February 9, 2012 edition of the Bay Area Reporter

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Slow Sex unlocks passion

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Animal attractions on display

21

Ali MacGraw for V-Day

The

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

Vol. 41 • No. 06 • February 9-15, 2012

San Francisco STD rates spiked for the sixth straight year; Phil the syphilis sore and his Healthy Penis counterparts used to be spotted in the Castro urging gay men to be tested regularly.

SF sees spike in STDs S

by Matthew S. Bajko

an Francisco recorded spikes in several sexually transmitted diseases in 2011, the sixth straight year the city has seen increases in the rates of venereal diseases.

Despite the continued upward trends in the numbers, the rise last year in cases of chlamydia and syphilis was dramatically lower, percentage wise, than was seen at the end of 2010.

But the number of gonorrhea cases jumped more in 2011 than was recorded two years ago. According to preliminary data released by the Department of Public Health’s STD Prevention and Control Section, the number of gonorrhea cases last year climbed by double digits.

Reported gonorrhea cases went from 1,943 in 2010 to 2,243 in 2011, an increase of 15.4 percent. In 2010 the STD section reported an increase of 8.6 percent.

The number of rectal gonorrhea cases among men surged last year to 622 cases, a 38.2 percent increase over the 479 cases recorded in 2010. Two years ago the city saw a 6.3 percent year-to-year increase in such cases.

The number of chlamydia cases also shot up from 4,603 two years ago to 4,741 cases in 2011, a 3 percent gain. That was a significant drop off compared to the 10 percent increase seen in 2010.

Male rectal chlamydia also increased by nearly 5 percent, going from 914 cases in 2010 to 959 cases last year. It marked a dramatic decline from the 23.4 percent increase recorded in 2010.

The city continued to record gains in early syphilis cases since 2008, when there was a decline in such cases. In 2011, the number of early syphilis cases rose to 682 cases from the See page 17 >>

Rick Gerharter

Plaintiffs in the Proposition 8 federal appeals case celebrate the 9th Circuit decision on stage during a press conference Tuesday night. From left: Jeff Zarillo and Paul Katami, and Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier. The couple’s sons Elliot and Spencer Perry stand behind their moms.

by Matthew S. Bajko

I

t has been nearly three years since they sued the state of California in order to secure the right to marry. For much of that time, as their lawsuit has wended its way through the courts, they have put their wed-

ding plans on the back burner as the legal wrangling took center stage.

Now, with a second federal court ruling striking down the state’s ban against samesex marriage, the two plaintiff couples at the heart of the historic case are longing to walk down the aisle.

“We are anxious to get married before our youngest sons. They graduate high school next year and will begin their lives as adults,” said Kristin Perry, after whom the Perry v.

Brown federal case is named.

Sandra Stier, her partner of 12 years, addSee page 15 >>

Solemn ceremony opens AIDS quilt display A

by Matthew S. Bajko

solemn ceremony with a reading of the names of loved ones lost to the AIDS epidemic will mark the opening of an AIDS quilt display in the Castro this weekend.

Organizers are installing 35 12 feet by 12 feet blocks, or completed quilts, inside an empty storefront at 2278 Market Street near the heart of the city’s LGBT neighborhood. Each block, or quilt section, is comprised of eight 6 feet by 3 feet memorial panels created specifically for a person who died from AIDS. Beginning at noon Sunday, February 12 a traditional unfolding ceremony will be held, during which a list of approximately 10,000 names of those memorialized with a quilt will be read that day. A number of local leaders and community members have been invited to take part in the ceremony and read a portion of the list of names.

As the Bay Area Reporter reported last month, this is the first time since 1999 that such a large collection of quilt panels has gone on public view at one time in San Francisco.

The showing is not only timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 14 See page 17 >>

Rick Gerharter

Mike Smith, left, executive director of the AIDS Emergency Fund, and Beth Feingold, executive director of Under One Roof, hang a panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Under One Roof in preparation for a larger display of the quilt in the Castro that will open Sunday, February 12.

{ FIRST OF TWO SECTIONS }

<< Community News

2 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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Rick Gerharter

Jane Warner Plaza dedicated J

ane Warner Plaza at 17th and Market streets was formally dedicated Saturday, February 4 to Officer Jane Warner, a well-respected member of the San Francisco Patrol Special Police who worked in the Castro District and wrote the Bay Area Reporter’s local

crime column for many years. Warner, 53, died in May 2010 after a lengthy battle against ovarian cancer. Her widow, Dawn Warner, left, admired the new plaque, along with Supervisor Scott Wiener and former Supervisor Bevan Dufty at the dedication ceremony.

Black HIV Awareness day observed in SF

by David Duran

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ebar.com

small crowd gathered in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood Tuesday evening to observe National Black HIV Awareness Day and to urge more support for African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Vincent Fuqua with the Department of Public Health, one of the evening’s sponsors, emphasized that African Americans need to respect themselves and their community.

“That’s when we will be able to make the changes we need in our community,” he said. “It’s a shame the African American community continues to be so high in numbers in this and other health crises.”

Black Coalition on AIDS Executive Director Perry Lang also took a moment to address the audience.

“We have been living in the shadow of HIV/AIDS for over 30 years,” he said. Lang suggested that HIV/ AIDS is slowly becoming the disease of black and brown people in San Francisco.

Lang believes there are three factors that lead to the spread of HIV in the community: poverty, addiction, and mental illness.

“We believe that if we can combat these three major issues in our community, then we can start to move in

David Duran

Vincent Fuqua, left, and Ken Monteiro, Ph.D., were two of the speakers at Tuesday’s observance of National Black HIV Awareness Day.

the right direction,” he said.

The evening, which was filled with several presentations by communitybased organizations, was both informative and empowering for local residents who don’t know all their options. Special musical performances

by Terry Dyer and Benn Bacot also brought the crowd to its feet. Spiritual leaders, who offered opening and closing prayers, also made the audience feel welcomed and at home.

The keynote address by Fuqua’s

mentor, Kenneth Monteiro, Ph.D., dean of ethnic studies at San Francisco State University, highlighted how language can affect an issue.

“The word ‘gay’ was associated with white gay males,” Monteiro said, referring to the early terminology of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it was not as widely known or acknowledged to be affecting the African American community.

Monteiro is optimistic for the future.“You don’t go in and get a death sentence anymore,” he said, referring to significant medical advances made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “It’s a far cry from where we were before.”

About 30 people participated in a sobering candlelight march to the Bayview Opera House with a police escort, and they answered questions from people about what they were doing. Many onlookers applauded the group or honked their horns in support of the march.

HIV/AIDS still has a major presence in the African American community, both in San Francisco as well as across the nation. The purpose of the march was to raise awareness of the continued impact of the disease within this community and to underscore the importance of the work that still needs to be done in fighting HIV/AIDS.▼

Castro sober space board addresses concerns

by Matthew S. Bajko

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s it negotiates a lease with the new owner of its building, the advisory board for a Castro sober space is attempting to make amends with supporters for past mistakes.

Repeatedly during a community meeting the five-person board held with members and financial backers of the Castro Country Club, chair Crispin Hollings apologized for a series of missteps that occurred over the last year as the board dealt with the prospect of losing its building at 4058 18th Street.

“We have made some mistakes.

Our communication was not always as good as it might have been. Today we want to address some of those mistakes we’ve made and give peoSee page 16 >>

Jane Philomen Cleland

Castro Country Club advisory board chair Crispin Hollings, left, joined board member Mike Shriver and community leader Andrea Shorter at last Sunday’s town hall meeting, where Hollings repeatedly apologized for communication lapses with the sober space’s supporters.

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Community News >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 3

Man pleads not guilty in 1983 killing

by Seth Hemmelgarn

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man charged with the 1983 death of a gay man in San Francisco has pleaded not guilty, but he could face the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole if the charges are altered.

William Payne, 47, is accused of killing Nikolaus Crumbley, 41, whose body was found November 16, 1983 in John McLaren Park. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s office listed the cause of death as ligature strangulation.

Payne, who has an extensive criminal history, entered his plea to first-degree murder and an allegation of use of a deadly weapon through attorney Kwixuan Maloof in San Francisco Superior Court on Thursday, February 2.

Law enforcement officials have indicated Payne had had sex with Crumbley, but it’s not clear if it was consensual or forced. San Francisco police arrested Payne on Monday, January 30 after matching DNA from Crumbley’s body to him.

Outside court last week, Assistant District Attorney Michael Swart said that the murder charge could be altered to reflect that it occurred during the course of sodomy, which would make Payne a candidate for the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if he’s convicted.

Swart said that he didn’t know if the district attorney’s office would alter the charge, but he noted that if it becomes a death penalty case, it would go before a district attorney’s office committee. Whether to seek a death sentence would ultimately be up to District Attorney George Gascón.

During his campaign for district

Courtesy SFPD

Defendant William Payne

attorney last year, Gascón said that he’s “not a believer” in the death penalty.

In court Payne, who’s been in custody in San Francisco County jail, appeared in court last week in an orange jail jumpsuit and yellow handcuffs.

Maloof requested that Payne’s $5 million bail be lowered to $500,000.

He explained that Payne was “born and raised in San Francisco,” and has four children, including two minors.

He also said that Payne has always cooperated with police investigating the case and “has never fled San Francisco,” although he said that Payne has a “somewhat lengthy criminal history.” Payne was in Walden House, which provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services, at the time he was arrested.

In response to Maloof ’s remark about Payne not fleeing, Swart said that he had “been in prison most of

the time.”

Over the past 25 years, Payne’s been imprisoned for crimes including kidnapping for purposes of committing sexual assault, assault, and robbery, according to Swart.

Superior Court Judge Richard Ulmer rejected Maloof ’s request to lower Payne’s bail.

Highlighting the tension around even mentioning the words “death penalty” in San Francisco, minutes after Swart talked to reporters last Thursday, DA spokeswoman Stephanie Ong Stillman called the Bay Area Reporter and said that the district attorney’s office is hoping to bring “closure” for Crumbley’s family.

The crime has affected Payne’s family, too.

Sandra Bacon, who said her god sister was once married to Payne, was in court last Thursday.

She said she’s known Payne for “many years,” and “I think he’s paid for his mistakes.” Payne had been out of prison for a couple months before his arrest, Bacon said.

“He’s a changed person, a changed man,” said Bacon, who added that she was “overwhelmed”

by Payne’s situation and found it hard to talk about.

“I feel sorry for the family of the victim,” she said.

Report depicts discovery John McLaren Park is in the southeast part of San Francisco, close to Highway 101, and surrounded by tightly packed residential neighborhoods. Inside the large park, however, one is easily surrounded by hills and trees, with no houses in sight.

Robert Gutsch, who lived near See page 16 >>

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<< Commentary

4 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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Clearing things up

by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

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any years ago, a friend of mine came to me, frustrated. She could not grasp why we needed to spell out who was included in various non-discrimination bills. Why did we need to spell out race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression, and so on? Why not simply say that no one could discriminate against another person?

Frankly, I might take it a step further: we should not even need to point out that one should not discriminate: that should be a given in a humane society.

Sadly, it seems that people always look for a way around it, some way to legally discriminate, some loophole that allows them to continue to do what they do. Sometimes, too, these things crop up when you least expect it. Perhaps while trying to keep people safe, you might accidently make discrimination the law of the land. For example, last July, a rule took affect in Canada barring transgender people from air travel.

This rule was implemented by the Ministry of Transportation as part of new identity screening regulations, and is part of a much larger body or rules under the Passenger Protect Program. Much of this program, including the use of no-fly lists, would be familiar to any fre-

quent travelers in the United States since the September 11.

The rule itself states that “an air carrier shall not transport a passenger if ... the passenger does not appear to be of the gender indicated on the identification he or she presents.” Other categories that would bar you from flight involve discrepancies with one’s identification, not resembling the photograph on their photo ID, or not appearing to be the age indicated on one’s identification paperwork.

More than just not being able to board a flight, there would be a fine of $5,000 (Canadian) for getting “caught” in any of the above situations.

Aside from the issues around preoperative transsexuals, or those who opt out of genital or other surgical reconstruction, it’s not uncommon to have discrepancies in one’s paperwork as you wait for the bureaucratic wheels to turn. If anything, this rule can ensnare a large number of transgender people, and disenfranchise many more.

I should also add that this bill did not require any formal legislation be passed to implement these rules.

There was no public discussion period, nor even much notice of this until months after it was adopted.

The rule went on the books shortly after their federal election, and comes from a conservative Member

of Parliament, Minister for Transport Denis Lebel.

What yet remains unclear is whether this was a case of governmental bungling and unintended consequences, or a deliberate attempt to bar transgender people from airplanes. I’ve seen arguments for both sides, and the timing of the rule – coupled with the method in which it was enacted – does certainly raise eyebrows.

In the height of terrorist related hysteria in the United States, the REAL ID act also pushed for gender markers as one of its few identity signifiers, yet did not provide for any exceptions or any way to change one’s gender marker. While it remains largely unimplemented, it could have led to a disaster for those who are transgender and had to deal with getting identity paperwork updated. It’s not too much of a jump to see how this could have affected us much like Passenger Protect is affecting transgender Canadians.

For what it’s worth, Maryse Durette, the senior adviser of media relations for Transport Canada, states that her department “is not aware of any case of a transgendered or transsexual individual in possession of a medical document who has not been permitted to board an airplane since the publication of the regulations.” Durette also claims that the rule does not prohibit transgender people from flying, provided they have their paperwork in order. She may be right in this assumption, but the rule itself is deceptively unclear.

For this reason, I’m glad to see

Christine Smith

two recent clarifications by United States agencies that spell out their inclusion of transgender people, leaving no gray area.

For one, the Internal Revenue Service has affirmed that transgender people can indeed deduct surgery and hormone costs from their taxes. While this was a change in the wake of the 2010 O’Donnabhain v.

Commissioner ruling, it does fall in line with IRS procedure prior to the George W. Bush presidency.

Secondly, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed several new regulations to make it clear that all their programs are inclusive of gender identity and sexual orientation.

These regulations are in the midst of a 60-day comment period, after which the new rules will take effect.

Much like the above – and echoing the Passenger Protect rules – these are changes that have not

come about due to the working of Congress. Indeed, given the fractured state of our Congress today – as well as election year shenanigans – it is unlikely we’ll see anything transgender-related hit the president’s desk in 2012.

But perhaps we will see more rights gained not so much by congressional passage, but by individual government departments looking at how they can best serve all of us, and making it clear in all policies that transgender people are indeed included.

It’s important to be explicitly included, if only to keep us from falling afoul from intended or accidental foul ups such as Canada’s Passenger Protect Program. Likewise, it’s important to see organizations like the IRS and HUD spell it out, lest someone think they can discriminate simply because it isn’t there. Anything else doesn’t cut it.▼

Slow Sex author reveals tips for women

by Heather Cassell

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earning for more than Hollywood romance or porn-style sex where everything is glossy and done “right”? Orgasmic meditation might be the key to unlocking unbridled passion in the bedroom that is not made up or comes with batteries, but au natural.

Nicole Daedone, founder and CEO of OneTaste, a sexuality education center for orgasmic mediation based in San Francisco, found her sexual awakening at San Francisco State University.

As a graduate associate teacher and a “young, budding feminist,” she stumbled upon women’s feelings of sexual inadequacy by accident in the

classroom one day, said the Bay Area native.

She was stunned by the response to a questionnaire women filled out in the classroom that asked, “What do you want to know about sex?”

“Every single woman responded back with some version of ‘What’s wrong with me?’” Daedone said.

“Here I was thinking that we had this big sexual liberation and basically we stopped at equal rights and not equal fulfillment,” she recalled.

“I think in my mind, at the time, and in many people’s minds around sexuality there is a recipe. I must not be following it correctly, something’s wrong with me because I’m not having these explosive experiences that I’ve heard about,” said Daedone, a

44-year-old bisexual woman.

She didn’t have an answer for her students that semester, but it set her on a journey that has revolutionized her life and is now her mission: equal fulfillment through orgasmic meditation, also known as OM. Orgasmic meditation is a meditative practice where a woman’s genitals are stroked by her partner for 15 minutes.

Orgasmic meditation isn’t tantric sex, she pointed out. While both are “delicious experiences,” the difference between tantric sex and OM is ornate versus simplicity, she said.

In the tantric sex experience that practitioners take on its culture and language. OM is simply about experiencing what is naturally already

present without adding a buzzing bunny or anything else.

“Slow sex is just about peeling it back. You don’t add anything extra.

You’re simply experiencing what’s there,” said Daedone, “and what’s there ends up being so profound that you wouldn’t want to put anything on top of it.”

The simple act added to everyday sex becomes a revolution under the sheets.

Once she mastered the practice, she ditched what she calls the “empty calorie version of sex” spoon fed to people by Hollywood and the porn industry and is now teaching others how to tap into, “a really deep place that is available, that is far different,” she said.

In a city known for talking about sex in public, but which also has a reputation for being “home to all of those damn hippies,” Daedone has been debunking skeptics (she used to be one) and demystifying people’s frustrations with female orgasm taking it mainstream.

Since 2004, when OneTaste opened its doors, Daedone estimates she’s introduced 4,500 people to OM through workshops at its South of Market office, and countless others through online videos and Skype workshops, she said.

The art of female orgasm

Veterans housing project on track

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ousing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Mercedes Marques, center, was welcomed last week by local officials as she toured Veterans Commons, an affordable rental housing development for homeless and senior veterans located at 150 Otis Street that is expected to be completed this year. Joining Marques are, from left, Dan Bernal and Nicole Rivera from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-San Francisco) office; John

Caldera, the openly gay president of the city’s Veterans Affairs Commission; and Bevan Dufty, the openly gay director of Mayor Ed Lee’s Housing Opportunity, Partnerships and Engagement program. Marques, who is an out lesbian, was welcomed by Lee, and Pelosi has been instrumental in securing nearly $400,000 for the $28.3 million project, which will provide housing and wraparound care for 75 chronically homeless and senior veterans.

After leaving the ivory tower behind to follow her passion, she made a creative stop in 1995 as the founder and original owner of 111 Minna Street Art Gallery, an alternative event space that displays avant-garde art in the South of Market district.

The space brought together performance and visual art in a party atmosphere and created something unique and unseen at the time, said Daedone, pointing out that art and sex aren’t that different.

Art and sex carry elements of unbridled “freedom of expression” and “seemingly disparate pieces coming

Courtesy OneTaste

Nicole Daedone, founder of OneTaste and author of Slow Sex.

together,” Daedone said, that creates something very different from everyday life. Those free-flying radical elements are the underlying force behind OneTaste.

“That same element is what informs OneTaste,” said Daedone, author of Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm. “It’s like a different element of sexuality expressing itself than we see in everyday life.”

“Art takes a very different form and experiences what’s there without using an end result to determine whether or not what was there was good. I think that’s actually what works best for a woman’s body,” said Daedone, about women’s process of reaching orgasm.

“You have to work differently, a plus b equals the ever sought after climax,” actually involves the entirety of women’s being rather than simply focusing on the genitals, said Daedone.

The one thing she hopes for is that everyone gets the message that, “every person is orgasmic and that your orgasms [are] potentially a whole life journey,” she said. Adding, that in life people don’t have to fit themselves into a definition, “you can actually use your own body to define what’s true for you.”▼ To learn more, visit www.onetaste.us.

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Politics >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 5

Panel continues to reshape SF supervisor districts

by Matthew S. Bajko

A

s a city task force continues to reshape San Francisco’s 11 supervisor districts, LGBT political groups are taking a closer look at the process.

This week the progressive Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club held a discussion about the status of the redistricting process and its impact on the LGBT community at its monthly meeting Tuesday, February 7. And at its next membership meeting Monday, February 13 the more moderate Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club will also discuss the current boundaries for supervisor seats.

As the Bay Area Reporter noted in its January 30 Political Notes online column, the board’s two gay supervisors, Scott Wiener (District 8) and David Campos (District 9), are for the most part pleased with the current proposed boundaries for their respective seats.

Wiener’s Castro-centered district has long been considered the “gay seat” on the board. So last month LGBT activists and the B.A.R.’s editorial board raised concerns over initial plans to extend District 8 westward over Twin Peaks to include more conservative and less gay neighborhoods such as West Portal and Forest Hills.

Since then the redistricting panel, which includes one out member, has reversed course and is now using the doubled-hilled mountain as District 8’s western border. It also includes more sections of the lower Haight and runs just north of the LGBT Community Center.

“Optimally the Hispanic community should be centered in District 9 and optimally the gay community should be centered in District 8,” Chris Bowman, a gay man who has been working with real estate groups on providing suggested maps to the task force, said at a special meeting held in Campos’s district last week.

As for District 9, the task force in the past week reworked its southern boundary so that the Portola neighborhood and portions of John McLaren Park would be represented

by Campos, should he win re-election in the fall.

It cut off portions of the northern Mission it had added to District 9 and returned the blocks north of 15th Street and near the Central Freeway to District 6.

“The key to this process of redistricting working is having the involvement of the public,” Campos said at the February 1 special hearing.

“I don’t necessarily talk about where the lines should go. My job as district supervisor is to make sure everybody who resides in that district has an opportunity to give their input.”

The latest re-juggling of the lines also saw Dogpatch moved to District 10 rather than District 6, as had been proposed. Now District 6 is again mainly a South of Market and Tenderloin district.

As for the other seat held by an out member of the board, bisexual District 5 Supervisor Christina Olague, the task force listened to complaints from Japanese American groups and returned Japantown to her district.

Olague will also be running for election in the fall, having been appointed last month by Mayor Ed Lee to fill out the remainder of former Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s term.

All of the odd-numbered supervisor districts will be up for grabs this fall, and the task force has until April 15 to complete its work.

It has scheduled nine more meetings through March 29 as it races to

Rick Gerharter

Members of the San Francisco Redistricting Task Force studied proposed maps and solicited public input at a recent meeting.

meet its deadline. As it makes changes to district lines, it updates a map that can be found at sfgov2.org/index. aspx?page=3223.

“The purpose of these meetings and hearings is to hear from community groups and the public to inform us on how we could and should draw these district lines,” said Eric McDonnell, chair of the task force.

The Redistricting Task Force’s next regular meeting is at 3 p.m.

Friday, February 17 in Room 416 at City Hall.

It has scheduled a special meeting focused on District 8 for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at Everett Middle School, 450 Church Street.

