The Royal Baby Contest at the Edge: A New Year’s Day Benefit With Royal Triplets

Hosts Jason Husted and Cookie Dough with contestants Sadisha Shimmers, Jazzmine Diamond-Leggz and Marco X. Middlesex

There was big, festive New Year’s Day opening for what San
Francisco’s LGBT community is known for — its generosity for charity fundraising.

The Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco’s Royal Baby Contest filled the quasi-blue collar Edge Bar in the Castro on Jan. 1 with glamorous drag queens that included Paloma Volare, Miso Hornay, Landa Lakes, and host Grand Duchess Cookie Dough. Handsomely attired San Jose Emperor Casey Jones, Royal Daddy George Langford and his Daddies Boy Eric Lopez (who is a favorite at the Deco Lounge), John Weber, and host Grand Duke Jason Husted casually displayed their overt masculinity.

Classy blonde Chanel of Reno caused a red and blonde danger flag warning when she slid into the bar wearing a tailored red leather suit, and she may not know that that look is taken in San Francisco. Chanel seemed uncomfortable, as if to imply that her usual party space is an exclusive VIP lounge of an upscale restaurant.

Shadisha Shimmers, Jazzmine Diamond-Leggz, and Marco X. Middlesex competed for the two Royal Baby titles. They impressed the hosts and audience so much that they were all chosen — as Royal Triplets!

The beneficiaries of the event were LYRIC and the Grand Ducal Council, which has several charities that it supports. The amount raised was $1,276.

Bubbly and lusted-after Valentin Aguirre from LYRIC was hugged throughout the party and thanked for attending. There was a lot of primal distraction until sexy uncovered barback Michael put his T-shirt on. Cute bartender Gavin and earthy bartender Mike served the thirsty crowd all afternoon with a smile.

The Edge’s Gary Virginia greeted guests and extended his usual high level of hospitality to the regulars and benefit party crowd.

The Michael Brandon Leather Benefit party at the Edge: A Contrast Between Volunteers

Michael Brandon and Boy Gabriel

There could not be much more of a contrast between the two groups of volunteers at Michael Brandon’s Leather Party benefit for Project Open Hand at the Edge Bar on Dec. 17. Open Hand’s volunteers who sold raffle tickets at the party looked like the casual, well-covered bar-hoppers that pack the local bars. Brandon’s volunteers looked and performed like erotic screen and stage performers and wore only bulging underwear and sneakers.

Go-go boy Element

The title of the event was “Edge-ing” which alludes to a torturous sex act and sexual magnetism was exuded by go-go dancer Element and Jello-O shot salesman Boy Gabriel. Host and primal erotic film star Brandon also danced provocatively in a jockstrap on stage when he took a break from MC’ing. Open Hand executive director Tom Nolan braved the packed heavy-cruising crowd to meet and greet the guests and he was happy to hear that $400 was raised for his organization. Bar manager Terry Penn was beautifully dressed as a voluptuous helper to Santa Claus and attentive party coordinator Gary Virginia adjusted the sound and staging. Leather Party co-founder Michael Dumont was introduced and he is well-known as someone equally comfortable in glamorous drag and in a leather uniform when appearing as a former Emperor of San Francisco.

Michael Brandon and Gary Virginia

In a neighborhood infamous for its Castro Triangle of bars that are not generous to worthy charities, the Edge stands out as a haven for non-profit organizations.

To see more of my photos off this event, visit flickr.com/rinkfoto.

The Krewe de Kinque Leather Brunch at the Edge Bar: A Wild Imaginative Fundraiser

Gary Virginia, Brett Andrews, John Weber, Donna Sachet, and Mark Leno

Excitement and generosity reigned at the Edge Bar in San Francisco’s Castro district for the 14th Annual Holiday Leather Brunch on Dec. 11 that benefited the Positive Resource Center (PRC). Wild entertainment and fantastic food and cocktails were the big draws and the local Mardi Gras organization, the Krewe de Kinque, pulled it all together to let the good times roll.

Diva D and Deana Dawn

Eye-busting colorful finery and makeup on greeters Deana Dawn and her sidekick Diva D was the first sign that this was to be an imaginative event. Stoli Bloody Marys and Mimosas, the popular bottomless kind, were served by the Edge’s attractive bartenders thanks to the generosity of Michael Daniels and Terry Penn. The expansive silent auction had some fine bargains, including leather pants with sharp side spikes to hold back backbar horndogs.

The wonderful smell of fried chicken wafted through the venue and celebrants anxiously awaited sultry host Gary Virginia’s signal to advance on the bountiful buffet. PRC executive director Brett Andrews brought succulent Kickin’ Fried Chicken, a family secret recipe and the toast of gay New Orleans, Saybelline, and her lover Frank Fernandez brought their delicious Southern Fried Chicken. Both chickens got the thumbs up and moaning erupted when provocative Don “Ho” Tse’s amazing Jack Daniels Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie was consumed.

Jim Strano took a break from his Joan Crawford Texas persona to coordinate the food and drinks and hunky Julian Marshburn sauntered through the party and let people know that they could enjoy his lap when he will volunteer as Santa Claus on Dec. 24 at the AIDS Emergency Fund holiday dinner at the Green Room. And the Rainbow World Fund’s Jeff Cotter stopped by to promote his organization’s Tree of Hope event at City Hall on Dec. 15, where the Japanese and LGBT communities will join to honor their cultures and histories.

Donna Sachet stuffed contributions into Diva D's bodice while her tresses were teased by master stylist Cockatelia

The high point of the party was when master stylist Cockatelia teased Diva D’s tresses to incredible heights for contributed money, and again Diva D confounded people who assumed that he is a woman. He is a surprise gender illusionist and there is shocked disbelief when he introduces himself while out of female drag. Diva Donna Sachet MC’ed the event and she also generously sang live, as did tempting Mark Paladini who also bared his arms for guys who fantasize that he will wrap them around them. Former Emperor John Weber sang another excellent live performance, this time with Kitty Tapata. State Senator Mark Leno brought a state proclamation and he and supervisor-elect Scott Wiener extolled the event and its fundraisers.

It was a fine party — a merging of imaginative fundraising, costuming, and fun that brought in a much-needed $1,716 for the PRC.

To see more of my photos of the event, visit flickr.com/rinkfoto.