December 27, 2014• byL.A. Kendall

Heklina has for so long been a beloved figure in the queer community. She’s stood for many non profit organizations, she’s fought the good fight when the old Facebook goblins tried to take away our individuality in the use of monikers on Facebook, and she stood in the face of a lot of criticism throughout Tranny-gate. No matter one’s personal feelings on the matter, she handled the situation with true grace, and a compassionate ear to those who found the continued use of the word Tranny, and she closed that chapter.

Heklina never ceases to amaze me. I have worked with her on many occasions and she is on point. A true professional in every way. This is why her newest endeavor has me beyond excited. Bitch is going to open her own spot. I had the pleasure of stealing a few moments from Heklina during what is undoubtedly a busy time. Here’s what she had to say about what’s to come….

*******************************************************************

LAK: You are embarking on a new chapter, opening your own venue! Has this always been a part of your master plan?

HEK: HA! I DON’T KNOW IF THERE WAS EVER A “MASTER PLAN”, IT ALL HAPPENED ORGANICALLY, BUT IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. AFTER TRAVELING WITH TRANNYSHACK FOR YEARS, AND GOING FROM VENUE TO VENUE, IT WAS TIME.

IN A SENSE I GUESS I KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING I WANTED, WHENEVER ANYONE ASKED ME WHERE I SAW MYSELF YEARS DOWN THE LINE, I ALWAYS SAID I WOULD LOVE MY OWN LITTLE “BIRDCAGE”.

LAK: What’s the name of the new venue, and how did you settle on it?

HEK: IT’S CALLED OASIS, AND WE SETTLED ON IT FOR TWO REASONS. ONE, IT WAS THE ORIGINAL NAME OF THE VENUE BACK IN THE 80’S AND 90’S, WHEN THERE WAS A POOL IN THE DANCEFLOOR-MORE SIMPLE TIMES FOR SURE!

TWO, THE NAME TAKES ON A NEW MEANING IN A SAN FRANCISCO THAT HAS SUFFERED , IN RECENT YEARS, FROM A GENTRIFICATION THAT HAS SEEN A LOT OF THE COLOR GET DRAINED OUT OF THE CITY. PERFORMANCE SPACES AND ARTISTS HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT, SO MY VENUE WILL BE A SORT OF LAST BASTION OF BOHEMIA, AN OASIS. TA-DAH!

LAK: Your opening night is New Years Eve – a very exciting night to open! What do you have planned for party goers?

HEK: WELL, AS I TYPE THIS, THERE IS STILL A TON OF WORK TO BE DONE, AND NYE IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY! BUT, WE ARE PLANNING A BIG SHOW, AND WE GOT OUR AFTER-HOURS LICENSE, SO WE ARE READY TO PARTY. IF THINGS AREN’T FULLY READY WE’LL COVER IT UP WITH MYLAR, THAT’S THE GREAT THING ABOUT NYE DECORATIONS.

LAK: You had to fight the good fight to make this all happen – tell me a little about that experience.

HEK: REALLY BORING STUFF. WE (MYSELF, AND MY PARTNERS GEOFF, JASON, AND D’ARCY) HAD ZONING ISSUES, STUFF LIKE THAT. WE ALSO HAD TO GO IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION, YOU NAME IT. ALL THE STUFF THAT IS NECESSARY BUT THAT BORES ME TO TEARS. PAPERWORK, UGH.

LAK: Post New Years Eve, what are your plans for programming the venue?

HEK: BASICALLY THE PLAN, IN A NUTSHELL, IS TO HAVE CABARET DURING THE WEEK AND NIGHTCLUBS ON THE WEEKENDS. MY NEW DRAG PARTY “MOTHER” WILL BE ON SATURDAYS.

LAK: What is the ambiance like? I can’t wait to see for myself in person!

HEK: WE HAVE A LITTLE ROOM CALLED THE “FEZ ROOM”, AND THEN THE MAIN ROOM. THE DECOR IS SORT OF “BROOKLYN MEETS BERLIN”.

LAK: I HAVE to ask, because it’s a question I am asked frequently. Is Trannyshack really going away forever? Or might we see it pop up at your new spot?

HEK: “MOTHER” WILL BE THE NEW TRANNYSHACK. I KNOW EVERYONE THINKS THAT THE NAME IS CHANGING BECAUSE OF THE “TRANNY” CONTROVERSY, AND THAT IS PARTLY TRUE. BUT ALSO, I KNEW IF I BOUGHT MY OWN VENUE, AND STARTED A WEEKLY DRAG SHOW AGAIN, IT COULDN’T BE CALLED TRANNYSHACK. I HAD TO REBRAND. TRANNYSHACK WAS SO SPECIFIC OF IT’S TIME, AND I WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF IT. IN 2016 TRANNYSHACK WILL BE 20 YEARS OLD, SO LOOK FOR A BIG RETROSPECTIVE!

LAK: Will owning and operating your own venue prevent you from bringing your shows to other cities? I know your fans in Seattle are concerned about this!

HEK: YES, UNFORTUNATELY I AM FOCUSING ON SAN FRANCISCO AND OASIS NOW. IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE I TAKE IT ON THE ROAD AGAIN. I LOVED TRAVELING AND HAVE HAD SUCH GREAT EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD, BUT A TOURING DRAG PARTY CAN BE EXHAUSTING.

IF I TRAVEL ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON IT WILL BE TO RELAX, NOT WORK…..

LAK: How has the response from the Queer community in SF been after you announced your new venue opening? I bet there’s a ton of support!

HEK: YES, EVERYONE IS SUPER SUPPORTIVE AND EXCITED. ALL THE TIME WE HEAR ABOUT QUEER SPACES CLOSING, SO FOR ONE TO BE OPENING IS A GREAT THING. I THINK ALSO, IN LIGHT OF THE ENCROACHING BLANDNESS THAT SEEMS TO BE TAKING OVER A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN SF (GOURMET ICE CREAM AND CUPCAKES, ANYONE?) PEOPLE REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT OASIS WILL BE.

LAK: Well, congratulations and GOOD LUCK! I am sure your new spot will become the center of the queer universe! Any New Years Eve resolutions or advice you want to share with SGS readers?

HEK: I NEVER MAKE RESOLUTIONS, I ALWAYS BREAK THEM! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

****************************************************************************

Oh, to be in San Francisco on New Years Eve…..

Purchase tickets: http://sfoasis.com/event.cfm?cart&id=137526

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

About the Author: L.A. Kendall

L.A. Kendall has been a fixture in the Seattle Nightlife Scene for nearly two decades, playing at and throwing some of Seattle's hottest events. In addition to a specially selected DJ schedule, she currently is the principal of Kendall's DJ & Event (www.kendallsdjandevent.com) where she books, manages and cultivates queer artists. She is also a Consultant and Talent Curator for Seattle PrideFest, and other events throughout the year.