Looking back on the last several evenings of entertainment I’ve written about, I’ve nodded off during most. As a girl on the go, uptempo seems to work best. For me, relaxing in a warm, dimly-lit space with mood music, no matter how beautifully performed, leads to unexpected cat-naps.

Wouldn’t you know, I fell out at least three times during the star-studded Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation Help Is on the Way benefit last night, August 3, at the Palace of Fine Arts. How embarrassing! Thank goodness the darkened theatre allowed me to doze unnoticed.

Don’t blame the talent or the event. Featuring a V.I.P. pre-performance reception, silent auction fundraiser and posh after-show dessert meet-and-greet with most of the celebrities involved, REAF truly presents one of the most elegant nights of entertainment and fundraising in town. Now in its 14th year, this was my third or fourth Help Is on the Way benefit. (I seem to have lost count.)

Drawing the pinnacle of San Francisco society to witness a spectacular line-up of performers, the 2008 edition revisited the popular “Blame It on the Movies” theme from last year. While the performances are generally pretty fabulous, I’ll be honest. “Hob-nobbing” with the upper crust bores me to tears. The part I love best is accosting the stars in the lobby after-the-fact to snap photos!

Continue reading "'Help Is on the Way' Brings Out the Stars" »

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Posted by Pollo Del Mar at 10:41 AM • Comments (3)

Boy, am I glad I made it to last night’s San Francisco stop on Jay Brannan’s “Fat Is a Feeling…Not a Shape” concert tour!

Having never seen Shortbus, the John Cameron Mitchell movie which brought the openly-gay performer to national recognition last year, I wasn’t familiar with his film or musical contributions. After catching his show, obviously, I’m much more in the know. Yet, as amusing as I found the New York actor/singer/songwriter, he’s not even the reason I’m glad I made it to Bottom of the Hill.

Call me crazy, but I believe things happen for a reason and, in turn, can kick off a whole series of unforeseen events. When you are able to sit back and enjoy the domino affect, life makes for an interesting adventure. At least that’s consistently been my experience, and last night supports the theory.

Yesterday when I bought that brand new bottle of Spirit Gum – the sticky substance which allows me to make my eyebrows just perfect -- I had no idea it would inspire me to get in drag for a concert I wasn’t even that inclined to attend. Being painted like I was straight from the trailer park opened me to conversations with people I might never have otherwise met.

In an interesting turn of events, that landed my drag daughter Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n’t and me at Orphan Andy’s for 2 a.m. cheesecake and a chat with Tomas, the new friend we rescued from a potentially tragic hook-up. But really, that’s getting ahead of the story. After all, for the 100, maybe even 150 – probably more – crowding Bottom of the Hill last night, Jay Brannan was the highlight of the evening.

Continue reading "Soundtrack to My Night By Jay Brannan" »

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Posted by Pollo Del Mar at 03:18 PM • Comments (2)

Given its hype, I initially refused to watch American Idol. Something about me always resists societal pressures, at least temporarily. In this case, it was just long enough to miss the crowning of a superstar -- Season I winner Kelly Clarkson.

Later, I became an Idol junkie. Between Simon’s scathing (frequently dead-on) commentary, Paula’s obvious lapses in sanity, sobriety and, quite often, consciousness, and let’s not forget the actual talent, the show unquestionably combines must-see TV moments and must-hear performances. I was glued to my TV in shock and dismay when spastic, silver-haired Joe Cocker knock-off Taylor Hicks claimed Season IV. Season V winner, today’s undisputed country queen Carrie Underwood, brought sweet vindication.

And don't overlook the ‘upsets.’ Every time Chris Daughtry racks up another gold record, I want to say, “Told ya so!” Remember Season III, when amazing LaToya London was sent home to Oakland in favor of sweet-but-forgettable Jasmine Trias? How can anyone forget eventual Dreamgirls Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, eliminated seventh that same year? (No, seriously, how can we forget? It’s mentioned every time she is!)

