SF’s Bawdy Storytelling Needs More Support to Keep Its 20-Year Run Going

On a recent evening at the Verdi Club in San Francisco, a small but passionate crowd gathered, eager to hear stories that push boundaries and challenge societal norms. Among them was a woman in her late 30s, clutching her phone, contemplating whether to purchase a livestream ticket after the in-person show sold out. Her story, like many others, embodies the heart of Bawdy Storytelling—a series that has woven a tapestry of raw, real-life experiences for two decades, fostering community and authenticity in a city renowned for its progressive spirit.

What Happened

Founded by Dixie De La Tour in the early 2000s, Bawdy Storytelling has become a fixture of San Francisco’s vibrant cultural landscape. The series, which features personal accounts of relationships, sexuality, and unconventional lifestyles, has expanded beyond the city to include performances in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago. However, recent months have cast doubt on its future. De La Tour announced that the upcoming performance at the Verdi Club on Friday might be the series’ final in-person event, citing declining attendance, the city’s escalating housing crisis, and economic shifts brought on by AI automation as key challenges.

The series’ appeal lies in its celebration of vulnerability and community. With storytellers ranging from sex workers and polyamorists to kink enthusiasts and furries, Bawdy Storytelling has created a space where authenticity is treasured. Its signature bingo game, Bang-O, encourages audience interaction, helping strangers connect over shared experiences. This unique blend of entertainment and acceptance has earned a loyal following, but sustaining it in today’s economic climate has proven difficult.

The Financial and Social Struggles

De La Tour explained that the pandemic’s impact on live events was profound, with attendance at the Verdi Club dropping significantly. Despite efforts to adapt through livestreams and Patreon support, the series has struggled to regain its former momentum. The rising cost of living in San Francisco, combined with the displacement caused by tech-driven gentrification, has made it harder for fans to attend in person or support the series financially. She emphasized that the current climate makes it challenging to keep the series alive without additional community backing.

Nevertheless, De La Tour remains committed to preserving the series’ core values. She hopes that enough supporters will purchase livestream tickets or subscribe to the Patreon, which offers access to podcasts and recorded performances. This grassroots support could be the key to extending the series’ legacy, especially as the in-person event on Friday may be the final chapter in its 20-year history.

Community Impact and Personal Stories

For many in San Francisco, Bawdy Storytelling is more than just entertainment; it’s a vital expression of community and acceptance. Stories shared on the series have helped individuals understand that they are not alone in their experiences, fostering a sense of belonging in a city often characterized by its diversity and progressive values. The series’ emphasis on authentic storytelling aligns with the city’s broader ethos of embracing different lifestyles and challenging societal taboos.

One longtime fan, a transgender woman in her 40s, shared that attending Bawdy Storytelling helped her embrace her identity after years of feeling isolated. She credits the series with providing a safe space where she could hear others’ journeys and share her own without fear of judgment. Such testimonials underscore the series’ importance in nurturing mental well-being and community cohesion, especially in a city facing increasing social and economic divides.

Historical Roots and Cultural Significance

To fully appreciate the significance of Bawdy Storytelling, it’s important to understand its roots within San Francisco’s rich history of counterculture and sexual liberation. The city has long been a hub for sexual expression and alternative lifestyles, dating back to the Beat Generation and the hippie movement of the 1960s. In the 1970s and 80s, San Francisco became a focal point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, with neighborhoods like the Castro emerging as symbols of pride and activism.

Dixie De La Tour’s series draws from this legacy, continuing the city’s tradition of challenging societal norms through art and storytelling. Her work is part of a broader cultural fabric that includes the city’s legendary sex-positive bookstores, underground clubs, and activist communities. The series not only entertains but also educates and advocates for visibility and acceptance of marginalized groups.

As the city grapples with rising rents and displacement, the loss of longstanding cultural institutions like Bawdy Storytelling would be a blow to this vibrant history. It’s a reminder that preserving spaces for open dialogue about sexuality and identity is crucial to maintaining San Francisco’s identity as a haven for free expression.

What’s Next for Bawdy Storytelling

While the future remains uncertain, there are glimmers of hope. The series’ organizers are actively encouraging fans to support via livestream tickets and Patreon subscriptions, which could provide critical funding. De La Tour has expressed her desire to continue the series beyond this weekend if community support materializes, emphasizing that storytelling is a fundamental part of human connection and a vital part of San Francisco’s cultural fabric.

Looking ahead, community leaders and local arts organizations are considering ways to preserve and expand platforms for authentic storytelling. Initiatives that support local artists and performers, especially those representing marginalized communities, are gaining momentum. The city’s cultural institutions recognize that stories like those told at Bawdy are essential to maintaining a diverse, vibrant civic identity rooted in shared values of faith, family, and community commitment.

In addition, some grassroots organizations are exploring partnerships with local venues and digital platforms to create sustainable models for storytelling events. These could include collaborations with community centers, LGBTQ+ organizations, and arts nonprofits that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. Such efforts aim to ensure that vital platforms for personal narratives continue to thrive, even if the original series can no longer sustain itself in its current form.

Community advocates emphasize that the storytelling tradition is vital not just for entertainment but for mental health, social cohesion, and cultural preservation. The city’s diverse populations—ranging from tech workers and artists to service industry employees and immigrants—all benefit from spaces where they can share their truths without fear of judgment.

What Happens Next?

Fans and supporters are urged to act quickly. Whether through livestream purchases or Patreon support, their contributions could determine if Bawdy Storytelling continues to thrive in San Francisco’s cultural landscape. The series’ future may hinge on community action, as grassroots support has historically been the backbone of many of the city’s most enduring cultural movements.

De La Tour remains hopeful, stating, “Storytelling is essential to human connection. I believe in the power of our community to keep this alive.” Her words echo the city’s long-standing tradition of resilience and resistance through art and expression. If enough people rally behind the series, it could not only survive but also inspire new generations of storytellers and community builders.

In the meantime, local organizations and cultural advocates are exploring ways to institutionalize storytelling as a core component of San Francisco’s cultural offerings. From public libraries to community centers, there is a growing recognition that personal narratives are vital to understanding ourselves and each other in an increasingly complex world.

As the city looks toward a future shaped by technological and societal change, the stories of Bawdy Storytelling remind us of the importance of authentic human connection. In a time when many are tempted to retreat into digital echo chambers, the series’ commitment to real voices and shared experiences offers a blueprint for community resilience and faith in the enduring power of storytelling.