Pride Month keeps marching on a break neck speed! Have you recovered from last weekend yet? Remember this is a marathon not a sprint so hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This week I am so honored to have interviewed Shannon Pacaoan, one of the producers of the Bakla Show 3 opening this Thursday. It is a great read plus get all the info about what is going down this weekend on both sides of the Bay. It’s gonna be another scorcher of a weekend.
Shannon Lee L. Pacaoan
Miz Chris [MC]: Where are you from?
Shannon Pacaoan [SP]: I was born and raised in a small conservative town in San Luis Obispo County – where Alexis Arquette was attacked with transphobia by local college students, where prop 8 passed and where a cross burning occurred within the last 5 years. But where I’m from? I come from the heart.
[MC]: What does the term Bakla refer to?
[SP]: The Bakla (Tagalog for ‘gay male’ – a pejorative, mostly stereotyped and ridiculed as the campy effeminate cross-dresser or hairdresser) The show was created in November of 2006 by Kat Evasco and me, as a start of a new movement to reclaim the term ‘BAKLA’. The origin of The Bakla Show began with exploring roots; navigating through the history of the Philippines to find a sense of our culture before the influence and impositions of other countries, ideals, and religions. And it was found in the language, BAKLA broken down to its roots in Baybayin: BA; KA; LA. BAbae, in Tagalog, translates to woman. LAlaki is man. KA, in this word, represents the union of woman and man. Deconstructing the term
Edgar Poma’s How the Horn Ended You From L to R Tina Braganza, Jed Parsario, Lorenz Angelo Gonzales] (photo by Micca de Joya)
bakla detaches it from present derogatory applications and fosters a stronger connection to the Filipino culture by way of our sexuality.
[MC]: This the 3rd installment of the Bakla show what is it about?
[SP]: We have always been interested in exploring the intersectionalities of being F/Pilipin@ and LGBTQ/GNC, moving beyond the ‘coming out’ storylines and the tired and played out endings of sadness and suicide — especially with our focus on youth experiences this year. This time around, we were careful to balance the struggles, hardships and turmoil and to also bring to the forefront the celebrations, joy and love.
Conrad Panganiban’s Inay’s Wedding Dress From L to R Lynie Abadilla, Krystle Piamonte] (photo by Micca de Joya)
[MC]: What was the initial concept of the Bakla show and how has it changed over time, if it has?
[SP]: In the beginning, we were on a mission to create an army of baklas – a space for folks to find their voice, share their stories toward healing and learn to settle in their own skin with a supportive community. We continue to build from this mission, and this year we created The Filipin@ Youth Resilency and Empowerment (FYRE) Circle workshops, an opportunity for F/Pilipin@ youth to build community and raise awareness on topics such as identity, oppression, and solidarity, as well as to collaborate on a theatrical piece to be produced in The Bakla Show 3. The workshops are geared towards Filipin@ youth aged 18-24.
[MC]: What can folks expect the the Bakla Show 3?
[SP]: Growing confidence, bakla booths, body love, first loves, Hawaiian gods, warriors, first heartaches, front door dating etiquette, reclaiming names and places, grieving, dresses, butterfly wings, coming home, awkward sibling reconnections, navigating school grounds, fitting in, awkward bathroom girl talk.
New Filipino Cinema 2014 Film Festival
Yerba Buena for the Arts
701 Mission St, SF
June 11 – June 15
Buy Tix
We return with the third year of New Filipino Cinema! The Philippines is one of the most creative and exciting countries for independent cinema. We present 24 films over five days, and it’s our strongest line-up yet. Like the country itself, which is made up of thousands of little islands, each with its own culture, dialect, and people, New Filipino Cinema covers a vast terrain: from north to south; from documentaries to short works; and from the avant-garde to the big-budget feature.
Co-sponsored by Filipino American Arts Exposition & FACINE (Filipino Arts & Cinema, International). All films are shown digitally, in their original language with English subtitles.
Don’t forget to vote for the audience’s favorite film award!
New Filipino Cinema 2014 is curated by Philbert Ortiz Dy and Joel Shepard.
SCREENING SCHEDULE:
(See the full schedule & film descriptions at http://ybca.org/new-filipino-cinema)
Sistah Sinema
Fiona’s Script
Solespace
1714 Telegraph, Oakland
7:30 p.m.
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Note: Doors open at 7:30PM; movie starts at 8PM. Filmmaker Florencia Manovil will be present for post movie Q&A.
It has been a long time coming, but Sistah Sinema is excited to invite you to our FIRST screening focused on a bisexual main character!
Composed of an almost all female cast, Fiona’s Script is a story of a shy bisexual woman and her struggles with love, friendships, and her career. The film is set in Oakland’s beautiful Lake Merritt neighborhood.
