CLUB SODA: a Hard French Fundraiser for SOMArts

HF.SOMARTSCLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
On Saturday, April 23, SOMArts Cultural Center teams up with infamous dance party Hard French to transform SOMArts into Club Soda – A one-night-only, after-hours benefit for SOMArts’ programs. Club Soda will showcase the best in Hard French Films, DJs, Dancing and Drag:

SODA FOUNTAIN OUTDOOR PATIO
Hard French Film Festival and Happy Hour (10PM – 11PM)
Aron Kantor and Jorge Portillo are the masterminds behind many of Hard French’s viral videos. Watch them all under the stars at this special early happy hour screening.

Food Truck, Lounge, and Beer Garden
Need a break from dancing? Got the munchies? D’Maize will be serving up the tastiest pupusas this side of the 101 and the bar will be open until 2 am!

CLUB SODA MAINSTAGE
DJ MOZHGAN (We are Monsters)
Mozghan Shariat is a wizard. As part of the We Are Monsters party collective, Mozghan has been casting dancefloor spells around SF for years.

DJ Primo (Woman, Club Lonely)
We don’t have to tell you how weird this could get.

With your favorite Hard French DJs Brown Amy and Carnita
We wonder if these two might have a few surprises up their sleeves.

SODA POP 2AM DRAG SHOW
Curated by yr hostess BOY YOUNG (Woman, Pound Puppy) and featuring:
Miss J
Willard
Trangela Lansbury
Pseuda

6 years of Hard Dancing
6 years of Hard Cruising
6 years of Hard French
#HF666

Hard French + Honey Soundsystem

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Hard French + Honey Soundsystem
yr favorite saturday afternoon soul music dance party w/ a touch of Honey
Saturday April 2nd
2pm – 8pm, $10
Free BBQ till its gone!
#HF666

OUR STICKY GUESTS:
HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM
w/ DJs Josh Cheon and Robot Hustle spinning their favorite soul and funk records

RESIDENTIAL TOURS with:
yr Hard French DJs Carnita & Brown Amy
Spinning the baddest all-vinyl girl group grooves, northern soul stunners and funky foot stompers this side of the ’60s

FREAK OUTS by:
Tim, Devon and Jorge

JIGGALICIOUS SPELLS CAST BY:
The Hard French Jiggalicious Dance Babes

FREE BBQ on the PATIO

PHOTO BOOTH BY Shot in the City Photography

DOOR DIVA:
Dean Disaster

6 YEARS of HARD DANCING.
6 YEARS OF HARD CRUISING.
6 YEARS OF HARD FRENCH.
#HF666 Party like the Beast Baby

Hard French Winter Ball

** PRESALE TICKETS TO THE WINTER BALL ARE NOW SOLD OUT! WE WILL HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SALE DAY OF EVENT at 7PM. SEE YOU AT THE BALL!**

6th Annual Hard French Winter Ball
A formally dressed, informally wild night to remember
Saturday January 30, 2015,
9pm-2am
Starline Social Club, Oakland

Featuring:

In the Starline Grand Ballroom…
A special hometown performance by Living Legend Sugar Pie DeSanto

In the Nuestras Señoras Speakeasy….
Nonstop dance party with DJ Olga T and friends

In the Bienvenidos Drag Lounge…
Cosmic Drag numbers by yr hosts Dulce de Leche, Kitty Von Quim, Jupiter, and Miss Cleo Patois!

With rotating DJ sets by DJs Carnita, Brown Amy, and special guest Brontez on both floors throughout the night!

prom photos by Shot In The City Photography

$15 limited presale (SOLD OUT)
$20 regular presale (SOLD OUT)
$25 at the door at 9PM (Limited availability)

For the sixth year in a row we’re going all out for the formally dressed, informally wild, 60’s soul adult prom known as the Hard French Winter Ball. Not only are we hosting it in the gorgeous ballroom of Oakland’s new Starline Social Club, but we’re going to be honored with another fiery hometown performance by Oakland’s own 79 year old living legend, Sugar Pie DeSanto. She has been packing ballrooms for over 60 years and now’s your chance to dress up and get down with Sugar Pie. Ask a date, start working on that fancy outfit and buy your pre-sale ticket today because you don’t want to miss this ball.

