Peaches Christ

Holy Cherry Moons! SF Album Project joins Prince’s ‘Parade’ in full, fantastical drag

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Holy Cherry Moons! SF Album Project joins Prince’s ‘Parade’ in full, fantastical drag

Things I know right now: I’m far from the only one who knows all the words to Yaz’s Upstairs at Eric’s, OK Computer is much better as a conceptual drag performance, and the 12-inch version of “Mountains” by Prince is one of the best extended jams ever committed to vinyl. 

The third thing I know from being a record nerd (it’s also impossible to prove to you, since the Purple One spends all his time on Youtube yanking down his music). But the first two revelations came courtesy of the stunning San Francisco Album Project, a talented group of drag performers, stage technicians, theatrical personages, and tasteful club kids. Every two months they take on an entire album, presenting it as a stage extravaganza, embellished with special effects and original dialogue. It’s brilliantly nuts, and not the albums you’d expect at all from a bunch of colorful queens.

After conquering Yaz and Radiohead (standing room only, btw), the SFAP is about to scale the purple peak and slide under the cherry moon: The troupe will present Prince’s “Parade” — the soundtrack to his 1986 movie Under the Cherry Moon, including the original version of my beloved “Mountains” —  in its entirety on Sun/22 at the Chapel.

I asked Nathan Rapport and Bobby Barber, “album curators” of SFAP, to give me the lowdown on the project, and what to expect this Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oemJ8eVneXo

 

SFBG SFAP seems like the kind of “eureka” idea that should have happened already, especially in SF — but no one really rubbed two drag sticks together to form a drag flame. How did the project come about?

Bobby Barber The San Francisco Album Project came about after about a year’s worth of on-and-off discussion between Nathan and myself about the state of the San Francisco drag scene. He and I both love what Trannyshack’s still achieving at the DNA Lounge – there are some sublime and thoroughly entertaining performances being created there to this day – but the venue and the interests of its audience don’t lend themselves very well to concepts and ideas that Heklina & Co. used to stage back when Trannyshack was at The Stud.

Some of our favorite shows ever at Trannyshack were evenings dedicated to an entire album (Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors, David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Pink Floyd’s The Wall), and it always seemed an idea that had endless possibilities. It’s from that very concept created and shepherded by Heklina, Peaches Christ, and Vinsantos that Nathan and I are now attempting our variations on.
Since I work for Peaches Christ Productions, I knew I had the resources available to at least a fund a few initial shows, provided I could find an appropriate venue. As soon as we saw The Chapel, Nathan and I knew it had to be there; it’s perfect. We brought Precious Moments (Michael Soldier) on board because we knew we had to have not just a seasoned Old Guard Trannyshack performer as one of the producers, but also because Precious thought up one of the old album-centered shows at Trannyshack back when it was at The Stud (Rumors). Precious has been indispensable not just as one of the performers in the troupe, but also as a director of the shows.

http://vimeo.com/70395055

SFBG You really “go there” with these performances — special effects, drag-robot suicides, emotional resonance, all manner of stage trickery. What are you trying to achieve?

BB First and foremost Nathan and myself want to honor what we think is incredible music. We want to give it an interpretation that it’s not often given.

Secondly, Precious, Nathan and I are attempting to create a “drag show” that is structured differently than most other shows around town. One could argue that the content of the San Francisco Album Project is the same as other shows, and it is in several ways. But we believe that by framing the show as a narrative, by not having an emcee, by not having dancing before or after the show, and by having our DJs spin music that creates the vibe of a ‘listening party’ rather than a club, we’re creating a frame that makes the experience of the performances feel more theatrically holistic than a traditional drag show.

Lastly, The San Francisco Album Project is an experiment on our part in the collaborative process. Nathan and I are very interested in the idea of artistic collaboration: whether it’s possible – why it works – why it doesn’t – what it means to different people. The performers themselves come to the table with their own idea for the song they’ve chosen. It’s up to Precious, Nathan and myself to weave these together and find a story within the group’s ideas. Also, how does a medium like drag performance operate or manifest under the pressure and/or freedom of collaboration…?

An album in and of itself is already a finished and finely tuned work of art, carefully molded by the original artist(s) who created it. What happens when a group of drag queens come in and deconstructs said album, this finished work of art, only for the purpose of re-presenting it as they see fit? Ultimately this is an act of spiritual reverence.

SFAP Unlike the Tranyshack albums you mention above, which were already not your usual drag fare, the albums you’re doing are even more unexpected. How are the albums chosen?

BB Nathan and I chose the first twelve albums ourselves over two months of back-and-forth arguing. By no means are the albums chosen our favorite albums of all time, but rather ones we find strike that perfect balance between intelligence, entertainment, popularity and drag potential. They are all iconic, but for different reasons. Some are albums that carry meaning across a large part of entire generation. Some are considered canonical, seminal, “the best the artist has done,” and those facts alone have led Nathan and I to choose certain titles.

Parade was decided for a few reasons. After doing Yaz’s Upstairs at Eric’s, and Radiohead’s OK Computer, Nathan and I knew we had to do an album that we think is an artist’s best, not the most well-known. Besides, Purple Rain is already done to perfection by Peaches Christ every other year,  and the songs on 1999 are too long for drag queens. Also, the real-life story behind the creation of Parade lends itself well to what The San Francisco Album Project is trying to achieve, or rather, is experimenting with. Prince’s collaboration with Wendy and Lisa reached its fever pitch with this album. Overworking, conflicting egos, frustrating machismo, and the tour which resulted from it brought about the end of their work together, thereby ending what I believe is one of the great partnerships in modern rock and roll, and forever destroying the glorious potential of what music Prince, and Wendy and Lisa might have continued creating together.

SFBG Can you share any exciting specifics about Sunday’s performance?

BB Well the show is built around the theme/story I just referenced: the relationship between Prince, Wendy and Lisa. It’s to be used as a frame around our fantasies in regards to the collaborative process. A myth has been created about their break-up, not just between Prince fans and the music press of the time, but now also on our stage. We’ve expanded notions of the obvious troubles that arose not just due to Prince’s fame and resulting ego, but also difficulties that could come about when men and women collaborate together, as well as straights and queers.

The narrative of the show is interspersed with ‘impressions’ on these themes, as some performers have come up with numbers that deviate from the direct story told on stage, instead having come up with their own musings in regards to these ‘troubles’ I mentioned above.

I can promise that the numbers run, at least, the same gamut of emotions that the album Parade does itself. I think we have a great sense of humor about it all, and I believe it’ll come across in Sunday’s show.

SFBG Can you tell us what album’s next?

BB Well not all the way down the line, but I can tell you that the next show is based around Roxy Music’s first self-titled album from 1972. It’s scheduled for Sunday, November 10th at The Chapel.

Rep Clock: August 21 – 27, 2013

Michael Redmond
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Schedules are for Wed/21-Tue/27 except where noted. Director and year are given when available. Double and triple features marked with a •. All times pm unless otherwise specified.

ALLEY CAT BOOKS AND GALLERY 3036 24th St, SF; (415) 824-1761. Free (limited seating). “Cat’s Eye presents:” “Digital Daydreams: New Motion Pictures by Mike Kuchar,” Thu, 8.

ARTISTS’ TELEVISION ACCESS 992 Valencia, SF; www.atasite.org. $6-10. “Periwinkle Cinema: Sound and Image,” film collages with live sound accompaniment, Wed, 7. “Gaze Film Series #5: Transgressions,” independent film and video made by women, Sat, 8. “Noble Gases: The Experimental Film Festival Portland presents Director’s Picks,” Sun, 7:30.

CASTRO 429 Castro, SF; (415) 621-6120, www.castrotheatre.com. •Hud (Ritt, 1963), Wed, 2:30, 7, and Midnight Cowboy (Schlesinger, 1969), Wed, 4:45, 9:05. •Blue Velvet (Lynch, 1986), Thu, 2:45, 7, and Neighbors (Avildsen, 1981), Thu, 5, 9:15. •Jesus Christ Superstar (Jewison, 1973), Fri, 7 (40th anniversary screening; Q&A with Ted “Jesus” Neeley at 6:30), and Life of Brian (Jones, 1979), Fri, 9:15. “Peaches Christ presents: Night of 1,000 Showgirls:” Showgirls (Verhoeven, 1995), Sat, 8. With pre-show entertainment and special guests; advance tickets ($25-45) at www.peacheschrist.com. •The Godfather Part II (Coppola, 1974), Sun, 12:30, 7:30, and Heat (Mann, 1995), Sun, 4:20. The Heat (Feig, 2013), Tue, 2, 4:40, 7, 9:30.