The Alice Club meets at 6:30 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street.

Campos holds first campaign event Supporters of Campos will gather tonight (Thursday, February 9) for the first fundraiser of his re-election campaign. Among the hosts are gay state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), the previous holder of the supervisor seat; gay local Democratic Party official Rafael Mandelman; lesbian Building Inspection Commissioner Debra Walker; and Miguel Bustos, a gay man who works for the Levi Strauss Foundation.

So far Campos, the most senior member of the board’s three-person LGBT caucus, faces little opposition for his District 9 seat come the fall.

He is seeking a second four-year term as supervisor and is expected, at this point, to easily win the race.

As of Wednesday morning, 76 people had RSVP’d for the event via Facebook. The fundraiser will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission Street at 22nd.

Project seeks LGBT seniors A local nonprofit group is in the midst of establishing a new program to provide legal services to low-income LGBT seniors and disabled people faced with losing their housing, health care, or public benefits.

Bay Area Legal Aid is looking to enlist health care providers and social service organizations in helping identify LGBT seniors and disabled adults who are in need of legal services related to securing and maintaining health benefits, housing, and financial support. The goal of the project is to assist individuals who want to “age in place” within their community.

As it seeks funding for the project, Legal Aid is looking for individuals willing to share their story with donors.

“I am trying to find personal stories of such displacements to support our application for funding from the Bor-

chard Foundation and other funding organizations,” Jamie Wagoner, with Bay Area Legal Aid, told the B.A.R. According to a prospectus about the project Wagoner provided, the aid society is trying to substantiate its premise that low-income LGBT seniors and disabled adults are being displaced from San Francisco. As heard during a recent hearing city supervisors held on the needs of LGBT seniors, anecdotal evidence suggests that seniors, whether gay or straight, are being priced out of the city due to escalating rents and housing costs.

“The clients that we wish to serve may not be well connected to the community. They may have become isolated by illness or financial hardship. They may already be homeless,” explained Wagoner.

Anyone interested in having the project document his or her story, or knows someone who would be a good fit, can contact Wagoner via email by sending a message to LGBTSeniors.BayLegal@gmail.com.▼

ebar.com

<< Open Forum

6 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

Volume 41, Number 06 February 9-15, 2012 www.ebar.com PUBLISHER Thomas E. Horn Bob Ross (Founder, 1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS EDITOR Roberto Friedman ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko Seth Hemmelgarn Jim Provenzano CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aiello • Tavo Amador • Erin Blackwell Roger Brigham • Scott Brogan Victoria A. Brownworth • Philip Campbell Heather Cassell • Chuck Colbert Richard Dodds • David Duran Raymond Flournoy • David Guarino Liz Highleyman • Brandon Judell John F. Karr • Lisa Keen • Matthew Kennedy David Lamble • Michael K. Lavers Michael McDonagh • Paul Parish Lois Pearlman • Tim Pfaff • Jim Piechota Bob Roehr • Donna Sachet • Adam Sandel Jason Serinus • Gregg Shapiro Gwendolyn Smith • Ed Walsh • Sura Wood

ART DIRECTION Kurt Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGER T. Scott King PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane Philomen Cleland Marc Geller Rick Gerharter Lydia Gonzales Rudy K. Lawidjaja Steven Underhill Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Paul Berge Christine Smith

GENERAL MANAGER Michael M. Yamashita DISPLAY ADVERTISING Colleen Small Scott Wazlowski CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING David McBrayer NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863

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A grounded decision I

t wasn’t the definitive, national same-sexmarriage-for-everyone decision that many gays and lesbians (and perhaps the legal team) wanted, but Tuesday’s 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional is a victory nonetheless. The narrow decision will, we expect, make it difficult to overturn, because it explicitly affirms that once rights are granted to a group of people, they cannot be taken away. That is the crux of the decision.

The California Supreme Court ruled in May 2008 that same-sex couples have the right to marry, after which, some 18,000 couples tied the knot in the six months between the high court’s decision and the passage of Prop 8, which amended the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Those marriages were later upheld by the state Supreme Court, but the justices also upheld Prop 8.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights filed the current case, now known as Perry v.

Brown, in 2009 after that ruling. A federal trial was held in 2010 and U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker issued a sweeping decision that year declaring Prop 8 unconstitutional. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Walker’s ruling on Tuesday, but narrowly.

“By using their initiative power to target a minority group and withdraw a right that it possessed, without a legitimate reason for doing so, the people of California violated the equal protection clause. We hold Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional on this ground,” Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote for the majority.

But Reinhardt and Judge Michael Hawkins said that addressing the broader question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage would have to wait and “will likely be resolved in other states, and for the nation as a whole, by other courts.”

“For now,” they wrote, “it suffices to conclude that the people of California may not, consistent with the federal Constitution, add to their state constitution a provision that has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of their right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class.”

The majority opinion made several references to one of the long-standing arguments

used by opponents of same-sex marriage during the Prop 8 campaign: that it was “just the word ‘marriage’” that Prop 8 was addressing, not the numerous other rights and responsibilities enjoyed by same-sex couples. Unfortunately for them, the appeals court found validity in striking that argument and Reinhardt used pop culture references to make his point.

“Had Marilyn Monroe’s film been called ‘How to Register a Domestic Partnership with a Millionaire,’ it would not have conveyed the same meaning as did her famous movie, even though the underlying drama for same-sex couples is no different,” the judge wrote.

“We are excited to see someone ask, ‘Will you marry me?’ whether on bended knee in a restaurant or in text splashed across a stadium Jumbotron,” Reinhardt wrote. “Certainly it would not have the same effect to see, ‘Will you enter into a registered domestic partnership with me?’”

The majority opinion relied heavily on the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1996 decision, Romer v. Evans, which overturned Colorado’s Amendment 2. Voters in that state passed the amendment, which would have prohibited any city, town, or county in the state from

taking legislative, executive, or judicial action to recognize gay and lesbian citizens as a protected class. The U.S. Supreme Court said the government violates equal protection when it withdraws rights. Many legal observers have noted that Tuesday’s Perry decision seemed written specifically for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who authored the majority opinion in Romer. That is no accident, as Kennedy is now viewed as the swing vote on the high court.

But getting the Perry case to the Supreme Court may not be a sure thing. Four justices must agree to take the case, which may be doubtful because, as written, it addresses an issue already decided by the court.

In the meantime, wedding bells won’t be ringing for same-sex couples right away; but if this decision stands, the Golden State will once again enjoy marriage equality.

And the ruling sends a strong message to our opponents: you can’t take away rights once they have been granted. That may be put to the test in Washington state, where the legislature is voting on a marriage bill as we go to press and opponents have vowed to wage a repeal effort if it passes.

Overall, the 9th Circuit’s decision affirms equality for same-sex couples, albeit narrowly.

That victory must be preserved.▼

‘Scandalous’ and loving it!

by Howard Edelman

I

n each of my five years on the board of the Academy of Friends, February has been busy, challenging, and exciting. Our board works hard all year, but never harder than the weeks leading up to our annual Academy Awards night gala benefiting Bay Area AIDS service organizations. Last June, when I was elected board chair, I knew this February would be even more intense.

Regular readers of this paper likely already know that the Academy of Friends has faced fiscal difficulties in the last few years, so I won’t go over old news.

There was a lot of work to be done as the new board chair. I believed in our mission and knew we still had work to do and asked my fellow board members to join me in turning things around. Academy of Friends is committed to continue its work until the HIV/ AIDS pandemic has passed.

We reached out to former board chairs, former board members, corporate sponsors and individual sponsors (underwriters). I also reached out to other community leaders, including the Bay Area Reporter editorial staff, to meet, discuss our new ideas and plans, and establish more open and reciprocal communication. To that end, I invite you to send your comments to me at your convenience at howard@academyoffriends.org.

While we may not agree on how best to run Academy of Friends, how to put on our gala or manage other details, I found there is a lot of common ground.

We all believe in the power of community, the

power to come together and make progress toward common goals. We share concerns for our local, overlapping communities impacted by the AIDS epidemic, especially caring for individuals living with HIV disease and preventing new HIV infections.

As this recession continues, as state and federal budgets grow thinner and more strained, and as the number of people living with HIV or AIDS continues to increase, the need to raise money for services is real, crucial, and ongoing.

We have an opportunity right now to make a difference. In my case, I’m doing all I can to make this year’s “Scandalous”themed gala an outrageously fun and effective fundraiser for our 2012 beneficiaries – Huckleberry Youth Programs, Maitri, Shanti, Tenderloin Health and the Women’s HIV Program at UCSF. The gala takes place Sunday, February 26 at the San Francisco Design Center Galleria.

For me, this has been a period of incredible personal growth, renewed effort, tough decisions, anxiety, some frustration, and a gradual trend toward excitement and anticipation of success.

Here are some highlights you may not know.

We continued to reduce our ongoing operating expenses. Our monthly costs are less than one-eighth of what they were two years ago. We cut all but the most essential costs.

We redoubled our efforts to seek new corporate sponsorship while strengthening existing relationships with local and national businesses. I’m grateful and glad to mention that Nordstrom is a presenting sponsor of the gala, leading a great group that includes major

sponsors such as AT&T, Gold’s Gym, Blueprint Studios, and the Diageo brands, including Smirnoff and Ketel One. Our goal has always been to raise corporate and individual sponsorship to cover gala expenses in advance. So, ideally, funds from gala ticket sales, raffle ticket sales and silent auction item proceeds will go to our beneficiaries. As of this date, we are confident this will be the case for the 2012 Academy of Friends gala.

This year, we have not required any efforts by our beneficiaries, though they have and are joining us in selling raffle and gala tickets, as well as providing some silent auction items and some volunteers. We already have funds set aside to go to each agency. Let me repeat, there’s already money to give to each agency this year, and we hope you will join us in raising even more.

On our website, you can choose an agency to support or distribute your donations among all five. They are counting on our community to step up and participate.

As usual, this year’s gala will be glamorous, fabulous and the place to be on Academy Awards night. There are even hints that the Oscars may hold some surprises for some of the nominated films.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, I ask you to do it now. Ask your friends to do the same. Together we can make it happen.

Please join us in making a difference and having a great time! I’d love to see you at the 32nd annual Academy of Friends gala. For more information, please visit www.academyoffriends. org or call us at (415) 995-9890.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to our friends who believed in me, and believe in what AOF has done for Bay Area AIDS service agencies and can accomplish this year. ▼

▼

Letters >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 7

Maybe LGBT seniors need training I am 82 years old. I came to San Francisco 20 years ago.

Before I came to San Francisco, I participated in numerous studies on the needs of elderly LGBT people. Since I have been in San Francisco I have participated in numerous studies on the needs of elderly LGBTs. I have rarely seen the results of these surveys. My guess is that they were filed away, and those who conducted them collected some grant money or felt they had done something worthwhile [“City Hall backs LGBT senior initiatives,” February 2].

I long ago came to the conclusion that the gay movement is a large echo chamber that goes over the same issues ad infinitum.

I do not claim to speak for transgender people, who I believe have very important issues in our society.

As an elderly gay man my issues are the same as straight people. In San Francisco whether one is gay or straight, affordable housing is an issue for all of us. Usually, when politicians or the press discuss affordable housing they are not addressing the issue of what is affordable to middle class folks. It is a “code” for what is affordable for poor people. We know there is a shortage whether one is gay or straight. As many of my friends have done before me; if I lost my present housing, I would have to leave the city. Not because I am gay, but because I can’t afford San Francisco housing costs.

I have never had any problems with using medical or social services because I am gay. When I lived in St. Paul, Minnesota until 1992, any medical or dental professionals knew I was gay and it was not an issue.

Many people my age assume that it is an issue. The self-fulfilling prophecy makes it an issue. Twenty years ago Gay and Lesbian Outreach to Elders were training professionals about gay people. But no one trains gay people to get over their own preconceived ideas that

make them fear housing and social services.

I have watched people distance themselves from the straight people around them and then claim that those people are not accepting them.

I sometimes feel that these issues give certain organizations and politicians a chance to prove that they are concerned about us and are looking for solutions to a non-existent problem.

I am sure that this letter will probably provoke anecdotal evidence that there are problems.

But I truly wonder how many of these really exist because of our sexual orientation.

Dick Hewetson San Francisco

Gay lieutenant in DA’s office I read with great interest your article on the San Francisco Police Department’s efforts to promote openly gay officers to the rank of lieutenant [“SFPD likely to promote gays,” February 2]. I was, however, somewhat surprised that you neglected to mention that the San Francisco District Attorney’s investigations office has had an openly gay lieutenant for over four years. Lieutenant Ron Huberman has been with the DA’s office for 30 years and during that time has overseen child abduction and criminal investigation. Furthermore, Huberman has served as lead investigator on many violent hate cases that have been perpetrated against our community, including vicious attacks and homicides.

I know SFPD gets all the attention, but district attorney investigators are San Francisco peace officers and Huberman deserves credit for being the first openly gay lieutenant and the highest openly gay peace officer in the history of the city and county of San Francisco.

Jason R. Hinson San Francsico

Find Cupid tonight Community Center, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

compiled by Cynthia Laird

L

ooking for romance as Valentine’s Day approaches? Local promoter Mark Rhoades has just the solution: his sixth annual Cupid’s Back party is tonight (Thursday, February 9) and the benefit for the GLBT Historical Society is just hitting its stride.

“This year I feel like it is at the level I envisioned six years ago,” Rhoades said in an email.

Once again, PG&E is the presenting sponsor and this year, Banana Republic joined as a gold sponsor, Rhoades said. Juanita More will be the special guest DJ. Rhoades said there are two reasons he hosts Cupid’s Back.

“It raises money and awareness for the GLBT Historical Society,” he said. “And for my friends, because Valentine’s Day can be a little isolating if you are single. I thought, why not host a Valentine’s Day party since there is nothing like it going on in our community and this way no one has to feel lonely because they get to go to a great party with 400 hot gay guys.”

Cupid’s Back takes place at the Supperclub, 657 Harrison Street, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $30 online in advance at www.glbthistory.org or $35 at the door. The party will include an open bar and sweets and treats.

Rhoades thanked Brandon Hernandez of PG&E for the company’s continued sponsorship. “PG&E has a long history of supporting the LGBT community, including support for marriage equality and partnerships with Project Open Hand ... and the LGBT Community Center,” Hernandez said in a statement.

Valentine’s party in Corte Madera Local out real estate agent Katharine Holland is co-hosting an LGBT Valentine’s dance Saturday, February 11 at Max’s Cafe, 60 Madera Boulevard (next to Best Western) in Corte Madera. The party takes place from 6 to 11 p.m.

The evening includes a three-

Gay, lesbian speed dating in SJ

Nick

Matt Moore plays Cupid in promotional photos for the Cupid’s Back party tonight.

course prix fixe meal with a glass of wine for $19.99; the full menu is also available. After dinner, there will be a special Valentine’s dance beginning at 7:30; the cost is $20. Holland and her co-host, Inka Von, will have icebreakers for singles and singles tables for dinner. Couples can send a song dedication to their partner in advance.

Holland said that everyone is welcome, couples and singles, all genders and identities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Spectrum LGBT Center in Marin.

To RSVP, send in song requests, or buy advance tickets, contact marindance2012@ gmail.com or (415) 378-2697.

Valentine’s dance for queer youth The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will hold a Valentine’s Day dance for queer youth ages 14-18 on Saturday, February 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street. The cost is $5 and youth must have a school ID. Activities will include dancing, photos, a kissing booth, and Valentine’s makeovers.

The party is being co-sponsored

by GSA Network, the Youth Program of the San Francisco LGBT

Distinguished Gay Men and Lavender Lesbians, two dating sites that are owned by Susan Adams, will hold Speed Dating Done Our Way on Sunday, February 12 at Splash, 65 Post Street in San Jose. The event begins with cocktails and registration at 5:30 p.m., followed by speed dating from 6 to 8, then dancing until midnight. The cost is $20. Light refreshments and drink specials will be featured.

To register, email Adams at Susan@distinguishedgaymen.com.

Castro Lions host Mr. Heart-Throb contest The Castro Lions Club will hold its 2012 Mr. Heart-Throb contest on Sunday, February 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. at a beverage benefit at the Cinch bar, 1723 Polk Street. Castro Lions President Troy Brunet said that the title patch is awarded annually at a charity fundraiser and is billed as a “no-responsibility leather title” in that no further actions are required on the part of the winner.

The crowd selects the winner the day of the event, with people “voting with their heart,” using the heartshaped sticker they receive when buying into the beverage benefit.

Same-sex seminars on health care, estate planning Hospice By the Bay and attorney Deb Kinney will be holding two free seminars for same-sex couples to help with medical decision-making and estate planning. Both will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street.

The first one is tonight (Thursday, February 9). It addresses new Medicare protections for LGBT couples and how spousal protections for same-sex couples have been extended in cases where one partner needs long-term care funded by Medicare.

Attendees will learn how California will carry out the new federal rules.

The second workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 10 and will examine planning for future health See page 17 >>

<< Business News

8 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

▼

Jane Philomen Cleland

Business leaders recognized W

ith one of the early AIDS Memorial Quilt panels as a backdrop, several local businesses were recognized at Golden Gate Business Association’s monthly Make Contact mixer held Tuesday, February 7 at Under One Roof in the Castro. From left, Scott Wazlowski, Bay Area Reporter (business of the year, under 25 employees); Mark Tetrault, 2M Architecture (Business Exchange Network Award); Col-

leen Small, B.A.R; Ron Willis, Via Media (President’s Award); Randy Wittorp, Kaiser Permanente (business of the year, 25 or more employees); Pat Mayfield, GGBA executive director; Eric GoForth, GGBA board president; and Alyson Heineman, Keeping Your Balance, the event’s sponsor. Not pictured is Tony Bayudan of Spectrum Federal Credit Union, which received the Business Advocate of the Year Award.

Saying hello to new shops and goodbye to old friends

by Raymond Flournoy

T

he coming month will see the opening of a number of new businesses, many of them gayowned. However, the Castro has also recently lost two four-legged friends who were famous for their customer hospitality.

A pig dances in the Castro Today (Thursday, February 9) the Dancing Pig (544 Castro Street) fires up its smokers to bring barbecue to the Castro. The new restaurant is a joint project of Larry Metzger, owner of the Mix (4086 18th Street), J.R. Kleysteuber, and Linda Holl, who tends bar at the Mix. Metzger describes the Dancing Pig’s menu as “San Francisco barbecue,” avoiding the traditional battles between various regional barbecue styles. “We did not want to have any constraints on us, having anyone saying that we were not authentic to some style.”

Metzger’s original interest in barbecue led him to study under award-winning pit master Mike Mills, in Murphysboro, Illinois. After seeing smoker manufacturing plants and touring Mills’s restaurants, Metzger was inspired to bring the art of barbecue back to San Francisco.

The Dancing Pig kitchen will be headed by chef Michelle Agnew, formerly of the cafe at the de Young Museum (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive).

In addition to the new restaurant, Metzger plans to create a new parklet along the curb near his restaurant.

Similar to other roadside parklets such as the one in front of Squat and Gobble (3600 16th Street), the temporary structure will occupy two parking spaces, will feature landscaping and seating, and is intended for use by the general public.

Metzger presented his plan for the parklet at the February meeting of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro. Metzger, who is gay, explained, “the 500 block of Castro Street doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.

The parklet would benefit the entire area by bringing people down the street, and helping people notice the businesses they might not have seen before.”

Rick Gerharter

Dancing Pig executive chef Michelle Agnew, left, talked with coowners J.R. Kleysteuber and Larry Metzger, who is holding his dog Patch, in their new restaurant. Co-owner Linda Holl is not pictured.

During the discussion period after Metzger’s presentation, David Gray, owner of Hortica (566 Castro Street) expressed his opposition to the plan: “This neighborhood has seen a constant erosion in the amount of parking, year after year.

Frankly, I only see this parklet as benefiting the cafes and restaurants like you.”

Beth Feingold, executive director of Under One Roof (518A Castro Street), spoke in defense of Metzger’s plan, saying, “I’ve walked the city and seen how hard other neighborhoods are working to make themselves open and inviting to pedestrians and to shoppers, and if we don’t do something, they are going to eat our lunch.”

The MUMC membership voted to support the parklet proposal with three dissenting votes.

Inflatable fun Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Sparky’s Balloons has opened its second location at 338 Castro Street, the former location of Gay Cleaners.

Co-owned by Sal Tovar and Ryan Allen, the shop sells balloon bouquets for various occasions and also creates large-scale arches, structures, and balloon characters for parties and events. Tovar and Allen are both gay.

To see examples of Tovar and Allen’s work, visit www.sparkysballoons.com.

Paninis pressed at Gold’s On January 23 SF Grill Castro opened its doors in the space adjacent to Gold’s Gym (2301 Market Street).

The restaurant features a range of grilled paninis, alongside salads, soups, and smoothies. The menu currently includes such unusual choices as buffalo and lamb paninis, with venison and elk coming soon.

The shop is co-owned by business partners Seni Felic and Hasim Zecic, who also own the Bistro SF Grill (2819 California Street). Although the two are straight, Felic resides in the Castro, and is excited to be opening a restaurant in the neighborhood.

“I feel blessed to be able to feed people,” Felic said, and he thinks his healthy, affordable fare will be a good fit for the community. He is also not deterred by the fact that former resident Beautifull closed shop in the same spot after less than six months.

(Beautifull continues to operate its Laurel Heights store at 3401 California Street.)

SF Grill Castro has plans for an official grand opening celebration when its beer and wine license comes through, which Felic expects to happen in about four months. In the future, Felic and Zecic hope to open another half-dozen panini restaurants around the city.

What’s brewing next to Dolores?

Provided the conditional permit is granted, Mate Veza restaurant and organic brewery will be opening See page 16 >>

▼

Community News >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 9

Rick Gerharter

Eric Hupperts displays a banana slug, one of the creatures featured in the “Animal Attraction” exhibit at the Academy of Sciences.

Sex show goes beyond the birds and the bees

by Matthew S. Bajko

A

new “Animal Attraction” exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences opens this weekend. Timed to Valentine’s Day, museum officials promise visitors will “discover how the birds, bees (and fish!) actually do it.”

