Sister Dana Sez: Words of Wisdumb from a Fun Nun

By Sister Dana Van Iquity

Sister Dana sez, “‘Beware the IDES OF MARCH’ (March 15) is a quote from Shakespeare regarding the assassination of Emperor Caesar. I don’t know what that has to do with us modern folk—but just beware!”

Coronation 58 “RISE OF THE GOLDEN GODS” arose on February 25 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.

Congratulations to stepping down Imperials, Emperor Brent Daddy Munro and Empress Ehra Amaya, on a glorious reign! And welcome to incoming Imperials, Empress Cameron Stiehl-Munro & Emperor Michael Anthony Chua! www.sfimpImperialcouncil.org

2358MRKT Gallery Space (on 2358 Market Street) held its everyfirst-Thursday reception, HELLO CITY, on March 2 with a play on the concept of the Japanese animation cat, “Hello Kitty.” I have three faves.

“Rock M Sakura” is a stunning photograph of that famous DQ of the RuPaul drag dynasty by CashMonetDrag of Los Angeles. Clint Fredric Wiater’s “Tighty Kitty Whities” acrylic on wood panel is a delightfully whimsical underwear cat. Katie Capadona’s photographs have taken a posed model’s body and inserted a cat’s head instead with “You Can’t Hang with Me(ow),” https://www.2358mrkt.com/

“What Meow?” and “Tuna Tartare & Sloe Gin Fizz.” All these cool cats and more will be on display through March 12.

SAN FRANCISCO AIDS

FOUNDATION & STRUT at 470 Castro Street held their monthly art reception of OUR FELLOW MORTALS aka Mementos Salvatruchos on March 3. “Our Fellow Mortals” is the name for Bay Area-based artist Jonathan Hemelberg. Born and raised in San Francisco, he creates artwork that is inspired by the intersection of queer, cultural, and ethnic identities. Growing up as a queer first-gen Salvadoran-Colombian-American often left him feeling invisible in a vast majority of spaces, even queer ones at the time. As a result, he focuses on painting and drawing figures that celebrate sex, queerness, brownness, and indigenous history as a way to make others, like him, feel powerful in their own skin. “Self Portrait,” in acrylic gauche on wood, is very moving— especially with the tear running down his face. “Creamed Corn” is an arousing, erotic depiction. Well, to be truthful, almost all these works are erotic gay men. https://www.sfaf.org/ By the way, on April 7, Strut is inviting you to help them behold and enjoy the work of JessJae! I have no idea what that is exactly, but I’m sure it’s great. Something to do with Tarot cards. I will have more info in my next column. The Art Opening starts at 8 pm and will go till 10 pm. They will have light snacks and some refreshments (including wine) for everyone. But lately, at their first Friday events, they are requiring an advance free ticket, which I am not happy about— regarding these mandatory ticket things for all the art receptions these days.

On March 3, Schlomer Gallery at 2128 Market Street held a reception for SHAPE SHIFTERS:

QUEERING THE METAVERSE, a portal into artist Joseph Abbati’s own metaverse where his painted portraits, avatars, and queer identity transcend the chains of hetero-normavity and reclaim its power. Infused with Abbati’s background in graphic arts, each photo-like rendering in these paintings creates a new meta-world, a metaverse where meaning is rooted in the essence of queerness. To view Abbati’s works, you must pass through last month’s exhibition, SKINTIGHT, by Lanee Bird, to enter a little portal to two little cubbyholes for viewing. Abbati’s works are LITERALLY mind-bending—with odd curvatures in the faces. My favorite was a bearded man with either a black eye or the start of face paint on his eyelid for a drag show. https://schlomerhaus.com/ Barry Moore, Lauren Boebert, and George Santos have introduced a bill to make the AR-15 “The National Gun of America.” This is basically a slap on the face to the memory of every victim of mass shootings and their families. Sister Dana sez, “It’s bad enough that they wear AR-15 gun pins on their lapels, but they are now trying to memorialize an instrument of war and massive destruction? Just shoot me!”

Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for a “national divorce” between liberal and conservative states. She has practically called for a Civil War. Sister Dana sez, “Let’s call for a divorce of MTG from the House of Representatives!” https://42ndstmoon.org/

Cole Porter’s award-winning musical, ANYTHING GOES, continues at 42ND STREET MOON now through March 12 at the Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. First produced on Broadway in 1934, it has twice won the Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Musical” (1987 and 2011). It’s a zany trip on a yacht with romantic entanglements, crazy disguises, talented tap-dancing sailors, gangsters, pranksters, and blackmail along the way. This hilarious, heartwarming romantic comedy musical features such Cole classics as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “Easy to Love,” “Friendship,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “All Through the Night,” and “It’s De-Lovely”—not to mention the title song!

DOMINION VOTING had contacted Fox News via 3,682 emails about false election fraud claims; yet Fox continued the lies. Sister Dana sez, “After the Dominion suit has revealed FOX NEWS has spread ‘The Big Lie,’ knowing it was a lie; then now that particular station of information and mischievous cunning can definitely be called ‘sly like a fox’!’’ Disney has been dazzling audiences for 100 years—and SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS (SFGMC) is proud to celebrate their 45th anniversary with some of the most-loved music from Disney with DISNEY PRIDE IN CONCERT. Returning to Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue on March 16 and 17, 7:30 pm, this two-act spectacular—featuring the 250 members of the chorus and a 25-piece orchestra—combines over 40 classic and contemporary Disney songs with unique storylines that come directly from SFGMC chorus members. Get ready for hit songs from The Lion King, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, Mulan, Hercules, Coco, and so many more in their extraordinary spring production. Disney concerts offer “A Whole New World” of wonder and possibility for those who have felt unworthy, struggled with self-acceptance, or wondered about their purpose in life. The magic of these events cannot be overstated. Go see the show, and make anti-Disney DeSantis angry! https://www.sfgmc.org/

Lockdown Comedy is on Zoom on Thursday, March 16, featuring Matt Kirshen (LA), Mina Hartong

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PHOTO BY CHRIS MICHAELSON

Out gay filmmaker Matt Carter makes an auspicious feature film directorial debut with In from the Side His terrific drama—now available on iTunes, Amazon, DVD, and Bluray—mixes romance and sports as Mark (Alexander Lincoln) is a B-team rugby player who falls for Warren (Alexander King), who is on the league’s A-team. While both men, are, in fact, in relationships with other guys, they cannot control their desires and embark on a secret affair. And when Warren joins