marke@sfbg.com
SUPER EGO Just like the Bible says, “We’re all born naked; the rest is drag.” Everyone’s a drag queen of some sort or other, for good or ill, and since 1995 the incredible annual Faux Queen Pageant has been proving that sometimes the best drag queens of all are women.
Back in the days of yore, nightlife legends Ruby Toosday and Diet Popstitute of club collective Klubstitute whipped up the “women dressed as men dressed as ‘women'” Faux Queen pageant to help fight against the gay scene’s ingrained misogyny and discrimination. (Thank god there’s absolutely no misogyny on the gay scene now, not even a smidge.) Of course it helped that the female performers really let ‘er rip when finally allowed to take the stage.
Now the charitable pageant is helmed by Bea Dazzler (winner, 1998 “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” flashing alien costume) with help from Cameron Eng of Foul Play Productions, and is livelier than ever, with 10 contestants — and their drag moms/coaches — from around the world, a zazzy “Fashion Fauxward” theme, a pie-eating contest (yes!), and more glorious gender confusion onstage than a drop-crotch Victor/Victoria onesie. And the competition is fierce, ladies.
“This might sound cheesy,” Dazzler says of her faux show, “but it’s my hope to send a message of inclusion, and a bond of togetherness … I’d like to see all ‘labels’ exist together under one roof! I believe that there is room for everyone in the drag and LGBTQ communities, and that we can all use each other’s best attributes to make ourselves stronger as a whole by sharing the spotlight — and letting everyone have a chance to shine!”
The only potential drawback to femme-Fauxing? All that glitter: “I have to admit that I’ve had to pick leftover glitter off my pet bunnies and parrots more than once,” Dazzler says. “I’ve learned not to try to get rid of it, and just accept that it will always be a part of my life. Just like that pesky back hair that keeps growing back!”
Drag, glitter, back hair: We truly are all one.
FAUX QUEEN PAGEANT Sat/6, doors 9pm, pie-eating contest 9:30pm, show 10pm, $20–$35. SomArts, 934 Brannan, SF. fauxqueenpageant.blogspot.com
NICKODEMUS
The NYC prince of global funk, whose Turntables on the Hudson parties actually make me cry with joy, comes to the new Hi Life weekly, live percussion in tow. Very nice.
Thu/4, 10pm, $6. Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, SF. www.elbo.com
BRIAN ELLIS AND REFLECTION
I am seriously digging these cute, young longhaired dudes from LA who jam out live to original electro funk on their keyboard banks. Ellis’ single “Love Is” features godfather of electro Egyptian Lover — I’m not the only one hot for their nostalgia-forward vibe.
Fri/5, 9pm-2am, $6. Underground SF, 424 Haight, SF. www.pushthefeeling.com
FORWARD
When DJ Adnan Sharif moved to Brazil, the city’s underground heart was broken. Now the deep house hero is bringing his Forward party — and his healing vibes — back for a real rager. With Worthy, Direct to Earth, Shawne, and many more.
Fri/5, 10pm-4am, $10–$15. Mighty, 119 Utah, SF. www.mighty119.com
GO BANG! SYLVESTER TRIBUTE
Our favorite monthly disco party Go Bang! returns to celebrate the one and only Queen Diva of the Night: Sylvester. With Paul Goodyear, Steve Fabus, Sergio Fedasz, Tobirus Mozelle singing live, and a vogue performance by Jocquese.
Sat/6, 9pm-3am, $7. The Stud, 399 Ninth St., SF. www.facebook.com/GOBANGSF
LTJ BUKEM
One of my all-time favorite classic DJs rides the drum ‘n bass comeback train into Public Works (sadly without partner MC Conrad in tow, but the excellent newcomers Bachelors of Science are on hand). Bukem never really went away, the world is just finally catching up to his gorgeously atmospheric sound, again.
Sat/6, 10pm, $20. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
LO DOWN LORETTA BROWN
“Erykah Badu, aka Lo Down Loretta Brown, is a touring artist, DJ, teacher, community activist, holistic healer, vegan, recycler, and conscious spirit.” What more do you need to know? Oh, that she plays smokin’ funk tunes and is appearing behind the decks with Talib Kweli. What.
Sun/7, 9pm, $20–$25. Mezzanine, 444 jessie, SF. www.mezzaninesf.com