Ballet @ YBCA Theater The acclaimed local company performs a new work with music by Grammywinning singer Lisa Fischer. $30-$100 (opening night reception). 8pm. WedSun various times thru Nov. 15. 700 Howard St. 978-2787. linesballet.org

Another Hole in the Head Fest @ New People’s Cinema 12th annual festival of unusual independent horror, science fiction and fantasy films. Thru Nov. 16. 1746 Post St. at Webster. 552-5580. www.sfindie.com

Barry Lloyd @ Hotel Rex The talented cabaret singer-pianist performs Slumming on Park Avenue, his Bobby Short tribute concert; cocktails and small plates available. $30-$50.

8pm. Also Nov. 14, 8pm. 562 Sutter St. 857-1896. www.societycabaret.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. Reg: $25-$160.

Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Disgraced @ Berkeley Rep Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer- Prize-winning drama about cultural assimilation, Islamic imagery, and a family’s unraveling. $17-$61. Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm.

Wed & Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Dec. 20. Roda Theatre, 2025 Addison.

(510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Duo Melis @ St. Mark’s Lutheran Church The brilliant musicians Susana Prieto and Alexis Muzarakis perform classical guitar music. $35-$45. 7:30pm. 1111 O’Farrell St. www.duo-melis.com www.omniconcerts.com

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Leslie Jordan @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

Bright Half Life @ Rueff Room, Strand Theatre

The big talent in the diminutive package returns with his new oneman show Not In My House!, about his confrtonation with homophobies in a West Hollywood Starbucks. $25$40. 8pm. Also Nov. 14, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

Tanya Barfield’s drama about two women whose lives together are interiupted then brought together through time. Previews; opens Nov. 20. $35-$75. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm.

Sat & Sun 2:30pm. Thru Dec. 6. 1127 Market St. 441-8822. www.magictheatre.com

Material of Survival @ Magnet

Carl Linkhart @ Glama-Rama Salon

Artist Grahame Perry’s exhibit of works portraying the longterm struggle of HIV, shown in the new health space, including Every AIDS Obituary, a montage of 1000s of B.A.R. obits. Thru Nov. 470 Castro St. www.j.mp/hiv-survive www.magnetsf.org

The Monster-Builder @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley Bay Area premiere of Amy Freed’s dark drama about post-modern megaarchitect Gregor Zubrowski, and design theft. $3-$50. Tue 7pm, WedSat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Thru Dec. 6. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Olympians Festival @ Exit Theatre Annual festival of new plays with a theme of ancient gods and mythology, this year with 30 new plays. $10-$12.

Wed-Sat 8pm thru Nov. 21. 156 Eddy St. www.sfolympians.com

Pirates of Penzance @ Arts Passage Gilbert & Sullivan’s bouyant musical operetta gets an energetic new staging. $25-$65. Tue-Thu-Sat 8pm; Wed & Sun 7pm; Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Dec. 20. Osher Studio, 2055 Center St., Berkeley. www.berkeleyrep.org

Shakespeare Goes to War @ Thick House John Fisher wrote, directed and costars in the new comedy-drama about a teacher who inspires a student in the 1970s, World War II prison camps, the anti-gay Briggs Initiative, and The Bard. $10-$35. Tue 7pm (Nov. 17 & 24 only). Wed & Thu 7:30pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm. Thru Nov. 28. 1695 18th St. at Arkansas.

(800) 838-3006. www.TheRhino.org

The Slut-kerchief Project @ Center for Sex & Culture Geana Sieburger and photographer Rosey Lakos’ project of modern depictions of the century-old meaning of a piece of fabric as denoting a “slut.” Thru Nov. 29. 1349 Mission St. www.slutkerchiefproject.com www.sexandculture.org

Sat 14 Ada and the Memory Machine @ Berkeley City Club Central Works’ production of Lauren Gunderson’s play about Ada Lovelance, 19th-century countess, metaphysician, daughter of Lord Byron, and the world’s first computer programmer; performed with original live music by The Kilbanes. $15-$28.

Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Thru Nov. 22.

2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 5581381. www.centralworks.org

The Vault of Broken Dreams, an exhibit of creative unusual paintings from the artist also known as Carl With Records, an early Angel of Light and Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. On view thru Jan. 3. 304 Valencia St. 8614526. www.glamarama.com

Daily and Transcendent @ SF Public Library Dual exhibit of LGBT-themed photos by veteran photographers Jane Philomen Cleland and Rick Gerharter.

Jewett Gallery, lower level. 100 Larkin st. Thru Jan. 3. www.sfpl.org

Date Night at Pet Emergency @ The Marsh Berkeley Lisa Rothman’s comic solo show about domestic hell, pet panic and trying to find a date night amid it all. $20$100. Saturdays, 5pm. Thru Dec. 5.

2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. www.themarsh.org

Garden Railway @ Conservatory of Flowers New exhibit of floral displays inspired by the centennial anniversary of the 1915 Pan-Pacific World Expo, with SF scenes in miniature train and architectural installations with hundreds of dwarf plants. Thru April 10. Also, permanent floral displays, plants for sale, and docent tours. TueSun 10am-4pm. $2-$8. Free for SF residents. 100 JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park, 831-2090. www.conservatoryofflowers.org

Kim & Reggie Harris, James Lee Stanley @ St. Cyprians Church The veteran folk singers perform spirituals and original music. $20-$23.

8pm. 2097 Turk st. 454-5238. www.noevalleymusicseries.com

Looking East @ Asian Art Museum Looking East: How Japan Inspired Monet, Van Gosh, and Other Western Artists. Thru Feb. 7. Exquisite Nature: 20 Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings, and Woven Luxuries: Indian, Persian and Turkish Textiles ; both thru Nov 1. Free (members, kids 12 and under)-$15. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. www.asianart.org

Maria Muldaur @ Dance Palace The music veteran performs a concert of songs and stories at the Headlands arts center. $25-$35. 8pm. 503 B St., Point Reyes. www.dancepalace.org

Maryanna Hoggatt @ Modern Eden Gallery Opening reception for All Aboard the Dreamboat, the artist’s exhibit of quirky animal sculptures and paintings. 6pm-9pm. Thru Dec. 5. 801 Greenwich St. www.moderneden.com

Office Space @ YBCA Group exhibit of compelling visual art that visualizes 21st-century labor practices. Thru Feb. 14. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. www.ybca.org Lois Tema

Out &About

Edwin Deakin

O&A

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • November 12-18, 2015

Inappropriate in All the Right Ways @ The Marsh Ann Randolph’s serio-comic solo show about family loss and death. $20-$100. Saturdays, 5pm. Sun 2pm.

Extended thru Dec. 13. 1062 Valencia St. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

The Kid Thing @ New Conservatory Theatre Center The local theatre company presents Sarah Gubbins’ witty play about the problems two lesbian couples face with an impending pregnancy. $25$45. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Dec. 13. 25 Van Ness ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.org

Fri 13 The Kid Thing @ NCTC

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Out&About>>

Superfest @ Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley; Contemporary Jewish Museum, SF

Mon 16

The annual International Disability Film Festival screens features films about, by and for disabled people; organized by the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University and the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. Free-$12-$24. Opening receptionm 5pm, screening 6pm. $8$12. 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. Nov. 15: 10:30am-5pm. 736 Mission St. www.thecjm.org www.superfestfilm.com

Pigment: A Redefinition of Beauty, an exhibit of the artist’s works, at the new multi-use café, gallery, workspace and community center.

Reg. hours Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. 1714 Franklin St., Oakland www.qulturecollective.com

Won Ju Lim @ YBCA Won Ju Lim: Raycraft is Dead. Also, Earth Machines: Exploring the environmental impact of our high-tech world; both thru Dec. 6. $5-$12.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. www.ybca.org

Writers With Drinks @ The Make Out Room Charlie Jane Anders hosts the night of readings under the influence, with Sarah Jeong, Jessica Erica Hahn, S. Kay, K. Tempest Bradford, Michael Collins and Carrie Patel!. $5-$20.

7:30pm. 3225 22nd St. www.writerswithdrinks.com

Sun 15 Abrazo, Queer Tango @ Finnish Brotherhood Hall, Berkeley

Julissa Rodriguez @ Qulture Collective, Oakland

NEAT @ Contemporary Jewish Museum You Know I’m No Good, NEAT: New Experiments in Art and Technology, Chasing Justice (thru Feb 21), and Hardly Strictly Warren Hellman.

Lectures and gallery talks as well. Free (members)-$12. Fri-Tue 11am-5pm, Thu 11am-8pm (closed Wed). 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

Reigning Queens @ GLBT History Museum New exhibit of 1970s San Francisco drag ball photos by Roz Joseph; with curator Joey Plaster, DJ Irwin Swirnoff.

Thru Feb. 2016. Reg, hours Mon, WedSat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

Theatre Bay Area Awards @ Geary Theatre Ron Campbell hosts the night of awards, honors, music and comedy performances, and local theatre stars as presenters and recipients. $35$130. 7pm. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.theatrebayarea.org

Enjoy weekly same-sex tango dancing and a potluck, with lessons early in the day. $7-$15. 3:306:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St., Berkeley. (510) 845-5352. www.finnishhall.com

Jeffrey Brian Adams @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The Bay Area actor-singer returns for another concert after his sold-out May debut. $20-$35. 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

Smack Dab @ Magnet Larry-bob Roberts and Dana Hopkins cohost the monthly eclectic queer reading and open mic show; this month featuring Loren Kraut. 7:30 (sign up). 8pm show. 4122 18th st. www.magnetsf.org

Youth Lagoon @ The Fillmore Trevor Powers, the electro emo singer-composer, performs with Taylor McFerrin. $25. 8pm. 1805 Geary Blvd. at Fillmore. www.thefillmore.com

Thu 19 10 Percent @ Comcast David Perry’s online & cable interviews with notable local and visiting LGBT people, broadcast through the week. Check for times on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ pages/10-Percent/66629477326 www.ComcastHometown.com

Cavalia @ AT&T Park The sweeping horse and acrobatic show returns with the new Odysseo. $44.50$289. Tue-Fri 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Dec. 13. (866) 999-8111. Embarcadero at AT&T Park. www.cavalia.net

Franc D’Ambrosio @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The Broadway crooner ( The Phantom of the Opera ) performs his annual Christmas in New York cabaret concert. $25-$40.

