Twilight T-dance back for Pride, this time in Sonoma, Sat, June 5, 2010

Many of us gays and our friends/allies in the Napa Valley (and all around) had an unforgettable time at last year's Pride month's Twilight T-dance at Beringer. Tons of good people, tons of great wine, fun, music, dancing, food and did I mention the good people?

Well, it's back...just one county over. The folks mostly behind last year's event have brought it home to Sonoma County, to the beautiful town of Glen Ellen:

Out in the Vineyard, the first Wine Country events and travel company dedicated to the LGBT community, is behind this year's bash: “Twilight T-Dance: An Evening of Wine and Dancing in Celebration of Gay Pride Month", a portion of ticket sales will benefit Face to Face Sonoma County AIDS Network.

This year’s Twilight T-Dance is hosted at one of the premiere event locations in the heart of Sonoma Valley, Atwood Ranch & Vineyard.

Music by DJ Rotten Robbie

$50 Advance Purchase / $65 after May 25th

Includes wine tasting

$100 VIP reception Advance Purchase / $125 after May 25th
VIP reception at 4:30 pm with SKYY Vodka Bar

Includes wine tasting & access to VIP Lounge

Tickets are limited. Please purchase in advance. You must be 21 or over to attend.

On sale now at: http://www.outinthevineyard.com/events/twilight-t-dance/ and you can even RSVP on Facebook.

They've already received mention in the press! After last year's mega-successful "test run", this year's ticket prices have doubled...and of course they'd like us to know that VIP tickets are selling out fast (just like last year), so get them soon if you want all the goodies! What a fun way to kick off the month of Pride!

...for those that like to stay super-local, Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar has a big, fun, gay dance planned as well! Details soon, or sneak-peek here.

"Party like it's 1975!": Sonoma County Pride fundraiser disco dance this Sat, April 3

Click to enlarge for details

I guess Napa's not the only part of the north Bay planning a Pride celebration this June. Sonoma County Pride organizers want everyone to attend a special fundraiser dance this Saturday evening from 9pm to midnight to help support their efforts for this year's festivities. Compete for prizes including best mustache, best flannel shirt and best polyester outfit:

Sonoma County Pride Says
“Let’s Party Like It’s. . 1975!”

Sonoma County Pride invites the LGBTQ community and its friends to “Let’s Party Like It’s . . .1975!”, Saturday, April 3, from 9 PM to Midnight at Monroe Hall, 1400 West College Avenue, in Santa Rosa, a dance celebration and fundraiser for this year’s Sonoma County Pride Parade and Celebration June 6 in Guerneville.

Dance to 70’s music, enter contests for Best Flannel Shirt, Best Mustache, Best Polyester Outfit, and more. A live DJ will be on hand to play 70’s classics and beer and wine will be sold for this 18 and over event. Admission is by donation at the door.

The community will also have the opportunity to volunteer to help produce Sonoma County’s annual Pride event which last year drew 5,000 celebrants to downtown Guerneville.

This year’s Pride event – “Sonoma Count Pride Is So Gay!” takes place June 6 in Guerneville with a parade through town at Noon followed by a celebration on the grounds of the lush Guerneville Lodge with music, food, entertainment and vendors.

For more information, visit www.sonomacountypride.org.

Sonoma GayDar at Sonoma Mission Inn Sun, Mar 21: celebrate Spring!

Sonoma's GayDar group, that fun/wine loving group that mixed so well with us Napa gays back in Feburary, is throwing a party to celebrate the first day of Spring:

Let's meet in the Springs to celebrate the first day of Spring!
Sonoma Mission Inn is opening up it's lobby doors to our group on Sunday, March 21st from 4-6:30pm! Look forward to seeing everyone!

Where: Sonoma Mission Inn, 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma
When: Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 4:00pm - 6:30pm

You can get more info, peek at who's confirmed to go, or RSVP yourself at the event's Facebook page. Want to find more info about Sonoma's GayDar group or other upcoming social events? Visit the Facebook Group for Sonoma GayDar.