CHRISTOPHER B. SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER 1118 Fourth St, San Rafael; (415) 454-1222, www.cafilm.org. $6.50-$10.75. The Act of Killing (Oppenheimer, 2012), call for dates and times. Hannah Arendt (von Trotta, 2012), call for dates and times. The Hunt (Vinterberg, 2012), call for dates and times. 20 Feet From Stardom (Neville, 2013), call for dates and times. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (Lowery, 2013), Aug 23-29, call for times. Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (Penso, 2012), Sun, 7. Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie (Kramer, Miller, and Newberger, 2012), Mon, 7:15.

CLAY 2261 Fillmore, SF; www.landmarktheatres.com. $10. “Midnight Movies:” Fight Club (Fincher, 1999), Fri-Sat, midnight.

JACK LONDON SQUARE Market lawn, Harrison at Water, Oakl; www.jacklondonsquare.com. Free. The Goonies (Donner, 1985), Thu, sundown.

PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE 2575 Bancroft, Berk; (510) 642-5249, bampfa.berkeley.edu. $5.50-9.50. “The Hitchcock 9: Rare Silents Restored:” The Pleasure Garden (1926), Wed, 7; Blackmail (1929), Fri, 7; Downhill (1927), Sat, 6:15. “Yang Fudong’s Cinematic Influences:” An Estranged Paradise (Yang, 2002), Thu, 7. “Tales of Love: The Enchanted World of Jacques Demy:” The Pied Piper (Demy, 1972), Fri, 8:35; Three Seats for the 26th (Demy, 1988), Sat, 8:20. “Castles in the Sky: Masterful Anime from Studio Ghibli:” My Neighbor Totoro (Miyazaki, 1988), Sun, 1 and 3; Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Miyazaki, 1984), Sun, 5.

ROXIE 3117 and 3125 16th St, SF; (415) 863-1087, www.roxie.com. $6.50-11. The Canyons (Schrader, 2013), Wed-Thu, 9. Frances Ha (Baumbach, 2013), Wed-Thu, 9:15. Portrait of Jason (Clarke, 1967), Wed-Thu, 7. Prince Avalanche (Green, 2013), Wed-Thu, 7. Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary (Vittoria, 2013), Aug 23-29, 6:45, 9. *

 

‘Fruitvale Station’ opens! Plus, giant monsters, giant robots, and more new movies!

Sue Vaughan
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‘Fruitvale Station’ opens! Plus, giant monsters, giant robots, and more new movies!

This week marks the opening of Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, a moving look at Oscar Grant’s final hours; it’s an especially important film for Bay Area residents, but will likely have nationwide impact. Check out my interview with rookie writer-director Ryan Coogler here.

And, as always, there’s more. SO MUCH MORE. Emily Savage writes about Peaches Christ‘s campy, vampy, celeb-filled tribute (Sat/13 at the Castro!) to 1996 cult classic The Craft here.

PLUS! Pacific Rim‘s giant robot vs. giant monster smackdown, a 3D surfing doc, and all the rest, after the jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFRC3sF3Md4

Grown Ups 2 Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade reunite for another round of dad comedy. (1:42)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THu4E99uvYw

How to Make Money Selling Drugs Want to see a deeply thought-provoking, well-made documentary (with commentary by The Wire‘s David Simon, among others) about America’s War on Drugs? Seek out last year’s The House I Live In, and give Matthew Cooke’s more superficial distillation of the same subject (does David Simon ever turn down a talking-head request?) a pass. That’s not to say How to Make Money Selling Drugs is a total fail, but its slick production values and gimmicky premise (complete with video game style “levels” tracing the rise through the drug trade) wear thin after awhile. However, Drugs does offer a lively viewing experience, with an array of colorful characters — former dealers and law enforcement officers, with some celebrities sprinkled in — holding forth on, and sometimes bragging about, how drug empires are built and dismantled. Speaking of celebrities, the film’s biggest coup is an eerie interview with Eminem, in which he candidly discusses the depths of his prescription-drug addiction. It’s a rare moment of killer honesty amid Drugs‘ short-attention-span flash. (1:34) Roxie. (Cheryl Eddy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJ570hqy0c

One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das Born Jeffrey Kagel, “average neurotic Long Island kid,” the man now known as Grammy nominee Krishna Das underwent a spiritual transformation after trying acid, dropping out of college, meeting Be Here Now author Ram Dass, and becoming a follower of Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, a.k.a. Maharaj-ji. A rock ‘n’ roller who declined the chance to join the band that became Blue Oyster Cult, KD’s talents became entwined with his religion years after Maharaj-ji’s death — an emotionally devastating event that led to a brief but raging coke habit. He began performing kirtan, or call-and-response chants, at yoga studios, and (unwittingly or not) became part of a suddenly trendy movement to “make enlightenment accessible,” per the New York Times. Now he’s recorded multiple albums with Rick Rubin and tours the country, playing to rapt audiences at venues as big as the Warfield. Whether or not you can stomach New Age music or philosophy (or share the opinion that Krishna Das once overheard about himself: that he’s “an American burger with Indian ketchup”), Jeremy Frindel’s One Track Heart keeps its running time brief (just over an hour) and avoids deifying its subject — someone who clearly digs the spotlight, but who has also enough done soul-searching to keep his ego mostly in check and a higher power in mind. (1:12) (Cheryl Eddy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5guMumPFBag

Pacific Rim The fine print insists this film’s title is actually Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim (no apostrophe, guys?), but that fussy studio demand flies in the face of Pacific Rim‘s pursuit of pure, dumb fun. One is tempted to picture director/co-writer Guillermo del Toro plotting out the battle scenes using action figures — Godzillas vs. Transformers is more or less what’s at play here, and play is the operative word. Sure, the end of the world seems certain, thanks to an invading race of giant “Kaiju” who’ve started to adapt to Earth’s decades-long countermeasures (giant robot suits, piloted by duos whose minds are psychically linked), but there’s far too much goofy glee here for any real panic to accumulate. Charlie Hunnam is agreeable as the wounded hunk who’s humankind’s best hope for salvation, partnered with a rookie (Rinko Kikuchi) who’s eager, for her own reasons, to kick monster butt. Unoriginal yet key supporting roles are filled by Idris Elba (solemn, ass-kicking commander); Charlie Day (goofy science type); and Ron Perlman (flashy-dressing, black-market-dealing Kaiju expert). Pacific Rim may not transcend action-movie clichés or break much new ground (drinking game idea: gulp every time there’s an obvious reference or homage, be it to Toho or Bruckheimer), but damn if it doesn’t pair perfectly with popcorn. (2:11) (Cheryl Eddy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FFV5yGXd4

Storm Surfers 3D With 3D being slapped indiscriminately on too many interchangeable Hollywood flicks these days, it’s easy to forget that there are some subjects that practically beg for the format. Incredibly, it seems no one thought to make a 3D film about surfing, the sport and spectacle to which stereoscopic cinema is ideally suited. Christopher Nelius and Justin McMillan’s movie (actually the third Storm Surfers entry so far) follows best-friend Australian surfing legends Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll as, guided by surf forecaster Ben Matson, they race off on short notice to various locations where huge storm-fed waves can be expected. This is risky business, and there’s human interest in the two riders’ different ways of struggling with aging (they’re both nearing 50), possibly mortal danger, and family responsibilities. These way heavily on Carroll; nothing does on Clarke-Jones, who is your basic “fuck it, let’s go” thrill junkie. Their genial personalities help spark what’s otherwise a solid if unremarkable surfing doc — albeit one that does indeed look great in 3D. (1:35) (Dennis Harvey)

Rep Clock

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks
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Schedules are for Wed/10-Tue/16 except where noted. Director and year are given when available. Double and triple features marked with a •. All times pm unless otherwise specified.