Whether it will spark romantic urges in the human guests is another matter. It is more likely visitors will be creeped out rather than cooing once they encounter the creatures in the new 18-tank aquarium gallery.

Some of the animals and their bizarre mating rituals and reproductive strategies being highlighted in the new show are cannibalistic praying mantises, parasitic anglerfish, and emperor scorpions.

“It is all about the diversity of life and how life keeps strategizing to keep life going. We learn about the birds and the bees but that is only a small slice of what is going on out there,” said Eric Hupperts, a biologist with the science institution located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

“As far as families and children, these are important lessons we all need to learn. The more we do, the more open-minded we can be about all sorts of other things.”

Hupperts, 32, who is gay, is one of several out academy staffers who helped select the different animals to include in the show. He picked banana slugs, known scientifically as Ariolimax californicus. Not exactly a cuddly or cute choice.

“They are way cooler than people think,” argued Hupperts, who received special permission from state wildlife officials to collect eight slugs from the Santa Cruz Mountains for the show. “They are huge, 10-inchlong, yellow things chilling in the forest.”

They are symbolic creatures of the state’s Redwoods and serve as the UC Santa Cruz mascot. At one time considered for official designation as state mollusk, the air-breathing land slugs also have a “strange sexual reproductive strategy,” noted Hupperts.

“They’re simultaneous hermaphrodites. They have both female and male parts at the same time,” he explained. “It means any other slug they encounter in the Redwoods is a potential mate. They both exchange DNA and deliver semen to the other back and forth.”

At times the mating slugs, which will wrap their penis around one another, may have to resort to what scientists call apophallation.

“Sometimes they get stuck and can’t pull out completely. The way they deal with that is to chew it off,” said Hupperts.

This is the first special exhibition Hupperts, who grew up in Switzerland and Minnesota, has been involved with since being hired on at the academy several years ago. It also marks the first time the facility has kept banana slugs as part of its living collection.

Hupperts used ferns, moss and Redwood bark to make the slugs feel at home. Chilled water running through the tank and misters keep them moist and cool.

“I tried to recreate a slice of the Redwood forest for them,” he said.

“The challenge was to set it up so they are visible and not just hiding all the time.”

Another out biologist, Nicole Chaney, chose two types of insects for the show and one arachnid. Beetle specimens are meant to educate visitors about sexual dimorphism.

The phenomenon refers to when males and females of a species do not look identical.

The others are live displays of an emperor scorpion and the praying mantis. The male scorpion engages in courtship dances to lure a female mate, which will carry her young on her back until their first molt.

The mantis represents the practice of sexual cannibalism. Females have a tendency to devour their male sexual partners either during or after copulation.

There is no guarantee that any of the animals on display will provide live demonstrations of the various See page 17 >>

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10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 11

12 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

▼

Community News >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 13

Report provides detail on August murder of gay man

by Seth Hemmelgarn

A

recently concluded report reveals more details in the death of Clyde “Leo” Neville, 51, a gay man whose body was found gagged and beaten in his apartment at 20 Franklin Street on August 3, 2011. Police haven’t made any arrests in the case.

In its report, the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s office listed the cause of death as “multiple traumatic injuries during acute mixed drug intoxication.”

The review, which was closed Wednesday, February 1, determined that the manner of Neville’s death was homicide. However, the medical examiner’s office indicated that some things remain unclear.

“The possibility of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia [or irregular heartbeat] precipitated by an assault and potentiated by his underlying heart disease or drug use cannot be ruled out,” the report states.

Neville, who had been living with AIDS, also had hypertension – or high blood pressure – Type II diabetes, hepatitis B, and other illnesses, the report states, citing Veterans Affairs hospital staff. A relative has said that Neville once served in the U.S. Air Force.

The report says Neville had “a high ethanol concentration, acute Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) and cannabinoid intoxication,” as well as a “low nordiazepam concentration.”

Cannabinoids are compounds found in marijuana. Nordiazepam is a metabolite.

Neville’s injuries included bruises and cuts on his head, and a fractured collarbone and rib. There were also bruises on the fronts of his upper arms, the report says.

Neville, who was last seen July 31, was found days later in his apartment at the Derek Silva Community, which

Courtesy Anthony Harris

Clyde “Leo” Neville

primarily houses low-income people with HIV and AIDS. Those who knew him have described Neville as well-liked and free-spirited.

His body was discovered after he missed an appointment with his case manager, and the worker became concerned. The medical examiner’s report says that the door to Neville’s unit, where he lived alone, had been locked, but not dead bolted.

Neville was found lying face down next to his bed wearing black sweatpants exposing part of his buttocks.

When he was rolled over, a piece of cloth that had been “tightly secured” around his neck and going through his mouth was discovered.

What appeared to be blood was on his door and on his bedding, and “a few small apparent blood drops and patchy smeared blood” were on the palms of his hands.

The report says that items found at the scene included an empty plastic Taaka vodka bottle that had apparent blood stains on it and could have been used to beat Neville in the head.

An empty bottle for Fluconazole, which is used to treat fungal infections, was in Neville’s left hand. The report says his gastrointestinal system

Courtesy SFPD

San Francisco police released this photo of a “person of interest” in the murder of Clyde “Leo” Neville.

didn’t contain any identifiable tablets, capsules, or pill fragments. His body was in a “moderate” state of decomposition when he was found.

San Francisco homicide Inspector Richard Martin has said that police believe that Neville was killed by someone that he brought home.

Citing information from police, the report states that Neville “was known to pick up men at a local liquor store and take them to his home. He was apparently last seen in the building elevator with an unidentified man.”

In October, police released a photo of a “person of interest” in Neville’s killing, but that doesn’t appear to have helped them identify a suspect.

Martin said recently that he had no new information to share on Neville’s death.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the San Francisco Police Department homicide unit at (415) 553-1145, call the anonymous tip line at (415) 5754444, or text a tip to 847411. Type “SFPD” and then the tip.

The case number is 110 620 063.▼

TLC brings on new legal director

by Seth Hemmelgarn

T

ransgender Law Center’s new legal director has only been on the job for about a month, but it appears she’s already been hard at work.

“Frankly, I’m shocked at the volumes of calls and emails we get,” said Ilona Turner.

In the last week, Turner, 32, said the San Francisco-based nonprofit has heard from a transgender woman in Marin County who was denied a job interview “because the manager told her he found her ‘confusing’” and “he wouldn’t be comfortable working with her,” and a trans woman in the South Bay who said she was “harassed by staffers at a jobs program for people with disabilities.”

Additionally, the center’s been contacted by a transgender man in the Central Valley who was fired after asking “whether his employer’s health plan covered transition-related care;” and a group of transgender women who are in immigration detention in San Diego who, in a letter written in Spanish, described harassment from guards and other detainees.

Turner, who said those are just some examples of TLC’s recent contacts, said the center’s main focus is trying to ensure everyone has access to quality health care and living wage jobs. She said transgender people face “a lot of barriers,” and her agency works to help them overcome those hurdles.

Masen Davis, Transgender Law Center’s executive director, said in a statement, “Ilona has shown im-

Courtesy Ilona Turner

TLC legal director Ilona Turner

mense dedication and skill in working to end discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming people. We’re ecstatic to have her join our team. We’re thrilled that she has experience advocating for equality in the courtroom, statehouses, city halls, and also in the community.”

Turner, whose first day was January 9, replaces Kristina Wertz, an attorney who now serves as the agency’s director of policy and programs. Turner’s salary is $60,000.

Before joining TLC, Turner, who is bisexual, was a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

In the early 2000s, she was the lobbyist for Equality California, where she worked on legislation that prohibited housing and employment discrimination against transgender people and expanded the rights of

domestic partners in the state.

Turner’s also practiced law at Cohen, Weiss, and Simon LLP in New York City, representing unions, union-run health and retirement plans, and employees.

At TLC, Turner oversees two other people – staff attorney Matt Wood and client advocate Danny Kirchoff – and she’d like to bring in more staff.

“There’s such a vast amount of need out there,” she said. “I would love to see us keep increasing our resources.”

She said she also wants to “be able to help more people and take on bigger and bigger cases that can really transform the legal landscape for the transgender community.”

Turner lives in San Francisco and is married to Philip Kaplan, 36, a website programmer.▼

ebar.com

<< The Sports Page

14 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

▼

Reflection on an out life in sports

by Roger Brigham

F

ebruary 1982. I get up from my desk at the Anchorage Daily News and head to the editor’s office, pumped up and ready for a fight. I walk through the room past colleagues and friends, feeling for the moment very alone, very isolated, and very unsure about what is about to happen.

Whatever it is, I am ready for it.

So I walk into the glassedin office and tell my boss I’m gay.

At the time, I had not yet even come out to my parents. They were thousands of miles away in the Midwest and I did not want to tell them until I knew they would be able to see me often enough to know I was happy, the only thing they ever said they wanted me to be.

And I had no gay-and-out friends in sports. Glenn Burke’s story had not yet been published in Inside Sports, and word of the first Gay Olympic Games to be held later that year in San Francisco had not hit Alaska yet. The only gay athlete I had even heard of was former NFL player David Kopay; he was a remote source of inspiration at the time, but the lack of others reinforced my concerns that this was going to be a very lonely and cold excursion.

But after coming to terms with my sexuality relatively late in life in my mid-20s, I was faced with a choice that for me was in fact no choice at all: be open and honest about my relationships with my journalism and

sports colleagues, or forever try to succeed in a very public career while spending an enormous amount of energy maintaining a cloak of secrecy.

As I say, not really a choice at all.

After spending most of the previous three years as the editor of the Kodiak (AK) Daily Mirror, I had joined the Daily News just a year earlier as a sports reporter, then spent a few months shuttling between sports and news depending on where I was most needed. I was a very unlikely candidate for the sports editing job when it opened up – it would have been hard to find a candidate with less sports writing experience than me – but I had the enthusiastic backing of the sports department staff and, as I had promised the ADN in my original application a year earlier, I was “cheap, easy and available.”

Thirty years ago, anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation were virtually unheard of. I did not know whether coming out would cost me my job, my career, my apartment, or my safety. I did not know whether my orientation might somehow become a news story that would draw so much attention to me as to make it impossible for me to perform my job.

Worse than my concerns about my professional career were my concerns about my avocation. In addition to being the sports editor for a newspaper locked in a battleto-the-death journalism war with the rival Anchorage Times, I was also volunteering at the local public high schools as a wrestling coach. I could

Courtesy Jim Lavrakas, Anchorage Daily News.

Roger Brigham gets flipped on the mat for a wrestling story in the Anchorage Daily News.

envision a hysterical, baseless backlash that would banish me from the sport I so loved and gave credit to for all of the success and confidence I have had in life.

It was that confidence and success I was banking on when I walked into Howard Weaver’s office. I was banking on the fact that as my editor, he and the folks at the paper had gotten to know me pretty well over the previous year as a professional and all around decent guy, an asset to the paper, and wouldn’t let a little thing such as who I loved and who I slept with get in the way.

So I walked in and blurted out the news that I was gay and that I thought it was important that my boss knew and that he could call on me if the paper ever needed to know people to talk to in the local queer community and I wasn’t ever going to tell my athletes but I wasn’t ever going to lie about it to my fellow coaches. I think I may have even said that if I got fired for it I was going to try to sue their asses because I know that was my backup plan but maybe I didn’t say that out loud but I know I finally was done talking and rather breathless, waiting for the silence to break, the beginning of the Next Ominous Thing.

Weaver is and was a big bear of a man, a former high school heavyweight wrestler, and one of the most

creative minds I’d ever met in the newspaper field. I’d first become aware of him years earlier when he was working on the renegade Alaska Advocate and it was his presence at the ADN after it was bought by new ownership in an attempt to resurrect it that had convinced me to apply there and return to Alaska. He was for me the embodiment of the libertarian/individual-rights conservative vibe I found so addictive in Alaska – the same vibe that had given me the self confidence to admit my sexuality to myself. So if he was going to have a problem with my coming out, I was in for one very cold winter indeed.

“As I recall, you were the first staffer who came out to me professionally,” Weaver wrote me recently. “I hadn’t been editor very long at that point and I’d never experienced it before. As you might guess, it was a significant event for me. I am happy to remember that my primary reaction was that I felt pleased you trusted me enough to do so. I could see how important it was to you and I was, frankly, kind of honored that you’d come to talk about it.

I don’t remember worrying about any fallout or professional complications.

As I recall, we talked some about how broad disclosure might be interpreted in the sports world – then, as now, one of the more repressed arenas, I’d say. I could tell you’d given it a lot of thought and had wrestled with the is-

sues. But I knew your professionalism and personal integrity and just wasn’t concerned.”

And just like that, I was out.

It’s been 30 years now this month.

Having left mainstream newspapers 15 years ago, I’ve written more than 250 sports columns for the Bay Area Reporter during the past five years: roughly 200,000 of the millions of words I’ve written for sports audiences across the country.

Throughout these past 30 years, I’ve had the chance to be an advocate for equal access for women sportswriters, equal competition opportunities for women athletes, and equal job opportunities for women coaches.

I’ve been able to write about barriers to sports inclusion for trans and intersex athletes. I’ve been able to speak out against sports homophobia.

I’ve been able to cover almost every major sporting event I could imagine: Super Bowls, World Series, World Cups, Summer and Winter Olympics, college championships. And I’ve been able to extend for an improbably long time my life as an athlete and a coach.

What I love most about coaching is the raw physicality of it all: the injection of muscle knowledge into athletes as they pump sweat equity into their budding careers. What I live most about journalism is the intellectual integrity and intimacy of it: the sharing of unadulterated thoughts, emotions and experiences with friends I’ve never met and probably never will.

It was the ability to have those years, to enjoy the physicality and the integrity and the sharing and the sweat and the experiences that I won the day I walked into Weaver’s office. I didn’t know at the time that no other sports editor at a major daily newspaper had done it; I wasn’t thinking in historical terms. All I knew was the life I wanted to have, as a coach, athlete, and journalist. None of it would have been possible if I had remained crouched behind an untold lie.

So if you are an athlete or a coach and haven’t come out yet, take the day and think about that. Weaver is right: we’ve made a ton of progress in sports and have gained a bucketful of acceptance, but it does remain one of the most repressed arenas of the human existence and the only way to beat that is to speak up and fight back.

Come out, come out, wherever you are. There’s a big world out here and it would be a shame for you to miss it. The risk you run in coming out is nothing compared to the risk you take if you don’t.▼

LGBT shelter plans on hold again

by Seth Hemmelgarn

P

lans to open a shelter space welcoming to LGBT homeless people in San Francisco are again on hold.

The anticipated opening has been pushed back several times, but in December, some involved predicted that the 24-bed space would be open by mid-February.

However, Wendy Phillips, interim executive director at Dolores Street Community Services, which operates the shelter where the beds will be located, said in a recent interview that it would probably be “at least a few months” until the space at 1050 South Van Ness Avenue is ready.

Work to establish the space began not long after a Board of Supervisors committee hearing in March 2010 in which LGBTs testified about harassment in San Francisco’s shelters. Out gay Supervisor David Campos led that hearing.

“The main thing from my perspective is that we certainly wish the shelter had opened a while ago, and there is some frustration that it

Jane Philomen Cleland

Supervisor David Campos

hasn’t, that it’s taken this long,” Campos said this week. “There are a lot of different reasons for that, but the bottom line is I think we need to focus on making sure that it opens as quickly as possible, and that is what we’re trying to do.”

Hillary Ronen, an aide to Campos, said that part of the delay involves in-

tentions to design a unique, mixedgender space partitioned into three sections. Movable partitions should allow for privacy for people who identify as female, those who identify as male, and for those who are gender non-conforming.

Working with various agencies, including the city’s planning department, there have been “unexpected wrinkles and delays,” Ronen said.

She couldn’t provide more specifics on the cause for delays.

A call to the planner Ronen said is handling the shelter wasn’t returned.

The cost of operating the shelter space has been estimated to be about $163,000. That money, which comes from the city’s Human Services Agency, will go toward paying staff and other costs. The funding will be part of Dolores Street’s ongoing contract with the agency but hasn’t been guaranteed for a specific number of years, a shelter official has said.

The space is designed to be welcoming to LGBTs 18 and over. Residents will be able to stay for up to 90 days, and could additionally get two 30-day extensions.▼

▼

Prop 8 Ruling >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 15

Rick Gerharter

Plaintiffs Jeff Zarillo and Paul Katami share a kiss on stage with fellow plaintiffs, family and their legal team during a press conference Tuesday night celebrating the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

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Prop 8

From page 1

ed, “Marriage is something we have been waiting a really long time for and, as Kris said, something we can’t wait to happen.”

The Berkeley residents addressed a packed press conference Tuesday night in San Francisco following a 2-1 decision from a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said there is no legitimate reason for California to deny marriage rights to same-sex partners.

Joining the couple for the first time before the media were their 17-year-old fraternal twins Spencer and Elliot. Speaking on behalf of his brother, Spencer Perry said that living under the anti-gay marriage ban has meant that his family is not considered normal.

“Marriage equality is the next step for finally showing California that my parents are equal, that my family is equal,” he said. “This ruling means that in the eyes of the government my family is finally normal. We don’t have to prove that we love each other.”

The other plaintiff couple, Los Angeles residents Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo, also expressed their desire to be married soon. Katami introduced Zarillo, his partner of 11 years, as “my co-plaintiff, my partner, he is my best friend and he is my husband-to-be.”

Zarillo said he hoped that due to the lawsuit “millions of other Americans will very soon be able to marry the person they love.”

He added that, “finally,” he and Katami “will be able to stand before our family and friends and make the one promise we have all longed for, the promise of love and commitment that we will honor for the rest

Jane Philomen Cleland

Meanwhile, in the Castro, Marriage Equality USA leaders Stuart Gaffney and his husband, John Lewis, address a crowd of supporters at a celebratory gathering at the LGBT Community Center.

of our lives.”

Although the majority opinion stopped short of stating that LGBT couples are guaranteed marriage under the U.S. Constitution, it did uphold a district court ruling from 2010 that struck down Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage California voters passed in 2008.

Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt of Los Angeles wrote the February 7 opinion and was joined by Senior Circuit Judge Michael Daly Hawkins of Phoenix. They found that there was no legitimate reason for the enactment of Prop 8 other than to discriminate against LGBT people, a violation of the equal protection clause.

“It strikes a devastating blow to Prop 8,” declared San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, whose office has waged a legal battle for marriage equality since 2004.

David Duran

Narrow ruling Should the appellate judges’ narrow ruling be upheld, it would allow for same-sex marriages to once again occur in the Golden State. It would also likely mean that in the states covered by the 9th Circuit, such as Washington state where legislators are poised to enact a marriage equality law, voters could not then repeal such measures at the ballot box.

Based on the limited scope of the ruling, legal scholars do not believe it will result in a broad federal recognition of same-sex marriage or lead to the overturning of the federal ban known as the Defense of Marriage Act. There are several other lawsuits dealing with DOMA, though, that are expected to land before the Supreme Court.

The ruling against Prop 8 would go into effect in 21 days unless it is appealed, which lawyers for Prop 8’s

Bill Wilson

The Reverend Roland Stringfellow, center, the welcoming congregations coordinator at the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion, led members of the clergy and marriage equality advocates on a march from the federal courthouse to San Francisco City Hall after the Prop 8 decision was announced.

A lone marriage equality supporter, who declined to give her name, walked to San Francisco City Hall ahead of the larger march that started at the federal courthouse after the Prop 8 decision was announced.

proponents are expected to file. They have 15 days from the issuance of the decision to ask for an en banc review from the appellate court, where 11 judges from the 9th Circuit would review the decision.

They could instead opt to appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could then hear the case as soon as the fall. There is no guarantee that the court would accept the case, and should it decide not to, then the lawsuit would end and same-sex marriage would again be legal in California.

But Theodore Olson, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, said this week he “is firmly convinced” the Supreme Court will choose to

hear the case.

“I would be very, very surprised if the Supreme Court doesn’t feel, because this issue is going to come before them one way or another, this is the case that should be there,” he said.

In the meantime, San Francisco officials are looking forward to the day when they can again issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Mayor Ed Lee, who served as the county clerk eight years ago when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom bucked state law and ordered city staff to marry LGBT couples, has instructed his administration to be prepared.

“We are getting ready,” Lee said shortly after the appellate opinion was released. ▼

<< Community News

16 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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Business Briefs

From page 8

in mid-March at 3801 18th Street, the former location of Lilah Belle’s catering service (425 Barneveld Avenue).

The menu will feature Argentinean cuisine, including freshly made empanadas, but the star attraction will be the beers. The shop will include on site a 20-gallon brewery which owner Jim Woods describes as a “beer test-kitchen.” With the smallbatch production Woods will experiment with different specialty flavors and ingredients.

In addition to the Castro-brewed beers, Mate Veza will serve a variety of Belgian and local craft beers.

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Sober space

From page 2

ple an opportunity to communicate with us,” Hollings said at the start of the February 5 meeting.

More than 50 people attended the two-hour session, which marked the first time the advisory board publicly addressed a number of grievances people have raised in recent months ranging from a lack of transparency to how one potential buyer of the building was treated.

“I am personally sorry if anyone was hurt in this process, that was never our intention,” said Hollings. “It did happen and the board is sorry it happened.”

One reason Hollings cited for the minimal communications was the fluidity of the sober space’s fate. Since the death of the original owner of the building in 2009, the club’s future has been cloudy.

The picture became a bit clearer in early January after it was announced that Castro businessman George “Jorge” Maumer, the owner of Superstar Video on Castro Street, had bought the building for $1 million.

Maumer, who has not responded to requests for comment left at the

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1983 killing

From page 3

PERSONAL TRAINER

the park, was walking his dogs there when he discovered Crumbley’s body lying face down at about 5:45 a.m. on November 16, 1983.

Crumbley was near an outside amphitheater at the intersection of Mansell Street and John F. Shelley Drive, according to the report on his death by the medical examiner’s office.

Crumbley’s pants and underwear had been pulled down below his knees. His pockets were inside out, but the report indicates that he still

Woods presented his restaurant proposal at the February MUMC meeting, and the membership voted to support the conditional use application with one dissenting vote.

Paternal tax advice Getting a jump-start on the tax season, Tax Daddy opens this month at 2327 Market Street, the former location of a Sunglass Hut outlet.

