Donna’s Chronicles: The Academy’s third annual Legends Awards – San Francisco Bay Occasions
Donna pouch –
The Academy’s third annual Legends Awards ceremony was held at the Swedish American Hall last Friday and nearly 200 people came to celebrate and socialize, including Jan Wahl, Gary Virginia, Gareth Gooch, Bill Wilson, and Brian Kent. We cooperate with the dashing Liam Mayclem of television and gastronomic celebrity and Sister Roma, the “most photographed nun in the world” and she is always fun to work with. Paul Miller and Nate Bourg In addition to launching The Academy, you created a group of awards to recognize those who make a difference in the LGBTQ + community. The Exemplar Award was presented by the sparkling Mercedez Munro to the longtime champion of the Asian / Pacific Islander Community Tita Aida. the Diane Jones Solidarity award went to writer, activist and filmmaker Leo Herrerawho accepted by video. The Architect Award was then presented by a talented drag performer Miss Rahni Nothing more to Scott Petersonwho made the powerhouse such a popular SOMA location; his remarks were particularly humble and moving. In between awards, we enjoyed a remarkable variety of musical performances by Russell Deason, Melanie DeMore, and Linda Steinstrasse. Finally, the Legends Archive Award was presented by Terrance Kelly, Director of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Dr. Tim Seelig, Artistic Director of the SF Gay Men’s Chorus. Tim recently announced his retirement after an exceptional career and particularly significant contributions to this local choir, making him a perfect choice for the evening’s first award. In keeping with previous years, Tim gave one of his favorite conducting sticks, framed by historical photographs and documents, on display at the Academy forever, along with Sister Roma’s headdress and Juanita MORE!‘sneon “Loads of Love”. The awards ended with a hilarious video from Tim and a rousing song by members of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. The guests hiked next to the Academy to an after-party in the Academy with all the award winners, presenters, actors and guests for cocktails and congratulations, as Juanita MORE! made for excellent music.
Two recent events occurred to friends and acquaintances of the deceased Harry Denton and Michael Pagan an opportunity to collect and share great memories. First, Harry’s Bar on Fillmore Street hosted a weekday happy hour party. Since we have never been to this bar and were rather unfamiliar with this forest neck, we went there a little hesitantly, unsure of our reception. Within minutes of arriving, any fear was gone Gregor August offered us a seat and a cosmo and engaged us in a pleasant conversation. The crowd of exuberant guests hummed with amusing stories about their experiences with Harry Denton. At some point it was time to cut the two cakes, both with suggestive and amusing designs, and sing the birthday song. Somehow we were lifted to the front bar with Liam Mayclem with the blessing of the general manager Charles Johnson and we conducted the chant that ended with a toast to this extraordinary San Franciscan.
Then we met some former Sir Francis Drake Hotel staff and other friends and business associates of Michael Pagan at Harris’ Steakhouse. Once again the conversation turned to the man we honored. We loved spending time with Cassandra Cass, Holotta Tymes, and Robert Carstensenwho all played a vital role in the success of Sunday’s a Drag at The Starlight Room, as well as other familiar faces from the many years doing shows at the hotel. We even got the chance to spend a few minutes with Michael’s sister, daughter, and son-in-law. A big thank you to Scott Taylor for a comfortable setting with a bar, delicious food, beautiful flower arrangements and a slide show with photos. Each of these events was not difficult with ceremonies or speeches, but served an important purpose, bringing together people who have been affected by the loss of two very caring people who touched many lives.
We ended our weekend with the celebration of the Absolute Empress Marlenas Birthday with many of her friends in Patricia’s Green, the small park in the Hayes Valley, directly opposite the legendary Marlena’s Bar. Marlena shone when she received admirers from near and far, courtly and otherwise, when cake was cut and champagne flowed. We talked to emperors John Carrillo, Jacque Michaels, JP Soto, and Bill Bulkley, Empresses Alexis miranda and Emma Peel, Kippy Marks, Carlos Medal, Patrick Noonan, Aldy Albanes-Pearman, Bobby Sleker, Ehra Amaya, Jouke Lanning, and much more. This was an informal celebration for a wonderful community icon. As this pandemic continues to melt, we look forward to many more such events, bringing people back together personally with caution but with boundless joy.
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist with over two decades of service to the San Francisco LGBTQ community. Contact them at empsachet@gmail.com
Calendar a / la sachet
Friday 19th November
Winter onesie party
Have fun in your favorite body
DJ Rob Moore
The Lookout, 3600 16th Street
21 clock
For free!
Monday, November 29th
Castro Christmas tree lights
Hosted by Donna Sachet
Music, elected officials, and fellowship
Bank of America, Castro location
6 p.m.
For free!
Thursday December 2nd
Drag queens on the ice
Union Square holiday skating rink
Top drag queens conquer the ice
Special guest Denali from RuPaul’s Drag Race
19 o’clock
For free!
Sunday 5th December
Help is on the way for the holidays XX
Richmond / Ermet Aid Foundation benefits the Open Hand project
Auction & Performances
Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street
6:30 in the evening
$ 45 and more
www.reaf.org
Monday 6th December
Tree of hope lighting
Rainbow World Fund
Origami decorated Christmas tree
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street
19 o’clock
For free!
www.rainbowfund.org
Sunday December 12th
Birthday cabaret & celebration
Celebrations of José Sarria hosted by Emperor XLVIII, AN, William Bulkley
Moderation by the Imperial Crown Princess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy
Martuni’s, 4 Valencia street
4–6 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14th & 15th
Donna Sachets Songs of the Season
Presented by Brian Kent
Advantages of the holiday cabaret PRC
Feinstein’s at Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street
8 p.m.
$ 25 and more
www.prcsf.org
Published on November 18, 2021