ARTISTS’ TELEVISION ACCESS 992 Valencia, SF; www.atasite.org. $5-6. “OpenScreening,” Thu, 8. For participation info, contact programming@atasite.org. “Re-Inventing the Reel,” artist-made works from Elements of Image Making, Fri, 8. “Your Skin is the Fourth Wall,” video and performance work, Sat, 8.

CASTRO 429 Castro, SF; (415) 621-6120, www.castrotheatre.com. $8.50-11. •The Night of the Hunter (Laughton, 1955), Thu, 7, and Cape Fear (Scorsese, 1991), Thu, 8:45. •The Exorcist (Friedkin, 1973), Fri, 7, and Suspiria (Argento, 1977), Fri, 9:30. The Craft (Fleming, 1996), Sat, 3, 8. With a “witch-tacular” performance starring Peaches Christ, Sharon Needles, Alaska Thunderfuck, and Honey Mahogany. This event, $30-80; more details at www.peacheschrist.com. “Ray Harryhausen Tribute:” The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (Juran, 1958), Sun, 3:05, 7, and Jason and the Argonauts (Chaffey, 1963), Sun, 1, 4:55, 8:45. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (Immordino Vreeland, 2011), Tue, 7, and Renoir (Bourdos, 2012), Tue, 8:45.

CHRISTOPHER B. SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER 1118 Fourth St, San Rafael; (415) 454-1222, www.cafilm.org. $6.75-$10.25. Augustine (Winocour, 2012), call for dates and times. Frances Ha (Baumbach, 2012), call for dates and times. Rebels With a Cause (Kelly, 2012), call for dates and times. 20 Feet From Stardom (Neville, 2013), call for dates and times. One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das (Frindel, 2012), July 12-18, call for times. Storm Surfers 3D (McMillan and Nelius, 2012), July 12-18, call for times.

CLAY 2261 Fillmore, SF; www.landmarktheatres.com. $10. “Midnight Movies:” The Room (Wiseau, 2003), Fri, midnight. Hosted by Sam Sharkey.

“FILM NIGHT IN THE PARK” This week: Creek Park, 400 Sir Francis Drake, San Anselmo; www.filmnight.org. Free (donations appreciated). Footloose, Fri, 8. Union Square, Geary at Powell, SF. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Allen, 2008), Sat, 8.

518 VALENCIA SF; www.laborfest.net. Donations accepted . International Working Class Film and Video Festival: •Shift Change (Dwarkin and Young, 2012), and One Shot, One Kill (Fujimoto, 2009), Wed, 7. Also ILWU Local 34 Hall, 801 Second St, SF. •The Contis: The Struggle Continues (Clatot, 2010), and On the Art of Water (Luzi and Bellino, 2012), Fri, 7.

JACK LONDON SQUARE Market lawn, Harrison at Water, Oakl; www.jacklondonsquare.com. Free. Hitchcock (Gervasi, 2012), Thu, sundown.

PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE 2575 Bancroft, Berk; (510) 642-5249, bampfa.berkeley.edu. $5.50-9.50. “A Call to Action: The Films of Raoul Walsh:” Regeneration (1915), Fri, 7; The Yellow Ticket (1931), Fri, 8:30; The Big Trail (1930), Sun, 6:30. “From the Archive: Treasures of Eastern European and Soviet Cinema:” Pastorale (Iosseliani, 1975), Wed, 7; Five Evenings (Mikhalkov, 1979), Sat, 6:30. “Dark Nights: Simenon and Cinema:” La tête d’un homme (Duvivier, 1933), Thu, 7; Stray Dog (Kurosawa, 1949), Sat, 8:30. “Castles in the Sky: Masterful Anime from Studio Ghibli:” Porco Rosso (Miyazaki, 1992), Sun, 4:30.

ROXIE 3117 and 3125 16th St, SF; (415) 863-1087, www.roxie.com. $6.50-11. A Band Called Death (Covino and Howlett, 2013), Wed-Thu, 7, 9. Maniac (Khalfoun, 2012), Wed-Thu, 7:15, 9:15. San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, indie films, Fri-Sat. More details at www.frozenfilmfestival.com. How to Make Money Selling Drugs (Cooke, 2013), July 12-18, 7, 9 (also Sat-Sun, 3, 5).

VOGUE 3290 Sacramento, SF; www.wordsondance.org. $20. “Words on Dance:” Maria Tallchief in Conversation with Evelyn Cisneros (1998), Mon, 7.

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS 701 Mission, SF; www.ybca.org. $8-10. André Gregory: Before and After Dinner (Kleine, 2012), Thu and Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2.

We are the weirdos, mister

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks
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We are the weirdos, mister

emilysavage@sfbg.com

FILM RuPaul’s Drag Race season four winner Sharon Needles and boyfriend/season five finalist Alaska Thunderfuck rarely do live shows together. But for Peaches Christ, and her stage-and-screen showing of witchtacular occult movie The Craft (1996), they made an exception.

The Pittsburgh-based couple will star alongside one another in Christ’s Craft-based pre-movie play, as pure evil “Nancy” (originally played to perfection by wild-eyed, real life Wiccan actress Fairuza Balk) and Neve Campbell’s scarred and shy “Bonnie.” The rest of the gothy teen coven will be filled out by Christ as good witch “Sarah” and San Francisco’s first RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Honey Mahogany as “Rochelle.”

“It’s such a foursome vehicle,” Christ says in a phone call. “I said to Sharon, ‘how do you feel about working with your boyfriend?’ Obviously it makes more sense for them to split themselves up and do more gigs. And especially since Sharon was such a phenomenon and Alaska is now coming fresh off the show, and she was such a hit. But I said, ‘see if you’ll make an exception for me?'”

Christ has been sending up cult classics in San Francisco since 1998, and says that it’s become increasingly clear that she needs to keep looking for newly cult titles. (This November look out for 9 to 5 with Pandora Boxx , and likely, a Clueless send-up.) “[The Craft] was brought to my attention by some of my fans these past few years, so I rewatched it and determined like, oh my god, why did I ever dismiss this? It’s witchy goth girls. It’s everything, it’s grunge, it’s goth, it’s witch.”

And Thunderfuck and Needles were both enamored of the film from an early age.

“It was like, one of those movies that everyone knew and saw when I was in high school and it made us feel like we were witches too, which we weren’t, we were just like, nerdy theater kids,” Thunderfuck nasally says from a Best Western hotel in Chicago. “But it made us feel really badass. And everyone was a weirdo in high school anyway.”

“And I’m from the ’90s so the witchcraft was always there,” Needles adds.

The film has grown cult thanks to now-iconic scenes of the witches looking fierce at Catholic school, walking in a line down the hallways with sexy ’90s music filling the montages. Favorites scenes by the performers include the ones of the witches down at the beach, intensely invoking “Manon” then passing out after an electric bolt hits Nancy, or the next morning, walking by beached whales and sharks, or giddily casting spells on another while driving through town, or vividly messing with teen-queen parties, and throwing sleazy jerks out of windows.

During our conversation, Needles perfectly intones the Nancy line, “then why are you still bleeding?!”

“I’ll tell you, this was one of the hardest and most challenging stage plays I’ve ever had to write, because the movie is so full of moments that people love, trying to cram them into a 50-minute stage show was almost impossible — I had to go back in and kind of kill babies here and there,” Christ says. “My memory of it was that it was a lot tamer, and a lot more PG-13 then it is. It’s actually rated R and it’s harsh, and in some ways really horrifying. The way the girls treat each other, even despite the violence or the snakes — I hate snakes — just the meanness of the witches.”

That meanness should play out in some deviously amusing ways during Christ’s The Craft: Of Drag show before the film. The queens play themselves emulating characters in the movie, with key scenes thrown in (someone will get thrown out of a window, and there will be a levitating “light as a feather, stiff as a board” moment) — but with a Drag Race twist. The reason the witches all turn on Christ’s “Sarah” this time, is because she’s never been on Drag Race.

This inevitably leads to the question of why not? “I don’t think I’d survive,” Christ says. “I’ve said this to Sharon, I admire them so much for being able to go on that show but Peaches is a very established character that I’ve been doing for a long, long, long time, so it’s very hard for me in a lot of ways to be flexible. You know, I always wear that Bozo the Clown paint, and I just know I’d be ripped to shreds,” she says. Though she has been sending out signals to producers World of Wonder and RuPaul that she should come on as a guest judge for a hypothetical Scream Queen challenge.

