Pearls Over Shanghai Remounted: A Spectacular Show Made Even More Spectacular

Connie Champagne as Petrushka and Russell Blackwood as Mother Fu

One of the most spectacular shows seen in San Francisco in years, The Thrillpeddlers’ Pearls Over Shanghai is riding a wave of popularity, and it has been sold out for months. Now the Cockettes musical remounting has been held over through April 24, 2010. The show is being presented at The Hypnodrome, which usually presents Grand Guignol productions.

Forty years have passed since the hippie theatrical group known as The Cockettes dazzled The City with their shows, and Pearls Over Shanghai was one of the finest. This journalist and the rest of packed early 1970’s audiences at the Palace Theater in North Beach were pulled into the very un-PC atmospheric version of that Chinese city and its drug and sex underground.

Huge improvements since the 70s — professional costumes, rehearsals, and all of the cast is onstage instead of a handful nodding off backstage on drugs.

Stage director Russell Blackwood and musical director (and original Cockette) Richard “Scrumbly” Koldewyn deserve the highest praise for their production by Link Martin (book/lyrics) and Koldewyn (music). A viewing of the films Shanghai Gesture and The Bitter Tea of General Yen and their bizarre Hollywood filtering of the Orient prepares audiences for the Thrillpeddlers stage production. It is an advertisement for the pleasures of opium and is also a cautionary tale of what can befall young American women trying to break into show business.

Some of the most remarkable scenes include: An beautiful and exotic Kara Emry working over hunky William McMichael with her heels and a whip, sultry Steven Satyricon romancing a curiously appealing Eric Tyson Wertz, amazing Jef Valentine and TJ Ladies and Gentlemen convincingly corrupting some young women, and Russell Blackwood’s, Rumi Missabu’s, and Lanny Baugniet’s masterful command of the stage.

Thanks to San Francisco Bay Times reporter Dennis McMillan the all important display of male frontal nudity was also revived. The Cockettes were unique, even in the 70s, for their sexual freedom inside and outside of their commune, and onstage nudity was an important part of that freedom. One penis in this show is decorated and waved freely. Another is hidden for a Ken Doll look, and the third is flashed at the audience. Also remarkable is that the crowd was very vocal in their pleasure, yelling out and screaming at their favorite scenes throughout the evening.

And to celebrate the Cockettes’ 40 years there will be songs from other shows performed in January 2010, after Pearls shows. For people who miss the Cockettes and their teenage years in the 70’s in San Francisco, this show is a window of awareness and feeling for a time of freedom and rampant sexuality. Pearls Over Shanghai is a primal and beautiful gift symbolized by the giant poppy on Russell Blackwood’s headdress and the gyrating eager-to-please bodies on stage.

Pearls Over Shanghai is currently held over through April 24, 2010.
The Hippnodrome
575 10th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 377-4202

[Photo caption: 6/12/09 — Connie Champagne as Petrushka and Russell Blackwood as Mother Fu in The Thrillpeddlers' "Pearls Over Shanghai," a re-mounting the Cockettes' spectacular show at The Hypnodrome.]

The Controversial Gay Congressman Keeps It Real

Books Inc. events coordinator Amadeus Martin introduces author Stuart Weisberg.

Author Stuart Weisberg captivated a small audience at Books Inc. in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood on November 19, 2009, with his stories about Congressman Barney Frank’s career and personal life. His new book Barney Frank: The Story of America’s Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman made a distinct impression on the attentive group.

Weisberg worked in the Clinton administration and he now works in labor relations in Washington D.C. He explained that Frank is a complex person. A Korean diplomat once asked what language was Frank’s first language, because he did not believe that it was English. Like a number of prominent people in this country’s Northeastern area, Frank thinks too fast for him to get the words out. He speaks very quickly and with a distinctive accent, and he is known for his sharp mind and quick wit. He believes that he has a constitutional duty to debate his opponents, but if they are not well known he will not give them the attention. That is along the lines of Gore Vidal’s thinking, who said that if someone has a vastly different view of reality, he would not even discuss the weather with them.

An electoral opponent challenged Frank to take an AIDS test, and he answered that his opponent should take an intelligence test. And he claims to be the only left-handed, gay, Jewish Congressman.

Frank was raised in a low income family and he adored Hubert Humphrey’s liberal agenda. He knew that he was gay at age 12 but did not make it public until 25 years later. When a friend came out to him in college he was too repressed to express his own gayness.

