I remember a different Oasis that opened 10 years ago. The raw space on 11th and Folsom was sparsely decorated, with events that likewise gave attendees many unvarnished, heartfelt drag performances. But the club’s lifeblood pumped through the hearts of owners Heklina and D’Arcy Drollinger — ambitious queens with their eyes on business, fame, creating community, and supporting artists.
Today we’ll see the next chapter of their dream thanks to its first gala that raked in more than $200,000. That money supports a much grander Oasis of today, one with a flashy runway, rooftop space, and sparks that fly while drag queens do death drops. Notably though, it’s the new nonprofit arm that attendees threw their dollars at — Oasis Arts — which wants queer film and theater to thrive in a city that’s often too expensive to encourage it.
“We started realizing that we weren’t able to do our job of supporting these artists,” said Drollinger on why Oasis Arts began. She also noted: “Ticket sales don’t actually create this.”
She told me it felt like being in “the eye of the storm” that night — a gala is a new hat for Drollinger to bring in dollars. But the veteran queen is unafraid of trying new things: She’s also the country’s first drag laureate, a title bestowed by a recently unseated London Breed. It was warming not just seeing our mayor at Saturday’s party, but also that she remained past a perfunctory appearance and chipped in $2,000.
“The one thing I am so happy about tonight is the joy in the room,” Breed said. “Oasis Arts has really been a game changer in supporting drag artists all over San Francisco.”
I am often the loudest-dressed at these society soirées, but D’Arcy really meant it in her invite that said “upstage the host.” I have never felt more at home in throngs of sequins, feathers, appliques and tulle. Everyone had a personal story about their ensemble, from local designers making their outfits to fast fashion they modified, or simple sewing projects that looked anything but.
Many noteworthy appearances ensued, including a very tall Peaches Christ in emerald sequins, state Sen. Scott Wiener, Juanita More, and an effective fundraising effort by Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany, who cohosted the night’s festivities. I watched these two take on the LGBT Center soirée and man, can they beg for it — which I mean in the best way. The main point of galas is to pry away our dollars for worthy causes, so you need hosts who can really accomplish that task.
Of course the night needed a medley of drag, and this one gave me very 2024 VMA vibes with numbers from Cher, Madonna, and Chappell Roan. The standouts came a bit later with a hilarious monologue by Coco Peru as Bea Arthur, and Roma doing the only lip sync I’ve ever seen from her — performing Fuckin’ Perfect by Pink.
It’s cloying to say but also the truth: The brightest star of the night wasn’t D’Arcy or her queens, but the community they all created inside Oasis. I can’t remember the last time partygoers were so passionate to genuinely connect. Gala goers typically keep a conversation going a solid five minutes at most with strangers, but here everyone really wanted conversation, including a gracious Peaches Christ — who put up with my silly questions about the price of wigs and couture, instead making up an excuse and running off in platform heels.
It was said in a speech that nowhere else existed like Oasis in San Francisco. We are in fact blessed with many venues for drag and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people here. But Oasis stands out due largely to the sincerity and love of its owner, who remains nice, humble, and accessible no matter how brightly her star shines. And D’Arcy’s spirit is reflected in the attendees who support her.
Now on the heels of its 10th birthday, Oasis’ next chapter will see that footprint grow with a separate space for artists. Founded in 2020, Oasis Arts has a dedicated space downtown where independent filmmakers can create, collaborate, and access support through partnerships. They also run the Living Wage Theater Arts Fund, which guarantees fair pay for performers.
“A lot of these clubs, they will not hire these young queens unless they’ve been on Drag Race, and D’Arcy still hires people that you may not know,” Coco Peru said. “And I encourage you to come see those shows.”
Indeed. We all need to support this art, and San Francisco is lucky to have Oasis to showcase it; Here’s to the next 10 years and beyond.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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More photos from Oasis Arts Gala 2024
