North Park gallery Agitprop will feature photographs by San Diego photographer Andrew Printer from Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 12. A writing workshop on the themes of Printer’s work will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Andrew Printer’s exhibition of photography called “Second Thoughts From Normal Heights” includes 12 photographs that address themes of gay male representation, queer identity and gay assimilation. Each photography lifts a convoluted gesture, pose or tactic employed by a homosexual photographer of the 20th century in the name of desire and drops it into a variety of domestic spaces in Normal Heights. The work of George Platt-Lynes, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bob Mizer, Thomas Eakins and Wilhelm von Gloeden, along with Hollwood film stills are among those images referenced.

“Many of these once plausible strategies (designed to circumvent censure by adhering to codes of Art, fitness or social documentation) look profoundly peculiar to me. Equally peculiar to me is the recent, adamant drift of the broader LGBT community toward ‘respectability’ as it aims to assimilate into hetero-normative structures at the expense of its own unique history,” Printer said, adding that “for me there is something inauthentic and awkward at the root of this drive. Desire has gone. Domesticity reigns. Alternative possibilities of kinship are long forgotten.”

In addition to premiering his photographs in San Diego, Printer invites the community to engage with the themes that motivate his work by participating in a free writing workshop facilitated by Rob Williams, a local writer and popular writing instructor. Using Printer’s photographs as a springboard, writers of all levels and styles (fiction, memoir, manifesto, poetry) will be encouraged to consider and then write about topics ranging from AIDS to marriage to what it means to be post-gay. The workshop aims to be fun, conversational and dynamic.

The writing workshop, held in conjunction with Second Thoughts From Normal Heights, is designed to interrupt the one-way dynamic of the traditional exhibition experience, something central to Printer’s community-based art practice.

Agitprop is located at 2837 University Ave. in North Park. Entrance to the gallery is on Utah Street. For more information, call 619-384-7989 or visit www.agitpropspace.org.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego is ready to travel back to the future with its summer pops concert “Really Awesome 80s.” This fully-staged and fun-filled concert will take place at La Jolla’s Garfield Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m.

“Really Awesome 80s” will feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego performing some of your very best-loved songs from the decade that brought us big hair, shoulder pads, skinny ties, and parachute pants. Take a ride along with the Chorus down the freeway of love in their pink Cadillacs and little red Corvettes as they remember those video vixens, macho men, and one-hit wonders that helped define a generation. Celebrate good times with GMCSD on one thriller of a road trip you won’t want to miss!

GMCSD’s “Really Awesome 80s” will also feature special guest artists from the d’shire dance collective (ddc), Southern California’s premier all-male dance company. ddc is known for its cutting-edge, intriguing and highly athletic dance work that was included in Diversionary Theatre’s Dance/Theatre project in early 2009 and the recent TruthOut! Critics have hailed ddc as “insightful and with comedic sensibility, exploring the notions of ‘change and gay marriage’.” Artistic Director Deven P. Brawley and members of the ddc are excited to perform together with the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. Audiences will get to enjoy new works from ddc artists in addition to recreations of some of the legendary dances from the 1980s, such as the film Flashdance and a tribute to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Tickets for “Really Awesome 80s” range from $24-$35, with discounts available for students, seniors, military and groups. All seats are reserved and are selling briskly, so everyone is encouraged to visit www.gmcsd.com at any time to view a seating chart, select their preferred seats and make their purchases. For more information, call 619-57-GMCSD or go to www.gmcsd.com.

The Greater San Diego Business Association continues its entrepreneurial workshop series with “Low-Cost Marketing for Small Businesses,” on Wednesday, July 29, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley.

The workshop, sponsored by Chase, will focus on free and low-cost advertising strategies for small business owners that will include Web site building, search engine optimization and social networking. A continental breakfast will be served.

The cost is $10 for members and $20 for guests. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The GSDBA’s next business-supportive workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14.

For more information, call 619-296-4543 or visit www.gsdba.org.

San Diego Democratic Club (SDDC) members understand first-hand just how dynamic and robust democracy can be. Last month, several candidates appeared before the membership and after an evening of speaking, questioning, discussing and listening, the SDDC bestowed its endorsement on three candidates for 2010: Francine Busby for the 50th Congressional District, former City Councilmember Toni Atkins for the 76th Assembly District, and Mary Salas for the 40th State Senate seat.

At this month’s meeting, the process will be re-enacted, as friendly incumbents and statewide candidates vie for the club’s endorsement and commitment to their campaigns.

The LGBT San Diego Democratic Club welcomes all who support equality at the monthly meeting tonight, on Thursday, July 23. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. The SDDC meeting will be held at Joyce Beers Community Center, located at 4065 Vermont St. in the Uptown Shopping District of Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-200-8194 or visit www.sddemoclub.org.