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Relax, John Waters Is NOT Dead!

Brock Keeling — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:55:21 GMT

National Report, some sort of second-rate Onion, reported that acclaimed filmmaker and all-around swell human being John Waters dropped dead on Wednesday. This, thankfully, was not the case. He is alive and well, and his confirmation of this hoax is wonderfully Waters.

Baltimore Insider reports:

But Waters, reached by Insider this morning, says he's alive and well -- thank you very much. He's not only alive, he's in New York and on his way to Brussels Friday to perform his spoken word show, This Filthy World.
"From beyond the grave and back I will confirm this is a hoax," Waters said by email.

So wipe away the tears. But keep watching Cry-Baby on repeat -- if you'd like.

The hoax sent scores of camp fans and cinephiles flying into tears, rage on Facebook this morning. Waters is best known for Hairspray, Pink Flamingos, eggs, having Divine eat fresh dog shit, lobster sexual assault, and riding around on the scariest Muni bus line. And if we have anything to do with it, he will live on for all of eternity.

Occupy SF Has Until Noon To Clear Out

Brock Keeling — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:45:15 GMT

The Department of Public Works gave Occupy SF word yesterday that they have until noon Thursday to clear out. The makeshift tent city at Justin Herman Plaza has become a public health hazard of sorts, or so we hear, so they city wants it gone. Pronto.

SF Examiner reports:

During a meeting Wednesday with representatives of the camp, Department of Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru gave them the news.
“I have to tell you that time is short, and we don’t want tents on this property as of noon tomorrow,” Nuru said.

But after Nuru issued his ultimatum, some campers seemed to be digging in their heels and preparing for to be forcibly removed, which many feel is imminent.

“Most people are pretty much assuming [a raid] is coming,” said James Morry, who has been camping with Occupy SF for a month.

Occupy SF recently rebuffed an offer from Mayor Ed Lee to move to a sketchy block out of the public eye on Mission Street. Some campers claimed the new camp would prove too isolated.

Needless to say, a raid at Justin Herman Plaza seems imminent.

Peaches Christ Talks 'Mommie Dearest,' Faye Dunaway, and Child Abuse

Brock Keeling — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:15:25 GMT

High-glamour child abuse, anyone? You are in luck. On Saturday night, Peaches Christ (Midnight Mass creator, All About Evil writer/director) will once again screen Mommie Dearest, this time in honor of its 30th anniversary. Obviously, it's a show not to be missed. For the uninitiated the Hollywood biopic tells the tale of movie legend Joan Crawford's relationship with her slow-swimming, rare-meat-hating, can't-clean-a-bathroom-worth-shit daughter, Christina. Though a critical and box office disaster upon its release, the flick has since garnered loyal fans throughout the world, making it the foremost cult film of our time. Calling Mommie Dearest underrated would be an understatement. To learn more about the movie's unprecedented phenomenon, SFist talked to Peaches for further insight about Crawford, abusing your offspring, and, of course, Faye Dunaway and her crazy ass.

SFist: Outside of the movie's alluring camp angle, do you consider Mommie Dearest a good film?

Peaches Christ: Yes, definitely. I think it was always a good movie. A great movie, in fact It was just too over-the-top for the general public and it made people uncomfortable. The film itself is so beautiful; it tells an epic and legendary story. The writing is great, the performances are great. People need to loosen up to enjoy it. I love the Hollywood it portrays and, unlike most movies made thirty years ago, its anniversary will be celebrated across the country by a dedicated and loyal fan base.

SFist: Tells us your favorite scene in MD.

PC: Oh God, there are too many favorites to pick just one! But right now, I'm really loving the swimming scene. I love the performances between the mom and daughter characters: the competition, the drive, and the insanity of it all. I think it shows that Joan meant well and that, well, Christina was a little bit of a brat. And, of course, I love the now-famous dialogue: "I'm bigger and I'm stronger. I will always beat you."

SFist: Have child abuse victims ever sent you hate mail or approached you in anger for screening MD?

PC: No. In fact, it's the opposite. Some actual victims of child abuse will perform with us onstage this Saturday. While growing up with an abusive mother isn't really all that funny, I find that, within our group of misfit performers and fans, comedy can be a healing way of dealing with things. It's sorta like how victims of bullying love the movie Heathers.

SFist: One of the primary reasons MD is so very watchable is Faye Dunaway's take on Joan Crawford. Care to comment on Dunaway's (brilliant) performance?

