The SF drag scene – listing the best bars

The drag bars in San Francisco are second to none, with decked-out queens on display in superb acts, showing plenty of attitude as they strut their stuff on the catwalks.  There are so many places to choose from, and yet, being choosy will leave you happier at the end of the night. Here are some of the best in town from MyCityWay.

 Aunt Charlie’s: Surreal in a cool way with high bars of hotness and talent that includes the awesome bartenders and Hot Boxx Girls. A disco in the old-school sense of the word and the cheap alcohol adds to its charms. 133 Turk Street, (415) 441-2922

Marlena’s: Old-school and superb with the ladies singing Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline, this Hayes Valley spot has no cover. The show starts at 10:30 on Saturday nights, but get there at 9:30 for good seats). 488 Hayes Street, (415) 864-6672

Esta Noche: The queens are such a pleasure. They dress so well and dodge them stumbling boys even better! Their drag shows every night and nice Latin pop from the console. A beer is $2.50, so go grab one and find your comfy corner. 3079 16th St, (415) 861-5757.

Underground SF:One of Castro’s most simple and notorious spots. Here you’ll find the queens all drunk and the men occupying the stage and on the bar by the end of the night. 424 Haight Street, (415) 864-7386

TrannyShack: Tuesday nights here see packed floors and onlookers in shock. It’s famous or let’s say infamous, so go here only if you’re not shy! A documentary on this place was called “Filthy Gorgeous: The Trannyshack Story,” so you can guess.

Last Call Bar: Cassic and comfy, Last Call is tucked a little away from the major drag joints in the area. It’s great for a daytime drink! 3988 18th St., (415) 861-1310

 The Cinch: It’s one of SF’s oldest bars and just what neighborhood dive bars should be all about: cheap and fun. The Cinch even used to have an amateur strip night. 1723 Polk St., (415) 776-4162

Truck: Very cool and slick unlike the crude name, the bar and menu design really catch the eye. As for the drag show, smoldering is the word.  1900 Folsom St., (415) 252-0306

Asia SF: On the yuppie side but has good reviews to its credit, this place is more like a restaurant where drag and tranny ladies play host and put up an impromptu performance every now and then. 201 9th Street, (415) 255-2742

Gangway: This Tenderloin spot is very liked in the dive bar scene. You’ll have a super time here even in the afternoon. 841 Larkin Street, (415) 776-6828)

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Picasso in black and white – see him differently in NYC

Pablo Picasso isn’t just the name of a legendary artist who said that sometimes you have to destroy to create, it’s a name synonymous to a whole movement in art - that of cubism. He was a proto-cubist and one wouldn’t be wrong in going far enough to call him the father of cubism as we know it. He also touched neo- expressionism, shifting the focus from documenting what is seen outside (whether through realism or impressionism) to expressing the world inside a painter’s mind, a great leap.

So now moving on from the introduction and isms, let’s go into something ‘Picasso’ that we haven’t really seen much. Guggenheim Museum is showcasing ‘Picasso Black and White’ – an exhibition that has been called ’the first monochromatic look’ at his story in art. It is bound to be a foray into unchartered waters of a known sea for the viewer, in terms of exposure as well as elegance.

The show features 118 works, 38 of which are being exhibited for the first time ever in U.S. history while 5 of them will be seen for the first time at all in public. So clearly, this event is somewhat historic. It’s a must visit if you’re in New York, art lover or not.

The exhibition will be open through 23^rd of January except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. You can call the museum at (212) 423 3500 for any further information.

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2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Las Vegas - the show is on!

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is back once more with the National Finals Rodeo from December 6, 2012 to December 15, 2012at the Thomas & Mack Center at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas - “Entertainment Capital of the World.” This event, fondly called the Super Bowl of Rodeo, has been around in Las Vegas since 1984 and is the magnificent climax of modern rodeo pros endeavors through the year.