In 1972 Frank was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, as part of George McGovern’s very limited coattails. A photo caption of that era quipped: “Who is that with Barney Frank?” His wit came out when he criticized the nation’s most expensive public works project, Boston’s Big Dig. Frank said that it would be cheaper to just raise the city.

His opportunity for a Congressional seat opened up when the Pope realized that Congressman Father Drinan, a priest, was too liberal for his taste and made him quit his seat. Frank said the Pope must have questioned his own judgment when the seat was won by Frank, a much more liberal politician.

Being half in and half out of the closet placed a strain on Frank’s life. His close friends knew, and few others. Democratic powerhouse Tip O’Neil was disbelieving, because he said that Frank “is one of the backroom guys who smokes cigars.”

It all came out with the 1980 sex scandal when a sex worker well known to Frank was arrested for selling men out of Frank’s apartment. He avoided Congressional censure and worse because of the high regard that he was held in by his fellow legislators.

Frank visited legislators and their family members when they were in the hospital, he sent birthday cards, and he showed compassion for the people he worked with on Capitol Hill.

The Boston Globe demanded that Frank resign, and predictably Congressman Larry Craig was the most vehement that Frank quit his job. Frank later said that Craig could not be trusted to go to the bathroom by himself.

When arch conservative Dick Armey called Frank “Barney Fag” he claimed it was a mispronunciation. Frank called him out and said that it was a homophobic attack and that he should be ashamed of himself.

Frank delights in digging at the numerous people who write him hate mail, making fun of their illiteracy and irrationality.
Frank knew that settlements to bail the country out of the current financial crisis would be unpopular, but he felt that it was necessary.

The Q&A started when local activist Michael Zanoni asked about Frank running for a U.S. Senate seat. Author Weisberg said that it could have happened if John Kerry had been elected president. This journalist mentioned that Frank had been picketed with angry protest signs in San Francisco after he stated that California should wait for Massachusetts to establish same-sex marriage first, and that he may have been picketed for his stance on transgender rights and ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) if he had accompanied Weisberg to the reading.

Weisberg said that Frank felt that he was being pragmatic, and that ENDA would not pass with transgender inclusion. And he added that Frank felt the same way about legislation allowing lesbians and gays to serve openly in the military. Frank also felt the latest march on Washington D.C., the National Equality March, was a wasted effort because the organizers had not coordinated lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Author Weisberg finished off the event by reminding everyone about admirable legislation that Congressman Frank had promoted, including consumer protection bills. Then Books Inc.’s expressive events coordinator Amadeus Martin thanked everyone for coming by and he set up the book signing counter for Weisberg.

Barney Frank: The Story of America’s Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman by Stuart Weisberg is available for purchase online and in stores at Books Inc., the West’s oldest independent bookseller.


[Photo caption: 11/19/09 — Books Inc. events coordinator Amadeus Martin introduces author Stuart Weisberg to an attentive audience. The ups and downs of Frank's political and private life were discussed, and there was a Q&A.]

Election Tension Mounts in the Castro

Magnet, the Castro’s medical and cultural center in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, hosted a District 8 supervisor debate on Oct. 27, 2009. There was anticipation and tension in the air in the space that Mayor Willie Brown described as beautifully designed as the W Hotel, for an election that is happening November 2010. The district’s Supervisor Bevan Dufty will be stepping down due to term limits but some intense political junkies would have you believe that it is happening next week. A party to promote marriage equality in Maine and a Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club meeting occurring at the same time as the debate did not affect the popularity of the event.

Magnet director Steve Gibson welcomed the guests who had packed the space and described the debate ground rules, and then each candidate spoke about their backgrounds and goals if elected.
Then there was a Q&A and a reception for one-on-one opportunities with the four announced candidates.

Attorney and Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club president Rafael Mandelman spoke first about who he is, why he is running, and what the district’s citizens and he can do together. He spoke about being afraid to be near gay Supervisor Harry Britt when he was a City Hall intern because he thought it would make him gay. This is a not an isolated fear. A lesbian couple with a feminist farm in the Deep South, on a fundraising tour through San Francisco, said that backward ministers told people that if women or girls rode past their farm they would become lesbians. He also spoke about his positions on the Board of Appeals and the Democratic Central Committee. And he stressed a need for a progressive coalition to better solve problems and serve citizens. He stated a need to help out children and finished by playfully calling the other three candidates “kids.”