It was the show, however, that first introduced her to Needles — Elvira was the guest judge on the first episode of Needles’ season, and she fell in love with the queen (who spurts blood from her mouth during her runway walk). Elvira immediately told Christ, and that’s why she first reached out to Needles, last year.

Along with heaps of praise for Elvira, and the show in general, Needles and Thunderfuck both tell me the drama in their seasons was all real.

Says Needles, “When you take 13 adult males and dress them up like teenage girls, take away their cigarettes and booze, and force them in front of a camera for 16 hours a day for two months, you don’t need a producer or a storyboard, it writes itself.”

PEACHES CHRIST PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS THE CRAFT

Sat/13, 3pm and 8pm, $25

Castro Theatre

429 Castro, SF

www.castrotheatre.com

The Performant: Forever young

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Rocky Horror turns 40, still crazy after all these years.

Who doesn’t have fond memories of their first Rocky Horror Picture Show experience? Ok, mine are mixed since the first time I saw it was on an old black-and-white television with my father, avoiding eye contact and trying not to laugh too hard at the ribald bits. It wasn’t until I finally saw it on the big screen in the company of peers — armed with rice, noisemakers, and snarky quips — that the full potential of its subversive pleasures revealed themselves more fully.

Part of the fun of repeated viewings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show is emulating the character you most want to be, and for a curly-haired, goth-inclined teenager, the clear choice was Magenta, whose stone-faced cool and extraterrestrial sensuality were so beyond the straitjacket of smalltown teenhood, that to walk an evening in her spike-heeled shoes was akin to a declaration of, well, something. Call it freedom. Peaches Christ does.


“The Rocky Horror Picture Show was my ‘It Gets Better’ video,’ she told the cheering oddience assembled at the Victoria Theatre for the 40th anniversary of the original Rocky Horror Show, the slapstick, Ed-Wood-meets-Charles-Ludlam Rock Musical that, two years later, became a film destined to be the best known midnight movie of all time.

Deviating from the tried-and-true Midnight Mass formula of movie screenings, this Rocky Horror birthday bash took the form of a tribute concert at a respectable 8pm, with multiple singers cast in the iconic roles of the universes’ best-beloved Transylvanians, live music provided by the Whoa Nellies, and quick-and-dirty narration by Peaches Christ herself, synopsizing the negligee-thin plotline that happens between all of those undeniably catchy songs: “The Time Warp,” “Touch-a Touch-a-Touch Me,” and “Hot Patootie, Bless my Soul”. Channeling her inner Tim Curry, PC also provided the vox and corseted eye candy on “Sweet Transvestite” slyly replacing her planet of origins, “Transsexual, Transylvania,” with “San Francisco, California”.

But by far the highlight was the moment that the original Magenta — Patricia Quinn — stepped onstage in a sleek leather suit and handfuls of glitter, to sing the opening song she’d been cheated out of 38 years ago when Richard O’Brien took it over for the movie version, accompanied by a visual of her bright red “stunt lips.” My still-practically-teenaged heart be still. Quinn’s still got. It. That elusive, effusive cool. As does the whole freaking musical, which, stripped of the mostly laughable dialogue and B-Movie special effects, really rocks. Not bad for a 40-year-old who regularly stays up until 3am and can’t ever seem to remember to wear pants. Oh, Rocky!

Lest a single inch of stage space go wasted, almost every role was played by a minimum of two performers, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter portrayed mainly by seasoned Rocky Horror vet Jef Valentine, with a counter-point appearance by former X Factor contestant, Jason Brock, who sang a soulful “I’m Going Home” to an interstellar techno backing track provided by Marc Kate aka Never Knows. Exceptions were Musical Director Peter Fogel who pulled double duty as the titular boy toy and the imitable Leigh Crow as Eddie, ‘cause there can only be one Eddie, and really, that Eddie can only be Leigh Crow. And now that such a stellar lineup is already in place, here’s hoping Peaches will do a 40-year bash for the film version, too, come 2015. Don’t dream it, darlings. Be it!

Trip history

Jesse Hawthorne Ficks
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Trip history

SUPER EGO As Maria von Trapp sang at the climax of The Sound of Music, “Whenever the goddess closes a rave cave, somewhere she reopens a gay leather biker bar.”

That sad closure is upon us, as the wonderful 222 Hyde (www.222hyde.com), the city’s thumping bass-ment in the Tenderloin, wings into history. Owner EO emailed me a couple Saturdays ago to tell me he was closing the precious, risk-taking little venue due to pressure from the ABC state liquor board over a license technicality and uncertainty about cooperation from the 222 building’s new owners. In short: sucks.

But EO’s off to pursue his musical destiny — he killed it playing live at Robotspeak at Saturday’s Lower Haight Art Walk — as one half of upcoming analogue electronic duos Moniker (with Kenneth Scott) and Polk and Hyde (with Jonah Sharp). And you can say farewell to the lovely space, rumbly Turbo Sound system, twinkly LED dance floor ceiling, and gorgeous staff this week: a special guest superstar (cough DJ Fark Marina cough) is supposed to drop by Thu/7, the As You Like It crew brings in Dutch techno wiz San Proper on Fri/8 (9pm-2am, $20) and 222 hosts a huge closing blowout on Sat/9 (10pm-late) full of surprise guests, gushing tears, and yummy pizza. The space itself has an amazing history — as the “Three Deuces” from the 1940s-’60s, it played hst to jazz greats and wild gals. Whatever it becomes now, 222 will live 444 ever in our raving hearts.

Throwing open its gay SoMa leather biker bar sash, however, is legendary rock ‘n roll watering hole SF Eagle (www.sf-eagle.com), reopened after a final passing grade on inspections last weekend, just in time for a Sunday beer bust of epic proportions — and 45-minute-wait lines — celebrating the victory of our new Mr. SF Leather, Andy Cross. (The true crown, I heard, went to anyone who made it through the four-hour Mr. SF Leather competition.)

I latched on my Nasty Pig kneepads and checked out the space (and the returned staff!) on Saturday night, and happily found myself there all Sunday as well. New owners Alex and Mike, inheriting the gutted space once slated for a pizza restaurant, have really opened it up by exposing the vaulted ceiling of the interior, pushing the main bar against the wall, and removing the trees from the patio (sad face). Everything is painted semi-gloss black — it looks like a beerhall designed by Anselm Kiefer. Although the mirrored bar is a wee bit ultralounge and there is as of yet no crusty, comfy decor, that good ol’ Eagle spirit is alive and well-drink drunk.

The beer bust was roiling delightfully with grateful scruffs and old school fetishists. Indie kids will rejoice at the return of Thursday Night Live on Thu/7 (8pm, $7, www.tinyurl.com/thursnightlive) with bands Beard Summit, the Galloping Sea, and Reliic, hosted by the Eagle’s ace music programmer Doug Hilsinger. (The space’s new layout is perfect for live music, and more regular parties will pop up soon, I’m sure). The Eagle reopened on the final weekend of fabulously festive Hayes drag dive Marlena’s, set to become another concept bar eesh, and the tail end of Soma’s fetish-friendly Kok Bar, also closing very soon. It’s a bittersweet trade-off for sure. Meet me at the Eagle’s patio trough and we’ll commiserate.

 

STACEY HOTWAXX HALE

I am freaking the funk out that Detroit’s own Godmother of House is going to vibe up the Housepitality weekly’s dancefloor — along with Chicago legends Gene Hunt and CJ Larsen? Try to pry me away!

Wed/6, 9pm, $5 before 11 p.m., $10 after. F8, 1192 Folsom, SF. www.housepitalitysf.com

 

DJ PIERRE

Following the Godmother of House comes the Godfather of Acid, one of the ones who started it all, Chicago Afro-Acid pioneer Pierre, whose sets are blissful rollercoasters to another, darker side.

Fri/8, 8pm-3am, $15. 1192 Folsom, SF. djpierre.eventbrite.com

 

DELHI 2 DUBLIN

Kick off your weeklong St. Patty’s Day binge the bhangra way, as great monthly Non Stop Bhangra brings in this beloved five-piece live band, a true multiculti mashup that meshes the Celtic with the Indian. Somehow, it works splendidly.

Sat/9, 9pm, $15. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com

 

PARIS IS BURNING

“Shoot and arrow and it goes real high, well good for you.” SF’s Mistress of the Gay Night Peaches Christ and formidable NYC queen Patrice Royale host a screening of the all-the-rage-again 1990 doc and a vogue ball to die for. It’ll be an ex-travaganza.

Sat/9, 8pm, $22. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro, SF. www.peacheschrist.com

 

Rep Clock

Andrew Lam
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Schedules are for Wed/6-Tue/12 except where noted. Director and year are given when available. Double features marked with a •. All times pm unless otherwise specified.

AQUARIUM OF THE BAY Pier 39, SF; www.oceanfilmfest.org. $8-150. “San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival,” over 50 ocean-inspired films from around the world, Thu-Sun.

BERKELEY UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP HALL 1924 Cedar, Berk; www.greensangha.org. $10. “Plastics 360: Film Night,” short films about plastic waste, Thu, 7.

BRAVA THEATER CENTER 2781 24th St, SF; sfbff.blogspot.com. $12. “San Francisco Bulgarian Film Festival,” first annual event featuring six films from Bulgaria, Sat-Sun.

CASTRO 429 Castro, SF; (415) 621-6120, www.castrotheatre.com. $8.50-11. Chasing Ice (Orlowski, 2012), Wed, 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9. •Cabaret (Fosse, 1972), Thu, 2:25, 7, and Pennies from Heaven (Ross, 1981), Thu, 4:45, 9:20. •The Outside Man (Deray, 1972), Fri, 7, and The Terminator (Cameron, 1984), Fri, 9:10. Peaches Christ Productions presents: Paris is Burning (Livingston, 1990), Sat, 8. With a pre-show ball and guest Latrice Royale, Sat, 8. Advance tickets ($22-42) at www.peacheschrist.com. •Days of Heaven (Malick, 1978), Sun, 2, 8, and Heaven’s Gate (Cimino, 1980), Sun, 4.

CHRISTOPHER B. SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER 1118 Fourth St, San Rafael; (415) 454-1222, www.cafilm.org. $6.75-$10.25. Amour (Haneke, 2012), call for dates and times. Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (Herzog and Vasyukov, 2012), call for dates and times. Quartet (Hoffman, 2012), call for dates and times. “Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action,” call for dates and times.

“CINEQUEST” Various venues, San Jose; www.cinequest.org. $5-50. The 23rd annual film fest honors a slew of stars in addition to screening global films and highlighting new film technology. Through Sun/10.

CLAY 2261 Fillmore, SF; www.landmarktheatres.com. $9-10. “Midnight Movies:” The Room (Wiseau, 2003), Sat, midnight. With host Sam Sharkey.

“EAST BAY INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL” Various East Bay venues; www.eastbayjewishfilm.org. $10. Forty films total, with special focuses on Jewish-Muslim relations and musicals. March 9-17.

NEW PARKWAY 474 24th St, Oakl; www.thenewparkway.com. $6-10. “Parkway Classics:” Quadrophenia (Roddam, 1979), Thu, 9pm; “Thrillville:” “Sci-Fi Bob’s Psychotronix Film Festival,” Sun, 6. “Documentary Series:” Flag Wars (Bryant and Poitras, 2003), Tue, 7.

PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE 2575 Bancroft, Berk; (510) 642-5249, bampfa.berkeley.edu. $5.50-9.50. “Alfred Hitchcock: The Shape of Suspense:” The Paradine Case (1947), Wed, 7; Rope (1948), Fri, 7; I Confess (1953), Fri, 8:40; Lifeboat (1944), Sun, 5. “Werner Schroeter: Magnificent Obsessions:” Palermo or Wolfsburg (1980), Thu, 7; Deux (2002), Sat, 8:30. “And God Created Jean-Louis Trintignant:” Violent Summer (Zurlini, 1959), Sat, 6:30. “Filmmaker Provocateur: Jean Rouch:” Moi, un noir (1958), Sun, 3. “Documentary Voices:” “Latin American Legacies: Films of Leandro Katz,” Tue, 7.

ROXIE 3117 and 3125 16th St, SF; (415) 863-1087, www.roxie.com. $6.50-11. “Hollywood Before the Code: Deeper, Darker, Nastier!”: •Lady Killer (Del Ruth, 1933), Wed, 8, and Night World (Henley, 1932), Wed, 6:30, 9:40; “Tribute to Screen Legend Lyle Talbot with Margaret Talbot in Person:” •Fog Over Frisco (Dieterle, 1934), and Heat Lightning (Le Roy, 1934), Thu, 6:30, 9:40. The Jeffrey Dahmer Files (Thompson, 2012), Wed-Thu, 7. Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm Midwives (Lamm and Wigmore, 2011), March 8-14, 7, 9:15 (also Sat-Sun, 3, 5).

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY 100 Larkin, SF; www.irishamericancrossroads.org. Free. “Crossroads Irish American Festival:” Nights in Shanaglish (Tighe, 2012), Sat, 1 (live Irish musical performance; film at 1:45).

VOGUE 3290 Sacramento, SF; www.cinemasf.com. $10. “Rendez-vous with French Cinema:” Augustine (Winocour, 2012), Fri, 5 and Tue, 5; You, Me, and Us (Doillon, 2012), Fri, 7:30 and March 13, 7:30; Rich is the Wolf (Odoul, 2012), Sat, 5 and Tue, 7:30; Granny’s Funeral (Podalydès, 2012), Sat, 7:30 and March 14, 5; You Will Be My Son (Legrand, 2012), Sun, 3:30; The Suicide Shop (Leconte, 2012), Sun, 7 and March 14, 7:30; Journal de France (Depardon and Nougaret, 2012), Mon, 5; Persecution (Chéreau, 2012), Mon, 7:30 and March 13, 5.

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS 701 Mission, SF; www.ybca.org. $8-10. “International Buddhist Film Festival Showcase 2013:” KanZeOn (Cantwell and Grabham, 2011), Sat, 2; The Mourning Forest (Kawase, 2007), Sat, 4; Olo, The Boy from Tibet (Iwasa, 2012), Sun, 2; Tokyo Waka (Haptas and Samuelson, 2011), Sun, 4. *

 

Nite Trax: Roasting SF club legend Timmy Spence

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If you think you’re cool (or merely interesting) — please drop everything and watch this clubkid-packed 1981 video masterpiece by scene terror Timmy Spence. He’s being shamelessly and publicly roasted on the occasion of his 60th(!) birthday this Saturday, courtesy of some might big drag queens. After the jump, Trannyshack’s Heklina dishes the dirt and gives the deets.

Well, there’s a few things I thought would never happen!

First of all, I never thought we would be celebrating Timmy Spence’s 60th Birthday…if there was ever someone with nine (or more lives), it’s The Tammers. We’ve been through a lot together; thrown in jail together in Mexico, a cross country road trip where I got so mad at him we didn’t speak all the way through Texas, a near death experience while hiking in Nevada, cruising the Christopher St. Piers in drag in NYC together back when that was fun, the list goes on and on. And she’s still kicking. Even after countless trips to the hospital, she’s still here, shocking and offending everyone and really serving as an inspiration to countless young queens. Like an Auntie Mame from hell, every fiber in her body screams, live….LIVE!

Won’t you join me in honoring this queen of queens this Saturday?

Timmy Spence’s 60th Birthday Bash!


Saturday January 12- Join us as we pay tribute to this legendary drag fossil! Who would have thought she would live this long?

With your hosts Peaches Christ & Heklina, and appearances by Arturo Galster, Ethel Merman, Matthew Martin, Miss X, Laurie Bushman, Darlin’, Pippi Lovestocking, D’Arcy Drollinger, Deena Davenport, Sexitude, and more! With DJ’s Chicken and Dank. 

Rebel, 1760 Market St. @ Octavia. 8pm. No cover, RSVP here

That’s a wrap

Andrew Lam
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That’s a wrap

cheryl@sfbg.com

HOLIDAY GUIDE “Film fan” can mean many things: that guy who knows the name of every weapon in the Star Wars universe, the late-period Clint Eastwood apologist, the kid who dreams of being the next Joss Whedon, the woman who dresses like a 1940s femme fatale, or the neighbors who just named their new puppy “Kubrick.” What’s more, most people have some love for movies (or at least really good TV), so a cinematic gift is more or less a win-win situation as long as you make a slight effort to tailor it to the individual. Herewith, some ideas to get you started.

Bodacious Blu-ray box set Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection goes from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, compiling all the 007 flicks to date (with the exception of the current Skyfall, of course). Though not all Bond films are created equal (2002’s Die Another Day vs. suave 1960s Connery? No contest), the set would be a handsome addition to any space-age bachelor or bachelorette pad. For added impact, throw in a snazzy cocktail shaker and some martini glasses. Instant secret agent party!

For the Giants fan who’s already drowning in World Series memorabilia, why not splash out for one or both volumes of the ESPN Films 30 for 30 Gift Set Collection? The films in this Emmy-nominated series transcend typical feel-good sports docs to closely examine specific moments and important (or infamous) figures, with acclaimed directors (John Singleton, Barry Levinson, Barbara Kopple) contributing alongside up-and-comers. Each entry is different from the last, but all the stories are fascinating, focusing on topics as wide-ranging as the death of basketball star Len Bias, a New York City fantasy baseball league, fan love during the Los Angeles Raiders years (directed by Ice Cube), the friendship between Mike Tyson and Tupac Shakur, and the downfall of track athlete Marion Jones.

But maybe you don’t want to risk gifting any DVDs, since you’re not sure what the film fan in question’s collection already contains. To avoid any awkward, “Gee, thanks, but I already own the Deluxe Uncensored Letterbox Edition of Cannibal Ferox” moments ‘neath the mistletoe, seek out something completely unique. Visit the online boutique of local celebrity and film enthusiast Peaches Christ (store.peacheschrist.com) to pick up a t-shirt or tank top illustrated with an eye-catching image of Peaches herself (merry Christ-mas!) For another wearable option, check out the, pardon me, fucking amazing t-shirts offered by Los Angeles’ Cinefile Video (www.cinefilevideo.com), famed for tweaking band logos with names of famous directors — like, say, “Herzog” in Danzig font, with demon skull floating behind. The tees are highly popular and are therefore often out of stock, but as of this writing you can still pick up a Carpenters/John Carpenter/They Live mash-up in either black or cream. (I have the black one; it’s a real conversation-starter.)

With Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coming out in December, consider guiding a younger reader back to the source with his or her own copy of the book. Naturally, there’s now a movie tie-in edition, but all that means is that the cover looks like the theatrical poster. For more Middle Earth fun, type “hobbit” into the search bar on Etsy.com, and you’ll find a range of gift ideas, from stocking stuffers (“Shire” scented candles, for pipe-weed aficionados) to big-ticket items, including a pair of Vans fantastically hand-painted with Bilbo’s likeness.

And what goes better with movies (and pipe-weed) than popcorn? San Francisco’s 479° Popcorn is organic and sold in dozens of Bay Area (and beyond) locations, like Rainbow Grocery, Bi-Rite, and even some swankier corner stores. You can also order it online (www.479popcorn.com). Flavors include black truffle and white cheddar, fleur de sel caramel, and Vietnamese cinnamon sugar. Sure beats the radioactive stuff they sell at the megaplex.

If the film fan on your list is local, consider investing in a membership to a local theater or cinema organization on his or her behalf — a rad gift for the recipient, and a boon to the venue or group you’re supporting. Members at the Roxie (roxie.com/support) get perks like free admission to regular screenings. Join the San Francisco Film Society (sffs.org/membership) for access to members-only events and the ability to purchase San Francisco International Film Festival tickets before they go on sale to the public. And San Francisco Cinematheque (www.sfcinematheque.org) members get discount admission to screenings and access to the group’s archives. All gifts that keep on giving, even when the lights come up.

This week in sex events: Free Internet anti-porn and sex nerd heaven

Andrew Lam
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What to do when Halloween rolls around, but you’re already slutty 365 days a year? Up the ante with one of this week’s sex events, because you’re more than just an awkwardly-gender-coded bag of crap from Spirit.

Quickies Indie Erotic Short Film Festival

Once a year, locally-born sex toy behemoth Good Vibrations gives us an opportunity to don a Halloween costume, kick back in a historic theater, and watch ourselves have sex. This would be Good Vibes’ annual erotic short film competition, which welcomes sensual submissions featuring sexualities of all stripes, vanilla and kink alike, and all manner of core, rock-hard to whisper-soft. This year, sexologist-about-town Carol Queen and drag cinenova Peaches Christ host the affair, whose audience-selected winner will take home a cool $1,500.  

Pre-party 7pm, $10; screening 8pm, $10

Castro Theatre

429 Castro, SF

(415) 621-6120

www.castrotheatre.com

Australian animated genitals await you at Quickies

Good Vibrations Sex Summit

And the fun need not end in the Castro. “Sex nerd” is becoming one of those that’s-so-San-Francisco identities, right up there with “proud wearer of cock rings.” Bawdy Storytelling based an entire show ‘n’ tell session around the concept this year, and now you can spend an entire Saturday (bonus if it’s bright and sunny out) getting into the nitty-gritty of desire, lecture style! Good Vibes hosts this day of panels and keynote talks by all kinds of sexperts. Topics up for discussion include “Regulating Pleasure: Sex, Politics and Censorship,” “Outspoken/Unsaid: Sex and Media,” “Pills, Profits and Pleasures: Sexual Health and Pharmaceuticals,” and “Sexual Stargazing: Sex and Pop Culture.” Attendees get in free to Friday night’s erotic film festival at the Castro. Make a weekend of it, nerd!

Sat/27 8:30am-9pm, $69-99

Marriot Marquis Hotel

www.goodvibessexsummit.com

XXX Apocalypse Funhouse 

This Halloween season, hightail to the one haunted house where you don’t have to be embarassed about getting the pants scared off you (and yes, this is the perfect opportunity to look at those photos again.) Kinky Salon hosts a spooky, two-night edition of its vampire kink orgy (all orientations, all the time.) This weekend look for zombie strippers, Satanic rituals gone sexy, and tunes by DJ Fact 50.

Fri/26 Sat/27, 10pm, $25-35

Mission Control

2519 Mission, SF

www.missioncontrolsf.org

Poetry class for sex workers

Poet Zhayra Palma is teaching four sessions (they started Oct. 23) of writing workshops for people in the sex industry, because really who has better stories than them? (Sorry, Muni drivers.) Come if you’d like your poetry demystified, your voice unleashed, your writing workshops taking place in the most amazing library of sex lit in San Francisco. 

Tuesdays through Nov. 13, 4-6pm, free 

Center for Sex and Culture

1349 Mission, SF

www.sexandculture.org

As this trailer of Somebody’s Daughter clearly shows, when women become sex workers they become mice.

White Ribbon Against Pornography Week

Through some odd vagary in conservative PR-think, I am on the press list for Morality in Media, a batshit crazy anti-porn organization who sends me important tidings like the fact that adult filmmakers are voting for Obama. Thusly, I have been alerted to the fact that next week will be chockful of free livestreams of sure-to-be-hilarious-if-you’re-not-terrified anti-porn flicks (like this documentary of a real-life pastor’s son who “felt a call from God” to marry a sex worker. Lucky her), seminars on how to spy on your child/limit their ability to access information, and psuedo scientific talks on porn addiction. I suggest masturbating to all of it. 

Various online events, Sun/28-Nov.4, free

www.pornharms.com

Protest the Weiner bill

Though public nudity is currenty legal in our fair city, your right to strut like a peacock may be in danger — Supervisor Scott Weiner has submitted an anti-nudity piece of legislation that woud make everyone put their clothes on. Should that rub you the wrong way, join this protest in the middle of the city to show your true colors. Clothing very much optional. After the chanting, head to the Center for Sex and Culture to estatic dance the night away with Seattle DJ Jules O’Keefe. 

Protest: Tue/30, noon, free

City Hall

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett 

After-party: Tue/30, 7pm, free (all-ages)

Center for Sex and Culture

1349 Mission, SF

www.mynakedtruth.tv


Win tickets to The Quickies presented by Good Vibrations

Maria Poblet
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Win tickets to The Quickies presented by Good Vibrations

Check out Good Vibrations’ Erotic Short Film Competition at the haunted Castro Theatre with Peaches Christ and Dr. Carol Queen!