Sonoma County Pride "open house" celebrations: volunteer signups & raffle; 1st up, Bollywood, this weekend in Penngrove, Jan 17

Via the Fruit's inbox comes word that Sonoma County is hosting a series of Pride Open House(s) to showcase their plans for Pride this June, get folks involved and start raising money. First up, Penngrove:

Pride Open House @ The Black Cat
(and Bollywood Party)
10056 Main St
Penngrove, CA, 94951
707-793-9480

Sunday, January 17, 2010 (Monday is MLK Holiday!)
Time: 7:00 pm - 11:55 pm

The Sonoma County Pride Committee wants to let you know what's cooking for the 2010 Pride Parade and Celebration! Here's your opportunity to get involved as a volunteer and/or support their efforts by buying raffle tickets to support this annual non-profit event! *Psssst, I know 1st hand that among the many great raffle prizes is a GOOD VIBRATIONS goodie bag valued @ $150-$200!*

DJ Zobieta will spin martini music for the first hour and then transition into an awesome Bollywood party. Costumes encouraged, but not required!

www.sonomacountypride.org * Please feel free to forward this info to LGBTQ friends and allies....THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE!*

And yes, we're talking about the Black Cat in Penngrove. Napa's (infamous?) Black Cat has been closed for months.

Here's the rest of the lineup in the series of Pride Open House events for Sonoma County, and go here for more information:

• Fri, Jan 29, 2010 ~ Open House at GLAM Fri @ Casbar
• Sat, Apr 3, 2010 ~ Open House at Monroe Hall, Santa Rosa
  
• Sat, Apr 24, 2010 ~ Open House at Sonoma Nesting Company

LGBT New Year's Eve Parties near Napa

photo by aloha orangeneko

I asked around, and so far have only heard of a few LGBT specific New Year's Eve parties for the gays and gay-friendly near Napa--unfortunately, most aren't really that close to Napa and require an hour drive or so. However (and fortunately), most have great room rates so we can stay the night, party and ring in the New Year without drinking and driving:

• GLAM New Year's Eve * 9pm - 2am * $10 cover
  Santa Rosa, CA * Casbar inside the Days Inn * 3345 Santa Rosa Ave
  
  
  Brien Perry and CSquared Productions Proudly Present GLAM New Years Eve 2010! Yes you heard it right.... Brien Perry is back on board to bring you and your besties the BIGGEST HOTTEST New Years Eve Party North of the Gate! Free Champagne Toast @ Midnight with a Balloon Drop with Cash Prizes inside! Free Party favors... Room Rates start @ $79 for a Deluxe 2 bed room with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Champagne in the room awaiting your arrival! Special Surprises throughout the night! For VIP Bottle Service call Joy 707...332.4630... Full Red Carpet so Dress to Impress! Photographers will be on hand! Early Arrival is HIGHLY Suggested as this will be a Sell Out Event! Doors Open 9pm with a $10 cover charge for the Mature 21+
  
  
• Sapphire Lounge NYE * 8:30pm - 1am * $20 presale tickets
  Santa Rosa, CA * Hilton * 3555 Round Barn Blvd
  
  Join us for the Dawn of a New Year - a hopeful year - as we Throw the Sweetest Beats in the North Bay on this the last day of 2009...a party for Queer girlz and boyz and our Friends * Danceable Music at Comfortable Levels with DJ temadancer & DJ James Calamera * Balloon Drop with Cash&Prizes/Heated Patio/Full Bars/ Plentiful Seating/Free Parking/Large Dancefloor * If you haven't been out in a While.....This is the Party for YOU!!* and if you're a club kid...bring your Dancing shoes to Burn up the FLO! * All the best Old School Music to DANCE to, with splashes of today's groovin' Hits... ACTUAL places to Sit & lounge....Heated Patio for fresh air & Smoking (even though it's bad for you..)with drinks allowed...and a FABULOUS place to Crash afta da Party!! * Festive, Elegant Attire Encouraged!!
  ----
  $99 Room Rate at the Hilton call for your Room - Limited # of Rooms at this Rate; 707-523-7555 mention Sapphire: Get Your Sexy ON!!!
  