The title character Fiona (Sonia Monejano) is a twenty-something year old Latina who is trying to get over the recent breakup with her long time boyfriend Sebastian (Allan Lazo). For months she has been working on a screenplay, but struggles to produce a movie. Feeling drained and uninspired, Fiona spends most of her time reading, daydreaming, and trying to write.
Fiona receives a wake-up call when she loses her job. This pushes her to focus on making her screenplay a reality. During this time she meets a picture perfect woman with charismatic charm. Meeting L makes her a bit uneasy because her ex-boyfriend used to lust over L while he dated Fiona.
Fiona’s gutsy friends give her courage to go on a date with L. Although Fiona battles with her emotions, she finds clarity to make several courageous decisions. – Written by Belen Romero.
FOLLIES AND DOLLIES – Back to the 80′s!!
presented by
The House of Devine
White Horse
6551 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
Doors Open at 8 p.m.
Show at 9:30 p.m.
$5 at the Door
Performers include:
Honey Daniels
Aeqourea Victoria
Ana Mae Coxxx
Daizelle/ Javier
Chico Suave
G Shelby
and Hostess and Emcee – Cemora Valentino Devine.
Don’t miss out on this TOTALLY AWESOME time!
Waterfront Flicks
Jack London Square
Movies Begin at Sundown
Cozy up on the waterfront this summer for free outdoor screenings of hit movies, as part of the annual Waterfront Flicks series. Waterfront Flicks will host fan favorites at sundown. From date night to family flick night, moviegoers can start their evenings early with dinner at one of Jack London Square’s waterfront restaurants, or pick-up a quick bite from one of the casual eateries to enjoy during the screening. Moviegoers should arrive early with blankets in-hand for pre-film festivities including small eats, beer, trivia and giveaways – New Belgium Beer proceeds to benefit the East Bay Bike Coalition.
The Bakla Show 3
Opening Night
Bindlestiff Studio
185 6th Street, SF
June 12 – June 28
8 p.m.
Buy Tix
The popular Bindlestiff Studio-bred production exploring the awkward, painful, and joyous realities of being Filipino and bakla (Tagalog word for “gay”) returns June 2014!!!
The much-anticipated third installment addresses the central theme of youth.
The Bakla Show 3 seeks to explore the textured and multidimensional experiences of LGBTQ/GNC F/Pilipin@ youth struggles, hardships and turmoil and to bring to the forefront the celebrations, joy and love. The 2010 production The Bakla Show 2: Myths Retold, Realities Unfold showcased sketches that went on to garner numerous awards and accolades, including: Edgar Poma’s “Tude and Gratitude” which, as part of Eat Our Shorts, was recognized with the SOLD OUT! Award for outstanding box office performance at the SF Fringe Festival 2010; and Emmanuel Romero’s “Viewer Discretion Advised (Tape 96)” which was adapted by Drew Stephens into a much-lauded short film (Best Fest Short Program LGBT Film Festival, Audience Award San Francisco Scary Cow Film Screening, Best Short Cinema St. Louis Q Fest, nominated Best Short Barcelona Int’l LGBT Film Festival).
The Bakla Show 3 is a proud recipient of a 2014 Horizons Foundation grant, awarded to non-profits around the Bay Area to help strengthen and support programs and services benefiting the LGBTQ community, as well as grants from Red Envelope Giving Circle (REGC), Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC), Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and the San Francisco Arts Commission. They are also a participant of the 17th Annual United States of Asian America Festival 2014.
Vixen Noir DANGEROUS CD Release Show
El Rio
3158 Mission St, SF
8pm Door
9pm Show
$10 Adv/ $15 Door
Watch out world! Vixen Noir, SupaStar, is in the building! And, she is taking CD Release Parties to a whole nother level! Celebrating the release of her Debut EP, DANGEROUS, Vixen delivers the songs from the EP in an explosive one-woman theatrical BODY of work drizzled in burlesque-tease, androgynous swag, provocative word-slinging and hard-hitting truth. This ‘Liquid Fire’ legacy grabs you by the hands, balls, hair, boobs, or whatever BODY part she can, and takes you down the DANGEROUS (good & bad) roads she’s traversed to become the Artist and woman she is today. And who better to have as guest SupaStars on the bill? Two of the queerest, most theatrical Bay Area bands on the come-up: electro-pop duo, GAYmous; and musical powerhouse duo GEM TOP. With DJ Trinity keeping it real! Your host for the evening Kaila Love, who features on Vixen’s debut single, Dangerous!
VIDA!!
Music is Life ♥
Legionnaire Saloon
2272 Telegraph Ave
Oakland
9:30pm-1:30am
FREE
Brought to you by LadyRyan singing and spinning all night!
A FREE Party every 2nd FRIDAY
Multiple genres of music, multiple genres of people.