About the Starline Social Club:
The Starline Social Club is located in a former Odd Fellow’s Hall and saloon built in 1883 at the corner of West Grand Ave. and MLK Jr. Way in Uptown Oakland. Revamped and reopened in early 2015, it features a 400-person ballroom upstairs for live performances and 50-person bar and restaurant on the ground floor. Originally an Odd Fellows Hall, it’s had many tenants over the years, including a saloon, a social club for the deaf and Starline Janitorial Supply; more recently, it’s played host to countless underground dance parties.

About Sugar Pie DeSanto:
We’re thrilled to be welcoming back living legend Sugar Pie DeSanto for her third Hard French performance. DeSanto, now 79 year old, recorded hits in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that we regularly play at Hard French including Soulful Dress, I Want To Know, I Don’t Wanna Fuss, Go Go Power and a pair of songs she recorded with her childhood friend ETTA JAMES, Down In The Basement and Do I Make Myself Clear. Speaking of Sugar Pie and Etta, the only thing we like more than the songs they recorded together is the fact that in the 50’s they ran together in a San Francisco girl gang called the Lucky 20’s!! DeSanto now calls Oakland home and can often be spotted at some of the city’s finest dives.

Accessibility information:
Because the Starline is in a 133 year old building the upstairs ballroom is only accessible by two flights of stairs. If you have any accessibility needs or questions about the venue’s setup please contact as at info@hardfrench.com so that we can work to accommodate you.

6 YEARS of HARD DANCING.
6 YEARS OF HARD CRUISING.
6 YEARS OF HARD FRENCH.
#HF666 Party like the Beast Baby

2015 Hard French Winter Ball Finalists

My favorite part of being your #HFWB royal coronation coordinator is that I get to witness firsthand the fierce contributions of our communities best, brightest, and babeliest!  (That and the only person who tops the queen is the one who puts the crown on her head.) Seriously, I always find myself developing crushes on these kids who are already winners to me! But, as capitalism dictates, there can only be ONE king and queen, and you must be present at the ball to vote, so if you want to see your BFFs win, you better GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Once again, all of the finalists have chosen community beneficiaries that they’re raising money for. Thanks to the Levi Strauss Foundation, the king and queen will each get to give at least $1,000 to the org of their choice!  (And you can help chip in to those donations by visiting the photobooth and coat check.)  And, we like to take care of the winners themselves too, with treats from Paxton Gate, Virgil’s Sea Room, and more TBA, plus B-12 shots from Doctor Stephen and they each get a Season Pass to Hard French!!!

So, keep cool and carry on and read about your nominees in alphabetical order (with queens first because we know they’re most important!) and the wonderful projects they’re supporting!

hearts,
Lil Miss Hot Mess

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Queen

badtimaBadtima

Seven-word self summary: Your favorite fun vegan bartender

Why I want to be queen: I would love to be Hard French Winter Ball queen so that I can make a small difference in the world, by supporting a great cause and by being generally fabulous.

Beneficiary: Rowdy Girl Sanctuary is a female owned an operated fledgling farm sanctuary that is doing great work to further the causes of veganism, compassion, and environmental sustainability. Environmental destruction is a problem that all communities have to face, and are directly affected by. We all have to live on this earth, so we might as well take great care of it while we are here, and Rowdy Girl is making a lot of progress towards this cause.

Words from friends: “Femme as fuck and butch as brick. Bartender with a heart of gold.”

Dulce De Lechedulce

Seven-word self summary: SF drag queen with a deep love for soul music

Why I want to be queen: I love Hard French and think I would make a great queen. I’ll be fair in all my ruling and keep that party going!!!

Beneficiary: I think Homobiles has become the newest pillar in safety services offered to the SF community. Like any new non profit, they need funding!

