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
GlamaPuss
“When I go out I want to go out Dancing”
I’ve been clubbing since 1985. It all started in the Netherlands where I was living at the time. I remember one night vividly, the DJ dropped in Bronski Beat’s “Why”. I hadn’t heard live mixing before and it piqued my interest. I wanted to know all about this thing…. why the DJ would choose a purrticular song to go with another one. Why? Is my favorite word, after all I firmly believe it was a lack of curiosity that killed that cat. Poor Kitty.
When I moved onto Sydney and started hanging out on Oxford Street, the Gay Mile, I wasted no time in insinuating myself into every DJ box I could get near. I made friends with all the DJs and always gravitated towards the best ones. The 80’s were a blur of dancing and Drag Queens. When I wasn’t dancing from sundown to sunup I was helping drag queens with their quick changes in the ladies toilets of gay bars all over town. When the clubs were closed (which wasn’t very often I admit – Sydney was inSaNely fun and never closed back then) I would use my roommates equipment to make mixed sets, testing the theories I came to after all my incessant questioning.
Friends were dying from AIDS all around me, but the devastation brought the community together and the dance floor was our church. The DJ, our pastor. By the 90’s I was so entrenched in the Queer nightclub scene that I became a door bitch, vetting the crowds and setting the tone. My favorite doors were always the ones where I could still hear the DJ. I never missed a trick. I’ve worked Queer Club doors in Australia, London and San Francisco – you may have seen me at Beatbox, Honey Soundsystem or Lookout?
But most importantly I have danced on Queer dance floors in every corner of the globe and have spent more time in record shops than should be allowed. This Flagging set will be my first set played live to folx instead of cats. Osmosis is a powerful thing…. Or at least I hope so. It’s a bucket list moment for me 40 years after I first experienced the magic of a flawless DJ set. Since moving to San Francisco in 2010 I have attended most of the Flagging Events in the beautiful AIDS Grove. It is an absolute privilege to be able to play to the amazing community I found there. It might be the beginning of my next chapter… who knows, only time will tell. I believe we all need to change to grow, after all if there was no change there would be no butterflies….
Imagine a world without Butterflies?!
Listen here: GlamaPuss | hearthis.at
Our Beneficiary
Shanti Project
Shanti Project (Shanti) is an innovative nonprofit organization that builds human connections to reduce isolation, enhance health and well-being, and improve quality of life for local community members. Through comprehensive, continuum-of-care programs, including in-home and onsite care navigation, emotional and practical support, and services to preserve the human-animal bond, Shanti strives to enhance the lives of those living with terminal, life-threatening, or disabling illnesses or conditions.
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
