SAN DIEGO -- What do you get when you mix the organization that promotes and preserves the LGBT history of San Diego, with a large, industrial space that champions a whimsical, progressive attitude and serves pancakes that are out of this world?
A Pajama Party!
This Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, from 6 to 9 pm, San Diego's Lambda Archives is hosting its first-ever Pajama Party fundraiser at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, at 3940 5th Ave., in Hillcrest.
Archive members, fans and the greater community at large are all encouraged to come spend a few hours together, indulging in great food, conversation, a little dancing, contests, raffles, a pajama parade and more.
Snooze, a franchise based in Colorado, opened its first restaurant outside of the Rocky Mountain State to much fanfare last November right here in San Diego.
Although Snooze specializes in pancakes (with about 30 "pancakes of the day" in addition to their standard daily offerings) and five different types of eggs benedict, their menu offers a host of other mouth-watering options for both breakfast and brunch. They also have a full bar to accommodate those who like to add a little kick to their A.M. eating.
The pajama fundraising event is the brainchild of Lambda Archives President Maureen Steiner.
"What says pajama party better than pancakes?" said Steiner, who got the idea after attending the restaurant's soft opening back in November. "I thought, 'what a great space to hold an event!' and I went right home and wrote a letter to [Robert]. This is a fundraiser that will be fun, with no dress up, no rubber chickens, and no long boring speeches."
Steiner is of course poking fun at the other big fundraising event the Archives usually hosts in February each year, their Gala -- which, although still a fabulous evening, consists of very different attire and a multitude of speeches.
The pajama party, on the other hand, will be fun, comfortable and casual.
Steiner noted that attendees don't need to shy away from this event at the thought of wearing pajamas. PJs are not required, any comfortable, casual clothes can be worn and children are also welcome.
Initially the word was passed that kids were not invited, but upon reflection, organizers realized more and more LGBT couples have children these days and the atmosphere at Snooze is perfect for kids and very family friendly.
General Manager of Snooze Robert Butterfield is looking forward to the first time his breakfast and brunch space is taken over during off hours for a community event. Their hours during the week are 6:30 am to 2:30 pm and 7 am to 2:30 pm on weekends.
"We are excited for people to see Snooze as a showcase for evening events," Butterfield said. "We are planning mini versions of both our red velvet and pineapple upside down pancakes, french toast bites, as well as tastes of our ham benedict and our Toscano benedict. We are expecting 100 people and I hope it is even more."
The staff at Snooze enjoys their late afternoons and evenings off, so don't expect to see an event like this every weekend, but management is more than happy to encourage the local community to come up with other ideas and events that will bring people into their magical space.
According to Steiner, the concept was a perfect fit. Snooze is donating the space and food, Lambda Archives pays for the staff's salaries and brings in the attendees, everyone has a good time and both Lambda Archives and Snooze make some money. That is a win-win for everyone involved.
Snooze adds this to their stellar record on community involvement. During their soft opening, they raised money for three different local youth charities and have formed other partnerships in the neighborhood.
For the Archives, with recent years being chock-full of history-making in San Diego, it is another welcome, developing connection, that will continue to help facilitate the importance of preserving the region's rich LGBT history.
"It is the start of a long and happy relationship," Steiner beamed.
Tickets to the pajama fundraiser are $35 and that includes two drink tickets. To purchase advance tickets, visit lambdaarchives.us or call (619) 260-1522.
Cash, check or credit card will also be accepted at the door the night of the event.
For more information, visit the SDGLN Events Page.
More About Lambda Archives
Lambda Archives of San Diego (LASD) is a 501(c)(3) corporation.
According to its website, the mission of LASD "is to collect, preserve, and teach the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the San Diego and Northern Baja California region."
This past year, the board, staff and volunteers of the LASD undertook a painstaking move from their smaller cramped upstairs spaces at 4545 Park Blvd (the Diversionary Theater building), to a much larger set of spaces downstairs.
Final touches are being completed on the new spaces and soon there will be ample room for rotating, public exhibitions and even more room for students and other researchers to sample the decades of history the organization has carefully archived over the years.
Follow Lambda Archives on Facebook.
You can also follow Snooze on Facebook and on Twitter at @SnoozeAMEatery.
Note: This year's annual Lambda Archives Gala has been moved to September and even has a new home. Stay tuned to SDGLN for more news on the move next week.
