The annual Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits powwow marks a key gathering for the region’s Native American community. From the gourd dance to the fancy bustle dance, all gender markers have been removed from the gathering, a deliberate centering of the two-spirit community, but also the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex Native Americans that the organization was built to serve.
“Over the years we have carved a space for ourselves and continue to do so for the sake of those who may feel isolated in their communities,” says Amelia Vigil, a Chican@, Picuris, and Purapechan two-spirit and chair of the BAAITS board of directors. “We want other two-spirits to know that we exist and that none of us are alone when we come together.”
That’s also the aim of BAAITS’ exhibition opening Thu/31 at the GLBT Historical Museum, a unique assemblage of regalia, textiles, herbs, and photographic documentation of the group’s 20 year history.
“The importance of the exhibition is to share our stories of resiliency, tradition, and recovery from colonial trauma,” says exhibition curator Roger Kuhn, who is from the Poarch Creek tribe. “Yes, we are still here and still queer!”
TWO SPIRIT VOICES: RETURNING TO THE CIRCLE
Thu/31 7-9pm, free for GLBT Historical Society members, $5 general admission
GLBT Historical Society Museum, SF
More info here.
8TH ANNUAL BAAITS TWO-SPIRIT POWWOW
Sat/2 10-6pm, donation suggested
Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, SF
More info here.
In less delicious news, our gluttonous hearts just about broke to see that the last brick and mortar location of longtime SF business Lucca Ravioli Co. is up for sale on Valencia Street. An employee told the Chronicle that it would be closing on April 20, so you have time to make several more runs for aged pecorino and that legendary fresh pasta.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE YOUNGER LOVERS MUSIC What could be better than seeing these raucous East Bay queer punks? Seeing them for free! You too can have it all tonight at San Jose’s The Come Up showcase. Wed/30 9pm-midnight, free. Cafe Stritch, San Jose. More info here.
SF INDIE FEST FILM Tessa Thompson, Sam Elliot, and Mira Sorvino will all make appearances at this smorgasbord of indie film. Film buffs take note, events include a tripped-out electronic rescore of Disney’s Fantasia. Thu/30-Feb. 14, showtimes vary. Roxie Theater, SF. More info here.
IMPACT DANCE A dystopian world inspired by architecture’s Brutalist movement is the subject of this contemporary dance production by choreographer Kristin Damrow, here in her first appearance at YBCA. Thu/31-Sat/2 8pm, $25-60. YBCA Forum, SF. More info here.
FRIENDS LIVE STAGE You’re scarcely San Franciscan at this point if you’ve never gotten to check out one of D’Arcy Drollinger’s drag satires of popular kitsch. This time around it’s Friends turn, and rest assured that Central Perk will never be the same. Thu/31 8pm, $27.50-50. Oasis, SF. More info here.
SAFADA! CARNAVAL EDITION NIGHTLIFE Let your Carnaval season kick off right here and now, with DJs Kahtuaba, Black Unicorn, and Pavani with performances delivered by Nicki Jizz and Frida Mont. 10pm-2am, $8. Oasis, SF More info here.
BAY AREA FLAMENCO FESTIVAL DANCE Is there a more defiant form of dance than this ruffled, flung, strum art originally from Spain. This year’s festival explores how it has spread, and what that diaspora has meant for flamenco’s world community. Fri/1-Sun/3. Various SF locations. More info here.
HARD FRENCH WINTER BALL NIGHTLIFE The night has come for you to don your frilliest finery and dance to CeCe Peniston’s “Finally” — only this time the diva will be there, serenading you live. Queer soul powerhouse Hard French returns for its ninth annual gala eve, with Sunset Sound System’s Solar and HF residents Brown Amy and DJ Carnita. 9pm-2am, $27. Grand Theater/Gray Area, SF. More info here.
MAKEART FAMILY DAY ART Bring the little ones to this night at the Museum of Craft and Design to learn more about the techniques used by Tex Gulling in her “Sixty Years” exhibition. Textural design become wearable art become inspiration for a lifelong dabbling in aesthetic wonders. Sat/2 11am-3pm, kids 12 and under free, $8 adults. Museum of Craft and Design, SF. More info here.
SF BEER WEEK FOOD + DRINK Dive into the suds; this week offers the absolute finest in samplings, brewer talks, and surprising pairing meals. There’s no way you’ll make it to all the fun runs, special release events, and tours — but that’s not to say you can’t try. Hiccup. Fri/1-Feb. 9, various SF locations. More info here.
