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There are some people that arrive in this world of ours fully formed.

Muhammad Ali, Audre Lorde, Bob Dylan, Storme DeLarverie, Angela Davis, Nelson Mandela, and Sylvia Mendez are just a few of these otherworldly people that come to mind.

It's not that they didn't have to grown or change or find their place without struggle. It's just that somehow they had a sense of themselves and a personal manifesto that can best be summed up as "No Regrets."

At the heart of this group is one Sylvester James Jr.

As a Black child growing up on the other side of the Atlantic, I thought Sylvester was a disco singer with a falsetto voice. Thankfully, this project has educated me as to how much the world has benefited from the door that Sylvester crashed through with sheer force of will: It was a door left open for everyone.

Michael French (he/him)

I’ve been inspired by Sylvester and his music for the past 30 years.

I first heard of him from my Disco D J friend Luke Howard in London.

I was honored to be asked to create the visuals in the 1506 space and worked with Seth to come up with a story to carry the audience through an experience of Sylvester’s influence on the culture of the Haight and San Francisco.

It was new for me to use mixed media and experiment with some fabrics and collage techniques, so the visuals in the exhibition are one of a kind just for this production.

Sharon Virtue (she/her)

Over a year ago, we decided if we were to produce one final show that encapsulates and embelmizes the vital queer history of San Francisco, we would dedicate that show entirely to Sylvester. In this moment, when 300+ laws have been passed banning drag and criminalizing transness, and a surge of violence against queer and trans people of color, it seems that now more than ever this story deserves to be told. Stories about about LGBTQIA Black, brown, & Indigenous people of color need to be told to dispel the misconception that Queerness wasn’t always an integral part of every society.

This project really began for me 23 years ago when I first learned about Sylvester. I fell in love with his music and since then I’ve drawn huge inspiration from his short life and plentiful work. One of my favorite scenes from the entire Out of Site series was when Sylvester (played by JP Jones) appeared on the the street singing “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real” stopping traffic and passersby to marvel at what it might’ve been like to sing himself into realness. While, making making our first show in the Haight in 2021 (starring the remarkable talent, Tina D’Elia) I discovered that not only did Sylvester live in the Haight at the Cockettes house, but of course performed at the I-Beam for many years until his death at age 41 in 1988. During a conversation I had with filmmaker, David Weissman, he pointed out to me that the I-Beam was really one of the very first big gay disco‘s in San Francisco where hundreds of people could be together and dance without being arrested for the very first time.

Sylvester on the steps of the Cockettes house. Courtesy ***Peter Mintun Cockettes Collection, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.***

There were only three such places in the decade following our winning of the right to legally gather and to be able to dance with one another; the I-Beam was one of those very unique places, and it made for a special moment to recreate in this show. The I-Beam closed in the 1990s and where the I-beam and the famous, “Straight Theater” it stood on was leveled. How do we remember the people and the places that were so important to our history? What I was struck by in this neighborhood was how legendary singers like Sylvester and his peers that created the unique Gay San Francisco disco sound are missing visibility. How do we make these histories visible without the resources to make a bio pic? I am struck by the fact that 90% of the people that I speak to about this project have never heard about Sylvester, while of course in their community now there are people still living who saw Sylvester live and in person. My hope is that those people will come forward and take this opportunity to share their stories with us, and moreover that we will take the time to listen. Our Queer Elders are a vast and rare wealth of knowledge, and every show we produced has been a labor of love to honor their experiences.

The installation Sharon created is a way of bringing that presence forward. It’s both a performance space in which we elevate Sylvester to the level of Sainthood and a gathering space to tell stories, and share with people who don’t know the stories as well as the people from the upcoming generations. We want to make sure that our history is not lost. There were 7 gay and lesbian bars and dozens of businesses in this neighborhood in the first decade after gay liberation. We re-created some of those buildings in the store, front window. I’ve interviewed 15 people about these histories: some you will hear in the audio tour. They range from former Cockettes, friends, and roommates of Sylvester; and queer people who lived in the neighborhood for 30 and 40 years. Poets, artists, freaks, misfits are called back into our circle today.

I’m deeply grateful to Sharon, whose vision for the installation was exactly the magic and joy I wanted to bring forward as an immersive celebration of Sylvester where is history, collides with and the gay counterculture and gay liberation movements.

Marvin K White is the perfect writer to bring the sense of Sylvester’s spirituality, huge musical contribution, and the impact of presence on our community. He’s a specialized Sylvester scholar, having written much about the icon as well as helming an incredible celebration of Sylvester at Glide Memorial Church, where he is Minister of Celebration. There is a long history between Glide and the queer community. Sylvester performed there, and we know his roots in the church had a huge influence on the music he made.

