Sandra Bernhard to Headline Pride Celebration

Known for her witty and acerbic comedy, musical performances, one-woman shows and candidness, Sandra Bernhard has been delighting fans across the country since the 70’s. SF has been one of her favorite stomping grounds and she is making it back to the Bay Area as a headliner for this weekend’s Pride Celebration.

On June 24 and 25, she will be performing her latest comedy album, “I Love Being Me, Don’t You?” at the Marine’s Memorial Theatre. The album was actually recorded in San Francisco last year during a performance at the Castro Theatre. “It was a fun show,” she said. “I just went off the cuff and fed off the crowd’s energy.” It is a classic Bernhard performance, including her normal comedy routine and musical covers of “Beautiful People” and “Kiss Me Deadly.”

Bernhard will also be the featured headliner for Sunday’s Pride Celebration and Parade. She said she is excited to be a part of the festivities.

“I am really excited. I have always loved visiting San Francisco and love the vibe of the city,” Bernhard said. “I heard they throw a huge party. Plus, I’ve never been to SF Pride before.

Bernhard’s performances are just part of the weeklong festivities. Here are a few more events to check out:

-Thursday, June 23 (5-8pm): The Golden Gate Business Association is holding its annual business expo at the Hotel Whitcomb. The event gives members an opportunity to showcase their business to Bay Area consumers.

-Friday, June 24 (8pm): Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, who played Mrs. Madrigal in the television mini-series adaptation of Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City,” will host a special performance of the world premiere musical production at the American Conservatory Theater. There will also be an exclusive after party at the Clift Hotel immediately following the performance. Dukakis is one of the Grand Marshals for this year’s Pride Celebration.

-Friday, June 24 (8pm): The 33rd Annual Pride Concert will be held at the Everett Auditorium. The concert features the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco and San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band all emceed by Trauma Flintstone.

-Saturday, June 25 (Event begins at 7am): The Pink Triangle Installation and Commemoration Ceremony will begin at 7am at the Twin Peaks Vista Overlook. Volunteers will help install a pink triangle on top of Twin Peaks, in an attempt to educate the public about the plight of gay victims of the Holocaust and continued inhumanity towards minorities around the world.

-Saturday, June 25 (12-6pm) and Sunday, June 26 (11-6:30pm): Pride Celebration and March in San Francisco’s Civic Center area. It will include a Main Stage set up near City Hall. The theme of this year’s celebration is “In Pride We Trust.” Click here for a map of events/booths in the area.

These are just a few of the numerous events throughout the week. Click here for the 2011 Pride Celebration’s website for more information.

It's simple. Keith Mizuguchi loves to write and write and write some more. After taking a hiatus from the journalism business, he has rekindled his passion for writing over the last two years, holding a job as both a web and on-air writer for San Francisco news radio station KCBS. While he enjoys the news business, his true passions are twofold: sports and food. Bay Area born and raised, he lives in San Jose, commutes to SF and loves every minute of it. You can follow his food adventures on Twitter @foodie_keith.