8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

Fall Chocolate Salon @ Fort Mason Center Sample gourmet and premium chocolates and confections with samples from Artisan Chocolate, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, CocoTutti, Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., Flying Noir, Neo Cocoa, CaCoCo, Marco Paolo Chocolates, and many more. $25.

10am-5pm. General’s Residence, 1 Fort Mason Center. www.FallChocolateSalon.com

November 12-18, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

Full Frontal Comedy @ Lookout

Thu 12 Transgender Film Festival @ Roxie Theater

Jewel City @ de Young Museum Jewel City: Art from San Francisco’s Panama-Pacific International Exposition ; thru Jan. 10. Also, Portals of the Past: Photographs of Willard Worden (thru Feb. 14); Royal Hawaiian Featherwork (thru Feb. 28); Between Life and Death: Robert Motherwell’s Elegies (thru Mar. 6).

Other exhibits of modern art as well.

Free/$25. Thru Sept. 20 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. www.famsf.org

SF Hiking Club @ Bedwell Bayfront Park Join GLBT hikers for a 6-mile hike around Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park. It is a great park for birdwatching and seeing other wildlife.

Bring layers, hat, sunscreen, water, lunch, good walking shoes. Carpool meets 9:15 at Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 596-1304. www.sfhiking.com

Tachyon 20th @ SF Public Library Park Branch The localy independent science fiction publisher celebrates two decades, with cake, authors Charlie Jane Anders, Ellen Datlow, more cake and readings. 1pm-4pm. 1833 Page St. www.tachyonpublications.com

Winterfest @ City View at Metreon The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s annual festive party, fundraiser and bike-focused art auction, with food, drinks and music. $20-$60. 6pm10:30pm. 135 4th St. www.sfbike.org

Tue 17 The Graying of Gay @ LGBT Center OpenHouse presents Further Stories from the Annals of Senior Gay Memoirists, a gathering and storytelling night. 6pm. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org

Hella Close @ Magnet Radar Productions’ reading series presents Stories of Fat Queer Intimacy, with host Juliana Delgado Lopera, and Joanna Villegas, Devon Devines, Cinnamon Maxines and Kitty Stryker.

Free. 7pm. 4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Temporal Cities @ Tenderloin Museum Exhibit of images, drawing and events about community in San Francisco.

Thru Dec. 17. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. 398 Eddy St. at Leavenworth. 351-1912. www.tenderloinmuseum.org

Wed 18 Alison Saar @ MOAD New exhibit, Bearing, the acclaimed artist’s sculptures of Black women as a centerpiece. Free-$10. Thru April 3.

Museum of the African Diaspora, 635 Mission St. www.moadsf.org

Follies @ Oasis Holotta Tymes hosts the weekly variety show with female impersonation acts, and barbeque in the front Fez Room. $20. 7pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. www.sfoasis.com

Yuri Kagan and Valerie Branch cohost the monthly comedy night, with Yayne Abeba, Emily Epstein White, Mike Spiegelman, Ronn Vigh, Jesus Chuy Fuentes and Irene Tu. $5. 8pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

ebar.com

Lady Bunny @ Oasis The statuesque Wigstock founder returns with a new raunchy comic drag show, Pig in a Wig! $20-$30 (two-drink min.). 7:30pm. Also Nov. 20 & 21. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 7953180. www.sfoasis.com

Steve Cuiffo is Lenny Bruce @ Curran Theatre The actor performs a one-hour show as the legendary comic at the innovative on-stage shows at the inprogress renovated theatre. $50. 8pm.

Also Nov 20 & 21 8pm. Thru Nov. 21.

445 Geary St. www.SFCurran.com

Story Showdown @ Awaken Café, Oakland

A Chanticleer Christmas Welcome the season with Chanticleer's profound and joyful mix of holiday music, from the Renaissance to spirituals and carols

December 12-23

Storytelling by Baruch PorrasHernandez, Eric Darby, Casey Gardener, Mosa Maxwell-Smith, Dylan Gray, and Mic Ting; musical guest Jade Way; Wonder Dave hosts. $12-$15. 7:30pm. 1429 Broadway. www.awakencafe.com

We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Great American Music Hall The Scottish rock alt/ band performs.

Seoul opens. $25-$50 (with dinner).

9pm. 859 O’Farrell St. 885-0750. www.wewerepromisedjetpacks.com www.slimspresents.com To submit event listings, email events@ebar.com Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

For more bar and nightlife events, go to On the Tab in our BARtab section, online at www.ebar.com/bartab

DATES & TICKETS:

www.chanticleer.org 415-392-4400

<< Fine Arts

24 • BAY AREA REPORTER • November 12-18, 2015

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Courtesy of the Artist and Altman Siegel, San Francisco

“Lecture Series/Abstract Mass” by Chris Johanson, from his exhibition Equations (2015) at Altman Siegel, San Francisco.

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Galleries

From page 17

It includes works on paper and paintings completed between 1938 and 1992, rich with Renaissance, Medieval and gothic motifs, eroticism, Marquis de Sade-inflected fantasy, and scenarios where women often dominate submissive men.

The artworks are augmented by Fini’s writings, selected correspondence with Dali, Max Ernst and Leonora Carrington, among others, and rare photographs of Fini taken by the likes of Dora Maar, CartierBresson and Man Ray that help explain what all the fuss was about.

Through Dec. 5.

Sophie Calle is a very tricky girl.

In pursuit of her art, the transgressive agent-provocateur has invited strangers to sleep in her bed, elicited responses from a range of women to a kiss-off email from her lover, worked as a chambermaid, and asked her mother to surreptitiously hire a private detective to follow her around Paris and supply proof of her existence, to name just a few of her notorious escapades. You have to admire the way her mind works.

Skating on the edge of danger while going wherever her curiosity takes her, she instigates narratives and slightly twisted treasure hunts that question the role of the voyeur; for Calle, process is as if not more important than the end-product. A new exhibition at the Fraenkel Gallery pulls from four bodies of work that incorporate her poetic, allusive text, whose strength can in some instances overshadow her video and photography.

Two series investigate violation: the collection of images in Cash Machine come from time-stamped ATM surveillance footage – one of them could be you; Collateral Damage, Targets consists of mugshots of criminals the police used for target practice, complete with bullet holes, a practice that doesn’t inspire confidence in law enforcement. In “Suicide,” a cryptic message accompanying photographs of rippling black water reads: “They say police can distinguish between people who drown themselves for love and those who drown themselves for money.”

Through Dec. 24.

Chris Johanson is the self-taught artist who grew up in San Jose and moved to San Francisco, where he became part of the Northern California punk/skateboard zine scene and the Mission School movement in the early 1990s, though he has since relocated to L.A Known for vibrantly colored paintings and collages characterized by an almost childlike exuberance, thick impasto, simple cartoonish figures and graffiti-inspired imagery punctuated by humorous scribbled messages, he has often been concerned with urban issues, utilizing recycled

materials retrieved from dumpsters and abandoned construction sites.

Recently, he has cultivated a more abstract conceptual approach, evident in Equations, a show of 10 of his latest works at Altman Siegel.

In Johanson world, playful figures operate within narrative frameworks that can be jam-packed with characters and action, and the site of multiple storylines that unfold simultaneously. People live adjacent but separate lives, and scenes occur indoors and out in the same panting. The view of a green lawn in “Infinity,” for example, is also seen on a flat-screen TV or through a window inside a roofless house.

In the dreamy nocturnal collage/ painting “I am in my Body Again,” an indigo sky is interrupted by crumpled gold-foil clouds floating above the dark horizon and hills in the distance, while in the lowerright foreground, a lone figure sits in an interior space edged with a strip of wood that adds dimension.

Johanson toys with scale and skews perspective, sometimes flattening the picture plane, as in hand-drawn animation. In the top tier of “Lecture Series/Abstract Mass,” a pink, jaunty fellow in swim trunks balances on one leg, singlehandedly holding off the rush of an incoming wave; below him, students trudge down a steep diagonal to a class.

Steering away from a traditional presentation, works of various sizes are mounted on custom-built, freestanding three-dimensional wooden structures, or simply rest on the floor or jut out from a wall. Through Dec. 19.

The Mapmaker’s Dream at Haines Gallery assembles five artists who chart known and fictional worlds. Maurizio Anzeri, for example, sews designs in colored threads directly onto vintage photographs, producing unfinished grids of unknown origins in “On the Lake,” a 16-piece suite of embroidered, black-and-white summer Alpine scenes. The real and the fantastic merge in a 1950s Hollywood of the mind in Romanian painter Marius Bercea’s “Recipe for Tuesday Sunsets,” where palm trees sway against a backdrop of unnatural violet skies that signal a brewing storm you’d only see in movies. For her 2009 digital animation “Dying Oak/Elephant,” L.A. artist Pae White used 3D scanning technology to create what she calls “a death mask” of a fragile 800-year-old California oak tree that remains standing (on gallery owner Cheryl Haines’ Nevada City property), a witness to history and an embattled veteran of the vagaries of the environment. As the imagery pitches and rolls, it reveals the tree canopy, and penetrates the surface of what appears to be the distressed hide of an ancient elephant, who hasn’t forgotten.

Through Dec. 23.t

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Film>>

November 12-18, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 25

Sins of their fathers revisited

by David Lamble

A

nyone who believes that such towering and exhaustive documentaries as Marcel Ophuls’ 260-minute expose on the myths surrounding the French Resistance movement The Sorrow and the Pity (1970) or Claude Lanzmann’s powerful 503-minute interrogation/interview session on the intimate details of the Nazi death camps Shoah (1985) represent the last word on the Holocaust should think again.

Beginning Friday, Landmark Theatres in San Francisco and Berkeley will offer a more compact version of the Holocaust crimes (92 minutes) in an equally unsettling account.

