UPDATE: The telethon was held on March 6, 2021, and we’re delighted to report that it was an amazing success. Oasis started the day having raised $110,000 in pre-telethon donations, already breaking their initial goal of $100,000, and ended the day having raised an amazing total of $255,435 (last time we checked), exceeding their goal by more than 150%! The funds from the initial goal of $100,000 will be used to pay off the mounds of bills that Oasis continued to incur even while closed — rent, utilities, and other expenses. The additional funds raised during the telethon above the initial goal will allow Oasis to continue to pay their bills until bars are allowed to fully reopen, and anything left over will be used to spruce up the joint with a fresh paint job or other polishing touches.
Even though it feels like we’re finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic, our beloved institutions aren’t out of the woods yet.
Oasis Nightclub is at risk of closing, and will be holding an online telethon to pay their bills for the next few months until things can properly reopen again.
The Details
- Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021
- Time: 12:00 noon PST to 12:01 a.m. PST (12 hours of fun!)
- URL: https://givebutter.com/saveoasis
- Note: You don’t have to wait — you can donate today!
From the Fundraiser
SAVE THE OASIS TELETHON, hosted by D’Arcy Drollinger and friends, will stream live March 6, 2021, 12:00PM-12:00AM on Oasis TV – and simultaneously right here on Givebutter – allowing audiences the opportunity to support the legendary SOMA nightclub/cabaret that is at risk of closure.
You don’t need to wait for the telethon – consider donating today!
For the past six years, The Oasis has been home to queer performers both locally and nationally, as well as a clubhouse for the community. We have worked as hard as we can to rise above the situation, but after of year of not being able to fully operate and still many months to go, Oasis is facing financial collapse.
Drollinger will be joined by a cavalcade of stars and San Francisco luminaries including Sister Roma, Heklina, Juanita More, Glamamore, Peaches Christ, Alaska, Lady Bunny, Ben De La Creme, Justin Bond, Leigh Crow, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Trixie Mattel, Varla Jean Merman, Honey Mahogany, Rock M. Sakura, Snaxx, Matthew Martin, Chyna Maykit, The Baloney Boys, Mario Diaz, Patty from HR and many more fabulous performers who have graced the Oasis stage over the years.. The goal is to raise $100,000 to save the iconic queer SOMA nightclub.
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of Oasis shutting down our normal operations due to Covid-19, the financial situation has become dire. It literally costs us money to be open right now, due to our size and location. While bars in the Castro have foot traffic and smaller spaces, opening our roof and parklet is actually more expensive than staying closed. We are counting on grants from the City and Federal government, but the process for those hasn’t even started and I fear will come too late. We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished to stay alive so far – Meals on Heels (our drag delivery service), producing shows on our rooftop and parklet, and creating our own streaming TV platform full of original content. With the help of a PPP loan, we were able to employ our staff for a short period, hire out-of-work performers, and bring some joy and sparkle to the community during this dark time. But the hard reality is that even with all we’ve done and the initial help we received, the monthly cost to maintain a business like Oasis is extremely high. The second shutdown coupled with the already mounting debt has left us on the brink of financial collapse. We are now asking for the community’s help to keep us afloat so we can be there for everyone when the pandemic is over. It would be tragic to have come this far and not survive.” – D’Arcy Drollinger, Owner and Artistic Director of Oasis.
The twelve-hour streaming “Telethon” will include live and pre-recorded performances, testimonials, hourly interactive events, fabulous items up for auction from our community, and a phone bank of drag queens to take your call. All funds raised go directly to business expenses for the club: rent, utilities, operations, as well as paying off debt accrued while being closed.
This is an opportunity to invest in our community. To invest in queer nightlife. To invest in the future of San Francisco. Please help SAVE OASIS!
P.S. We have it on good authority that a Baloney boy will be stripping every hour at ten minutes after the hour.
- Oasis is a proud member member of the Independent Venue Alliance.
Note: It appears that the fundraiser will stay open until March 13, 2021, so you can still donate if you wish. Also, many other LGBTQ nightlife venues are also hurting, and may have Go Fund Me or other online fundraisers set up.
