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South of Marketers were saddened to learn that The Stud — the oldest LGBT bar in San Francisco, and the first worker-owned cooperative queer bar and performance venue in the United States — is permanently closing down at its 9th and Harrison Street location.

However, we were pleased to hear that The Stud, the nightlife entity, is not dead. They have every intention of reopening as soon as possible in a new space, but “with the same lovingly outrageous vibe”.

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District celebrated its second anniversary, joining with others in the Bay Area’s queer, leather and kink communities for an online celebration called BALL Gag.  The event featured live and silent auctions of dozens of leather-themed items, emceed by Lenny Broberg, plus performances from Midori, Justin Hall, Danny Nyugen, Sadie Payne, Star D. Love, Shay Tiziano, and Eye Zen Presents.

The BALL Gag event also included three exciting contests,  for Best Beverage, Best Outfit, & Best Pastry, sponsored by the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in celebration of its 2nd anniversary!

Contest 1:
Prepare a special beverage for yourself.  It can be hard or soft, hot or cold, served in a crystal goblet or a dog dish.  Make a short video showing you presenting the beverage, describing it, and sampling it.  

Contest 2:
Dress up for the event. Your outfit can be an amusing costume or just sexy gear.  Make a short video of you describing and modeling it.

Contest 3:
Prepare a birthday cake, cupcake or any other pastry or dessert.  Make a short video of you presenting your pastry, describing it, and sampling it.

Contest Results:

The coveted “LCD Award for Best Beverage” went to Patty,  IMsL 2014 and the beverage “Cherry Wood Smoked Chocolate Martini”.

• • • • In a shaker with some ice mix equal parts white creme de cacao and vanilla vodka.
      • On a surface that can handle fire (such as a marble slab), gather a small pile of cherry wood chips.
      • Using a kitchen torch or another butane source (such as a cigar lighter), set the cherry wood chips on fire then extinguish the flames by placing an overturned martini glass over them capturing the smoke.- 
      • Once filled with the smoke, flip the glass over and quickly pour the cocktail in the glass.
      • Ideally you place some flat over the top of the glass (like a plate) and trap the remaining smoke in with the liquid to better infuse the drink (I did not do this step in the video for the sake of time).
      • When it looks like the smoke has been absorbed into the drink, garnish with the chocolate of your choice and enjoy!

The winner of the coveted “LCD Award for Best Outfit” was Purple Anon and her Diamond Rope Harness.

The much-lusted after “LCD Award for Best Pastry ” went to Bob Goldfarb for his concoction, the De-floured Chocolate Cake.

Defloured Chocolate Cake
(Modified from David Lebovitz, Ready for Dessert)
Makes one 9-inch (23-cm) cake; 10 to 12 servings

• • • • Cocoa powder, for preparing the pan
      • 10 ounces (280 g) 70% chocolate (e.g. Valrhona Guanaja), chopped
      • 3/4 cup (6 ounces/173 g) salted butter (e.g. Lurpak or Plugra), cut into pieces
      • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (e.g. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla)
      • 6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
      • 1/2 cup (100 g) plus 2 tablespoons (30 g) granulated sugar
      • 2 tablespoons (20 g) cocoa nibs (optional)
      • confectioners’ sugar, for dusting the cake (optional)
      • Mini Handcuffs, 2”x3” Leather Pride flag, Mini Leather jacket, Mini aluminum butt plug, and slivers of a LGBTQ Pride flag sticker for decoration!

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C).  Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch (23-cm) spring-form pan, dust it with a bit of cocoa powder, and tap out any excess.
   2. Place the chocolate, butter and espresso in a large heatproof bowl.  Set over a small saucepan of simmering water and using a spatula, stir until the chocolate and butter has melted and the mixture is smooth.  Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the vanilla; set aside.
   3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg yolks and the 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and creamy, about 1 minute.
   4. Place the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl and using a hand-held electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites on low speed until they begin to hold their shape.  Add the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 g) granulated sugar and whisk on high speed until the whites hold soft peaks.
   5. Fold the beaten egg yolks into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in half of the whipped egg whites.  Fold in the remaining whites, folding just until there are no visible streaks of egg whites. Don’t overfold.
   6. Pour the batter into the prepared spring-form pan, sprinkle with cocoa nibs (if using), and bake until the cake feels as though it’s just barely set in the center, about 25 – 30 minutes. (It shouldn’t feel too firm.)  Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
   7. Run a knife around the sides of the cake to help loosen it from the pan. Release the sides of the pan and dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar (if using).
   8. Slide the cake onto a cake plate.
   9. Place decorative items on top, serve.

Congratulations to you, and thanks to all the contestants who mixed, dressed or baked, and to everyone who watched, voted, and donated during BALL Gag.  And Happy Birthday to the LCD!

Healthy adults or medical professionals can help the City of San Francisco respond to the coronavirus outbreak in any of several important programs.  Details are here.  Thanks!

 

NOTE:  Although this was a great idea, it was never implemented.  W3e post preserved, just for fun.

 

 

On Saturday, May 9, 2020, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District will celebrate its second anniversary, joining with others in the Bay Area’s queer, leather and kink communities for an online celebration called

BALL Gag

The event will feature three exciting contests, which YOU can enter NOW, to win coveted awards, with prizes!

Contest 1:

Prepare a special beverage for yourself.  It can be hard or soft, hot or cold, served in a crystal goblet or a dog dish.  It should look as interesting as it tastes.  Make a short video showing you presenting the beverage, describing it, and sampling it.  

