Support Aunt Charlie’s by Watching this Vicki Marlane Documentary
Guest post by Christopher Dowd & Paloma Figueroa
Adjacent to the icon Aunt Charlie’s, the Tenderloin District’s last working class drag bar, there’s a little-known name tucked away on the Turk Street sign between Jones and Taylor that simply says: Vicki Mar Lane. But who was Vicki Marlane, and why was a street named after her in her honor?
Vicki Marlane was a pioneering drag performer and Trans activist who performed for over 5 decades before she passed away in 2011 due to an AIDS-related illness. She’s even featured in the SF pilot from Broke-Ass Stuart’s TV show. To commemorate the legendary drag queen who was a loved performer at Aunt Charlie’s — and provide relief funds for the bar’s cornerstone staff members — the Tenderloin Museum, the Glide Legacy Committee, and the Save Aunt Charlie’s Collective are co-hosting a very special virtual screening of “Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight,” to raise relief funds for a beloved Tenderloin and LGBTQ+ community institution, Aunt Charlie’s, and its staff on Tuesday, July 28, starting at 6 p.m.
The vibrant film chronicles the remarkable experiences of Vicki Marlane, who iconically strutted onstage well into her seventies. Vicki takes us on the ride of her life — from the early days of roller skating in women’s wear, to hoochie-coochie girl carnival sideshows and romantic road trips. We hitchhike through the adventures that led to her being San Francisco’s “Toast of the Town” in the early ’70s, while Vicki shares her tips of the trade acquired from decades of drag experience.
The screening will be followed by an intimate Q&A with producers and activist Susan Stryker and Kim Klausner, and director Michelle Lawler.
This is a donation-based event with 100% of the proceeds from any donations will go directly to support the Aunt Charlie’s staff and keeping the last gay bar in the Tenderloin alive during this incredibly difficult time for the hospitality industry. The suggested ticket price is $10.
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