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Prozan started her presentation by saying that she is humbled and honored to be considered for the district supervisor seat. She spoke about working for Mayor Willie Brown as his LGBT liaison, and how she was able to obtain funding for the community that included money for Magnet. Prozan spoke about having the experience for the supervisor job and that she recognized the need to oversee and enhance funding for HIV/AIDS and childrens’ health programs. She emphasized that her day job of helping victims get justice prepares her for the public safety needs of the district.

Deputy City Attorney Scott Wiener began his presentation with a swipe at the mostly progressive board of supervisors by saying that he would not be “ideological.” That is the word that San Francisco dailies use when the board votes on international issues. Wiener’s said that his job gives him insight to how city departments operate and that he has ideas of how to improve their efficiency. He also spoke about his presidency of the Eureka Valley Improvement Association, his co-founding of the Castro Community on Patrol, and his former position as chair of the Democratic Central Committee as a source of perspective that would make him a good choice for supervisor.

PUC Assistant General Manager Laura Spanjian, the only non-attorney candidate, started her by saying that she did not need a microphone and that her loud voice is something she was known for in high school. She then complimented Magnet by letting the audience know that the medical center is one of the top 6 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. Spanjian said that she learned a lot from working for lesbian Supervisor Leslie Katz, working for MUNI just as it went into a meltdown, and then on to the PUC during its multi-billion dollar water and sewer projects. She stressed that she would be a 24-hour supervisor who could be counted on to solve constituents’ problems. She also spoke about her position on the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund board and an advisory board for the newly re-opened Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Library.

During the Q&A some of the districts’ major issues were discussed. All four candidates agreed with Supervisor Dufty’s closing down of the Halloween Castro that drew hundreds of thousands of mostly non-costumed throngs and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s marijuana legislation. Except for Wiener, they agreed with Supervisor David Campos’ legislation to resist the apprehension of undocumented youth who are not convicted of a crime. Mandelman waved the progressive flag to denounce the owner of Whole Foods for his distain for workers’ guaranteed health care plans and unions during a discussion of incoming Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s outlets to District 8.

There was a congeniality among the candidates that could spread to their supporters. Ranked choice voting makes it advantageous to keep the lid down hard on conflicts, since even moderate voters could hand over one vote to a progressive and the other way around. There has been one surprise election victory because of this dynamic, and it could happen again.

Harvey Milk’s name was mentioned because the District 8 seat was mentioned as a legacy seat. This journalist knew Milk well and we discussed politics and community service over dinner at the Sausage Factory. All four candidates sounded like they understood that constituents expect attention to their needs, which is what Milk worked at day and night. But Milk did not have to deal with handheld phones that can take incriminating pictures and videos, political junkies with no life who follow the online 24-hour news frenzy, and unhappy café types and the gay far right that can pick apart and even distort altruistic civil servants’ best work and send it out instantly on blogs.

Election Tension Mounts in the Castro

Magnet, the Castro’s medical and cultural center in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, hosted a District 8 supervisor debate on Oct. 27, 2009. There was anticipation and tension in the air in the space that Mayor Willie Brown described as beautifully designed as the W Hotel, for an election that is happening November 2010. The district’s Supervisor Bevan Dufty will be stepping down due to term limits but some intense political junkies would have you believe that it is happening next week. A party to promote marriage equality in Maine and a Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club meeting occurring at the same time as the debate did not affect the popularity of the event.

Magnet director Steve Gibson welcomed the guests who had packed the space and described the debate ground rules, and then each candidate spoke about their backgrounds and goals if elected.
Then there was a Q&A and a reception for one-on-one opportunities with the four announced candidates.

Attorney and Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club president Rafael Mandelman spoke first about who he is, why he is running, and what the district’s citizens and he can do together. He spoke about being afraid to be near gay Supervisor Harry Britt when he was a City Hall intern because he thought it would make him gay. This is a not an isolated fear. A lesbian couple with a feminist farm in the Deep South, on a fundraising tour through San Francisco, said that backward ministers told people that if women or girls rode past their farm they would become lesbians. He also spoke about his positions on the Board of Appeals and the Democratic Central Committee. And he stressed a need for a progressive coalition to better solve problems and serve citizens. He stated a need to help out children and finished by playfully calling the other three candidates “kids.”