PC: Well, you said it. The performance is indeed brilliant. I think she was unfairly treated by critics and the press at the time because, honestly, she's a genius... and her movies prove it. Yes, it's an insane performance, but she was completely dedicated to it and is so good at it. Also, the movie is so iconic now that people continue to confuse the real Joan with Faye's Joan. She's that good.

SFist: Speaking of Dunaway, what the hell is wrong with her? Seriously. She's crazy, right? And why won't she appear at your screenings of MD?

PC: She has an open invitation from me to come and do a show with Peaches anytime! I'd love nothing more for her to experience how much people love her in this movie, how people genuinely think she's incredible. I hope she embraces it someday. I've heard she can be a handful...but I also have a friend who knows her and says nothing but nice things about her. So, who knows?

SFist: What's your favorite Joan Crawford movie?

PC: Oh God, that's another tough one! I guess I'd say Strait-Jacket, but in the end, it comes down to Whatever Happened To Baby Jane or Mildred Pierce. There are just so many great ones!

SFist: Anything else you want to tell our readers about Saturday's big show?

PC: Bring your mother! Biological, drag, spiritual, or otherwise.

SFist: Thanks, Peaches!

We should also point out that, in addition to screening of the classic biopic, Saturday's show will also include the return of “Trannie Dearest” with Peaches Christ, Heklina, Martiny, the Midnight Mass Players.

Even better, Saturday's show will also boast specially priced VIP Hollywood Royalty Ticket availability, which gives fans early entry, preferred orchestra seating, two cocktails, an autographed program, and an the chance to win an extra special gift basket. Details below.

What: Ultimate Mommie Dearest: 30th Anniversary Birthday Celebration
When: Saturday, May 7
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.
Where: Castro Theatre (Castro & Market)
Cost: $20 (online), $25 (box office), $40 (VIP)

Girls Rock Camp Showcase, March 14

Brock Keeling — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:55:01 GMT

by Lisa Hix

As summer approaches, so do the days we send the young 'uns up to the wilderness to learn how to make fire with sticks or melt marshmallows for 'smores. Some campers, however, prefer to learn survival skills for a more urban sort of wilderness - the boy-dominated world of independent music.

The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp is busy tying up the premiere season of its Girls Rock After School Program and getting ready for its second-ever youth summer camp, plus a new weekend workshop for wannabe rockers who are fresh out of high school.

What does this mean to you? It means that they're looking for volunteers: music instructors, grant writers, and street-teamers as well as donations of cash, instruments, and other music gear. The nonprofit's wish list includes items as big as a permanent space with practice rooms and an office, as well as shows and benefit events for Rock Camp. But you can also help them out with donations as small as a button maker and button-making supplies or books, CDs, zines, and comics relevant to grrls wanting to dominate the worlds of hip-hop, punk, country, or blues. More information is here.

Notes on Equality Camp

Matt Baume — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:13:13 GMT

Equality Camp happens January third at Citizen Space. It's an opportunity for everyone who cares about civil marriage equality to get together, toss around ideas, and fuel the grassroots organizing for the next few years of this particular civil rights struggle.

We've been palling around a bit with some of the organizers -- all accomplished, well-connected folks -- and we're pretty optimistic that it'll be a great, positive, productive time. Registration is $20 and includes a t-shirt and food. Bring your own dolphin, though.

Ichinkhorloo "Iko" Bayarsaikhan's Killers Sentenced to Camp

Brock Keeling — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:56:47 GMT

The three boys who took part in the shooting death of Ichinkhorloo "Iko" Bayarsaikhan in Washington Park in Alameda last Halloween, and then reportedly boasted about it, were sentenced in juvenile court today. One of the teenagers, the 16-year-old, will spend seven years behind bars, but the other two first-degree killers, the unidentified 15- and 13-year-old, were ordered to attend the Rites of Passage program, which is "a structured camp in the Nevada wilderness."

According to their site:

At Rite of Passage, we do not believe our students are bad, but they have made bad decisions. This is why our cognitive behavioral program focuses students on developing problem-solving skills...The term VALIDATE exemplifies these learning opportunities found at Rite of Passage. The letters of the word validate represent eight different areas of an adolescent’s life that should be focused on and understood. Validate also represents our achievement-based process – in which we require proof or substantiation that learning and change have truly occurred.

Eh, we think this is a good ruling. Bang out the dents on these young kids, etcetera, etcetera, and so forth. In related news, guess where we're not camping this summer? Anywhere near the Nevada wilderness.