Brief and concise coverage of local, regional, and national news that impacts the lives of the southern California LGBTQIA community.
TWO NOTABLE ANNIVERSARIES
In late September, two local bars, Flicks and The Rail, invited the community to celebrate their anniversaries.
Flicks celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 1983-themed party on Friday, Sept. 22, that included performances, food, and a hosted bar for a portion of the evening. A representative from Mayor Todd Gloria’s office stopped by to present a proclamation declaring that day to be “Flicks Day in the City of San Diego,” and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s office also presented a special recognition. Flicks is open seven days a week and has daily happy hour, trivia, karaoke, sports watch parties, and dancing, drag and DJs at night.
The Rail is San Diego’s oldest LGBTQ-bar still in operation, founded in 1934 in downtown San Diego. On Sunday, Sept. 24, the venue celebrated its 89th anniversary with a special evening celebration. Originally called The Brass Rail, the bar was not originally opened as a gay bar, but began to attract an LGBT clientele decades ago. The bar moved to Hillcrest in the 1970s and has been a popular spot for all sorts of events since, including drag shows, dance parties, and their well-known Latin-themed night, Sabados En Fuego.
Of note, the bar was recently sold to Urbano Pelicon and his business partner Isaac Vargas, marking the first time in its storied history that the bar has been gay-owned. Pelicon says a much larger celebration will be held next year to mark the bar’s 90th anniversary and has hinted at possibly reverting back to the establishment’s original name, The Brass Rail.
PARLOR ON FIFTH X MNEMONIC COFFEE
A popular Bankers Hill barber shop recently moved into a new location in the heart of the neighborhood and will share its space with Mnemonic Coffee. This partnership has already enhanced the space to become a community gathering place for those seeking barbering services or who just want to enjoy a hot or cold beverage.
Parlor on Fifth opened three years ago in a restored neighborhood barbershop and its recent move put them on the ground floor of a brand new highrise. The shop offers a variety of professional grooming services, and is committed to a culture of inclusivity. Parlor on Fifth is gay-owned with all of its staff either being a part of or allies to the LGBTQ community.
Mnemonic Coffee calls itself a coffee and zero-proof drink space, offering a variety of coffees, teas, and zero-proof cocktails. They also offer a fee-based barista training program, which provides hands-on and interactive training sessions to teach participants about coffee preparation, espresso extraction, milk frothing, latte art, and coffee machine maintenance.
Both businesses hosted a grand opening celebration in their shared space on Friday, Sept. 29. They are located at 2604 Fifth Ave. Book an appointment with Parlor on Fifth at parloronfifthbarbershop.com. View Mnemonic’s menu at mnemonic.coffee.
INSIDEOUT PRESENTS FALL POP-UP THEME
InsideOUT, an upscale LGBT owned and operated bar and restaurant located in the atrium of the Eitol Towers (the big tall red condos) at the corner of University Avenue and Centre Street, is currently presenting “Enchanted Oasis Experience” through Nov. 5.
The InsideOUT team started working large-scale pop-up themes into their decor for each season in 2022. Last Christmas they had a winter wonderland experience with “snow” falling every 15 minutes; in the spring they had massive and brilliant pink and white apple blossom trees; and the current experience includes animated butterflies and mushrooms so large and beautiful that Alice in Wonderland comes to mind. They also have a special cocktail menu to match the theme. You must be 18 and older to enter and reservations are for two hours only. For more info and reservations, visit insideoutsd.com.
FILMOUT SERIES RETURNS WITH DUNAWAY HIT
After its successful 23rd film festival last month, FilmOUT San Diego continues its popular select screening series in October, with a showing of “The Eyes of Laura Mars,” starring Faye Dunaway and a dashingly young Tommy Lee Jones. Dunaway portrays a controversial New York City fashion photographer who begins to “see” through the eyes of a serial killer.
The supernatural thriller, celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, will be screened at Landmark’s Hillcrest Cinemas on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 7-9:30 pm. Barbra Streisand sang the 1978 film’s lead song, “Prisoner,” after passing on the role.