I’m still appalled by Idol blatantly screwing Season VI finalist Blake Lewis, whose reworking of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” remains the franchise’s most original and brilliant piece of music yet. While I was fairly certain Lewis would not win, his fate was sealed when forced to perform “This Is My Now,” that stink-bomb ballad obviously written with Jordin Sparks in mind. For shame!

While I couldn't tell you a thing about Season VII, because I didn't watch, the Idol moments I remember least are from Season II. In fact, I barely remember the season at all! Do me a favor, will you, and not tell my new friends, Season II finalists Trenyce and Rickey Smith?

Continue reading "'Idol' Musings & In Concert" »

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Posted by Pollo Del Mar at 11:05 AM • Comments (0)

It’s entirely possible that I fell in love with a woman last night. Anyone who knows my dating history might find this less-than-surprising, as it has significantly lesbian tendencies, but I never thought I’d find myself completely infatuated with real lesbian – until I met L.P..

With my drag daughter Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n’t, I ventured out to 12 Galaxies to catch the New York-based singer/songwriter last night. It was my first time to the venue, located at 2565 Mission. It’s surprisingly spacious, accommodating and has unexpectedly fabulous acoustics, which was particularly important because I didn’t want to miss a note of L.P.’s breath-taking vocals.

My friend Martha introduced me to L.P.’s music a few weeks ago, and I was initially hesitant. Let’s be honest. Lesbian musicians carry the somewhat well-earned stereotype of leaning to the side of folk, spoken-word and other artforms for which I’ve traditionally had little affection. Boy, was I surprised when I watched the YouTube video for LP’s new single “Good With You”!

Combining insightful lyrics, blazing guitars and a voice which is at once unique yet familiar, and above all else powerfully expressive, L.P. is genuinely an artist with tremendous potential. Whether or not radio embraces her – they absolutely should, but that’s another story – I certainly have. In the days leading to her concert, I watched her “Wasted” video (from the 2004 opus Urban Sprawl & Alcohol) and added her latest track “Stupid Muthafucka” as my MySpace profile song.

Continue reading "Lesbian Singer L.P. Was Out of This World at 12 Galaxies" »

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Posted by Pollo Del Mar at 01:07 PM • Comments (0)

Is it blasphemous for a drag queen to admit being completely over the annual LGBT Pride Parade and festivities? It's a question I've been asking myself since Sunday, when I realized - at least for me, and quite possibly for me alone - the event lacked the charm and appeal of years past.

Continue reading "Not So Proud of Pride This Year" »

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Posted by Pollo Del Mar at 02:12 AM • Comments (8)

There are some seriously talented mofos in this town. There are also a plethora of outlets in which artists can showcase their work. It seems that any given night you can go to a bar, club or gallery and enjoy a reception or at least some fine art. Nearly every bar now has a collection or local artist work.
Last night, being the first Thursday of the month, two great happenings exploded on second street. First off we hit Varnish for their 30 Under 30. None of us are below 30, but we didn't have the couger vibe going on so we passed through the crowd seemlessly. There was one piece in particular that blew me away. One looked like spitballs on wood that created an amazing face of a boy looking through a scope of some sort. Brilliant!
After taking in the scene and sitting in the backseat for a little relaxation (it was a long day in wine country) we crossed the street to the bass pumpin' good times of 111 Minna. ArtnowSF had a showcase and they're typical live art in 3 corners of the gallery. There was much more wine drinking, dancing and chatting with some of our favorite guys: Joey, Kris D and the hot and sassy bartenders that put 111 Minna in that special place in my heart.

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Posted by at 11:02 AM • Comments (0)

Wow, last night City Hall was all aglow with one of the best celebrations of the month. After a 5 year struggle, they unveiled the bust of Harvey Milk...on his birthday!

It was a festive occasion with Chihuly-esque balloon sculptures, servers donning colorful hankerchiefs and tables draped with every color of the rainbow. Copious amounts of donated beverages from vodka to bubbly and good wine flowed freely. None of that $2 chuck for Harvey's peeps! M&Ms, cheez-its and mouthwatering passed hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants.
The ever smiling crowd consisted of all the big players, the Sisters, the Gay Men's Chorus, drag queens of all shapes and sizes, Frank Chu, and the standard politicos. Good on the 'commission' that met every Monday for the past half decade to make last night happen! The entertainment was astounding and joyful commencing with Somewhere over the Rainbow.
You can visit Harvey's bust by the office of the Supervisors, cleverly placed near where people tie the knot, and you know pretty soon most of those couples are going to be gay. Hooray!