What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy has British filmmaker David Evans bringing three men together for a focused conversation on the most diabolically shameful chapter in modern European history, a chapter literally written in the blood of slaughtered Jews.

Now in their 70s, Horst von Wachter and Niklas Frank have starkly contrasting views of what their Nazi dads did at the behest of Nazi leader Adolph Hitler to kill innocent men, women, and children from many classes and orientations.

Clearly uncomfortable for the bulk of the film, von Wachter desperately looks for mitigating circumstances, evidence to let his beloved papa off the hook for one of humankind’s greatest recorded crimes. “He was absolutely somebody who wanted to do something good,” he says. “His fault was that he believed Hitler would change his politics.”

Niklas Frank is incredulous about the views of his childhood friend.

“My father loved Hitler more than

his family. My father really deserved to die at the gallows.” Frank’s condemnation of his parents is absolute, beginning with his memories of a mother who used to “shop” in the Krakow [Poland] Jewish ghetto, where she knew she could get rockbottom prices for furs from Jewish merchants terrified of winding up in the clutches of her death-camp commandant husband, the notorious Hans Frank.

What Our Fathers Did carries an especially emotional punch resulting from the odd journey taken by, and the unusually close bond forming between Frank, von Wachter and the film’s on-screen host and interrogator, Philippe Sands. Sands, whose relatives died in places visited by the trio, keeps pushing his “guests” to react to the sins of their fathers, which Frank does gladly, but which von Wachter resists, finding reasons to protect the memory of his dad. Even the evidence that their fathers were punished by the victorious Allied forces carries different weight with each surviving son. Niklas Frank pulls out a wallet photo of his freshly executed father: Hans Frank was hanged in 1946 after a trial at Nuremberg for his complicity in the slaughter of three million Polish Jews.

For Horst von Wachter, whose father Otto was the Nazi governor of Galicia (the present-day Ukraine city of Lviv), the death of his dad, who died while under the protection of the Pope in 1949, is a hard pill to swallow. He resists the facts to the bitter end, when, in a truly odd moment, he meets a survivor of the era who thinks Otto was a fine fellow.

Niklas Frank has been on the record about his Nazi dad for quite

Oscilloscope Laboratories

Scene from British director David Evans’ What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy.

a spell. Frank’s German fans have known him for the past quarter-century for his best-selling account The Father: A Settling of Accounts. Horst von Wachter carries very different tokens of the times: formal photographs of Otto with Nazi henchman Heinrich Himmler, and a truly special keepsake, a photo simply signed “A.H.” for Adolph Hitler.

For Philippe Sands, the experience standing between these two men with their powerfully different grasp of history was more than a little unsettling. “I was transported back 70 years to the heart of an appalling regime, but Horst was looking at these images with a different eye from mine. I see a man who’s probably been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Jews and Poles. Horst looks at the same photographs and sees a beloved father playing with the children, and

he’s thinking that was family life.”

Documentaries are often judged by the structure the filmmaker establishes throughout to create his or her version of the film’s truth. In Shoah, creator Claude Lanzmann eschewed archival footage of the gas chambers or of piles of rotting corpses. Evans’ What Our Fathers Did mixes present-tense interviews with Frank and Wachter with some dramatic film of Hitler and of the ruins of an important synagogue, attended by Sands’ own family. The ruins are intact on the outside and burned out inside.

The filmmakers don’t let the delusional Horst off the hook: his dad Otto created the Lviv Jewish ghetto, and supervised the trains that carried Jews to the death camps. The final nail in Otto’s moral coffin: he refused Himmler’s offer of a transfer back to Vienna. Instead Otto von Wachter

was the “good Nazi” who stayed with his ship to the end, before fleeing to hide under the Vatican’s protection after the war. In a startling scene, the trio drops by the public hall in Lviv where Frank’s dad announced the beginning of Hitler’s Final Solution, conspicuously crediting Wachter’s dad for the underlying policy. A month later, about 75,000 Jews had been murdered in the area.

Some viewers may wish that this film spent some time telling how these sons of Nazi criminals lived their everyday lives before confronting their “killing fields” legacy.

While Horst sticks stubbornly to his denial of Otto’s foul deeds, at film’s end an elderly Ukrainian nationalist wearing a swastika informs Horst of how proud he is of his unit’s dark history. Finally Horst has his moment. History can play nasty tricks on the unwary.t

director Nowar’s conceit is as if the lead role in the Lawrence tale were taken over by one of the ravishingly cute young Arabs who cling to Lawrence in Lean’s tale before perishing in quicksand and desert combat.

The film bonds us with the boy in the first act. The prepubescent Eid, with his wild curly hair, projects the reckless charisma of the young Sal Mineo as he defied a Britishimposed peace in Otto Preminger’s bloated epic Exodus. We’re embedded with this boy who has no politics, who takes up the gun only after cruel men have pushed him to the brink, and who will act only to redeem his family’s honor after futilely trying to follow their ancient profession guiding strangers across the desert.

Ultimately, Nowar has neatly combined a brave boy’s comingof-age tale, in which his own maturity comes tragically to fruition precisely when the forces of a brutal war conspire to deprive him of his beloved older brother, with the complicated awakening of an ancient people in what we in the West refer to somewhat patronizingly as “the Holy Land.” When last we see him, Theeb has proudly turned into a lone wolf, astride a camel heading towards a seemingly infinite horizon. A Western-raised Arab filmmaker has constructed a mythic tale for his people, an epic “Eastern” whose inhabitants will likely spend a great deal of this new century finding their own special destiny.t

Lone wolf in the desert

by David Lamble

B

ritish director David Lean’s 1962 “intimate epic” Lawrence of Arabia made the actions of an enigmatic, possibly homosexual Anglo/Irish adventurer into a metaphor for how modern warfare can destroy great empires (in this case, the Turkish-ruled Ottoman Empire). A modest new drama from a British director of Arab descent may demonstrate how even a small boy, born into a proud Bedouin tribe, can fulfill his people’s gifts for hospitality and the ability to survive one of this planet’s most inhospitable hot-spots. In British-born filmmaker Naji Abu Nowar’s debut feature Theeb, or Wolf, a young Bedouin lad, too young to shave, finds

the physical strength to endure his desert land’s daytime furnace of sun and heat. He also makes daring choices and endures great perils that might destroy many an older, more seasoned adult warrior.

The year is 1916. At the same time T.E. Lawrence is building and leading a great Arab army to thwart the Turks in what was then a remote corner of the five-centuries-old Ottoman realm, a young Bedouin, Hussein (Hussein Salameh), attempts to guide a handsome, blond British officer, Edward (Jack Fox), along a desert route favored by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. Hussein and the young Brit are ambushed by a motley band of brigands. Hussein escapes certain death due to his baby brother’s reckless decision to

follow their camel tracks. It is here that this fictional adventure departs from the Lawrence script, as Theeb discovers strengths he didn’t know he had, including enduring a plunge down a deep desert well and subsequently surviving the company of a mercenary who kills his brother and the Englishman.

If this is all starting to sound a tad far-fetched, it’s true that Theeb’s adventure is of a kind previously reserved for the minions of the great Disney empire, or perhaps for director Carroll Ballard’s great boy adventure, 1979’s The Black Stallion.

If the movie works, and it mostly does, it’s due to the tried-and-true recipe of a fine script, adroitly cast.

Theeb himself is a plucky debut by child actor Jacir Eid. In some ways

Film Movement

Scene from director Naji Abu Nowar’s debut feature Theeb, or Wolf, opening Friday.

<< Music

26 • BAY AREA REPORTER • November 12-18, 2015

Going deep into the keys

by Tim Pfaff

W

e may be running out of things like fresh water and breathable air, but one thing we have plenty of is pianists – so many brilliant young ones, in fact, that reputable critics have stopped ranking them. Among them is 24-yearold Daniil Trifonov, already no stranger to Davies Hall audiences, where he’s torn up the place with Chopin on opening night, and last year, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. One of the recording events of the fall has been DG’s release of his Paganini Rhapsody with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nezet-Seguin, an allRachmaninov package including two other sets of the composer’s solo-piano variations and Trifonov’s own five-movement solo suite, Rachmaniana.

Trifonov’s is a notably deep-into-the-keys prowl through a Rhapsody in which many another fine pianist has found something lighter and more mercurial. Many if not most of the connoisseurs of the Rachmaninov concertos, or the middle ones anyway, concede that it’s the non-concerto Paganini Rhapsody they love most, so no one’s going to mind if Trifonov does some properly Russian brooding over it.

What brings his into the company of the finest recordings of the work is that all-important

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Odysseo

From page 17

“It’s twice as big as the show you saw before,” said 28-year-old Figari, one of two out-gay performers in the troupe. He was on the phone from Winnipeg, where the show was running prior to its move to San Francisco for a five-week run beginning Nov. 19. “It’s very different from the first Cavalia, but it still retains that emotion of the relationship between horses and humans.

You’re really seeing what can be achieved when you and the horses are working together and have that mutual trust.”

While Figari does work with

ping in his tone, one that Trifonov pronounces with an accent all his own. It’s integrated into his playing throughout – every note is clear in the most heavily scored passages – but what it gives his performance of the work as a whole is a cumulative sense that the alternately stentorian and shadowy variations are a path to the increasingly dizzy dance that is the work’s destination.

a kindred spirit in the enterprise, rightly giving his soloist the most reliable of musical support. The tight, bracing, full-orchestra chords at the outset foretell the keenness of the reading, the solo wind passages its warm heart. Yet there’s an underlying squareness about it you feel most strongly when Trifonov breaks the leash you hardly knew was there to sing that ensnaring, truly rhapsodic melody with supreme free-

In Trifonov’s reading, the big, swooning Andante Cantabile 18th variation seems, not for once but for certain, in the right place. It’s one of those big-hearted, big-boned Russian melodies that seem cloying only when “sung” with hesitation or apology. Trifonov plays it less as the work’s climax than as the shimmering platform from which it prepares its final, upward leap.

It’s a passage of unusual interest in this recording. The dynamic and openly gay Nezet-Seguin is clearly horses in several scenes, his specialty doesn’t happen in the saddle. He’s featured in a carousel scene with performers synchronizing their movements as the poles they hang from as well as the merry-go-round itself rotate, but his spotlight solo is his work with a simple hoop, with which he performs not-so-simple maneuvers.

“It’s basically a solid-steel hoop that’s suspended from the ceiling, and it’s on a swivel,” Figari said.

“There’s a lot of spinning and there’s a lot of flight and lifts and descends and balance poses that need a lot of strength. And when you spin faster, that adds a whole different element, with the centrifugal force giving the hoop a life of its own.”

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dom and tenderness. Listen closely to the moment when, in a reversal of Tchaikovsky’s procedure in his First Piano Concerto, the massed strings recapitulate the tune: there’s a detectable if fleeting sense of the pianist’s getting back into harness.

You don’t have to go deep into the vaults of recordings, which for me would start with Rubinstein, to find a Paganini Rhapsody more magical, more high-spirited, more insistant on playing in the starlight. In easy memory there’s Yuja Wang’s, with

Abbado, in which everyone breathes like dancers, the deep, expansive breaths only perceptible when the music touches ground.

An intensity of a worryingly generic kind is the signature of Nezet-Seguin, beloved of audiences and airlines everywhere. There are times when it can substitute for finer gradations of feeling and avoid the undercurrents of darker or subtler emotions. There’s serious talk of his succeeding James Levine as music director at the Met, and I’m among those cheering that move. He’s that good.

But even in his crackling, season-opening Verdi Otello, which I heard in broadcast three times, I missed the disturbing music churning under all that excitement.

You feel it again when Trifonov gets on with the remainder of his recital. He shrewdly telescopes a couple of the middle variations in the Variations on a Theme of Chopin, but the invention unleashed between the gravity of Chopin’s C-minor Prelude, sounded as the two frames to Rachmaninov’s homage, is prodigal and enthralling. The later Corelli Variations, which close the disc, boast even greater substance and variety. This is dazzling playing.

Trifonov’s own Rachmaniana (of 1991) similarly feels like the young composer-pianist’s homage to his forebear: true Rachmaniana, not Rachmaninov mania. It

enters on an almost Scriabinesqe, dappled evanescence, then explores the whole instrument in the manner of the work’s namesake, with a Debussy-ian feel for color. I find Trifonov’s score not just similarly, but equally, enchanting as Rachmaninov, a piece I can imagine Yuja Wang performing in a manner all her own.

Nezet-Seguin has done most of his Bruckner and Mahler exploring on CD with the Orchestre Metropolitain of Montreal, his third orchestra. I’ve been along for the ride.

ATMA Classique has just released their Mahler’s 10th, the most fully satisfying of the series. There’s still the metric squareness I find so inhibiting, but it’s more understandable given a fine but not big-league orchestra. Because Mahler left it unfinished at his death, the 10th might be the most undervalued, misunderstood work in the repertoire, and it can’t have too many champions.

Nezet-Seguin captures the individuality of each of the five movements, and if the expressive means in Montreal are more limited here, the emotional commitment is greater. It’s trademark Nezet-Seguin that the tympani thwacks at the Finale are more forceful and disconcerting than usual, but they open up a movement that follows the composer into the achingly beautiful unknown. I suspect I would love this recording even more if it hadn’t appeared simultaneously with a visionary live performance of the third Derek Cooke completion by the BBC Scottish Symphony under Donald Runnicles. Pillage the Internet for it. On commercial recording, Riccardo Chailly’s with the RSO Berlin is still unsurpassed.t

A year or so ago, he added what can be best described as a neck hang, a move he created on his own.

“Another great thing about having a solo,” he said, “is that I’m able to work with our artistic director to keep changing things so that it stays fresh for me and I get to push my limits.”

All of this began with a family vacation to a Club Med in Mexico when Figari was 15. “It’s one of those all-inclusive resorts, and you can go scuba diving or play tennis or hop on a flying trapeze,” he said. “I figured a little adrenalin rush would be good, so I climbed up that rickety ladder, and they hooked me into safety lines, and off I flew.”

Figari began taking after-school classes at Trapeze Arts in Oakland, and then came a stab at college, where marine biology was his main interest. “After quite a few lengthy conversations with my parents, we just realized that because 100% of my attention was directed toward performing, it didn’t make sense to waste money and time and stress on schooling.”

Much of Figari’s early professional experience came on cruise ships, where he was part of the entertainment lineups. “I was able to see a lot of the world and have somebody pay me to do it,” he said. “It was almost too good to be true.”

Figari was living in Las Vegas when he flew to Quebec to audition for Odysseo, and ended up living there for seven months as the show was assembled. Odysseo and Figari will be giving their 1000th performance during the SF run, and he’s not sure how long he’ll stay with the show or what life will be like after it.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he said. “But I still love doing the show, and everyday I’m learning something new.” The downside? “There are definitely some weeks when I do get homesick and wish I could drive a couple of minutes and hang out with my sister and have dinner with my parents. I’m so happy we’re going to be in San Francisco during the holidays.

This will be the first Christmas I’ll be home in five years.”

See page 27 >>

Francois Bergeron

There are 45 performers and 65 horses in Odysseo, developed by one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soliel.

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Music>>

November 12-18, 2015 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27

Soul sisters deliver

by Gregg Shapiro

W

hen Janet Jackson says, “Hello, it’s been awhile. I’m glad you’re still here,” on the title track to Unbreakable (Rhythm Nation/BMG), her first studio album in seven years, she sounds like she means it. Separated into two “sides,” Unbreakable, on which Miss Jackson once again teams up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, is one of the great comebacks of the year. The hot and suitably titled “Burnitup,” featuring Janet’s close personal friend Missy Elliott, is a scorcher. “Great Forever” is a sweet pop tune, and “Shoulda Known Better” updates Janet’s sound with ease.

The back-to-back dance joy of “Broken Hearts Heal” and “Night” will keep us moving through the winter months and beyond. The 1980s echo of “Take Me Away” is a pleasing reminder of when Janet first crossed our paths, while “After You Fall” is among the best ballads Janet has ever recorded. Jackson, who has demonstrated her admiration for Joni Mitchell in the past, includes a pair of tunes, “Lessons Learned” and “Well Traveled,” that hint at Mitchell’s influence coming through her music. The Sly & the Family Stonesque album-closer “Gon’ B Alright” is so effective that you have no choice but to take her word for it.

Cheers to the Fall (WB/Buskin), the stellar debut by Andra Day, couldn’t have arrived at a bet-

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Odysseo

From page 26

And what about romance? “I don’t even know what that is,” he joked.

“We’re in a new city every couple of months, so it’s hard to build something meaningful in that amount of time, and on the flipside, if you’re going out with someone on tour you’re stuck with them 24/7. Fortunately, I have never been in a situation where I’ve been tempted to do that.”

Being out and gay has been a nonissue with Odysseo. “What matters most is your talent and your attitude,” he said. “A lot of people in the show have done shows before, so it’s not like they’re coming from some teeny tiny village in Eastern Europe and have no idea what kind of liberal world they’re being thrown into.

There was one girl from Belarus

ter time. With the gap left by Amy Winehouse remaining unfilled and Adele taking her sweet time releas-

ing her third studio album, Day has arrived to save the day. Aside from a fabulous look and style (drag queens take note), here’s what Day has going for her: a voice that conjures the best qualities of not only Adele and Winehouse, but also of influential predecessors such as Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Day, who cowrote all 13 songs on the disc, has a firm grasp on the concept of drama, as she demonstrates on “Not Today,” “Red Flag” and “City Burns.” Day is also a good fit for the retro revival via such knockout numbers as “Gin & Juice (Let Go My Hand),” “Gold,” “Only Love,” “Forever Mine,” and “Honey or Fire.” Let the cheering for Andra Day commence.

Almost 20 years ago Tamar Braxton with sisters Trina and Tawanda debuted as the R&B trio the Braxtons, attempting to follow in older sister Toni’s footsteps. Since that

time Tamar has appeared in the WE network “reality” series Braxton Family Values, is a co-host on the syndicated daytime talk show The

Real, and launched a solo career.

On the deluxe version of her new disc Calling All Lovers (Streamline/

Epic), which includes two bonus tracks, Braxton (who co-wrote all of the songs) sounds strong on the single “Catfish,” maybe the most exciting and interesting song on the disc. Other tunes calling out to be heard include the updated vintage soul of “Simple Things” and “Circles,” the retro disco of “Must Be Good to You” and the power ballad “King.”

One of the first things that queer listeners might notice about Freedom & Surrender (Concord), the new album by Lizz Wright, is that it opens with “Freedom,” written by legendary lesbian singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon, and closes with “Surrender,” a song co-written by Wright and Reagon. In addition to making for a good album title, the songs beautifully bracket the 11 songs between them. Wright origi-

nals such as the uplifting “The New Game” (co-written with producer Larry Klein and David Batteau), the lovely Gregory Porter duet “Right Where You Are” (co-written with Klein and J.D. Souther), and the gorgeous “Real Life Painting” (co-written with lesbian singer/ songwriter Maia Sharp), as well as the covers of Nick Drake’s “River Man” and the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody,” make this a disc that makes you surrender.

Teedra Moses took a number of years, 11 to be exact, between albums. Cognac & Conversation (Shanachie) is a welcome return, featuring duets with Anthony Hamilton and Rick Ross. Kenya brings Chicago soul with her on the musical journey of her disc My Own Skin (Kenyamj Music). On Blues People (kimnalley.com), Kim Nalley performs originals, then adds her own hue to traditionals and songs

by Gershwin, Dylan, Bessie Smith and others.t

who I worked with on cruises who had no concept of what being gay is.

I had to explain it to her.”

Figari was a contestant on TV’s America’s Got Talent, but dropped out when the chance to do Odysseo came along. On talent competition shows, producers try to build personal stories around the contestants, but have also been known to counsel gay competitors to keep that private if they want to maximize the viewers’ votes.