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Prozan started her presentation by saying that she is humbled and honored to be considered for the district supervisor seat. She spoke about working for Mayor Willie Brown as his LGBT liaison, and how she was able to obtain funding for the community that included money for Magnet. Prozan spoke about having the experience for the supervisor job and that she recognized the need to oversee and enhance funding for HIV/AIDS and childrens’ health programs. She emphasized that her day job of helping victims get justice prepares her for the public safety needs of the district.

Deputy City Attorney Scott Wiener began his presentation with a swipe at the mostly progressive board of supervisors by saying that he would not be “ideological.” That is the word that San Francisco dailies use when the board votes on international issues. Wiener’s said that his job gives him insight to how city departments operate and that he has ideas of how to improve their efficiency. He also spoke about his presidency of the Eureka Valley Improvement Association, his co-founding of the Castro Community on Patrol, and his former position as chair of the Democratic Central Committee as a source of perspective that would make him a good choice for supervisor.

PUC Assistant General Manager Laura Spanjian, the only non-attorney candidate, started her by saying that she did not need a microphone and that her loud voice is something she was known for in high school. She then complimented Magnet by letting the audience know that the medical center is one of the top 6 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. Spanjian said that she learned a lot from working for lesbian Supervisor Leslie Katz, working for MUNI just as it went into a meltdown, and then on to the PUC during its multi-billion dollar water and sewer projects. She stressed that she would be a 24-hour supervisor who could be counted on to solve constituents’ problems. She also spoke about her position on the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund board and an advisory board for the newly re-opened Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Library.

During the Q&A some of the districts’ major issues were discussed. All four candidates agreed with Supervisor Dufty’s closing down of the Halloween Castro that drew hundreds of thousands of mostly non-costumed throngs and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s marijuana legislation. Except for Wiener, they agreed with Supervisor David Campos’ legislation to resist the apprehension of undocumented youth who are not convicted of a crime. Mandelman waved the progressive flag to denounce the owner of Whole Foods for his distain for workers’ guaranteed health care plans and unions during a discussion of incoming Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s outlets to District 8.

There was a congeniality among the candidates that could spread to their supporters. Ranked choice voting makes it advantageous to keep the lid down hard on conflicts, since even moderate voters could hand over one vote to a progressive and the other way around. There has been one surprise election victory because of this dynamic, and it could happen again.

Harvey Milk’s name was mentioned because the District 8 seat was mentioned as a legacy seat. This journalist knew Milk well and we discussed politics and community service over dinner at the Sausage Factory. All four candidates sounded like they understood that constituents expect attention to their needs, which is what Milk worked at day and night. But Milk did not have to deal with handheld phones that can take incriminating pictures and videos, political junkies with no life who follow the online 24-hour news frenzy, and unhappy café types and the gay far right that can pick apart and even distort altruistic civil servants’ best work and send it out instantly on blogs.

AIDS Legal Referral Panel Celebrates 26 Years

AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) celebrated 26 years at their annual From the Heart Reception and Auction held at the War Memorial Building Green Room in San Francisco on October 14, 2009. The event drew a large turnout that filled the room with attorneys, legal staffers, and their friends. ALRP has handled over 50,000 legal matters, with the skills of more than 700 attorneys since 1983.

The event began with enthusiastic ALRP executive director Bill Hirsh’s welcome. He thanked all the donors for their help in making it possible for ALRP services to reach people with HIV/AIDS. Then he introduced progressive icon California State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, who made a point of inviting the guests to get in touch with his office with their concerns and needs.

The awards presentation began when host San Francisco City Supervisor David Campos, the popular Mission District activist, was introduced and he announced the Clint Hockenberry Award for Larry Katzin. Katzin spoke with emotion about meeting with men who were dying of AIDS, to help them with their legal needs. He stepped from the stage and was surrounded by his friends and co-workers. Amir Atashi Rang was honored with the Attorney of the Year Award, and his family was there to applaud him. Jones Day was awarded Law Firm of the Year and attorney Kevyn Orr accepted the plaque, with complimentary remarks.

California State Senator Mark Leno’s aide Anna Damiani was introduced and her proclamations for the honorees were distributed. There also were proclamations from US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Assessor Phil Ting.

The auction had extraordinary items to peruse, and the clever Frank Bizzarro of Bizzarro's Gala Auctions took over with assistance from effervescent ALRP development director Jim McBride to raise a large amount of much-needed funds.

Notables at the reception included activist attorney Paul Melbostad, BALIF (Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom) co-chair Rebecca Prozan, and Project Open Hand executive director Tom Nolan. The buffet featured lamb chops, the most desired hors d’oeuvres of the year. Gilead and Target were two of the major donors, and their generosity was applauded.

