Soiree 8 Gala Offers Evening of Best Nightlife for Revelers

San Fran Bay Times
Soiree 8 Gala Offers Evening of Best Nightlife for Revelers
Published: April 8, 2010

While the number eight carries some baggage for California same-sex marriage advocates, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center is reclaiming the iconic number as it celebrates its eight year anniversary with “Soiree 8,” a gala benefit for the Center. Guests are invited to indulge in decadent foods from San Francisco’s best restaurants, drink at open bars throughout, and enjoy entertainment from leading queer artists in an evening of earthly delights, gods, goddesses, and all things mythic. Soiree 8 takes place on Saturday, April 10, 7-10 p.m. at Terra Gallery at 511 Harrison Street in San Francisco. Tickets are $95 each and can be purchased online at soiree.sfcenter.org. Call (415) 865-5555 for more information.

Soiree 8 organizers plan a stellar party for guests as well as an opportunity to support the vital work of the Center and its many programs for the Bay Area’s LGBT community. Broadway performer, screen, and TV writer Bruce Vilanch notes, “While I’m delighted to partake in earthly delights at Soiree 8, I think the real gods and goddesses are those who continue to champion LGBT rights so vigorously as the folks at San Francisco’s LGBT Community Center.” Vilanch will share the Soiree 8 stage as M.C. alongside NYC drag singing star Jackie Beat.

Performers include Barnaby’s (sfBoylesque), Fauxnique, House of Salad, Miss Rahni, Precious Moments, Suppositori Spelling, Taiko Ren, Trixxie Carr, Veronica Klaus, Zoe Balfour, and Citabria Phillips. There will be dancing with DJs China G, Honey Soundsystme, and Nuxx.

Theresa Sparks, executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, says “With the Center’s leadership in everything from providing safe space for queer youth to financially empowering the transgender community, it is an honor to be co-chair of Soiree 8.” Supervisor David Campos is also honorary co-host of the event. Sparks adds, “I hope everyone who treasures the Center will join me in raising money and a glass at what will surely be a fabulous party.”

In addition to local celebrity DJs and stars of San Francisco’s queer nightlife, Soiree 8 will include both a silent and a live auction for guests to bid on an array of items, from gift baskets to dining packages to international vacations. Last year’s Soiree was attended by more than 700 guests, including Milk screenwriter Lance Dustin Black.

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center is the home, heart, and hands of the Bay Area lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. The Center is dedicated to building community, creating opportunity, and securing equality for all. Their vision for the future is an LGBT community united by common purpose, celebrating our history, culture and diversity, while ensuring that no one is left behind. Each month, The Center serves over 9,000 visitors and hosts more than 400 events.