“If you’re so focused on how other people are perceiving you that’s just that much less time and energy you can put into discovering what you want to do and create,” Figari said. “With Odysseo, I know no one’s going to vote me out.”t Go to cavalia.net for ticket information

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32

36

On the Tab

NIGHTLIFE

DINING

39

Packing Leather

SPIRITS

Shooting Stars

SOCIETY

ROMANCE

LEATHER

PERSONALS Vol. 45 • No. 46 • November 12-18, 2015

www.ebar.com V www.bartabsf.com

Don’t Mess With Leslie Jordan Comic Reveals his Activist Side at Feinstein’s

by David-Elijah Nahmod

W

Jose Guzman-Colon

hen Leslie Jordan, the openly gay actor and stand-up comic, returns to Feinstein’s at the Nikko, he’ll be revealing a previously little seen side of himself: radical activist.

In July 2015, Jordan, 60, made headlines when he stood up to three men who were yelling anti-gay slurs inside a Santa Monica Blvd. Starbucks in West Hollywood. The Southern California city is known as a gay mecca and is in fact the Southland’s answer to The Castro.

See page 30 >>

Leslie Jordan

LADY BUNNY PIGS OUT DRAG SUPERSTAR RETURNS TO OASIS

by David-Elijah Nahmod

L

Lady Bunny

ady Bunny is demented, and she’ll be the first one to admit it.

“I love to laugh,” the entertainer said in her most recent Bay Area Reporter interview. “What makes me laugh most is everything I shouldn’t be laughing about, according to the PC police: Caitlin Jenner, pop culture, politics; nothing is safe. And my humor often includes sexual situations, bodily functions and gross-out humor. I’m more likely to reference offbeat divas like Kate Bush, Bobbie Gentry or Shirley Bassey than Wicked or Glee. Is that demented or just old with old references?”

See page 31 >>

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30 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

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Leslie Jordan on TMZ after his Starbucks incident.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Leslie Jordan

From page 29

“I stood up on my chair,” the 4’11’’ Jordan recalled in a phone interview. “I shouted: you shut the fuck up and get out of my house!”

It was a courageous move: Jordan was a party of one, facing off with Leslie Jordan three young men who were much taller than he.

“In 1958 I asked my dad for a rag The incident inspired Not in doll,” he explained. “It’s a very heartMy House, the new one-man show warming story.” which Jordan brings to Feinstein’s Not in My House will be simple. on November 13 and 14.

“It’s just me talking,” Jordan said.

Jordan said the the men were in “I tell my stories. I’m a cabaret pertheir early twenties. former, yet I don’t sing.”

“I saw disenfranchised queer In addition to his now legendyouth, strung out, yelling ‘There’s a lot of faggots in here!’ I followed them out the door to talk to them.”

It all escalated into a police incident in which, fortunately, no one was hurt. The actor has no regrets about the stand he took.

“I came to Hollywood thirtythree years ago,” he said. “I discovered West Hollywood. There were queers hanging from the trees! I was home!”

Jordan says that he’ll be talking about the Starbucks incident at Feinstein’s, though promises that the show will be comedic. “Comedy was tragedy two weeks ago,” he said.

He’ll be telling other stories from his colorful life as an openly gay Emmy-winning (for Will and Grace) actor, and says he plans to share a very personal Leslie Jordan holds his Emmy on his head in 2006. story as well.

ary portrayal of the closeted if effeminate Beverly Leslie on Will and Grace, Jordan has worked extensively on the stage and has appeared in films (Sordid Lives the movie and TV series) and dozens of TV series in everything from Murphy Brown to Pee–wee’s Playhouse, and his recent gig as a warlock in American Horror Story: Coven.

“My ticket sales are predicated on my Hollywood success,” he said. “Will and Grace was ten years ago. I now play 45 venues a year. This is my current career.”

It’s a phase of his life that Jordan is greatly enjoying, and is perfectly happy to be able to pack them in at smaller venues.

“I’m leading a very blessed life,” he said. “I’m perfectly happy to fill Feinstein’s.”t Leslie Jordan’s ‘Not in my House’ can be seen at Feinstein’s at the Nikko on Friday, November 13 at 8pm and Saturday November 14 at 7pm. $25-$40. 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

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Leslie Jordan in American Horror Story: Coven, with (L-R) Robin Bartlett and Frances Conroy.

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Lady Bunny with Parker Posey, Lady Miss Kier and Heklina at a Trannyshack event.

Lady Bunny

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Lady Bunny

From page 29

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 31

Francisco queens by virtue of performing there so often for so long.”

Bunny named local icons Juanita More, Peaches Christ, Sister Roma, D’Arcy Drollinger, Honey Mahogany, Bionka Stevens and Justin Vivian Bond as friends and sisters. “And I call Heklina my ugly sister,” she said.

“Or should that be Ugly Mister?”

Bunny should be proud of her longevity. As part of the legendary Atlanta drag crew that moved from Georgia to New York City, along with RuPaul, La Homa Van Zant and others, Bunny captivated 1980s nightlife with a wild irreverent style.

She’s the cocreator and longtime host of Wigstock, the outdoor drag-themed festival of “love and hair piece” that started in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan’s East Village back in 1984. The event’s popularity led to larger versions in Union Square Park and later at the West Side piers, and two documentaries (Tom Rubnitz’s 1987 vintage film, and the 1995 film, both titled Wigstock: The Movie).

Bunny has continued to DJ and perform at events worldwide. Decades after the Lady debuted at San Francisco’s still-missed Josie’s Cabaret and Juice Joint, audiences Lady Bunny, ageless? keep coming back for more.

“Lypsinka was headlining at Josie’s in the ‘80s, and she Lady Bunny now calls Oasis her let me tag along and do a few one San Francisco home away from her wo-man shows of my own,” Bunny New York City home. She’ll return recalled, offering a bit of a history to Oasis on November 19 for the lesson as she spoke. outrageously titled Pig In A Wig. “Josie’s was a special clubhouse “This may shock you, but I wear right in the heart of the Castro when a wig!” she explained. “And I have it was still mostly gay,” she said. seen slimmer days. But ‘pig’ also re“Great vibes abounded at Josie’s. It fers to my sluttish ways. One of the wasn’t a pretentious, upscale cabaret; things I discuss in Pig In a Wig is it was a funky juke joint. I feel lucky the identity crisis I’m going through to bond with many treasured San

Lady Bunny in a group number at an early Wigstock.

Bunny promises to also show her now that my jets have cooled with serious side. She’ll be lamenting the age. Being a whore was always such loss of the Queer San Francisco of old. a big part of my life, I barely know who I am anymore.”

Bunny added that she has yet to get the hang of Grindr.

“But I do very well on Blindr!” she said.

Pig In a Wig will also include some of Lady Bunny’s legendary song parodies.

“I change the lyrics to popular songs,” she said.

“New targets include Katy Perry and Bruno Mars, and I’ve just done a Kim Davis smack-down video called “Going to the Chapel” (of Kim Davis); it’s A Lady Bunny meme on Facebook just out on YouTube and was called hilarious by RawStory.com.”

“It’s the same thing we’re goShe’ll also be doing a parody ing through in New York City,” of the hilarious 1960s sketch she said. “High rents are driving comedy series Laugh In. “Laugh-In prided itself on being zany,” she said. “Each week they’d have a scene where wacky guests at a cocktail party would dance, then freeze while one of them told a one-liner. I love a good oldfashioned punchline.”

You can celebrate with Lady Bunny when she brings Pig In a Wig to Oasis on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 PM. Must be 21 and over, two drink minimum, $20-30.

Lady Bunny hopes you’ll purchase a Lady Bunny T-shirt, which she’ll be hawking after the show. And Bunny wants you to know that she’s also a songwriter: look for the new single “Blast Off!,” a collaboration with Ursula 1000, now out at iTunes.

out creative types, chains overrun local businesses and a city eventually loses its unique character.

I’m told that the freaks who green-lit raunchy festivals like the Folsom Street Fair are now living outside of New York City and are no longer on the boards granting permits. We need to celebrate the debauchery while we can!”t Lady Bunny @ Oasis: The statuesque Wigstock founder returns with a new raunchy comic drag show, ‘Pig in a Wig!’ $20-$30 (two-drink min.). 7:30pm. Nov. 19, 20 & 21. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.ladybunny.net www.sfoasis.com

On the Tab

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Sat 14

FBFE

<< On the Tab

32 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

FBFE

Pound Puppy @ SF Eagle

Nov. 12-19, 2015

Thursday Night Live @ SF Eagle

Comedy Noir @ Balancoire

Music night with local and touring bands. $8. 9:30pm. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Tubesteak Connection @ Aunt Charlie’s Lounge

S

omething’s coming, something good.

Something fun, night and day, whether you are straight or gay, or something that’s a mix, my bae.

Disco guru DJ Bus Station John spins grooves at the intimate retro music night. $4. 10pm-2am. 133 Turk St. at Taylor. www.auntcharlieslounge.com

Fri 13

Xcess Thursdays @ The Café

El Mundo @ Empire Ballroom

Thu 12

Ben DeLaCreme @ Oasis The fab drag performer ( RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6) brings her Cosmos show to SoMa. $25 and up. 7:30pm & 10pm. Also Nov. 13 & 14, 7:30pm.

298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Bulge @ Powerhouse Grace Towers hosts the weekly gogotastic night of sexy dudes shakin’ their bulges and getting wet in their undies for $100 prize (contest at midnight), and dance beats spun by DJ DAMnation. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

Christina Bianco @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko The comic singer, known for her hilarious 18 Divas Sing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” routine, performs her new solo show, Party of One, at the elegant downtown cabaret/nightclub. $35-$50. 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.christinabianco.com www.ticketweb.com

Funny Fun @ Club 21, Oakland LGBT comedy night hosted by Dan Mires. $10. 8pm. 2111 Franklin St. Oakland. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Goapele @ Yoshi’s Oakland

My So-Called Night @ Beaux

The gorgeous -and gorgeoussounding- R&B/pop singer performs at the elegant restaurant-nightclub. $29-$34. Nov. 12 & 13, 8pm & 10pm; 14, 7:30 & 9:30pm. 15, 7pm & 9pm.

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland.