Working with Michael French as Director on this project has been a tremendous gift and he has lead us with compassion and a deep rooted belief in making powerful theater. This project really would not have been possible without Michael’s commitment to the story, staying true to the core of Marvin’s writing, uplifting the cast, and this project as a whole. It has been massively challenging to produce this piece of art at this time when funding is dwindling, attendance is still recuperating, and roadblocks seem around every turn. Michael has helped us keep our anchor and overcome this challenges with grace.

I can’t say enough about Kipper’s incredible vision for our costumes, and the ingenuity with which she created living collages of history through fabrication. It’s been a beautiful journey with our sound designer Ard, fusing Sylvester’s music, firsthand interviews, and historical soundbytes into a living-breathing-soundscape. So much love for our fantastic choreographer, Natalie who is joining us on this second journey. I’m super grateful to our technical Director George for designing the lights and doing a smash of job on the tech.

And of course, I’m grateful for you, our community, for supporting our mission, our artistry, and uplifting these histories alongside us. It would be impossible without you.

Enjoy the experience.

Seth Eisen (he/him)

*directed by* Michael French *(he/him)*

is originally from London, England and he is a writer, director, actor, and creator of magical things from thin air. He has since directed over thirty-five plays in London, New York, San Francisco, and Oakland. Mr. French is a resident director for PlayGround, an Associate Artist for the Oakland Theatre Project, the Director for Artist Development for Afro Urban Society’s “Onye Ozi” program, the facilitator for Afro Urban Society’s creative writing classes, and co-editor of the Peace Out Loud anthology. He is currently writing his first collection of short stories entitled “Babble.”

*featuring* Cemora Valentino Devine *(they/them)*

is the drag alter-ego of Darrel Thigpen. Cemora has been performing for over two decades, relocating to the Bay Area 15 years ago. She was the host or Follies and Dollies at the White Horse in Oakland for 7 years.

*costume design by* Kipper Snacks *(she/her)*

is a trans designer under the label Snackum Dackum based in San Francisco. She specializes in custom clothing and costumes for stage and screen. You can see her work on Rupauls Drag Race, We’re Here, Black Benetar’s Black Magic Cabaret as well as many stages across the country. Her clients include Eureka O’Hara, Lady Camden, and Sasha Colby.

production managed by Zeph Fishlyn (they/them)

is a Canadian-born, SF Bay Area-based interdisciplinary artist, educator, and cultural organizer. Zeph’s participatory projects, drawings, objects and interventions cultivate social and ideological mutations in urgent times. Zeph is a serial collaborator with groups taking creative action on economic and racial justice, climate change and LGBTQ liberation— including the End of Isolation Tour, Beehive Design Collective, Greenpeace, the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition, the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, and Heart of the City Collective. They played key roles in creating and maintaining collective spaces for artists and activists, including Lobot Gallery, a live/work/event space, and the 2027 Mutual Aid Society, a resident-run affordable housing coop. Zeph holds an MFA in Art and Social Practice from Portland State University.

*written by* Marvin K White *(he/him)*

is the Minister of Celebration at Glide Memorial Church. Marvin is a writer, artist, preacher and public theologian, articulating a vision for social, prophetic and creative justice. He earned a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion, in Berkeley, CA, and is a well sought-out preacher, teacher and facilitator. Marvin has contributed to local and national publications, and is the author of four collections of poetry: Our Name Be Witness, Status and two Lambda Literary Award-nominated collections: Last Rights and Nothin’ Ugly Fly. His poetry has been adapted for stage and screen, and he has performed original work at many theaters.

featuring Nic Sommerfeld (they/them)

is a San Francisco based actor and playwright. They have also acted in and worked as a Trans consultant on developmental readings with NCTC, USF, and Magic Theatre. When not writing or performing, they frequently perform as their drag king persona, Chester Vanderbox.

sound design by James Ard (he/him)

is a noisemaker with a focus on new works, interactive media, and immersive stage productions. Ard is a Resident Artist with both Golden Thread Productions and Crowded Fire Theater.

*stage managed by* Xander Parker *(she/they)*

a.k.a. Papa Xanny is Founder of Digi-Divas & resides on the Board of Directors for Folsom Street Events. Xander originates from South Bay, San Jose, California but now lives in San Francisco. She currently works as an independent organizer, promoter, host, DJ, & local brat. Coming from a mixed background of indigenous and Spanish culture, xander dedicates their time to uplift the voices of those who are QTBIPOC.