Words from friends: “Big, beautiful and full of LIFE–she gives everyone a chance to shine.”

persiaPersia

Seven-word self summary: International Glamorous Drag Queen

Why I want to be queen: I want to win HF Queen because I want donate my win to my favorite children’s after school arts program, CASA. Our children are our future.

Beneficiary: CASA is known for top-notch creative arts programming. Being a San Francisco based after school program, we are most proud of our social justice work and focus on social-emotional development. Many of our students graduate with a love for the arts, but more importantly, they leave us with a drive to be a better human being.

Words from friends: “I mean, have you seen those shoes? And that voice! Google Google Apps Apps! ”

yvesYves Saint Croissant

Seven-word self summary: Watch out Fashion, there’s a new Saint in Town

Why I want to be queen: I want to be Hard French Queen 2015 to lead the children to the most jiggalicious dance party in town!

Beneficiary: I’m supporting Gender Proud, which  focuses its efforts toward transgender people to self identify with the fewest possible barriers. San Francisco is a place where I feel totally free living as a Drag Queen and I want to funnel my successes to areas that don’t have the same privileges. At present Gender Proud’s attention is primarily on Brazil, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

Words from friends: “Brings the smiles to the party and has glamor for days.”

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King

thumb_IMG_3343_1024DJ Downey

Seven-word self summary: The man behind the curtain (on Fridays)

Why I want to be king: I’ve always wanted to live in a castle.

Beneficiary: The SF LGBT Community Center’s mission has evolved, and a new focus of theirs is to make sure it is financially viable for people who live in the city to remain in the city with the addition of financial services like lending circles and small business mentoring. And they still serve as a resource for the most underrepresented in our community.

Words from Friends: “One of the sweetest men in all of SF!”

djtoriDJ Tori

Seven-word self summary: SF XoLa with a heart of gold n glitter

Why I want to be king: Would Luh to be king because I Luh HardFrench n I Luh all the Queers that throw this event it would be an honor.

Beneficiary: CASA is known for top-notch creative arts programming. Being a San Francisco based after school program, we are most proud of our social justice work and focus on social-emotional development. Many of our students graduate with a love for the arts, but more importantly, they leave us with a drive to be a better human being.

Words from friends: “Taking a fuzzy photo with him is like being shot by the paparazzi!”

hythamHytham Rashid

Seven-word self summary: Gay Palestinian Muslim Medical Student / Party Promoter

Why I want to be king: I want to be king to raise awareness to youth homelessness, which disproportionately affects LGBTQI communities! Also, I’m moving to Miami for school, so this is my last chance to transform what little social capital I might have from partying at Hard French over he past few years into material wealth for an organization close to my heart.

Beneficiary: I’m helping Homeless Youth Alliance because they helped me when I was a homeless queer teen in SF, so they deserve whatever I can give them! I’m not very smart or rich yet, but someday I hope to come back to SF and empower other queer homeless youth by improving the accessibility of socioeconomic opportunities like safe housing, quality healthcare, and competitive educations.

Words from friends: “Selfless, caring, and hardworking, be it through health efforts, workshops, parties, or papers.”

missjMiss Jay

Seven-word self summary: Gender progressive moving forward queer San Francisco

Why I want to be king: As King of Hard French, I will be able to represent the community on all levels, proudly and loudly, spreading love and happiness!!

Beneficiary: Gender Proud, to inspire the youth to live their true authentic selves with pride and positivity.

Words from friends: “Too fierce, too funny, too loving and too giving! She’s a goddamn force-tress!”

Nominate Your 2015 Hard French Winter Ball King & Queen

hfwb-king-queen-2014

2014 King and Queen

Deadline Extended: all nominations due Friday, May 22 at 6pm Pacific Time!

Calling all do-gooder Dannies, moving Maybelles, shaking Shakiras, creative Cathies and bad-ass Betties!  It’s that time of year when we’re looking for our next court of Hard French Winter Ball kings and queens, okay?!  Nominate your favorite hometown heroes who give give give to our fierce and fab communities and live live live their passions on the daily.  We want to shower them with all the loving we can.

