Iconic SF drag club Oasis is hosting its first gala Saturday
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Oasis owner D'Arcy Drollinger performs in October's production of "The Rocky Horror Show." Photo: Nicole Fraser-Herron
For 10 years, San Francisco's iconic drag club Oasis has lived up to its name as a glittering haven in SOMA. Now, the club is calling for help from its community.
Driving the news: Oasis will host its first ever gala this Saturday, Nov. 23, to raise money for Oasis Arts — its nonprofit wing that supports local artists, queer performance, cabaret and film.
State of play: The event is the brainchild of the club's owner, D'Arcy Drollinger. As SF's first drag laureate, Drollinger is a fierce supporter of the city's performance scene and everything it gives to the community.
- "In San Francisco, I don't know if it's something in the water, but people are encouraged to let their freak flag fly," she said. "At Oasis, we really try to elevate drag as an art form."
Follow the money: Oasis received federal funding and community support during the pandemic, but this is the first time it's putting on a massive party to reach out for that support from the Bay Area.
- Oasis Arts has set a $200,000 fundraising goal to help continue funding its programming and support artists and live performances in the years to come.
- "In the independent theater scene, a lot of small theaters can't pay their artists and [they] aren't selling out, and we're doing both," said Drollinger. "A lot of people make this happen, and I need to support them to continue to make it happen."
Zoom in: At Oasis, the art takes a different form every night — ranging from cabaret and theater to San Francisco's all-Black drag show Reparations, or events like Access Happy Hour that open the stage to young adults with disabilities.
What they're saying: "I'm hoping that as San Francisco continues to come back from the pandemic, that people will really support the artists here, because it is not only good for this for us, but it's good for the city," said Drollinger.
- "What is so beautiful about San Francisco is that the community really shows up. … It never ceases to amaze me."
What to expect: Saturday's gala will feature a who's who of Bay Area performers and drag icons, with live music, painting and performances, auctions, cocktails and plenty of dancing.
- "[SF drag icon] Sister Roma even said she'd do a lip sync, and she never lip-syncs," said Drollinger. "So you know it's going to be big."
If you go: General admission tickets are $50 (entry begins at 9:30pm); the dress code is "upstage the host."
- Can't make the event? You can donate to Oasis Arts through the event page.