(510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

Carnie Asada hosts a new weekly ‘90s-themed video, dancin’, drinkin’ night, with VJs Jorge Terez. Get down with your funky bunch, and enjoy 90cent drinks. ‘90s-themed attire and costume contest. No cover. 9pm-2am.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Gym Class @ Hi Tops

Nap’s Karaoke @ Virgil’s Sea Room

Enjoy cheap/free whiskey shots from jock-strapped hotties and sexy sports videos. 10pm-2am. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Homo Thursdays @ Qbar Franko DJs the weekly mash-up/ pop music night. No cover. 2 for 1 well drinks, 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.qbarsf.com

Karaoke Night @ The Stud “Sing Til It Hurts” the new weekly night with hostess Sister Flora (Floozy) Goodthyme. 8pm; happy hour drinks til 10pm. 10pm-2am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Mary Go Round @ Lookout Mercedez Munro and Holotta Tymes weekly drag show. $5. 10:30pm show.

3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

The Monster Show @ The Edge The weekly drag show with themed nights, gogo guys and hilarious fun. $5. 9pm-2am. 4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

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. 8292233. www.virgilssf.com

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

Valerie Branch’s weekly comedy night, where she embodies her faux queen character Pia Messing for some offbeat wit, along with guest performers. $5. 8pm-10pm. 2565 Mission St. www.balancoiresf.com

Happy Friday @ Midnight Sun The popular video bar ends each work week with gogo guys (starting at 9pm) and drink specials. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Hard Fridays @ Qbar

Frisco Robbie and Persia’s dance and pop music night gets the weekend started, with gogo guys and gals, plus drink specials and guest DJs. No cover.

9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Fri 13 Barry Lloyd @ Hotel Rex

The talented cabaret singer-pianist performs Slumming on Park Avenue, his Bobby Short tribute concert; cocktails and small plates available. $30-$50. 8pm. Also Nov. 14, 8pm.

562 Sutter St. 857-1896. www.societycabaret.com

Boy Bar @ The Cafe Gus Presents’ weekly dance night, with DJ Kid Sysko, cute gogos and $2 beer (before 10pm). 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

DH Haute Toddy’s weekly electro-pop night with hotty gogos. $3. 9pm-2am (happy hour 4pm-9pm). 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Jump! @ Oasis DJ superstar Hector Fonseca spins at the dance night and release party for Inaya Day’s new single. $10-$20 (open bar til 11pm). 10pm-3am. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Ladies of San Francisco @ Club OMG Galilea hosts the new weekly “old school drag show” with guest performers and DJ Jack Rojo. $4. 43 6th St. www.clubOMGsf.com

Latin Explosion @ Club 21, Oakland Lulu, Jacki, and Vicki cohost the festive gogo-filled dance club that features Latin pop dance hits with DJs Speedy Douglas Romero and Fabricio. $6-$12. 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St., Oakland. (510) 268-9425. www.club21oakland.com

Queer Karaoke @ Club OMG Dana hosts the amateur singing night, 8pm. 43 6th St. www.clubOMGsf.com

Throwback Thursdays @ Qbar Enjoy retro 80s soul, dance and pop classics with DJ Jorge Terez. No cover.

9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Thu 12 Bulge @ Powerhouse

Sat 14

FBFE

Maria Muldaur @ Dance Palace

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 33

Marc Sanchez

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On the Tab>>

Sun 15 Disco Daddy @ SF Eagle

Sun 15 Winterfest @ City View at Metreon

Saturgay @ Qbar Stanley Frank spins house dance remixes at the intimate Castro dance bar. $3. 9pm-2am (weekly beer bust 2pm-9pm). 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Soul Delicious @ Lookout Brunch, booze, sass and grooves, with the Mom DJs, Motown sounds, and soul food. 11am-4pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Leslie Jordan @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

Some Thing @ The Stud

The big talent in the diminutive package returns with his new oneman show Not In My House!, about his confrontation with homophobes in a West Hollywood Starbucks. $25$40. 8pm. Also Nov. 14, 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

Mica Sigourney and pals’ weekly offbeat drag performance night.

10pm-2am. 399 9th St. www.studsf.com

Manimal @ Beaux

La Bota Loca Halloween @ Club 21, Oakland

Gogo-tastic dance night starts off your weekend. $5. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Midnight Show @ Divas

Sat 14

SLatin, hip hop and Electro music. $5-$25. 9pm-4am. 2111 Franklin St., Oakland. www.club21oakland.com

Weekly drag shows at the last transgender-friendly bar in the Polk; with hosts Victoria Secret, Alexis Miranda and several performers. Also Saturdays. $10. 11pm. 1081 Polk St. www.divassf.com

Club Rimshot @ Club BNB, Oakland

El Mundo @ Empire Ballroom

Maria Muldaur @ Dance Palace

The new weekly Latin night at the Civic Center renovated nightclub features drag shows, gogo guys and gals, and DJed grooves. 9pm-3am.

555 Golden Gate. www.theempireroomsf.com

Party Nights @ Club BnB, Oakland Different events each week; 1st Fri: Taboo with DJ Harness. 10pm-2am.

2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Red Hots Burlesque @ Beatbox The saucy women’s burlesque revue’s weekend show; different musical guests each week. Also Wednesday nights. $10-$20. 7:30pm. 314 11th St. www.redhotsburlesque.com www.beatboxsf.com

Get groovin’ at the weekly hip hop and R&B night at their new location.

8-$15. 9pm to 4am. 2120 Broadway.

(510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

The music veteran performs a concert of songs and stories at the Headlands arts center. $25-$35. 8pm. 503 B St., Point Reyes. www.dancepalace.org

Mother @ Oasis Heklina’s weekly drag show night with different themes, always outrageously hilarious. Nov. 14: Juanita more! hosts a 1930s night. $10-$25. 10pm-2am.

298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Pound Puppy @ SF Eagle Second anniversary of the fun night that attracts cute cubs and groovy guys, with DJ Mozhgan, residents Taco Tuesday & Kevin O’Connor, gogo dudes. 9pm-2am. 398 12th st. www.sf-eagle.com

Soul Party @ Elbo Room DJs Lucky, Paul, and Phengren Osward spin 60s soul 45s. $5-$10 ($5 off in semi-formal attire). 10pm-2am. 647 Valencia St. 552-7788. www.elbo.com

Sugar @ The Cafe Dance, drink, cruise at the Castro club.

9pm-2am. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Sun 15

Disco Daddy @ The Eagle

Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

The classic leather bar’s most popular Sunday daytime event in town draws the menfolk. Beer bust donations benefit local nonprofits (Check the website for a list of recipients). 3pm6pm. Now also on Saturdays. 398 12th St. at Harrison. www.sf-eagle.com

Big Top @ Beaux The fun Castro nightclub, with hot local DJs and sexy gogo guys and gals. $5. 9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.Beauxsf.com

Chris Stapleton @ The Fillmore

DJ Bus Station John’s groove-adelic disco dance T-party after the beer bust at the famed leather bar. $5 7pm-12am.

398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Domingo De Escandal @ Club OMG Weekly Latin night with drag shows hosted by Vicky Jimenez and DJ Luis.

7pm-2am. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

GlamaZone @ The Cafe Pollo del Mar’s weekly drag show takes on different themes with a comic edge. 8:30-11:30pm. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Jock @ The Lookout

The award-winning country music singer-composer performs. $25. 8pm.

1805 Geary Blvd. at Fillmore. www.thefillmore.com

Enjoy the weekly jock-ular fun, with DJed dance music at sports team fundraisers. 12pm-1am. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

See page 34 >>

I am the future of the LGBT community.

I’m gay.

I’m 22 years old and I’m an exchange student from Spain. Going to college here means a fun time, lots of hard work and getting to see new things.

It also means a chance to really be myself. My parents are supportive of my sexuality, and my host family here is a couple with two teenage boys. Nobody cares if they’re gay or straight. I’m excited to be part of a world where that can be true.

I am the future of the LGBT community. And I read about that future every day on my Android tablet. Because that’s where I want it to be.

Sun 15 Chris Stapleton @ The Fillmore The person depicted here is a model. Their image is being used for illustrative purposes only.

<< On the Tab

34 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

Sun 15 Domingo De Escandal @ Club OMG

t

Wed 18 Youth Lagoon @ The Fillmore

<<

On the Tab

From page 33

Femme, Xtravaganza @ Balancoire Weekly live music shows with various acts, along with brunch, mimosas, champagne and more, at the stylish nightclub and restaurant; shows at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:45pm. After that, T-Dance drag shows at 7pm, 10pm and 11pm. 2565 Mission St. at 21st. 920-0577. www.balancoiresf.com

Spillin’ Tea @ Oasis Ruben Mancias and David Harness spin at a Mad Hatter High Tea Party with grilled food on the rooftop deck; wear an Alice in Wonderland outfit or funny hat and get free entry 3pm-5pm. 3pm-9pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Sunday’s a Drag @ Starlight Room Donna Sachet hosts the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show, now celebrating its tenth anniversary. $45.

11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.starlightroomsf.com

Winterfest @ City View at Metreon The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s annual festive party, fundraiser and bike-focused art auction, with food, drinks and music. $20-$60. 6pm10:30pm. 135 4th St. www.sfbike.org

No No Bingo @ Virgil’s Sea Room

Gaymer Night @ Eagle

Mica Sigourney and Tom Temprano cohost the wacky weekly game night at the cool Mission bar. 8pm. 3152 Mission St. www.virgilssf.com

Gay gaming fun on the bar’s big screen TVs. Have a nerdgasm and a beer with your pals. 8pm. 398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Opulence @ Beaux

Meow Mix @ The Stud

Mon 16

Weekly dance night, with Jocques, DJs Tori, Twistmix and Andre. 9pm-2am.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Drag Mondays @ The Cafe

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni’s

Mahlae Balenciaga and DJ Kidd Sysko’s weekly drag and dance night, 2014’s last of the year. 9pm-1am.

