San Francisco's Revived LGBT Scene for 2012

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - As a true gay mecca, San Francisco can sometimes overwhelm visitors with its vast number of activities which appeal to the LGBT community. Often referred to as the "First Lady of San Francisco," Donna Sachet's more than 20 years of experience and affiliations with a broad spectrum of the LGBT community will guide you through the year's highlights.

From entertainment to fundraisers, from small events to major galas, and from the Castro to the entire city, Donna is tapped into everything that is happening in San Francisco and she will share the "what, when and where" with you in her quarterly updates.

For a link to this release, please visit the San Francisco Travel Association's Gay Travel site: http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/lgbt/


January 2012:

Confession, A New Monthly Party: Reason to Party is a new group of young professional people seeking to partner with businesses to create enjoyable social events that benefit local charitable organizations. The group has received nationwide publicity in Forbes magazine and NBC TV. They now have a new monthly event at Vessel, a downstairs club in San Francisco's Union Square with soaring ceilings, exposed brick walls, sexy lighting and a seductive sound system. Be there for the first Confession on Sunday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. www.reasontoparty.org

Vice Palace: The Last Cockettes Musical: Imagine a mind-blowing blend of Edgar Allen Poe, Frederico Fellini and the gender-bending theatre of the legendary Cockettes of the '70s, which included Divine, Sylvester and Mink Stole. Last year's wildly successful revival by the Thrillpeddlers of Pearls Over Shanghai brought the magic of the Cockettes to a modern audience and this production is bound to keep the momentum going with outrageous costuming, psychedelic lighting, raucous music and non-stop humor, sometimes completely off script. Hypnodrome Theatre, 575 10th St., every Friday and Saturday, beginning at the end of January 2012. www.thrillpeddlers.com

February 2012:

Love Means... Ali MacGraw: A Valentine's Day Extravaganza: Impresario Marc Huestis brings Academy Award nominee Ali MacGraw to the legendary Castro Theatre for a rare on-stage interview, live performances, look-alike contest, film career tribute and screening of the 1970 movie Love Story. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, than by reliving the quaint sentiments of a bygone era and meeting the actress who found herself in the middle of it all? www.castrotheatre.com

FRESH at Ruby Skye: The Last Dance: A decade of men, music and magic, this immensely popular monthly gay dance club hosts its last event Sunday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. DJs Jamie J. Sanchez, Wayne G. and Mark Tarbox promise a night to remember, surrounded by the incredible sound system, lighting effects and shirtless men that have made this party such a success. Partial proceeds for 10 years have benefited various charitable organizations, including Glide Memorial Church, EqualityCalifornia, National AIDS Memorial Grove, Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, HRC, PFLAG and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. www.freshsf.com

Every Day is a Parade: Imperial Coronation: Emperor Frankie Fernandez and Empress Saybeline complete their year of fundraising, party hosting and LGBT community awareness raising on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Galleria Design Center, 101 Henry Adams St. This lavish five-hour extravaganza begins promptly at 6 p.m. and includes spectacular musical production numbers, elaborate costumes, stunning jewelry and regal pageantry -- all with an element of camp thrown in.

The International Court System spans more than 70 chapters in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., but it started in San Francisco nearly 50 years ago with Jose Sarria, popular performer at the legendary Black Cat and first openly gay person to run for public office in the U.S. Dignitaries from across the continent attend, local elected officials pay their regards and everyone dons their finest attire. www.imperialcouncilsf.org

Scandalous: The Academy of Friends: The annual Oscar party is Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Galleria Design Center, 101 Henry Adams St. Cheer for your favorites during the live broadcast on multiple large screens while making the circuit through a stunning array of lounges, bars, restaurants, silent auction items, raffle drawings and live entertainment. This is the largest and most glamorous Oscar celebration outside of Hollywood. The money raised by the AOF has been distributed to worthy LGBT organizations throughout the Bay Area for more than 30 years. www.academyoffriends.org

March 2012:

Leather Alliance Weekend, March 1-4: The Leather Community is alive and well in San Francisco, demonstrated by a weekend packed with activities, starting Thursday, March 1, 2012. The 20-year celebration of San Francisco's Lenny Broberg winning the title of International Mr. Leather will be followed by a banquet and awards ceremony on Friday, March 2, with the Mr. SF Leather Contest on Saturday, March 3 and, finally, a victory party on Sunday, March 4. While activities occur throughout the city, most events are in the South of Market area and headquartered at Hotel Whitcomb on Market Street. Current Mr. SF Leather Darren Bondy rolls out the "leather carpet" welcoming the diverse spectrum of the Leather Community to San Francisco. www.leatheralliance.org

Enchantingly Wicked: SF Gay Men's Chorus Concert: The vast musical treasure trove of Broadway's Stephen Schwartz is explored at Davies Symphony Hall, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 20 and 21, 2012 by America's original gay chorus, under the baton of Tim Seelig. Critically acclaimed and now boasting nearly 300 singers, this chorus will delight its audiences with selections from Wicked, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Godspell and more. Guests will love the music, the enthusiasm, and the "choralography." www.sfgmc.org

SF LGBT Community Center's Soiree 10: On Saturday, March 24, 2012, celebrate 10 years of life-changing work at 1800 Market St., the nexus for so many aspects of the local LGBT Community. This creative center, which blends a vintage Victorian with a modern structure, provides services ranging from youth and families and economic empowerment to arts and culture and health and wellness. Soiree 10 has something for everyone under the vast LGBT umbrella with food and drink from many of the Bay Area's finest, entertainment by local favorites, extensive silent auction and a Belle Epoque theme. www.sfcenter.org

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