Didn’t Amy Winehouse and Judy have a lot in common? It was delightful trip down memory lane!

The audience swooned to every popular song and even a few written well after her demise, but somehow terribly appropriate. Russell Deason started off singing and playing the keyboard, we emceed and hosted, but the evening belonged to incredible performer Connie Champagne as Judy Garland, accompanied by Katy Stephan.

In case you missed the memo, Judy Garland would have been 100 years old this year and so The Academy hosted a coterie of “Friends of Dorothy” for a fun evening on June 10. His candid and unabashed acceptance speech drew complete attention and thunderous applause. The highlight of the evening, notwithstanding an unexpected fire alarm that required a quick evacuation and regrouping, was the presentation of the Selisse Berry Legacy Award by Selisse herself to Co-Founder of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, Joe Hawkins. We were proud to see friends Brett Andrews, Craig Zodikoff, Michele Bettencourt, Akirra Jackson, Sean Livingston, and Gayle Roberts among the many honorees. It was a veritable Who’s Who of the business world and the networking was non-stop. The Business of Pride at the Four Seasons Hotel on June 9 celebrated the many companies and individuals in the Bay Area that set themselves apart with LGBTQ+ sensitive programs, affiliate groups, and positive action. Paige Fou Fou Ha, and Helena Levin entertained the crowd, but the showstopper was Executive Director Michael Armentrout in red heels to encourage bidding on the auction and other donations. Performers FC Sierra, Amelia Anna Quintet, Marcus J. This residential care facility has long provided compassionate care for those living with AIDS and is now addressing the unique needs of those undergoing gender transformation. Sister Roma hosted Heels for Hope, on June 4, an engaging variety show at Marines’ Memorial Theatre with a full house, benefiting Maitri. To quote a line from the musical Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over!” By the time June arrived, we were so glad that those plans out of town never came about. Then, SF Pride announced that we would have a Parade & Celebration! Within weeks, related events were scheduled, virtual activities were converted to in-person, and the excitement of returning to active socialization became contagious. The lingering pall of the pandemic, although briefly promising a respite, left little hope of a month like those we have cherished for so many years, celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community in all its beautiful diversity. Way back in February, when we looked at the upcoming calendar for June, we seriously considered planning a trip out of town.

Sf opera calendar