Mazel Top :: Oasis' Gay Jewish Night Celebrates Purim

Katya Smirnoff-Skyy celebrates her Jewish heritage.

"I love Judaism," the local drag chanteuse said. "It's the only religion where you get to drink four glasses of wine before dinner."

Smirnoff-Skyy, once Eastern Europe's greatest mezzo soprano, now spends her days beautifying the masses at Macy's, where she's everyone's favorite Chanel lady. After work, Smirnoff-Skyy (actually singer-actor J. Conrad Frank) can be seen at various gay clubs around town, entertaining the masses with her impressive pipes. The diva brought down the house at Oasis with her stunning rendition of "Jews Just Wanna Have Fun" at 's second edition, Eat My Hamentashan, the club's outrageously queer Purim party.

So, what's Purim? Some might call it a Jewish Halloween. It's an annual celebration in which Jews dress in costumes and party down while they recall the story of Esther, who saved the Jews from the evil Prince Haman in ancient Persia.

"Esther is our heroine!" proclaimed Smirnoff-Skyy. "We're here to celebrate her and to celebrate with funny hats!"

When the story of Esther is read at temples, the congregants stamp their feet every time Haman's name is mentioned. Jews also partake of "Hamantashen," a triangle-shaped pastry with apricot jam at its center. Hamantashan are said to represent Prince Haman's ears.

Hamantashan was served at in abundance, courtesy of Oasis co-owner Geoff Benjamin, a nice Jewish boy who baked them in his own kitchen. Benjamin, along with his husband, is a member of Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco's LGBT-inclusive congregation. He spoke proudly of his Jewish roots.

"When I joined D'arcy Drollinger, Heklina and Jason Beebout in owning a nightclub, I knew I wanted to do something Jewish," he said.

Mazel Top was first launched in January as a regular club night for Jewish men and their admirers.

"Did someone ask for Kosher meat?" Benjamin asked when the first party was announced. "Enough with your bubkes excuses! Dance the hora or be a hora!"

It was a crowd of more than 100 nice Jewish gay boys, many wearing yarmulkes, who converged on Oasis to celebrate Purim with last Thursday night. The club's hunky bartenders also sported the traditional Jewish headgear.

DJ Boy-vey spun a variety of danceable tunes as the crowd gyrated across the dance floor.

Sue Casa took to the Oasis stage in a big blonde fright wig to perform a few naughty gyrations, and the crowd loved it.

Daft-nee Gesuntheit then stepped up in a dazzling black-hooded cape, which fell to the floor to reveal a stunning black gown. Eventually the gown fell off, revealing her sizzling hot purple tights. Daft-nee's back up dancers were dressed to the nines in their leather jumpsuits. The audience cheered. Many threw dollar bills at the stage.

It was definitely not your Grandma's Purim party!

And Mazel Top will return each second Thursday.

"The second was as successful as the first," said Benjamin, "and it looks like San Francisco now has a monthly gay Jewish club night."

Mazel Top returns April 9 with a Passover theme, and each second Thursday at Oasis, 289 11th Street at Folsom. www.sfoasis.com