Heard of any other New Year's Eve celebrations that we should tell everyone about? What are you doing for New Year's Eve?

"Straightlaced" screening comes to Santa Rosa this Thurs, Nov 19

This Thursday the Rialto theater is hosting a benefit for the Face to Face Sonoma County AIDS Network, a screening of the film "Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up", an award winning documentary that "unearths how popular pressures around gender and sexuality are confining American teens":

From girls confronting media messages about culture and body image to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay, this fascinating array of students opens up with brave, intimate honesty about the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing have on all our lives.

WHEN:
Thursday, November 19, 2009
7:15-9:00pm

WHERE:
Rialto Cinemas Lakeside
551 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405

TICKETS:
$10 for adults, $7 for seniors/students
Please call Rialto Cinemas at 707-525-4840 or visit Rialto Cinema's website.

Here's the trailer.

Big Gay Napa Weekend starts now? Sin @ JK's, Out in the Park Six Flags, Reconciliation Sunday and Oakland/East Bay Gay Men's Chorus, whew!

Yes, it's going to be a full, big, gay weekend here in the Napa Valley:

• Thursday: the launch of Sin (a new gay nightclub, Thursdays) @ J.K.'s Ultralounge in Rohnert Park
• Friday: (Gay day) Out in the Park at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom with LMFAO, Paradiso Girls and DJs Perry Twins, 5pm
  
• Sunday morning: Reconciliation Sunday at United Methodist Church w/ special service and preview of the evening concert, 9:30am
• Sunday afternoon: Poolside Soiree at Bardessono, 2-4pm
  
• Sunday evening: Oakland/East Bay Gay Men's Chorus Napa Concert, "Reach Out and Bring Happiness", 5pm
  

Queercoming masquerade youth dance in Santa Rosa, October 10

Thanks for some info from Napa Valley College's GSA, we got word that Santa Rosa's Positive Images' (youth center) annual Queercoming Dance is coming up. Many young people write in and ask, "I see all the great events you post about what's going on in the North Bay. Is there anything for youth under 21?", and now I have a good reply.

Yes!:

Queercoming
October 10, 2009
7:30p - 11:30p
1400 W College Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA

Tickets are $12 (or $10 presale).
Call 707-568-5830

Queercoming is a substance-free event for youth

Visit Positive Images for more information about their other events and programs.

"Sin" LGBT club night debut in Rohnert Park, Sep 10

From the net, I just got word of a new LGBT club night opening in Rohnert Park--"Sin" at JK's Ultra Lounge. This looks to be not just an "ultra lounge" but ultra-new. Turns out JK's by day is "JK's Four Season Chinese Buffet". Has JK's done anything similar for the straight crowd?

Sin @ JK's Ultra Lounge

(JK's Four Season Chinese Buffet)

595 Rohnert Park Expressway W

Rohnert Park, CA

Debut Night: Thursday, September 10
Running every Thursday

9p-1:30am

Hip-hop, latin and house

$3 drink specials

$5 cover after 10p

Anyone think they'll go check it out? Looks like Santa Rosa's Glam might have some competition coming. And, is it a Sonoma County thing to convert Days Inn's and Chinese Buffet's into club nights? I'm okay with multiple identities if the night life is hot.

Click here for Sin's myspace page.

Larry dances RRR Guerneville tonight; Sonoma County Pride fest tomorrow

As we mentioned in our Bay Area Pride roundup, Sonoma County Pride is this Sunday in downtown Guerneville.