*disco sculpltures by* Jethro Patalinghug *(they/them)*

is a Filipino non-binary documentary filmmaker, visual artist, and activist. They were the featured artist for the 2023 Oaklash Drag Festival in Oakland, California which featured their sculptural works “Disco Balling Heads”, “The Performer” and “Gabriela Rising”. Their works were also featured in the 2022 Trans Aware Art Exhibition in San Francisco. Jethro is also known as the drag persona “Virginia Please” on TikTok and teaches indigenous, black and brown queer and trans representation. They serve as one of the Board of Directors for the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance, Oaklash and EyeZen.

*produced by* Seth Eisen *(he/him)*

is a San Francisco-based artist creating a hybrid of live performance and visual media. He engages LGBTQ history as a living, breathing dialogue by researching lost legacies and reflecting his findings on stage. Central to his artistic vision is the combining of puppetry and object manipulation with visual art, writing and dance in a layered and unified aesthetic. He devises work through rigorous historical research and creative interviews revealing subversive histories. Eisen’s work expands the dialogue between static and live art as a vehicle to broaden human perspectives and effect social change while honoring queer ancestors and evolving queer culture.

*deck managed by* Bruxa Palmeiro *(they/them)*

is a San Francisco based producer, performer, healer, and visual artist. Bruxa’s drag alterego Will Power is one of the founding producing members of Palace of Trash, a radical drag collective with producing lineage tracing back to the Cockettes. Palace of Trash performs regularly at Oasis nightclub.

*visual design by* Sharon Virtue *(she/her)*

is a British artist of Jamaican and Irish heritage, living in Fairfax, California. She is a multi-media artist, with a BA in Fine art and a Masters in Community arts from Goldsmiths University in London, U.K. She has a strong social practice and believes artists are agents of transformation.

*choreography by* Natalie Greene *(she/her)*

is a performing artist, director, choreographer and educator who has been active in Bay Area dance and theater since 2003. Natalie became the Artistic Director of the award-winning devised performance ensemble Mugwumpin in 2016, after many years of performing & creating with the company. As a freelance pedagogy consultant Natalie has led workshops and teacher trainings throughout the US and Peru, and as well as in Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador. She has also taught through San Francisco State University, San Francisco Arts Education Project and ODC School, and she continues to pursue her own training and development as a community-minded, justice-seeking, arts-forward antiracist educator and creator.

technical director George Rosenthal (he/him)

asst. technical director Carlie Mari (she/her)

videography by Loren Robertson (she/her)

production associate Jax Blaska (they/she)

casting director Tina D’Elia (she/her)

visual fabricator Phillip Romano (he/him)

add. deck & stage mgmt. Dianne Harrison (she/her)

photography by Robbie Sweeney (he/him)

voice over by Danny Duncan and Miss Rahni Nothingmore

Thank you to Marvin K. White for your gorgeous script that is the lifeline to Sylvester, The Mighty Real. We are blessed.

Deep gratitude to Michael French for guiding this project with so much love and care, without which this piece would not exist.

Sharon Virtue for her love and faaaabulous art

Special thanks to Steven Ames Brown and the Sylvester Estate.

Joshua Gamson for your guidance and mentorship and The Fabulous Sylvester biography

Tina D’Elia for all of your love and support in casting the production

Louis Niebur for your incredible book Menergy

Ellen Sebastian Chang for all of your love and support on this project

Mutima Imanni for our clearing session

Jethro Patalinghug and their remarkable sculptures

Jeanie Tracy for your guidance and care

Edward Schlesenger and the Glide Pride Team for your interest and enthusiasm

Thank you to the interviewees:

David Weissman, Fayette Hauser, Gerry Kirby, Larry Byes, Michael Sumner, Joey Cain, Michael Starkman, Murray Edelman, Aaron Shurin, Andrea Horne and Peter Mintun

Voice over by Danny Duncan

Interview of Gerry Kirby are courtesy of Bob Ostertag and the “You Make Me Feel” podcast

Seth would like to thank his family, Guy Albert for your love and daily care, Stacy Feldstein, Marion and Ed Eisen, Mitchell Bakst, Adam Paulson, Monique Jenkinson as well as Cathryn Cooper, Paige, Tom, Jax, John Hill, Robbie Sweeny, Danny Nicoletta, Nancy Gille, Rich Joslin, Olive Savoie, Gracie Brakeman and Lambert Moss.