In addition to fame, a Hard French Season Pass, and all the local gift cards we can muster (more on that soon), our king and queen each get to select a non-profit organization to receive the proceeds from our photobooth. This year, thanks to the Levi Strauss Foundation, each organization with start with $1000 and they will match all funds raised at the photobooth dollar for dollar! Nominate folks you believe make your community a better place, we’ll tally your nominations, choose a court, and vote on the King and Queen of the ball live at the event! Helping us helping you helping them helping everyone out.

So what are you waiting for?  Nominate your sexiest sweethearts stat!  (Official rules are below.)

XO your coronation captain,
Lil Miss Hot Mess

p.s. – click here to buy tickets, here for Facebook, and here for frequently asked questions

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Hard French Presents: DJ Spinderella and guests, May 16th, 2015

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://hardfrenchspinderella.eventbrite.com

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1435401046760633/

spinderellaFBHard French Presents
DJ SPINDERELLA (Salt-N-Pepa)
Tickets available here: https://hardfrenchspinderella.eventbrite.com

Saturday May 16, 2015
9pm-4am
$20 Presale. $25-30 at the door.
F8, 1192 Folsom St

Hard French is ready to push it real good with DJ Spinderella at one of our favorite up close & personal venues, F8!
Tickets will go fast, we will go late- and hard – so plan accordingly! There will be TWO rooms of dancing and cruising featuring:


**In the Front Room**
a live DJ set by:
DJ Spinderella Of Salt-N-Pepa
with Olga T and Carrie On Disco

**In the Back Room**
DJ sets by:
Hard French
Sweater Funk

More info on Spinderella:
Dee Dee Roper, internationally known as DJ Spinderella, is a Grammy award winning DJ, producer, rapper, writer, and world class mother. Spinderella is one of the original pioneers of hip hop music beginning her career as a member of the iconic rap group Salt-N-Pepa, selling over 15 million albums and singles worldwide. With the flick of her wrist, Spin has juggled single motherhood while conquering grand scale events and holding down her international reputation as the “Universe’s #1 female DJ”.

HARD FRENCH TURNS 5 IN 2015!

We’re doing weird stuff to take you HIGHER AND HIGHER all year long – stay up to date with us here on FB and at https://hardfrench.com/

We’re also giving a special birthday gift to the first 5 people in the door at every party — it’s called getting in for free.

HARD DANCING. HARD CRUISING. HARD FRENCH.
HIGHER AND HIGHER ALL YEAR LONG.
Follow us on IG: http://instagram.com/hardfrench

Hard French x Honey Soundsystem – April 4th

image by Sean Martinez

HARD FRENCH x HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM
yr favorite saturday afternoon soul music dance party w/ a touch of honey
Saturday April 4th
2pm – 8pm, $10
Free BBQ till its gone!

OUR STICKY GUESTS:
HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM
w/ DJs Josh Cheon and Robot Hustle spinning their favorite soul and funk records

RESIDENTIAL TOURS with:
yr Hard French DJs Carnita & Brown Amy
Spinning the baddest all-vinyl girl group grooves, northern soul stunners and funky foot stompers this side of the ’60s

JIGGALICIOUS SPELLS CAST BY:
The Hard French Jiggalicious Dance Babes

FREE BBQ on the PATIO

PHOTO BOOTH BY Shot in the City Photography
Beneficiary: Pride Law Fund

FREAK OUTS by:
Tim, Devon and Jorge

DOOR DIVA:
Dean Disaster

HARD FRENCH TURNS 5 IN 2015!
We’re doing weird stuff to take you HIGHER AND HIGHER all year long – stay up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

We’re also giving a special birthday gift to the first 5 people in the door at every party — it’s called getting in for free.

HARD DANCING. HARD CRUISING. HARD FRENCH.
HIGHER AND HIGHER ALL YEAR LONG.

Hard French 5 Years: HIGHER AND HIGHER

HARD FRENCH 5 Year Anniversary Color poster 2 w sig

Image by Primo Pitno.

Hard French is turning 5 this year and we are celebrating our anniversary ALL YEAR LONG! Our theme for this year is higher and higher – stay tuned for details on all our upcoming events for the year.