Big Gay Frat House Blog

What becomes a legend most? KATYA!

Longtime followers of the Big Gay Frat House's antics will know that we have long been fans of Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, the Russian opera diva gracing cabaret and theater stages throughout San Francisco. We first saw her perform at Trauma Flinstone's monthly show Bijou, held on the second Sunday of every month at Martuni's, and then at her own Martuni's show on the third Sunday. Kevin interviewed her for gay.com right before her own Martuni's show debuted.

For those who haven't experienced her, Katya is a drag queen who sings live. A trained opera singer who sings pop songs. As operas. With a Russian accent.

Since then we've seen her at countless shows throughout town and numerous charity fundraisers. She co-starred as Sylvia Fowler in the revival of "Jungle Red" that we helped produce. And she has performed at five charity fundraisers that the BGFH produced. We also saw her first productions at the New Conservatory Theatre.

But her current show at NewCon, Katya: What Becomes a Legend Most, is truly her best to date. There's a scripted continuity that keeps the show on a logical, even flow, but her inate sense of timing and humor allows her to ad lib without distrupting the show. Brilliant! Longtime fans will be delighted to hear that this show has many, many new songs. For those of you not on the wagon, there's a vodka cran shot at the end ... and for those of you who fall off the wagon, welcome back.

You can buy tickets through the New Conservatory Theatre box office, or check Goldstar for the potential availability of discounted tickets.

The show runs Thursdays through Saturdays through June 27th.

The Cafe is back ... temporarily

We mentioned last week that there were signs that our old nightlife haunt, The Cafe, would be re-opening soon, as Gus Presents started running ads announcing that his Friday night club Boy Bar would soon be returning at an unspecified future date.

It's official! Sort of.

The Cafe has announced that they will temporarily re-open for Pride weekend:

• Thursday, June 25:  Pan Dulce!, their Latin night
• Friday, June 26:  Boy Bar, Gus Presents' weekly club for young guys and their admirers
• Saturday, June 27th: Pride Saturday
• Sunday, June 28th: Pride Sunday

This re-opening is only temporary, and potentially only partial. They'll be closed again during the next week but will re-open for the 4th of July weekend. Then rumor has it that the will close again for 12 days to complete the final bits of remodeling before re-opening again for good in mid-July.

 

That's the rumor, at least. As with all rumors, subject to change. But you can keep up with them on Facebook, Twitter, and their own website.

Boy Bar is coming back!

Faithful readers will recall that it was Gus Presents' Friday night club, Boy Bar, that brought Kevin back to The Cafe after years of absence. The club became Kevin's regular Friday night hangout and eventually helped make The Cafe his "Cheers" bar.

Boy Bar also triggered Kevin's notoriety as a photographer of San Francisco's gay nightlife. All told, he has taken 4,981 photos at Boy Bar - which is 88% of the 5,528 photos he's taken at The Cafe and 74% of the 6,620 photos he's taken at all Gus Presents events. And they no doubt represent a substantial percentage of the 4,805 photos of go-go boys he's taken.

So of course he was sad when The Cafe closed in February for a three month remodel that everyone knew would take longer. Their website said it would be closed until May 2009. That was recently updated to say June. But though much progress is being made, it's already mid-June and it seems unlikely that it will reopen within the next few weeks.

But now we have real, tangible evidence that it will happen soon: Gus Presents is starting to run "Re-opening Soon!" ads for Boy Bar in Gloss Magazine and elsewhere. True fans will recall that the model used in the ad (courtesy of Falcon Studios) is the same one that was used for Boy Bar's very first ads. Although no date is announced, the very presence of these ads suggests that Gus knows it will be very soon.

We can't wait!

 

Summer Splash 2009

We're delighted to be able to help pass along the word about Summer Splash 09, a pool party fundraiser benefiting the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation taking place on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

 

Please mark your calendars for Summer Splash 09, a pool party produced by Image Three Inc. and the W San Francisco, benefiting the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation taking place on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

The event celebrates REAF’s long-standing commitment to raise funds for AIDS service provider agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event coincides with San Francisco Gay Pride week.

This year’s event is already making a Splash. When the W San Francisco teamed up with veteran event producers, Image Three Inc, Pride revelers and San Francisco Bay Area locals alike, knew they were in for a sensorial experience like no other. One excited attendee commented, "A posh pool party sounds like the perfect Summertime activity. Finally there is an event in San Francisco similar to the pool parties found in Los Angeles and Miami."

Festivities will kick-off at 1:00pm at the W San Francisco's 4th floor Pool Pavilion and Terrace. Partygoers are encouraged to wear chic pool wear, highlighting their sizzling, summer bodies and will enjoy sips, savories, sights and sounds.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.richmondermet.org.

The gayest man on Earth would find this over the top!

The best (in my opinion) of the Literal Video parodies on Youtube: Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart."