National AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park
Come enjoy the sun, music, flora, and friends in the beautiful National AIDS Memorial Grove. This event is open to all flow artists – fanning, flagging, poi, staff, hoopers and their supporters. Flags are available for use or just relax and take in the fun dance music and colorful visuals. Bring a beverage, a lunch, something (non-plastic/grass-friendly) to sit on, and enjoy!
Music By
Black Velveteen
Before she became Black Velveteen, Chris Offutt was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Her parents introduced her to a wide range of music; Motown to Mozart and everything in between. Some frequently featured artists in young Chris’s house were Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder and James Taylor. Current influences include Chris Fortier, Amonita, Wilma, Nora En Pure, Tayllor, Andre Lodemann, Bedouin, and Matt Sawyer to name a few.
From a very young age she dreamed of hosting her own radio show. In 2011 that dream became a reality when she had her own show “ Progressions in House” on FNOOB based out of London.
Chris enjoyed DJing around the San Francisco Bay Area from 2012-2019 . In 2012 she became the resident DJ and musical director at Aloft Hotel SFO. In 2013 Djing in the Pride Parade on the W Hotel float. In 2015 she was asked to perform on the Tantra Stage for Pride in San Francisco. She was in rotation at The End Up and did guest spots and Monarch, The Great Northern and Wish. In 2016 Chris was asked to join AirPusher Collective. She has also done guest mixes for FriskyRadio, Proton Radio and Elastic Beatz, Innerflight, Space Medicine and more. She currently enjoys residencies at Caravan, Reflect and is coproducer and resident at Habitat Seattle. Velveteen’s style and sound is indescribable as she reaches for sounds and music that turn her listeners on to a new experience.
You can listen to Black Velveteen’s music here:
Our Beneficiary
Planned Parenthood Northern California
PPNorCal offers a wide array of sexual reproductive health care services, including cancer screening, contraception and emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing/treatment/prevention, rapid HIV testing/counseling, PrEP/PEP for HIV management, abortion care, therapy and crisis counselling, pregnancy testing/counseling, infertility services, gender-affirming care, including gender affirming hormone therapy, vasectomy, colposcopy and more!
Mission & Vision
Planned Parenthood Northern California advances health equity through the delivery of equitable, accessible, and high-quality sexual reproductive health (SRH) care.
Planned Parenthood Northern California fulfills its mission by advancing strong business practices and progressive initiatives anchored by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and honorable standards.
Where to Go
National AIDS Memorial Grove (map/directions)
Taking public transportation is encouraged since finding a place for your car can be challenging. Never been there? We suggest you pair up with someone who has. If you drive, go early for better parking — map here.
Walking directions:
- Walking directions from 2nd and Irving (N-Judah).
- Walking directions from 9th and Judah (Bus #6, #43, and N-Judah).
- Walking directions from Stanyan and Hayes (Bus #21, #5).
- Walking directions from Haight and Stanyan (Bus #33, #7, #71).
What to Expect
The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a gorgeously secluded meadow near the East end of Golden Gate Park. Often the fog is licking at the sky above – especially in the summer, bring sunscreen and a wrap. Bring something to sit on; pack a lunch or bring snacks and beverages; flags are available for use; usually a few furry friends roaming. There are little or no services nearby but port-a-potties will be available. Our DJ spins vocal fun-filled dance music, and flow artists eagerly enjoy and share their art with newcomers. There is no pressure to participate — come relax and take in the color and beauty of our tribe!
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About Flagging in the Park
In 1997 a group of San Francisco flaggers started a tradition of celebrating life by gathering in the newly dedicated National AIDS Memorial Grove. Twenty-four years later, Flagging in the Park has grown into a treasured, quintessentially San Francisco event where DJs, organizers and participants donate their time, energy and love to help raise money for local and national charities.
2025 Partners
Flagging In The Park is a program of Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation (GRGRF), which continues to support us with a $2,000 matching grant for each of our 2025 events. As always, it takes a village to make this happen! FITP would not be possible without the support of our incredible partners: the National AIDS Memorial, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Flagger Central, The Lookout, Ryan Clouse(graphics), our generous donors— who ensure every dollar collected in the Grove goes to our beneficiaries—and the many volunteers who bring it all together. Be sure to show them some love and let them know you appreciate their support!
2025 Producers
Amy Lam, Fiona Davidson, Jack Whiteford, Jeff Kennedy, Markus Thorndike, Michael Rackley, Tom Steele, William Barros, Zach Warner, and Xavier Caylor
