New spins on old roasted chestnuts, food drives with rumbling bass, drag in all its myriad joyful forms, punk rock hurrahs, even a little “Acid Xmas” —check out the below if you’re looking for a little tinsel-time.
THU/15: HOLIDAY GAIETY SF Symphony conductor Edwin Outwater and drag goddess Peaches Christ just slayed London’s Royal Abert Hall with their holiday extravaganza, don’t miss this annual cavalcade of queer entertainers (Sister Roma, Monet X-Change, Marga Gomez, Jocquese Whitfield, many more) donning their gay apparel and jingling all the way, backed by a full orchestra. The Symphony has a whole lineup of fun seasonal programs, including Harry Connick, Jr, and a Merry-achi Christmas, make sure to check out their site. 7:30pm, Davies Symphony Hall, SF. More info here.
THROUGH DECEMBER 23: GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES The heavenly Miami quartet is channeled by beloved local drag queens to raucous effect in this annual tradition. Heklina (Dorothy), Matthew Martin (Blanche), D’Arcy Drollinger (Rose), and Holotta Tymes (Sophia) sass up the Christmas punch with Christmas kaftans to die for. Victoria Theater, SF. More info here.
THROUGH DECEMBER 31: THE KINSEY SICKS: OY VEY IN A MANGER More drag holiday hijinks! “America’s Favorite (and only) Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet returns home to NCTC for the holidays. In this bawdy and blasphemous musical, Angel, Winnie, Trixie, and Trampolina are trying to sell off their manger–yes, that manger—before it’s foreclosed upon. Crises arise, secrets are revealed, Jewish-Gentile tensions surface, and mayhem ensues, all in glorious four-part harmony.” New Conservatory Theater, SF. More info here.
THU/15-SAT/17: KILLING MY LOBSTER’S VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL Forget Charlie Brown and the Grinch — Killing My Lobster, the self-described “eggnog of sketch comedy troupes,” are brewing up a hilariously schmaltzy parody holiday variety show and performing it for you. Read our full review here. PianoFight Oakland, more info here.
SAT/17 + SUN/18: DANCE-ALONG NUTCRACKER I love this event so much, and it’s perfect for the whole family. The 75-piece San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band performs selections of the famous Tchaikovsky score—now wrapped around a tale of a blizzard in San Francisco—and gets you up marching, whirling, clapping, and more. YBCA, SF. More info here.
SAT/17: FRINGE HOLIDAZE BASH The Fringe party at Madrone Art Bar has been reviving the indie-dance sounds of the 2000s since that decade ended. DJs Blondie K and subOctave invite you to don your glittery shutter shades and jingle some electro bells during a special holiday edition of the event. 9:30pm, Madrone Art Bar, SF. More info here.
SAT/17: A VERY MERRY MISFIT CABARET The fabulous Kate Robichaud and her merry band of singing, dancing, flying misfits bring out all the sparkle—and Gremlins, and Star Wars, and Grinches—of the solstice in this cavalcade of wow. 8pm, Alcazar Theater, SF. More info here.
SUN/18: BAYMELE KLEZMER TRIO This trio’s name means “little tree” in Yiddish, and in observance of Hannukah the group is keeping traditional Ashkenazi Jewish music alive, performing klezmer compositions that build on the traditional sounds of Poland, Ukraine, and Romania. 4pm, St. Alban’s Church, Albany. More info here.
12/22: A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT Turn up the bass—and benefit the SF Firefighter’s holiday drive with canned food, toys, and clothing—at this pumping party. DJs Años b2b Singe, Bubblephunk, Dalfin, and Nunya put some rumble under the tree at this top-notch community event. The $10 cover goes straight to help others. 10pm, Temple, SF, more info here.
12/23: ACE’S SPACE RADIO XMAS XTRAVAGANZA Forget coal, it’s time for all the punks to get some rock in their stocking, with Fuzz Attack, TV Static, and Heat blowing some flaming guitar solos up your chimney, presented by omnipresent host Ace of Space Radio. 8:30pm, Amado’s, SF. More info here.
12/24: ACID XMAS Three of the wiggiest local DJs in the game—Solar, Mozhgan, and Tyrel Williams—get the stars twinkly with a celebration of acid house. Interzone DJs Hex Embrace, Saiman Li, Brandon Stewart, and Visc get dark in the back room. Perfect antidote for holiday schmaltz. 9:30pm-3am, F8, SF. More info here.
12/23-12/25: KUNG PAO KOSHER COMEDY Thirty years in and comedian Lisa Geduldig’s fantastic “Jewish comedy on Christmas in a Chinese restaurant” event is still killing it (kosherly). In-person ticket sales end December 15, but you can watch online from the comfort of your own menorah-lit home via Youtube if you miss the deadline. More info here.