The “daddy” behind Tax Daddy is Jeff Johnston, and his primary Johnston Tax Group office is located at 4 Embarcadero Center. Johnston, who is gay, specializes in tax preparation issues for the LGBT community, and he hopes that the Market Street storefront will make it easier for his office

to connect with the community.

“Taxes for a gay or lesbian couple can take five-to-10 times longer than a return for a straight couple,” Johnston said.

Tax Daddy was originally scheduled to open at the beginning of February, but a fire in an upstairs apartment has caused a delay to the schedule. Johnston currently anticipates opening his doors on February 13.

Goodbye old friends On January 27, a post to the Facebook page for P.O. Plus (584 Castro Street) notified customers that the store’s canine mascot KD had passed away due to a tumor on her heart.

KD was only seven years old, so her passing was a shock to P.O. Plus owner Paul Moffett. The purebred Labrador retriever suddenly had difficulty walking, and a trip to the vet revealed that the tumor was causing internal bleeding.

Moffett originally found KD at the SPCA, and named her after singer kd lang’s song “Big-Boned Gal.” “She always brought a smile to everyone who came into the shop,” Moffett said.

Moffett has requested that people consider donating to the SPCA or Rocket Dog Rescue in KD’s memory.

A few weeks earlier on December 11, Missy Too of Michael Bruno Luggage (2267 Market Street) also left her post by the front door

of owner Louis Briasco’s shop. A Lab-mix, Missy Too was named in memory of Briasco’s first dog, Miss Marple, and like KD, Missy Too was felled by a tumor.

From the day that Briasco found her at San Francisco Animal Care and Control in 1999, Missy Too had only been apart from her owner for a total of 10 days.

Briasco noted wryly, “more people came to the store to see her than to see me.” She was present at the shop every day except for Saturdays, which Briasco described as “her day off.”

Briasco is currently visiting shelters and rescues to find a new companion. “I’m a person who needs to have a dog,” he said.▼ other agency and become one of its programs. Yet it would lose its autonomy, and many at the meeting feared it could become a budget ax casualty down the road.

It is more likely that the club will find a new fiscal agent as an interim step toward seeking nonprofit status on its own. That option was endorsed by Stu Smith, who was elected to a new community representative seat on the board at the February 5 meeting.

“We should start off with a fiscal sponsor and move toward becoming our own nonprofit,” said Smith. “We should start where we’ve been and move toward what we can be.”

Another town hall type meeting is being planned for sometime in the spring. Until then the advisory board meets the second Tuesday of the month.

Despite it falling on Valentine’s Day, the board plans to meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 14 at the club.

The meeting is open to the public.

“One way or another on July 1 the country club will still be there and the doors will be open,” said Hollings. “What matters to me is we have a sustainable solution that keeps us running.”▼ tions with a man.

Pera didn’t know how long Crumbley had been staying in San Francisco, but she said that it appeared that he had addresses here and in Texas.

The homicide cold case unit started informally around four years ago and “became a little more formal two to three years ago” when it obtained a grant of about $424,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Pera said. They’ve applied for an extension.

The unit began looking at Crumbley’s death around 2009 or 2010, she said.

The next court date in the case is February 16 to set a date for the preliminary hearing, which is typically when a judge decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial.▼

video store, has indicated to the club’s board and city officials he intends to lease the first floor space to the club.

He has also submitted an application with the planning department to turn the garage space into a retail location.

As part of his plan, he would remove the driveway and curb cuts in front of the garage, thus creating a new parking space on 18th Street, a rarity to have happen in the Castro.

Maumer may be looking at relocating his video store into the space, as its current space at 474 Castro Street is listed as available for rent.

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener, who attended Sunday’s meeting, said he had recently sat down with Maumer and his architect to discuss their plans.

“I know the owner of the building.

He has said repeatedly to me he is interested in keeping the Castro Country Club,” said Wiener.

According to club officials they are negotiating with Maumer, who was said to have been out of the country last week, on the terms of their lease. The board indicated Sunday it would like a long-term lease, lasting at least five years, with an option to buy the building.

The club’s board has met with

Maumer, but Hollings said, “He hasn’t gone into a whole lot of detail about the retail space. Our primary interest is in making sure we have a long-term lease for the space we are in now.”

The lease would not include an upstairs apartment that had become a flashpoint in the sale of the building last fall. For years the club has had a manager whose compensation included living in the apartment.

The arrangement was sanctioned

by Baker Places, the club’s fiscal sponsor since 2000, and allowed it to afford to hire a manager on a part-time salary but for full-time work.

As of July 1 that situation will come to an end, as Baker Places has informed the club it will dissolve its partnership on that date with the sober space. At such time the lease for the upstairs apartment will not be under the country club’s auspices and the manager’s compensation will need to be renegotiated.

“The relationship between the manager and the club will be entirely different as of July 1. It will not be tied to the upstairs unit,” said Mike Marshall, an advisory club member.

Baker Places has also been underwriting the cost of the club’s operations, at a cost of about $50,000 a year. The club’s operating expenses cost $155,111 in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, but its revenue from room rentals and an on-site cafe generated only $80,000.

Starting this summer the club will be on its own in paying its bills. A fundraising campaign to keep it housed in its current building has so far raised close to $200,000, money that can be used to cover its monthly costs.

“We are having discussions with Baker Places to make sure the transition meets all California laws and that it is legal and transparent,” said Hollings. “We are just starting this process.”

In the meantime, club officials are reviewing several options to ensure its long-term stability. One is becoming its own nonprofit and seeking 501(c)3 status.

Another is finding a new fiscal agent that can assist it with management duties. But board members do not expect to find another agency that will supplement its costs as Baker Places has done.

A third less likely scenario would be for the club to be merged with an-

had his checkbook on him when his body was found.

The report notes “the possibility of a missing belt” and says there was “a belt type marking” above his neck.

Crumbley’s anus showed no evidence of contusion, abrasion, or laceration, but rectal smears tested positive for spermatozoa, the report says.

His injuries included abrasions to his neck, with evidence of hemorrhages near the trachea and other areas; and wounds to his face, knees, and a hip. Crumbley had blood around his nose and mouth, and

there was grass on his face and “road debris” around his knees and thighs.

The medical examiner’s report indicates no alcohol or drugs were found in his system.

The San Francisco Police Department’s homicide cold case unit, working under a federally funded DNA grant, investigated the incident and identified Payne as the suspect.

San Francisco Police Inspector Joe Toomey, the lead investigator in this case, is a retired veteran homicide inspector who was brought back on a part-time basis under the federally funded grant.

Toomey said he wouldn’t comment on whether the case involved consensual sex or rape. He said that he thinks Crumbley was killed in the park, but he wouldn’t elaborate.

Asked whether the park is known as a gay cruising spot, Toomey said, “I don’t know it to be,” and he said it wasn’t 30 years ago, either.

San Francisco Police Inspector Holly Pera, with the homicide cold case unit, has also been investigating Crumbley’s death. Asked if there had been a relationship between Payne and Crumbley, Pera said, “From what I’ve seen in the case and what I know, I would say no,” but she couldn’t be certain.

She also couldn’t say whether the incident involved consensual sex.

“It certainly appears there was sexual activity, but whether it started out as a rape or became a rape, or whether there is a rape or not ... I can’t say,” she said.

She said that Payne has denied ever having any kind of sexual rela-

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▼ <<

Community News >>

Sex show

From page 9

sexual strategies they are meant to help explain. Visitors may be lucky enough to catch the live hatching of a brownbanded bamboo shark egg case.

According to Hupperts, a female shark in the academy’s Steinhart Aquarium has been laying the egg cases despite having never been introduced to a male version of her species. Several of her egg cases, which

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Spike in STDs

From page 1

659 seen in 2010.

The 3.5 percent increase signaled a remarkable drop off from the 26.4 percent increase seen in 2010.

The city’s STD chief, Dr. Susan Philip, did not respond to the Bay Area Reporter’s emailed request for comment this week.

The unofficial 2011 STD data comes from the San Francisco Monthly STD Report prepared on January 30 and published Thursday, February 2. The final tallies for STD

<<

AIDS quilt

From page 1

but also marks the AIDS Memorial Quilt’s 25th anniversary.

The genesis for the show came five months ago from Castro businessman Petyr Kane, who owns clothing stores Citizen and Body.

He enlisted the help of Under One Roof, a Castro store that donates proceeds to local HIV agencies, and inquired with the Names Project Foundation, the nonprofit steward of the quilt, about mounting a show in the city.

“The quilt has not been shown in San Francisco for years. Many of my employees who are part of the younger generation have no knowledge about it,” Kane said during a meeting last week for Castro merchants in explaining why he felt

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News Briefs

From page 7

care decisions. Certified trainers will discuss how couples can document their health care options, choose the right person to make decisions on their behalf, and how to talk with loved ones about medical treatment choices, values, and goals.

For information about these and other free seminars in Marin and Sonoma counties, visit Hospice By the Bay at www.hbtb.org and look for the upcoming events schedule or call (415) 526-5580.

Castro patrol seeks volunteers Castro Community on Patrol will hold its next new volunteer training class on Wednesday, February 15 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Chase Bank Community Room, 2112 15th Street.

Ken Craig, director of volunteer training and the emergency services liaison, noted in a news release that volunteer patrollers are asked to commit to a minimum of one, three-hour shift per month as part of their obligation. Craig said that flexible scheduling is available, which allows certified patrollers

On the web Online content this week includes the Out in the World column and an article about a new book about a gay priest who used to minister to the homeless in San Francisco. Additionally, check out the Bay Area Reporter’s two online columns, Political Notes and Wedding Bell Blues. www.ebar.com.

contain a single baby shark, are part of the exhibit.

“It reproduced asexually,” he said.

“The egg cases are hanging there and backlit so you can see them moving around. One of them already hatched last week. It broke out of its egg case.

It is doing great.”

The show does not include any overt mentions of homosexual behaviors in the animal kingdom. The reason being, said Hupperts, is that despite the title of the show it is not so much focused on attraction among

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 17

animals but on how they reproduce offspring.

“There is nothing specific about LGBT stuff, but there are a lot of interesting and different out-of-the box strategies for reproduction,” said Hupperts. “Life evolves around passing our genes on. Animals have many different techniques to do that and produce offspring.”

The new exhibit opens to the public Saturday, February 11. For more information about the academy, visit www.calacademy.org/.▼

rates will not be known until later this year with the publication of the 2011 Annual Summary.

It is unclear if the continued climb in STD rates is due to the city’s continued push to get more people tested for STDs or is attributable to more risky sexual behaviors. It could be a combination of the two.

In terms of gay and bisexual men, health officials have pointed to the embrace of serosorting, where men who have sex with men seek out sexual partners of the same HIV status in order to forgo using condoms, as one possibility for the ris-

ing STD rates among men. While the practice is seen as an HIV prevention strategy, it does not protect men from contracting an STD. Health officials recommend all sexually active gay and bisexual men be tested for STDs every three to six months for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Additionally, all women 25 years old and younger should be screened for chlamydia at least annually.

Anyone with an STD should seek prompt treatment and is encouraged to be re-screened in three months.▼

the time was right to bring the quilt back.

In addition to the quilts that will be housed at the former Tower Records space, four Castro businesses will each display a 12-foot by 12-foot block of the quilt for the duration of the exhibit, which runs through Monday, February 20.

The other locations are Body (450 Castro Street), Under One Roof (518A Castro Street), Bank of America (501 Castro Street), and Catch (2362 Market Street). The seafood restaurant’s building is where both the Names Project and Under One Roof were originally housed in the 1990s.

In 2000 the Names Project relocated to Atlanta, where it is now headquartered and stores the majority of quilt panels. A small segment of the quilt remains in storage in San Fran-

cisco and, at times, panels have been shown at area schools or at City Hall.

The display at the Market Street space will be open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. during the eight-day exhibit. Entrance is free, though donations will be accepted and distributed to a number of local AIDS nonprofits.

“We wanted to do something big that would draw attention back to this critical issue, and combat what we’re seeing as a decreasing concern about getting infected,” stated Beth Feingold, executive director of Under One Roof. “We’re so grateful to all involved for their hard work in getting this event off the ground, and hope the quilt will remind the community of the thousands of friends and loved ones we’ve lost through the years.

They are still, and will continue to be, dearly missed.”▼

to choose their other team members as well as what day and time they will patrol.

CCOP is an equal opportunity organization. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Patrollers walk the neighborhood in teams of three to hand out safety whistles and information, provide safety guidance and advice to residents and visitors, observe and report suspected criminal activity and crimes in progress, and work closely with other local community groups and law enforcement to help improve and enhance the safety of the neighborhood.

People interested in registering for the training should send their name, address, and cellphone number to trainings@castropatrol.org.

the Reverend Jim Mitulski will be honored. Now senior pastor at New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley, Mitulski is the former pastor at Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco, where he served in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mitulski is receiving the award in the wake of the advent controversy at Most Holy Redeemer, when San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer forced the parish to disinvite several gay and lesbian religious leaders from participating in the Advent series.

While Mitulski wasn’t among those invited, he has spoken at Most Holy Redeemer in the past. Most Holy Redeemer parishioner Jim McCrae, who has taken a leave of absence from the church in response to the Advent flap, nominated Mitulski for the award.

The Advent controversy at Most Holy Redeemer illustrates the continuing need for organizations such as Dignity, said co-chair Veronica Abrickis.

“Dignity is relevant to LGBT Christians today because it’s the only opportunity for many of us to express our Catholic faith in an environment that is truly, fully accepting of who we are,” Abrickis stated. “Although there are Catholic parishes that are welcoming and their membership is accepting, they are limited by Vatican Doctrine, and they can only go so far.”

Tickets start at $80 and can be purchased by visiting Dignity’s website at www.dignitysanfrancisco.org.

Reservations are requested by February 12.▼

Dignity to honor minister, community leaders Dignity San Francisco, the local chapter of the gay and lesbian Catholic organization, will hold its 29th Pax et Bonum awards dinner next Saturday, February 18 at Soluna Cafe, 272 McAllister Street in San Francisco. A reception starts the evening off at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 7:45, and dancing from 10 until midnight.

This year the local Dignity chapter will honor Colage, an organization for children of LGBT parents, for its service to the community, and Emmanuel Romero for service to the Dignity/SF community.

For service to the church at large,

Legal Notices>>

STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE# CNC-12-548356 In the matter of the application of KATE SOLODKY for change of name. The application of KATE SOLODKY for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that KATE SOLODKY filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to KATE SOLODKY ROZENVASSER. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 22nd of March, 2012 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted

JAN 19,26,FEB 2,9,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034051700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as FIVE DOLLAR TRANSPORTS, 473 Lynbrook Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Franz Vargas. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/12.

JAN 19,26,FEB 2,9,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034051300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CS DESIGN MANAGEMENT, 499 Alabama St. #117, SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Carol Satriani. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/12.

JAN 19,26,FEB 2,9,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034051600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LAST STOP SOUVENIERS, 498 Beach St., SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Ulises C.Napuri. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/12.

JAN 19,26,FEB 2,9,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034032600 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SUN MAY GIFT CO., 1151 Grant Ave., SF, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Reagan Huang. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/4/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/4/12.

JAN 19,26,FEB 2,9,2012 STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FILE# CNC-12-548367 In the matter of the application of CHARLES ULYSSES TATE II for change of name. The application of CHARLES ULYSSES TATE II for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that CHARLES ULYSSES TATE II filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to CHARLOTTE URSULA TATE. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 8th of March, 2012 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034059000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as JAMBER, 858 Folsom St., SF, CA 94107.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Jessica Voss. 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 01/18/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034059100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as COCODRILO RECORDS, 1438 Hudson Ave., SF, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Miguel A. Ramirez. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/18/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/18/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034051400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SILUETA, 845 East 12th St., Pittsburg, CA 94565.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Haydee F. Nunez. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034060800 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MISSION PIZZA, 2074 Mission St., SF, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, signed Hatem Chouaieb. 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 01/18/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012

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STATEMENT FILE A-034060100 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SIGSBEE’S, 371 Waller St.,#10, SF,CA 94117.

This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Jennifer Jett. 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 01/18/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034051200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as L. STONE & CO., 1446 41st Ave, SF, CA 94122.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Laurel Moore. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/12/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/12/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034067700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as AUTOWORLD COLLISION, 5550 Mission St., SF, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Roger Wong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/20/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034045200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CASSAVA BAKERY & CAFÉ, 3519 Balboa St., SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed Yuka Ioroi.

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 01/10/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034064000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as 1.TUMMY MORSELS, 2.TUMMY MORSEL, 3.TUMMYMORSELS.COM, 1012 Kirkham Ave., Apt.4, SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, signed Brian Lasofsky. 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 01/20/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034061000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as 1.CORONA HEIGHTS CONSULTING GROUP, 2.SLOMAN CONSULTING, 1222 Clayton St., #11, SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Mark Sloman. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/30/11. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/18/12.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: #A-0339749-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as CORONA HEIGHTS CONSULTING GROUP, 1222 Clayton St. #11, SF, CA 94114. This business was conducted by a general partnership, signed Mark Sloman. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/30/11.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: #A-0319547-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as SLOMAN CONSULTING, 1222 Clayton St.,#11, SF,CA 94114.This business was conducted by a general partnership, signed Mark Sloman.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/28/09.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: #A-0335185-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as STAR 16, 2074 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business was conducted by an individual, and is signed Michael Wannaviroj. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 04/26/11.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: #A-0332973-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as A BOOK IN THE HAND, 1454 Cortland Ave., SF, CA 94110.This business was conducted by a general partnership, signed Cathleen O’Brien.

The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/11.

JAN 26,FEB 2,9,16,2012 STATEMENT FILE A-034062500 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MB ELECTRIC, 243 Chenery St., SF, CA 94131.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Michael T. Ballingall. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/15/86. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/19/12.

FEB 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

18 • Bay Area Reporter • February 9-15, 2012

Classifieds Stepping Stone_2 2x3s

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Legal Notices>>

The

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLICIT BIDS

The NORTH AND SOUTH OF MARKET ADULT DAY HEALTH, CORPORATION, DBA STEPPINGSTONE, a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, is soliciting letters of interest from prospective suppliers of meals in order to comply with the federal regulations governing the program in matters of procurement. The contract will be for lunches served to clients at their four centers: STEPPINGSTONE MABINI DAY HEALTH, 55 MABINI, SAN FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE GOLDEN GATE DAY HEALTH, 350 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE PRESENTATION DAY HEALTH, 301 ELLIS STREET, SAN OF FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE MISSION PUBLIC NOTICE INTENT TO SOLICIT BIDS CREEK DAY HEALTH, 930 FOURTH STREET, SAN FRANCISCO The NORTH AND SOUTH OF MARKET ADULT DAY HEALTH, for a one-year period beginning 07/01/2012.

CORPORATION, DBA STEPPINGSTONE, a participant in the Child and The lunches to be served under this contract must meet the requirements of Adult Care Food Program, soliciting of interest Title 22 of the State Health isand Welfare letters Code and Title 7,from Codeprospective of Federal suppliers of meals in orderantoaverage comply1/3 with the federal governing Regulations, and contain RDA. All foodregulations service vendors who the program in matters of procurement.

The contract will be for lunches may have interest in bidding for this contract are requested to submit, by served to clients at of their four to: centers: STEPPINGSTONE MABINI 02/29/2012, a letter interest SteppingStone, Mission Creek ADH, DAY HEALTH, 55 MABINI, SAN FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE Attn: Moli Steinert, 930 Fourth Street, San Franicsco, CA 94158 GOLDEN GATEregarding DAY HEALTH, 350 GOLDEN AVENUE, Any questions this proposed contractGATE may be referredSAN to: FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE PRESENTATION DAY HEALTH, Moli Steinert at 415-974-6784.

301 ELLIS STREET, SAN FRANCISCO; STEPPINGSTONE MISSION CREEK DAY HEALTH, 930 FOURTH STREET, SAN FRANCISCO for a one-year period beginning 07/01/2012.

The lunches to be served under this contract must meet the requirements of Title 22 of the State Health and Welfare Code and Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, and contain an average 1/3 RDA. All food service vendors who may have interest in bidding for this contract are requested to submit, by 02/29/2012, a letter of interest to: SteppingStone, Mission Creek ADH, Attn: Moli Steinert, 930 Fourth Street, San Franicsco, CA 94158

Stepping Stone_2>> 2x3s Legal Notices

feb 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034067800 statement file A-034079300 The following person(s) is/are doing business as MSN INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY, 711 Market St. 2nd Fl., SF, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a general partnership, signed Masud Husain.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/24/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/25/12.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034089200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as 1.J&T COMPANY, 2.FAITH SANDWICH, 548 6th Ave., SF, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a husband and wife, signed Jack Duong. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/27/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/30/12.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034076100

Any questions regarding this proposed contract may be referred to: Moli Steinert at 415-974-6784.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as FOX MARKET, 570 Larkin St., SF, CA 94102.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Dipak Gandhi. 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 01/24/12

NOTICE INVITING BIDS

Sealed bids will be received by NORTH AND SOUTH OF MARKET ADULT DAY HEALTH, CORPORATION, DBA STEPPINGSTONE at 930 FOURTH STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94158 until 04/13/2012 for meals for service in four Adult Day Care Centers. At said time and place and promptly thereafter all bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

FEB 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034080400

Desciption of Product for Bid: Bulk Lunches (inclusive of milk), delivered Monday-Friday to four location, based on a 31 day menu cycle

NOTICE INVITING BIDS to be provided by this agency.

Sealed bids will be received by NORTH AND SOUTH OF MARKET All meals of every type will meet the minimum standards set by the ADULT DAY HEALTH, CORPORATION, DBA STEPPINGSTONE United States Department of Agriculture for Child and Adult Care at 930 FOURTH STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94158 until Food Program meals of that type.

04/13/2012 for meals for service in four Adult Day Care Centers. At The Contract awardedthereafter to the responsible bidder said time and placewill andbe promptly all bids that havewhose been duly bid is responsive to be thepublicly invitation and isand most advantageous to received will opened read aloud.

