www.gay-sd.com FROM PAGE 1 BACCHUS


Bar & Grill, which are still open and drawing crowds, and Rebar (previously known as Wolf’s), which is now the predominantly straight establishment Bluefoot Bar & Lounge. Bacchus House was the only video and dance bar, however. During its near-decade run,


the hot spot with a Roman- themed decor hosted numer- ous theme nights, shows and charity events. Marcel Hetu, who works as


a DJ at Rich’s, Numbers and Bourbon Street, had his first residency at Bacchus House. “Bacchus House has really


done a lot of good work within our community,” Hetu said. “DJ’ing at Bacchus House


was really like being a part of a family. I built many life-long friendships there.” It was common for Bacchus


House to donate its space for benefits and events that sup- ported a number of LGBT chari- ties, including several hosted by the Imperial Court de San Diego.


Local drag entertainer


Coco Trinity LaDiva held a benefit show in September at Bacchus House, where she was able to raise money for the Queen Eddie Youth Fund. The San Diego Sisters of


Perpetual Indulgence recently hosted a fundraiser during Bac- chus House’s “Bear Night” that raised $547 for Mama’s Kitchen through the sale of Jell-O shots. During the past couple of


years, Bear Night had become a popular event for the club. “The space was a little more


intimate than Rich’s, but still had a packed crowd, good vibes and was a change of scenery (from) North Park,” said Jack, a local systems technician. Bacchus House, which


originally had just one room, expanded shortly after its opening to include a video bar with pool tables in the front room, and a large dance club and bar in the back, with an at- tached indoor/outdoor smok- ing area. The club underwent a ren-


ovation recently to update and modernize its look and feel. Latino theme nights also


were a hit at Bacchus House. Drag entertainer Franceska


hosted the Wednesday night “Musica y Pasion Latina” for many years, and from there the club added Latino theme nights on Fridays (Papacito) and Sun- days (Fiesta Domingo). For many years, the club


also hosted the popular Thursday night “It’s Raining Men” wet underwear show, hosted by entertainer Coco LaChine. Sydney Pierre, who hosts


karaoke at Redwing Bar & Grill on 30th Street, says the closure of Bacchus House is a loss to the North Park scene. “Bacchus House had a way


of keeping Latin culture alive in North Park,” Pierre said. “They always had great


music, great DJ’s and always a fun time.” Bacchus House owners


Robbie Cox and Greg Scott have not made any formal com- ment yet, so the reason for the closure is unknown at this time.♚


Dec. 19


Glam Disco Ball: 6:30 to 10 p.m., Lips restaurant, 3036 El Ca- jon Blvd. Ms. GlitzGlamor, winner of Lips’ first “So You Think You Can Drag” competition, pres- ents her own fundraiser night, including special guest perform- ers, silent auction, a lip-syncing contest and more. Proceeds go to Stonewall Citizens Patrol. Admis- sion is $20 including appetizer


CALENDAR/NEWS


buffet and entry prize. (619) 295- 7900 or visit lipssd.com.


Second annual Human Light Celebration and potluck: 6 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center, 4065 Vermont St. The Human Light Celebration is a secular alternative to religiously-based cel- ebrations hosted by Jason Frye, Jennifer Brauer and the Humanist Association of San Diego. Bring a dish to share. (619) 646-2191 or humanlight.org.


Dec. 17 A Very Babette Christmas: 8 to 11:30 p.m. Babette Schwartz and special guests will perform a holi- day extravaganza at Mo’s Bar and Grill, 308 University Ave. (619) 220-7048 or mosuniverse.com.


Hillcrest Youth Center Holi- day Party: 5 to 9 p.m., 1807 Robinson Ave., Suite 106. The Hillcrest Youth Center will host an informal holiday party for 14- to 18-year-old LGBT youth and their allies. E-mail jculpepper@ thecentersd.org or call (619) 497- 2920, ext. 113.


Dec. 18 Gingerbread Collective 2010: 12 to 4 p.m., at Arclinea San Diego, 2515 Fifth Ave., where chefs will participate in a cook- off inspired by the holidays. Proceeds go to Food Pantry and the Holiday Meals program at Second Chance. Tickets are $20. (619) 564-7440 or events@arclin- easandiego.com.


Songwriters Acoustic Nights: 7:30 p.m. Comedy Under Construction’s Mitch Feingold presents local performers John Foltz, Michael Tiernan and more at Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave. $7 admission. Free for former singer-songwriters from Songwriters Acoustic Nights shows. Call (858) 550-8088 or comedyunderconstruction.com.


