Ending a storied career with style, grace, award-winning cuisine and legendary, internationally-acclaimed entertainment, AsiaSF (www.asiasf.com), the storied San Francisco dinner theatre and cabaret featuring the world-famous transgender Ladies of AsiaSF, has announced that it is closing. The last dinner show will be Sunday, March 31st, International Transgender Day of Visibility.
“It’s been an extraordinary run and an incredible privilege to work with our transgender Ladies of AsiaSF,” said Larry Hashbarger, Founder and CEO of AsiaSF citing a changing nighttime environment post COVID with its subsequent financial challenges as the reason for the closure. “We look forward to a lively last few weeks in which we continue to entertain, educate and enliven. The legacy of AsiaSF will live on, having led the way in entertainment which celebrates everyone being their authentic selves.”
While the AsiaSF signature brick-and-mortar business at 201 9th Street in San Francisco’s South of Market District will close, the intellectual property of AsiaSF will continue.
“It’s very possible that pop-up editions of AsiaSF might come forth, said Hashbarger. “This is very much a transition, and the end of an era. However, hopefully, it is the beginning of new opportunities for our vision and the Ladies of AsiaSF.”
In 1998, a small business that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism was born: AsiaSF. Founded by Larry Hashbarger and Skip Young, the world-famous restaurant, cabaret and nightclub quickly became an iconic entertainment landmark.
“AsiaSF has been a visionary pioneer in supporting the transgender community through empowerment by creating a safe space and unique employment opportunities that showcased our beautiful transgender stars, the Ladies of AsiaSF, said AsiaSF President/COO, Aaron Nelson. “For almost 26 years, The Ladies of AsiaSF, our star performers, have made audiences laugh, blush and say ‘WOW!’
Under the direction of show director and choreographer, Ronnie Reddick, guests have delighted in choreographed dance routines and lip sync numbers with beautiful costumes, state of the art sound and lights, which electrify AsiaSF’s dramatic runway stage.
“This sisterhood of diverse performers has mastered the art of celebrating,” said Young. By being their own authentic, welcoming selves, the Ladies of AsiaSF have always provided a warm, welcoming atmosphere that has made AsiaSF “Celebration Central for the Bay Area.”