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Posted by at 01:20 PM • Comments (0)

Yesterday we did our part to get local bikers hopped up on the good stuff, cupcakes and energy drinks that is. We risked life and limb (and heat exhaustion) to hang out at the corner of Fell and Masonic, but we were clever enough to choose a nice shady tree to prop ourselves under.
While accosting riders with said sugary treats and Bike to Work bags (courtesy of the Bicycle Coalition) we actually got some of them to stop. Hopefully their signatures will lead to much needed bike lanes on Masonic, where there's apparently no singal to prevent cars from turning off Fell right into the crosswalk full of bikes, peds, dogs, joggers and the like. It's treacherous, man.
It was a great deed we did, if you ask me - stopping sweaty half clad cyclists and offering them a moment of bliss. Yea, it was good for us too!

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Posted by at 12:20 PM • Comments (0)

We're all shaped by the interesting and/or strange places that we come from. But there's something off about the Canadians, especially those from Winnipeg. Maybe it's because of the bitter cold, the fact it means "Muddy Waters", maybe because half the city seceded in 1993.

In Guy Maddin's recent docu-fantasy, My Winnipeg, the viewer is treated to sundry details on the Winnipeg of the past. Part mystical rumination, part childhood history, this is perhaps the best farewell kiss turned film ever made. It's easy to share in the tribulations of the loss of the hockey rink and the missteps of the local government and business community. While fascinating, you have to wonder how much of the film is wild exaggeration and what might be oddly true. This is one of those hypnotic movies you get caught up in, then it's over and you leave the theater like a sleepwalker, pondering your own ghosts.

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Posted by at 03:03 PM • Comments (0)

Tuesday night we celebrated 7 of the best local independently run businesses with a little soiree at Anchor Brewery. It was the 4th Annual Small Business Awards and in the house were El Rio, Cole Hardware, WAGES, Hazel's Kitchen, Books and Bookshelves, the Luscious Garage crew and the amazing Scott Hauge. A few past winners came along to party with us for another year of inductees. Andrew and Tom over at Anchor are pretty rad dudes, they even take (and tell) jokes well. Schedule yourself a tour so you can get down and dirty with them. On tap was a sweet variety of brew, but the most popular seemed to be the Summer Ale, the ever so refreshing wheat. This particular brew was the perfect compliment to the cheesy quesadillas, chix nuggets and chocolate cake brought in from Ananda Fuara. I think the traditional accompaniment to vegetarian food is some sort of Lhassi, but everything in balance, right?
This was one of my favorite events because you get to chill and kick back with a cold one and chat with some spectacular folks. Sure, you can chat with Caroline, Richard, Dawn, David and all because they are the face of the businesses awarded. They're the ones with the useful advice - be it car maintenance, reading material, how tos for around the house and in some instances how tos in the dating department. If you're single head to Hazel's for a sandwich and a chat with Leslie, I hear she can score you a sailor. El Rio is always a place to get lucky at scoring, after all they have great bands, shuffleboard and tons of fund raisers, need to score a pet, watch for Rocket Dog benefits!
Being one of those so called localvores, I've always preferred to support my neighborhood businesses. It's easy in most areas of SF to get your food, books, CDs, clothes, hardware supplies, housewares and nightly entertainment from these sorts of businesses. Sometimes it takes a few more trips than going to a mass store, but it's always worth walking into a place where they know your name, half the time they know what you're looking for and they actually take time to give a shit. With the increasing lack of interpersonal interaction I relish these tete a tetes more and more.
So when you step away from this here computer, go forth and patronize that little mom and pop on the corner, trust me it will make your day...and their's.

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Posted by at 01:34 PM • Comments (0)