32nd Annual Songs of the Season Recap: What a magical fundraiser 

Left to right | Kippy Marks, Kenny Nelson, Donna Sachet, Brian Kent, Brian Justin Crum, Sister Roma, Charles Jones, Leanne Borghesi, and Marta Sanders

San Francisco’s most delightful and entertaining holiday cabaret delivered unforgettable magic once again this year. Here’s a look back at the 32nd annual Songs of the Season. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10 and 11, we celebrated with two incredible nights of joy, laughter, and breathtaking performances, culminating in a sold-out second evening. Produced and hosted by the incomparable Brian Kent, this beloved holiday tradition brought together a dazzling array of talent, all while supporting PRC’s life-changing services. 

Brian Kent and Victor Serda

From Brian’s hilarious twist on “My Favorite Things” to Sister Roma’s comedic and heartfelt rendition of Twas the Night Before Christmas” and Broadway-worthy performances by The Show Broads, the evenings were packed with unforgettable moments. 

Audience favorites included Kenny Nelson’s velvety smooth “Merry Christmas Baby,” Brian Justin Crum’s stunning “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, and Kippy Marks’ vibrant violin solos with his 1822 violin consort Izabella. Charles Jones brought soulful renditions of holiday classics, while Donna Sachet’s iconic cameo performance of “White Christmas” left everyone feeling the holiday spirit. 

Backing these sensational acts was a top-notch band featuring Dr. Dee and Jad Bernardo on keys, Victor Serda on bass, Brian Lassiter on saxophone, and Roberta Drake on drums. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who purchased tickets, donated, and made this event possible, including our board champion Michael Kyle, and our generous sponsors; Tito’s Handmade Vodka, The Bob A. Ross Foundation, Michelle Jester, Brio Financial, Americorp Financial Group, The Edge Bar, Mark Leno, .Philip Grasso, David Helton, Ahmad Henry, Bert Salyga, Darren Smith and Klaus Gelinsky, The San Francisco Bay Times, and Gloss Magazine Your support fuels PRC’s mission to transform lives. 

Thank you to our incredible community for making the 32nd Songs of the Season a spectacular success! We can’t wait to see you next year for even more surprises and holiday cheer! 

Be sure to save the date for the 2025

Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10, 2025

Happy Holidays, 

PRC Team 

P.S. It’s not too late to support Songs of the Season and PRC. You can still make a donation to support this important work. Together, we can ensure that more people have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Gary and Donna Retire Pride Brunch After 25 Amazing Years

Dear Friends,

Twenty-five years ago, we started Pride Brunch with the late Chef Rusty Gaspard at Stars restaurant as an opportunity for our community to gather during Pride weekend and raise funds for PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center). It quickly grew to an immensely popular official Pride event and significant fundraiser for PRC, honoring the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade and offering them a rare opportunity to share some remarks with the public.

2023 set new records with 350 guests, net proceeds of $78,000, and passionate remarks from every SF Pride Community Grand Marshal. The Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square came alive with colorful decor, lively entertainment, hosted bars from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Korbel, a delicious seated brunch, and a meaningful program augmented by comments from Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, and Assemblymember Matt Haney. In addition, we recognized 12 Legacy Partners, friends who contributed to the success of Pride Brunch over many years.

After careful consideration, we have decided to end this 25-year run with that successful 2023 event. As event expenses continue to climb, we find it increasingly difficult to keep ticket prices at a reasonable level for everyone. We want all our friends to be able to attend, regardless of their personal financial situation. In addition, the tremendous time, energy, and volunteer assistance needed for such a large event has eclipsed our resources.

We are so grateful to our generous financial sponsors, donors to the raffle and auction, those who bought raffle tickets and bid enthusiastically, and every single person who chose to support Pride Brunch with their attendance, donations, and volunteer hours. It is only with your help that Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet’s Pride Brunch has raised more than $645,000 in net proceeds since 1999 to support the life-changing work of PRC. We know how many
events and causes vie for your attention and we deeply appreciate your choice to include our event in your SF Pride plans.

To be clear, we will continue to serve on the Advisory Board of PRC and support PRC as before and we encourage you to do the same. If this decision leaves you wondering how to show your support for PRC, please consider the annual Mighty Real Fundraiser, Bare Chest Calendar, and Songs of the Season, among many other opportunities.

Thank you again for 25 years of generosity, community, and celebration. We consider ourselves very fortunate to live in San Francisco and to have your support.

Sincerely,



Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet
Co-Founders, Pride Brunch