Ten days of an exceptional display of talent, it features the country’s fifteen bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding and bull riding champs, those who won the biggest bucks and puts them up before one another to compete for championship. You can only imagine how grand this battle for titles will be to witness, not to mention the festive atmosphere and presence of the best of country musicians all over Vegas at this time.

The rodeo starts at 6:45pm, Tickets range from $51 right up to $652.50, and there are no restrictions on age for entry so put on a pair of rugged Wrangler denims, your cowboy boots and hats, take your entire family and go enjoy the show!

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Cruising Down the Mississippi

Picture a red paddle wheel splashing the waters of the Mississippi and you are sitting on a deck of a beautiful boat listening to the sweet melodious sound of an calliope organ. This picture has come back into St Louis after a gap of four years, the Queen of the Mississippi riverboat had been pulled of the shores as the paddleboat company had gone bankrupt, but now they are newly funded and refurbished.

The Mississippi River has played a vital role in the history of the United States. From Hernando de Soto the first European to reach its shore 475 years ago to the Lewis and Clark Expedition which left the shores of St Louis in 1804 to go to the Pacific Ocean. Mark Twain’s stories of Huckleberry Finn, Blues music  and now a highway to commerce, the reinvigoration of the riverboat has significant meaning to this region.

A few months ago the American Cruise Lines started sailing the refurbished and newly made Queen of the Mississippi. Carrying 150 passengers on it daily it now also has competition from the 436-passenger rival, the American Queen, You can take these cruises for anything from 4 to 12 days and normally start from St Louis going all the way till Memphis. Along th e way you cover close to 200 years of American history and interesting towns like Alton, where you will also visit Lincoln Douglas Square , the site of the last of Abraham Lincoln’s seven debates

This old school riverboat might still retain its old world charm but under the hood it has a modern engine with twin propellers, better maneuverability and of course state of the art navigation systems. The rooms themselves are also spacious and have private balconies. So take these cruises and enjoy going back in history,  cruising down the Mississippi and enjoying lovely balmy nights with some good company, some drinks and some blues music.

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Pot lovers in Colorado and Washington – happy holidays!

While medical marijuana is on the ballots for legalization in many states, there have been active pro and anti legalization campaigns for recreational marijuana in the US for a long time now. It looks like the debate just found closure in 2 states this year, or shall we say opened up a whole new arena of argument.

Colorado and Washington successfully legalized possession and sale of recreational marijuana on Tuesday, 6^th Nov. 2012, while a similar campaign in Oregon failed. Victorious with a constitutional amendment to prove it, Mason Tvert of http://www.saferchoice.org/and co-director, Colorado pro-legalization campaign said, “Colorado will no longer have laws that steer people toward using alcohol, and adults will be free to  use marijuana instead if that is what they prefer and we will be better off as a society because of it.” The Drug Policy Alliance is looking at this as a stepping stone for a new wave of legalization with 55 percent ting pro- legalization.

The Obama administration on the other hand is toughening up on pot dispensaries and greenhouses that engage in large-scale drug trade under the guides of medical marijuana suppliers in California, etc. The U.S. Department of Justice strongly holds on to its enforcement policy, stating, “We are reviewing the ballot initiative and have no additional comment at this time.”

The Colorado and Washington developments are facing some serious criticism and opposition with critics anticipating drops in economic productivity, increased road and workplace mishaps while the proponents think that this will result in energies of the law being directed more appropriately towards organized drug cartels as opposed to recreational marijuana users.  They say it’s as good or bad as alcohol and as widely used, so let the state make money out of taxes instead of throwing it’s folks into jail.

So while the authorities continue to squabble, it’s time to get the party started this holiday season if you’re pro-pot and in Colorado or Washington. You can have up to an ounce (28.5 grams) of pot on you, you have nothing to worry about as long as you’re 21 plus, in fact you can even buy cannabis at state-licensed stores like alcohol. In Colorado, one person can cultivate up to six marijuana plants but Washington hasn’t conceded to let you “grow-your-own” pot yet. While these new rules in the 2 states are expected to become effective this month, hard luck to the guys in Oregaon!

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