STEPPINGSTONE, price and other factors considered, with any or all Desciption of Product for Bid: Bulk Lunches (inclusive of milk), bids rejected when it is in the interest to do so. delivered Monday-Friday to four location, based on a 31 day menu cycle to be provided by this agency. statement file A- 034063300

statement file A-034038500

The following person(s) as The following standards person(s) is/are All meals of is/are everydoing typebusiness will meet the minimum setdoing by business the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSET LIQUIDATORS, as DOUBLE INFINITY, 88 Perry St. #205, SF, United States Department of Agriculture for Child and Adult Care 243 Parnassus Ave. #4, SF, CA 94117. This CA 94107. This business is conducted by an Program meals individual, of that type. business is conducted by anFood individual, and and is signed Thomas Burns. The is signed Frederick Gulotta. The registrant(s) registrant(s) commenced to transact business The Contract will be awarded to the responsible bidder commenced to transact business under the above under the above listed fictitiouswhose business name bid isbusiness responsive the on invitation orand is most advantageous towas filed listed fictitious name ortonames names on 01/06/12.

The statement 01/19/12.

The statement was filedprice with the Cityother factors with theconsidered, City and County with of Sanany Francisco, CA STEPPINGSTONE, and or all and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/20/12. on 01/06/12.

bids rejected when it is in the interest to do so.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034081800

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034083800

statement file A-034098400 The following person(s) is/are doing business as SHELTER CO., 701 Florida St., SF, CA 94110.

This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Kelsey Sheofsky. 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 02/01/12.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as THE DUBLINER, 3838 24th St., SF, CA 94114.

This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Cheuk Yan Yeung. 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 01/25/12

FEB 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 Statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name: #A-0339393-00 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as PRIORITY CARE SERVICES, 2636 Judah St. #207, SF, CA 94122.This business was conducted by an individual, signed Alex Tico. The fictitious name was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/09/11.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 notice of application TO SELL alcoholic beverageS Dated 02/03/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: SHARAKA VENTURES INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 1136 Valencia St., SF, CA 94110-3027. Type of license applied

On-sale BEER AND WINE eating Fax 41-to: place

The following person(s) is/are doing business as The following person(s) is/are doing business as VFORTAL CLEANING SERVICES, 5214F Diamond PRIORITY PERSONAL SERVICES, 2636 Judah St. Heights Blvd. #712, SF, CA 94131-2175. This #207, SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted business is conducted by an individual, and is by an individual, and is signed Alex Tico. The 395 Ninth Street S.F. CAViviane C. Cavalcante. The registrant(s) signed registrant(s) commenced to transact business commenced to transact business under the under the above listed fictitious business name PHONE 415.861.5019 FAX 861-8144 above listed fictitious business name or names or names on 01/26/12. The statement was filed on 01/26/12. The statement was filed with with the City and County of San Francisco, CA the City and County of San Francisco, CA on on 01/26/12.

01/26/12. feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ALLIANCE COMPUTER’S, 2600 Judah St., SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Dzmitry Bychkou. 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 01/23/12.

feb 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034046700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as ORTIZ TAX AND NOTARY SERVICES, 2517 Mission St. #8, SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Olga Ortiz. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/11/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/11/12.

feb 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034068000

statement file A-034105700 The following person(s) is/are doing business as WIZARD OF ADS, 335 Grand View Ave. #1, SF, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Herman J. Hobi. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/03/12.

feb 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034110900 The following person(s) is/are doing business as CAVALIER, 1035 Post St., SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Jay Jeffers. 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 02/07/12.

FEB 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034112200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as: DANTE’S WEIRD FISH, 2193 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Peter Hood. 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 02/07/12.

FEB 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034112300

The following person(s) is/are doing business as WATERLOO BEVERAGES, 295 Terry Francois St., Shed A, SF, CA 94158. This business is conducted by a limited liability company, and is signed John Valeer. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/23/12.

The following person(s) is/are doing business as: THE PERCH, 2199 Mission St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation, and is signed Peter Hood. 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 02/07/12.

FEB 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012

FEB 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012

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feb 9, 2012 notice of application for change in ownership of alcoholic beverage license

Fax from:

statement file A-034081700

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012

statement file A-034089900 The following person(s) is/are doing business The following person(s) is/are doing business as AT CONSULTING, 2636 Judah St. #207, as GREEN MEADOWS JANITORIAL SERVICE, SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by 658 Linden St., SF, CA 94102. This business an individual, and is signed Alex Tico. The is conducted by an individual, and is signed registrant(s) commenced to transact business 395 Ninth Street S.F.Beverly CA Hull. The registrant(s) commenced under the above listed fictitious business name transact business under the above listed or names onPHONE 01/26/12. The statement was filed 415.861.5019 FAXto 861-8144 fictitious business name or names on with the City and County of San Francisco, CA 01/30/12. The statement was filed with the on 01/26/12.

City and County of San Francisco, CA on feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 01/30/12.

Dated 02/06/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: SUGITA FOODS INC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 704 Sutter St., SF, CA 94109. Type of license applied

Fax to:

41- On-sale BEER AND WINE eating place feb 9, 2012 statement file A- 034096500

Fax from:

statement file A-034066500

The following person(s) is/are doing business as ROYAL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT COMPANY, 2241 Judah St., SF, CA 94122. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Xiong Hua Xie. 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 01/20/12.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 state of california in and for the county of san francisco file# CNC-12-548390 In the matter of the application of WEIXING XIAO for change of name. The application of WEIXING XIAO for change of name having been filed in Court, and it appearing from said application that WEIXING XIAO filed an application proposing that his/her name be changed to LANA RUSH. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered, that all persons interested in said matter do appear before this Court in Room 514 on the 3rd of April, 2012 at 9:00 am of said day to show cause why the application for change of name should not be granted

feb 9, 16, 23, MaR 1, 2012

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 statement file A-034084000 The following person(s) is/are doing business as LA BOHEMIA PRODUCTIONS, 2905 23rd St., SF, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Carlos Disdier. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/26/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/26/12.

feb 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 notice of application TO SELL alcoholic beverageS Dated 01/26/12 To Whom It May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) is/are: LAUREL ENTERPRISES LLC. The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2208, Oakland, CA 94612 to sell alcoholic beverages at 3250 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025-1828.

Type of license applied

41- On-sale BEER AND WINE eating place feb 9, 16, 23, 2012

The following person(s) is/are doing business as STANCE LAB, 3542 Anza St., SF, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Wilson Tam. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/12.

The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/01/12.

feb 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012 statement file A-034102200 The following person(s) is/are doing business as I.P. ESTIMATES, 1300 Sacramento St. #304, SF, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual, and is signed Illario Peppe. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/02/12. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 02/02/12.

FEB 9, 16, 23, MAR 1, 2012

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February 9-15, 2012 • Bay Area Reporter • 19

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Groups/Individuals 415-309-5105 for info.

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Our Annual Reader’s Choice Awards, one of the largest and most widely read issues of the year, will publish on April 5, 2012 and will celebrate the best the Bay Area has to offer from an LGBT perspective.

Our Reader’s Choice Award ballot is on the back page of this issue.

Vote on your favorites from local restaurants, shopping and services to the best places Client_size_issue to work, live, love and more. And win valuable prizes.

The

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Complete and mail this ballot to the address below before February 29, 2012 or vote online at: www.ebar.com/bestofthegays-2012/ or download the pdf at: www.ebar.com/downloads/BOTG/2012Poll.pdf

hoice Awards C s’ er d ea R l a u n Our 2 An nd

You could win one of the following prizes just for voting for your favorite places, people and things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

• Early-Bird Drawing: ACADEMY OF FRIENDS GALA TICKETS:

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• Grand Prize: MAUI SUNSEEKER VACATION: Win a 4-night stay at Hawaii’s largest gay-owned and operated resort.

• $500 Shopping Spree at Citizen on Castro • Hard Rock Café Gift Basket • $500 Shopping Spree at Body on Castro • $250 Gift Certificate to Gallery of Jewels • 2-night stay at any Kimpton Hotel • $100 in Gift Certificate to Good Vibrations • SF Giants tickets for 2 club level seats behind home plate and VIP parking pass

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Vol. 41 • No. 06 • February 9-15, 2012

www.ebar.com/arts

The Castro Theatre welcomes Ali MacGraw

by David-Elijah Nahmod

I

t was the Titanic of its day. In 1970, the movie Love Story struck a chord with moviegoers, becoming more than just a top grosser. It was an event, one that was experienced over and over again, primarily by teens. Some viewers admitted to having seen the film three, four or five times. In only her second film role, supermodel Ali MacGraw received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She didn’t win, but her unforgettable line, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” remains a catch phrase to this day.

Love Story was a simple tale. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. She dies of leukemia at 25. It was a film that audiences loved to weep to. MacGraw and co-star Ryan O’Neal were both stunningly beautiful, and Francis Lai’s haunting piano score, which won an Oscar, was likened to a classical concerto.

Four decades later, senior citizen MacGraw remains a phenomenal beauty. Though her acting career stalled as the years passed, she remains beloved by an adoring public. As she prepares to appear at the Castro Theater for a Valentine’s Day screening of Love Story, she explained to the B.A.R. that her slowed-down career was in part due to her own choices.

“After I did The Getaway, my third film, I didn’t work,” she said. “I had a son. I was a hands-on Mom. I don’t know how to do both.”

She recalls Love Story fondly. “It affected me, I don’t know why. I asked my agent to submit it as my second film. The novel was brilliant, and by the time the film came out, it was a movie of a best-selling book. It was translated into many of the languages that author Erich Segal spoke – he was an Oxford professor.”

Years later, MacGraw joined the cast of the iconic TV series Dynasty. She appeared on the show at the same time as cinema legend Rock Hudson, whose gaunt on-camera appearance attracted much media attention. Soon after, Hudson became the first celebrity to make headlines by dying of AIDS. MacGraw dispelled long-standing rumors regarding AIDS-phobia on the Dynasty set.

“Rock Hudson was a lovely, huge, beautiful movie star, and my memory of him was of a gentleman with whom we were all honored to be working,” she said. “I do not remember one little moment of any sort of phobia about the possibility that he was so ill with the disease that had just come to the attention of the world. I, for one, liked him enormously. If anyone was ever afraid to work with him, I certainly did not know about it.”

Ali MacGraw in Love Story days.

See page 33 >>

Proudly independent 14th San Francisco IndieFest highlights

by David Lamble

S

F IndieFest turns 14 as San Francisco’s Sundance for the rest of us kicks off at the Roxie (Feb. 9-23) with the un-spooling of cult director Abel Ferrara’s 4:44 Last Day on Earth followed by the first of IndieFest’s awesome parties, a Spinal Tap-themed bash at Sub-Mission; 80+ features and docs; Roller Disco Night (2/11) and the Big Lebowski Party (2/18, both at Cellspace) and IndieFest’s Valentine blast, Love Bites (Roxie, 2/14, 9:30 p.m.).

No Look Pass Her nickname’s “Etay,” for Emily Tay; her folks – refugees from Burma’s 50-

year, viciously repressive military junta – push her through to Harvard; once in Cambridge, since Harvard has no sports scholarships, Etay does what she must, including cleaning toilets, to make the grade in women’s basketball, competing with archrival Dartmouth for the Ivy League championship. Borrowing her trademark scoring play, the no look pass, from former men’s pro Allen Iverson, Etay draws attention for her offcourt moves: coming out as a lesbian to teammates; finally breaking into a provincial German See page 32 >>

SF IndieFest

Emily Tay in a scene from director Melissa Johnson’s No Look Pass.

{ SECOND OF TWO SECTIONS }

<< Out There

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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Magazine rack

by Roberto Friedman

O

ut There is a big consumer of periodicals, newspapers and other media: we consider it part of our job to sample what’s on offer for our reading pleasure. Here are a few passages from the magazines we’ve been perusing.

1. The ex-editor of XY magazine Peter Ian Cummings and the exeditor of A&F Quarterly Savas Abadsidis have teamed up for their new B magazine, which they’ve dubbed the “gay magazine of the future.” Like their previous glossies for young gay men, the premiere issue of B is chockfull of photos of shirtless guys, pulpy

San Francisco singer Paula West, coming to the Herbst.

features (“Photographer Chad Hardy says missionaries are sexy. Mormon officials have other ideas,”) and fashion and style advice. Even though we are waaay out of their target demographic, OT enjoyed all the eye-candy and catchy graphics, and most of the beefcake come-ons (“Nick Jonas goes swimming with fake captions,”) although we could have skipped the re-print of former XY news editor Benoit Denizet-Lewis’ New York Times Magazine piece on “My ExGay Friend: How XY’s managing editor went straight.” Enough with that drama queen already. But we would not have missed editor Cummings’ photo-feature “Donde esta la shag? In defense of the kiss,” a bunch of bosomy buddies bussing, given the tagline, “They do not love, that do not show their love.” (Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, 1590.)

B magazine is available at Barnes and Nobles stores, or for further info go to www.bmag.us.

2. From Amanda Stern’s interview with performance artist Laurie Anderson in the February issue of The Believer: Laurie Anderson: “Our dog Lolabelle died.”

Believer: “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, what a sweetie pie. She was my best friend. When you’re very physically attached to something – not so much mentally, but physically, something that is always at your knee, you know – it’s very different when they evaporate. So in The Tibetan Book of the Dead, for 49 days you’re in the Bardo, and it describes in a really fascinating way how you lose your

senses and how your mind dissolves as you prepare for another cycle. At the end of that 49-day period, you are born in another form, and, in my dog’s case, what was at the end of that 49th day was my birthday. I’m kind of a believer in magic numbers, in a way.”

3. Last Monday’s New York Times crossword puzzle featured the clue, “Ones neither gay nor straight,” and the answer was “Bis.” Another small step for LGBT mankind! San Francisco Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik had the scoop that the puzzle was authored by Lowell High School junior Francesco Trogu.

4. From the Times’ Weekend Arts section, in a review of Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America by Christopher Bram (Twelve): “When Joseph Papp, founder of the Public Theater, first read The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer’s sprawling 1985 play about the early days of the AIDS crisis, he thought it was a mess. ‘This is one of the worst things I’ve ever read,’ Papp said. But the play so moved him that he added, ‘and I’m crying.’” What a sensitive soul that Mr. Papp was.

5. From that same issue, in a review of Gran Fury: Read My Lips, a retrospective of the work of 1990s NYC art collective Gran Fury, which grew out of ACT UP: “In the catalog, members describe how ACT UP was initially composed of middle-class white gay men who ‘weren’t accustomed to being victimized by society in this new and deadly way.’ Gran Fury subsequently tailored its output to include campaigns like ‘Women Don’t Get AIDS’ from 1991 (the punch line: ‘they only die from it,’) and materials addressing the devastation of AIDS among minorities.” (The show runs through March 17 at 80WSE, a gallery of New York University.)

Standard. She has won the prestigious Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist three times, and has charmed critics and audiences from coast to coast and as far away as Tokyo, Athens, Moscow, and Paris. For tickets, call (415) 392-5225 or go to: www. cityboxofffice.com.

While we’re going West, check this out: there are insights about LGBTs in early California in the new exhibit Singing the Golden State now showing at the Society of California Pioneers in SF. The artwork speaks of a time when music was one of the main ways local news and culture were communicated. The exhibit spotlights graphically striking sheetmusic covers published from 1849 through the 1930s, along with other printed materials, sound recordings, instruments, and memorabilia relating to California and its early musical life. There are MP3 stations at the museum where people can listen to the music.

Someone actually wrote a song about Hayes Valley, and another song about Montgomery Street. Also included are sheet-music covers of several songs relating to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915, at the current Palace of Fine Arts location). One song on display called “Cute Little Wigglin Dance” (from around 1914) is on an Edison cylinder and is performed by the San Francisco Jass Band (a common early spelling of jazz). (Through Dec. 7, Society of California Pioneers, 300 4th St., SF. More info at www.californiapioneers.org.)▼

Go West Beloved Bay Area chanteuse Paula West will perform in concert at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco on Sat., Feb. 11, 8 p.m., with the George Mesterhazy Quartet. This will be her only Bay Area appearance this season. West has a new CD out, Live at the Jazz

James M. Keller Collection

The Frisco Rag (1909) by songwriter Harry Armstrong: sheet music, color lithography, from Singing the Golden State at the Society of California Pioneers.

▼

Theatre >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 23

David Allen

Jeri Lynn Cohen and Amy Resnick play guardians of a young man (Patrick Russell) with psychological problems who are also dealing with a crack in their own relationship in Body Awareness at Aurora Theatre.

Liberal education

by Richard Dodds

Y

ou soon suspect you’re not in the land of terrible consequences when the perky professor interrupts her welcoming speech so an aide can change the banner behind her from “Eating Disorder Awareness Week” to “Body Awareness Week.” A more positive spin on things, she tells the assembled students with a genuine smile that still seems a bit frozen. Of course, playwrights have been known to lay a rug without the non-slip pad that promotes a comfort that then gets ripped away in the cause of dramatic effect.

But that’s not what playwright Annie Baker is all about in her 2008 play having its Bay Area premiere at the Aurora Theatre. Emotions do flare,

carefully crafted parameters are met.

Jeri Lynn Cohen, as Joyce, has something more of an earth-mother quality that yet has its own tipping point.

Even before an outside force upsets their world, the partners are always navigating their ways around Joyce’s 21-year-old son, who may or may not have Asperger’s Syndrome. When he tries to prove he has empathy, the absence of which is a characteristic of Asperger’s, he says to Phyllis, “It must be hard not to be that pretty anymore.” Jared’s condition has its serious ramifications, but more often than not his lack of social skills becomes another inducement for laughter. Patrick Russell handles this combination of comic relief and potential calamity with believability and, yes, empathy.

But laughter goes on hiatus when

Emotions do flare, relationships are threatened, and questions of gender dynamics get a worthy workout. relationships are threatened, and questions of gender dynamics get a worthy workout. But there are those ongoing signals that we are in something of a sitcom, or at least occasionally splashing about therein, as modern-life cliches are regularly dropped like punchlines. Lactose intolerance, puppet theater, and a refugee dance troupe may not sound like set-ups for laugh lines, but they are when in a context where even the mention of Deepak Chopra is designed to elicit a laugh.

And the laughs do come in director Joy Carlin’s sleek and sassy production at the Aurora. It’s a case of liberals laughing at liberals (insert the word “conservatives” and I don’t know if the same results could be achieved), and the Vermont campus setting is so stridently progressive that it’s not always easy to connect with the characters’ serious issues when it is important to do so.

Much of the action takes place off-campus at the home of Phyllis, a feminist psychology professor at the helm of Body Awareness Week, and her lesbian partner Joyce, who teaches cultural studies at a local high school.

The amazingly versatile Amy Resnick plays Phyllis with a kind of an Annette Benning vibe of stability, at least when

the guest artist invited to show his photographs as part of Body Awareness Week arrives at Joyce and Phyllis’ home, where he is to be bivouacked.

Nude females are his specialty, be they young old, thin, fat, pregnant, or dying. Phyllis goes ballistic when she learns his metier, even before seeing a single frame, while Joyce doesn’t quite see the problem. For Phyllis, the male gaze on the female form signifies a kind of ownership. But the aggressively go-with-the-flow photographer takes it all in stride and fatefully inserts himself into the household by convincing Joyce to pose naked for him, and by giving Jared sexual advice that has its complications. Howard Swain plays Frank intriguingly as a bit of an enigma, both a happy, helpful soul and something of a town-totown hustler.

Body Awareness is 90 minutes of genuine entertainment, some it thoughtful and some of it crafty.

Ironically, when all the dramas have played out, it is the male gaze that makes the family whole.▼ Body Awareness will play at the Aurora Theatre through March 4. Tickets are $30-$48.

Call (510) 843-4822 or go to www.auroratheatre.org.

<< DVD

24 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

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Allies in concert

by Gregg Shapiro

F

www.ebar.com

ilmed in December 2010 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Margaret Cho’s latest concert doc Cho Dependent (Clownery) combines her celebrated stand-up comedy/monologist style with music. Cho takes the audience on another of her characteristically side-splitting (and occasionally gross) journeys, beginning with the time she spent as a competitor on Dancing with the Stars. Stressing the difficulty of the process, Cho delivers plenty of laughs, telling tales of her battle with homophobic Bristol Palin and her evil mother Sarah, her pronounced camel toe, how her own mother (who often emitted a low-pitched moan of dread that only Margaret could detect) was at every show, and the olive oil trick that she learned.

Cho also covers Provincetown, spending her money in LGBT businesses, what it’s like to live in suburban Atlanta, attending Bonnaroo (and the detailed feces routine that it entails), her family (including her strong bond with her grandfather), boyfriends, sexting, online sex and addictions. She also does a priceless Cyndi Lauper imitation, showing that her impressions extend well beyond her mother.

The Cho Dependent tour is one of her gayest shows ever. Identifying as a member of the LGBT community and as a fag hag, Cho cements her standing as a champion of queer community causes. The addition of music, in which Cho performs the songs “I’m Sorry” (about a former crush who killed his wife), “My Puss” (a duet with gay comedian John Roberts, in which they sing as their respective mothers), “Your Dick” (on which she is joined by the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus) and “No Offense” (performed as the encore) from her Cho Dependent CD, is a plus.

The concert DVD Lady Gaga presents The Monster Ball Tour (Streamline/Interscope), filmed in early 2011, opens with black-andwhite pre-concert footage a la Truth or Dare, shot in a Lower East Side bodega and backstage at Madison Square Garden. Gaga gets emotional in front of the make-up mirror, say-

ing that she still feels like “a fuckin’ loser kid in high school.” But like Dorothy leaving Kansas, Gaga’s concert-stage Oz is in living color.

Lady Gaga’s journey to the Monster Ball involves a broken-down car, a subway F train, and a stroll through Central Park to get her to the last of her five MSG shows. It also features

elaborate sets (a subway car, a Rolls Royce with a keyboard under its hood, a fame monster) and almost a dozen costume changes, including killer shoulder pads, a latex nun getup, the moving dress and headpiece for “So Happy I Could Die” and a spark-firing brassiere and panties for “Paparazzi.”

There is lots of posing and strutting, as well as laughable but wellmeaning dialogue. Lady Gaga’s potty mouth earns her a parental advisory sticker, with references to dick, cocks,

motherfuckers and more. She also expresses her gratitude to her Little Monster fans, maybe a little too much, making her sound disingenuous. There’s more than a little bit of ego in her storytelling, which comes off as the kind of showbiz war stories you’d expect. But it’s obvious that her fans (including Liza Minnelli and Marisa Tomei, who get shout-outs) worship her. When Lady Gaga says jump, the Little Monsters ask, “How high?”