...Maybe more importantly, to us, is that Larry, a friend of The Fruit (and Napa's favorite Wamu/Chase teller) will be dancing in a special pre-party tonight at 9:30pm at the Russian River Resort (known as the Triple-R) with his dance group (formerly named "It's All About Me", they're now looking for a more perfect-er name). There is no cover charge and the full show includes the dance group that Larry is in, some drag, some singing--and, if it means anything to you, Boy Shakira from America's Got Talent will be there--among others. It should be a great time and a fun way to kick off Sonoma County's Pride. Or as Larry would say, "It's going to be a-ma-zing! You BETTER get your ass there!"

And for the rest of this year's Sonoma County Pride?

This year's week of Sonoma County Pride events kicks off with a Parade along Main Street in downtown Guerneville on Sunday, May 31st starting at High Noon, through downtown Guerneville...Sonoma County Pride is a week long celebration of the joy and diversity of our community for Sonoma County’s LGBTQ Community, Friends and Family. The Main Events of the week include the Parade, the Celebration, and an Interfaith Service the following Sunday. There are additional partner events planned throughout the week, including the 15th annual Sonoma County Pride Comedy Night at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, and Disco Down the River Weekend, a fund raising event for Under One Roof, supporting AIDS/HIV service agencies throughout the Bay Area, including Face to Face, Food for Thought and the Sonoma County AIDS Emergency Fund.

Guerneville is about a 20 minute drive west of Santa Rosa, or about an hour and a half from Napa.

Hella Gay Prom May 23, Santa Rosa

Positive Images is at it again, hosting their Hella Gay Prom 3 on May 23.

The only details I can find so far is from their site:

MAY 23, 2009 @ MONROE HALL 7:30-11:30PM $20
SUBSTANCE-FREE EVENT

Also from their site: Positive Images provides support and advocacy to Sonoma County’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersexed youth and young adults, and educates the greater community. We envision a Sonoma County where all youth are valued, compassionate community members, creating a just society.

You can find more information and all about Positive Images other projects at their website.

"Men of Playgirl" Las Vegas show at Casbar Santa Rosa

Anyone planning on going to GLAM Thursday's hosting of "The Men of Playgirl" in Santa Rosa next Thursday?

Brian Perry, who produces the GLAM Thursday parties at Santa Rosa's Casbar, has announced the appearance of "The Men of Play Girl " live Las Vegas show at the Santa Rosa Avenue venue Thursday, February 19.

The hour and half show will include six performers.

Presale tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at The Days Inn, 3345 Santa Rosa Ave, or at ANY GLAM Thursday Event or online HERE. For up to the minute details check out at Myspace.com/glamthursdays

This is the only event The Men of Playgirl will do for a Gay crowd, so it would be wise to get your ticket in advance.

BSquared Productions is doing this for the community. Be sure you bring your dollar bills for tipping the performers and support this HUGE event to come through for the North Bay.

Perry previously has produced LGBT events in Petaluma and Santa Rosa locations and GLAM Thursdays is his latest effort to bring a Gay entertainment venue to Santa Rosa. Look for GLAM Saturday dates coming in February.

"Las Vegas Men of Playgirl" On You Tube

Thanks to Sonoma Boys Night Out for the text.

Glam Thursdays (Santa Rosa) Casbar now 18+

GLAM Thursdays used to be held at Infusions lounge in Petaluma, but have since moved to Casbar (the bar for the new Days Inn on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa). Maybe not 100% glamorous, but it is billed as the only weekly queer party in Sonoma County (I'll have to look into that to see what happened with Club Seven's Sweet. In the meantime:

BSquared Productions Proudly Presents GLAM Thursdays @ Casbar! We are now 18 and over starting this Thursday January 15th 2009! So grab your GLAM Squad and come on down to the Casbar, and party with us! DJLue and MissDJMoniKa will be throwing it down all night long! Cheap Drink specials, stipper pole, Amazing light shows, and a warm friendly staff are awaiting you! 21+ $5 Cover, 21 under $10 Cover WITH VALID ID ONLY!!