Whoever prepares the most interesting beverage will win the coveted “LCD Best Online Beverage” award, and a prize of $50 to spend at the Eagle, the Stud, the Lone Star, Powerhouse, the Hole in the Wall, Wicked Grounds, or any of the other fine purveyors of beverages in our District.

Contest 2:

Dress up for the event. Your outfit can be an amusing costume or just sexy gear.  It should not expose your genitals, but it does not have to be practical as streetwear. Make a short video of you describing and modeling it.

Whoever shows off the best Leather- Queer- or Kink-themed outfit will win the coveted “LCD Best Online Outfit” award, and a prize of $50 you can spend at Mr. S Leather, Leather Etc., or any of the other fine gear purveyors of our District.

Contest 3:

Prepare a birthday cake, cupcake or any other pastry or dessert.  Make a short video of you presenting your pastry, describing it, and sampling it.

 Whoever prepares the best-looking pastry will win the coveted “LCD Best Online Pastry” award, and a prize of $50 you can spend at the Cake Gallery, or any of the other fine food vendors of our District.

How To Enter:

Your video should be no longer than about 30 seconds, and should be submitted as a standard MP4 file.  No background music, please!  Keep it short, sweet and simple.  We are judging your entry, not your video production skills.

Upload the file to our Dropbox folder.  The file name should be:
[your name, as you want us to mention it] – [the name of your item].mp4

Examples:  “Fred Smith – Frothy Mixture.mp4” or “Lady Tatah – My outfit.mp4“.

Upload a text file with your video (or send an email to arts-chair@SFLCD.org) containing the following info:

• • • The name of your video file;
    • Your full contact information, including a phone number AND a mailing address (in case you win);
    • How you would like your prize (e.g. “bar tab to SF Eagle”, “gift certificate to Mr. S”, “cash”, “donation to BALL Fund”, etc.);
    • If you have any objection to being on the LCD mailing list;
    • If you have any objection to your video being reused on the SFLCD.ORG Web site.

Entries must be uploaded no later than Friday, May 8, 2020, at 12:00 noon Pacific Time.  [Deadline extended!  You now have until 10:00 p.m. Friday!]

Rules:

• Due to time constraints, not all submitted videos may be streamed.
• Scheduled judging times for each contest, and the names of the winning entries, will be announced online.
• You do not need to be watching or listening to win.
• Judging will be by a vote of folks watching the contest, using available online technology.
• In the case of a tie or technical difficulties, the LCD Arts and Culture Committee chair (or their designated judge) will decide the winner.
• All videos submitted become the permanent property of the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, along with any and all rights for use.
• In order to support the businesses of the Cultural District, prizes will ideally be provided in the form of gift certificates, purchased by the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District and sent to the winner.
• Winners understand that the purchase, delivery and/or redemption of gift certificates may be significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis or other factors.
• If gift certificates for that business cannot be acquired, or if requested by the winner, a $50 check will be mailed to the winner instead.
• Winners may also have the option of forgoing their prize, and having a donation of $50 made in their name to the BALL fund.

Watch this space for additional rules and details.  Questions?  Please write to arts-chair@SFLCD.org.

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BALL Fundraiser

These contests will all be part of a wonderful online event called BALL GAG!

The event — on Saturday, May 9, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, will raise funds for the Bay Area Leather Lifeline (BALL) — a fund to help kinksters and leather folks in the SF Bay Area who need immediate assistance due to sudden income loss during the COVID-19 crisis. All proceeds raised during this event go to BALL. BALL is part of the SF Bay Area Leather Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The event will include:

• Live auction emceed by Lenny Broberg;
• Launch of a Silent Auction;
• Kink and drag performances from Justin Hall, Danny Nyugen, Sadie Payne, Star D. Love, Shay Tiziano, and Midori;
• Contests for Best Beverage, Best Outfit, and Best Pastry, hosted by the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District; and
• Other surprises!

To participate in the event, create a free account at twitch.tv, then log on for the event at https://twitch.tv/sfbayarealeatheralliance.

To make a donation directly to BALL or to request assistance, go to https://ball.leatheralliance.org.

To view and bid on silent auction items, go to ball.leatheralliance.org/gag.html.

For more information on the event, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/522082805057165/ or https://ball.leatheralliance.org/gag.html.

For up-to-date information about the BALL Fund, go to https://www.facebook.com/bayarealeather/

For information about the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District, go to their
Web site or Facebook page.

For information about the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance, go to their Web site or Facebook page.

The event, including live auctions and other entertainments, will raise funds for the Bay Area Leather Lifeline.

Thanks!

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Happy Anniversary!

It was indeed on May 9, 2018 that the Resolution establishing the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District was signed by then-Mayor Mark Farrell.  Since then, our group has

• • become incorporated as a California Non-Profit Corporation,
  • received 501(c)3 status,
  • obtained funds from the City and private developers,
  • hired a Cultural District Manager,
  • done outreach to local residents, organizations, and businesses,
  • advocated for and against local development projects,
  • scouted possible locations for a Leather Cultural / Community Center,
  • participated in parades and street fairs,
  • hosted numerous online events to promote community cohesiveness during COVID-19 crisis;
  • worked with city agencies to create Leather and LGBTQ placemaking along Folsom and Harrison Streets,
  • coordinated with the city’s other Cultural Districts,
  • and begun work on developing our CHHESS  — an essential strategy document that will guide the city in protecting and supporting our neighborhood for years to come.

Grant money has been provided to us for the specific purpose of hosting one or more events to introduce the Cultural District to the neighborhood and community, and – once this darned COVID thing is licked – we intend to do so!

To be sure you hear about it, get on our mailing list.  To be involved in making it happen, and in making sure that our neighborhood once again becomes all that it once was and more, become a member.  Start here.

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