Prior to the feature film will be the world premiere of “Deadfall,” a short film written by local San Diegan Michael Mizerany and directed by fellow San Diegan Travis Land. The 11-minute film is described as “A night of passion goes horribly awry when a young man realizes there’s more to this evening than a one-night stand.” Hillcrest Cinemas is located at 3965 Fifth Avenue. Tickets are $12 online, $15 at the door. For more information, visit filmoutsandiego.org.
SCARE UP YOUR FAVORITE COSTUME FOR ‘NIGHTMARE’
Get ready for Hillcrest’s annual Halloween celebration, with dancing, vendors, a costume contest with $3,000 in total prizes, a pet costume contest, and much more. It all takes place Saturday, Oct 28, 5-11 pm, at the Pride Flag Plaza, 1500 University Ave. (at the corner of Normal Street), in Hillcrest. Advance tickets are now on sale with General Admission $25 and VIP $55 (includes front of the line admission to the event, access to a special 21+ VIP area with a VIP bar and private restrooms, two complimentary cocktails, and a $10 food ticket). Enjoy popular food trucks, two of Rich’s most popular DJs – as well as Strawberry Corncakes as Mistress of Ceremonies. To learn more – and if you plan to enter the contests check out the details very carefully – visit bit.ly/3LO15IZ.
‘FESTIVAL OF TREES’ ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE
The “Festival of Trees” is an annual holiday-themed event that raises money for HIV/AIDS services and programs. Produced by Big Gay California (BGCA), a 501(3)c nonprofit, the event will take place Sunday, Nov. 19, from 4-8 pm at InsideOUT in Hillcrest. With InsideOUT’s own next-level holiday theme, it is the perfect location for this event.
Discounted advance tickets are now available through Oct. 10. Every year BGCA gets dozens of artificial Christmas trees (minimum height 5 feet) donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses, each pre-decorated head-to-toe in all types of festive garb and then attendees bid on them individually at the event.
Tickets are available for VIP (4-5 pm) and General Admission (5-8 pm) and include food, atmosphere, a silent auction, a travel raffle, special guest hosts, a tree lighting ceremony, and lots of holiday cheer. Organizers say it sells out fast, so consider this as your holiday kick-off. To watch a video of the 2022 event, visit youtu.be/cnr_9L77uhU. To buy tickets or learn how you or your business can sponsor a tree, visit bit.ly/3rHBw5p.
‘FREQUENT FLYER’ STYLE CARD AT FARMERS MARKET
The Hillcrest Farmers Market (HFM), brought to you by the Hillcrest Business Association, has introduced a new program – the “punch card.” Available at the HFM information booth, bring your punch card back to the market and get a stamp for visiting that week (one stamp per visit). When you reach 10 stamps on the card, you will be entered into their quarterly raffle, which can win you a gift basket filled with gift cards and other items from some of your favorite vendors.
The first drawing will take place December 24, so there is plenty of time to fill up your punch card. Visit the information booth to pick up your card and get started with your first stamp. If you are an HFM vendor and want to participate by donating to the gift baskets, visit bit.ly/46xx886 to complete a form. For more info on the market, visit hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.
HILLCREST WIND ENSEMBLE AUTUMN CONCERT
The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble presents “Autumn Leaves,” on Saturday, October 21, at Linder Hall at the First Methodist Church of San Diego, located at 2111 Camino del Rio South, in Mission Valley. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Christian Tordahl, the ensemble will perform contemporary pieces evoking an autumnal feel. Music from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma” will be a highlight of the evening, along with other, more reflective pieces.
The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization established in 1985 that supports itself through income from these concerts, as well as donations from sponsors and patrons.
In its 37th year of performing, the 45-piece ensemble was originally known as San Diego’s Finest City Freedom Band. It was formed to bring music to the LGBT community as a marching band that also played concerts. Within the last 20 years, however, the band has evolved into an elite wind ensemble, playing more advanced music and with a new mission to entertain the ideal of diversity within their ranks, while promoting quality music to all of San Diego.
Tickets for Autumn Leaves are $25 and can be purchased on their website or at the door. Join members of the ensemble in the courtyard for complimentary hors d’oeuvres at 6 pm. Doors open at 6:30, and the concert begins at 7 pm. A bake sale featuring homemade desserts and beverages will be available at intermission. For more information or tickets, visit hillcrestwindensemble.com.
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