Big gay parties for fabulous New Year's Eve 2008

[Update: Townhouse sent us some more details on what's happening at their cocktail lounge in Vallejo.]

Here are the celebrations I'm hearing about (please use the comments or the tipline if you know of others):

• Black Cat Club (@ 1746 Yajome St, Napa)
  "Ring in the New Year with hot boys". Come out and party at the north bays hottest private club for men, this wends the Black Cat in Napa is having its New Years eve party. The cover for the night is $15 but you will get $10 back in drink tickets, so if you dont want to deal with the high cost of cover charges at clubs, or the crowds in them, or even the drama, then the black cat club is for YOU!
  
  
• Saphire Lounge (@ Double Tree, Rohnert Park)
  Sapphire New Year's Eve Bashbr /for LGBTQ peeps and our Evolved friends...br /at the Beautiful DoubleTree Hotel
  
  
• Townhouse Lounge (401 Georgia Street, Vallejo)
  Food/Drink specials! Music by Clusterfunk Collective!
  
  
• Faces/Bojangles/Headhunters (Sacramento)
  Come out & join Faces, Bojangles, & Headhunters as we celebrate the coming of a new year!
  Faces 21+ & is having a buffet, cash balloon drop, & $5 cover b4 8pm. Bojangles is hosting a 18+ New Years Party with a $10 cover for under 21 & a cash balloon drop. Headhunters will be serving gourmet food & Specialty Cocktails. Advance Tickets Available At Club or Online @ Faces.net

Glam Thursdays in Petaluma going once/month

Just to update The Fruit's "records":

GLAM Thursdays @ Infusions Nightclub is NOW going to a MONTHLY Party... next party will be September 4th @ 9pm!

Find out more at Glam's Myspace.
Anyone dance the night away at Glam over the summer? What are your thoughts?

The Black Cat(s): private party doesn't mean you're not invited

Happy Friday everyone! I have a couple other guest-writing assignments, please contact us if you're interested in helping us to expand our knowledge of Napa's queer community by checking either one of these out (or, if you're already a regular, letting us know what you think). I've had word through our tipline that there is still a couple other queer establishments that we need to check out, and both are named the Black Cat. Both need a thorough review, we only know what people have shared with us.

From what we can tell...

• Black Cat, Penngrove: I had thought was a lesbian bar (am I wrong?), but according to their website is for gay and gay-friendly, too (in their words: . It's located in the small, country-ish community of Penngrove, between Petaluma and Rohnert Park.
  According to their website:
  

  We are lesbian owned and operated, queer friendly, freak friendly and straight/ not narrow friendly. Our dress code is a smile and our theme is respect for all. Our goal is to provide a space for folks to have fun, and to create a caring and tolerant community...We feature entertainment every night of the week...there is rarely a cover!
  

• Black Cat, Napa: is a bit more underground (they for sure don't have a website), and is downtown. Held (every?) Friday and Saturday, it's a "private party", but that doesn't mean you're not invited. (Anyone know how to get on the guest list?) Pitch in for the beverages at the door and take time to meet and greet (and maybe really get to know) some of the other attendees. Rumor is Friday nights have less clothing than others. [Update: tipline rumors say this is a mainly male event. Sorry ladies.]
  
  [Update 2: More info on the (formerly secret) Black Cat Club has come in. Get the dish, here.]
  

Feeling adventurous? Been already? Let me know about your experience of one or both... observant, humorous writing is a bonus, but not required. ;)

Photo by meantux

Chance for Cho @ Glam grand opening Thurs May 15 in Petaluma

Anyone going to Glam's grand opening at Infusions in Petaluma tomorrow night? Geesh, I'd go just for the chance to win Margaret Cho tickets!