Unlike Donna Summer, w who turned her back on the ggay following that made her ccareer in favor of “capital H H-I-M,” Lady Gaga’s devvotion to her LGBT fans sseems genuine and boundlless. When she celebrates a ggay unicorn and the New Y York gays who “came out to p play,” or when she celebrates ggay pride in “Boys Boys B Boys” and calls for “hands u up for equality,” Gaga’s comm mitment rings true.

There’s real talent undern neath all the distractions.

H Her vocals never felt canned th the way that Britney’s or F Fergie’s do. And when she si sits at the piano for a couple o of tunes, including “Speechle less,” you can glimpse her p potential. DVD bonus conte tent includes “Backstage at T The Monster Ball,” a photo ggallery and more.

Adele’s DVD/CD set L Live at the Royal Albert H Hall (XL/Columbia) is alm most too good to be true.

A consummate professsional, Adele is so at ease o on stage you’d think she w was born there. The true sstory behind “Turning T Tables” is worth the price o of admission alone.

Get Along (Vapor/WB) ffrom lesbian twin sisters T Tegan and Sara contains a 15-track live album as w well as a DVD consisting o of three short films. States b Danny O’Malley comby b bines summer 2010 tour footage with interviews with the sisters and more.

Elinor Svoboda’s India follows Tegan and Sara on their first concert tour of India. For the Most Part by Salazar was filmed during two days of shows in Vancouver, BC. Dixie Chicks (Columbia) is a live DVD containing the full VH1 program performed by the outspoken country trio, along with previously unseen performances. The deluxe two-DVD concert film set Beyonce: Live at Roseland – Elements of 4 features 26 live songs and a DVD anthology of videos from Beyonce’s 4 disc.▼

▼

Film >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 25

Nominated & short

by David Lamble

I

n what has emerged as a high point of Oscar time, Landmark Theatres will again feature programs of the Academy Award Nominated Best Live Action and Animated Short Subjects, starting Friday. For my money, the live action program has it all over a surprisingly bland animation roster. I regret that one promising animation, La Luna, was unavailable for downloading from the official Oscar website. But this crop of live action shorts more than compensates.

2012 Live Action Shorts Pentecost Peter McDonald and Emear O’Kane’s wry look at the inside baseball of a backwater Irish parish – proving there’s more to an altar boy’s life than illicit sex – begins with an angry dad ripping down his son’s precious soccer posters. Damien Lynch’s team, Liverpool, is headed for football Valhalla.

“It was an accident. I never wanted to be an altar boy.”

“Now you never will be: three months, no football!”

“We have a team in the European Cup Final.”

Damien’s sin was waving the liturgical incense burner so vigorously that the priest did an involuntary back-flip.

We sit inside a church “locker room” as the priest gives a Vince Lombardiworthy pep talk to his charges. “Go out and have the mass of your lives!”

As religion and soccer battle for men’s minds, a 10-year-old decides whether his moves suit the God squad.

Raju Director Max Zahle, in a nuanced, rather melancholy German/English co-production, demonstrates the agonizing dilemmas facing prospective adopting, largely foreign couples and so-called “Third World” adoptable kids. Just as a German couple (a well-matched for chemistry Julia Richter and Wotan Wilke Mohring) select an adorable East Asian four-year-old boy from a supposedly reputable orphanage, a chance separation from their new “son” radically alters their perception of the hard bargain they’ve struck to give an “orphan” a shot at a better life.

The Shore “Over there to the left are the Belfast shipyards where they built the Titanic.” As a middle-aged former Belfast boy, Jim (a deeply felt turn from Ciaran Hinds) takes his grown-up daughter Paddy on a tour through his childhood stomping grounds, odd questions crop up about Jim’s abrupt departure for the States decades back. The secrets hidden inside Terry George’s comic nostalgic short are rooted in “the Troubles,” but also in the huge reservoir of feeling residing between old childhood friends, raised like brothers, and an old flame they had in common. There’s a great deal of unexpected fun to be had from Irish men doing a “double on the dole,” a horse and a pesky artificial limb.

Time Freak Andrew Bowler and Gigi Causey give a cheeky spin on the main conceit behind the Harold Ramis/Bill Murray classic comedy Groundhog Day as college roommates discover the time-wasting drawbacks to an ability to reprise the same petty

Scene from directors Peter McDonald and Emear O’Kane’s Pentecost.

events in perpetuity. As with the original, this one grows increasingly droll as one considers the possibilities.

Tuba Atlantic Hallvar Witze proves definitively that Norwegians really do have an odd angle on life. As 70-yearold Oskar learns he has just six days left to live, the need to reconnect with his long-lost brother becomes a matter of some urgency. Oskar – who at first appears too mean to die: the old man whiles away his days assassinating seagulls with a machine gun – enlists the help of a teen girl, his appointed “death agent,” to restore an infernal device, concocted by his brother and him as kids, to its original diabolical purpose.

2012 Animated Shorts The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg pay sweet tribute to the power of old-fashioned cloth-and-paper books in this playful, dialogue-free short that employs miniatures, computer and 2-D animation to explore the life-cycle of a book-lover and his treasures. In a year where silent B&W feature The Artist is favored to cop Best Picture honors. it’s not too far-fetched to consider this one at least a dark horse for Best Animated Short.

La Luna Enrico Casaroasa’s story of a boy’s initiation into his family’s distinctly odd way of making a living was unfortunately not available for viewing. I hope it wins.

A Morning Stroll Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe playfully dissect the old joke about why the chicken crossed the road. In a dialogue-free short whose segments become increasing frantic and despairing on the devolution of human nature, this extremely philosophical animation – in three distinct styles – is based on a true story entitled “The Chicken,” first published in 1986 in The New York Literary Review.

Sunday/Dimanche Patrick Doy-

Couples adopt so-called “Third World” kids in Max Zahle’s Raju.

on’s minimalist animation about a kid’s boredom spending another tedious Sunday with the extended family unfortunately channels a bit too much of the ho-hum. This toon is a clever but ultimately pedestrian entry from the generally reliable Film Board of Canada.

Wild Life Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby sadly don’t improve the marks for Team Canada. It doesn’t help that the soundtrack was muted on the download. The film is supposed to parallel the unease of a pioneer experiencing the rough side of frontier Canada with the path of a comet headed this way. Oh well!▼

ebar.com

<< Music

26 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

▼

Grindhouse opera

by Tim Pfaff

O

nly the eternal verity that “sex sells” could have prompted DG to record Olivier Py’s production of Berg’s Lulu, live from Barcelona in 2010, on DVD. Py, as emphatically Catholic as gay, has freighted his production with so much gratuitous sex extraneous to the opera’s action that this Lulu is in every sense a grind. Three hours of bad sex is rough on everyone, but accompanied by one of the most important, if to some ears still gnarly, scores of the last century, it approaches the unendurable.

One of the things that has come clear over three decades of staging the completed Lulu (Berg did not live to complete the orchestration of Act III) is that the productions that hew most closely to the ideas and intentions of Berg – who was composer and librettist – retain the greatest powers to shock a century later. This production doesn’t so much stray as bolt from Berg.

Compared to the dung heap of, say, a Calixto Bieto production of anything, Py’s Lulu is fairly sanitized Eurotrash, perhaps thanks to its feverish recycling. Py clutches every cliché to have entered the Lulu stage lexicon since the 1979 Paris premiere of the completed work as though it were essential, even precious, spicing the broth with his own new grotesqueries like the playground’s competing bully.

Schigolch, for instance, appears in clown suit throughout, which hardly clarifies the already abundant identity issues surrounding him.

When he appears for his reunion with Lulu, she dons a pink bunny suit and blows him. No Vatican imprimatur for Py. Surely Lulu finds the sexual situations in which she lands dehumanizing (the opening circus, which never ends in this production), degrading (pretty much all the rest), and ultimately,

deadly (her death at the hands of Jack the Ripper). Still, it seems more likely that the sign “I Hate Sex” (one of dozens that hang caption-like over the set) expresses Py’s view more than Lulu’s, or Berg’s.

The draw of this set for Lulu fans is Patricia Petibon, credibly rumored to have the chops for the exacting title role. But all we learn from her Lulu is that she has the high notes and can sing the most torturous music while being felt up, often gang-bang style. That more than explains her lapses in concentration, but she doesn’t rise to the role’s big solo moments, either, and gives no hints on her own take on the character. The single stellar performance in this garishly lit, hot-house Lulu is Silvia de la Muela’s Gymnasiast (who shares the booklet cover with Petibon).

Lulu-philes – and we are legion – accept as compensation for Berg’s not having finished the 20th century’s greatest opera his having composed, on commission, in his final months, its greatest violin concerto. One clue about Berg’s feelings for Lulu is that the Violin Concerto, a deeply encoded work, is dedicated “To the Memory of an Angel” (the dead angel being Manon Gropius, the 18-year-old daughter of Walther Gropius and Alma Mahler, to whom Berg had been deeply attached), and the music of the two seemingly disparate works is cut from the same rich cloth.

(However ironically, the Concerto had its premiere in Barcelona, in 1936.)

The Concerto has just gotten what is safely its best recording ever by violinist Isabelle Faust and Claudio Abbado leading his

Orchestra Mozart (Harmonia Mundi). Tellingly, it is paired with the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and in these two superlative readings, the works shed light on one another – as Faust notes, the passage from the ache of the former to the radiant transcendence of the latter is a deeply rewarding journey.

In much the same way Beethoven’s had, Berg’s Violin Concerto set the genre itself on a new track, away from the instrumental displaypiece in which orchestra and soloist appear in dialogue, and into music of the most complete integration of musical forces. Its present-day offspring are works such as Sofia Gubaidulina’s sublime In tempus praesens.

The Berg concerto seldom fails because only violinists who want to breathe the air of the sublime take it up. But never in my long experience of the piece has it arced higher, Faust its sculptor, Abbado its architect. The pair’s grasp of its trajectory and line is unsurpassed, and the work unfolds over the kind of supremely steady yet everchanging energy source only the greatest of musicians can conjure and tap.

Even in the densest passages of the second movement there is an unprecedented clarity of textures. The innumerable, abrupt transitions are negotiated with such skill they’re more felt than heard.

And the directness of the probe into caverns of the spirit world illuminated only when the music finally reaches them is breathtaking. While nailing the interiority of the Beethoven’s Larghetto, these musicians brilliantly capture his concerto’s exuberance, a mosaic of gleaming sonorities.▼

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Theatre >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 27

Valentine’s ways

by Richard Dodds

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box of Whitman Samplers, a lacy Hallmark card, a bouquet from FTD, and the confessions of a sexual adventurer who would title a movie about her life Do You Wanna Fuck Me? I’d Fuck Me. What better ways to say, “Will you be my Valentine?”

Perhaps some further explanation of that final romantic gesture is in order. Desiree Burch, who has her biopic title already chosen, is a New York solo artist who has traveled around the world with her frank and funny musings. Brava Theatre is bringing Burch back to SF for the area premiere of her show 52 Man Pickup for a run that begins on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and continues through March 5.

The title, which plays off the prankster card trick we all learned the hard way, does involve a pack of playing cards that Busch shuffles at each performance. Playing out in different succession each night, every card represents a specific man in Busch’s late-blooming libidinal expeditions.

Aces are high, deuces are the disappointments, and jokers speak for themselves.

When Busch performed 52 Man Pickup at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, the Scotsman, the city’s daily newspaper, described the performer as “such a funny, frank, eloquent, entertaining and perceptive raconteur that it was a pleasure, of sorts, to hear all the gory, explicit details of her ample carnal encounters.”

The Valentine’s Day performance includes a strawberries-and-Champagne reception, and, who knows, maybe a few rounds of go-fish. More info at 647-2822 or www.brava.org.

housewife-turned-feminist comic.

Among the attractions in their new show are the introduction of the Revenge-o-Meter and a sing-along to “The 12 Days of Getting Dumped.”

For tickets: (800) 838-3006 or www. crackpotcrones.com.

DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers most famously played when the series first aired in 1977. Matthew Martin and Sara Moore are the Ropers, who are the buttinski landlords. Tickets via www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/223125.

Killing Cupid

Company’s coming

Dionysus by the Bay

The all-drag rendering of episodes from The Golden Girls was a holiday hit at the Victoria Theatre, and now another troupe is offering a mixed-gender reenactment of two episodes from Three’s Company on weekends from Feb. 17 to March 3 at Finn’s Funhouse.

Both the venue and the presenter, Catfights and Shoulderpads Productions, are names new to this column, but the cast is certainly not. Mike Finn, Laurie Bushman, D’Arcy Drollinger and Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s are playing the roommates that John Ritter, Joyce

A Greek god of merriment is sent on special assignment to a not-somerry San Francisco in Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dionysus. Described as a “Greek Comedy Rock Epic,” the production will run Feb. 17-19 at CounterPULSE. Conceived by author trixxie carr and director Ben Randle, the show has been revised since its initial workshop run in 2009 at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory. Tiny Dionysus’ job is to help a group of struggling artists find themselves in the wake of the Great Recession.

Lavish production numbers, classic rock and original songs, clowning, drag, dance, and oversized puppets are among the attractions. And at each performance, a cameo appearance by a different celebrated local legend, drag queen or performer is promised. Tickets at www.counterpulse.org or (800) 838-3006

I Hate Valentine’s Day is the unequivocal title of the newest show from the performing team known as the Crackpot Crones. Written and performed by Terry Baum and Carolyn Myers, the sketch comedy and improv show is billed as “a public service for the romantically challenged.” Two performances only: Feb. 14 and 19 at the Dark Room in the Mission.

Baum and Myers have been performing together since 1972.

Baum is a lesbian playwright and performer, and recent candidate for mayor (who outpolled Assessor Phil Ting), and Myers is a small-town

Christopher Cartmill

Desiree Burch is bringing 52 Man Pickup, her solo show about sexual adventuring, to Brava Theatre: ‘ample carnal adventures.’

Down the pike

Stanley Frank

The cast of Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dionysus includes author trixxie carr, Rory Davis, and Travis Rowland.

In addition to its series offerings, SHN, the Best of Broadway people, has added a few special attractions.

You have one night, and one night only, to catch Shatner’s World. On March 11 at the Orpheum Theatre, William Shatner will wax on about his life and career, with video clips, orations, and musical moments to help illuminate life before, during, and after Star Trek.

Kathleen Turner will be in town for only five days (March 21-25 at the Curran) with a touring edition of her recent Broadway venture, the shortlived High. In Matthew Lombardo’s drama, Turner plays a mordant nun at a drug recovery facility who is assigned to a particularly sullen addict who has little interest in rehab.

And off the SHN circuit, impresario Marc Huestis, producer of the Castro events at which veteran stars are interviewed before one of their movies is screened, is taking a legit turn this summer. He has leaked word that he will be producing Marat/Sade this summer with Thrillpeddlers at the Hypnodrome.▼

www.ebar.com

<< Out&About

28 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

Thu 9>> Comedy Bodega @ Esta Nocha The new weekly LGBT and indie comic standup night’s hosted by “Mr. Gomez” (retired Telemundo extra and “associate” of comic Marga Gomez). 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Leif Ove Andsnes @ Herbst Theatre Highly acclaimed pianist performs works by Haydn, Bartók, Debussy and Chopin. $45$75. 401 Van Ness ave. 392-2545. www.sfperformances.org

Circumstance, Thu 16 at the Castro Theatre

Affairs of the heart

By Jim Provenzano

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vents both corny and contemporary offer you and your loved one(s) or first date romantic opportunities with dancing, live music, art exhibits, witty readings, admirable movies, and even a few stylish traditions with a scenic view.

Feb 11: Valentine’s Dance @ Max’s Café, Corte Madera

Sun 12: Sweethearts Ball & Underwear Party @ Space 550

Katherine Holland and Iknka Von’s night of dinner and dancing for LGBT singles and couples. Enjoy a three-course dinner and wine ($20; 6pm-7:30) and dancing ($20, 7:30-11pm). Portion of proceeds benefits Spectrum LGBT Center. REVSP romantic song requests: marindance2012@gmail.com 378-2697.

60 Madera Blvd., Corte Madera. www.maxsworld.com

Sundance Saloon’s annual dance for cowboys and cowgirls lets you dance the night away in boots, bras, briefs, and/or cowboy hats. Underwear attire optional; free coat/ clothes check. $5. 5pm10:30pm.550 Barneveld Ave. near Bayshore. www.sundancesaloon.org

Feb 10: Down With Love @ San Rafael Joe’s Porchlight Theatre Company presents a cabaret comedy sketch night with songs about love and lust sung by Porchlight Theatre Company singer-actors; served with a four-course dinner. $69. 7pm.

Also Feb 14. 931 Fourth St., San Rafael.

251-1027. www.porchlight.net

Feb 11 & 12: Valentine Swing Fest @ Women’s Building The Lindy dance and contest for sameand opposite-sex partners includes basic swing lessons for newbies (7pm). $25-$50 with dinner options. 8pm12am. “Shag a Valentine” dance and contest Feb 12, $15-$50. 8pm-12am.

3543 18th St. www.SFSwingJam.com

Mon 13: Love Hurts @ The MakeOut Room

Fri 10: Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF @ Mission Cultural Center Love Bites and So Did the 80s!, another whimsical musical concert by the local chorus. $15-$30. 8pm. Also Feb. 11.

2868 Mission St. at 25th. www.lgcsf.org

Justin Chin in Love Hurts at the Make-Out Room

Love Hurts @ City Art Gallery The group show of gay and straight artists visualizes the not-so-sweet side of love. Thru Feb. 25, Wed-Sun, 12pm9pm. 828 Valencia St. 970-9900. www. cityartgallery.org

Valentine’s Dinner @ Harry Denton’s Starlight Room Tasch performs classic love songs while you enjoy the fantastic view, two glasses of Moet champagne, and chocolate-dipped strawberries with your date. $70 per couple. 8:30pm1:30am. 450 Powell St. at Post.

395-8555. www.harrydenton.com

Group exhibit of works by 30 contemporary artists and eight poets who explore the issues of legalizing same-sex marriage. Feb 14 includes a special Valentine’s Day docent tour of romantic art works. Free-$18. 151 Third St. 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

Sun 12: Ryan Mintz @ Kunst-Stoff Local gay singer-songwriter’s CD release party for Love Letter includes live performances and a dance and cuddle party afterward. Donations. 7pm-10pm.

1 Grove St. www.ryanmintz.com

David Perry’s talk show about LGBT people and issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm. Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

Fri 10>> Arcadia @ Live Oak Theatre, Berkeley Actors Ensemble of Berkeley performs Tom Stoppard’s intriguing mystery/history play about love, desire, Lord Byron and landscape architecture. $12-$15.

Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Feb 18. 1301 Shattuck Ave. (510) 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org

Cabaret @ Fort Mason

Tue 14: The Air We Breathe @ SF MOMA

Ryan Mintz at Kunst-Stoff

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

Aurora Theatre company performs Annie Baker’s comic play about a lesbian couple whose lives become unraveled by their new male housemate. $30-$55. Tue 7pm. WedSat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Thru March 4.

2081 Addison St. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Jean Cocteau’s classic film adaptation of the fable (French, English subtitles; 3:05, 7pm) and Hal Hartley’s 2001 modern update on the ancient folk tale, costarring Helen Mirren and Julie Christie (4:55, 8:50). Both $10. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Join a few hundred single guys to mix, mingle and dance at the sixth annual –and popular– benefit for the GLBT Historical Society. Juanita More hosts and DJs. Wear red or pink. $30-$35.

8pm-12am. 657 Harrison St. www. cupidsback.kintera.org www.supperclub.com

Large-scale exhibit and sale of traditional arts and crafts; rugs fabric and more. Preview 7pm-10pm. Reg admission $15.

11am-8pm. thru Sun Feb. 12, 11am-5pm.

Festvial Pavilion, buchanan at Bay sts.

(310) 455-2886. www.caskeylees.com www.fortmason.org

Becky Shaw Litquake presents a hilari@ SF Playhouse ous night of readings from some of the most wretched Gina Gionfriddo’s comic play published passages on love about straight couples’ blind Sundance Saloon’s and lust ever written, with dates and misadventures. $15Sweethearts Ball Justin Chin, Daphne Gottli$35. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm, eb, Brock Keeling, Dr. Marty and Sat 3pm. Thru March 10.

Klein, MariNaomi, Kirk Read, Michelle 533 Sutter St. www.sfplayhouse.org Richmond, Ellen Sussman, Michelle Tea, Body Awareness and Malena Watrous. $10. 7pm. 3225 22nd St. www.litquake.org @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley

Thu 9: Beauty and the Beast, No Such Thing @ Castro Theatre

Thu 9: Cupid’s Back @ Supperclub

Tribal & Textile Arts Show @ Fort Mason

Thu 16: Certified Copy, Circumstance @ Castro Theatre This double feature of new foreign films explores art, relationships (Copy, 2:45, 7pm) and a romance between Iranian lesbian teenagers (Circumstance, 4:50, 9pm). $10. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

New local production of the Tony-winning Cander/Ebb musical based on gay writer Christopher Isherwood’s stories about preNazi Berlin; with an up-close cabaret-style setting, like the recent Broadway revival. $25-$45. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Feb 19. 381-1638. Young Performers Theater, Bldg C, 3rd floor. 381-1638. www.CabaretSFwordpress.com

Dreamtime Circus @ Dance Mission Theater Circus-dance-theatre troupe performs The Case of D! and the Missing Dream, a parody of corporate conniving. $10-$20. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sun 4pm. 3316 2th St. 826-4441. www.dreamtimecircus.org www.dancemission.com

Falsettoland @ The Alcove Theatre Stir Fry Theatre, a new Asian-American performing ensemble, revives the acclaimed William Finn operetta about a New York gay couple and their friends facing the impending AIDS epidemic. $15-$25. Fri & Sat 8pm.

Feb 5 & 12 at 2pm. Thru Feb 12.

414 Mason St., 5th floor. (408) STAGE.SF www.stirfrytheatre.com

Happily Ever After @ Oddball Films Kate Schermerhorn’s one-hour documentary with happy couples discussing how they make their marriages work. Also, 1949’s Dating Dos and Don’ts. Feb. 11, Female Trouble, a collection of vintage women’s health shorts (not the John Waters movie).

