Category Archives: Street Fairs

Oakland Pride 2023

Saw a lot of friends at Oakland Pride, many of whom I had not seen since before Covid. Despite the way it might look in the pictures, it was very well attended. I was also pleased to read that the two competing Oakland pride events from last year had reached a detente, so they were consolidated this year.

We parked at a nearby lot and walked a few blocks through the City Plaza, which had some gorgeous architecture and murals. I also realized that the amazing oak tree in front of City Hall is the one featured in the Oakland logos. When I first saw the Corinthian columns, I didn’t even realize the ornate building next to me was City Hall.

We were really touched by the Breonna Taylor monument, which has its own history worth reading about.

One of the buildings reminds me so much of the Flat Iron building in New York City.

Gaggles of Gays at Downtown Vallejo August Nights

Another fun “August Summer Night” in downtown Vallejo last night! And yes, my shirt DOES say, “Don’t be a Salty Bitch.” It was the first time I wore it in public and I got a lot of laughs and compliments on it.

There was lots of dancing to excellent live music, we stopped by the Anchor Pantry, shopped at thrift stores, and we dined at the new-ish Thai Place on Sonoma Blvd. When this gaggle of five gays walked in, we soon found out the other occupied table also had five gays. What are the odds? Go Vallejo!

Here is some of the music and dancing spoken about. Also amazingly, the man with the white shirt is the father-in-law of Antonio’s sister who lives nearby in Walnut Creek. He performs with his band regularly at the Empress Theatre, so he recognized Antonio and Michael and came over and talked to us for a while, trying to get us all to dance with him.

I know I’m gay, but I don’t usually notice shoes, but these ones are to die for! You can see her walk by in the video above too!

August Summer Nights in Downtown Vallejo

Shando and I had a great time with good friends Noel, Mark, Steve and Greg in Downtown Vallejo at the August Nights event last night! There were two stages with live music, eventually this DJ, many vendors, lots of food trucks, and great weather. We ate outdoors at Bambinos with wonderful wait staff who were grooving to the music with us.

I loved seeing our neighbors dancing in the street. The handsome DJ took my Chaka Khan recommendation when I pulled her up on my phone and showed it to him since it was so loud. He ended up mixing in two of her classic songs, which I thought matched the mix very well.

I love the downtown architecture as well with the ornamental clock, the buildings that date back a hundred years (which is really old for California), and the Logan’s Run-esque buildings as well. You’ll also see a bunch of huge mosaic planters up and down the street.

This video captures some of the glorious vibes from last night on Georgia Street in downtown Vallejo with a wonderful variety of people dancing with each other. I must say that some of the live music performers were AMAZING too, both the instrumentalists and the vocalists. The crowds were impressive for a Thursday night and the smells from the various food trucks and other vendors were something I wish I could capture.

San Francisco Pride 2023

We’re not part of the official Facebook group called Fairies on the (Vallejo) Ferry, but here is a gaggle of six of us riding together this morning on the way to SF Pride!

Starting at the lower left is Patrick, William W. and Carlos. On the lower right is me, Shando and William S.

These first two photos are of Shando and me in front of City Hall where we got married in December 2018. Patrick and William W. got married there too!

I filmed Patrick, William, and Shando going through this feature at the Faerie Village during San Francisco Pride below. I wish I would have captured the moment right after the video ended when William said, “I felt like the Little Mermaid.” Awww, how gay is THAT? Perfectly gay.

Solano Pride Picnic Speech about TRL

Group photos of attendees taken with a drone!

My friend Tom Bilbo gave me a chance to talk about the activism I’m doing with LGBTQ Minus Tobacco and a coalition of other organizations at today’s picnic. The microphone was faulty, but it was a great opportunity to also talk about the Tobacco Retail License we’re working on with the City Council in Vallejo and our accomplishment last year with the Smokefree Multi-Unit Housing ordinance that passed unanimously with City Council.

UPDATE: There was an article that mentioned us in the Vallejo Times Herald on Monday, June 13. Check it out here.