San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s Largest, Most Collaborative Queer Party Returns for a Second Year
Velvet, which showcases nearly a dozen queer-centric organizations that proliferate SF’s nightlife scene, will take over The Midway this upcoming Saturday.
A point we can’t harp on enough is that San Francisco remains the queer mecca of the world. For a litany of reasons, San Francisco stays a bastion for LGBTQIA+ legislation, queer escapism (both before and after the sun goes down), burgeoning creativity, etc.; as the saying goes, “as California goes, so goes the nation”; one could line-edit that to read “as [San Francisco] goes, so goes California… [and then the nation.]”
And among those goings, if you will, is the queer renaissance San Francisco is presently in the midst of — representing a nexus of the larger trend of large metros across the nation seeing a surge of new LBGTQIA+ residents and, by proxy, an increase in hosted queer events.
Electroluxx‘s hosted Velvet party is, ostensibly, the zenith of that nexus, bringing together eleven Bay Area-based queer nightlife organizations this year inorder to throw one hell of a party. Some might sing it’s revolutionary, even; they wouldn’t be wrong in that tune.
“This is revolutionary,” says Comfort and Joy organizer Josh Smith in an email to Underscore, highlighting the intrinsic comradery between the event’s collaborators in crafting Velvet. “Velvet is not just bringing together a couple of promoters, this is 11 organizations coming together in an industry that is often known for being very competitive. Seeing these groups unite and set aside the individual for the collective is quite powerful. It also speaks to the ability of electronic dance music to bring people together.”
The first-of-its-kind partnership, which is now in its second iteration, will feature the following esteemed groups and nightlight entertainers, each helping fill the five-stage venue: Comfort & Joy, Electroluxx, Polyglamorous, Recess, GlamCocks!, BAAAHS, Bad Asstronauts, Mystopia, Something Queer, Gender Blender, Camp Beaverton, Provocateur, and iconic San Francisco Drag Queen Juanita MORE!
Electroluxx co-founder Brett Mendenhall notes that Velvet is a “core expression of the queer community in San Francisco,” adding that it’s an opportunity for folks from a variety of groups to come together and celebrate under one roof — “it’s a place where we can dance together, create together, and connect together.”
Much like last year, attendees can expect to be bathed in breathtaking laser and light shows. Though organizers of the event have been clear about saying that said beams of light won’t be directed at crowds. “I always tell event organizers and lighting crew that they should never point beams down toward a crowd, because that’s how you cause eyesight damage and temporary partial blindness, it’s so dangerous,” co-creator of Velvet Elliott C. Nathan tells us in conversation.
Other onsight niceties include a silent disco, cuddle puddle, face painting, bracelet making, a 360-action photo booth, and some other unique surprises; Madam Zola’s Fortune Cafe will be open throughout the party’s duration, serving up tacos, pizza, and other hand-food-friendly fares.
Velvet organizers say that the artist Chickpea, in tandem with the Comfort & Joy team, is crafting a “visual art spectacle that is guaranteed to amaze.” Multi-discipline artist Scott Levkoff of Mondo events will install “surreal and trippy decorations throughout the main hallway,” all of which will be lit by 3D Mapped Projections by famed projection artist Stefan who became known for his craft doing projections for The Fun Gallery in the 1980s where he projected at events featuring the work of Keith Haring and Basquiat as well as projection installations for famed Studio 54.
In the main room, High Beam Lasers is set to debut their newest light show technologies and types of equipment, helping create a euphoric dance experience (that, again, includes safe crowd scanning lasers).
“I can’t wait to walk through the venue that night and see the huge amalgamation of art, music, and experience,” tells Mark O’brien of Polyglamorous — the esteemed Burning Man camp and among Velvet’s collaborators for 2024 — about the party’s expected grandeur. “It’s a huge stew of hard work and talent that each of the groups contributes, to make this over-the-top, multifaceted kaleidoscope of a party.”
Velvet, too, is much more than merely a creative showcase where warm bodies can mingle underneath the piercing glow of lasers — it’s as much a place to build and foster community. And
“I love it when the creators of VELVET reach out to me about DJing their party,” says iconoclastic and infamous finger-wagging San Francisco drag queen Juanita MORE!, adding tangentially that receiving nudes is a “great way to get my attention and start a good conversation” before waxing about her upcoming Pride party. “This event will allow me to see many friends I probably won’t see again until my annual party on Pride Sunday ––which is celebrating its 20th year, by the way! I hope to see you shaking your groove thing on the dancefloor.”
Similarly, this “amazing night” is vying to become a staple in San Francisco’s queer community, made more symbolic and important by the collective of bipeds responsible for putting it on.
“I love getting to build together with so many energetic, creative, and fun people. This is our second round of this collaboration and I hope it becomes a famous tradition and celebration in the city. ” artist and Electroluxx co-founder Elliott C Nathan tells in an email. “It’s going to be an amazing night and I hope it sparks the beginning of even grander collaborations.”
// For more information on Velvet, including its organizers and performers, visit the Instagram page dedicated to the party; tickets, which are selling fast, can be purchased here; those who find themselves struggling to meet the admission ticket price are encouraged to reach out to collaborators via an Instagram direct message; a portion of the proceeds collected from Velvet will go towards two local LGBTQIA+ focused charities and will be announced on our social media channels following the event.
Related
The San Francisco Unified School District announced Friday all schools across the district will be closed on Monday.
The news came as negotiations between the teachers’ union and the school district are expected to continue over the weekend.
