Mercury News
SF Bay Area filmmakers make a big mark at Frameline 2019
By RANDY MYERS, CORRESPONDENT
June 19, 2019

The Bay Area is well-represented in the upcoming Frameline43 LGBTQ+ film festival, running June 20-30. Here are some of the feature-length films with Bay Area connections.

“We Are the Radical Monarchs”: Director Linda Goldstein Knowlton takes look inside of an innovative social justice program founded by Anavyette Martinez and Marilyn Hollinquest for girls of color in Oakland. Screens: 7 p.m. June 24, Shattuck Cinemas, Berkeley.

“Thanks to Hank”: The life and achievements of influential Bay Area LGBTQ activist Hank Wilson are the focus of San Francisco filmmaker Bob Ostertag’s documentary. Screens: 4:15 p.m. June 27, the Castro, San Francisco.ADVERTISING

“Through the Windows”: The Twin Peaks bar has been a staple of San Francisco’s Castro district and this documentary from San Francisco residents Bret Parker and Petey Barma reminds us how this historic landmark was and still is one of the more visible gathering places in San Francisco. Screens: 1:30 p.m. June 24, the Castro.

“Transfinite”: Animation and live-action come together for seven fantasy/sci-fi tales shot in Oakland and other Bay Area locales by East Bay filmmaker Neelu Bhuman. Screens: 6:45 p.m. June 25 at Victoria Theatre, San Francisco; 9:15 p.m. June 27 at the Piedmont Theatre, Oakland.

“State of Pride”: How has Pride changed over the years? The Academy-Award winning team of Bay Area filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman explore how Pride gatherings in the Bay Area and other areas have evolved over the years. Screens: 1 p.m. June 28, the Castro.

“Camp Chaos”: Santa Clara native and go-go dancer/social media sensation Matthew Camp graphically and explicitly re-enacts some of his sexual exploits in this episodic series. Screens: 9:15 p.m. June 28, Victoria Theatre.

“Marc Huestis: Impresario of Castro Street”: Frameline co-founder Marc Huestis launches his long-awaited memoir Impresario of Castro Street at this exciting multimedia event. His book covers 45 years of San Francisco gay history, beginning in 1974 working with the fabled theatre group Angels of Light, and onto his volatile relationship with Harvey Milk, the early Frameline days, and his creation of first-generation AIDS docs in the ’80s and ’90s (including his Teddy Award-winning Sex Is…). It also chronicles over two decades worth of legendary Castro extravaganzas feting such stars as Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Karen Black, Patty Duke, and John Waters.

This event includes clips of the heady days of the ‘70s, moving AIDS memorials/celebrations featuring local icons Chuck Solomon and Doris Fish, and snippets from Huestis’ unforgettable Castro Theatre evenings. This rare footage will be fused with in-person readings from Huestis’ juicy memoir by a star-studded cast which includes Carol Lynley, Bruce Vilanch, Danny Nicoletta, Helen Shumaker, and a host of others. Not to be missed!

Screens: 6:45 p.m. June 23; Victoria Theatre.

“Gay Chorus: Deep South”: Frameline’s closing-night film chronicles a tour through the South by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. Screens: 7 p.m. June 30, the Castro.

“Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America”: The challenges and triumphs of four refugees coming to San Francisco are powerfully related in Bay Area filmmaker Tom Shepard’s illuminating documentary. Screens: 1 p.m. June 23, the Castro.

You can also catch San Francisco’s Joshua Grannell — aka Peaches Christ — appearing in two feature films — “You Don’t Nomi,” about the notorious big-budget bomb “Showgirls” — and “Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street,” detailing actor Mark Patton’s experiences making the first sequel in the Freddy Krueger saga and how it affected him afterward. “You Don’t Nomi” screens 9:15 p.m. June 27 at the Castro. “Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street” screens 4:15 p.m. June 29 at the Castro.

The post Frameland 2019: Bruce Vilanch In-Person Readings of “Marc Huestis: Impresario of Castro Street” June 23, 2019 first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

NEW YORK, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Stoli® Group USA, LLC in partnership with the Key West Business Guild, is returning to New York to kick off the world’s largest annual LGBTQ bartending competition, the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic. Now in its fourth year, the competition will feature more contestants, participating cities and charitable donations than ever before.

In addition to recognizing the talents of the industry’s top LGBTQ bartenders, the Cocktail Classic celebrates the role that gay bars have played in the movement towards equality as original community centers. The competition will culminate in Key West, FL, a diverse and accepting city with a thriving LGBTQ community.