Executive director Bill Hirsh’s warm closing remarks were a signal for silent auction bidders to rush to the hallway where winners’ names were posted. ALRP volunteer coordinator Ana Montano deserves much of the credit for the event’s success, and her mastery of matching of workers to duties should be the envy of professional party consultants.

[Photo caption: 10/14/09 — Attorney Kevyn Orr accepts the ALRP Law Firm of the Year Award on behalf of Jones Day.]

AIDS Relief Fund for China Celebrates Six Years of HIV/AIDS Work in China

The AIDS Relief Fund for China (AFRC) celebrated their six years of HIV/AIDS work at the Be My Guest Thai Bistro in San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2009. Every seat was taken and diners eagerly anticipated ARFC executive director Humphrey Wou’s latest videos of grantees and the sumptuous meal.

AIDS Relief Fund for China was founded by Roger Chow in 2003 when he realized that though the Chinese government had issued a document in 2001 about HIV/AIDS that stated that there would be free treatment, and that Premier Wen Jiabao had shaken hands with a person with HIV at the 2003 World AIDS Day, there was much that was missing from the top-down rulers’ plans. Many people would not be reached with education and there was nothing mentioned about the dangers of stigma. Many infected people had gone underground and there was rampant homophobia, which could spread the disease and lead to avoidance and denial of treatment.

ARFC was founded to reach out and educate, test and counsel, care and support, distribute condoms, and battle stigma. The targets of ARFC projects are mostly students, rural women, men who have sex with men (MSM), people with HIV, sex workers, and drug users. The conclusion that can be drawn is that ARFC complements the Chinese government’s efforts against HIV/AIDS, and that ARFC is an example to other countries’ activists.


The project videos shown by ARFC executive director Wou were short, high-tech with rich color, and highly personal. Wou was seen with grantees in China as they explained their accomplishments and future goals.

One of the strongest presentations was the Soymilk Station woman who pedals a tricycle to the homes of people with AIDS (PWAs) who subsist on only vegetables and rice, and she brings them soy milk for protein. The PWAs were introduced and they spoke about how their health had improved with her visits.

Another video was about the Migrant Women Sewing Class, where the women were shown learning how to use sewing machines and also receive information about safer sex and HIV.

A mother, Wu Youjian, was shown founding PFLAG China to help her gay son and other gays, lesbians, and their parents after Wou described PFLAG (Parents Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) in the U.S. to her.

Heart Talk Support Groups, similar to gay raps in the U.S., was shown as important discussion groups to educate about AIDS, broaden social circles, assist in personal growth, and relieve stress.

Other ARFC projects can be seen on the AIDSReliefFundChina.org website. They include the Five Household Co-Op Project to provide for increased income for PWAs, a Peking Opera troupe that hands out HIV pamphlets after performances, and Sunshine Doctors that brings volunteer medical professionals to rural areas.

Notable guests included founder Roger Chow, who received a Proclamation from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom brought by aide Francis Tsang, Pangea Global AIDS Foundation board chair Joe Garrett, AIDS researchers and lovers George Ayala and Tri Do, dedicated volunteer Daniel Bao, playwright Charles Belov, and Chris “Donchawishyawasme” Young, who can be counted on to be the most outrageous Miss GAPA contestant at the annual GAPA Runway Pageant. Donors and longtime lovers John Gibbons and Neal Brengle spoke eloquently about how impressed they are with ARFC, and how they can clearly see how their contributions are utilized.

As in past years ARFC diners enjoyed the excellent meal at Be My Guest Thai Bistro on Clement Street in the Richmond district of San Francisco. The coconut soup, chicken and shrimp dishes, and the refreshing ice cream dessert drew smiles all around.

The dinner’s warmth and bonding was accentuated at the end of the event when ARFC board chair Teresa Spitzer carefully explained how continued support could increase the foundation’s alleviation of suffering in China, and ARFC executive director Wou thanked everyone for attending.

[Photo caption #1: 10/1/09 — AIDS Relief Fund for China executive director Humphrey Wou, board president Teresa Spitzer, and Pangea Global AIDS Foundation board president Joe Garrett.]

[Photo caption #2: 10/1/09 — AIDS researchers Tri Do and George Ayala, who are lovers that met at an AIDS conference, with ARFC executive director Humphrey Wou.]