Thank you to Arcana and all of the individuals that donated to the Spring campaigns Stayin’ Alive and Sequins at Six:

Martin H Tannenbaum & Alex Ingersoll, James Cory, William Atkins, Julie Lazar, Irene and Regina Dick-Endrizzi, David McCrory, Rebecca Dauer, Jerroyd Moore, Matt Phillips, James Eason, Mark Spencer,Nina Negusse, Laine Dutton, William Scott, Morgan Riley, Scott Harrell, Guy Albert, Stacy Lynch, Stephen Silha, Krista Bloome, Greg Kaplan, Jen Kanenaga, Christine Cochrane, Lark Letchworth, Kathy Rose, Gregory Whiting, Eve Minax, Sigrid Kulkowitz, Mark Garrett and Eric Smith, Roni Diamant-Wilson, Ed and Marion Eisen, Jules Litauer Chan, Francisco Sapp, Cj Gross, Janet Moomaw, Rob Darrow, Chris Holland, Kristen Anderson, Erica Tanamachi, Katy Duffy-Sherr, Liz Murray, Amanda Chaffee, Laurie Reynolds, Collin Tullius, Grace Heiderscheidt, Jessica Pasternack, Steve Pat, Travis Harrison, Stephen Lewchuk, Anthony Alcantara, Michael Bongiorni, Kevin Schwanfelder, Noah Silas, Mary Casey, Aaron Boudreaux, Seanny Phoenix, Pamela R Brown, Jeff Lind, Karin Demarest, Billy Chase Herring, Jennifer Bowles, Jethro Patatinghug, Brian Cardinale, PK Steffen, Chris Steele, Kristin Vogel Campbell, Mitchell Bakst, Paul Penninger, Susan Goddard, Gregory Whiting, Sigrid Kulkowitz, Francisco Sapp, Cj Gross, Rob Darrow, Chris Holland, Kristen Anderson, Erica Tanamachi, Katy Duffy-Sherr, Tim Annan, Mary Casey, Julie Lazar, Aaron Boudreaux, Seanny Phoenix, Debbie Degutis, Pamela R Brown, Linda Cardinale, Anonymous, Paul Loper, kaleo kaluhiwa, Rhizomatic Arts, Paul Dresher, AnMarie Rodgers.

The Eye Zen Council: Marian Daub, Paul Peninger, Kristen Vogel-Campbell, Rick Oculto, Jethro Patalinghug, Juan Manzo and Brian Cardinale

Thank you to all of the many people and organizations that made this project possible: Linda Kelly and the Haight Street Voice, The 710 Collective, Mike and Cynthia at Psychedelic SF, Rahni Nothingmore, Jason Ditzian and Titine Newsham, Robert Emmons and SF Mercantile, Thank you to the staff of SF Heritage for the residency at the Doolan-Larson building and for all of your support. Moira Dowel, Chris Madrid French, Karalyn Montiel and Woody LaBounty. Kathy Rose, Kim Teevan, Gwyneth and Dan Baron, Andrew Wood, John Hill PR, Jim Provenzano, Josh Chenon and Dark Entries Records.

The GLBT Historical Society and Archives.

Peter Mintun Cockettes Collection, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Thank you Dan McClosky for the interview of Sylvester from his YouTube channel. McClosky was a jazz disc jockey from 1966 to 1969 at a Bay Area listener supported radio station. In late 1969, he started doing interviews with jazz and blues artists for the years 1969 thru 1972. These interviews also were played on the radio station.

Intersection for the Arts for your ongoing support and care

Thank you Dianne Harrison for stepping in to help at the last minute.

Thank you to the whole cast, crew and designers that made this project possible. Every person went to extraordinary lengths to make this dream a reality. Thank you to our wonderfully talented and generous cast (Darrel) Cemora Valentino Devine and Nic Sommerfeld. Thank you Zeph Fishlyn, Xander Parker, Bruxa Palmeiro, George Rosenthal; Designers: Kipper Yanaga, Natalie Greene, James Ard, Sharon Virtue and angels Phillip Romano and Dianne Harrison.

Thank you to our Managing Director, Jesse Koehn and Communications Manager, Chris Steele for all of your love, care and support on this project.

MUSIC CREDITS

Songs by or covers by Sylvester

Over and Over

Do You Wanna Funk

Dance Disco Heat

Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye

You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Greatful

REFERENCES AND READINGS

Sylvester Documentaries

OOSMR Program

Please share any photos you may capture during your tour with the hashtags #eyezenpresents #outofsite #sylvester #themightyreal and tag us @eyezenpresents!