California Music Industry Summit
Lakeside Theater
300 Lakeside Dr., Oakland
June 13th-June15th
Buy Tix
CMIS is an intensive, two (2) day educational music business summit that includes panels, workshops, tradeshow exhibits, and networking with some of the most influential executives in music, entertainment, technology, and new media, along with three (3) days of “Artists Performances.”
The theme in 2014 is “Empowering Artists and Entertainment Professionals!”
Independent artists, labels, managers, and people seeking music business development education from all backgrounds, genres and parts of the country will be given a chance to not only let their music and voices be heard but to take advantage of an amazing opportunity for music education and the chance to learn, network, grow and shine.
Registration badges are required for access to CMIS Conference, Music Showcase, and Trade Show events.
Search our Website here www.cmisummit.com for more information about what you get for badge type.
Zakiya Harris Album Release with Elephantine
Awaken Cafe
1429 Broadway, Oakland
Doors: 8 pm
Show at 9pm
Buy Tix
$10
Zakiya Harris is a Shapeshifter. She is an afro-eclectic mix of soul, dance and theater. Her music has been compared to the works of Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu and MIA. Along with her dynamic band Elephantine, she seamlessly blends the genres of Soul, Electronica, Hip-Hop and Afro-Beat music within her repertoire.
Antique Naked Soul (ANS) builds beats live on stage using only their voices and two loopers. Renown beat-boxer Tommy “Soulati” Shepherd, lead singer Candice “Antique” Wicks and two background singers, Jayme Brown and N’gala McCoy comprise this breathtaking quartet, which has shared the stage with Yasiin Bey, Mos Def, Pete Escovedo, Questlove, Les Nubians, Lady, Talib Kweli, Blackalicious and many more.
Most often seen fronting the Oakland soul and jazz outfit, Ghost & the City, this will be Miss Kia Music’s opportunity to rep her own personal style on stage. Featuring smoky vocals and groovy melodies, she’ll be sharing a collection of special compositions straight from the vault to warm you up for an eclectic night of bay area flavors.
ISIS w/ Jacques Renault
Public Works
161 Erie St, SF
9:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Buy Tix
JACQUES RENAULT (Let’s Play House / DFA)
+ CONOR (No Way Back)
+ Hi, Today (Mother Records)
+ Hosted by Brittany B (High Fantasy)
As a DJ, Jacques has held residencies at New York’s famed venues Happy Endings, APT, Tribeca Grand and 205 Club, and has been a guest around the globe in venues like Tokyo’s Womb, Rio’s D-edge and London’s Fabric and Plastic People. With his remixes, edits, original tracks and collaborative project Runaway, he has released music on internationally acclaimed New York labels DFA, Chinatown, RVNG INTL, Throne of Blood, Italians Do It Better, Editions Disco, and Wurst, as well as Tokyo’s own Mule Musiq & Crue-L, Parisian imprint I’m A Cliché, Munich’s Permanent Vacation, Sydney’s Hole In The Sky & Future Classic and of course London/Berlin’s Rekids.
The Social Life
Parliament
811 Washington
Old Oakland
21+ w/ID
This Sunday, THE SOCIAL LIFE Pride Kickoff Party!
Soundtrack selection guest DJ Nicki Butler + Lady Ryan.
Don’t miss your opportunity to WIN 4 pair of #EdenPrideSF VIP or backstage passes.
$7 Jameson shots + well specials all day!
Celebrate your special occasion or to reserve a table email sociallife510@gmail.com
Debauchery
White Horse
6551 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
$7
Debauchery is: queers stripping for queers in hot, anti-oppressive space, raising money for organizations that serve the queer and LGBT+ community.
The show features stripteases, tons of audience interaction and even birthday lap dances onstage! Be sure to bring plenty of dollar bills — a portion of the proceeds goes to groups providing health, fun and social services within the queer community.
And this month, we honor OURSELVES! Every other month we can give to amazing groups doing critical commUnity and justice work right here in the bay — like Trans H4CK, Femsex, SFgoL, LGBTQ people paying for unexpected medical costs, queercamp, @SFiSi and So Many More — We give ALL Our Show’s Proceeds by paying our show cost with DEBAUCHERY Money. Performers, hosts, promotion — These costs NEVER come out of our beneficiary show’s dolla$! June Month is DEBAUCHERY’S Month! So help us keep strippers on our stage raising money for local groups doing real shit that matters ’til the end of time ♥
Our SpecTACular Line-Up:
Magnoliah Black
Blue Charisma
D Love
Trixie Fou Laurant
Dahlia Kash
Jaded Fox
Sugar Cane Jane
Trixie Shiksa
IL Nocturnal
And of course, our Loveliest Hostess with the Mostess, Miss Dottie Lux!