Both $10, 8pm. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

Higher @ American Conservatory Theatre Mark Rucker directs Artistic Director Carey Perloff’s world premiere play about the personal issues and daunting politics involved when competing New York architects vye for a commissioned memorial in Israel. $10-$65.

Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat, Sun 2pm. Thru Feb 19. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Hotel Gravity @ CounterPulse Erin Malley’s unusual dance-theatre work about four women thrust into a strange world of odd characters, inspired by the writings of Haruki Murakimi. Patrons who wear black tie/formal apparel will get priority seating in the immersive staging.

No late seating! $20. 8pm. Also Feb. 11.

1310 Mission St. at 9th. 626-2060. www.counterpulse.org

Jesus in India @ Magic Theatre Lloyd Suh’s contemporary reimagining of the lost years of Jesus of Nazareth as a teen stoner’s vacation to the East. $30-$60.

Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm.

Thru Feb 19. Building D, Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd at Buchanan. 441-8822. www.magictheatre.org

Juliette Aristides, Noah Buchanan @ John Pence Gallery Opening reception for a dual exhibit by the highly accomplished realist painters, whose works include nudes, still lifes, and tromp l’oeil paintings. 6pm-8pm. Reg. hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat til 5pm. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Marga Gomez @ The Marsh Everyone’s favorite lesbian Latina comic returns with her new hit solo show Not Getting Any Younger. $15-$35. Fri 8pm.

Sat 5pm & 8:30pm. Thru Feb 25. Studio Theater, 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd.

282-3055. www.margagomez.com

The Story of My Life @ New Conservatory Theatre Center Neil Bartram and Brian Hill’s new melodic musical comedy about best friends and the personal cost of success; one man recounts his friend’s life while writing his obituary. $22-$36. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Feb. 26. 25 Van Ness Ave. at Market, lower level. www.nctcsf.org

True West, Buried Child @ Boxcar Theatre Gritty dramas of battling brothers and family secrets; the first and second of four Sam Shepard plays the company will perform in repertory thru April 26. True West and Buried Child thru April 7. $15 (preview), $25-$35, or $85-$120 full pass. 505 Natoma St. 967-2227. www.boxcartheatre.org

Vice Palace @ Hypnodrome Theatre The darkly comic Cockettes musical, expanded and revised by the talented Scrumbly Koldwyn, returns by popular demand after a successful brief tour to New York City.

See the musical update on The Masque of the Red Death, with local favorite talents. $30-$35. Fri & Sat 8pm. Thru March 3.

575 10th St. at Bryant/Division. 377-4202. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Sat 11>> Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. Reg: $25-$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt @ Chinatown, North Beach The 15th annual fun-filled participatory sleuth game attracts 1600 contestants in three levels of skill. Start a team or join one. $12 (kids) -$45. Check-in 3:30pm. 4:30 start, rain or shine. Meet at Justin Herman Plaza, Market St at Embarcadero. 564-9400. www.on.fb.me/cnyth

Collected @ Museum of the African Diaspora Subtitled Stories of Acquisition and Reclamation, this new exhibit displays more than 100 objects that help narrate the struggles and contributions of African Americans in California. Free-$12. Thru March 4. 685 Mission St. at 3rd. 358-7200. www.moadsf.org

Ghost Light @ Berkeley Repertory World premiere of Jonathan Moscone and Tony Taccone’s haunting fictional drama based on the assassination of San Francisco mayor George Moscone. $15-$73. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. hru Feb 19. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

I-Speak @ Castro Theatre The French-American International School celebrates its fiftieth anniversary with a panel talk with notable entertainers, executives and creators (Phil Bronstein, Guillermo

▼

Gomez-Peña, and others). Peter Coyote MCs. $5-$10. 429 Castro St. www.internationalsf.org www.castrotheatre.com

Masters of Venice Masked Ball @ de Young Museum Festive closing party for the exhibit Masters of Venice; with DJ Solomon, exotic cocktails, and art! Venetian mask and black tie attire. $75-$250. VIP 7pm-9pm. Main event 8pm12am. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. www.artpoint.org

Paula West @ Herbst Theatre The celebrated singer perofmrs a one-night concert of jazz, standards and classic songs. $35-$40. 8pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. 3924400. www.sfwmpac.org

Texas Rose Dance Party @ Humanist Hall, Oakland Country Western line-dancing and two-stepping for women and their trans friends, with live music and a buffet. $5-$10. 6:30-8pm beginners and new line dance lessons; 8pm-11pm opening dancing and social time. 390 27th St. Oakland. www.texasrosedance.com

Three Guys & Six Strings @ El Rio Joshua Klipp presents the 5th annual acoustic concert, with Joe Stevens, Storm Florez and Eli Conley performing. No cover. 6pm8pm. 3158 Mission St. www.elriosf.com

Sun 12>> AIDS Quilt @ Former Tower Records Under One Roof and the National AIDS Memorial Quilt Project present a display of locally-made quilts memorializing people who died of AIDS. 12pm-8pm. Daily thru Feb. 20. 2278 Market St. at Noe. www.underoneroof.org

Bros Before Hos @ YBCA This seven-part film series, Bros Before Hos: Masculinity and Its Discontents, this week presents Female Trouble, a collection of short films about femininity, queers and drag, curated by Bradford Nordeen. $6-$8.

7:30pm. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts screening room, 701 Mission St. 978-2787. www.ybca.org

David Holt @ Wheeler Auditorium, Berkeley Four-time Grammy-winning musician performs Songs and Stories of Appalachia, a kid-friendly concert of folk music. $24. 11am & 4pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave, UC Berkeley campus. www.calperformances.org

Freddy Cole Quartet @ The Rrazz Room Brother of Nat “King” Cole performs classic crooner and jazz hits with piano, guitar and bass trio. $35-$40. 7pm. Feb. 13 & 14, 8pm.

2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

The Glamour the Better @ Glama-Rama Opening reception for an exhibit of paintings and photos by Ciara Bedingfield, Hadley Northrop, and Sean Vallely. 6pm-9pm.

Thru April 7. 304 Valencia St. www.glamarama.com

Kirill Gerstein @ Hertz Hall, Berkeley Pianist’s recital includes works by Bach, Mozart, Knussen, Weber, Schumann and Schubert. $42. 3pm. Bancroft Way at College Ave., UC Berkeley campus. www.calperformances.org

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

395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

The Whoa Nellies @ Martuni’s Fab retro super-duper 60s retro band led

by Leigh Crowe and Peter Fogel, perform your fave Monkees, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and Mammas & Pappas songs. $7.

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

Mon 13>> Matthew Good @ Café du Nord Talented singer performs music from his new CD Lights of Endeangered Species. Emily Greene opens. $20. 8pm. 21+ 2170 Market St. 861-5016. www.cafedunord.com

Men’s Contact Improv @ Heartwalker Studio, Berkeley German-Brazilian dancer Ralf Jaroschinski leads three weekly free-form dance classes

▼

Out&About >>

for men, focusing on sensuality and touch. $25. 7:30pm. Mondays thru Feb 20. 4920 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 495-4988. www.heartwalkerstudio.com

Queer Ancestors @ LGBT Center Group exhibit of local artists’ portraits and interpretive art about famous LGBT leaders.

7pm-9pm. Thru Feb 16. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org

Richard Boswell @ Magnet Exhibit of the artist’s works, The Silence of Light. 8pm. Thru Feb. 4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Stephen Kladder @ Castro Country Club Exhibit of the artist’s portrait paintings at the LGBT sober space. 2pm-3pm. Thru Feb 29.

4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 29

Brian Dettmer @ Toomey Tourell Gallery Fascinating pop culture collage works made entirely of books. Tue-Fri 11am-5:30pm Sat til 5pm. 49 Geary, 4th floor. Thru March 31.

989-6444. www.toomey-tourell.com

Cynthia Chin-Lee & Lea Lyon @ Books Inc. Berkeley Co-authors of Operation Marriage, the illustrated children’s book about same-sex marriage discuss their book. 4pm. 1760 4th St., Berkeley. (510)525-7777. www.booksinc.net

Lenny Kravitz @ Fox Theater, Oakland Rock/soul singer performs with his band.

Raphael Saadiq opens. $45-$52. All ages.

8pm. 1807 Telegraph Ave. at 19th. www.apeconcerts.com

Love Story @ Castro Theatre

Tue 14>> At War @ SoMArts Gallery Peter Max Lawrence and Truon Tran’s multi-media installation about identities in conflict, ranging from ethnic, gender, and sexual identity to conflicts of artistic identity, and war iconography. Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm. Sat 12pm-5pm. Thru Feb 29. 934 Brannan St. www.somarts.org

Ali MacGraw makes a special guest appearance at a screening of the popular 70s straight romantic tragedy costarring a very young Ryan O’Neal. Justin Vivian Bond and Katya Smirnoff-Skky perform music. $25$45. 8pm. Film at 9:15pm. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Queer Comic Artists @ Cartoon Art Museum Exhibit of work by several LGBT comic artists. Free-$7. Thru March 4. Reg hours

,Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. 655 Mission St. www.cartoonart.org

San Francisco Ballet @ War Memorial Opera House Program 2 include Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, the world premiere of Mark Morris nine-man Beaux, and Christopher Wheedon’s Number Nine. $20-$285. Meet the artist talk 7pm. Concert 8pm. Also Feb. 15, 17, 19, 23, 25. Program 3, Feb 16 includes Alexei Ratmansky’s Carnival of the Animals, world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Francesca da Rimini, and Helgi Tomasson’s Trio. 8pm. Also Feb 18, 21, 22, 24, 26. 301 Van Ness Ave. 865-2000. www.sfballet.org/niteout

Visions Beyond the Badge @ Harvey Milk Photography Center Exhibit of photos by members of the San Francisco Fire and Police Departments.

6:30-9pm. Thru March 1. 50 Scott St. 554-9522. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots? @ SF Public Library Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, editor of the new anthology, leads a discussion about queer politics and more, with several of the book’s contributors. Free. 6pm. 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org Also Feb. 15, 7pm with contributors at City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave. 362-8193. www.citylights.com Also Thursday, Feb. 16, Sycamore and contributors discuss the past, present and future of public sex and related themes at the GLBT History Museum. $5-$10. 7pm. 4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Wed 15>> Come To My House @ Deco Lounge Early evening (5pm-9pm) monthly (3rd Wed) fundraiser for the Trevor Project, with host Angelina Josephina Manacotti. $5. 510 Larkin St. at Turk. 346-2025. www.decosf.com

Karel @ The Rrazz Room Gay comic performs his Songs for the New Depression show, with life stories and a funny skewering of pop culture and current events. $25. 8pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Our Vast Queer Past @ GLBT History Museum

Daniel Beatty

See the fascinating exhibit from the GLBT Historical Society, with a wide array of rare historic items on display. New miniexhibit focuses on the legacy of activist and performer Jose Sarria. Free for members-$5.

Wed-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm.

4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

The Skin I Live In @ Castro Theatre

Man’s country M

asculinity and race get a close look at a special live show, and at screenings of popular films, both serious and parodic. – J.P.

Daniel Beatty @ Brava Theatre

Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X @ Castro Theatre

The Obie-Award winning TV, stage and film actor, who’s also openly gay, performs his one-man show, Through the Night, about six African American men struggling through different experiences. Partial proceeds benefit Community Works. $40-$100.

Saturday, February 11. 7pm.

2781 24th St. (510) 486-2340. www.communityworkswest.com

Sunday, February 12, enjoy a Spike Lee double feature of films about African Americans confronting racism and politics. Do the Right Thing (2pm, 8pm) and Malcolm X (4:15). $10. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Antonio Banderas stars in Pedro Almodòvar’s new strange film about an obsessed plastic surgeon. $10. 2:30, 5:15, 8pm. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Smack Dab @ Magnet Kirk Read and Larry-bob Roberts cohost the usually LGBT-themed open mic/reading night. Featured reader is Alvin Orloff, who discusses his latest book, Why Aren’t You Smiling? about 1970s California as seen through the eyes of a gay teenager. 7:30pmn sign-up. 8pm readings. 4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Thu 16>> Charles Garrett @ Celtic Coffee Company Opening reception for an exhibit of abstract paintings by the popular local bartender.

6:30pm-9:30pm. 142 McAllister. www.celticcoffeecompany.com

Della Reese @ The Rrazz Room Actress (Touched by an Angel) and singer performs gospel, jazz, R&B and classic songs. $65. 8pm. Also Feb. 17, 8pm, Feb. 18, 7:30pm.

2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Meat Rack @ YBCA I’m Gonna Git You Sucka

I’m Black and I’m Proud @ Castro Theatre Midnites for Maniacs presents a triple bill of Blackspolitation-parody and comedy flicks. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka starring all of the Wayans brothers (7:30pm); Louis CK’s Pootie Tang (9:30pm) and Chris Rock’s CB4 (11:30).

Friday, February 10. $12. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

The Casserole Club, part of SF Indie Fest

SF Indie Fest @ Roxie Theater The festival of independent cinema showcases unusual films, several of which explore the myth of masculinity in American culture, like The Casserole Club (see photo). Special events include an array of popular parties including Roller Disco at Cellspace Feb 11; 2050 Bryant St. at 18th. Thru Feb 23. 3117 16th St. www.sfindie.com

Return screening of Michael Thomas’ gritty gay sexploitation feature about a San Francisco bisexual hustler. The director (also cofounder of Strand Releasing) presents a new pristine Kodachrome print. $6-$8.

7:30pm. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts screening room, 701 Mission St. 978-2787. www.ybca.org

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

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

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

<< Leather+

30 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

▼

Brent Gannetta is Mr. Powerhouse 2012

by Scott Brogan

O

n Saturday, Jan. 28, the Powerhouse bar was packed with every leather person in town (and some visiting) in attendance. All were there to see who would win the coveted Mr. Powerhouse 2012 title. The Powerhouse has a strong tradition of getting great guys to represent them in the Mr. San Francisco Leather contest and all year. I’d say at least three to four of their men win the Mr. SF Leather title and go on to place high at International Mister Leather each May. Two men stepped up to the plate: Brent Gannetta and Rob (aka “Hanz”). Each did a fantastic job, no small feat considering their judges were all previous Mr. Powerhouse, Mr. SF Leather and Bare Chest Calendar men. For the record, the judges were: Troy Anicete (Mr. SF Leather 2003); Brandon Clarke (2009); Lance Holman (2010) and Darren Bondy (2011). Bondy gave a fun and heartfelt step-down speech, the highlight of which was his relaying a dream he had about his speech a few nights before. What he didn’t tell the crowd was that his dream included his fucking a parade of men through sheets that acted as glory holes, with only anonymous asses sticking out. Wishful dreaming? During his speech, I kept hoping that dream would come true, but my hopes were in vain.

Bondy was an exemplary Mr. Powerhouse and Mr. SF Leather. Like Holman before him, I’m sure he’ll be around for a welcome long while.

In the end, Gannetta took the title with Rob placing runner-up. Congratulations! Gannetta joins Mr. Hayes Valley Leather 2012 Michael Vane, Mr. Citadel Jesse Vanciel, and newly appointed Mr. Edge Leather 2012 Will Swagger.

Leland Carina

Mr. Powerhouse 2011 Darren Bondy passes the title to Mr. Powerhouse 2012 Brent Gannetta.

Swagger, who’s also Mr. October on the Bare Chest Calendar, was appointed to represent The Edge at the M r . SF Leather Contest next month. There was no contest at The Edge due to an issue with the city’s entertainment licensing process. Manger Terry Penn, along with community leaders and last year’s Mr. Edge Drew Cutler, appointed Swagger.

All four men will compete on March 3 in the Mr. SF Leather Contest. The contest is a part of the Leather Alliance Weekend happening March 2-4. Go to:

www.leatheralliance.org for details.

Northern CA Leather Sir/boy/ Bootblack this weekend. Don’t forget, this Saturday the Northern California Leather Sir/boy/Community Bootblack contest returns to SF. It will be at BeatBox (314 11th St.) starting at 6 p.m. This contest has something for everyone, so be sure to be there!

Besides, they feature on-stage fantasies as a part of the judging criteria.

The fantasies are usually quite creative and very erotic. The beneficiary is CARAS (Community Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities). CARAS is “dedicated to the support and promotion of excellence in the study of alternaSee page 31 >>

Coming up in leather and kink Thu., Feb. 9: Daddy Thursdays at Kok Bar (1225 Folsom). Shot & drink specials. 10 p.m.-close.

Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Thu., Feb. 9: Bare Chest Calendar Contest at The Powerhouse (1347 Folsom). 8-10 p.m.

Go to: www.barechest.org.

Thu., Feb. 9: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse (in conjunction with the Bare Chest Calendar contest). $5 cover to benefit Project Inform. 10 p.m.-close.

Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Fri., Feb. 10: Truck Wash at Truck (1900 Folsom).

10 p.m.-close. Live shower boys, drink specials, loads of fun! Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Fri., Feb. 10: Lick It! at The Powerhouse. Join Lance Holman and sexy men, bootblacks, raffles, go-go boys andmore!10p.m.-close.Goto: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Fri., Feb. 10: Mystique, SF’s Premier Event for Dominant Women at The Citadel (1277 Mission), an inclusive BDSM party for dominant women of all varieties to get together. Dominant Women $25; Accompanied Submissives $25; Single Female Submissives $25; Single Male Submissives $50 (without RSVP). *Single Male Submissives RSVP to get on the guest list and pay $25 at the door. Starts at 7 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Fri., Feb. 10: Cockstar at Kok Bar. DJ Gehno Sanchez is your host for sexy contests, celebrity porn and local celebrity appearances. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Sat., Feb. 11: Open Play Party at the SF Citadel.

8 p.m.-1 a.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Sat., Feb. 11: The Northern California LeatherSIR, Leatherboy & Community Bootblack Contest returns to San Francisco. The contest starts at 7 p.m. at BeatBox (314 11th St.). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/214107) or $15 at the door. Benefit for CARAS. Go to: www.carasresearch.org.

Sat., Feb. 11: All Beef Saturday Nights at The Lone Star (1354 Harrison). 100% SoMa Beef! 9 p.m.-close.

Go to: www.facebook.com/lonestarsf.

Sat., Feb. 11: Boot Lickin’ at The Powerhouse. It’s all

about the boots! 9 p.m.-close.

Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sun., Feb. 12: Truck Bust Sundays at Truck. $1 beer bust. Warm bar, hot men, cold beer. 4-8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Sun., Feb. 12: Night Cruise Sundays at Kok Bar. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Sun., Feb. 12: Nasty at The Powerhouse. Get nasty and dirty! 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sun., Feb. 12: The SF Men’s Spanking Party at The Power Exchange (XXX), a male-only event. $20.

-6 p.m. Go to: http://www.voy.com/201188/.

Sun., Feb. 12: Darren Bondy presents Making the Connection at Mr. S Leather (385 8th St.). An afternoon with Guy Baldwin, Leather’s Enfant Terrible. 2-4 p.m.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Go to Facebook for details.

Mon., Feb. 13: Dirty Dicks at The Powerhouse. $3 well drinks. 4-10 p.m. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Tue., Feb. 14: Busted at Truck. $5 beer bust. 9-11 p.m.

Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Tue., Feb. 14: Safeword: 12-Step Kink Recovery Group at the SF Citadel. 6:30-8 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Wed., Feb. 15: Meet & Greet at The Edge (4149 18th St.) for the new Mr. Edge Leather 2012. 7-9 p.m.

Go to: www.edgesf.com.

Wed., Feb. 15: Bare Bear at The Water Garden (1010 The Alameda, San Jose), night at the baths for bears and those who love them! 6-10 p.m.

Go to: www.thewatergarden.com.

Wed., Feb. 15: Creative Kinksters at the SF Citadel. If you knit, crochet, sew, color, paint, or do any craft that can be carried with you to the Citadel, join us! $5.

7-9 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Wed., Feb. 15: Nipple Play at The Powerhouse. Drink specials for the shirtless. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www. powerhouse-sf.com.

Wed., Feb. 15: Underwear Buddies at Blow Buddies (933 Harrison), a male=only club. Doors open 8 p.m.12 a.m. Play till late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

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Karrnal >>

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 31

Inaction hero

by John F. Karr

H

old off! Don’t do it! Restrain yourself!

I got overexcited, and I did it. I actually bought Cobra Video’s The Brent Corrigan Sex Tapes. And I regretted it. I saw in one sentence of advertising copy the wonder-star’s name, along with the words “from the vaults” and “unreleased,” and well, you know what happens when visions of super cocks dance in my head – my consciousness was clouded. Oh, I’ve been to the circus. I’ve been around the block. I should have been able to recognize a come-on. And if you saw what I saw, you’d agree with me: these are movies you can’t cum on.

I’m a big fan of Mr. Corrigan. His sunny personality, his enthusiasm, his seeming innocence and basic freshness that haven’t lessened throughout his career; his lovely, supple body with its fine complexion; his twinkling blue eyes; his moppet’s fall of fine hair across his forehead. And then there are the primary components of his stardom: a cock, a butt, and an asshole of sheer divinity.

His asshole is perhaps the most pristine and burnished burrow ever encountered.

What sweetness it promises tongue, what safe haven it vouchsafes tool.

And his cock? I’d describe its gloss, its length, and its supreme hardness with greater detail, but my consciousness is gonna get clouded in a second or two so I’ll stop before my words dribble down my chin.

All that good stuff is amply displayed in the three scenes of this hour-and-40-minute movie, but to little avail. The videographer’s palsy renders much of the footage unwatchable, and the absence of music adds to the airless quality of the action. Or perhaps I should say, the occurrences. Because little of this material can be construed as action. Brent is his good-natured self but seems somehow disengaged. He’s strictly professional throughout, putting a new boy and experienced partners through their paces. Although he begins each scene with romantic kissing, things devolve into A Sexual Sampler

<<

Cobra Studios

Brent Corrigan on the beach: a sunny personality.

of Possible Positions. It’s all so prosaic, so listless.

Brent’s first partner is Brad, a cupcake with hairless body, whiskerless face, pierced eyebrow and low hanging balls under a fat and thickly veined cock. He swirls his tongue around Brent’s cockhead, making the rest of Brent’s cock seem like the longest bridge in the world as it arcs back to its point of origin. The kid is at first a slow, dutiful fucker, but he picks up velocity and impact after getting Brent into doggie position. There’s a surprise flip, and Brent fucks Brad nicely in several revealing though clinically manifested positions. Brad’s whimper works its way up the chromatic scale until, with a yelp, he suddenly pops. I make it sound more exciting than it is, a fact confirmed by the effort it takes Brent to jack off. “I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard,” he says.

Brent’s second partner, Jacob, is slightly older, with a promising dick very similar to Brent’s (long, smooth, hard), but a good deal thicker. Their 69-ing elicited a Pavlovian response from me, as did the moments of Jacob’s snake-tongue sliding deep into the promising bliss of Brent’s asshole.

Subsequently, Brent sits deep upon Jacob’s cock and surprises himself by suddenly cumming. He just couldn’t help himself, although the excitement reads but little on the screen.

Finally, there’s a three-way for Brent with Carter and Josh: one, a hot

Cobra Studios

Portrait of Brent Corrigan as a young man.

Nordic blond who bottoms; the other, a dirty blond with bleached tips, who tops. Their three homey holes lined up in a chain-fuck are a lovely sight, yet one always senses the guys assuming positions, fulfilling their contract as Fuck Pros rather than being three kids having fun. And would you believe the scene, and the movie, ends in mid-stroke, without even a single final orgasm. It’s no wonder this stuff was previously unreleased. Someone knew it was DOA back then. And someone else is just trying to cash in now. So, don’t buy The Brent Corrigan Sex Tapes. Don’t even bother renting it. Just pull your favorite Brent scene off the shelf, and watch that. Don’t deaden your love for Brent or deflate your hard-on with this eventless event.▼

Leather +

From page 30

tive sexualities, and the dissemination of research results to the alternative sexuality communities, the public, and the research community.” Check them out at: www.carasresearch.org.

Tickets for the contest are $10 in advance at www.brownpapertickets. com/event/214107 or $15 at the door.

See you there!

Gear Up Weekend is gearing up.

It’s not all contests and titleholders out there. The gang at Gear Up Weekend have been busy promoting their deservedly popular new annual event.

Just last weekend they hosted a 2012 Registration Kick-Off Play Party in the upstairs playspace at Mr. S Leather.

If you’re into gear, those who wear it, or simply thrive being around amped up, randy men, Gear Up Weekend and their satellite events are what you’re looking for. Besides, who can resist men whose sexual appetites are never completely satisfied? I know I can’t!

Go to: www.gearupweekend.com for more about the event this July.

Quilt in the Castro. It’s already been reported, but I feel it’s important to remind everyone that the AIDS Memorial Quilt returns to its original home this coming week. Panels from the Quilt will be shown simultaneously in the following locations: 2278 Market St. (the former Tower Records store), Under One Roof (518A Castro), Catch restaurant (2362 Market), Bank of America (501 Castro) and

Rich Trove

Four for Mr. SF Leather: Brent Gannetta, Jesse Vanciel, Will Swagger and Michael Vane.

Body clothing store (450 Castro). The Catch restaurant location is the Quilt’s original home. The largest exhibit will be at the old Tower Records location.

This is the Quilt’s largest SF exhibition since it moved out of SF in 1999.

The exhibits are open from Noon to 8 p.m. Sun., Feb. 12 through Mon., Feb. 20. The traditional unfolding ceremony will take place at Noon on Feb. 12 at the 2278 Market St. location. The exhibition is free to the public, with donations going to the many AIDS charities in town.

New panels will also be accepted into

the Quilt at this time.

If you haven’t seen the Quilt in person, it’s your duty to go. If you have seen it, you should go again. We should all pay tribute to those who have gone, whether recently or in the past, and those who live with it every day. Contrary to what many people seem to believe these days, AIDS has not gone away, nor is it “manageable” for everyone. It continues to wreak havoc in all communities everywhere. We can never lose sight of that. So go, show your support, and give whatever money you can.▼

www.ebar.com

Serving the LGBT communities since 1971

32 • BAY AREA REPORTER • February 9-15, 2012

▼

Music>>

Rare tribute to a gay guerrilla composer

by Jason Victor Serinus

B

lack, gay and extraordinarily gifted, composer/vocalist Julius Eastman (1940-90) may have died alone. When composer/Village Voice writer Kyle Gann finally published an obituary in January 1991, none of Eastman’s closest associates had a clue that he had already been dead for eight months.

Eastman was one of the first composers to convincingly – sometimes startlingly – combine rock and house influences with minimalist processes. Yet his work all but disappeared. Most music-lovers first learned of Eastman’s achievement when composer/performer Mary Jane Leach miraculously managed to assemble a three-disc set of Eastman’s archival recordings for New World Records (2005).

Absent, however, were the scores for many of those works.

It has taken until now for gay San Francisco Conservatory instructor/ composer/performer/conductor Luciano Chessa, together with pianist/KALW radio host/new music advocate Sarah Cahill, to do the huge amount of legwork necessary to mount a concert of Eastman’s music.

Chessa and Cahill’s Tribute to Julius Eastman, scheduled for Feb. 10 in the Berkeley Arts Museum, is part of the extraordinary weekly

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SF IndieFest

From page 21

pro league with her best friend Katie; and finding love with a pert little US Army lass.

Director Melissa Johnson dips into a feel-good zone with this true-life tale of a most unlikely sports heroine who busts all nature of taboos from LA’s Chinatown to achieve a measure of respect in a foreign basketball world where American players must

series L@TE: Friday Nights @ BAM/PFA. Curated by a host of intrepid explorers – Cahill presents every second Friday of the month – the event’s doors open at 5 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., the evening begins with an hour-long DJ mix. In this case, Chessa will DJ a cocktail of recordings that credit Eastman as composer and performer.

The live tribute, which begins at 7:30 p.m., includes performances by two vocalists and six pianists (on six upright pianos). After the two-minute world premiere of Our Father, performed by tenor Kevin Baum and bass Richard Mix, come two of Eastman’s most notorious works, Evil Nigger and Gay Guerrilla. Between them, the energy shifts radically for Eastman’s more meditative and austere Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan of Arc. Even here, when a litany of saints exhorts, “Joan, speak boldly when they question you!” Eastman’s anger at oppression and murder break through. The concert, in the visually dramatic and acoustically fascinating setting of the museum’s many-tiered open well, should leave heads spinning, hearts churning, and hands clapping furiously.

“When I first encountered Eastman’s work,” Chessa explains, “I fell in love with the way he constructs pieces of music and his unique language. People talk about how win or get a quick ticket home. Johnson’s cameras provide a rare look at several sheltered worlds: a Burmese immigrant mom insisting that her still-closeted daughter submit to an arranged marriage, and a Harvard coach whose profanity-laced pep talks could match Bobby Knight. Johnson’s doc ranks right up there with such LGBT sports classics as Training Rules, Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker’s exposé of homophobia in the Penn State women’s basketball pro-

Composer Julius Eastman at work: many of his scores are lost.

extreme or outrageous he was, but the music is a revelation. Although he operates in the context of New York City minimalism, Eastman injects a different understanding – angrier, harsher, and spikier – with an element of tragedy. Even when things relax, it’s not the kind of hypnotic diatonic candy that’s typically associated with the mid-70s minimalism of Reich and Glass.”

Although he never received formal vocal training, the New Yorker’s brief but fiery career included his 1970 world premiere performance at Aspen of gay composer Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a gram (2009 Frameline). (Roxie, 2/11, 5 p.m.; 2/12, 12:30 p.m.)

Sahkanaga What would you do if you caused the death of a sibling’s pet in a fecund part of the woods where dead humans started popping up?

What if a best friend confessed to an abusive moment – forced to crossdress by the high school coach – and this same kid wanted you to kiss him?

In director John Henry Summerour’s unsettling coming-of-age story cradled in the pitiless beauty of rural Georgia, we meet Paul, a doe-eyed teen whose natural beauty, curiosity and precocious intelligence provide him a possible lifeline out of a suffocating backwater berg where people bond around Church and Civil War reenactments. We see Paul as a pretend rebel with a rifle, a reluctant assistant in his dad’s funeral business.

The terrible teen travails give way abruptly to an even worse secret: dead bodies on the outskirts of town, near a crematorium whose African American operator has a contract with Paul’s dad. The ensuing scandal threatens a complete social and business debacle for Paul’s family. Director Summerour, drawing on a true-life story that rocked Walker County, GA a decade back, eschews cheap horrorfilm tricks to increase our fear of the unburied dead with his ability to manipulate Southern Gothic imagery and an acute sense of the proper pacing for this story, and his young lead’s ability to command our attention with unexpected moments of stillness. Young actor Trevor Neuhoff draws skeptical adults into the grip of stories about childhood’s end. (Roxie, 2/18, 5 p.m.; 2/22, 7:15 p.m.)

Bullhead Michael Roskam’s labyrinthine drama, Belgium’s official Oscar contender, begins with a mysteriously bulked-up farm worker – remember when Barry Bonds’ head grew to planet-like proportions? It takes us a while to learn the secret behind Jacky’s involvement with illegal steroids – he both feeds them to the cattle on his family’s Belgian farm and pokes them into his own ass – and it is a truly horrifying one, giving a terrifying new edge to the macho taunt, “Don’t break my balls!”

This cops-and-crooks tale has so many digressions it would qualify as HBO miniseries: Belgium’s ongoing

Mad King, which he recorded for Nonesuch three years later. He also made several seminal recordings with lesbian composer Meredith Monk (soon to appear in San Francisco Symphony’s American Mavericks concerts).

Known to be as difficult and challenging as he was gifted, Eastman once presented an infamous “lecture” during a performance of gay composer John Cage’s Songbooks at the first June in Buffalo Festival at SUNY Buffalo in 1975. Six years after Stonewall, he began with an impromptu lecture on gay sex. Then he asked for a male and female

volunteer, and began to undress them without permission. The woman resisted. The next day, the often Zen-like Cage threw matters of chance aside as he pounded his fist on the piano and declared, “The freedom in my music does not mean the freedom to be irresponsible!”

Eastman’s life grew increasingly difficult and fragmented after he was denied a position at Cornell University in 1983. He began drinking heavily and smoking crack. After working at New York’s Tower Records, he disappeared from view. After he was evicted from his apartment, many of his scores were lost. At one point, he camped out in Tompkins Square Park in the West Village.

Chessa suspects that Eastman’s death in a Buffalo hospital, officially of cardiac arrest, was AIDS-related.

His brother Gerry, a guitarist for the Count Basie Orchestra, has blamed Eastman’s decline on the racism endemic in the classical music world. Whatever the causes for his deep pain and tragic decline, A Tribute to Julius Eastman will again enable his renegade genius to touch music-lovers to the core.▼ For information on A Tribute to Julius Eastman, see www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/ exhibition/late021012 or call (510) 642-1124.

SF IndieFest

Scene from director Michael Roskam’s Bullhead.

almost-civil war between Jacky’s tribe, the Dutch-speaking Flemish majority, and the rival French-speaking Walloons; the criminal gangs that traffic horrible human-growth hormone shit into people’s bodies and the food chain; bad sex-obsessed childhoods that morph into hideous marriages; and tacky, druggy dance clubs.

There’s a festering urge for revenge on Jacky’s part, and a deeply suppressed homo flirtation with a narcotics cop

by Jacky’s onetime childhood best friend. This one belongs in the Bonds defense team’s Netflix queue. (Roxie, 2/11, 7:15 p.m.; 2/13, 7:15 p.m.)

Last Days Here Don Argott and Damian Fenton, creators of 2009’s doc hit The Art of the Steal, return with the wildly improbable, truly scary comeback story of Bobby Liebling, the over-the-top front man for the 70s doom metal band Pentagram. In the early 70s, young Bobby blew a certain record deal by pissing off the producer. What followed was a cascading series of reversals that left Bobby – friendless, puffing on a crack pipe, digging into his needlescarred arms looking for demon bugs – buried alive in his aging parents’ subbasement. The parents, who estimate they’ve sunk over a million bucks into their almost-corpse of a son, have abandoned all hope.

The cavalry arrives in the form of an insanely dedicated fan and a gorgeous, much younger girlfriend.

Catch this one for a drowning man’s desperate attempts to both court and

sabotage his resurrection. (Roxie, 2/18, 7:15 p.m.; 2/20, 9:30 p.m.)

High From the early 60s through the late 70s, Larry Kent was English Canada’s best-kept cultural secret.

A prolific pioneering auteur, Kent’s nine features broke all kinds of social codes about recreational drugs, sex-starved women, random queer hookups and guys who keep their hats on in the house. Don’t miss this 79-minute romp as a perpetually stoned hetero couple’s drug-fueled escapades take a turn towards minor and then not-so-minor crime.

Filmed in B&W alternating with drug hallucination-simulating color, our feckless boy/girl pranksters would find themselves in a real pickle if the film lasted another reel.

Kent assembles beautiful, very white bodies who seem oblivious to the thin line between experimental and hardcore porn. Once banned by the Quebec Film Board, this is a gem found in the rough. (Roxie, 2/19, 21, both 7:15 p.m.)

Exley Larry Kent proves he hasn’t entirely lost his knack with this absurdist tale about a bad day in the life of a dude trying to hustle up the dough to visit his dying mom. Starts promisingly with dueling hetero and queer sex scenes, but then devolves into a trite, meandering morass that demands a level of acting that’s not in the room. (Roxie, 2/18, 9:30 p.m.; 2/20, 7:15 p.m.) ▼ www.sfindie.com

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Read more online at www.ebar.com

February 9-15, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 33

Books>>

Speech recognition

by Jim Piechota Useless Landscape or A Guide for Boys by D.A. Powell; Graywolf Press, $22

I

t would be quite a feat of literary brilliance for San Francisco-based poet D.A. Powell to trump the success of his fourth book of poems, Chronic, published in 2009, but he has done so in spades. The poet’s publishing history is a rich one, bejeweled with literary awards, financial endowments, and wide critical acclaim. The publication of his third collection, Cocktails (a supreme play on words), back in 2004, delivered a final emphatic sigh to a poetry trilogy beautifully delivering the writer’s sentiments about living life not only as a gay man, but a gay man with HIV. Chronic was yet another original work of free expression about the disease he lives with,

about the thrills and chills of gay eroticism, and the happy-sadness that permeates his own life (and, respectfully, all of ours). Useless Landscape or A Guide for Boys, his fifth book, does the same justice to the emotional landscapes of living, dying, and of just being in the moments that shape our identities Powell writes provocatively of the sexy and the sexual: a “fluffer” has something profound to say as he devours his next meal (“If I could I’d finish you. Be more than just your rag,”) a boy cruises a mall scanning eyes to consecrate his “second great awakening,” and a Turkish bath patron enjoys the “opaque spray” of the steam room.

Clever descriptions crowd Powell’s pages, some densely filling the spaces from top to bottom, some with the ability to seize a precious moment in only three lines. In “Bojangles,” a sneaky, underage seducer

w without its equally sorry ssinger.”

The second section has sstanzas that deserve to be rerread and contemplated in the ssame sitting. The native Califfornian in “Notes of a Native SSon” stays sane by keeping ““expectations low and myself h high,” while offering advice to aanother who has worn himsself thin about town: “Too m many people know you as th the affable but obvious mussy d downtown hussy.”

In “The Bathers,” Powell cl closes out this particularly reso onant verse about a lake and a few campers with words of h heartbreaking inevitableness – that searing intuition blinkin ing like a red beacon through th the fog: “But sorry is the h heart that knows what’s round th the bend.” ▼

of a nightclub doorman offers the perfect way to adopt an outward air of innocence that raises no suspicion: “You’ve got to put on the outfit that says I don’t want to fuck you, I just want to dance.” His impressions of Bay Area tourists atop a doubledecker bus are funny and exacting, as are nervewracking notions of taking toxic meds. The writer is also spot-on in lines describing the slinky urgency of nightfall in the title poem, as darkness, closing in on another day, “descends so quickly it seems to seize you in burly arms”; and in equating love and lovers in pathetic terminology: “Love, as a song, is sorry enough,

DVD>>

Teen scene

by Gregg Shapiro

T

he once-promising filmmaker John Singleton has been on a steady decline since his breakthrough directorial debut Boyz n the Hood. His latest, the Taylor Lautner vehicle Abduction (Lionsgate), does nothing to slow or stop his downhill slide.

A few days ago, Nathan (Lautner) was just another hard-partying high school wrestler in a form-fitting singlet. That was before he discovered that a picture of him from his childhood showed up on a missing children’s website, while doing online research for a sociology project with classmate (and potential love interest) Karen (Lily Collins). As he is in the process of confronting Mara (Maria Bello) and Kevin (Jason Isaacs), the people he believed to be his parents, his home is invaded by Eastern European villains and the murder rate rapidly increases.

Not only are these bad guys with accents after Nathan, but so is a team of CIA agents, led by Burton (Alfred Molina). While helping him to escape from the clutches of evil,

<<

Nathan’s therapist Dr. Bennett reveals that not only is she his shrink but also one of his “keepers.”

Everyone, it seems, is trying to protect Nathan from the ruthless Kozlow (Michael Nyqvist). Kozlow is trying to get his hands on an encrypted list of people who have stolen or traded valuable intel, which just so happens to be in the hands of Nathan’s birthfather, rogue agent Martin (Dermot Mulroney).

This convoluted script might have worked better with a more capable director, not to mention a better cast of actors. Lautner, often in tight-fitting T-shirts (but rarely out of one), is easily one of the worst actors of his (or any other) generation. Everyone else is completely miscast, not the least of whom is Sigourney Weaver, who says her lines as if she has just learned to speak after a traumatic head injury. If Lautner ever appears in a movie titled Abdominals, watch

it. But be sure to avoid Abduction.

DVD special features include a gag reel, stunts and “making of ” featurettes, and more.

The well-intentioned if flawed Dirty Girl (Anchor Bay/Weinstein Company), from out writer/director Abe Sylvia, unfolds as if the world’s

b biggest John Waters fan wanted to write and direct an amalgam o of Thelma and Louise and Easy A A, and failed. In the “man’s w world” of 1987 Norman, OK, h high school hussy Danielle ((Juno Temple) sets out to prove tthat girls have more power, esp pecially dirty girls. But her lesstthan-acceptable behavior regullarly gets her sent to the office o of the principal. Exasperated b by her unwillingness to confform to Oklahoma standards, tthe principal puts her in the ““Challenger” special ed proggram, because “nobody likes a d dirty girl.”

It’s there that she meets gay, overweight, Melissa Manchestter-obsessed, hoodie-wearing Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), who iis doing his best to be invisible and avoid being sent to military school by his redneck father Joseph (Dwight Yoakam) and mousy mother Peggy (Mary Steenburgen).

Paired up for a lesson in parenting involving a sack of flour, Danielle and Clarke form an unlikely bond.

Danielle, anxious to escape her own

unpleasant situation at home with single mom Sue-Ann (Milla Jovovich) and her Mormon boyfriend Ray (William H. Macy), goes on the lam with Clarke. Heading to Fresno to find Danielle’s absent birthfather, the teen transients steal Joseph’s precious Cadillac and hit the road.

Along the way they encounter hot stripper Joel (Nicholas D’Agosto), who helps Clarke out with his virginity (for a price), and more than a few bumps in the road.

Promising but disappointing, Dirty Girl is too much (trash) talk and not enough action, although it’s not nearly as unwatchable as Ash Christian’s output. But this kind of thing has been done before and done better.

DVD special features include deleted and extended scenes, as well as commentary by writer/director Sylvia.

Other teen tales on Blu-ray include Dead Poets Society (Touchstone), from that late-80s/early-90s period where Robin Williams (as private school teacher John Keating) was making an effort to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor, and The Art of Getting By (20th Century), starring Freddie Highmore as unmotivated and depressed high school senior George, with love interest Sally (Emma Roberts) and the degree of drama that it takes for him to get his act together to not just get by, but actually graduate.▼

Ali MacGraw

From page 21

Her sensitivity towards gay issues dates back to the 1960s. “I began my work life in New York in the fashion business, and was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest talent of the time, many, many of whom were gay, and many of whom were lost in the first days of AIDS. I never gave any thought whatsoever to anyone’s sexuality, not then, and certainly not now. I’m interested in what people do, and whether or not they are kind and decent.”

In 2007, MacGraw narrated the documentary Complicated Marriages, which focused on oppositesex married couples in which one of the spouses is gay. “Of course, I have always believed that everyone should be able to marry whomever they want, and to share in all aspects of that commitment. I am appalled by the continued judgment of same-sex marriage: some of my best friends are in nurturing, wonderful, same-sex marriages with a lot longer commitment than some of the so-called ‘appropriate’ ones. The fact that children are still bullied and tortured over their sexuality is outrageous and criminal. It’s way past time to eradicate this black mark on our society.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, our friend

Ali MacGraw with Love Story co-star Ryan O’Neal.

Ali MacGraw today: ‘Everyone should be able to marry.’

Ali MacGraw will grace the stage of the Castro Theatre in a very special extravaganza from local impresario Marc Huestis. It’s a night that Huestis and chanteuse Justin Vivian Bond, who will participate in the pre-film stage show, are quite excited about.

“Sappy movies and gorgeous women are two of my favorite things,” Bond told the B.A.R. “Ali MacGraw

and Love Story? Werque! These are the best Valentines anyone could give me!”

Huestis summed it up. “Ali has survived the years magnificently,” he said.

“She has inspired me as much for how she has evolved as a kind human being and activist as for a cinema icon.

So excited that she’ll get a dose of San Francisco with the performances and

the Ali MacGraw lookalikes of both genders. Ali was once the personal assistant to Diana Vreeland, the Grande Dame of 1960s fashion. Very Devil Wears Prada. I can only imagine the conversations she’ll have with Katya Smirnoff-Skyy and Justin Vivian Bond.”

The main event begins at 8 p.m.

In addition to the live performances and lookalike contest, MacGraw and Huestis will chat on the Castro stage.

At 9:15 p.m., Love Story will screen on the giant Castro screen. After the film,

MacGraw will hold a signing in the Castro mezzanine that’s open to all.

There will also be a pre-show signing at 6:15 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders.

Gala tickets are $25; $45 for VIP tickets, which gets you center row, reserved seating and entrance to the 6:15 p.m. signing. Film-only tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis at the box office. ▼ Tickets available online at www.ticketfly.com/event/85435 or by calling (415) 863-0611.

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34 • Bay Area Reporter • February 9-15, 2012

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