Your favorite adult toy store presents the hottest films of all flavors from around the world all in seven minutes or less. Funny, romantic, hardcore, straight, gay, lesbian, queer, or kinky, these international films go far beyond mainstream porn in a hilarious and stimulating presentation MC’d by your hosts Peaches Christ and Dr. Carol Queen.  Lube up for laughs at the pre-party in the Castro Theatre mezzanine featuring cocktails, nibbles, sexy prizes, live music and bawdy burlesque, followed by the screening where the audience chooses who gets $1,500 and glory! Spooky, sexy costumes encouraged!

Get more info here. Purchase tickets here. To win a pair of tickets, email your full name to sfbgpromos@sfbg.com with “quickies” in the subject. Winners will be chosen by 5pm on Wed/24.

Friday, October 26 at 7pm 8pm (7pm doors) @ Castro Theatre, 429 Castro, SF | $10

Music Listings

Andrew Lam
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Since club life is unpredictable, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check the venue’s website to confirm bookings and hours. Prices are listed when provided to us. Visit www.sfbg.com/venue-guide for venue information. Submit items for the listings at listings@sfbg.com. For further information on how to submit items for the listings, see Picks.

WEDNESDAY 24

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

Action Jackson, Megaflame Elbo Room. 9pm, $9.

Anadel, Sunrunners El Rio. 9pm, $8.

Cabin Project, Buster Blue, Goat and Feather Hotel Utah. 8pm.

Collie Buddz, New Kingston, Holdup, Los Rakas Fillmore. 8pm, $25.

Crime and the City Solution, Cairo Gang Slim’s. 7:30pm, $28.

Hunter Valentine, Queen Caveat, Echo Twins Cafe Du Nord. 8pm, $8-$10.

Jeff vs Todd Johnny Foley’s Dueling Pianos. 9:30pm.

Jukebox the Ghost, Now, Now Rickshaw Stop. 7:30pm, $12.

Keith Crossan Blues Showcase with Curtis Lawson Biscuits and Blues. 8pm, $15.

Lord Huran, Night Moves Independent. 8pm, $14.

Lost in the Trees, Midtown Dickens, Dana Buoy Bottom of the Hill. 8pm, $12.

Nathan and Rachel Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Rita Ora, Iggy Azalea, Havana Brown Regency Ballroom. 8pm, $30.

Perfume Genius Swedish American Hall. 7:30pm, $15.

Rasputina, Faun Fables Great American Music Hall. 8pm, $16.

White Arrows, Young Digerati, Trails and Ways, Miles the DJ Brick and Mortar Music Hall. 9pm, $10.53-$13.

White Manna, Midday Veil Hemlock Tavern. 8:30pm, $7.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

Cat’s Corner with Nathan Dias Savanna Jazz. 9pm, $10.

Dink Dink Dink, Gaucho, Eric Garland’s Jazz Session Amnesia. 7pm, free.

Shirley Jones Rrazz Room. 8pm, $40-$45.

Natalie Macmaster Yoshi’s SF. 8pm, $30; 10pm, $25.

Ricardo Scales Top of the Mark, 999 California, SF; www.topofthemark.com. 6:30pm, $5.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Sofia Talvik Cafe Royale, 800 Post, SF; www.caferoyale-sf.com. 8:30pm, free.

DANCE CLUBS

Booty Call Q-Bar, 456 Castro, SF; www.bootycallwednesdays.com. 9pm. Juanita MORE! and Joshua J host this dance party.

Coo-Yah! Slate Bar, 2925 16th St, SF; www.slate-sf.com. 10pm, free. With Vinyl Ambassador, DJ Silverback, DJs Green B and Daneekah.

Full-Step! Tunnel Top. 10pm, free. Hip-hop, reggae, soul, and funk with DJs Kung Fu Chris and Bizzi Wonda.

Hardcore Humpday Happy Hour RKRL, 52 Sixth St, SF; (415) 658-5506. 6pm, $3.

Obey the Kitty: Justin Milla Vessel, 85 Campton Place, SF; www.vesselsf.com. 10pm. $5.

THURSDAY 25

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP.

Apogee Sound Club, Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children McNuggits, Love Songs Hemlock Tavern. 8:30pm, $6.

Brother Ali, Blank Tape Beloved, Homeboy Sandman Fillmore. 8pm, $20.

Brother Pacific, Cool Ghouls, Troubadour Dali El Rio. 8pm, $6.

Chum Boom Boom Room. 8pm, $10.

Conspiracy of Beards, Beauty Operators String Band, Condorosa Brick and Mortar Music Hall. 9pm, $7-$10.

Crazy Squeeze, Re-Volts Thee Parkside. 9pm, $7.

Dig, French Cassettes, We Shared Milk, Wild Kindness Cafe Du Nord. 9pm, $10.

Hip Hatchet, Brendan Thomas, Brooke D, Alexis Stevens Amnesia. 9pm, $7-$10.

John Lawton Trio Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Light Asylum, popscene DJs Rickshaw Stop. 10pm, $13-$15.

Rolando Morales Biscuits and Blues. 8 and 10pm, $15.

Peelander-Z, Electric Eel Shock, Electric Sister Bottom of the Hill. 9pm, $10.

Public Image, Ltd. Regency Ballroom. 8:30pm, $42.

Leon Russell Yoshi’s SF. 8pm, $35.

Staff Benda Bilili Slim’s. 8pm, $16-$18.

Todd vs Jeff Johnny Foley’s Dueling Pianos. 9:30pm.

Z-Man, BPos, DJ Troubleman John Colins, 138 Minna, SF; www.johncolins.com. 9pm, $5 after 10pm.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

“John Cage Centennial Celebration” Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, SF; www.ybca.org. 8pm, $10-$30. “Constructions” for percussion ensemble.

Michael McIntosh Rite Spot Cafe. 9pm, free.

Shirley Jones Rrazz Room. 8pm, $40-$45.

Stompy Jones Top of the Mark, 999 California, SF; www.topofthemark.com. 7:30pm, $10.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Twang! Honky Tonk Fiddler’s Green, 1330 Columbus, SF; www.twanghonkytonk.com. 5pm. Live country music.

DANCE CLUBS

Afrolicious Elbo Room. 9:30pm, $5-$7. With DJ-hosts Pleasuremaker and Senor Oz.

All 80s Thursday Cat Club. 9pm, $6 (free before 9:30pm). The best of ’80s mainstream and underground.

Tropicana Madrone Art Bar. 9pm, free. Salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and more with DJs Don Bustamante, Apocolypto, Sr. Saen, Santero, and Mr. E.

FRIDAY 26

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

Converge, Torche, Nails, Kvelertak Slim’s. 8pm, $16-$18.

Further Seems Forever, Chris Conley Bottom of the Hill. 9:30pm, $26.

Goodnight, Texas, Elliot Randall and the Deadmen, Jesse Thomas Cafe Du Nord. 9pm, $10-$12.

Lights, Arkells Great American Music Hall. 8pm, $20.

Lila Rose, Birdseye, Emily Moldy, BELI3VER Brick and Mortar Music Hall. 9pm, $12-$15.

Jason Marion, Todd, Jeff Johnny Foley’s Dueling Pianos. 9pm.

Mitchel and Manley, Head Boggle, Bad Bad, Abyss of Fathomless Light Bluxome Point, 63 Bluxome, SF; www.bluxomepoint.com. 9pm, $5.

Night of the Living Crreature Thee Parkside. 9pm, free.

Pickwick, Fox and Woman, Black Cobra Vipers Rickshaw Stop. 9pm, $13-$15.

Slough Feg, Skelator, Midnight Chaser Hemlock Tavern. 9:30pm, $10.

Toadies, Helmet, UME Independent. 9pm, $25.

Top Secret Band Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Von Goat, Dispirit, Atriach, Altar de Fey Elbo Room. 9pm, $10.

Glenn Walters and the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils Biscuits and Blues. 8Pm, $20.

Wooster Boom Boom Room. 8pm, $10.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

Audium 1616 Bush, SF; www.audium.org. 8:30pm, $20. Theater of sound-sculptured space.