2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

The weekly themed variety cabaret showcases new and unusual talents; MC Ferosha Titties. $3-$7. Show at 11pm. 9pm-2am. 399 9th St. at Harrison. www.studsf.com

Epic Karaoke @ White Horse, Oakland Mondays and Tuesdays popular weekly sing-along night. No cover. 8:30pm1am. 6551 Telegraph Ave, (510) 6523820. www.whitehorsebar.com

Gaymer Meetup @ Brewcade

Underwear Night @ 440 Strip down to your skivvies at the popular men’s night. 9pm-2am. 440 Castro St. 621-8732. www.the440.com

Tue 17

The weekly LGBT video game enthusiast night include big-screen games and signature beers, with a new remodeled layout, including an outdoor patio. No cover. 7pm-11pm.

2200 Market St. www.brewcadesf.com

13 Licks @ Qbar

Hysteria @ Martuni’s

Weekly screenings of music videos, concert footage, interviews and more, of popular pop stars. 9pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Irene Tu and Jessica Sele cohost the comedy open mic night for women and queers. No cover. 6pm-8:30pm.

4 Valencia St.

Mahogany Mondays @ Midnight Sun

The “lezzie queer dance party” brings out the femmes and butches. 9pm2am. 456 Castro St. 864-2877. www.qbarsf.com

Block Party @ Midnight Sun

Get nude as strippers do it onstage. $20. 8pm. 729 Bush St. at Powell. 3976758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

OutLoud @ Oasis New monthly storytelling series takes on Adventures in Digital Dating, with host Joshua Grannell (Peaches Christ), Jerry Lee Abram, Marga Gomez, Leo Forte, and Trixxie Carr. $10. 7:30pm.

298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Retro Night @ 440 Castro Jim Hopkins plays classic pop oldies, with vintage music videos. 9pm-2am.

44 Castro St. www.the440.com

Switch @ Q Bar Weekly women’s night at the stylish intimate bar. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.QbarSF.com

Cock Shot @ Beaux

Honey Mahogany’s weekly drag and musical talent show starts around 10pm. 4067 18th St. 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Shot specials and adult Bingo games, with DJs Chad Bays and Riley Patrick, at the new weekly night. No cover.

9pm-2am. 2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Monday Musicals @ The Edge

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey’s

Sing along at the popular musical theatre night; also Wednesdays. 7pm2am. 2 for 1 cocktail, 5pm-closing.

4149 18th St. at Collingwood. www.edgesf.com

Naked Night @ Nob Hill Theatre

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

Thu 19 We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Great American Music Hall

Thu 19 Franc D’Ambrosio @ Feinstein’s

Trivia Night @ Hi Tops Play the trivia game at the popular new sports bar. 9pm. 2247 Market St. 551-2500. www.HiTopsSF.com

Una Noche @ Club BnB, Oakland Vicky Jimenez’ drag show and contest; Latin music all night. 9pm-2am. 2120 Broadway. (510) 759-7340. www.club-bnb.com

Underwear Night @ Club OMG Weekly underwear night includes free clothes check, and drink specials. $4.

10pm-2am. Preceded by Open Mic Comedy, 7pm, no cover. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Wed 18 Bedlam @ Beaux

New weekly event with DJs Haute Toddy, Guy Ruben, Mercedez Munro and Abominatrix. Wet T-shirt/jock contest at 11pm. $5-$10. 9pm-2am.

2344 Market St. www.beauxsf.com

Bone @ Powerhouse New weekly punk-alternative music night hosted by Uel Renteria and Johnny Rockitt. 10pm-2am. 1347 Folsom St. www.powerhousebar.com

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 35

PhotoByDot

t

On the Tab>>

Tue 17 Strobe at Meow Mix @ The Stud

Thu 19

Open Mic/Comedy @ SF Eagle

Booty Call @ QBar Juanita More! and her weekly intimate –yet packed– dance party. $10-$15. 9pm-2am. 456 Castro St. www.qbarsf.com

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

B.P.M. @ Club BnB, Oakland Olga T and Shugga Shay’s weekly queer women and men’s R&B hip hop and soul night, at the club’s new location.

No cover. 8pm-2am. 2120 Broadway, Oakland. www.bench-and-bar.com

Drag-aoke @ Oasis Impromptu drag acts sing-along, with a drag bag; with host LOL McFeircen.

No cover. 6pm. 11th St. at Folsom.

795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Follies @ Oasis Holotta Tymes hosts the new weekly variety show with female impersonation acts, and barbeque in the front Fez Room. $20. 7pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. www.sfoasis.com

LOOKING FOR

Kollin Holts hosts the weekly comedy and open mic talent night. 6pm-8pm.

398 12th St. www.sf-eagle.com

Nate Blanchard at Comedy Returns @ El Rio

Jeffrey Brian Adams @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

So You Think You Can Gogo? @ Toad Hall

The Bay Area actor-singer returns for another concert after his sold-out May debut. $20-$35. 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

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

Latin Drag Night @ Club OMG

Way Back @ Midnight Sun

Weekly Latin night with drag shows hosted by Vicky Jimenez. 9pm-2am.

43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

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. 647-3099. www.wildsidewest.com

Man Francisco @ Oasis The weekly all-male striptease revue with a storyline of San Francisco’s history, from the Gold Rush to the tech boom, performed by sexy local hunks, and MC mr Pam. $20 (plus optional $30 lap dances!). 9:30pm.

Extended thru December. 298 11th St. at Folsom. www.sfoasis.com

Weekly screenings of vintage music videos and retro drink prices. Check out the new expanded front window lounge. 9pm-2am. 4067 18th St. 8614186. www.midnightsunsf.com

WE’VE GOT THEM ALL

Wooden Nickel Wednesday @ 440 Buy a drink and get a wooden nickle good for another. 12pm-2am. 440 Castro St. 621-8732. www.the440.com

Youth Lagoon @ The Fillmore Trevor Powers, the electro emo singer-composer, performs with Taylor McFerrin. $25. 8pm. 1805 Geary Blvd. at Fillmore. www.thefillmore.com

spartacusworld.com/app

See page 38 >>

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Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

36 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

Traveling With Gear

by Race Bannon

T

here you stand, in front of your luggage, about to pack for a trip. For the non-kinky, it’s typically a straightforward process. Although tips on how to best pack abound if you search online. For the kinky person though, packing isn’t always so easy. There are unique considerations and challenges.

Perhaps you’re heading to a big leather weekend event. Or you’re

going on a business trip, but want to be ready to dress or play should some fun cross your path. Or you’re a BDSM player and need to figure out how to bring enough stuff to suddenly create a fun BDSM scene.

We kinksters often have packing and travel challenges others do not.

While I travel with a lot of kink gear and have my own strategies, I also reached out to a number of kinky friends who travel extensively to get their advice. This column is a

t

brief amalgam of that advice.

I’m assuming that you’re traveling by air, and within the United States. Crossing international borders requires additional research about each country’s checkpoint guidelines.

If you’re going somewhere like a big leather weekend and you’re comfortable traveling as a conspicuously kinky person, consider wearing your bulkier leather, leather jacket, and boots on the plane. It may not be optimally comfortable, but everything you wear you don’t have to pack.

If you are packing expensive leather or latex, consider putting them in your carryon luggage. This alleviates the worry that if a bag gets lost in transit you will lose Rick Holte your costly fetish clothing. If you’re going to a kink event, World famous rubber aficionado Rick Holte displayed his formidable gearyou’ll also have enough to packing skills as he prepared to return home from a national rubber event. dress appropriately even if you have to wait for an airworse than learning at the gate that she tells them they are Taiko drum line to find your errant bag and you can’t take something on a plane. sticks. Quite clever. The secret is to send it to you later.

Usually you have no recourse but to have your story prepared ahead of When packing leather, pack it ingive up the item or miss your plane, time and deliver it calmly and withside out and roll it rather than fold and you don’t want either to happen. out hesitation. it. This protects the external surface Anything that’s metal such as If there is doubt that something from scratches while also eliminatshot-loaded whips or urethral will clear airport security, put those ing creases that folding might cresounds is going to stand out during items in checked baggage. It’s not ate. Rolling versus folding is actually baggage x-ray. Think twice about worth risking having your flight a well-known packing technique repacking metal in carry-on. delayed or having to surrender an gardless of the type of clothing.

If you’re flying and only want to item. Consider inserting an itemIf your leather is not black, conhave a carry-on and no ized checklist that baggage checksider packing it in plastic bags to checked baggage, you’ll ers can easily see when they open avoid accidentally markneed to get creative. Clothyour bag (and they often do). Such ing it. Keep leather, ing isn’t an issue, but toys a list alerts checkers that you’re fully or any valuable fetish can be. An option would aware of what is packed and hopeclothing, away from be to pack your bag fully reduces the chances something anything sharp. Harwith commonplace might be stolen by them. nesses and items with “pervertables” such as Think long and hard about what metal or snaps might not clothesline for bondage, to put in checked baggage. My own mix well against other clothespins for pinch guideline is to ask myself if this is things. Separate them play, a wooden spoon for something I’d be heartbroken to in your luggage or wrap spanking, hankies that can lose. If it is, I don’t bring it. Sentithem to avoid scrapes and cuts. be blindfolds, or other such adaptmental value can’t be replaced. You When flying, one of the main able items that won’t elicit suspicion might have a favorite flogger or exquandaries is what you can and because at first glance they don’t pensive electrical device that if lost can’t take on a plane. Sadly, a lot of present themselves as anything parwould cause you lots of distress. items we love to play with such as ticularly kinky or dangerous.

Better to leave it home and only handcuffs and stun guns might be Be ready with a good “story” bring those things that under the interpreted as weapons by the secuabout the items. For example, I’ve worst case scenario you could live rity agents at the gate. While there told security agents the rope and without. are guidelines about such things, the clothespins are used to dry clothes For toys in carry-on baggage, truth is you’re ultimately at the whim that I launder in my hotel room. consider putting them in clear plasof whoever is checking your bags. No Another friend told me that when tic bags for easy viewing, placed on two agents will necessarily make the she travels with canes in her carrySee page 37 >> same judgment call. There’s nothing on and is questioned about them

Rich Stadtmiller

This is a lot of leather, as worn at the IML Saturday Night Uniform Reception. Wearing some of your leather on the plane could significantly reduce your packing.

t

Read more online at www.ebar.com

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 37

Rich Stadtmiller

Boots are among the more difficult items to pack when traveling, like these worn at the annual Uniform Garden Party held during Dore (Up your Alley) Weekend.

