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ABOUT US Krewe de Kinque (KDK) was officially founded on Mardi Gras night, February 24, 2004 in San Francisco's Castro district. It was on this date when a small group of friends formed a fraternal organization, now known as Krewe de Kinque, to promote the culture and traditions of Mardi Gras celebrations worldwide while raising funds and awareness for charitable causes. We are a volunteer based organization made up of individuals (straight and gay) who care about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) issues with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The Krewe's diverse membership includes San Francisco GLBT community and business leaders, titleholders, members from San Francisco's Imperial Court, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Bay Area Gay Rodeo Association, and the City's leather, bear, and drag communities. All members embrace a commitment to serving the GLBT and greater community through volunteer efforts. Membership to the Krewe is by invitation to individuals who embody this same commitment to community service. Just e-mail us or meet us at one of our events to learn more about our club. We have two membership categories: "Full Members" pay annual dues of $75 which includes your Bal Masque ticket and requires participation in our meetings. "Friends of the Krewe" do not pay dues and are not required to attend our working meetings but support the Krewe by participating, volunteering and/or donating. A simple one-page application is offered to interested parties and the Full Members vote in new members. KDK produces an authentic, charity masked ball annually shortly before the official date of Fat Tuesday. A King and Queen are crowned at the Bal Masque and rein for one year. An annual Twelth Night party is held 12 days after Christmas and the new King and Queen are announced in a secret ceremony to the members only. This is a masked and costumed soiree that ends at midnight with a Castro bar crawl. On Fat Tuesday, we organize a cable car or party bus full of costumed revelers to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to various bars around the city. The buses board in the Castro and return in time for more bead tossing and imbibing before midnight. KDK produces the Annual Holiday Leather Brunch for Positive Resource Center in December. Now in its 12 year (2008), the event attracts more than 100 guests who enjoy a gourmet brunch, cocktails, entertainment, a fabulous silent auction and the presentation of two Community Service Awards. KDK is dedicated to providing immediate and emergency financial support to service organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Since our founding in 2004, Krewe de Kinque has raised more than $30,000 for a wide variety of charities. We are most proud of our ability to raise more than $18,000 for Katrina relief five days after the levies breached in New Orleans. Though our beneficiaries need not be GLBT in nature, they must embody the spirit and open mindedness that we represent. We welcome your support whether you live in SF or anywhere around the world. As they say in New Orleans, "Laissez Les Bons Temps Roulez" (Let the good times roll!) Krewe de Kinque 584 Castro Street, #493 San Francisco, CA 94114-2594 415-867-5004 e-mail our club president: fernandoin2004@yahoo.com |