Dec. 20


Transgender Coming Out Group: 7 to 8:30 p.m., The Center, 3909 Centre St., every Monday. The meeting supports transgender people in all stages of exploring gender identity and welcomes ages 18 and above. Free. (619) 692-2077 or thecen- tersd.org.


Dec. 22 LGBT Youth Personal Zine: 7 to 8 p.m., Hillcrest Youth Center, 3777 4th Ave., Wednesdays. Par- ticipate in San Diego’s premier LGBT youth publication. For ages 14 to 20. Free. (619) 297-2920 or youthcentersd.org.


Dec. 23


San Diego Democratic Club: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Com- munity Center, 4065 Vermont St., Thursdays. Free. Join the oldest and largest political group in San Diego’s LGBT community. (619) 200-8194 or SDDemoClub.org.


Dec. 25 Winter White Christmas: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. SDPIX presents a Winter Wonderland Party at Rich’s nightclub, 1051 University Ave., featuring DJ John Joseph, snow themed decorations and a laser light show. Half off cover before 11 p.m. with SDPIX VIP or by texting SDPIX to 313131. White attire encouraged. (619) 295-2195 or facebook.com/richssd.


Dec. 27


Guys Night Out, 6 to 8 p.m., Lestats Coffee, 4496 Park Blvd, every Monday. Socialize with transitioned and transitioning transsexual men. This event


is free. For more information, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/ diegoboyz.


Dec. 28 LGBT Creative writers Group Meeting: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., every fourth Tuesday. Meet with the 50 and Better Together’s LGBT Creative Writers Group at The Center, 3909 Centre Street. Free, no writing experience nec- essary. For more information, call (619) 692 – 2077.


Dec. 30


San Diego International Auto Show Media Preview Day: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., San Diego Conven- tion Center, 111 West Harbor Drive, featuring more than 400 new model vehicles, crossovers, classic cars, and more. The show runs until Jan. 2. For tickets and exact hours, visit sdautoshow.com


Home for the Holidays Vol. 2: 8:30 p.m., Whistle Stop Bar, 236 Fern St. So Say We All presents a visual arts performance including a rock opera puppet show, winter tales and New Year’s resolutions by comics and musicians. Free. (619) 284-6784 or sosayweallonline.com.


Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Contra Dance Party: 7:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 3030 Thorn St. Hosted by the San Diego Folk Heritage danc- ers. Bring finger foods to share. Admission $20-25. (619) 283-8550 or sandiegocontra.org.


Red Drag-On: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Mo’s Bar and Grill, 308 University Ave. Join Mo’s New Year’s Eve dance party featuring DJ Taj and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. $5 after 9 p.m. (619) 491-0400 or mosuniverse.com.


R-night: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Spend New Year’s Eve with DJ Kiki at The Brass Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave. Admission $1. Call (619) 298-2233 or thebrassrailsd.com.


Dynamite Eve: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Bar Dynamite, 1808 W Washington St. for Reggae, Dancehall, Hip- hop classics and more. $10. (619) 295-8743 or bardynamite.com.


NYE Massive: 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., Rich’s Nightclub, 1051 University Ave. Join Rich’s massive New Year’s Eve Party, including free champagne at midnight, free party favors, and a $1, 000 cash drop. (619) 295-2195 or richsd- sandiego.com.♚


GAYBriefs


December 17-30, 2010 GAY SAN DIEGO


7


Tom Luhnow


GSDBA CEO attends na- tional chamber conference Nearly 400 National Gay &


Lesbian Chamber of Commerce members traveled to Washing- ton, D.C. last month to network, brainstorm and discuss ways to move forward amidst a tenuous economic recovery. Greater San Diego Business Association Chief Executive Officer Thomas Luhnow was among the attendees, making his first appearance at a national conference since his appointment as head of the GSDBA in March. “It was of great benefit to


meet my peers from across the country to network and share ideas,” Luhnow said. “I’ve always said the best ideas I’ve ever had I stole from someone else.” Hearing firsthand from others what works, as opposed to what doesn’t, will help translate locally in terms of growing GSDBA member- ship and event planning, he said. Connecting with business


leaders throughout the United States and Canada was an inte- gral component of the confer- ence, Luhnow said. “I was able to meet George


Carrancho, who is the National Sales and Marketing Manager for American Airlines, who may be able to get us tickets or help us save money on (travel),” he said. “And we’re now in contact with the vice-president of the Royal bank of Canada, who is put- ting me in touch with their L.A. branch to discuss them being a GSDBA sponsor.” Ultimately, Luhnow said, the


greatest benefit was being able to meet representatives from cham- bers throughout the U.S.


see Briefs, pg 29


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