<<

Leather

From page 36

top for easy access and transparency.

The ease with which you present yourself and your items will reflect the normalcy with which you expect them to be received. Believe me, security agents have seen everything, including a lot of sex toys. If something does not pose a risk for being considered a weapon or otherwise dangerous, they’ll likely allow it on the plane if you are entirely forthcoming.

A strategy I’ve seen many of my more gear-laden friends use is to ship items ahead. Maybe you can ship directly to a hotel which can usually receive and hold a box for

you. If you have a friend in that city, consider shipping directly to them.

When you ship, make sure to fully insure your shipment. Also plan for how you’ll ship the box back.

If you have larger body piercings, be prepared to be stopped and questioned. Take metal cock rings off and pack them. It pays to be direct and honest when an agent asks what metal you have on you. If you wear a locked chain collar, having the key can be helpful. If you don’t have the key, most security personnel will accept that you can’t take it off, but it will sometimes cause you delays.

Lube and poppers are common items to carry. Remember that currently there is a ‘three ounces or less’ TSA rule for any liquids, and tech-

Rich Stadtmiller

Sports gear fetishists have their own unique packing challenges. Here’s Ryan Anderson at the 2011 SF Pride weekend Mr S Gear Locker opening.

nically poppers are flammable and could be confiscated. Also, the legality of poppers is often questionable.

So I’d err on the side of not packing them.

Finally, and I’ve learned this lesson the hard way; remember the 80/20 rule. You will likely use 20% of your gear 80% of the time. So take a contemplative look at what you’re about to pack and ask yourself if you really need it. Most of the time, you probably won’t. Less is sometimes more, even in kink.

Happy trails!t Race Bannon is a local author, blogger and activist. You can reach him through his website, www.bannon.com.

Leather Events, November 12-29, 2015 Thu 12

Sun 15

Hell Hole Red Hanky Nite @ Powerhouse

YLDG Beer Bust @ SF Eagle

Join men who enjoy fisting for a social evening followed by some play at Blow Buddies. Powerhouse 7pm, Blow Buddies 9pm. www.hellholesf.com

Fri 13 Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club Officially a CMA meeting, but open to all Anonymous 12-step Fellowship members, 4058 18th St., 9:30pm. www.castrocountryclub.org

Gear Party @ 442 Natoma Gear play party (leather, rubber, harnesses, etc.) for gay men.

442 Natoma St., $15 (requires $5 membership), 10pm. www.442parties.com

Lick It @ Powerhouse Get lucky by getting dirty and having a taste (or lick) of some nasty fun. 1347 Folsom St., $5, 10pm-1:30am. www.powerhousebar.com

Sat 14 Mr. SF Eagle Contest @ SF Eagle Watch contestants compete to be Mr. SF Eagle. 398 12th St., 5pm. www.sf-eagle.com

Trumped @ SF Citadel A men’s play party. $25, 181 Eddy St., 8pm. www.sfcitadel.org

Enjoy the Eagle and support the SF Young Leathermen’s Discussion Group. 398 12th St., 3pm. www.sf-eagle.com

Mon 16 Ride Mondays @ Eros A motorcycle rider and leathermen night at Eros, bring your helmet, AMA card, MC club card or club colors and get $3 off entry or massage. 2051 Market St. www.erossf.com

Thu 19 Mr. Chaps Leather Meet & Greet @ Chaps Meet and greet social for Mr. Chaps Leather. 4057 18th St., 7pm.

Fri 20 Sober Kink Together @ Castro Country Club See Fri 13

Boots Leather Cigars @ SF Eagle Social gathering for men into boots, leather, uniforms and cigars. 398 12th St., 9pm.

Leather and Gear Social @ SF Eagle Gear up, get out of the house and hang out with other leathermen in a cigar-friendly space. The intended focus is just to meet up. 398 12th St., 9pm.

Sun 22 Mr. Friendly Meet & Greet @ SF Eagle Meet and greet social for Mr. Friendly. 398 12th St., 3pm.

Mon 23 Ride Mondays @ Eros See Mon 16

Tue 24 GameGear @ Wicked Grounds

See Fri 13

Game night hosted by Rubber Men of San Francisco. 289 8th St., 7:30pm. www.rmsf.org

Sat 21

Sat 28

Gear Party @ 442 Natoma

Ruff-N-Buff @ Powerhouse Rubber Men of SF and Wagz Pack offer you a puppy playpen, buff-nshine and boot black. 1347 Folsom St., $3, 5pm. www.rmsf.org

Mr./Ms. Sober Kinkster Meet & Greet @ Stompers Boots Meet and greet social for Mr. and Ms. Sober Kinkster. 323 10th St., 7pm. www.sfbasil.org

The 15 Association Men’s Play Party @ Alchemy A men’s BDSM play party. 1060 Folsom St., $15 for members, $20 for guests, 8pm. www.the15sf.org

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

38 • Bay Area Reporter • November 12-18, 2015

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On the Tab

From page 35

Thu 19

Circle Jerk @ Nob Hill Theatre Extra-hung Brazilian porn stud Rafael Alencar leads the very interactive downstairs party at the famed strip club. $10. 9pm. (See Rafael’s stage shows Nov. 20 & 21, 8pm & 10pm).

729 Bush St. at Powell. 397-6758. www.thenobhilltheatre.com

Comedy Returns @ El Rio The monthly stand-up night this time features Michael Meehan, Lydia Popovich, Stefani Silverman, Nate Blanchard, and host Lisa Geduldig. $7-$20. 8pm. 3158 Mission St. (800) 838-3006. www.elriosf.com

Confess @ Oasis Bedpost Productions’ confessional storytelling series. $15. 10pm. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 795-3180. www.sfoasis.com

Everclear @ DNA Lounge The Portland alt-pop band performs. $25 and up. 8pm. 375 11th St. www.dnalounge.com

Fauxgirls @ Infusion Lounge Victoria Secret, Alexandria, Chanel, Mini Minerva, Kipper, Ruby LeBrowne, and Lulu Ramirez perform in the classic drag show; dinner seating 6pm. Show 8pm. No cover.

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

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Franc D’Ambrosio @ Feinstein’s at the Nikko

Gay Skate Night @ Church on 8 Wheels

The Broadway crooner (The Phantom of the Opera) performs his annual Christmas in New York cabaret concert. $25-$40. 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com

LGBT night at the former Sacred Heart Church-turned disco roller skate party space, hosted by John D. Miles, the “Godfather of Skate.”

Also Wed, Thu, 7pm-10pm. Sat afternoon sessions 1pm-2:30pm and 3pm-5:30pm. $10. Kids 12 and under $5. Skate rentals $5. 554 Fillmore St at Fell. www.churchof8wheels.com

Full Frontal Coemdy @ Lookout Yuri Kagan and Valerie Branch cohost the monthly comedy night, with Yayne Abeba, Emily Epstein White, Mike Spiegelman, Ronn Vigh, Jesus Chuy Fuentes and Irene Tu. $5. 8pm. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

Funny Fun @ Club 21, Oakland Weekly LGBT and straight comedy night hosted by Dan Mires. $10. 8pm.

2111 Franklin St. Oakland. (510) 2689425. www.club21oakland.com

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Gym Class @ Hi Tops Enjoy 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

Lady Bunny @ Oasis The statuesque Wigstock founder returns with a new raunchy comic drag show, Pig in a Wig! $20-$30 (two-drink min.). 7:30pm. Also Nov. 20 & 21. 298 11th St. at Folsom. 7953180. www.sfoasis.com

Mary Go Round @ Lookout Mercedez Munro and Holotta Tymes’ weekly drag show. $5. 10:30pm show.

DJ Philip Grasso. 3600 16th St. www.lookoutsf.com

The Polyphonic Spree @ SF Independent The retro-groovy band performs on a bill with Andy, Erased Text and Magic Cyclops. $22-$25. 8pm. 628 Divisadero st. 771-1421. www.thepolyphonicspree.com www.theindependentsf.com

Queer Karaoke @ Club OMG Dana hosts the weekly singing night; unleash your inner American Idol.

8pm. 43 6th St. www.clubomgsf.com

Thirsty Thursdays @ The Cafe Drink specials, Top 40, gogo studs and no cover, 2 for 1 cocktails until 10:30pm. 2369 Market St. www.cafesf.com

Thump @ White Horse, Oakland Weekly electro music night with DJ Matthew Baker and guests. 9pm-2am.

6551 Telegraph Ave, (510) 652-3820. www.whitehorsebar.com

We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Great American Music Hall The Scottish rock alt/ band performs.

Seoul opens. $25-$50 (with dinner).

9pm. 859 O’Farrell St. 885-0750. www.wewerepromisedjetpacks.com www.slimspresents.com

Thu 19 Fauxgirls @ Infusion Lounge

Want your nightlife event listed?

Email events@ebar.com, at least two weeks before your event.

Event photos welcome.

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

Shooting Stars

November 12-18, 2015 • Bay Area Reporter • 39

photos by steven underhill GLAAD Gala

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he San Francisco edition of this year’s Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s annual awards gala honored LGBT innovators in technology and new media. Held at the Hilton San Francisco Union square, local and visiting celebrities included host Daniel Franzese (Looking), presenter Jussie Smollett (Empire), Grammy-nominee Ledisi, honorees Tyler Oakley, Megan Smith, and Susan Wojcicki, online media activists Rongfeng Duan & Tao Li, DeRay McKesson and Leo Sheng, plus local celebs Sister Roma, Donna Sachet, Bebe Sweetbriar, Cip Cipriano, Lenny Broberg and others.

For more info, visit www.glaad.org/events/glaad-gala-sanfrancisco.

More event photo albums are on BARtab’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lgbtsf.nightlife.

See more of Steven Underhill’s photos at www.StevenUnderhill.com.

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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