The world’s largest annual LGBTQ cocktail competition, The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, returns for its fourth year, showcasing the creativity and talent of mixologists and bartenders in the LGBTQ community. Seventeen regional finalists will compete for the 2017 Cocktail Classic Champion title at the Grand Finale during Key West Pride 2017.
The world’s largest annual LGBTQ cocktail competition, The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, returns for its fourth year, showcasing the creativity and talent of mixologists and bartenders in the LGBTQ community. Seventeen regional finalists will compete for the 2017 Cocktail Classic Champion title at the Grand Finale during Key West Pride 2017.
The Fourth Annual Key West Cocktail Classic finale is generously being hosted and judged by actor and musician, Jai Rodriguez, and past as well as returning celebrity judges include president of the Harvey Milk Foundation, Stuart Milk; writer and Emmy Award-winner, Bruce Vilanch; American Idol’s Latoya London; fashion designer and nightlife personality Andrew Christian; and Key West’s drag queen star, Sushi.

“Every year we look forward to bringing together the people, charities and business that make up our extraordinary LGBTQ community,” said Patrik Gallineaux, Stoli’s National LGBTQ Ambassador and Brand Manager. “While our mission is to recognize the most talented and innovative bartenders, community will always be at the heart of Cocktail Classic. It has been a privilege to support and grow together over the years.”

A maximum of six LGBTQ trade staff and/or allies from 17 cities across North America will be selected to create an original cocktail using Stoli Vodka as their primary ingredient. A panel of judges and 100 eligible audience members will evaluate each cocktail based on taste, balance and presentation, as well as each bartender’s authenticity, knowledge, and creativity in presentation and performance.

The finalist from each regional competition will win a six-day, all-inclusive trip to participate in a week of events and celebratory entertainment culminating in the grand finale during Key West Pride 2017. In addition to being named the 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Champion, the winner of the final event will ride in the Key West Pride Parade as Honorary Grand Marshall and receive:

$12,500 grand prize for a pre-selected charity of his/her choice;
a victory celebration and charity check presentation at champion’s home bar hosted by Stoli Vodka;
and an all-expense paid exclusive Stoli Vodka destination event
The first runner up to the 2017 Champion will also receive $2,500 for their chosen charity.

“Stoli’s work through the Key West Cocktail Classic is an example of how companies can use their resources to make a difference both large and small,” stated Matt Hon, Executive Director of the Key West Business Guild. “From the charitable monetary donations to general awareness, the Cocktail Classic has significantly impacted our local community by becoming a destination event for the city of Key West. In 2016, we saw tourism and revenue increase by 20-percent on the island during Pride!”

The 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Tour Schedule:

Kick Off: New York, NY: Boxers – March 1
Dallas, TX: Round-Up Saloon – March 6
San Diego, CA: Rich’s – March 22
Los Angeles, CA: The Abbey – March 25
Denver, CO: Hamburger Mary’s – March 27
Atlanta, GA: Swinging Richards – March 30
Miami, FL: Score – April 5
New Orleans, LA: Oz – April 12
Philadelphia, PA: Franky Bradley’s – April 18
Washington, D.C.: Nellie’s Sports Bar – April 24
Chicago, IL: Sidetrack – April 26
Dayton, OH: MJ’s on Jefferson – May 1
Boston, MA: Club Cafe – May 4
Toronto, ON: Gladstone Hotel – May 11
Portland, OR: CC Slaughters – May 16
Vancouver, BC: Numbers Cabaret – May 18
Northern California (San Francisco): Club 21 – May 22
Finale: Key West, FL: Bourbon St. Pub– June 10
Last year’s Champion, Rocky Collins from the Round-Up in Dallas proudly competed for DIFFA/Dallas and which raises funds for organizations that support education programs, treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by HIV and AIDS. Rocky also won a matching $5,000 donation to the Wesley House Family Services in Key West, an organization he represented on behalf of the Key West Business Guild. Rocky’s winning cocktail and presentation best embodied the spirit of the Key West community and the heart of the competition. Named ‘The Key West Kitty Kat,’ Rocky’s original Stoli cocktail is made with 2 oz. Stoli Vanil, 2 oz. coconut simple syrup, 1.5 oz. pineapple juice, 0.5 oz. key lime juice, coconut cream, grenadine, cinnamon and garnished with a pineapple slice and served over ice.

For more information about the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic including how to apply, rules, guidelines and the full schedule of events, visit http://www.out.com/keywestcocktailclassic.