Here's the details:

• Grand opening, Thursday, May 15 @ Infusions in Petaluma (146 Kentucky Street)
• 9p - 2a, 21+, $5 cover
• " Thanks to the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts for tickets to Margaret Cho's show here in Santa Rosa September 13th. By showing up to GLAM's Grand Opening night this Thursday May 15th you will get a raffle ticket to win these tickets."
• Event will continue on every Thursday [update: Glam's gone once a month]
  
• Event flyers (click to enlarge):

I've never been to Infusions/Glam, but a Friend of the Fruit informed us, "Infusions is kinda small and normally bro-ish, but it's nice and it'd be cool on a gay night. I'd go and check it out for sure."

So proud of Sonoma Pride

How great that our neighboring county has it together enough to not only have plans for a North Bay Pride celebration, but there's a website too! And whoever keeps trying to stereotype gays as shallow (don't we all have our moments?) has it all wrong, especially if you go by Pride themes...

Sonoma County Pride: Loving Self, Loving Others kicks off a week long celebration on June 8th with an Interfaith Service, and ends with a festival at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on June 15th. The week in between also includes other events throughout the county, including the Russian River area and a LGBTQ and Ally Prom (for those that never got one). Click here for more info from the Sonoma County Pride site.

Anyone heading over to Santa Rosa for any Pride events? Anyone hear anything about Pride in Napa for this year?

Get out your calendars, ladies! Here's more local-ish upcoming Pride events:

• Santa Cruz Pride: June 1st (Site)
  
• San Jose Pride: June 14th/15th (Laugh, Love and Be Proud)
• Sacramento Pride: June 21st (Site)
  
• San Francisco Pride: June 28th/29th (United by Pride, Bound for Equality)
  

Best wishes to LGBTQ dance & Attend the prom you never had

It's just an hour before the dance for LGBTQ youth and their allies at Concord's Olympic High starts. We wish the youth and their supporters a good and safe time.

Apparently they will be having fun: the dance is featuring Wild 94.9 DJs St. John (you're so fierce!) and Christie James.

For more info, check out the dance's myspace page.

If you're still bummed about not having a gay prom yourself, here are a couple north-bay oppportunities:

• A Night of Elegance: a benefit "prom" (for adults, 21+) and kick-off for Sonoma County Pride (Sat, May 31)
  
• Hella Gay Prom II: a north bay prom for middle school - college aged youth (Fri, May 23)

Over the Hills and Through the Woods: gay Sonoma County nightlife

Been getting some tips about where the gay nights are at bars around the North Bay, and so I thought I'd post them for you to check out instead of waiting for our full reviews. As far as I know, there aren't any specific "gay nights" at Napa Bars except for at Napa Billiards (which we covered last weekend). Sad, but true, we have to travel over the hills to Sonoma County to find any gay-bars with enough "guts" to hoist up the rainbow flag and welcome us. (Vallejo also has some gaity going on. And here.)

Keep in mind, though, readers, that Napa already has a DUI rate twice that of the State's average, so please designate a driver. Safety aside, you don't want to get published in the Napa Register, do you?

Here's what I've heard through the tipline, in order from closest to farthest:

Petaluma (26 miles from Napa, 44 mins):

• Thursdays: GLAM Thursdays (@ Infusions Nightclub)
  [update: Glam's gone once a month]
  

Cotati (33 mfn, 48 mins):

• Fridays: Yacht Club & Saloon

Santa Rosa (41 mfn, 56 mins):

• Mondays: Sweet (@ Seven Ultralounge)

Have any of you been to these bars/nights? We'd love your take. Look forward to full reviews from us as well...

[Note: we know the Sonoma County, City of Guerneville is a sort of Castro-in-the-North-Bay kind of town, but it's kind of far for "a night on the town" (59 miles and a 1.5 our drive). We'd be glad to cover day trips to Guerneville for Summer...any suggestions on what's gay that's also not-to-miss?]