Black Jazz Orchestra Top of the Mark, 999 California, SF; www.topofthemark.com. 9pm, $10.

Shirley Jones Rrazz Room. 8pm, $40-$45.

Allison Lovejoy Rite Spot Cafe. 9pm, free.

Wooden Fish Ensemble San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, 100 Larkin, SF; (415) 557-4400. 3pm, free.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Baxtolo Drom Amnesia. 9pm, $7-$10.

DANCE CLUBS

Fedorable Queer Dance Party El Rio. 9pm, free.

Flashback Fridays Mezzanine. 9pm, $30. Halloween 1980s party with Wonder Bread 5, and DJs Omar, Damon Boyle, and Billy Vidal.

Joe Lookout, 3600 16th St.,SF; www.lookoutsf.com. 9pm. Eight rotating DJs.

David Jones Vessel, 85 Campton Place, SF; www.vesselsf.com. 10pm. $20-$30.

Paris to Dakar Little Baobab, 3388 19th St, SF; (415) 643-3558. 10pm, $5. Afro and world music with rotating DJs including Stepwise, Steve, Claude, Santero, and Elembe.

Trannyshack: Halloween DNA Lounge. 9:30pm, $15. With Heklina, Peaches Christ, Exhibit Q, Elijah Minnelli, Raya Light, and more.

SATURDAY 27

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

Asteroids Galaxy Tour Fillmore. 9pm, $20.

Bay Area Heat Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Brothers Comatose Independent. 9pm, $17.

Clamhawk Manorm My Parade Thee Parkside. 3pm, free.

Cult of Youth Hemlock Tavern. 8:30pm, $10.

Fast Times Maggie McGarry’s, 1353 Grant, SF; (415) 339-9020. 10pm, free.

Forrest Day, Ghost and the City, DJ Brother Grimm Rickshaw Stop. 9pm, $10-$12.

Foreverland’s Thriller Halloween Ball Bimbo’s. 9pm, $22.

Wolfgang Gartner, Pierce Fulton and Popeska Regency Ballroom. 9pm, $32-$38.

Here We Go Magic Preservation Hall West at the Chapel, 777 Valencia, SF; www.ticketfly.com. 9pm, $18.

Live Evil Riptide Tavern. 9pm, free.

Mister Loveless, Transfer, Hustle and Drone Thee Parkside. 9pm, $8.

Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers Biscuits and Blues. 8 and 10pm, $22.

Red Fang, Black Tusk, Lord Dying Slim’s. 9pm, $15.

Rin Tin Tiger, Doe Eye, Steelwells, Wes Lesley and His Deadly Medley Bottom of the Hill. 9pm, $10.

Todd, Jason Marion, Jeff Johnny Foley’s Dueling Pianos. 9pm.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

Audium 1616 Bush, SF; www.audium.org. 8:30pm, $20. Theater of sound-sculptured space.

Shirley Jones Rrazz Room. 8pm, $40-$45.

Mr. Lucky and the Cocktail Party Rite Spot Cafe. 9pm, free.

“Not in Our Name: Dia de los Muertos Concert” Brava Theatre, 2781 24 St., SF; www.brava.org. 8pm, $35. With John Santos Sextet.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Jascha Hoffman sings Caetano Veloso Red Poppy Art House. 8pm, $10.

Will Magid’s World Wide Dance Party: Ethiopique Extravaganza! Cafe Du Nord. 9pm, $15.

Temple Bhajan Band Integral Yoga Institute, 770 Dolores, SF; (415) 821-1117. 6-8pm, $15.

DANCE CLUBS

Blow Up Halloween Special Vessel, 85 Campton Place, SF; www.vesselsf.com. 10pm. $5.

Club 1994 Halloween Bash Vessel, 85 Campton, SF; www.club1994.com. 10pm, $18.

Devil Made Me Do It: Drag, Devils, Dancing El Rio.10pm, $10; $5 with costume.

Halloween Boooootie DNA Lounge. 9pm. $30. A Plus D, Dada, Smash-Up Derby, with a midnight costume contest.

Mango El Rio. 3-8:30pm, $8-$10.

Paris to Dakar Little Baobab, 3388 19th St, SF; (415) 643-3558. 10pm, $5. Afro and world music with rotating DJs. With DJ Ness.

120 Minutes Elbo Room. 10pm.

Temptation vs Fringe Cat Club. 9:30pm, $5-$8. With DJs Blonde K, subOctave, and more.

Vinyl Boom Boom Room. 8pm, $15. With Sonnyboy, DJ K-os.

SUNDAY 28

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

Casy and Brian, Future Twin, Deep Teens Thee Parkside. 8pm, $7.

Earth, Fontanelle, Stebmo Great American Music Hall. 8pm, $16.

Godwaffle Noise Pancakes: Medicine Cabinet, Lycanthropic Legions of Noise, Arachnid Archade Lab, 2948 16 St, SF; www.thelab.org. noon, $5-$10.

“Golden Gate Blues Society Presents: IBC Challenge Final” Biscuits and Blues. 5pm, $20.

Harold Ray Dead in Concert, Gregors, Outlaw Hemlock Tavern. 6pm, $6.

Indubious Rockit Room. 9pm, $10.

John Lawton Trio Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

SLIG Hotel Utah. 8pm, $6.

Timeflies Presents: One Night Tour, DJ Ev Slim’s. 8pm, $16-$18.

Mary Wilson Venetian Room at the Fairmont, 950 Mason, SF; www.bayareacabaret.org. 7pm, $40-$75.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

Lua Hadar and Francofonia Bliss Bar, 4026 24th St, SF; www.blissbarsf.com. 4:30pm, $10.

“John Cage Centennial Celebration” Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, SF; www.ybca.org. 8pm. “Musicircus,” 40 Cage works.

Shirley Jones Rrazz Room. 5pm, $40-$45.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Heel Draggers, West Nile Ramblers Amnesia. 8pm, $5-$10.

Brian Stevens Brainwash Cafe. 7pm, free.

“Twang Sunday” Thee Parkside. 4pm, free. With Bar Fight, Tough Brothers.

DANCE CLUBS

Dub Mission Elbo Room. 9pm, $6. With DJ Sep, Vinnie Esparza, and J. Boogie.

Jock Lookout, 3600 16th St, SF; www.lookoutsf.com. 3pm, $2.

MONDAY 29

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

Balmorhea, Young Moon Bottom of the Hill. 9:30pm, $10.

Cadence Weapon Brick and Mortar Music Hall. 9:30pm, $8-$10.

Damir Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Daughter, Choir of Young Believers Independent. 8pm, $12.

Jenni and the Jerks, Wicked Mercies, Whoa Nellies Elbo Room. 9pm, $8; $5 in costume.

One F, NVS, Mean Faces El Rio. 7pm, $5; $3 with costume.

“SFRMA.org performs Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and Portishead’s ‘Dummy'” Great American Music Hall. 8pm, $15.

JAZZ/NEW MUSIC

Mike Burns Rite Spot Cafe. 8:30pm, free.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Front Country Amnesia. 8pm.

TUESDAY 30

ROCK/BLUES/HIP-HOP

All Time Low, Summer Set, Downtown Fiction, Hit the Lights Fillmore. 7pm, $25.

Sophie Barker Yoshi’s SF. 8pm, $14.

Disclosure, DJ Dials, Sleazemore Independent. 9pm, $20.

Dysrhythmia, Dog Shredder, Burmese, Dimesland Elbo Room. 9pm, $10.

Fat Tuesday Band Biscuits and Blues. 8 and 10pm, $15.

Hannah Georgas Cafe Du Nord. 7:30pm, $12.

New Spell, Treehouse Orchestra, St. Tropez Bottom of the Hill. 9pm, $10.

Other Lives, Indians Great American Music Hall. 8pm, $16.

Stan Erhart Band Johnny Foley’s. 9pm, free.

Sweat Lodge, No Bone, Standard Poodle Knockout. 9:30pm, $6.

Tiger High, Some Days, Flytraps Hemlock Tavern. 8:30pm, $7.

Wave Commission, Redwood Wires, Phone Sex Operators El Rio. 7pm, $3.

FOLK/WORLD/COUNTRY

Toshio Hirano Rite Spot Cafe. 9pm, free.

Sofia Talvik, Arcadio Amnesia. 9:30pm, $7.

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