The union is calling for fully funded healthcare, an increase in wages and more stable staffing.
SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su said she believes the proposal presented during Thursday’s negotiations was a win-win; however, the union saw it differently.
“The proposal that we received tonight did not reflect what we understood to have been that intent, it falls very short of that issue and doesn’t address some of our other key issues as well, UESF President Cassondra Curiel said on Thursday.
“I want families to know how deeply we value our educators and committed I am to avoiding a strike,” Superintendent Maria Su said during a news briefing on Friday. “While I am very disappointed these negotiations did not result in an agreement last night, my team and I are prepared to bargain the entire weekend. I do not want a strike.”
This would be the first teachers strike in San Francisco since 1979.
The announcement came along with the district’s “learning resources” in case of a strike. Those can be accessed here.
Bay City News contributed to this report
San Francisco, CA
Tourists weigh-in on SF visit during Super Bowl week despite city imperfections: ‘Beautiful’
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco has made national headlines because of the city’s issues with the unhoused, drugs, and crime. And now, the city is in the spotlight once again because of Super Bowl week.
The big game is this Sunday and there are visitors all over San Francisco. ABC7 Eyewitness News wanted to know what they think about the city and what surprised them the most.
Everyone is counting down to the Big Game and fans are pumped.
All the festivities for Super Bowl Week around the Bay Area are wowing visitors and locals alike.
MORE: Super Bowl live updates here
In San Francisco, out-of-towners are getting a good look at what the City is all about—the good and the bad.
Saurabh Raybaruah is visiting from Maryland.
“When I came 2 years back. I found it a little dirty, a little unfriendly. But now, it has changed. I love how it looks now. It’s clean. It’s beautiful,” said Raybaruah.
SUZANNE PHAN: “What surprised you the most? Raybaruah: How clean it got. It really got clean.”
Annie Dias from Boston said is visiting San Francisco for the first time.
SUZANNE PHAN: “What do you think?
ANNIE DIAS: “Beautiful city.”
On the Pat McAfee show, the host said Thursday San Francisco isn’t what he expected.
“We were so surprised by what we were told and expected versus when we walked through the streets,” said McAfee. “I think San Francisco is showcasing to us– I don’t know about the rest of the world– I don’t know how people are going to change their opinions about what’s going on. But, it’s a beautiful place.”
Kristina Foreman is celebrating her birthday. Her parents from Florida are seeing San Francisco for the first time.
“As we are walking around the first day today i feel fairly safe,” said Christopher Foreman, a Florida resident. “There was the presence of police and Coast Guard around. I thought it was going to be more smelly, more homeless than I’ve see– that I’ve heard about coming on the news. But, I haven’t seen as much of it around.”
MORE: Here’s an inside look at Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco
In the Mission District Thursday night, the buzz is all about one thing– this weekend’s half-time show performer.
“It’s a Bad Bunny look-alike contest. We want to see what the other good looking Bad Bunnies look like,” said Linda Sandoval.
Paul and Linda Sandoval of Penngrove are eager to check out the star attraction-the Bad Bunny look-alikes.
MORE: Will San Francisco increase encampment sweeps during Super Bowl week?
The Sandovals will be the first to tell you that San Francisco is worth the visit.
“There’s always lot to do. There’s ton of diversity,” said Linda Sandoval.
“They talk about what they see on TV. But that’s not what you see on the street. It’s very different,” said Paul Sandoval. “Sometimes they see homeless people and they hear about crime and things of that nature. You know what? It’s like that in every city everywhere.”
Many people who live and work in San Francisco say the city isn’t perfect, but they also believe it’s headed in the right direction.
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SAN FRANCISCO – A 16-year-old boy was charged Thursday with murder and attempted murder in a shooting in San Francisco’s Western Addition that left a 15-year-old girl dead.
“This was a life lost far too soon,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The girl who died, Jayda Mabrey, was a 10th grader at Gateway High School.
“She was a girl who was beloved in her community, and to lose that life so soon, so early, under these circumstances, has really rocked the community,” Jenkins said.
Jayda was killed and two 16-year-old boys were wounded when a fight erupted into gunfire near Golden Gate Avenue and Laguna Street at about 5 p.m. Friday. Jayda’s younger sister witnessed the shooting.
First court hearing
What we know:
On Thursday, both suspects appeared at a hearing at the Juvenile Justice Center that was open to reporters but closed to cameras.
The 16-year-old suspect was also charged with two counts of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. He repeatedly shook his head as the judge read the charges.
A second suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was charged with attempted murder for wounding one of those boys.
Through their attorneys, both boys denied all charges, including conspiracy and gun allegations.
Murder case could be moved to adult court
What they’re saying:
Jenkins said she will determine at a later date whether to ask a judge to have the 16-year-old tried as an adult. The other defendant is too young, at age 15, to be transferred to adult court.
“We have a lot of work to do when it comes to making sure that guns are not in the hands of our kids,” the prosecutor said.
If the case stays in juvenile court, the most the 16-year-old could stay in custody would be until he’s 25 years old. If he’s charged as an adult, he could face up to 25 years to life in prison.
Jenkins said the juvenile justice system is broken because those two possibilities are extreme.
“There’s a big gulf in between there that unfortunately needs to be considered,” Jenkins said.
Judge Anne Costin of San Francisco Superior Court ordered both teens held in custody at least until the next hearing later this month.
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source: KTVU reporting, San Francisco police and DA’s office
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