About Key West Business Guild
The mission of the Key West Business Guild is to promote LGBTQ travel to Key West through marketing and the promotion of specialty events; to support gay-owned, gay-managed, and gay-friendly businesses; to strengthen the Gay community’s position within the local community by supporting relevant LGBTQ issues. The KWBG was founded in 1978 by 8 local gay business owners and has grown to approximately 400 members, which work together to continue efforts to brighten the rainbow over the island, an island now known as Gay Key West. Promotion of events, such as Key West Pride, Tropical Heat and Womenfest, has made Key West a year-round LGBTQ travel destination. For more information visit www.kwbgonline.org.

About Stoli Group, USA
Stoli Group USA, LLC is a U.S. importer and marketer of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in New York City. Stoli Group USA is a subsidiary of SPI Group based out of Luxemburg, one of the world’s most dynamic wine and spirits organizations. Formed in 2013, Stoli Group USA’s current portfolio of brands includes the Stolichnaya® brand of premium vodkas and Stoli Ginger Beer, ultra-premium elit®Vodka, Louisiana-distilled Bayou® Rum, artfully designed KAH® Tequila, Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina, and Arinzano wines of Spain.

Media Contact:
Patrick Rizzuto
Golin for Stoli Group, USA
T. +1 212.373.6015
PRizzuto@golin.com

The post Stoli® Vodka Honors the Legacy of LGBTQ Bartenders in the Movement for Equality, Kicks Off Fourth Annual Key West Cocktail Classic Competition first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Stoli^® Vodka, in partnership with the Key West Business Guild, today announced its second annual Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic – North America’s largest annual LGBT cocktail competition. The mix-off sees bartenders showcase their skill and ingenuity as they battle to be crowned the 2015 Cocktail Classic Champion at the Grand Finale during Key West Pride 2015.

Using Stoli Vodka as their primary ingredient, participants in 14 cities across North America will create an original cocktail for a panel of local celebrity judges, who will evaluate the drinks on uniqueness, taste and appearance. Aside from being crowned the 2015 Cocktail Classic Champion, the winner will ride in the Key West Pride Parade as the Honorary Grand Marshall and receive $5,000 for a LGBT or LGBT-friendly charity of their choice.

“It is an honor to host the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, North America’s largest annual LGBT cocktail competition,” said Patrik Gallineaux, the national LGBT Ambassador for Stoli. “Our community’s hard-working nightlife professionals often do not receive the recognition they deserve. It is amazing to see what our nation’s bartenders can do with their imagination, their cocktail shaker and Stoli THE Vodka!”

In partnership with the Key West Business Guild, an organization of LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses in Key West, the competition will be hosted by Gallineaux and TV personality Jai Rodriguez. It will also feature a panel of celebrity judges including clothing designer Andrew Christian; legendary funnyman Bruce Vilanch; actress and singer LaToya London; and Key West personality and star of the annual New Year’s Eve High Heel Drop, Sushi.

“The LGBT community has some of the most inventive bartenders in the country,” said Matt Hon, executive director of the Key West Business Guild. “Through the Key West Cocktail Classic, they’re getting the opportunity to showcase their creativity and put a spotlight on the community. Key West, especially during Pride week, is the perfect stage to recognize them and the contributions they make to nightlife.”

The cocktail classic will take place at 14 events in the following participating cities:

• Dallas – March 2
• Los Angeles – March 15
• Denver – March 30
• Miami/Fort Lauderdale – April 6
• New York – April 9
• Chicago – April 15
• Washington D.C. – April 20
• San Diego – April 23
• Philadelphia – May 5
• Toronto – May 7
• Boston – May 12
• Vancouver – May 14
• Seattle – May 17
• San Francisco – May 27
• Key West (Finale) – June 13

A maximum of seven bartenders will be selected to participate in each local event. For more information about the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic including how to apply, rules, guidelines and the full schedule of events, visit www.gaycities.com/cocktailclassic.

The post Bruce Vilanch To Be Judge At Second Annual Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Stars Come Out for “Itâ€s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”

A night of comedy legends ushered in the Academyâ€s six-film “The Last 70mm Film Festival” on Monday nights with the July 9, 2012 screening of “Itâ€s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Familiar faces from in front of and behind camera appeared on the Samuel Goldwyn Theater stage to salute the comedy epic, giving the audience a laugh-filled dose of pure hilarity and vintage Hollywood class.

The post Photo: “The Last 70mm Film Festival” first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

The post Bruce Vilanch Takes In A Screening Of IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD At “The Last 70mm Film Festival” Series first appeared on We Got Bruce!.